Chapter 381: The Method of the Poison Pill Is Unlocked

"You little brat—sigh, never mind." Su Qian could only sigh; Xiao Yan had left the Inner Court for barely three years, and in just three years, he'd broken through from Six-Grade Peak to Seven-Grade!

For anyone else, this would be impossible; breaking through such a barrier could take longer than the entire Six-Grade phase, since advancing in Pill Alchemy isn't just about skill—Fire Control Power and Soul Force are both major hurdles.

Of course, Xiao Yan merely smiled and said nothing, to spare the Elder and Vice Dean Hu Qian from fragile sensibilities.

He wasn't actually Seven Rank Low Grade—he was a Peak Alchemist capable of refining Zong Shi Pills, the pinnacle of Seven-Grade Elixirs, and only lacked the alchemical technique and experience to reach Eight-Grade.

"Elder Su, Zi Yan has arrived too, but she's currently heading to the Black Emperor Sect and the Demon Flame Valley," Xiao Yan said.

"I wondered where that girl had gone." Su Qian, the one who'd brought Zi Yan back from the wilds, sighed in relief at this news—safety was all that mattered.

Of course, Su Qian guessed why Zi Yan had gone to the Black Emperor Sect and the Demon Flame Valley; he waved his hand and said, "Just in case, I'll go with a few Elders to meet her. Xiao Yan, you and Hu Qian return to the Inner Court first and inform the two Library Pavilion keepers of your purpose."

"You're still wildly popular here at Jia Nan Academy—many people are eager to see you."

Xiao Yan grimaced and rubbed his nose, glancing at Xiao Yixian; she nodded—she didn't need to rush within a day or two.

After Elder Su Qian and his group departed, Xiao Yan suddenly remembered and murmured, "I forgot to tell Elder Su that Zi Yan has broken through to Seven Rank."

!?

Hu Qian froze, then helplessly shook his head—Old Su was going to be heartbroken.

Soon, Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian followed Hu Qian into the Inner Court, hearing whispers and receiving strange glances—especially from some girls whose eyes sparkled with adoration and who seemed ready to launch themselves at him; even Xiao Yan's thick skin couldn't help but flush slightly.

He hadn't expected that after three years away, someone here still remembered him—but feeling the youthful vigor radiating from the students, his tense heart quietly eased; he murmured softly, "Youth is wonderful."

Hearing Xiao Yan, Xiao Yixian covered her mouth and giggled, "You're not much older than they are."

"Alright, I'll see you here. Wait in Xiao Hall—I'll apply for you to enter the Library Pavilion," Hu Qian smiled. "But Xiao Hall's main base has moved—just ask anyone where it is."

With that, Hu Qian vanished—clearly, he was at the brink of Dou Zong; perhaps he'd break through soon!

"Excuse me, where's Xiao Hall's main base?" Xiao Yan flashed a confident smile and grabbed a passing child.

The junior student, suddenly stopped, frowned in annoyance—but upon seeing the uniquely elegant Xiao Yixian beside him, with her painterly features, he puffed out his chest and pointed seriously: "That way—walk two kilometers and you'll see it."

"Thank you," Xiao Yan smiled, then tossed something from his storage ring to the junior.

But the boy clearly hadn't noticed—he stared fixedly at Xiao Yixian's retreating back, his heart fluttering.

"Is this kid new? Doesn't even know where Xiao Hall's headquarters is?" The boy's companion whispered after Xiao Yan left.

"Who was that goddess?"

"Can you show a little dignity? Look at what that guy just gave you."

The boy snapped back to reality, opened his palm—and a Third-Rank Qi-Replenishing Pill appeared before their eyes.

"Kuang! An Elixir!" *2

After Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian strolled slowly for about ten minutes, a courtyard larger than before appeared before them.

"Hm? Pill Fragrance?" Xiao Yan sniffed; though faint, as an Alchemist, he could detect it.

Following the scent, he saw a woman in pale blue robes seated cross-legged on a Stone Platform in an open area of the courtyard—her beauty was exquisite, her slender, curvaceous form outlined by her clothing, stirring deep longing.

Yet slightly disappointing was her aura—cold and distant, as if repelling all who approached; one glance revealed her as a proud, aloof woman.

Of course, to Xiao Yan, her beauty meant nothing—not even Xiao Yixian beside him, let alone Cai Lin, had any effect now; he was as serene as an old monk, all empty.

"This Pill Fragrance—it's Fourth-Rank Low Grade? No, barely Fourth-Rank; it doesn't even meet Low Grade standards," Xiao Yan deduced from the scent alone.

Compared to people Xiao Yan knew, someone her age refining Fourth-Rank Pills would be on par with Gu He's Qin Zi Chuan Di Zi Liu Ling or Han Xian of the Medicine Guild.

Whoosh—the furnace extinguished its fire, and the blue-robed woman sealed a round, plump Pill into a Pill Bottle. Then she shot Xiao Yan a sharp glare—she'd clearly heard his quiet mutter.

Xiao Yan, seeing her gaze, awkwardly rubbed his nose, thinking: "How can someone be so unfocused while refining Pills?"

"You big lecher, don't bully Xin Lan!" A reproachful voice came from within the Inner Court—no one but Xiao Yu would dare call Xiao Yan a "big lecher."

Xiao Yu wore a red Mentor's robe; though still an Outer Court Mentor, she would be promoted to Inner Court Elder this year, her power now at Dou Wang.

"Heh, how's this bullying? I'm just guiding a junior in Pill Alchemy," Xiao Yan said.

"Enough. Come inside and rest—Hu Jia and the others are thrilled you're back," Xiao Yu, noticing the curious stares, knew Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian disliked being watched; she gestured them into the courtyard.

After Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian left, the crowd exchanged glances—Xiao Yu was now the most renowned figure in the Inner Court, not only the leader of Xiao Hall, but also immensely influential in Xiao City.

"Who is that guy, daring to claim he's guiding Senior Student Xin Lan? Hmph—only Alchemy Elders and last year's graduate Han Xian have the qualification to guide."

"Wait, I feel like I've seen that guy before… where?"

"Hey, isn't there a rumor in the Inner Court that Xiao Yan Senior Student is a big lecher? They say he had some secret past with Mentor Xiao Yu when they were kids!"

Instantly, the air grew unnaturally quiet—many had heard this rumor; everyone who'd been in Xiao Yan's cohort knew Xiao Yu always called him "big lecher" on sight.

"He's Xiao Yan!" Xin Lan furrowed her brows slightly, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

Bad news: I probably caught COVID.

Good news: I saw Xiao Yan.

Not sure if I'll post today—I'm sending two thousand characters to prove I'm still alive. Hope I'll be fine after a good sleep.

ε=(ο｀*))) sigh

(End of Chapter)