The Enchantress Was Hard to Handle, and Xiao Yuan Was Black-Hearted

From a distance, Xiao Yuan glanced at Xiao Yan, who was surrounded by romantic opportunities, and a slight smile appeared on his lips. He then found an open space and sat down cross-legged. He didn't want to get too close to anyone to avoid revealing his identity. Even if Xiao Yan recognized him, he wouldn't acknowledge him.

However, his gaze was not particularly concealed; at least Xiao Yan, who was always on guard, sensed it.

Then his pupils contracted.

This outfit looks so familiar!

Although the style of the white dress was somewhat unfamiliar, not the kind he had seen before, Xiao Yan was extremely familiar with the combination of the white dress and the Veiled Hat!

Seeing Xiao Yan's gaze shift to the woman in the white dress, Cao Ying couldn't help but frown.

No, what do you mean?

Who do you think you are? "Hey, hey, hey, do you like the innocent type? Isn't someone like me good enough?"

Cao Ying didn't think she could lose to other women in terms of looks. Although she was indeed somewhat overshadowed after meeting Xiao Yuan, he was a man!

Although Xiao Yan had no evidence, he felt that the White Skirt Woman was most likely his Third Brother who had sneaked in. Since his Third Brother did not come over to talk to him and instead deliberately kept his distance, it proved that he would not acknowledge him. In that case, it was most appropriate to act as if they did not know each other.

"You misunderstood. I was just thinking that although this person has the badge of Seventh Rank High Level Alchemist on his chest, his strength may be more than that."

Xiao Yan sensed the rising anger of the alluring beauty beside him and explained helplessly.

To be honest, he wasn't interested in Cao Ying. Compared to Xun'er, anyone else paled in comparison.

However, Cao Ying was a disciple of Senior Xuan Kongzi. Before entering this Pill World, Xuan Kongzi had sent him a telepathic message, asking him to secretly take care of Cao Ying, because the Danta had received news that someone from the Soul Hall had also infiltrated the team of contestants this time.

What did you see?

Upon hearing this, Cao Ying raised an eyebrow and asked curiously.

"No, it's precisely because I can't see anything that I have this idea."

Xiao Yan shook his head and said.

"But is it really okay for you to stay by my side like this?"

Immediately afterwards, although Xiao Yuan did not look over, he spoke meaningfully.

"You mean Song Qing?" Cao Ying glanced sideways at the man with an uncertain expression not far away, pursed her lips, and slowly said, "With his kind of strength, do you think I would be interested in him?"

"Hey, don't use me as a shield!"

Xiao Yan smiled bitterly.

Not far away, Wang Yuan Dan watched as his martial uncle was entangled by Enchantress, and could only sigh that youth was a wonderful thing. He then found an open space nearby and sat down.

From beginning to end, his soul power and aura were locked onto Xiao Yan. There was no other way; his master had instructed him to protect his uncle.

"Can we team up later? I feel like the quests will be much easier if I'm with you."

Cao Ying said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded. "It's not impossible, but you have to follow my orders."

"Huh? Does that mean I have to do whatever you tell me to do?"

Cao Ying suddenly bit her red lips lightly, her eyes blinking, like a pure little white rabbit who knew nothing.

"Why don't you just walk by yourself?"

Xiao Yan felt that this woman was truly a vixen, a pure femme fatale, and having her by his side would definitely be a terrible choice.

It should be understood that although this round of trials in the Pill World is ostensibly just about entering and searching for Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures according to the mission requirements, everyone knows that this second round of trials is meant to eliminate most people. The biggest enemy is not the magical beasts of the Pill World, but the other participants.

If it weren't for Xuan Kongzi's instructions, and Cao Ying's repeated visits to Xuan Yi Courtyard to become familiar with her, Xiao Yan, with his personality, probably wouldn't have bothered with her. This female demon is really annoying!

"Giggle!" Cao Ying let out a clear, sweet laugh upon seeing this, and her delicate hand couldn't help but pat Xiao Yan's arm.

Xiao Yan felt a throbbing sensation in his temples. The first time he saw this woman, he felt that she was not easy to deal with, and now it seemed that his intuition was indeed correct.

Xun'er is still the best. I wonder how she's doing in her clan.

Xiao Yan was lost in thought.

?

Cao Ying's laughter gradually subsided. Looking at Xiao Yan's lovestruck expression, she couldn't help but feel a little curious.

Does this guy already have someone he likes?

Before he could think any further, an old man dressed in ordinary clothes appeared out of nowhere in front of the passage. Beneath the old man was a giant tortoise, its body as black as iron, and the old man was sitting cross-legged on the back of this giant tortoise.

Judging from the badge on the old man's chest, he was clearly a member of the Danta. However, no one had ever heard of such a person within the Danta.

Xiao Yuan's gaze swept over the lazy old man, but his heart skipped a beat, because he found that he could not see through the Turtle-Riding Old Man's strength at all.

"As expected of the Danta, it truly harbors hidden talents."

As Xiao Yuan subtly withdrew his gaze, the old man, who had been in a state of dozing, suddenly opened his eyes. The instant he opened his eyes, Xiao Yuan felt the soul power residing between his brows tremble.

This person was actually a veteran Eighth Grade Alchemist whose soul had already advanced to the Spirit Realm! The old man opened his eyes and glanced at Xiao Yuan, but didn't notice anything unusual. Then he swept his gaze across the arena and said weakly, "It's almost time. You can enter the Pill World now. Everyone who enters, come here to receive a mission medicine list, a map of the Pill World, and a Space Stone. The medicine list contains the Medicinal Herbs you must find inside. Only by collecting all the Medicinal Herbs on the list can you successfully pass this test."

"I won't go into the details of the map's purpose; it shows the exit point of the Pill World. Once you've gathered all the Medicinal Herbs, head there."

"As for the Space Stone, it's for saving your life. If you encounter a life-threatening situation, you can crush the Space Stone, and you will be automatically sent out of the Pill World. However, crushing the Space Stone also means that you have lost the qualification to continue participating in the competition. Do you understand?" The old man slowly raised his eyes and said at the end.

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded slightly. Anyone who could arrive here at this speed was no pushover and naturally knew that the old man in front of them was no ordinary old man.

"Due to its dilapidated state, the Pill World is not suitable for long stays. Therefore, you only have ten days to search for the Medicinal Herbs needed for the mission. Identifying Medicinal Herbs is a basic skill for alchemists. Surely you don't need someone to teach you this?"

The old man curled his lip and said lazily, "In addition, although the Pill World is not suitable for human habitation, it is a paradise for some magical beasts. After years of breeding, the magical beasts in the Pill World are extremely powerful. If you encounter them, be careful not to lose your lives, because no one will come to save you. You should be prepared for this."

The Pill Gathering is no game, nor is it some ordinary competition; it's a true arena of bloodshed! And the one who survives that bloodshed to the very end will be the champion of this Pill Gathering. For every general's success, countless others perish; the Pill Gathering is no different."

As he finished speaking, the old man's voice became noticeably colder and sterner.

"Without further ado, those who are mentally prepared, come and collect your items. If you wish to withdraw now, it's not too late."

The Turtle-Riding Old Man slowly scanned the surroundings, but no one withdrew. Everyone present had some skills, so how could they be scared off by his words?

Shortly after the Turtle-Riding Old Man finished speaking, a middle-aged man dressed in an alchemist's robe stood up expressionlessly, walked up to the old man, took the item, and stepped directly into the slowly rotating Space Channel, disappearing quickly. Following the middle-aged man, more and more people came forward, took the item, and nimbly entered the Space Channel.

Xiao Yuan wasn't in a hurry at all. After watching Xiao Yan and Cao Ying walk side by side into the Space Channel, and Wang Yuan Dan followed closely behind, he slowly stood up and walked over to the Turtle-Riding Old Man.

"Your soul power is so formidable, you've also come to participate in the Pill Gathering?"

Although the Turtle-Riding Old Man did not recognize Xiao Yuan, he did notice something amiss and asked calmly.

"Come and broaden your horizons."

A light and melodious sound rang out, like a mountain stream.

"Take your Space Stone and the list of Medicinal Herbs."

Upon hearing this, the Turtle-Riding Old Man seemed somewhat noncommittal, and handed over the Space Stone, the list of Medicinal Herbs, and the map to Xiao Yuan.

"Thank you, senior."

He bowed slightly, displaying impeccable manners, and then stepped into the Space Channel.

"I hope she's not from the Soul Hall. To have such terrifying soul power at such a young age! This Pill Gathering is truly a fierce battle!"

Watching Xiao Yuan's disappearing figure, the Turtle-Riding Old Man let out a soft sigh.

The scene shifts to a desolate plain, the earth a dull yellow, occasionally dotted with patches of green, releasing glimmers of life and vitality.

Occasionally, small magical beasts would burst forth from the plains, kicking up a wisp of yellow dust before disappearing into the distance.

The desolate plain remained silent for a while, then the Void Space suddenly rippled, and a white figure flashed out from within.

The figure that emerged from the space was naturally Xiao Yuan, who had entered the Space Channel. When the desolate plain in front of him came into view, he was slightly taken aback. With a thought, his body floated in the sky instead of recklessly falling to the ground.

"So this is the Pill World?"

Xiao Yuan looked around and could just see the outline of some mountains at the end of the plain. He frowned slightly and murmured to himself.

"The energy is exceptionally abundant, but there seems to be some violent element within it. Could this be the reason for the decline of the Pill World?"

Xiao Yuan reached out and grabbed at the air in front of him, then seemed to be deep in thought. Creating space was a heaven-reaching power possessed only by Dou Sheng Expert. Of course, even if one successfully created space, it would need constant maintenance, otherwise the created space would gradually decay sooner or later. After pondering for a moment, Xiao Yuan put aside his thoughts, clenched his fist, and a piece of parchment appeared in his hand. This was the prescription given to him by the Turtle-Riding Old Man when he entered the passage. He had to collect all the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures recorded on it in order to successfully pass this selection.

"This is a good idea. It turns these contestants into laborers searching for Medicinal Herbs. However, the task is a bit too easy. If you ask me, the task should be tiered. Finding one Medicinal Herbs is level one, and so on up to level nine. Then, the rewards should be distributed according to the level of the task completed. Only those who reach level five or above can advance to the finals. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

The tycoon Xiao Yuan shook his head and muttered to himself.

He has already figured out how to reform the Pill Gathering system in the future!

After a moment of wild thoughts, his gaze finally fell on the parchment, and his brows furrowed slightly.

The Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures only listed three kinds of rare and precious Medicinal Herbs, and even someone with a large collection like him could only find one of them among his many collections.

This task is quite difficult! "Nine Flames Dragon Saliva Grass, Spirit Nectar Fruit, Immortal Crane Grass."

Xiao Yuan muttered the names of the three Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to himself, and then he looked thoughtful. He had more than one Immortal Crane Grass among the three Medicinal Herbs. It was a Medicinal Herbs used to refine low-grade and Mid-Grade Seventh-Rank Pill pills.

However, even Xiao Yuan had only heard of the other two types, but had never seen them in person.

What else can we do but look for him? If we can't find him, he'll just be eliminated. Anyway, he's not planning to participate in the final competition.

The moment the thought of opening up arises, one suddenly feels the vastness of the world!

Thinking of this, Xiao Yuan felt relaxed all over. He then slowly took out the map of the Pill World and spread it out. He saw that three regions on the map were marked with a red circle.

"Could this be the location where these three Medicinal Herbs exist?"

Upon seeing the three areas marked with red circles, Xiao Yuan seemed to understand something. If that was the case, then things would be much easier.

However, Xiao Yuan did not actually intend to submit the Medicinal Herbs to the old man riding the tortoise after finding them.

Why should we hand over the Medicinal Herbs we found through our own abilities?

Oh my god, it's all my blood! Swish swish!

As Xiao Yuan pondered, the space on this plain began to distort again, and then nearly a dozen figures emerged from the Space Channel almost simultaneously, only to land foolishly on the ground.

"Tsk, obviously a newbie!" Xiao Yuan had just made this assessment in his mind when a sudden change occurred below.

"Bang!"

The moment these people landed, a gigantic python, several dozen feet long, shot out from the seemingly calm sand dune with lightning speed, its ferocious, bloody maw aimed directly at the head of an alchemist!