Chapter 443: The Responsibility of the Successor

No wonder this kid's pill alchemy is so astonishing—he's his disciple.

Although Xiao Yan's pill alchemy techniques weren't identical to those of the Pill Sovereign, and even the final fusion move was unknown to them all, from subtle gestures they could all tell it was a direct lineage.

Xuan Kongzi now had no choice but to concede: his pill alchemy had always been inferior to the Pill Sovereign's, and now even his own disciple was inferior to the Pill Sovereign's.

"Xiao Yan has broken the Pill Gathering record." Tian Leizi's rugged face broke into a smile.

The Pill Gathering had been held for many sessions, and the final round was always spirit refining; generally, if one could refine an actual Eight Grade Pill—triggering a Two-Colored Pill Lightning—they had an eighty to ninety percent chance of winning the Champion title.

After all, one could only participate in the Pill Gathering once in a lifetime, and many from the Old Generation couldn't bring themselves to compete.

The highest record in history was set by the Pill Sovereign, who used the Soul-Raising Method to refine an Eight Grade Pill that summoned Five-Colored Pill Lightning, establishing a new Pill Gathering record.

And now, this record has been shattered by his spiritual heir, Xiao Yan!

Six colors! At twenty-six, he refined a pill summoning Six-Colored Pill Lightning! But that wasn't the most terrifying part—the most despairing was that he did it in just one day!

Although for Alchemists, spirit refining only cares about results—if you can refine a pill, you're a good Alchemist, speed doesn't really matter.

But someone like Xiao Yan, refining an Eight Grade Pill in a single day while still at the Eight Grade level—such speed could only have been achieved by the Pill Emperor, who founded the Alchemist System and is called the Alchemist Ancestor.

At this moment, in a Pill Field within a Little World inside the Dan Tower, an old man was diligently planting medicinal materials.

The old man wiped sweat from his forehead with a towel hung over his shoulder, looked up at the Sky, his eyes deep as the starry heavens.

"Heh, to refine a Six-Colored Pill Lightning in just one day—and that strange cultivation method capable of Fused Strange Fire—truly extraordinary."

The old man's gaze seemed to pierce through space, directly fixed on Xiao Yan's Stone Platform.

If Xuan Kongzi and the others were here, they would be utterly stunned—this man was the Dan Tower's guardian deity!

Xiao Yan sensed something, slowly looked up at the sky, but soon retracted his gaze—this observer was undoubtedly a Sage Emperor, stronger even than Tong Xuan!

Although Xiao Yan didn't know there was a Xiao Dan Ta inside the Dan Tower, if these three Elder Giants were the Dan Tower's strongest force, the Dan Tower would have been destroyed by the Soul Sect centuries ago.

The thunderclouds vanished completely, dark clouds dispersed, revealing a bright, sunny sky; a single beam of light happened to fall precisely on Xiao Yan's Stone Platform.

At this moment, Xiao Yan wore the Alchemist Long Robe of the Pill Sovereign, the Nine-Colored Light on his chest glowing with an envy-inducing hue under the sunlight.

Xiao Yan now looked like a Holy Son—brilliant, dazzling—he was a miracle!

Even without an official announcement, everyone in Sheng Dan Cheng knew who the Champion was!

Even Gu He, who had ties to Xiao Yan, had to admit: Xiao Yan was the Champion, and Yun Yun's choice of him was right. Dan Chen, Cao Ying, and even Song Qing now conceded—there was no rebuttal.

Xiao Yan's Alchemist power was stronger than legend claimed!

Xiao Yan, standing on the Stone Platform, glanced toward Mu Gu nearby; Mu Gu's face was terrifyingly dark, fists clenched, veins bulging, yet his eyes carried profound despair.

He was unconvinced, but he had to admit: Xiao Yan's pill alchemy and talent surpassed his own. Finally, Mu Gu closed his eyes tightly and helplessly loosened his fists.

Absolute power leaves no room for argument.

Hun Xu Zi's sharp eyes were worthy of his position in the Soul Sect.

With a hum, Xiao Yan's Stone Platform slowly rose; the other Alchemists on their platforms slowly lifted their heads to look up.

Having passed the second round, these Alchemists on the Stone Platforms were worthy of admiration and emulation by countless Alchemists—and Xiao Yan was worthy of being looked up to by those on the Stone Platforms!

Seeing this, everyone in Sheng Dan Cheng swallowed hard; the eyes of hundreds of millions across the city fixed on this man.

There was originally a Pill Verification stage, but this time, it was unnecessary—if other Alchemists were forced to present their pills for inspection, it would be a wound to them.

The gap in power was too great!

"Heh, I believe everyone has no objections. Then I declare: the Champion of this Pill Gathering is XIAO YAN!!" Xuan Kongzi's voice rang loud, his Soul Force enveloping the entire Sheng Dan Cheng—everyone heard it clearly.

Boom boom boom!! Countless applause erupted; Xiao Yan, standing at the summit, listened to the applause meant for him—even his composure couldn't suppress a flicker of excitement.

"Young Master Yan!!" Qing Lin shrieked in delight, clapping her hands wildly, happier for Xiao Yan than he was himself.

Zi Yan, chewing on bitter medicinal materials beside her, pouted and said: "Hmph, made me eat bitter medicinal materials for a month—but since you won the Champion title, I'll let it slide."

Zi Yan was secretly happy for Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yixian beside her said nothing, as always, quietly watching from the far corner. She didn't even realize her sleeve had been crumpled tightly in her grip—evidence of how tense she'd been.

"Young Master Yan is so amazing." Dan Chen's voice on the platform was soft as she gently clapped her hands.

"Looks like I lost completely." Cao Ying's cheeks bloomed with a dazzling, alluring smile; the knot of anxiety in her throat finally settled—she lost, and lost gracefully.

A jade hand patted her full figure, causing it to rise and fall—but this dazzling sight now drew no attention at all.

Xiao Yan clenched his fist and raised his hand; the Bone Flame Ring on his finger glowed, as if telling the spirit of the Pill Sovereign.

Xiao Yan believed this master he had never met would be satisfied with this answer sheet.

"Xiao Yan, I have something I want to ask you." At this moment, a beautiful female voice echoed in Xiao Yan's mind.

Xiao Yan slowly turned his head toward the direction of the three Elder Giants, paused a moment, then nodded and replied: "I'll greet my companions first, then head to the Dan Tower."

Hearing this, the robed woman nodded lightly.

Thus, the Pill Gathering ended in this miraculous, dramatic fashion.

But Xiao Yan knew: the Pill Gathering was merely the beginning—for his future path, this Champion title was only the first step.

Space twisted, Black Flame surged; in the Courtyard of the Ye Family Mansion, Xiao Yan, clad in the Champion Robe, appeared before them.

"Young Master! You're amazing!" Qing Lin rushed forward, her eyes shining with worship, her face radiant with joy—happier for Xiao Yan than he was himself.

Xiao Yan ruffled Qing Lin's small head and said: "It's nothing. I told you I'd win the Champion title—and I did."

"Mm-hmm!" Qing Lin nodded vigorously, her large emerald eyes glowing—now she'd believe Xiao Yan could become a Dou Emperor.

"Xiao Yan, where's my pill? Wasn't the one you just refined for me?!" Zi Yan, still gnawing on medicinal materials, opened her palm and demanded her pill.

With a slap, Xiao Yan hit her palm, glancing at her with a look of exasperation: "Dream on. That pill is for Cai Lin."

"Ohhh, for Sister Cai Lin? Then fine. Don't forget you still owe me an Eight Grade Pill."

"I know. I'll refine it for you once I'm done with other matters."

After dismissing the gluttonous Dragon Maiden, Xiao Yan turned to Xiao Yixian; she remained as always, not pushing forward, quietly standing at the farthest corner, silently watching.

"Want me to go with you into the Dan Tower?" Although Xiao Yan hadn't spoken, Xiao Yixian seemed to sense it instantly and said it aloud.

Xiao Yan nodded—he felt slightly embarrassed; every time there was danger, he always turned to Xiao Yixian.

Even if Xiao Yan didn't believe the Pill Tower Three Giants had uncovered his Soul Sovereign identity and merely wanted to ask about Yao Zunzhe, he still had to guard against even the slimmest possibility.

If all three Giants attacked at once, Xiao Yan could not possibly resist—he would need Xiao Yixian's help.

As before, Xiao Yixian merely smiled lightly and walked to Xiao Yan's side. Without a single hesitation, just as Xiao Yan would never have rejected her with the Eternal Calamity Poison, she would never reject Xiao Yan.

No matter how dangerous the place, she would accompany him through it.

Xiao Yan was no stranger to the Dan Tower; with his current reputation, he could enter and leave the Dan Tower better than even an Elder.

As soon as Xiao Yan entered the Hall of the Dan Tower, every pair of eyes within turned toward him. Having won the Pill Gathering Champion, Xiao Yan could, in a sense, be considered one of the Dan Tower's own—and the status of a Giant Candidate was by no means low; even ordinary Elders would greet him with courtesy.

Following his memory, Xiao Yan returned to Xuan Kongzi's chamber, pushed open the door, and found the Pill Tower Three Giants standing together, waiting for his arrival.

"Hehe, our Champion has arrived," Xuan Kongzi smiled as he saw Xiao Yan.

"Xiao Yan greets the three Seniors," Xiao Yan said respectfully, bowing slightly.

"Let me introduce you: this is President Tian Lei, this is President Xuan Yi—she has deep ties with your master, Yao Zunzhe," Xuan Kongzi said, intending to use this as an entry point.

Xiao Yan understood: Xuan Kongzi feared Xiao Yan would refuse to speak, so he deliberately revealed the connection between Yao Zunzhe and Xuan Yi.

Xuan Yi clasped her hands tightly, stepped forward half a pace, and asked with a tremor in her voice: "Xiao Yan… where… where is your master now?"

Even Xiao Yixian, who had been quietly watching beside them, turned her gaze toward Xiao Yan, for she knew Xiao Yan had never had a master—his Alchemy was entirely self-taught.

Xiao Yan sighed inwardly. After arriving in Sheng Dan Cheng, he had asked Ye Zhong to inquire about Yao Zunzhe's history—he knew Yao Zunzhe had once studied Alchemy under a great master of the Dan Tower for a long time, and these three were his companions, his classmates.

Slowly, Xiao Yan removed the Bone Flame Ring and placed it in his palm, then offered it to Xuan Yi. Seeing this gesture and expression, Tian Lei and Xuan Kongzi's eyes narrowed sharply.

Yet they still did not dare to imagine the worst—given Yao Zunzhe's strength, it was entirely possible his Spiritual Soul resided within the ring; as long as the Soul Body remained, their Alchemy could revive him without difficulty.

Xuan Yi slowly extended her hand, took the ring—and in that instant, her beautiful face turned deathly pale, her entire body became hollow and dazed, frozen in shock.

Her eyes filled with despair and collapse, her mind blank, her Dou Qi and Soul Force seemingly vanished in an instant; her legs buckled, and she could no longer stand.

"Xuan Yi!"

Xuan Kongzi immediately used his Soul Force to support her; seeing her expression, everyone understood.

"This ring was given to me by my mother. I only received Yao Zunzhe's legacy—others have long since…"

Xiao Yan was not merely the inheritor of Yao Zunzhe's legacy—he also bore the duty of delivering this death, this tragedy, to those still searching for him, still missing him, still loving him.

He is no longer here.

"Aaaah!! You were so powerful, your Alchemy so mighty—why! Why did you die!"

For Xuan Yi, this blow was too great—she no longer cared for her own life. But this ending… she could not bear it!

Watching Xuan Yi clutch the Bone Flame Ring, wailing in heart-wrenching sobs, even the usually stoic Tian Lei's eyes glistened with a single tear, as he forced himself to turn away.

Even Xiao Yixian felt a pang of sorrow.

"You saved so many—why couldn't you save yourself? You swore you would never die! Why…"

Instantly, Xuan Yi's dark, lustrous hair began turning white from the roots, visibly so; her long, beautiful Jade Hands began withering, wrinkling; her face, once appearing no older than twenty or thirty, now aged rapidly.

A man dies for one who understands him; a woman adorns herself for one who cherishes her. When that cherished one vanishes, beauty has no reason to remain.

From Xuan Yi's shattered sobs, Xiao Yan seemed to hear the quiet moments between her and Yao Zunzhe—undoubtedly, for Xuan Yi, Yao Zunzhe was her entire world.

She had been waiting for him to return.

Beside them, Xiao Yixian watched the broken, despairing, agonized Xuan Yi, turned her head toward Xiao Yan, and took a light step closer to him.

After an unknown length of time, Xuan Yi's screams finally faded into silence.

Xuan Kongzi and Tian Lei walked over to support her; it was hard to believe—a Peak Dou Zun, an Eight Grade Peak Alchemist—her body had weakened so severely she needed aid to stand.

Xuan Yi slowly lifted her head toward Xiao Yan. Seeing her now, Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian both trembled inwardly, their eyes wide with shock.

This was not the same person they had met when they first arrived.

"Xiao Yan… could you give me this ring?" Xuan Yi's voice was hoarse and ancient, her eyes vacant and lifeless—even her Soul Force, Xiao Yan sensed, held no vitality, like stagnant water.

Xiao Yan nodded. The ring was empty—he had already decided upon arriving to leave the Bone Flame Ring at the Dan Tower.

This was where Yao Zunzhe had studied, where those who missed him still waited. Leaving the Bone Flame Ring here was the best arrangement.

Hearing this, Xuan Yi forced a faint smile and nodded in thanks: "Thank you."

With that, she did not linger. Step by step, she walked toward the door, frail and drained—now she seemed mortal, not a cultivator, but a dying old woman, her back slightly bent.

Seeing that back, Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian both felt a sharp ache in their hearts.

From then on, Xuan Yi withdrew, resigned her position as Elder Giant, never appeared again in the Dan Tower or in Sheng Dan Cheng—no one knew where she went.

Watching Xuan Yi's departing back, Tian Lei and Xuan Kongzi both sighed inwardly; they knew the story between her and Yao Zunzhe.

Years ago, Xuan Yi had confessed her feelings to Yao Zunzhe—but he ultimately refused her, and they never became a couple.

"Sigh… we've known he was gone for so long—we prepared ourselves. I thought Xuan Yi had too. I never imagined she couldn't let go," Xuan Kongzi shook his head. On the Dou Qi Continent, separation and death were too common.

Xuan Kongzi glanced at Xiao Yixian, then at Xiao Yan, and said: "I suppose you've inquired about him too—but there are some things you still don't know."

"Do you know that on the Dou Qi Continent, besides the Dan Tower, there is another Faction whose Alchemy is even stronger—surpassing even the Dan Tower?"

Xiao Yan nodded. He knew exactly which Faction Xuan Kongzi meant. "Senior Brother means the Yao Clan?"

Xuan Kongzi nodded. "Yes. Your master was a member of the Yao Clan."

!!!?

"But because his Dou Di Bloodline was too weak, he was betrayed by his clan and expelled."

Xiao Yixian beside him was startled. Though she did not know what the Yao Clan was, she knew that whoever trained such a monstrous Alchemist—this Champion of the Pill Gathering—could not be ordinary. And yet, such a talent was cast out by his own family?

How could that be?

"If you ever get the chance, go to the Yao Clan. After all, it was your master's homeland—his parents may still be alive. But be careful. The Yao Clan looks down on all other Alchemists." Xuan Kongzi sighed, slowly shaking his head.

Xiao Yan had never imagined Yao Zunzhe was a disciple of the Yao Clan—let alone one who had been expelled.

Xiao Yan nodded. He had already seen how arrogant the Yao Clan could be. But that arrogance only extended toward those weaker than themselves—in the face of the Soul Sovereign, they trembled and begged.

Xiao Yan could not forget how YaoLi's Soul Body had earned him a fortune in Soul Points.

Tian Lei pulled a Scroll from his ring and handed it to Xiao Yan: "This is the Tai Yi Soul Art—your reward as Champion. You have one month before entering the Star Domain. Train it to enhance your Soul Force. It will increase your chances of obtaining the Three Thousand Yan Flame."

Hearing Tian Lei Zi's words, Xiao Yan immediately subdued his expression, his eyes flashing with sharpness.

The Three Thousand Yan Flame was something he was determined to obtain, and the Tai Yi Soul Art would serve perfectly as a bridge for him.

Taking the Tai Yi Soul Art and placing it into his storage ring, Xiao Yan took his leave of the two. As the heir of the Medic Sovereign, he had now fulfilled his duty by delivering this information.

"A month is enough time for me to return to the Jia Ma Empire."

(End of Chapter)