Gu He: No!!! (Snowflakes Drift...)

Xiao Yan sat cross-legged in meditation, with a medicine cauldron with patterns of myriad beasts floating in front of him.

The illusory figure of the Old Yao stood to one side, his eyes filled with a scholarly air, and he said with a faint smile:

"The Sect Breaking Pill was originally a high-grade pill among the Sixth-Grade pills, but the version I have has been upgraded to Seventh-Grade pill. It can greatly increase the chances of Peak Dou Emperor breaking through to Dou Zong, but the difficulty of refining it has also increased significantly. Ordinary alchemists who have just entered the Seventh-Grade have a success rate of no more than 30%."

If you can refine it, then you can officially enter the ranks of Seventh-Grade alchemy masters. In other words, in my eyes, you are ready to graduate."

"That won't do. Teacher, please let this good-for-nothing disciple learn from you some more. How can I be considered a master before reaching the Eighth-Grade?"

Xiao Yan smiled and said modestly.

Seventh-Grade is considered a nobody in the Northwest Continent.

In Central Plains, especially in Holy Pill City, a single brick could smash a whole bunch of Seventh-Tier Alchemist.

Only at the Eighth-Grade can one truly step into the pinnacle of the Yao Realm.

"Ready? Let's begin!"

Old Yao simply rolled his eyes at Xiao Yan's modesty.

Listen to this, is this even human language?

A fourteen-year-old Seventh-Tier Alchemist was still not satisfied.

He's almost at the age of fifteen, destined to become Eighth-Grade Alchemist.

Despite such monstrous talent, this kid showed no trace of youthful arrogance, instead appearing as if he were walking on thin ice.

Although he knew that Xiao Yan's potential enemies were the strongest and most cunning Soul Clan and Soul Hall on the continent, Old Yao still felt it was difficult to stay calm.

He was fifteen years old when he...

Forget it, I won't say anymore, it's too embarrassing.

Xiao Yan nodded slightly, his gaze focused.

With a flick of his finger, a Beast Fallen Lotus Heart Flame landed precisely at the bottom of the cauldron, instantly raising the temperature inside to a terrifying level.

He did not act immediately, but closed his eyes and concentrated. After the surge, the increasingly powerful and vast soul power spread out like mercury, Minor Insight sensing the heat distribution in every inch of the space inside the cauldron, and then began to perform more precise temperature control.

A moment later, after adjusting to the surge in soul power, he swung his arm, leaving behind afterimages.

One by one, rare medicinal herbs, enough to cause bloodshed in the Black Corner Region, were effortlessly thrown into the medicine cauldron.

Time slipped away silently like sand in the palm of one's hand amidst the churning flames, and fine beads of sweat began to appear on Xiao Yan's forehead.

Even he felt somewhat tired after a whole day of continuous refining.

Because of the surge in his soul power, he also expended more mental energy. However, the good news is that although he was somewhat lacking in the fine control of his soul power, his powerful soul power gave him the confidence to refine the Sect Breaking Pill.

Based on the current consumption calculations, Xiao Yan's current soul power is sufficient to refine the Sect Breaking Pill five times in a row without any rest. However, if he were to refine it a sixth time, the chance of failure would greatly increase due to insufficient soul power.

Perhaps it was because Xiao Yan's talent was truly extraordinary, or perhaps it was because Xiao Yan was lucky, but even though it was his first time refining pills of this level, he still managed to avoid any major mistakes, and everything proceeded smoothly and methodically.

Before anyone knew it, the medicinal liquid had fully fused, and a colorful liquid ball, about half the size of a fist, appeared inside the cauldron.

Gazing at the medicinal liquid ball rich in the medicinal power of many rare herbs, Xiao Yan's mind remained tense. He controlled the heat to the most suitable degree with his soul power, slowly roasting it, causing the various medicinal liquids within the medicinal liquid ball to begin to condense.

Half an hour later, the surface of the liquid gradually hardened, and a rough, uneven-looking pill slowly took shape...

Looking at the successfully formed embryonic shape of the pill, Xiao Yan finally felt at ease.

The most difficult steps have been completed. Now, all that's needed is to control the heat and nurture the nascent pill until it's fully formed. Then, the Sect Breaking Pill will be considered successfully refined!

Two and a half hours later, it was already afternoon of the second day.

Xiao Yan suddenly opened his eyes, and Old Yao beside him nodded slightly.

The next moment, an unusually dense energy fluctuation emanated from the medicine cauldron. Xiao Yan casually used his soul power to construct a barrier, protecting Yun Shan, who was still unconscious beside him. Immediately, the hand seals on his hands began to change!

"Boom!"

As the hand seals changed, the energy fluctuations suddenly surged to a terrifying level. A beam of energy, about half a foot in diameter, shot out directly from the cauldron, piercing the ceiling and shooting straight into the sky.

"Such a big commotion?"

This was the first time Xiao Yan had successfully refined a Seventh-Grade pill, and he was slightly surprised. However, he quickly focused his attention back on refining the pill.

"Looks like this is going to cause quite a stir, but luckily it's a nice spot, so no one should bother us."

After pondering for a moment, Old Yao decided to return to his Storage Ring to hide for the time being.

Although with his current strength, if he wanted to avoid being discovered, he would have ways to conceal his presence even if a Dou Zun expert came in person, but no matter what, the closer he got to success, the less careless he could be.

His strength has recovered somewhat, but it's only about one or two tenths of what it was at its peak, so he still needs to be cautious.

Just as Old Yao had predicted, the beam of light that suddenly shot into the sky immediately attracted the attention of the Misty Cloud Sect and all the powerful figures in the nearby Imperial Capital.

Feeling the pure energy contained in the pillar of light, many people were astonished and quickly rushed out of the room. Those who could go to the sky went to the sky, and those who could not went to the roof. Everyone looked in the direction of the pillar of light.

Outside the council hall, Yun Yun and the others, who had just finished their sect meeting, looked in the direction from which the pillar of light came with some surprise.

"The pillar of light is filled with the fragrance of pills; is Xiao Yan refining pills?"

Yun Yun pondered thoughtfully.

"Such fluctuations must indicate that it's at least Sixth-Grade Pill, right?"

She had seen Gu He refine Sixth-Grade Pill once before, but the commotion didn't seem to be as big as Xiao Yan's.

"Sect Master, that seems to be your villa, doesn't it?"

An elder couldn't help but ask.

"Yes, it's the Deputy Sect Leader refining pills, no need to panic."

Yun Yun smiled broadly upon hearing this.

"It's actually the Deputy Sect Leader?"

Upon hearing this, the elders of the Misty Cloud Sect were greatly shocked.

They had personally witnessed Xiao Yan defeat two Dou Zong in succession, and they had also seen the commotion when Gu He refined Sixth-Grade Pill. Naturally, it wasn't hard for them to guess that the pills Xiao Yan refined were top-grade even among Sixth-Grade Pill!

At least the Gu He has never been refined!

So, this Deputy Sect Leader is not only incredibly strong, but his Alchemy also surpass Elder Gu He's!

With Deputy Sect Leader like this, the Misty Cloud Sect is destined for great prosperity!

The elders exchanged glances, a hint of excitement in their eyes.

Some elders who were on good terms with Gu He felt some sympathy for him.

After all, judging from the current situation, the sect leader and the Deputy Sect Leader are truly a perfect match, a handsome couple. The Deputy Sect Leader has both strength and Alchemy; what can Gu He compare to them?

It's just a pity that this guy is so deeply in love with the sect leader.

Achoo!

Not far from the Misty Cloud Sect, Gu He sneezed as he gazed at the towering pillar of light rising from within the sect, his eyes somewhat vacant.

"That's... the Misty Cloud Sect? This powerful energy fluctuation is probably only something a peak Sixth-Grade pill could produce, right? Even I can't refine this kind of pill, so whose work could it be?"

For some reason, Gu He suddenly had a strong sense of foreboding.

Suppressing his unease, he flew towards the Misty Cloud Sect with all his might.

He had to find out who had refined this grade of pill!

Meanwhile, within the Imperial Capital, Ya Fei remained calm as she gazed at the pillar of light soaring into the sky from the Misty Cloud Sect.

"Did Xiao Yan do this again?"

Hai Bodong suddenly appeared beside her, asking in a slightly helpless tone.

"Hmm, he went to Fa Ma to take the Sixth-Grade Alchemist badge test before, but this kind of commotion doesn't seem like the fluctuations of an ordinary Sixth-Grade Pill. Perhaps he's already at the Seventh-Grade?"

Ya Fei pondered for a moment, then guessed.

Given her relationship with Xiao Yan, she naturally knew very well that Xiao Yan had never produced such an unusual phenomenon when refining Sixth-Grade Pill like the Imperial Extreme Pill. According to Xiao Yan, it was because the Myriad Beast Cauldron had the function of concealing the fluctuations of the pills. If such a large commotion could still occur after the fluctuations were concealed, then it could only be Seventh-Grade pill.

A fourteen-year-old Seventh-Tier Alchemist?

He truly is her man!

"Seventh-Grade..." Hai Bodong paused for a moment, then smiled wryly, "It's hard to believe, but if it's Xiao Yan, it really seems possible!"

However, the pillar of light that shot into the sky did not last long, and gradually faded after a while, but the fragrance of the pills emanating from it became more and more intense.

A ball of light, about the size of a thumb, also appeared in the sky above the courtyard, but it was immediately captured by a powerful, invisible force and fell into a room in the courtyard.

As thunder roared, Xiao Yan appeared beside Yun Yun without warning.

"Deputy Sect Leader!"

Upon seeing this, the elders quickly bowed in respect.

"Elders, there's no need for such formalities. I was just refining a Seventh-Grade pill, and it caused quite a stir, haha, but luckily it was a success."

Xiao Yan waved his hand, then smiled and said.

"Seventh-Grade elixir!"

Upon hearing this, all the elders were shocked, and even Yun Yun opened her rosy lips, her face full of surprise.

Clearly, none of them had imagined that Xiao Yan had actually refined a Seventh-Grade pill!

"Congratulations, Deputy Sect Leader, on successfully refining a Seventh-Grade pill!"

The elders of the Misty Cloud Sect reacted quickly and immediately offered their congratulations.

Seventh-Tier Alchemist!

Putting aside Xiao Yan's terrifying combat power in defeating two Dou Zong in succession, his status as a Seventh-Tier Alchemist alone was enough for them to fawn over him.

"Alright, it's nothing serious. Let the disciples disperse."

Xiao Yan waved his hand, not caring much about the congratulations from everyone. He took the initiative to tell everyone about his current level of Alchemy, mainly to intimidate or win people's hearts.

He was too lazy to cultivate relationships with these people; conquering them with force was the easiest way.

After saying that, Xiao Yan turned around and looked at Yun Yun, his meaning self-evident.

The sensible elders of the Misty Cloud Sect reacted quickly as always, immediately leaving without a word and dismissing their disciples as well, leaving the two sect leaders some alone time.

"Tsk, putting everything else aside, the elders of the Misty Cloud Sect do have good judgment."

Xiao Yan smiled, took Yun Yun's hand, and headed towards the Sect Leader Main Hall.

At the same time, a slightly travel-worn figure landed in front of the Misty Cloud Sect's mountain gate.

It was Pill King Gu He, who had been out searching for rare medicinal herbs for the past few months.

Upon smelling the fragrance of medicinal pills emanating from the depths of the sect, Gu He's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly rushed towards the Sect Leader Main Hall.

Gu He was very familiar with Yun Yun's aura, after all, she was a goddess he had admired for many years. So as soon as he got up the mountain, he went straight to the direction of the Sect Leader Main Hall. However, the scene that came into view made him feel as if he had been struck by lightning, and he froze on the spot.

Outside the Sect Leader Main Hall, a spirited young man was standing.

Yun Yun, whom he dreamed of and regarded as a goddess, completely disregarded the sect leader's dignity at this moment. With a gentle expression, she unabashedly reached out her slender hand to carefully straighten his slightly disheveled clothes.

The tender look in her eyes as she gazed at Xiao Yan was filled with undisguised admiration, dependence, and deep affection—a radiance that Gu He had never seen in her eyes before.

"Xiao Yan, congratulations! You have successfully refined Seventh-Grade pill!"

Yun Yun's voice was gentle and soft, filled with genuine joy.

Xiao Yan reached out and grasped the small hand that was adjusting his clothes, looking at Yun Yun with a smile. Their eyes met, and an ambiguous atmosphere immediately arose between them.

This scene struck Gu He like a heavy hammer blow.

Seventh-Tier Alchemist?

So young?

And he's still so close to Yun Yun?

No!

How so!

"Sect Master Yun... who is this gentleman?"

Gu He couldn't help but interrupt Xiao Yan and Yun Yun's sweet interaction, otherwise they really would have kissed.

"Huh?" Yun Yun seemed completely unaware of Gu He's presence, turning her head in confusion. Upon seeing that the newcomer was Gu He, her pretty face flushed red. She glared at Xiao Yan with embarrassment and annoyance before composed herself, revealing her usual smile, and introduced, "Brother Gu He, this is Xiao Yan. He's the Deputy Sect Leader appointed by our teacher, Dou Huang expert, Seventh-Tier Alchemist, and also my fiancé."

"!!!"

Yun Yun's embarrassed and annoyed expression had already hurt Gu He deeply.

However, the icy words uttered from her warm little mouth chilled Gu He even more.

No!!!

He's only been gone for a few months!

Why did Yun Yun become someone else's?

For over a decade, he had remained deeply in love with her. How old was this boy named Xiao Yan? Could it be that in just a few years, Yun Yun had already fallen head over heels for this young man?

I do not understand!

"So it's Elder Gu He! I've heard so much about you!"

Xiao Yan smiled and cupped his hands in greeting. After all, this guy was said to have always been very good to Yun Yun had always regarded him as an older brother. Even if he didn't care about Gu He's feelings, he still had to give his own woman face!

"Greetings, Deputy Sect Leader..."

Gu He was suffering inside, but Gu He didn't say anything. He could only maintain a facade of civility, forcing out an ugly smile and bowing to the young man in front of him who looked to be about the same age as his apprentice.