Chapter 221: On How to Live Off Others
Sacred Pill City is located at the very heart of the Pill Domain. Its scale is far beyond any city Yao Yan has seen. Even from tens of thousands of meters high in the air, the city's grandeur can be felt. It stretches for more than a thousand miles. It's hard to imagine that a city could be built so vast.
In the center of this enormous city, a towering black tower rises into the clouds. Its imposing presence makes anyone feel small in comparison.
"Wow, it's so big!" Xiao Yi Xian exclaimed, leaning against the edge of the ship, her eyes wide with wonder.
"Quite magnificent, right? When I first came here many years ago, I was just as awestruck as you are. This city has undergone hundreds of years of expansion, and now it rivals entire nations," Yao Lao replied as he gazed at the familiar city.
Yao Yan nodded. He too was impressed by the Pill Tower's grandeur. However, the scale of the city was to be expected. The Pill Tower was located at the core of the Central Plains, and as a top-tier force, it gathered the best alchemists from the continent. It was only natural that countless people would come and go.
Because of this, the Pill Tower had set up multiple spatial checkpoints in outer regions to manage the overwhelming flow of people.
"Xuan Yi, please make the arrangements. I need to go check something. Recently, the Three Thousand Yan Yan Flames have been quite unstable," Xuan Kong said in a low voice, nodding slightly toward Yao Lao and Tian Huo Zun Zhe before vanishing without a trace, his presence melding seamlessly with the space around him.
His delicate control over space far surpassed Tian Huo Zun Zhe, showing just how profound his strength was.
"We'll head to the Pill Domain directly. Given your current condition, you probably don't want too many old friends to see you," Xuan Yi said gently, showing her consideration for Yao Lao.
"Listen to you," Yao Lao replied softly.
Xuan Yi smiled, and for a moment, her features, which had been shaped by years of experience, seemed to regain some of their youthful vibrancy. Love, after all, was the most nourishing thing for a woman.
With Xuan Yi's control, the spatial ship glided effortlessly, transitioning from tens of thousands of meters above the city to the very center of Sacred Pill City. The massive black tower loomed just ahead.
A wave of Gu and heavy energy filled the air.
"Let's go," Xuan Yi said softly and led them into the black tower.
As one of the Pill Tower's three leaders, she naturally had control over the black tower. But the tower was no simple structure; it had been transformed by Dou Sheng-level experts, creating a small world rich in energy.
This small world was the true core of the Pill Tower: the Pill Domain!
Only seven-star alchemists recognized by the Pill Tower were allowed to enter.
"Impressive, as expected from the Pill Tower," Yao Yan thought to himself as he took in everything along the way.
In the Dou Zong stage, one can sense the power of space. In the Dou Zun stage, one can manipulate it. But at the Dou Sheng level, one can wield space itself, easily creating a small world.
"Yao Yan, don't use your Hun power to sense your surroundings. There are many people in seclusion here, and if you use your Hun power recklessly, it would be rude," Xuan Yi gently reminded him.
She gave Yao Lao a knowing look, implying that Yao Lao himself had committed such an indiscretion in the past.
Yao Lao sighed in resignation, "You still remember that?"
"I remember everything about you," Xuan Yi nodded slightly, her tone soft and full of meaning.
Yao Lao's expression softened as he remembered something, his eyes clouding with melancholy. "…After so many years of running away, I've finally come back."
He looked around at the surroundings, lost in thought. In the past, Yao Lao had spent some of his happiest years in the Pill Tower, with a teacher who treated him like a son and countless pill formulas to research.
"Do you want to see it?" Xuan Yi's eyes were gentle as she asked softly.
Yao Lao nodded.
He raised his hand, and the surrounding space rippled like water. Within a few breaths, they found themselves standing in a sea of flowers, with countless rare herbs scattered across the area. Upon closer inspection, the sea of flowers was composed of countless precious medicinal plants.
Rare herbs, which were difficult to find in the outside world, grew abundantly here.
Yao Lao, in his Hun form, bowed respectfully toward the "sea of flowers," his gaze filled with nostalgia as he whispered, "Teacher, I'm back."
Yao Yan gently patted Xiao Yi Xian's little head, signaling her to stay quiet and stand aside. He knew that Yao Lao's teacher had been a member of the Pill Tower, but he had died protecting Yao Lao. This matter also had something to do with the old man Mu Gu.
Speaking of Yao Lao's luck, it truly was miserable. He was always being betrayed by people close to him.
In the Yao Clan, he had been betrayed by Yao Wan Gui.
In the Pill Tower, he had been betrayed by his own senior brothers.
When he adopted Han Feng, Han Feng betrayed him again.
It was as though his life had been spent with betrayal and deceit, but Yao Lao was so carefree and open-minded that he didn't mind. If it were anyone else, they probably would have gone crazy by now.
Soon, Yao Yan thought about himself. If Yao Lao were to find out his true identity in the future, how would he feel about it? Unfortunately, Yao Yan had no choice. In this broken world, being weak was the original sin.
A soft breeze blew through, and the sea of flowers swayed, as if responding to Yao Lao.
He stood for a long while before slowly turning around.
"Let's go," Yao Lao said, his demeanor returning to normal as he turned around. He missed his teacher, but he wouldn't dwell on past sadness. Life had to go on, along with the hopes of those who had passed.
…
…
A few days later, after paying respects to Yao Lao's teacher, everyone followed Xuan Yi to a quiet courtyard. Bamboo forests surrounded it, and it was evident that this was Xuan Yi's private residence.
"Give me the list of missing medicinal ingredients and items, and I'll go fetch them for you," Xuan Yi said, clearly not the type to procrastinate. After settling everyone down, she turned to Yao Lao and asked.
Yao Lao didn't hesitate. "Yao Yan has four different heavenly flames in his body and uses them freely, so for the resurrection, I plan to use the method of refining with heavenly flames."
There were many resurrection methods in the Pill Tower, most of which used pills and the physical body to resurrect the soul. These methods had many flaws, and even after resurrection, the strength wouldn't return to its peak state, let alone break through to a higher level.
Yao Lao had studied these methods in the past, and after obtaining the Bone Spirit Cold Fire, he had come up with an idea to use three heavenly flames to perfectly resurrect someone.
In terms of pill refining talent and skill, Yao Lao was certainly one of the top alchemists on the continent.
What he lacked was a big enough force behind him.
After all, being an alchemist required a large amount of medicinal ingredients and formulas. Alone, one couldn't endure such consumption, especially when they also needed to cultivate.
"The original plan was to use a Dou Zong-level body as the carrier, combined with seventh-tier beast blood and a peak seventh-grade Life-Bone Blood Fusion Pill for resurrection, then use three heavenly flames to refine it, achieving a perfect integration of body and soul..." Yao Lao hesitated, explaining.
Xuan Yi responded confidently, "We have some Dou Sheng remains, and we also have ninth-tier beast blood. As for the peak seventh-grade Life-Bone Blood Fusion Pill... we can replace it with the peak eighth-grade Life-and-Death Reincarnation Pill. Since you want to break through that barrier, let's do it to the fullest... I'll find a way to get a Heavenly-level technique!"
With these words, Tian Huo Zun Zhe couldn't help but pinch himself, a little envious as he looked at Yao Lao. He suddenly wished he could live off others, but back then, he had no interest in women… and no rich woman had shown interest in him.
Being good-looking had its benefits, Yao Yan thought, as he touched his flawless face. He suddenly felt like he could also give it a try. He thought about Xiao Yan from the original story, who was living off the richest woman in the entire Dou Qi Continent.
Even without meeting Yao Lao, Xiao Yan would probably have grown up fine.
If that didn't work out…
When Gu Xun'er reached the Dou Sheng stage, would she let her 'Brother Xiao Yan' continue to struggle?
At that point, even the old folks from the Gu Clan probably couldn't stop him.
Thinking about Gu Xun'er making Old Gu explode with gold coins made him feel strangely amused.
Yao Yan watched the drama with great interest. Yao Lao, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel embarrassed. Eating soft rice was something he could advise Yao Yan to do, but to do it in front of Yao Yan, his own junior, made him uncomfortable. Men had their pride, especially old men.
"...Isn't this a bit too much?"
"This is my share in the Pill Tower, I'm just taking it out early. Once you break through to Dou Sheng, you can return it to me," Xuan Yi said firmly, not giving Yao Lao a chance to refuse. Then, her figure disappeared, leaving Yao Lao in helpless silence.
Unfortunately, voices from a nearby old man, a young man, and a little girl broke through the silence.
"Why didn't I have a beautiful woman by my side back then?" Tian Huo Zun Zhe said enviously.
"Eating soft rice is nice," Yao Yan said seriously.
"Brother, what's eating soft rice?"
Xiao Yi Xian blinked her big eyes, looking at Yao Yan curiously.
"It's like Xuan Yi, having money, and most importantly, being willing to spend it on your man," Yao Yan said, teaching her like a mentor.
"When I get money, I'll spend it on you, big brother!" Xiao Yi Xian said with great loyalty, patting her chest seriously. To her, Yao Yan was family, and what was hers was his.
Yao Lao looked at the onlookers, his beard almost blowing off from the wind. He said helplessly, "Who am I doing this for?"
If it weren't for Yao Yan, why would he have come to the Pill Tower?
"Well, it's not so bad," Yao Yan smiled and said. He felt that this path suited Yao Lao more than the one in the original story. Plus, with the Pill Tower, even if something went wrong in the future, he wouldn't need to worry about this old man.
As his strength and perspective grew, Yao Yan began to notice something special about the Pill Tower. Its existence might not just be because of the old ancestor from back then; there were also several imperial families backing it.
The Hun Hall needed forces to counterbalance it, and the Pill Tower was undoubtedly the best candidate.
No need for the great imperial families to send people, the Pill Tower could restrain the Hun Hall by itself. This deal was obviously acceptable to the imperial families.
"Kid, remember, debts of gratitude are the hardest to repay..." Yao Lao sighed lightly, his voice deep.
But I'm from the Hun Clan.
Yao Yan murmured inwardly, the Hun Clan never cared for gratitude. Since the debt couldn't be repaid, just eliminate it. His teacher, Hun Void, did the same, even eliminating the teacher who had once taught him.
Old traditions.
...
...
Gama Empire, Wutan City.
Xiao Clan.
In the silent night, only the occasional chirping of insects could be heard.
Suddenly, a small figure appeared in the backyard. He looked around, confirming there was no one, before sneaking quietly into the small courtyard. His bright eyes carried some calculation, and he muttered to himself, "If someone catches me, will they think I'm a pervert?"
Then he remembered his age and relaxed. He wasn't a big brother in his twenties anymore; now, he was just a little boy under ten.
"It's fine. I'm helping Xiao Xun'er. She was left in our Xiao Clan, and it must be hard for her. Her body is so weak… I hope my three stages of Dou Qi can help her."
Having been in this world for so many years, how could he not be interested in Dou Qi? After refining it for several years, he had made some progress. He could also feel how Dou Qi nourished the body. According to his father, Dou Qi in its current stage was very gentle and perfect for nourishing the body.
Given Xiao Xun'er's weak condition, if he could use Dou Qi to nourish her, it might alleviate some of her suffering, so she wouldn't always be isolated and alone.
He liked this cute little girl, so he decided to offer her a bit of help, at least so she wouldn't be bullied.
With this in mind, he made his way toward Xiao Xun'er's room.
"Whoosh~"
With an invisible ripple of space, a woman in a black robe appeared beside him. She stood silently beside him, yet Xiao Yan felt nothing, continuing to sneak into Xiao Xun'er's room. Under the woman's watchful eyes, he clumsily gathered Dou Qi in his hand and reached out to Xiao Xun'er.
"Buzz~"
An invisible wave of Hun power instantly radiated out, and Xiao Yan's eyes grew vacant, waving his hands in the air like a fool, searching for something.
At that moment, inside the room, Xiao Xun'er also woke up, her eyes filled with fear as she looked at the figure of Xiao Yan, unsure of what was happening.
After all, it was the middle of the night, and seeing a shadow standing at the bedside, waving its hands, was too terrifying for a little girl.
Luckily, after a moment, she recognized who it was and realized he was under control. She raised her hand and waved at Xiao Yan, but when she noticed he couldn't see her, she furrowed her brows, puzzled, and said, "Flower Aunt, why is Xiao Yan in my room?"
At first, she had been frozen in fear, but now that she realized the situation, she knew Flower Aunt had him under control. With Flower Aunt's protection, she didn't need to worry about any safety concerns.
"This little guy seems to want to help nourish your body," a gentle voice came from Flower Aunt.
Xiao Xun'er tilted her head, looking at Xiao Yan in disbelief, "He wants to nourish my body?"
"He seems to want to use his three stages of Dou Qi to help nourish your body."
Xiao Xun'er fell silent for a moment, unsure of what to say.
Flower Aunt's voice remained gentle, "Miss, do you want me to handle him?"
Xiao Xun'er shook her head and said slowly, "No, he doesn't mean any harm. He's been taking care of me. Father sent you here to protect me, not to kill people."
"Alright."
With that, under Xiao Xun'er's watchful gaze, Xiao Yan finished using all of his Dou Qi and weakly walked out.
Xiao Xun'er watched him leave, then sighed with a headache, "Why are all the people in the Xiao Clan so silly?"
She used to think Xiao Yan was special, more mature than his peers, but now, watching him try to help nourish her body, she didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He seemed like a fool.
What could three stages of Dou Qi even do? (END CHAPTER)
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