Chapter 364: Everyone Is Satisfied
As they entered the main hall, a rich floral scent drifted in, soothing the mind and body.
With a wave of her hand, the Grand Elder sealed the entire hall with formidable power.
"You said you are Yao Chen's disciple?"
The Grand Elder stared intently at Xiao Yuan and questioned him.
"I am. I've come today on my teacher's orders to deliver this Small Fortune Pill to Elder Hua Yu. It may not fully heal her injuries, but it will at least alleviate them somewhat. As for follow-up treatment, that will depend on how her condition progresses."
As he spoke, Xiao Yuan retrieved the pill from his ring and presented it respectfully.
"So that old rascal Yao Chen is still around... I found it hard to believe when I heard he'd died. With his talent and fame, it was truly a shame."
Though the Grand Elder's expression remained calm, her eyes flickered with emotion. She clearly had some history with Yao Lao.
"My teacher is doing well. Once I find a suitable body, he'll be able to fully recover."
Xiao Yuan smiled.
"Then he really is a blessed man. Our Flower Sect has remained hidden from the world for many years, so we don't hear much. I did catch wind of some news about you a while ago—it surprised me greatly. I wondered why Xuan Yi took on a disciple without saying a word. Now I see—it was because of Yao Chen."
Xiao Yuan sensed some hidden meaning in her tone but simply smiled sheepishly to gloss over it. He certainly wasn't going to gossip about his teacher.
"You're much sharper than that blockhead of a master of yours. Come along. Though my senior sister has refused visitors for years, I'm sure she'll want to see you."
The Grand Elder chuckled and turned to walk toward the rear of the hall.
Once they exited, mountain ranges stretched out before them. Despite her age, the white-haired Grand Elder moved at lightning speed—disappearing into the sky in a single step, as if testing them.
Xiao Yuan smiled and gently wrapped an arm around Yun Yun's waist. In a flash, they floated through the air like drifting leaves and followed with ease.
After nearly five minutes of rapid flight, the three landed at a shady side of an unremarkable mountain peak.
It was an extremely secluded place—one Xiao Yuan would never have found without the Grand Elder. Beneath thick branches, a pitch-black cave lay hidden.
"Senior Sister, I've brought two juniors to see you. They're from an old friend."
The Grand Elder raised her voice and called into the cave, then turned to Xiao Yuan and Yun Yun.
"You can go in. I'll wait outside."
"Thank you, Grand Elder."
Xiao Yuan smiled, bowed slightly, and led Yun Yun into the cave.
It was dark, damp, and cold—not somewhere one would expect someone to live.
Still, Xiao Yuan could faintly sense a powerful, suppressed aura deeper inside. But it felt lifeless and dull—almost dead.
It was unsettling.
Thankfully, after walking a short distance, the space opened up and visibility improved.
Inside the mountain's core sat a hunched, white-haired figure.
"Junior Xiao Yuan, with my fiancée Yun Yun, has come on behalf of my master, Yao Chen, to pay respects to Senior Hua Yu!"
Xiao Yuan bowed deeply with Yun Yun at his side.
Yun Yun blushed at how he introduced her but bowed respectfully as well.
The figure didn't respond at first. It seemed lost in memory. After a moment, a raspy voice said, "So that old rascal Yao Chen really didn't die. Come closer, let me get a good look."
Xiao Yuan and Yun Yun approached—and finally saw her clearly.
She was seated on a stone platform, dressed in plain clothes that looked worn and faded. Far from the image of a mighty Dou Zun, her frail frame and lifeless eyes spoke of long suffering.
"Your injuries are serious, Senior. May I offer this pill first?"
Xiao Yuan gently floated the jade bottle toward her with soul power.
"Yao Chen sent you to deliver this?" Hua Yu didn't even look at the pill. Instead, she studied the two of them and asked coolly.
"Yes. Master said you once saved his life. After his fall, he spent years fleeing Soul Hall. Now that he's returned and heard of your condition, he asked me to deliver this Small Fortune Pill."
Xiao Yuan replied sincerely.
"Hmph. He's the same as ever. But I have no use for this pill."
Hua Yu lifted her skirt slightly, revealing a leg so emaciated it was little more than skin and bone.
"I'm already near death. Seeing his disciple before I go is enough."
Her tone was calm—resigned to death.
"Senior, if you let go now, the Flower Sect may be devoured by the Heavenly Underworld Sect. This Small Fortune Pill is an advanced eighth-tier pill—a simplified version of the legendary Fortune Pill. While not as powerful, it's still potent enough to help recover your condition."
Xiao Yuan shook his head, speaking solemnly.
He didn't want his teacher's old friend to die just like that.
Besides, she could be a valuable ally in the coming conflict with Soul Hall. If Hua Yu could recover—maybe even grow stronger—she would be a great help. And Yao Lao had said Yun Yun could become the Flower Sect's next leader.
Compared to his other companions—who had monstrous talent or powerful backgrounds—Yun Yun had neither. Xiao Yuan couldn't afford to divide his attention to train her personally. The Flower Sect was the perfect solution: ample resources, strong legacy, and a nurturing environment.
Here, she could grow quickly and maybe keep pace with him. Otherwise, she risked becoming a mere flower vase—pretty, but useless in a fight.
"Hmph. Swallowing the Flower Sect isn't that easy. But how do you know about all this?"
Hua Yu narrowed her eyes at him.
"I killed a few of Heavenly Underworld Sect's lackeys recently and got worried about revenge, so I did some digging—including on their sect."
Xiao Yuan began to fabricate fluently.
"Heavenly Underworld Sect has been expanding aggressively. Their cultivation methods allow them to devour flesh and Dou Qi. They even make their disciples fight to the death to choose their next leader.
"They're violent, domineering, and cruel. The three sects under them are almost as powerful as the Three Valleys and stronger than the Four Pavilions.
"They're sure to target Flower Sect next. I also discovered your Acting Sect Master Hua Jin is quite close to one of their Dou Zun experts. I doubt she can hold this place together."
He laid it all out, while Yun Yun listened in confusion.
When did he investigate all this?
But that didn't matter—Hua Yu was listening.
Living longer for no reason wouldn't motivate her.
But living for her sect?
That was different.
Especially since she was already disappointed in her disciple.
"You've done your homework. My injury is indeed tied to the Heavenly Underworld Sect. You've touched a nerve. Fine—I'll take the pill."
With that, she retrieved the pill from the bottle and swallowed it in one gulp.
In an instant, immense medicinal power coursed through her body, erupting in an uncontrollable wave of Dou Qi.
Xiao Yuan and Yun Yun were too close. The energy surged at them like a tidal wave.
Whoosh!
Xiao Yuan stepped forward, shielding Yun Yun. He conjured a dark-gold flame wall that absorbed the shockwave.
Even so, the energy from that blast made him break into a cold sweat.
Hua Yu's strength was terrifying. That single surge could have killed a low-tier Dou Zun.
Still, Xiao Yuan didn't back away. He trusted the pill but not the extent of her injuries. While the Small Fortune Pill could heal even near-dead Dou Zuns, Hua Yu's wounds were deep and old.
He had even infused the pill with a trace of Wind-Wood energy from his Liver Qi Palace—a form of life-boosting elemental energy—to strengthen the effect.
And because that energy existed in a flame form, he needed to stay close to monitor her condition in real time.
Fortunately, no unexpected complications occurred. After three hours, Hua Yu had absorbed the full power of the pill, and her complexion visibly improved.
Seeing this, Xiao Yuan finally let out a breath of relief.
"Whew!"
Hua Yu slowly opened her eyes, revealing a pair of deep, clear pupils.
"This pill wasn't made by Yao Chen, was it? You refined it, didn't you? He really raised a good disciple."
She smiled softly.
"I didn't expect you to notice. Master did guide me, but as he's still in soul form, he couldn't refine it himself."
Xiao Yuan smiled.
"No matter. You've clearly inherited his skills. As for what he owes me—that's between us. You've done your part. I owe you a favor now."
She rose and stepped forward—unsteady at first. Yun Yun rushed to help her.
Surprised by Yun Yun's support, Hua Yu glanced at Xiao Yuan, who remained calmly at a distance, then at Yun Yun's unassuming expression. She smiled thoughtfully.
"This is your fiancée, Yun Yun, right? Do you have a teacher?"
"My master passed away. Killed by Soul Hall. But Xiao Yuan already avenged him."
Yun Yun replied softly.
"Soul Hall, huh... Those scum. I once investigated Yao Chen's fall and found traces of their involvement. But then… things got complicated."
Hua Yu's tone turned cold before softening again.
"Young lady, this boy has the Pill Tower behind him—he lacks for nothing. I have little to offer in return, but… Pill Tower focuses on alchemy. Staying with him won't help your growth much.
"Would you consider staying in the Flower Sect to train under me? Your talent is good. With my guidance, you won't fall behind. From what I saw, you can't yet fight beside him on equal footing. So—what do you say?"
Yun Yun was caught off guard. But seeing Xiao Yuan's encouraging gaze, she bit her lip, hesitated, and finally nodded.
"I'd be honored, Senior. But first… may I confirm how much you've recovered?"
"Seventy or eighty percent. I've seen many eighth-rank alchemists, but none as good as Xiao Yuan. He surprised me."
Hua Yu looked at Xiao Yuan approvingly.
"I see. Then I'll stay," Yun Yun smiled.
"Only seventy or eighty percent?" Xiao Yuan frowned. "Then I underestimated your injuries. But no matter—I'll have you back at your peak soon enough."
He meant every word. With the stockpile of rare herbs he'd 'borrowed' from Zi Yan, he had plenty of resources.
(END CHAPTER)
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