Dan Family Siblings

Ling Xi instinctively turned her head and saw a man in blue robes walking toward the three of them.

Though he wasn't as handsome as Ling Xi, the man was still quite good-looking, with a refined, scholarly air about him.

But Ling Xi's gaze didn't linger on him for long before shifting to the young woman standing beside him.

"This is... the Devouring Power?"

When Ling Xi's soul power had broken through to Dou Master, she had relied on the Devouring Ancestral Symbol to absorb quite a bit of Spiritual Qi from Pill Tower Starry Sky.

At that moment, she could clearly sense a faint suction coming from the young woman, somewhat similar to that of her own Devouring Ancestral Symbol.

But this suction seemed capable of absorbing only soul power and was clearly no match for her Devouring Ancestral Symbol.

As if noticing Ling Xi's gaze, the young woman took a light step back like a startled little rabbit and hid behind the man, looking timid.

"What a coincidence today. I didn't expect to run into you two here."

Cao Ying clapped her hands. After glancing at the two of them, she introduced them to Ling Xi.

"Ling Xi, these two are Dan Xuan and Dan Chen of the Dan Family. They're both exceptionally talented members of the younger generation in Pill Tower."

After speaking, she smiled at Dan Xuan and Dan Chen.

"This is Ling Xi, a disciple of one of Teacher's old friends. He'll probably be training in Pill Tower from now on."

"I've long heard that Brother Dan and your younger sister are outstanding talents among Pill Tower's younger generation. Seeing you today, I can tell the rumors were true."

Ling Xi cupped his hands slightly toward them.

The Dan Family was one of the Five Great Clans holding seats among Pill Tower's elders. From what Ling Xi could sense of their souls, Dan Xuan and Dan Chen were likely no weaker than Cao Ying in Alchemist rank.

However, Dan Xuan's soul power wasn't particularly strong, and his potential was nowhere near Dan Chen's or Cao Ying's.

"Since you're a disciple of Senior Xuan Kongzi's old friend, Brother Ling must be an outstanding Alchemist as well."

Dan Chen cupped her hands in return, secretly surprised.

Xuan Kongzi's status in Pill Tower went without saying, and Dan Chen knew Cao Ying's personality well.

For someone like Cao Ying, a Proud Daughter of Heaven, to personally bring Ling Xi to the Alchemist Trading Fair, he must have either an impressive background or exceptional talent.

Though she had never heard of him, she found herself wanting to make his acquaintance.

Dan Chen stole a couple of glances at Ling Xi, then tucked her head back behind Dan Xuan.

"My younger sister is shy. I hope you won't take offense, Brother Ling."

Dan Xuan smiled apologetically at Ling Xi.

"Not at all, Brother Dan. You and your younger sister are clearly very close. I'm rather envious."

Ling Xi shook his head.

"Dan Xuan, your family has always treated your younger sister like a precious treasure. How did you find the heart to bring her out today?"

Cao Ying couldn't help teasing him.

In her eyes, Dan Chen was the only one among the younger generation who could match her Alchemy talent.

"Pill Tower notified the major families to come take part in a trial before long. That's why we came to Sacred Pill City."

"I heard they've also invited Alchemists from quite a few other factions to explore a newly opened space together."

Dan Xuan snorted. Though he was a little displeased with Cao Ying's remark, he still explained.

"We don't need to take part in the trial, so we came to browse the Alchemist Trading Fair while we had some free time."

As if remembering something, Dan Chen added,

"By the way, the Five Great Clans of Pill Tower have all gathered here this time. Someone from your Cao Family has come too."

"How come I didn't know about this?"

Cao Ying's brow furrowed at once.

"You're already in Pill Tower. I suppose they planned to tell you after they arrived?"

Dan Chen shrugged, then pulled Dan Chen along as she cupped her hands to the two of them.

"We have other things to take care of, so we won't keep you any longer."

"Brother Dan, you're too kind."

Ling Xi returned the gesture.

"Dan Xuan, I'll be waiting for you in Pill Tower. I can't wait to see how far your Alchemy has come."

Cao Ying covered her mouth with a laugh.

"I'm looking forward to it too."

At the mention of Alchemy, the timid-looking young woman was suddenly filled with confidence.

"That young woman named Dan Xuan is rather unusual."

Ling Xi watched them leave, his eyes glinting.

The Dou Qi Continent was vast and boundless. Even the original work had not described every strange constitution in detail.

"She has a special constitution, just like you."

After a pause, Cao Ying added,

"She's also the only person among Pill Tower's younger generation whom I consider a rival."

Ling Xi said nothing. He merely chuckled and headed toward the stalls at the fair.

How could Dan Xuan's strange constitution compare to his Devouring Ancestral Symbol?

Cao Ying furrowed her brow. She didn't know why Ling Xi had laughed, but she couldn't shake the feeling that he'd looked down on her.

The first floor of the Alchemist Trading Fair did have some good things, but the stallholders were all keen-eyed veterans.

The items they wanted in exchange were no less valuable than the things they were selling.

Ling Xi wasn't looking for anything in particular, but as he passed one of the stalls, he suddenly stopped.

"What's this...?"

Ling Xi's heart stirred slightly, and he reached out toward a jade pendant on the stall, stained with blood.

"If you're not buying, don't touch."

Just as Ling Xi's hand was about to touch the pendant, a soul barrier suddenly appeared in front of it.

"Hmm?"

Ling Xi frowned slightly and took a closer look at the stallholder.

The stallholder wore a gray robe, and a thick beard covered nearly his entire face. He looked extremely unkempt.

"How do you know I'm not buying?"

Ling Xi chuckled and looked at the stallholder with interest.

"You're so young, and I can't even sense the soul power on you. For all I know, you're not even an Alchemist."

The stallholder curled his lip.

"The things at my stall aren't cheap. Are you sure a kid like you can afford them?"

"Why wouldn't I be able to?"

Ling Xi thrust his hand forward. His powerful soul force erupted in an instant and struck the soul barrier in front of the jade pendant.

The stallholder's expression changed at once. Before he could do anything to stop it, the soul barrier he had placed over the pendant shattered in an instant!

"What powerful soul force. I underestimated you."

The stallholder's gaze sharpened slightly, but this time he let Ling Xi take the jade pendant from the stall.

Even Cao Ying, standing nearby, looked impressed.

The soul force Ling Xi had unleashed just then had made even her feel a faint sense of alarm.

Ling Xi paid no attention to the others' expressions. He simply examined the jade pendant in his hand.

The palm-sized pendant was carved with a towering tree. Near its roots was a patch of deep crimson, as if blood had seeped into it.

"Where did you get this?"

Ling Xi set the jade pendant back in its place and asked the stallholder.