"Lu Xuan, what the hell are you doing here?!" the Sect Master roared internally. This was absolute chaos! Hadn't he explicitly told Lu Xuan to stay put on Azure Mystery Peak and avoid causing trouble?

Boom! A divine rainbow of light descended, carrying Lu Xuan and Ye Chen straight onto the Grand Dao Sect's main plaza. Instantly, every eye in the massive square locked onto them. They were, without a doubt, the most conspicuous—and disruptive—presence there.

The silence was deafening. The faces of the Grand Dao Sect elders collectively darkened. Seriously? We told him not to come, and he shows up late! The Pill Refining Exchange Conference had already begun! This was pure trouble-making.

Some in the crowd recognized Lu Xuan and gasped. "Isn't that Peak Master Lu of Azure Mystery Peak?"

"Uh... who is that next to Lu Xuan? He's a disciple in the Profound Sovereign realm!"

"Only Peak Master Lu could pull this off—not coming early, not coming on time, but showing up precisely when the conference has started!"

Lu Xuan, completely unruffled, addressed the stunned crowd. "My apologies, I seem to be running a bit behind."

Gu Yuefang, the Peak Master of Pill Peak, twitched, forcing a strained smile. "Lu Xuan, since you've arrived, please take a seat."

Lu Xuan nodded and walked toward the Grand Dao Sect's designated area.

The Sect Master gritted his teeth and sent a mental transmission. "Lu Xuan, didn't I tell you to stay away? Do you or Ye Chen know anything about alchemy?"

Lu Xuan grinned. "Sect Master, I brought you a surprise."

The Sect Master pressed a hand to his chest, fighting the urge to physically assault Lu Xuan. "Fine. You're here. Sit down and watch." He repeated the warning three times, his voice echoing in Lu Xuan's mind. "Don't cause trouble! Don't cause trouble! Don't cause trouble!"

Lu Xuan was speechless.

***

In the Yao Family's area, Yao Baili observed Ye Chen closely, a flicker of shock in his eyes. The young man's eyes were strikingly similar to Yao Liuli, his mother! Ye Chen, clad in white, was handsome and spirited, possessing an unparalleled demeanor. Yao Baili felt a surge of emotion. As expected of one who carries the bloodline of my Yao Family! He resolved to meet Ye Chen privately after the Pill Refining Exchange Conference concluded.

Soon, Lu Xuan and Ye Chen sat down. Ye Chen glanced over and saw Nangong Baixue glaring at him. Her face was a mask of shock. In just three months, Ye Chen had reached Profound Sovereign late-stage! She was only at the initial stage! She was no longer his match.

How did he do it? Her mind immediately jumped to the most dismissive conclusion: He must have artificially boosted his cultivation by piling up pills! Her gaze hardened with scorn. What did a higher cultivation matter? He was still a waste, worlds apart from her Dao Companion, Qin Xiao, who had long since entered the Profound Venerate realm!

Seeing Nangong Baixue's sneering expression, Ye Chen snorted, turning his head away, utterly ignoring her.

Nangong Baixue immediately sent a spiritual transmission. "Ye Chen, you waste, why are you here? This is an alchemy conference! Do you even understand alchemy? You're a disgrace!"

Ye Chen scoffed. "Idiot." He instantly blocked her spiritual sense, a strong sense of annoyance washing over him.

***

The small disruption caused by Lu Xuan and Ye Chen quickly subsided. The Sect Master announced, "Now, according to the established order, let the 'Discussing the Dao' session begin!"

Gu Yuefang ascended the high platform, a faint divine light swirling around him as he began to expound on his alchemy theories. Everyone listened intently. Elder Cang Li of the Cangmu Academy even pulled out a Transmission Jade Slip to record the profound insights Gu Yuefang was sharing. Gu Yuefang's voice resonated clearly.

"The Dao follows nature. Our Grand Dao Sect's alchemy differs from other schools. We focus on integrating 'Dao and Essence.' Nine pill halos are generally the limit, as refining always incurs loss. But if we weave the 'Dao and Essence' into the pill, its quality can be elevated further..."

Everyone was astonished. Integrating 'Dao and Essence' into alchemy! This was truly worthy of the Grand Dao Sect. A pill imbued with this essence would be truly heaven-defying. Gu Yuefang spoke for several hours, and the audience gained much. Ye Chen was deep in thought, feeling a profound sense of enlightenment. As expected of a Heaven-tier Alchemist! They have truly walked their own 'Dao'! The pursuit of the Dao was endless!

Ye Chen turned to look at his master—and froze. Lu Xuan's head was drooping, his chin resting on his chest. He was asleep.

Uh... what the hell? Ye Chen thought. Did Master find Peak Master Gu's lecture too simple? It made sense. Peak Master Gu's theories were indeed profound, but compared to his Master's grand vision of "Heaven and Earth as Furnace," they were worlds apart, not even on the same level. He had memorized every word Lu Xuan had ever spoken about the Dao, and every recitation filled him with awe. I must keep practicing and learning!

Just then, a sound cut through the silence. "Hnnn..." "Hooo..." Lu Xuan was snoring.

The entire plaza fell silent. Every single person stared at Lu Xuan and Ye Chen. What the actual hell?! This was a lecture by a Heaven-tier Alchemist, a precious opportunity! How could anyone possibly sleep through it? The alchemists who had paid a Saint Soldier just to attend were internally spitting blood. What right does Lu Xuan have to be here?

Ye Chen felt the sting of the thousands of eyes, realizing they didn't understand his master's greatness. He still couldn't maintain his master's profound detachment.

Suddenly, Gu Yuefang descended from the platform, striding toward Lu Xuan, his face black with fury. He wanted to hit someone. Tens of thousands of people were listening intently, and Lu Xuan was snoring! This was intolerable! Rotten wood that cannot be carved!

Gu Yuefang stopped in front of Lu Xuan, gritting his teeth. "Lu! Xuan! If you want to sleep, go back to Azure Mystery Peak to sleep!"

Lu Xuan blinked, momentarily stunned. He felt a strong sense of déjà vu, like being scolded by a "Class Teacher" from his past life. He was speechless.

Ye Chen quickly bowed respectfully to Gu Yuefang. "Peak Master Gu, please allow my Master to stay."

Gu Yuefang's expression softened slightly, as he had more patience for Ye Chen. He looked at Ye Chen. "Then tell me, what did I just lecture on?"

Ye Chen spoke slowly. "Peak Master Gu lectured on integrating the 'Dao and Essence' into alchemy, thereby creating supreme-grade pills that surpass the nine-pill halo limit..." Ye Chen continued, eloquently reciting the core principles.

Gu Yuefang nodded, greatly relieved and pleased. "Excellent, excellent."

The crowd was stunned. Ye Chen had grasped the essence of the lecture. Many non-alchemists found Gu Yuefang's examples obscure, yet Ye Chen had perfectly recounted them. This Ye Chen is truly exceptional!

Yao Baili nodded slightly, confirming his earlier thought. As expected, the bloodline of Yao Liuli flows through Ye Chen! How could a member of the Yao Family not understand alchemy?

Nangong Baixue sneered internally. Laughable. What good is rote memorization? Alchemy is not about reciting theories!

Gu Yuefang sighed, looking from Ye Chen to Lu Xuan. Alas... Ye Chen is so outstanding, but Lu Xuan... he is truly incorrigible. He glared fiercely at Lu Xuan, then turned back to the platform, addressing the alchemists.

"Fellow Daoists, do you have any questions?"

An Earth-tier Alchemist stood up, looking troubled. "Ancient Master Gu, our factions don't possess techniques like the Grand Dao Scripture. How can we integrate 'Dao and Essence' into our alchemy?"

Gu Yuefang pondered. "Don't be so narrow-minded. Besides the Dao within supreme techniques, once you reach the Profound Saint realm, you will have forged your own 'Dao.' This can also be integrated into your alchemy."

Everyone gasped. It can be done that way?

Elder Cang Li of the Cangmu Academy spoke slowly. "That is correct. We can certainly attempt more during the refining process."

After answering a few more questions, Gu Yuefang looked at the next scheduled speaker. "Elder Cang Li, please ascend the Dao Discussion Platform!"

Everyone looked at Elder Cang Li. He shook his head. "My apologies. I have had no new insights in the last century. Please, let others speak!"

The crowd was disappointed. Elder Cang Li was clearly hoarding knowledge! Many had paid a Saint Soldier just to listen to these Heaven-tier Alchemists share their wisdom. They whispered that Cang Li was notoriously selfish and had refused to share his insights for centuries.

At that moment, Yao Baili rose, a divine rainbow lifting him onto the platform. He shot a look of disdain at Cang Li. Hoarding knowledge! I refuse to be associated with such selfishness! Yao Baili sat down and began to speak, introducing the Yao Family's "Path of Nature" alchemy philosophy. They never extracted the essence from spirit herbs; instead, they refined the entire plant, believing this preserved the herb's "original essence."

Everyone listened intently, diligently recording Yao Baili's refining techniques.

***

Inside Ye Chen's jade pendant, Yao Yan's voice entered Ye Chen's ear. "I didn't expect that brat Yao Baili would be leading the delegation to the Grand Dao Sect."

Ye Chen was slightly startled. "Elder Yao, are you and Senior Yao Baili close?"