Chapter 270: Movements of All Parties Before the Pill Gathering

"Xin Lan, what is it? Are you leaving?"

Yi Huang, who was organizing sect affairs, noticed the figure pacing back and forth outside the door, turned around, and asked gently.

The date of the Pill Gathering was approaching, which also meant that the assessment the Ye Family needed to undergo to retain their Elder seat was about to begin.

Ye Xinlan's arrival was also within Yi Huang's expectations.

Just as Yi Huang had expected, Ye Xinlan took a few steps forward, arrived before Yi Huang, nodded, and said, "Student has come to bid farewell to Teacher! My family needs me to return for a while."

"Little one, you must work hard!" Yi Huang smiled as she affectionately patted Ye Xinlan's little head.

The latter nodded vigorously.

"When do you plan to go back? Do you need Teacher to send someone to accompany you?"

"No need, thank you, Teacher!" Ye Xinlan bowed and said. She was very clear that this matter was her own private affair and should not involve the power of Langya Pavilion.

"Hmm..." Yi Huang nodded, "When do you plan to leave?"

"Setting off tomorrow."

"Alright then!" Yi Huang flipped her palm, and a scroll appeared in her hand, which she handed to Ye Xinlan, "Since my student is going for an assessment, I, as her teacher, naturally cannot be stingy."

"Your current Soul Power has reached the requirements for practicing Soul Techniques; take this as a gift from Teacher to wish you success in your assessment."

Upon hearing this, Ye Xinlan's expression changed, and just as she was about to say something, Yi Huang quickly interrupted, "Do not refuse; these are not anything valuable to Teacher."

"Thank you, Teacher!"

"Between master and disciple, what is there to thank for." Yi Huang waved her hand, "Go and prepare quickly!"

"If you can, go and participate in the Pill Gathering," Yi Huang said in a gentle voice.

"But..." Ye Xinlan looked troubled, "Disciple will lose face for Teacher."

Ye Xinlan's talent for alchemy was not top-tier, and she had only been studying under Yi Huang for the past few years.

She had only just broken through to a Seven-Rank Advanced Alchemist; while such a level could be called a genius, it was more than enough to pass the Elder seat assessment and take a top-three spot.

However, it was absolutely impossible to stand out, let alone achieve extremely high results, at the Central Plains Pill Gathering where the strong were as numerous as clouds.

And Ye Xinlan also knew deeply that as a disciple of Yi Huang, the Vice Pavilion Master of Langya Pavilion and an alchemy grandmaster in the eyes of the outside world, her performance must not be too poor, otherwise it would surely invite gossip, and even her teacher, Yi Huang, would be questioned.

Yi Huang naturally understood Ye Xinlan's worries and comforted her, "Your teacher has long since passed the stage of needing affirmation from outsiders."

"Just go and participate to see what level your alchemy is at in the Central Plains; the important thing is participation!"

"Go!" Yi Huang said in a relaxed tone, "Teacher will go to the Pill Gathering site to watch your competition!"

"Yes!" Ye Xinlan steeled her heart, "Disciple will work hard!"

Watching Ye Xinlan's departing back, Yi Huang's eyes flickered, "Someone come!"

"Vice Pavilion Master!" A shadow appeared quietly before Yi Huang.

"Take my Token and mobilize two Langya Guards to protect Xin Lan in the shadows!" Yi Huang said in a cold voice, tossing out a pill-cauldron-shaped Jade Pendant, which was quickly caught by the shadow.

"Yes!"

Although this was only Ye Xinlan's private matter, the latter's identity already destined her to be unable to return alone; Xiao Han's deterrent power might not be able to control everyone.

Even if the latter had some life-saving means given by Yi Huang, it could not withstand the attacks that might come from all directions.

"The Central Plains Pill Gathering, it seems I haven't witnessed it for a long time!" Yi Huang narrowed her eyes and said with a slight smile.

While Yi Huang was preparing to head to the Pill Gathering to join in the excitement, Yao Lao was also looking with gratification at his satisfying disciple, Xiao Yan, before him.

A clean and neat black outfit set off the latter's increasing capability, with a hint of playfulness at the corners of his mouth, and a look of perseverance on his handsome face.

Just a while ago, it was this disciple of his who had ventured alone into the crisis-ridden Beast Domain, without seeking help from anyone during the process; even that Dou Zun expert he had requested to hide in the shadows to protect him was amazed by Xiao Yan's temperament and talent.

A year ago, he had even plucked the crown of first place at the Four Pavilions Assembly for their Starfall Pavilion. Now, this prized student was about to launch an attack on the Pill Gathering championship!

"Little Yanzi, have you broken through to an Eight-Grade Alchemist?" Yao Lao asked kindly with a smile in his eyes.

"Teacher, I was lucky enough to break through a while ago," Xiao Yan said with a calm smile.

Hearing this, Yao Lao nodded with satisfaction; this disciple of his was good at everything, except for one flaw—he liked to be humble. It was always "lucky"!

Yao Lao had already boasted about this matter more than once in front of the Pill Tower Three Great Heads.

"The championship doesn't matter; this time, kick that old fellow Xuan Kongzi's disciple down for me," Yao Lao said like an old urchin.

"Teacher, this..."

Xiao Yan's mouth twitched, and he couldn't help but grumble inwardly: wasn't it just that he was interrupted by Senior Xuan Kongzi while with Master Xuan Yi a while ago? Was it necessary to take such revenge?

Moreover, regarding that demoness Cao Ying, Xiao Yan really didn't dare to say he was guaranteed to win; the other party's alchemy talent was simply terrifying, and he still needed to divide his attention to cultivate, so who would win was still unknown!

"For this Pill Gathering, just go with your Senior Uncle Feng," the smile on the corners of Yao Lao's mouth gradually lost its warmth:

"Your teacher will go a step ahead; there are still some things that need to be arranged."

"Teacher, are you going to make a move?" Xiao Yan said with a calm expression as well.

"Hmm!" Yao Lao returned to that calm appearance and said indifferently: "You just need to ensure that the Pill Gathering championship does not fall into the hands of the Soul Hall."

"As for the others..."

"Leave it to your teacher!"

"Alright, Teacher! Student will not let you down." Mentioning the Soul Hall, Xiao Yan's expression also turned cold; thanks to the Soul Hall over these years, life for their Xiao Clan had been quite difficult!

Even the Starfall Pavilion, which Xiao Yan had joined, had been affected; over these years, Xiao Yan had dealt with Protectors of the Soul Hall quite a bit in the Starfall Pavilion.

If there was a chance, Xiao Yan would not mind letting the other party experience the Exotic Flame Dou Technique he had recently comprehended.

"The Ren Dian has been destroyed, and the Nine Great Venerables have been killed, presumably..."

"Even the Soul Hall will be quite heartbroken!" Cold light flickered in Yao Lao's eyes.

"No, their Second Heavenly Venerable, Guyou Shengzhe, seems to have been killed first by an expert; the culprit hasn't been found yet, and only eight Heavenly Venerables remain. It actually benefited that old ghost Gu You!"

Soul Hall.

In the deep, dim great hall, a hoarse and terrifying voice echoed: "Mu Gu, this plan must only succeed; failure is not an option."

"Otherwise, you understand the consequences, don't you!"

"Jie jie~"

Hearing this, Mu Gu, who was bowing to receive the order, trembled all over and said even more respectfully: "Please rest assured, Hall Master, this time your subordinate will definitely retrieve the Three Thousand Burning Flames for the hall."

"Even if it doesn't succeed..." A ruthless expression appeared on Mu Gu's face as he said sinisterly: "The unsealed Three Thousand Burning Flames should be enough to keep those old fellows from the Pill Tower busy."

"Jie jie~" Seemingly very satisfied with Mu Gu's answer, "Very good, do not let this Hall Master down!"

"Yes!"

Pill Tower.

Xuan Kongzi said solemnly to his disciple, who was standing before him looking indifferent: "For this Pill Gathering, you must strive for the championship."

After finishing, he subconsciously added: "At the very least, do not lose to that Xiao Yan from the Starfall Pavilion."

"Do you understand?"

That damn old thing, showing off how excellent his disciple is in front of him all day long; he would accept it if it were cultivation, but this is just a side profession.

He, Xuan Kongzi, did not believe this nonsense; could a disciple trained in his own specialty of alchemy really be worse than that old fellow's disciple?

Cao Ying rolled her eyes on her enchanting face, clearly also aware of the grudges and grievances involved.

Thinking of that Xiao Yan who treated her with such indifference, a curve also appeared at the corner of Cao Ying's mouth. It was the first time her charm had suffered a setback with a man, and she was quite interested in him, saying with great interest: "Understood, teacher, I will definitely make that Xiao Yan suffer!"

"Very good!" Xuan Kongzi nodded with satisfaction, full of spirit.

Just like that, the Central Plains Pill Gathering, this grand event about to begin, gradually became a massive vortex, slowly opening its devouring jaws while everyone remained completely unaware.