Pill Tower (Seeking Collection, Seeking Recommendation)

"That serious?"

Ling Xi was momentarily stunned.

He wasn't afraid of being expelled from the Ling Clan—after all, the Ling Clan was the first Ancient Race destroyed by the Soul Clan. Staying in the clan would actually pose a greater danger.

Having his bloodline stripped didn't matter either, since the Dou Di Bloodline within him was almost negligible.

But having his Dou Qi abolished—that was severe.

"Now you're scared? You should've thought of that before blurting everything out!"

Ling You shot Ling Xi an exasperated glare.

"Truth is, we see the situation within the Ancient Races more clearly than a junior like you."

"But the Dou Di Bloodline is supremely noble, the very glory of our Ancient Races' past, so no one is allowed to defile it."

He paused, then continued.

"And while a few strong individuals have emerged from low-grade bloodlines, the number of experts and elites from high-grade bloodlines far surpasses them."

"Even I, your teacher, came from a humble background, but it was only because of Bloodline Atavism that I achieved what I have today."

This was the first time Ling Xi had heard Ling You, his teacher, speak of his own past.

"Take this kid out of the Ling Realm."

After a moment of silence, Ling Yang gritted out.

"With what he said, the clan won't tolerate him."

"I was thinking the same."

Ling You nodded slightly. His thoughts aligned with Ling Yang's—neither wanted to see a talented clansman like Ling Xi have his future cut off.

Besides, Ling Xi was his disciple. The only way to protect him now was to leave the Ling Clan.

"Honestly, there's not much for him to learn here anyway. Taking him out for some experience is a good idea."

"Leave now. Once the clan reacts, it won't be easy to go."

East Ling City sat on the eastern border of the Ling Domain, so leaving the domain from there wasn't difficult.

Before Ling Xi could get a word in, Ling Yang and Ling You had already decided his future in a few exchanges.

In the end, Ling Xi had underestimated the impact of the Dou Di Bloodline topic within the Ancient Races.

Fortunately, East Ling City was on the eastern edge of the Ling Domain, not far from the domain's entrance.

All Eight Ancient Clans had their own separate realms, their spaces fortified over generations by past experts until they were as solid as iron.

Even an ordinary Dou Saint couldn't break them. Ling You could only take Ling Xi out through the domain's entrance.

"Teacher, I've caused you trouble."

Watching Ling You rush him toward the domain entrance, Ling Xi couldn't help but say.

"You call me teacher, and you're still saying that?"

Ling You's speed was immense, but it didn't stop him from talking.

"Honestly, what you said today struck a chord with me."

Ling You gave a bitter laugh, a hint of emotion in his voice.

"Your talent in both cultivation and Alchemy Skill is outstanding, but your background is low, and your bloodline grade is only first-rank."

"Even if you stayed in the Ling Clan, your future achievements would be extremely limited."

"I was already planning to have you leave the clan eventually. This just moved things up a bit."

Ling You himself had only four years of life left. Some plans had been accelerated, but it didn't matter much to him.

[Ding, check-in location refreshed. Please complete the check-in at the Pill Tower.]

Just then, the long-unheard system notification finally rang in Ling Xi's mind.

Even as Ling You gripped his shoulder and sped toward the domain entrance, Ling Xi's spirits lifted.

As the saying went: One Hall, One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, Four Pavilions. Though not entirely accurate, it basically covered the major powers of the Central Continent outside the Ancient Races.

As the holy land for all alchemists, the Pill Tower not only housed Ninth-grade Alchemists but also secretly had a Six-star Dou Saint ancestor guarding it.

Even the current clan head of the Ling Clan was said to be only at the Six-star Dou Saint level.

"Teacher, where are we going after we leave the Ling Clan?"

Ling Xi mulled it over for a moment before asking.

"To the Pill Tower. As an Eighth-grade Alchemist, I have plenty of old acquaintances there."

"You'll be able to learn Alchemy Skill better there too."

Ling You said matter-of-factly.

Hearing this, Ling Xi was overjoyed. Ling You taking him directly to the Pill Tower saved him a lot of trouble.

"Halt. This is a restricted area of the Ling Domain. No unauthorized entry or exit!"

Ling You was, after all, a Dou Venerate, extremely fast, and East Ling City wasn't far from the entrance to the Ling Domain.

In just a day and night, the two of them arrived at the entrance to the Ling Domain.

However, to ensure that the Dou Di Bloodline within their clan remained uncontaminated, the Ancient Races enforced extremely strict checks on anyone entering or leaving.

"I am Ling You, an Eighth-grade Alchemist. I'm taking my disciple out of the Ling Domain to find a medicinal herb!"

Faced with the Spirit Guard's obstruction, Ling You raised his hand and flashed a token.

As one of the few Eighth-grade Alchemists in the Ling Clan, he naturally had the authority to freely enter and leave the Ling Domain.

"Greetings, Elder Ling You."

After confirming that the token in Ling You's hand was genuine, the Spirit Guards bowed to him and opened the passage to the Ling Domain.

The status of an Eighth-grade Alchemist commanded respect wherever one went.

"Mm."

Ling You nodded slightly, then, under the Spirit Guards' respectful demeanor, swaggered into the passage leading out of the Ling Domain, with Ling Xi in tow.

After traversing a silver spatial passage, Ling Xi felt a flash before his eyes, and then the view opened up.

"Let's go. Once we're out of the Ling Domain, I can manipulate spatial force."

Before Ling Xi could take in his surroundings, Ling You casually tore open a spatial rift, grabbed Ling Xi, and stepped directly into it.

Central Continent, the inner domain of Sacred Pill City.

A black tower, nearly a hundred zhang tall, stood towering like a small mountain, exuding a majestic and imposing presence.

The tower's spire pierced into the clouds, so high that its top was almost invisible, shrouded in mist that gave it an air of profound mystery.

"Why aren't you waiting to die in the Ling Clan? What made you think of coming to our Pill Tower?"

In a hall on the upper floors of the giant tower, a white-robed elder with white beard and hair glanced at Ling You, then turned his gaze with keen interest to Ling Xi standing beside him.

"I took in a disciple who's a Descendant Citizen with only a first-grade bloodline, hoping to pass on my legacy."

Ling You sat boldly on a chair, a bitter expression crossing his face as he faced the white-robed elder's question.

"The clan has some objections to my actions, so I came here seeking some peace."

With that, Ling You pointed at Ling Xi and said to the white-robed elder.

"Xi'er, this is Senior Xuan Kongzi of the Pill Tower. Come pay your respects."

Hearing this, Ling Xi's eyes narrowed slightly, and he immediately bowed.

"This junior, Ling Xi, greets Senior Xuan Kongzi."

"Your master and I have been friends for many years. There's no need to be so formal."

Xuan Kongzi said with a gentle smile.

"Speaking of which, I took on a disciple a few years back, about your age. If you don't mind, just call me Xuan Zi."