Chapter 362: Refining the Pill, Setting Out for the Flower Sect
Back at his residence, Yun Yun and Xiao Yi Xian were chatting in the courtyard. The other girls were nowhere to be seen—most likely cultivating.
"You're back!"
The two women, known as the "Demonic Beast Mountain Valley Duo," had remained close ever since reuniting with Xiao Yuan. Despite Xiao Yi Xian having grown cold and ruthless due to her Woeful Poison Body, she had returned to the gentle girl from Qingshan Town after staying by Xiao Yuan's side.
Yun Yun, inherently kindhearted, treated Xiao Yi Xian like a younger sister after learning her past. With one mature and gentle big sister, and one obedient little sister, the scene as they greeted Xiao Yuan together was heartwarming.
"Haha, I'm back. Don't worry—everything went smoothly!"
Xiao Yuan said with a smile.
"Good. Huo'er is cultivating, and Cai Lin has been getting dragged around by Zi Yan lately. They seem to be getting along well."
Yun Yun chuckled.
"Yeah, Zi Yan seems really interested in Cai Lin," Xiao Yi Xian added with a smile.
"That's good. Better than her pestering me to refine pills. I'm exhausted. I'll go get some rest."
Xiao Yuan nodded, then pulled both women into his arms and laughed as he spoke.
"Ah? That's not appropriate… It's still daytime!" Xiao Yi Xian blushed.
Yun Yun also flushed and lowered her gaze without speaking.
"???" Xiao Yuan paused, then sighed. "Has it occurred to you I might be genuinely tired?"
"I don't buy it," Xiao Yi Xian replied skeptically.
She remembered how he hadn't said he was tired even after making her throat hoarse…
"Forget it, let me tell you something. I'll be heading out soon. Do you want to come along?"
Xiao Yuan rolled his eyes but still led the two into the room.
"Leaving? Where to?" they both asked, clearly surprised.
"The Flower Sect."
Xiao Yuan replied.
"The Flower Sect?" Yun Yun said in surprise. "I've heard of it—it only recruits women and isn't as aggressive as other sects. It's more like a hidden hermit clan. I once thought about visiting it myself."
Xiao Yuan wasn't surprised by that—based on her temperament, the Flower Sect would indeed suit her.
He had plans involving the sect, after all.
"I'd like to go too," Xiao Yi Xian nodded. She was mostly just curious, though in truth she preferred staying by Xiao Yuan's side.
"Then accompany me, both of you?"
He smiled.
"Sure. Staying in the Pill Tower is getting boring. A trip would be nice."
Yun Yun smiled and agreed.
"I'll go with Sister Yun," Xiao Yi Xian added.
"Good. I need to rest and then refine a high-grade pill. I'll need you two to guard me while I do it."
Xiao Yuan said seriously.
"Okay."
The two replied in unison.
"Not to rain on your parade, but... Xiao Yi Xian shouldn't come this time. I have other plans for her."
Yao Lao's voice came from the ring as his projection floated out, stroking his beard.
"Uh…"
Both women froze upon seeing the projection emerge.
"This is Yao Lao, the teacher of both Xiao Yan and me."
Xiao Yuan quickly introduced him.
"Greetings, Senior Yao Lao!"
They bowed politely.
"No need for formality. Since you're with this brat, just call me Teacher."
Yao Lao grinned.
He handed a jade slip to Yun Yun. "Keep this. You'll need it in the Flower Sect."
"As for Xiao Yi Xian, although Xiao Yuan helped you condense your Poison Pill, your Woeful Poison Body hasn't been fully awakened. You'll stay at the Pill Tower for now—I'll help you bring out its full power. You'll have another great leap in strength."
He smiled.
"Thank you, Teacher!"
The two women understood how much Xiao Yuan respected Yao Lao and thus accepted his arrangements.
"This trip to the Flower Sect—if possible—help Yun Yun gain footing there. Her personality is well-suited to handle that old woman Hua Yu. With her support, Yun Yun could very well become the sect master. The Flower Sect has deep foundations. If she becomes leader, it'll be a major asset to you."
Yao Lao said privately to Xiao Yuan.
Ah, so that was the plan. No wonder Yao Lao asked him to make the trip personally.
"Alright. I'll rest first, then refine the pill, and we'll set off."
After speaking to Yun Yun and Xiao Yi Xian, Xiao Yuan lay down and consumed some mental recovery pills from his ring to restore his condition.
After all, this was a high-grade eighth-tier pill—Small Fortune Pill—which he had never refined before. It wasn't in Yao Lao's ring, so the formula likely came from Aunt Xuan or one of the three Pill Tower leaders—or had been reconstructed from memory.
After two hours of rest, Xiao Yuan opened the pale green scroll and began studying the recipe.
The next day, he began refining the pill.
While Xiao Yuan was busy refining, the Star Region remained eerily silent. Purple-black flames burned in every corner, transforming the place into a massive furnace. The air was so hot that an ordinary cultivator inhaling a single breath would combust on the spot.
The flame's outburst had turned the Star Region into a death zone.
In the middle of the endless fire sea, a faint blue light could be seen. Drawing closer, one would find a blue lotus platform with a figure seated cross-legged atop it.
It was Xiao Yan.
He sat completely motionless, like a monk in deep meditation. Even the aura from his body was faint—as if he were on the verge of death.
This soul realm mirrored the Star Region, except here, aside from the silence, there were constant roars of rage and fire explosions.
At the source of the explosions was a blue flame barrier. Within it, Xiao Yan sat on a lotus seat of blue flame, unmoving, while outside, the mini dragon of purple-black flame bombarded him relentlessly.
Boom! Boom!
Pillars of fire slammed into the barrier, sending ripples through it—but they never broke it.
"Despicable human! Dare to face me in a true battle?!"
Frustrated by his inability to break through, and sensing no effect from the heat on Xiao Yan, the Three Thousand Burning Flame became increasingly agitated. Over time, it sensed something terrifying—its power was slowly weakening, while Xiao Yan's was rising.
It was as if Xiao Yan was absorbing its power.
Though the change was subtle, it was real.
If this continued, the advantage would shift to Xiao Yan. Then, the counterattack would begin.
This realization drove the flame into panic and rage. Yet no matter how it screamed or attacked, Xiao Yan remained quietly within his barrier, unmoved.
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
The angrier the flame got, the more wildly it attacked. But the result was the same: more frustration.
Xiao Yan, for his part, slowly became aware of what was happening. The transference of energy seemed connected to the Dragon Seal—likely enhanced by Zi Yan's superior version of it, and supported by Xiao Yuan's earlier techniques.
These two aids allowed him to remain in an undefeatable position.
He realized this and finally relaxed.
With his current strength, he couldn't defeat the flame head-on. But with strong defense, the weakened core couldn't defeat him either. All he had to do was wait until enough energy had transferred—and then strike.
This was his only chance. A single reckless move could ruin everything.
And the thought of being enslaved by the flame terrified him. He would rather die.
So no matter what—it was victory or nothing.
The process would take time, but Xiao Yan was patient. Years of hardship had tempered his will. Slowly but surely, the balance tipped in his favor. All he had to do was wait for the moment to explode.
Twenty days later, thunderclouds gathered above the Pill Tower.
A new wave of eight-colored pill lightning drew the city's attention. But the Pill Tower revealed no information. The lightning churned violently for a quarter of an hour—then vanished.
Many were left confused.
Only Cao Ying knew what had happened. She had watched Xiao Yuan tear through space and leap into the lightning storm like it was nothing. She was dumbfounded.
Are these two brothers even human?
One was inside a sea of fire so dangerous that not even Xuan Kongzi could remain there.
The other charged into pill lightning like it was a playground.
Of course, her real reason for visiting was Zi Yan—to confirm Xiao Yan was still alive.
Refining a Heavenly Flame was dangerous. So although Xiao Yuan had informed Yao Lao and Xuan Yi about Zi Yan's ability to track Xiao Yan's life through the Dragon Seal, somehow Cao Ying had found out and visited frequently to check in.
She barely spoke to Xiao Yuan, who was busy refining, but Yun Yun and Xiao Yi Xian treated her cordially.
Though they respected her, they both understood—no matter how outstanding Cao Ying was, she couldn't match that ancient clan heiress who traveled with two Dou Zun guards.
Not just in background, but in talent, emotion, and countless other aspects.
To close that gap... it would be near impossible.
Xiao Yuan couldn't help either.
What—was he supposed to send Cao Ying in naked after Xiao Yan finished refining the flame and hope for the best?
That'd be humiliating for everyone involved.
Besides, he preferred Xun'er.
If she knew Xiao Yuan was trying to get Xiao Yan a second wife, she'd probably ignore him for life.
So... good luck, Cao Ying. You're on your own.
"Big Sis Yun, get ready. We need to leave soon."
Knowing how urgent the situation was, Xiao Yuan didn't waste time. He stepped outside and ripped open space, calling to Yun Yun.
He had already arranged everything during the pill lightning using his Thunder Clone.
Clones were the best!
Yun Yun had been prepared. She bid farewell to Cao Ying and followed Xiao Yuan into the space rift, leaving the Pill Tower behind.
"What a monster…"
Cao Ying muttered. It wasn't her first time seeing him tear space—but it still amazed her. A Dou Zong doing this? Ridiculous.
In the soul space, there was no concept of time.
Xiao Yan didn't know how long had passed—only that the flame was weakening while he was growing stronger.
Time flowed like sand through fingers.
He sat still, steadily gaining insight.
The days passed—until finally, the silence broke.
In the soul realm, Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes. This time, there was no calm in his gaze—only a faint smile.
"…My turn."
Sitting atop the lotus, he rose slowly.
A sharp aura surged from his body like a storm.
(END CHAPTER)
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