"Thank you for saving us, Chill Sky Honored One!"
Dozens of miles away from the Pill Domain, a disheveled group bowed in thanks.
Not far from them, dozens of corpses lay scattered on the ground. The strongest were only at the Dou Ancestor level, while the weakest were mere Dou Kings.
The young man called Chill Sky Honored One remained impassive, casually waving his hand. The scattered storage rings flew into his palm like birds returning to their nests.
"We are very close to the Pill Domain now, and you won't encounter any more danger. You should return soon."
As his voice faded, the young man's figure flickered, and he vanished from his spot in the next instant.
Without a doubt, this Chill Sky Honored One was Chen Xiao, who had just returned from his journey in the Beast Region.
Along the way, he had already witnessed more than ten skirmishes. The combatants were all minor factions under the Pill Tower and those affiliated with the Soul Hall, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
Chen Xiao couldn't concern himself with too many things, but since he encountered these situations en route, he simply lent a hand. It was nothing more than a minor, insignificant interlude.
Holy Pill City.
Without wasting any time, Chen Xiao entered the inner city and headed straight for the magnificent Pill Tower's main hall.
Coincidentally, as he stepped into the first-floor lobby, Chen Xiao spotted a familiar figure in the crowd.
Clad in black, with the signature black ruler on his back, who else could it be but Xiao HuoHuo?
Thinking about it, it wasn't strange to run into Xiao Yan here.
After all, the entire group from the Starfall Pavilion was currently seeking refuge in the Pill Tower.
Xiao Yan was observing a middle-aged alchemist in Pill Tower disciple attire when his shoulder was suddenly clapped heavily.
He turned his head in confusion and saw Chen Xiao with a slight smile on his face.
"Chen... Pavilion Master! Why are you here at the Pill Tower?"
Xiao Yan's face was filled with surprise, quite taken aback by Chen Xiao's presence.
Chen Xiao smiled, "I just returned. I heard people say you and your teacher were looking for me, so I came to see. Also, I have something to discuss with Guild Leader Xuan Kongzi."
So he had come here specifically!
Xiao Yan gratefully cupped his fists. He stopped watching the alchemy and enthusiastically said, "Teacher is currently having tea with Guild Leader Xuan Kongzi on the top floor. I'll take you up."
A soul body drinking tea?
Chen Xiao chuckled and didn't refuse his kind offer.
"Let's go then."
The top floor of the main hall was a restricted area of the Pill Tower.
Those who could come here either possessed considerable strength or held extraordinary status.
However, Chen Xiao and Xiao Yan ascended without any obstruction or questioning.
Xiao Yan had some privileges due to Yao Chen.
Chen Xiao, on the other hand, benefited from his relationship with Cao Ying and his decent strength. Xuan Kongzi had specifically instructed the staff below.
Arriving outside Xuan Kongzi's study, Chen Xiao gestured, and Xiao Yan stepped forward to knock.
"Come in," an aged voice called from within.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan pushed open the door and gestured for Chen Xiao to enter first.
Inside the study, Xuan Kongzi and Yao Chen, seated opposite each other across a desk, were both taken aback when they saw who had entered.
Clearly, without intentionally sensing the situation outside, they hadn't expected Chen Xiao to appear here.
"Teacher, Medicine Venerable, long time no see."
Chen Xiao and Xuan Kongzi didn't have a master-disciple relationship.
Calling him "Teacher" so familiarly was due to his connection with Cao Ying.
"Teacher, Guild Leader Xuan Kongzi,"
Xiao Yan also greeted them closely behind.
The two men at the desk nodded slightly in response. Then, Xuan Kongzi looked at Xiao Yan first and said, "Xiao Yan, go find the Grand Elder and ask him to bring me a Treasure Light Grass later."
Xiao Yan was no longer the hot-headed youth who would shout "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river." He understood Xuan Kongzi's intention and nodded perceptively before withdrawing.
"Chen Xiao, have a seat. A while ago, that old fellow Yao Chen went to the Purple Firmament Pavilion to find you, but it was a wasted trip. Did you hear about it outside and come here specifically?"
Xuan Kongzi very cordially poured Chen Xiao a cup of tea and asked with a smile.
As he spoke, he was also observing Chen Xiao.
He couldn't believe what he saw.
He recalled that the first time he met Chen Xiao was through Cao Ying, which was why Xuan Kongzi had taken a second look at him.
Back then, Chen Xiao could at most be considered outstanding among the younger generation.
But now, an Eight-Star Dou Venerate, Heavenly Realm soul!
Hiss...
Strangely, Xuan Kongzi found that he could feel a trace of threat from Chen Xiao.
Something's wrong, very wrong!
Yao Chen, standing beside him, was completely stunned. No one knew better than him how difficult it was to improve one's soul realm.
Just like Xiao Yan, who was still working hard to break through to the Spirit Realm.
In contrast, Chen Xiao had already reached the Heavenly Realm…
Compared like this, they didn't seem to be of the same age.
Chen Xiao didn't pay attention to their gazes, and replied with a noncommittal smile, "There's a little reason for that, but I mainly came to see Teacher. Also, I wanted to ask Teacher about something."
"Oh? Tell me about it." Xuan Kongzi nodded.
Chen Xiao didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "I want to ask Teacher if you know about Sound Valley and Yellow Maple Valley?"
"Sound Valley, Yellow Maple Valley..."
Xuan Kongzi muttered, then nodded slightly.
"Although Sound Valley is reclusive, its reputation is not small. I don't need to introduce it further. When I was young, I met their previous Valley Master once. A while ago, Yao Chen also asked me to help collect some information on Sound Valley, and I'll give you a copy later."
"As for Yellow Maple Valley..."
"I remember it's a hidden sect. I haven't had any contact with them, but I've heard that they are in decline, with no successors. I don't know the specific situation."
There were many hidden sects in the Central State, some of which were no less inferior to the level of the Two Sects and Three Valleys.
Since these hidden sects did not actively emerge, outsiders naturally knew very little about them.
Chen Xiao had been continuously improving his map of the Dou Qi Continent over the years, marking more than twenty hidden sects on it. But no one knew how many more were lurking in the shadows.
"Does Teacher know the location of Yellow Maple Valley?"
"I don't know the specifics, but I've heard of its general location. It seems to be within a canyon thousands of miles long on the edge of the Eastern Region of the Central State."
Hearing Xuan Kongzi say this, Chen Xiao immediately understood.
In the Eastern Region of the Central State, there was only one massive canyon that stretched for thousands of miles. Because it was located on a fiery vein, it was extremely hot and dry. The vegetation within it was withered and yellow all year round. From a high vantage point, it looked like a golden river stretching for thousands of miles, hence its name, Gold River Valley.
Although Chen Xiao had never been there personally, he had read relevant records in many books and notebooks.
"I understand. Thank you, Teacher."
Now that he knew the location of Yellow Maple Valley, Chen Xiao had nothing else to do.
All he needed to do was to get the information on Sound Valley later, compare which one was closer and more convenient.
Xuan Kongzi nodded, somewhat curious, "Why are you asking about Sound Valley and Yellow Maple Valley?"
If their relationship was ordinary, Xuan Kongzi naturally wouldn't ask.
But now, in Xuan Kongzi's eyes, Chen Xiao was no longer an outsider, and asking one more question wouldn't change anything.
"Like Medicine Venerable, I received some news that I need something from these two forces, and I want to go and exchange for it."
Xuan Kongzi nodded. Since there were no grudges, they likely wouldn't encounter any danger, so there was no need to worry too much.
Seeing that Chen Xiao had finished explaining his matters, Yao Chen, who was standing beside him, finally spoke at the opportune moment.
"Chen Xiao, regarding the Spirit Dragon Heavenly Ganoderma I asked you about last time, after some twists and turns, I obtained it from Sound Valley and used it to replenish my original soul energy. I also asked Xuan Yi to refine the Bone-Growing Blood-Melding Pill. However, the matter of refining a physical body..."
"Although Xiao Yan has gathered three Heavenly Flames, his strength is still weak. If he were to refine a physical body, I wouldn't be at ease. A few days ago, we went to Purple Firmament Pavilion, intending to ask Miss Cao Ying for help. However, you weren't in the pavilion at the time, and Miss Cao Ying was also in seclusion, so the matter was dropped."
Yao Chen's desire to revive was no longer a secret.
At least, everyone present knew about it.
Therefore, he didn't hide anything.
Now that all his preparations were in place, he was only one step away!
Listening to Yao Chen's narration, Chen Xiao was not surprised.
When Yao Ming mentioned that Yao Chen and the others had gone to Purple Firmament Pavilion, Chen Xiao had already guessed their purpose.
However, Cao Ying used the excuse of seclusion and didn't meet them, which made Chen Xiao chuckle inwardly.
"I understand Medicine Venerable's intentions, but I'm afraid our Purple Firmament Pavilion cannot help with this matter. Although Ying'er can refine a physical body, she is currently pregnant. I have asked her to temporarily stop even refining pills to avoid overexertion, so I hope Medicine Venerable can understand."
Upon hearing this, Yao Chen was stunned.
The Purple Firmament Pavilion knew about Cao Ying's pregnancy, Xuan Kongzi knew, and the Cao family members also knew, but no one had told him.
If he had known this earlier, why would he have made a wasted trip?
From Chen Xiao's perspective, to ensure the safety of Cao Ying's unborn child, Cao Ying had temporarily put aside even refining pills, let alone exerting herself for others.
Thinking of this, Yao Chen felt helpless. He looked at Chen Xiao with a somewhat indescribable complexity in his gaze, as if he was saying, "You're only a few years old, and you've already blossomed and borne fruit twice. Do you have any other hobbies besides sowing seeds?"
With a sigh, Yao Chen looked at Xuan Kongzi, his gaze carrying a hint of blame, as if asking, "Why didn't you tell me in advance?"
However, Xuan Kongzi quietly drank his tea, as if he hadn't felt Yao Chen's gaze.
"So that's how it is. It's indeed difficult to act."
Yao Chen sighed deeply and finally gave up on asking Purple Firmament Pavilion for help.
Since Cao Ying was pregnant, Chen Xiao couldn't count on her for at least six months.
And Yao Chen couldn't wait that long either.
It was fine when the materials weren't all gathered, but now that everything was ready, every extra day was torture for him.
In half a year, if cultivated properly, Xiao Yan's strength could also reach a higher level.
After chatting with Xuan Kongzi at the Pill Tower for a long time, Chen Xiao rested for a night.
The next morning, Chen Xiao bid farewell to Xuan Kongzi and headed straight for the Eastern Region of the Central State.
After obtaining the information about Sound Valley last night, Chen Xiao discovered that Sound Valley was located in the southwestern region of the Central State. Starting from Holy Pill City, it was not closer, but farther, than going to Yellow Maple Valley.
Moreover, Chen Xiao learned from Yao Chen that Sound Valley was very hostile to outsiders. The reason they were able to exchange for Spirit Dragon Heavenly Ganoderma was due to a fortunate discovery: an elder of considerable status within Sound Valley was suffering from frost poison, which gave Yao Chen and his disciple an opportunity.
Otherwise, it would have been difficult for them to even enter the valley.
With this understanding, Chen Xiao decided to go to the closer Yellow Maple Valley.
After all, although he didn't know much about this reclusive sect, it had already declined, so he figured the difficulty of exchanging for the Nine-Colored Original Stone from there would be lower.
...
"Hiss!"
A huge spatial rift suddenly appeared in the azure sky.
The next moment, a tall figure stepped out from it.
"Eastern Region, Xun Er..."
Looking at the vast land below, Chen Xiao's gaze was distant as he murmured softly.
The Eastern Region of the Central State was basically within the sphere of influence of the Ancient Clan. Most of the various factions, except for a very small number, were subordinates of the Ancient Clan.
However, the Ancient Clan did not manage them frequently. Normally, the people of the Ancient Clan resided within the Ancient Realm.
Yellow Maple Valley was located on the edge of the Eastern Region, close to the Pill Domain. Therefore, upon arriving here, Chen Xiao inevitably thought of Xun Er.
"I wonder if I'll have a chance to see her this time..."
Undeniably, this was also one of the reasons Chen Xiao chose to come to Yellow Maple Valley.
After all, once he reached the Eastern Region, Xun Er might find out.
"I should check out Yellow Maple Valley first. Refining the Bodhi Heart takes time, and pre-paying for a Heavenly-tier cultivation technique is the most important thing right now."
Chen Xiao muttered to himself, placing a hand over his chest.
Looking inward, a fingernail-sized portion of his heart had become crystal clear, like jade.
The reason for this peculiarity was that Chen Xiao had already begun refining the Bodhi Heart.
The process of refining the Bodhi Heart was actually very simple; it only required gradually integrating it into the heart until it was completely "replaced."
When the heart completely merged with it, it would become entirely like jade. Only then would it retract its radiance and return to its original appearance.
Therefore, Chen Xiao's current integration of a fingernail-sized Bodhi Heart could only be considered the very beginning.
Taking a deep breath, Chen Xiao cast aside his distractions and looked into the distance, towards the "Golden River" stretching for thousands of miles that had entered his sight.
Viewed from above, it was like a golden dragon coiled around the land, a truly magnificent spectacle.
After a brief appreciation, Chen Xiao's figure flickered and disappeared into the air.
When he reappeared, he was already inside the canyon, his feet crunching on the thick fallen leaves.
As Chen Xiao walked, he released his soul perception, probing for the location of Yellow Maple Valley.
After walking for half an hour, he finally found some sect buildings that appeared to be Yellow Maple Valley in a relatively wide area.
These buildings were built along the valley, and their overall layout was quite similar to Demon Flame Valley in the Black-Corner Region.
However, it gave Chen Xiao the feeling that it was even more dilapidated than Demon Flame Valley, making him doubt if this was truly a reclusive sect.
He stepped up to the rusty mountain gate, where no one was guarding it.
Chen Xiao looked up. The three characters "Yellow Maple Valley" on the plaque were already blurry, making them difficult to discern for anyone with less than perfect vision.
"Even with a Dou Venerate guarding it, how could it be so dilapidated?"
Sensing the situation within the valley, Chen Xiao found it somewhat incomprehensible.
If it were him, he certainly wouldn't be able to stand seeing it in such a state.
Chen Xiao shook his head slightly, his Dou Qi flowing quietly within him.
He brought his fingers together, like holding a delicate brush, and began to retrace the three characters on the old plaque.
After a while, seeing the rejuvenated, vigorous, and clear handwriting, he smiled with satisfaction.
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