Harvest and Resignation

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ming pushed open the door and entered. His gaze swept across the hall, revealing several figures sitting there.

Among them were the Eight Great Elders that Xiao Ming knew well, as well as some ordinary elders. At the head of the table was a figure, none other than Xuan Kongzi.

As soon as Xiao Ming entered the hall, all eyes were on him.

"Our 'Jade-faced Pill Master' has arrived." Upon seeing Xiao Ming, Xuan Kongzi couldn't help but smile and tease him.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ming coughed somewhat awkwardly.

"Ahem, Elder Xuan, please don't make fun of me."

The title "Jade-faced Pill Master" was given to him by busybodies outside during this year. That's how it is in the fantasy world; once you become famous, people will give you all sorts of nicknames.

Some are named after their style of doing things, some after their special skills or cultivation Cultivation Method, some after their strength, and of course, some after their name or appearance.

Clearly, Xiao Ming's nickname was based on both his appearance and abilities.

"Jade face" naturally refers to his good looks, while "Dan Zong" refers to both his status as Alchemy Grandmaster and a powerful Dou Zong.

Overall, "Jade-faced Pill Master" is quite fitting, but Xiao Ming always felt a little embarrassed whenever someone called him that.

Stepping forward a few paces, Xiao Ming clasped his hands in a respectful greeting to Xuan Kongzi, and then sat down in a seat near the front.

After a short while, two more elderly men entered the hall, and then Xuan Kongzi spoke.

"Is everyone here? Let's start by talking about our battles with the Hall of Souls over the past year..."

Xiao Ming came to the Pill Tower Headquarters for the meeting between the Pill Tower and the Hall of Souls.

A year ago, after Xiao Ming returned to Holy Pill City, the news of his open attack by the Heavenly Venerate of Hall of Souls in Ye City spread throughout the Central Plains.

The Pill Tower naturally learned of this matter as well. As Eight Great Elders, Xiao Ming's presence prompted the Pill Tower to take action.

Otherwise, others would think that the Pill Tower was afraid of the Hall of Souls.

Therefore, in the past year or so, the Pill Tower and the Hall of Souls have clashed openly and covertly several times.

Aside from the support of the Soul Clan, the Hall of Souls was actually slightly inferior to the Pill Tower. In addition, it also had some secret schemes, so the Pill Tower had a slight advantage over the past year or so.

The attack on Xiao Ming was merely a trigger. The Pill Tower had long been dissatisfied with the Hall of Souls, openly and secretly capturing the souls of Alchemist and occasionally causing them trouble.

It wouldn't be accurate to call this year a year of bloodshed in Central Plains, as both sides were actually quite restrained; "turbulent and unsettled" would be a more fitting description.

However, no matter how turbulent things are, there will always be times when things settle down.

The confrontation between the two sides has now reached its final stage, and a closing meeting is being held.

The meeting lasted for an hour before it ended.

"Alright, that concludes today's meeting. You may all leave now, except for Xiao Ming, who will remain."

After everyone had left, Xiao Ming took out a jade box from his Na Ring and handed it to Xuan Kongzi.

"Elder Xuan, this is the Spirit Nurturing Dust you asked me to refine."

Over the course of the past year, news of Xiao Ming's ability to refine Spirit Nurturing Dust also spread.

Those who possess Soul Cultivation Technique are few and far between. Spirit Nurturing Dust can help the soul break through to the Ling Realm, which is more attractive to Alchemist than any peerless divine weapon or alluring beauty.

Xiao Ming's trade items were all medicinal materials for refining Spirit Nurturing Dust. Because every Alchemist has a vast network of relationships, even though the medicinal materials for refining Spirit Nurturing Dust -Spirit Nurturing Dust are rare, Xiao Ming still managed to gather quite a few.

With the help of these medicinal herbs, Xiao Ming's soul reached Spirit Realm Great Perfection within a year or so.

The Xiao Ming is taking out the Spirit Nurturing Dust now is because Xuan Kongzi said a few days ago that he needed some Spirit Nurturing Dust and asked Xiao Ming to help him refine it.

Xuan Kongzi's Soul Realm is the Heavenly Realm, so he wouldn't have much use for this Spirit Nurturing Dust. He must have another purpose, and Xiao Ming didn't care what he used it for.

"You're quite lucky; you actually found the long-lost Spirit Nurturing Dust Refining Method."

Taking the jade box, Spirit Nurturing Dust Xuan Kongzi with some emotion. He had seen the Spirit-Nourishing Powder in ancient books before, so he naturally knew how attractive such items were to Alchemist, especially those at the Peak Grade Seven who had no hope of Alchemist.

It seems that as long as Xiao Ming places the Spirit Nurturing Dust in front of them, he can make them submit.

"Just lucky," Xiao Ming said with a smile.

"Your luck is truly extraordinary."

Xuan Kongzi smiled and shook his head, not continuing the conversation on the topic.

At this moment, Xiao Ming hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Elder Xuan, I need to leave Holy Pill City in the next few days."

"Hmm?" Xuan Kongzi glanced at Xiao Ming with some surprise.

"Although the conflict between the Hall of Souls and us is nearing its end, it's not safe for you to go out now. Those people might pull some dirty tricks."

"I know all that, and I will be careful," Xiao Ming said, his expression turning serious.

The reason he went out was because Zi Yan was coming back.

As for when Zi Yan will return, based on the simulation of life in the Simulator, it should be within the next two days. Xiao Ming is unsure of the exact time; it could be today or it could be tomorrow.

No matter when, Zi Yan's return means he can finally go find the Ancient Dou Sheng Ruins.

During this year, Xiao Ming's strength remained at the Nine Star Peak Dou Zong, without much improvement.

However, he refined more than twenty Heaven Demon Puppet at the Dou Zun level. After a year of cultivation and thanks to the Poison Seal Method he found, Xiao Yi Xian's strength increased to the Seven Star Dou Zun. Venerable Tian Huo also increased to the Six Star Dou Zun because Xiao Ming refined some pills to aid his cultivation. Xiao Ming's own power has undergone a qualitative improvement.

He was confident he could conquer the Ancient Cave Mansion.

Speaking of simulations, Xiao Ming has also acquired quite a few good things over the past year.

The Ninth Grade Mysterious Pill Recipe, an Eighth-Tier Nine-Colored Pill, Ninth-tier Magical Beast Core, a scroll of Heaven Tier Intermediate Wood Attribute Cultivation Method, and Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit.

Yes, Xiao Ming directly simulated the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit.

This surprised Xiao Ming somewhat. Of course, even with the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, Xiao Ming would not give up on going to the Ancient Ruins.

Seeing that Xiao Ming had not changed his mind because of his words, Xuan Kongzi frowned, then sighed and said helplessly.

"Alright, I've always observed that you're sensible and not the arrogant type. There must be something you need. I agree."

Xuan Kongzi guessed that Xiao Ming must have gone out for some reason, but he didn't ask for the specifics. Everyone has their own secrets, and it's not a good habit to pry.

Although he knew that Xuan Kongzi would probably let him go, Xiao Ming still breathed a sigh of relief when he actually agreed.

"Thank you Elder Xuan!"

After Xuan Kongzi agreed, and after briefly discussing the handover of duties after his departure with Xuan Kongzi, Xiao Ming left the hall.