Chapter 228: The Tai Xuan Classic
Who was that person just now?!
Everyone looked at the spot where Yao Yan and the old man had disappeared, their faces full of disbelief. Among them, the ancestors of the Cao and Song families looked the most shocked. They hadn't expected that Yao Yan would actually attract the attention of the Grand Elder of the Little Pill Tower, someone they had only met once before.
"This kid is about to break through the heavens!" The Song family ancestor's lips moved as he spoke, his voice trembling slightly, showing how disturbed he was by the situation.
He had been an alchemist for hundreds of years, yet now he found himself inferior to a mere twenty-year-old. It was an indescribable feeling. Since when had alchemy become so easy?
The ancestor of the Cao family did not speak, instead gently patting Cao Ying's head. He then spoke calmly, "Ying'er, let's head back."
The matter had already been decided. The young man had caught the attention of the Grand Elder of the Little Pill Tower, and at this point, even if the five major families had some thoughts, they couldn't change anything. On the Dou Qi continent, strength was the ultimate authority. The Grand Elder of the Little Pill Tower was a Dou Sheng level expert, and in front of such a figure, their petty thoughts were nothing but jokes.
Cao Ying nodded, though her eyes still remained fixed on the spot where Yao Yan had been refining pills. She seemed unable to forget the figure she had seen.
At the same time, the previously quiet square suddenly became bustling.
Everyone was discussing Yao Yan, and some even expressed regret. If only he had been born a decade earlier, the champion of the last Pill Conference would undoubtedly have been him. Yao Yan could have crushed the competition and broken the record set by Yao Lao.
Now, with over ten years until the next Pill Conference, by that time, Yao Yan's alchemy skills would have advanced even further. By then, he would likely not even be competing with a group of 'children.'
Although the Pill Conference didn't have an age limit, most alchemy masters above the eighth tier rarely competed.
After all, these alchemists had their dignity.
They were all influential figures—who would want to compete with a group of seventh-tier alchemists?
However, that was something for the future. One thing was for sure: Yao Yan's name would soon be known throughout the entire Central Continent!
...
On the other side.
Under the guidance of the old man, Yao Yan arrived at a quaint courtyard, which looked like a rural homestead, complete with a small vegetable garden. However, the plants here were not edible vegetables, but rather rare and valuable heavenly materials. The leaves glistened and shimmered, exuding an almost magical aura.
It was hard to imagine that someone could grow so many heavenly materials together—it was simply unbelievable.
"Don't be too curious. When your strength reaches my level, you'll realize that things which used to be difficult will become simple," the old man noticed Yao Yan's curiosity and explained with a smile.
Yao Yan nodded in understanding and respectfully asked, "May I know who you are?"
"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. I am the Grand Elder of the Little Pill Tower. My surname is Lin. But the title of Grand Elder is merely honorary. I haven't been involved in any affairs for a long time. The reason I'm here is because your talent truly impressed me," Elder Lin stroked his white beard and looked at Yao Yan with some appreciation in his eyes.
In his thousand years of life, Elder Lin had seen many talented young people, but none with a talent like Yao Yan's.
At just over twenty years old, having Hun power at the Heavenly Realm level was terrifying, even though it was only in its early stages. The difficulty of advancing Hun power was far greater than that of Dou Qi. Most alchemists who reached the Hun Realm could attempt to refine eighth-tier pills.
Heavenly Realm… theoretically, this was the ticket to becoming a Nine-Tier Pill Master.
As for whether one could truly become a Nine-Tier Pill Master, that depended on whether their strength could reach the Dou Sheng level. Refining Nine-Tier pills was completely different from refining Eight-Tier pills. The amount of heavenly and earthly energy required was immense, and the process was impossible to sustain without Dou Sheng level power.
Yao Yan's talent in Dou Qi was also not weak, and even his physical strength was somewhat extraordinary.
"Junior pays respects to the Grand Elder," Yao Yan now understood and respectfully saluted.
"No need for such formality. I'm old, and I no longer care about such things," Elder Lin waved his hand with a smile, an invisible force lifting Yao Yan slightly. He continued, "Are you from the Yao Clan? May I ask who your teacher is in the Yao Clan?"
Yao Yan's heart tightened upon hearing this. He knew very well that his teacher in the Yao Clan couldn't stand up to scrutiny, especially with someone like Elder Lin, who had reached the Dou Sheng level. If the old man wanted to investigate, he could easily find out everything about Yao Yan's history in the Yao Clan.
Elder Lin even knew some Dou Shengs from the Yao Clan…
"I once studied at the clan academy for a period, and later I became a disciple of Yao Nong," Yao Yan didn't dare lie and could only tell the truth.
"Yao Nong?"
Elder Lin's eyes showed some confusion. Was there really someone named Yao Nong among the Dou Shengs of the Yao Clan?
To him, anyone capable of cultivating such a disciple must also be a Dou Sheng, otherwise, how could a person with such a strong bloodline escape from the Yao Clan so easily? The control over bloodlines in those Dou Emperor families was extremely strict. How could they let a child with such strong bloodline powers wander in the outside world?
After thinking for a moment, Elder Lin stopped considering the matter further and said softly, "I've already spoken with Xuan Kongzi about the situation with the Yao Clan. If they cause you trouble, I can help block them for you. Don't worry about it. I still have some influence."
Yao Yan had no doubt about the influence of a Dou Sheng. At this level, it was rare for such experts to take direct action. Even the Hun Palace or the Hun Clan exercised great restraint.
Battles between Dou Shengs were not like those between Dou Zuns. These were battles that could shatter the heavens and destroy entire nations, entire regions.
If a figure of this level acted recklessly, the entire Central Continent could be destroyed.
"Thank you, Grand Elder!" Yao Yan said with some joy.
"It's not even necessary for me to act. If Yao Chen succeeds in his path, he should be able to reach this level. He just lacked an opportunity. If he had joined the Pill Tower back then, he wouldn't have had to wait until today," Elder Lin's gaze seemed to pierce through space as he slowly spoke, his voice tinged with a hint of regret.
Yao Chen's talent was extremely high, and even his cultivation talent was impressive. It was a pity that he was too free-spirited and didn't want to be bound by anything, wasting many years of his life.
If he had joined the Pill Tower back then and become one of the Three Pillars, the nearly four hundred years of time would have been enough to push him to the Dou Sheng realm.
Judging by talent, he was even above Xuan Kongzi and the others.
Unfortunately, sometimes choices outweighed everything.
Without the support of a large force, obtaining a Heavenly Stage technique by oneself was nearly impossible.
Yao Yan listened attentively, standing respectfully.
After a pause, Elder Lin looked at Yao Yan and continued, "What are your thoughts on the Yao Clan?"
Yao Yan fell silent for a moment and then answered, "The Yao Clan raised me. When my parents passed away, if the Yao Clan hadn't raised me, I wouldn't have grown up. Even the skills I have now come from the Yao Clan."
"To understand this much, there's no need for me to say anything more. Your life is just beginning. Don't let these things distract you," Elder Lin nodded in approval and then took out a purple-black jade slip from his spatial ring, handing it to Yao Yan.
"This is a Hun cultivation technique. It can temper the Hun body. Consider it a gift from me," Elder Lin said.
Yao Yan hadn't expected such a pleasant surprise. He accepted the jade slip with both hands and respectfully thanked him, "Thank you, Grand Elder."
"Go ahead and cultivate well~" Elder Lin smiled and then waved his hand.
With that wave, an invisible spatial force enveloped Yao Yan, and in the next instant, Yao Yan disappeared from the spot.
After he left, Elder Lin commented to himself, "A promising young one. I hope you'll bring me some surprises."
...
Yao Yan felt a blur before his eyes, and when he regained focus, he was standing in the Pill Realm. He was momentarily stunned and then looked at the scroll in his hand, a smile appearing on his lips as he thought, "As expected of the Grand Elder of the Pill Tower. His gifts are generous."
The Hun cultivation technique given to him by a Dou Sheng was undoubtedly not of low quality, especially considering that Elder Lin knew his Hun power had already reached the Heavenly Realm.
The technique given to him by Hun Void Master was no longer enough, but now this scroll was the perfect continuation.
Speaking of which, Hun Void Master had truly been unreliable.
Yao Yan shook his head with a smile and solemnly placed the Hun technique into his spatial ring. He then set a course and flew toward the secluded cabin in the forest where Xuan Yi was. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared into the sky.
...
Pill Realm, Bamboo Forest Cottage.
Yao Yan had changed into the distinctive robe of the Pill Tower, a black and gold long robe that exuded some degree of nobility. On his chest were eight pill patterns that marked his identity. This badge was only worn by eighth-tier alchemists, and behind this badge, it also represented the Pill Tower.
"Big brother, you look so good in this!" Zi Yan's eyes sparkled as she clapped her hands.
"It's indeed not bad... It looks better on young people than on those old geezers," Xuan Yi nodded, her eyes full of appreciation as she looked at Yao Yan.
As for Xuan Kongzi, he had nothing to say after hearing Xuan Yi's words.
"Cough, cough. Yao Yan, what are your plans next?" After a moment, Xuan Kongzi cleared his throat and asked.
"I'll go into seclusion for a while. The Grand Elder gave me a Hun technique, and I plan to cultivate it. Once I succeed, I'll consider the next steps," Yao Yan said, looking at Zi Yan and gently rubbing her head.
"Good, focus on your cultivation. Once you're confident, you can try to tame the Three Thousand Yan Flames... but that big guy has a bad temper. If you're not strong enough, don't take any risks," Xuan Kongzi reminded.
The Three Thousand Yan Flames had existed in the sky above Saint Dan City for thousands of years, and its accumulated power was terrifying. Once it fully erupted, even Xuan Kongzi wouldn't be able to handle it.
Past attempts at taming it had mostly relied on luck, seeing if the Three Thousand Yan Flames would be willing to follow someone.
It had to be said, this method was quite foolish.
"Mm." Yao Yan nodded.
After Xuan Kongzi finished his instructions, he turned to leave. As the public leader of the Pill Tower, he had many matters to handle, especially with Yao Yan's arrival, which had made Saint Dan City quite lively. Many scheming individuals had emerged from the shadows.
"You should stay in seclusion for a while. After the storm settles down, then you can go out," Xuan Yi said, looking at Yao Yan with gentle eyes.
"As you wish, Aunt Xuan," Yao Yan replied obediently.
...
In the secret chamber.
Yao Yan took out the Heavenly Phoenix Puppet, which had now completely transformed into a dark golden color. The lightning power within it had been fully absorbed, and its body had become incredibly strong. Its skin had gained elasticity, no longer the hard state it once had. However, its toughness had far surpassed before.
"Boom!"
Yao Yan punched out with all his strength, landing a heavy blow on the Heavenly Phoenix Puppet's chest. The terrifying power sent shockwaves through the air.
Yet, the punch didn't even leave a scratch on the puppet.
This dark golden puppet stood firmly in place, as if mocking Yao Yan's inability.
"Impressive, for a puppet that can contend with Dou Zuns, this defense is truly something," Yao Yan praised as he patted the Heavenly Phoenix Puppet. He then sat cross-legged and took out the Hun technique that Elder Lin had given him.
As the Hun power spread, the technique called "Tai Xuan Jing" appeared in his mind. It wasn't a long text, only about six thousand words, but each character was profound, as though it could be imprinted into his soul. The deeper he read, the more his Hun body seemed to solidify.
Time seemed to stop at that moment.
Yao Yan wasn't sure how long had passed, but when he regained his senses, he blinked and looked at the jade-colored bamboo slip in his hand, his expression full of surprise. "This technique..."
If Hun Void Master's technique was meant to assist in refining spiritual crystals and absorbing the energies of heaven and earth, nourishing the Hun body, then the Tai Xuan Jing given by Elder Lin directly cultivated the Hun body. If fully cultivated, it could even allow one to abandon their physical body and exist purely as a soul. It could even easily facilitate Hun reincarnation by borrowing a new body.
"Could this technique be created by the Pill Tower's ancestor?" Yao Yan thought with a strange expression.
If he remembered correctly, in the original text, the Pill Tower's ancestor had a penchant for reincarnating by borrowing the bodies of deceased fetuses, using a Nine-Tier Pill to manifest a body.
This technique could also achieve such a feat, allowing Yao Yan to abandon his current body and reincarnate.
"Thinking too far ahead... But this technique is truly profound. Just reading through it has already strengthened my Hun power," Yao Yan stopped himself from further speculation and focused on the cultivation of the technique.
As his consciousness sank into the depths of his soul, the mysterious words of the Tai Xuan Jing began to slowly appear in his mind. At the same time, the world around him seemed to become clearer.
Meanwhile...
A figure appeared at Yao Yan's brow, identical to his physical form. It sat cross-legged in the void, absorbing the energies of heaven and earth... (END CHAPTER)
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