Three Women

Gu He stepped out of the carriage and found the square already packed with people. Not only were the Misty Cloud Sect's inner disciples present, but most of its elders had come as well.

Gu He waited for Xiao Yi Xian to emerge, then walked with her toward Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran, who stood at the very front.

"Brother Gu He, congratulations on becoming a Sixth-grade Alchemist," Yun Yun said first.

Looking at Yun Yun, who was even more radiant than before, Gu He could now clearly sense that she was at the Peak Dou Wang level, just one step away from breaking through to Dou Emperor. Considering that she was not yet thirty, reaching such a level so quickly in a small place like the Jia Ma Empire truly qualified as astounding talent. Still, he did not let it interrupt his polite words. "It was thanks to the sect preparing the medicinal ingredients last time. Although I failed, it allowed me to gain experience. I was in good condition this time and advanced to the sixth grade in one stroke."

Hearing Gu He say this, the elders behind him also wore proud expressions.

"Brother Gu He, you are too polite. You are the Misty Cloud Sect's chief alchemist. We must fulfill any request you make," Yun Yun said sincerely. Though she spoke only a few words, Gu He's recent conduct in the Imperial Capital had already revealed that the Pill King was beginning to distance himself from the Misty Cloud Sect. Yun Yun hoped to repair the relationship as much as possible.

Xiao Yi Xian looked at the noble and elegant Yun Yun, and a trace of inferiority flashed through her eyes. She finally understood why her master could not forget her, and she fell silent.

Gu He introduced Xiao Yi Xian behind him to the people of the Misty Cloud Sect. "This is my newly accepted disciple, Xiao Yi Xian."

"This is the Misty Cloud Sect's sect leader, Yun Yun, and her disciple Yan Ran."

"Sect Leader Yun Yun, hello. It is our first meeting. My name is Xiao Yi Xian. Hello, Sister Yan Ran," Xiao Yi Xian greeted Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran gracefully.

The main purpose of gathering in the vast square was to introduce Xiao Yi Xian to everyone and establish her identity. Naturally, Xiao Yi Xian received a warm welcome. The elders welcomed her because she was Gu He's disciple, while the inner disciples welcomed her for the same reason, as well as for her own delicate and charming beauty.

After the welcoming ceremony ended, Gu He went with the elders to the council hall.

"I came back this time mainly to see whether the sect has any high-grade pills that need to be urgently refined. I can refine them while I am here, then take some medicinal ingredients away to refine Sixth-grade pills," Gu He said directly after taking his seat.

"Lord Gu He, can you refine Spirit Dou Pills now?" Yun Leng asked excitedly from below.

Gu He looked at this man, whose future was destined to be tragic—the first Dou Wang expert Xiao Yan would kill—and could not help showing a sympathetic expression. "Spirit Dou Pills are relatively simple. After successfully advancing to the sixth grade, I tried refining them several times. I can only say that the success rate is around forty percent."

"Wonderful, Lord Pill King! Could you help me refine a Spirit Dou Pill?" Upon hearing Gu He's confirmation, Yun Leng jumped to his feet and asked eagerly.

"I can. However, I plan to return to the Monster Mountain Range to refine pills. I am in better condition there. In about half a month, come collect your pill from a small town called Qingshan Town." Gu He decided to help this man, who was also Xiao Yan's enemy. Still, judging by his state, he had probably asked Gu He to refine a Spirit Dou Pill in the original story as well, yet was still killed by Xiao Yan. Gu He wondered how his fate would turn out this time.

"Brother Gu He, are you leaving again so soon?" Yun Yun asked from not far away.

"I found a place in the Monster Mountain Range with abundant medicinal ingredients. It will benefit the improvement of my alchemy more."

As if suddenly recalling something, Gu He smacked his forehead and said, "Please keep an eye out for any news of an Earth Grade Water Attribute cultivation technique. Xiao Yi Xian has a Water Attribute. Whoever obtains relevant information can have me refine a Fifth-grade pill for free after I confirm it is genuine. If anyone has one in their possession, I can exchange three Sixth-grade pills for it."

Hiss! Hearing Gu He's extravagant offer, every elder present looked at him with blazing eyes and silently committed it to memory. They would definitely assign tasks to their subordinates later and see whether there was any news of an Earth Grade cultivation technique. The three Sixth-grade pills were beyond reach, but merely providing information on an Earth Grade Water Attribute Dou Qi cultivation technique would earn them a Fifth-grade pill refined for free by the Pill King. Perhaps the Pill King might even remember them and charge less for pill refinement in the future.

Nalan Yanran looked at Xiao Yi Xian enviously. She had not yet reached the Dou Zhe level, but even after she did, no matter how much Yun Yun doted on her, at most Yun Yun would let her cultivate a High-grade Profound cultivation technique. She would need to earn everyone's recognition and become the young sect leader before she could cultivate an Earth Grade technique. After all, the enormous Misty Cloud Sect possessed only two Earth Grade cultivation techniques, and only the sect leader and young sect leader could study them.

Being stared at by so many people, Xiao Yi Xian lowered her head shyly. Still, her heart felt warm. Her master had always remembered to find her an Earth Grade cultivation technique and was even willing to pay such a great price for it.

After the elders who understood Gu He's situation had left, Gu He took out a gift he had prepared long ago and said to Yun Yun, "Yun'er, this is an Imperial Pill. It can raise the strength of a Dou Emperor who consumes it by one or two stars. Of course, a Dou Emperor can only consume one Imperial Pill in their lifetime. Even taking a second one would have no effect."

Hearing Gu He's intimate form of address, Yun Yun blushed slightly but did not correct him. Because of her momentary mistake last time, Gu He had expressed his feelings, and she did not dislike him either. Thus, Yun Yun allowed him to address her intimately in private.

"Brother Gu He, it is far too precious. I cannot accept it. Besides, I have not even reached the Dou Emperor level yet!"

Gu He pressed the pill into Yun Yun's hand. Their hands brushed several times, and the touch of Yun Yun's smooth skin stirred his heart. Then he said seriously, "You have already reached Peak Dou Wang. Your breakthrough to Dou Emperor will come soon, and you will be able to use this pill immediately."

Seeing that Gu He seemed to have grown much bolder after going out for a trip, Yun Yun knew that if she still refused, who knew what else he might do. She could only accept the pill helplessly.

Seeing Yun Yun accept the pill, Gu He took out a scroll and continued to Nalan Yanran, "Yan Ran, I found this High-grade Profound Wind Attribute Dou Skill, Roaring Lion Chant, in a Dou Wang's cave dwelling in the Monster Mountain Range. Once you reach the Dou Zhe level, have your master teach you to cultivate it."

Nalan Yanran looked at Yun Yun helplessly. Yun Yun nodded slightly. A High-grade Profound Dou Skill was not particularly precious to someone at the Dou Wang level, but it was a very weighty gift for Nalan Yanran, one that Yun Yun would need to repay as her master. Therefore, Yun Yun said to Xiao Yi Xian, who stood behind Gu He, "Xian'er, you do not mind if I call you that, do you?" Although Xiao Yi Xian did not want Yun Yun to address her that way, she had no reason to object, so she merely nodded.