Chapter 26: Congratulations

Xiao Han could be said to have returned fully loaded from this trip to the mountain village; not only did he find a survivor from back then, but he also gained a disciple with exceptional talent.

Furthermore, the little fellow's background also left Xiao Han feeling some anticipation, and even surprise.

At this moment, he was rubbing a jade pendant in his hand; the pattern on it was extremely exquisite and contained some profound mystery, and a single "Xiao" character was so pleasing to the eye.

Due to the worry that the two of them could not withstand long-distance spatial travel, Xiao Han divided the journey into several parts; although it wasted quite a bit of time, by hurrying along, he still managed to return to Langya Pavilion the day before the grand wedding.

……

Just as he arrived at Langya Pavilion, he was immediately spotted by an Elder. The moment that Elder saw Xiao Han, his eyes suddenly widened, slightly dazed, yet his hand movements were not slow in the slightest; he saw him flip his hand, take out a jade tablet, and transmit the news out.

Before long, Ye Jianxin and Yi Huang arrived before Xiao Han.

"I say, you've finally returned." Ye Jianxin felt deeply exhausted at this moment.

Heart-weary and exhausted, that is exactly what this is. Was Xiao Han sent down by the heavens specifically to shorten his lifespan?

The next instant, he saw an old man and a young boy behind Xiao Han.

"These two are...?" Ye Jianxin frowned, his gaze turning toward Xiao Han as he asked with slight confusion.

"Your illegitimate child?" Ye Jianxin pointed at Xiao Wu with an exaggerated expression. He was met with a roll of Xiao Han's eyes.

And Yi Huang also knitted her brows; why did this fellow bring people back with him?

"This is my newly accepted personal disciple—Xiao Wu, and the other is his grandfather—Shitou." Xiao Han pulled Xiao Wu over and explained to Ye Jianxin and Yi Huang.

A disciple?!

The two were suddenly shocked; Xiao Han had actually taken on a disciple! As brothers and sisters in the same trench, Ye Jianxin and Yi Huang naturally knew very clearly how high Xiao Han's standards for taking a disciple were.

Of course, the other two were not bad either. However, Ye Jianxin had his own son to teach, and Yi Huang had not yet encountered a suitable one.

"Of course, this was also the goal of my trip out this time, although it was a last-minute one."

"I brought him here mainly hoping that you, Huang'er, could try to see if you can cure him, striving to let him enjoy his twilight years in peace." Xiao Han signaled for the other party to look at Shitou.

"Are you sure?" Yi Huang was somewhat troubled; although her attainments in alchemy were already very high now, as an Alchemist, she could see even more clearly that Shitou did not have much time left.

Never mind curing him, Shitou's body could not withstand any medicinal power now. Even she could only choose to use Wood Attribute Dou Qi to barely sustain his life.

Perhaps sensing Yi Huang's difficulty, Shitou took the initiative to speak: "No need to trouble yourself, I know my own body; it cannot be cured at all. There is no need for the Venerable to worry."

"Ah? Grandpa Shi, what nonsense are you talking about? I will definitely find a way to save you." Having relied on each other for over ten years, Xiao Wu and Shitou had forged a deep bond.

Now that he heard Grandpa Shi could not be saved, he was immediately unhappy.

"Is there really no way to save him?" Xiao Han's expression also looked somewhat unpleasant.

"It is not that there is no way, but the price is truly too great, and even if he is cured, he can only live for ten years. Have you really made up your mind?" Yi Huang transmitted her voice to Xiao Han.

Xiao Han said in a firm tone, "At any cost, he must be saved; this is the only thing I can do."

Perhaps hearing the firmness in Xiao Han's attitude, Yi Huang said to everyone,

"He can be saved, the price is a Ninth Grade Pill, the Return Reflection Pill. And it can only let you live for another ten years. Is that acceptable?" The last sentence was directed at Shitou.

A Ninth Grade Pill? At this moment, Shitou was already shocked by these words.

The highest-grade medicinal pill he had seen in his life was only Fourth Grade. And even that was the treasure of the deacon who managed them, which he often took out to show off. As for a Ninth Grade Pill, he could no longer imagine its value.

He subconsciously refused: "This is truly too precious, let's just forget it."

"No, how can we forget it, let's do it." At this moment, Xiao Wu did not understand the value of a Ninth Grade Pill, only wanting to save Shitou. He was even somewhat dissatisfied; how could it only extend his life by ten years? In the future, he would definitely let Grandpa Shi live for another hundred years.

"Fine, then I will go prepare later." Yi Huang glanced at Xiao Han, and seeing his expression was normal, she said.

What Yi Huang did not say was that the Return Reflection Pill was a pill she could not refine at present, and it was the only stock left inherited from that Venerable.

Its function was to give a person on the verge of death a chance for a final flash of brilliance. Ten years of life, ten years of health, but all cultivation lost. Once the time was up, even if the Medicine Emperor himself arrived, there would be no way to save him.

When this pill was chosen, it meant there were no other ways left.

Xiao Han followed as well, only his expression was not very good afterward.

Ye Jianxin watched the two leave. Afterward, he said to the two: "Come with me, I will arrange rooms for you."

Judging from Xiao Han's attitude, it was very clear that he attached great importance to this grandfather and grandson, so he did not have any arrogant behavior.

……

The night passed without incident, and the next day arrived.

At this time, Langya Pavilion was extremely lively; Disciples and Elders wore smiling faces and festive clothing, being extremely enthusiastic toward the guests who came to offer congratulations.

And the congratulatory gifts from the guests were also exceptionally precious. Rare Seventh or Eighth Grade heavenly materials and earthly treasures, Dou Techniques and Cultivation Methods no lower than Earth Tier, and medicinal pills and treasures were all available.

Listening to the voices announcing the gifts, everyone was shocked, and at the same time, extremely envious.

If only so many good things were given to our sect! For a time, many representatives of forces sighed endlessly.

But they only thought about it in their hearts; they still had a clear understanding of their own forces, and these things were only worthy of being possessed by the strong. Immediately, some familiar experts began to converse cordially.

This was a rare grand event; so many representatives of forces gathered together, among whom were many leaders of forces, and it could even be said that if everyone at the venue were wiped out at this moment, the forces and combat power of the entire Central Plains would be weakened by twenty percent. Of course, this was excluding the existence of the Ancient Race.

Likewise, this occasion was also an excellent place for various forces to build relationships; even if they were not familiar or even complete strangers, they could still exchange words, and many collaborations were negotiated in this way.

This was only the early stage; the important guests had not yet arrived. It was believed that after those first-rate forces of the Central Plains arrived, they would instantly ignite the atmosphere of the entire scene.

……I do not know how much time passed.

"Sound Valley Master Old Man Heavenly Sound sends one Bright Phoenix Zither."

"Boom—"

Once these words were spoken, the entire venue was shocked.

Old Man Heavenly Sound had actually come in person to offer congratulations. And what he sent was a sect-protecting treasure like the Bright Phoenix Zither.

It seemed the news that Sound Valley was on good terms with the Ice Venerable was indeed true. Otherwise, who else could make Tianyin Laoren come to congratulate in person and present such a grand gift?

Sound Valley was famous for its musical temperament; as one of the three valleys of the Central Plains, its strength could not be underestimated.

Especially the special nature of Sound Valley cultivators, which could be called bizarre and unpredictable, using musical temperament as a means to confront enemies.

Attack, defense, control, support, and healing—it covered everything; single combat or group brawls, they were capable of everything.

Moreover, due to the special nature of musical temperament, attacks launched through sound were difficult to judge with the naked eye, and Sound Valley's methods were even more secretive; when one noticed it, it meant they had already been struck, making them extremely difficult to deal with.

Even though Sound Valley had once vanished from sight for a period of time, no one had ever dared to deny the might of its strength.