Pavilion Guardian Elder

Fang Pengyi nodded in satisfaction.

"Elder Wu, you have rendered meritorious service in refining the Man-Snake Profound Corpse. Our Pill Peak has always rewarded those who have made contributions. Effective immediately, you are promoted to the position of Guardian Elder, with full authority over all matters concerning the Human-Snake Cavern."

Upon hearing this, Song Wen's face lit up with joy.

Commanding the Human-Snake Cavern means having more spiritual materials from the Corpse Path.

Then, as if realizing something, his expression froze.

"Reporting to the Peak Master, the Human-Snake Cavern has always been under Elder Rong's command. If I were to take command of the Human-Snake Cavern, Elder Rong...?"

Fang Pengyi said, "A few days ago, Elder Rong suddenly had a breakthrough in his cultivation and has gone into seclusion in an attempt to break through the bottleneck of the Foundation Establishment Late Stage. The higher one's cultivation level, the more difficult it is to break through the bottleneck. It will be impossible for Elder Rong to break through in less than two or three years."

"During this period, Elder Wu, you will be in charge of the Human-Snake Cavern. Come with me to the Human-Snake Cavern, and I will announce your appointment."

The three, carrying the first-tier Man-Snake, quickly arrived at the valley where the Human-Snake Cavern was located.

As soon as we reached the airspace above the valley, we saw a tall and handsome man standing before the valley entrance.

The man was in his early thirties, with an extraordinary air about him, and a calm and composed demeanor between his brows.

When Fang Pengyi first saw the man, his eyes were filled with coldness.

He turned around and glanced at Zhou Siyi following behind him, his displeasure making no attempt to hide it.

The latter noticed Fang Pengyi's gaze, and his expression became somewhat guilty and nervous. He subconsciously hid behind Song Wen, half of his body concealed.

"Peak Master, it's been several years since we last met, and your cultivation has improved considerably."

Below, at the entrance to the valley, a man with a warm smile spoke.

Fang Pengyi landed beside the man, his face sour, and said coldly.

"Zhou Xuelin, why aren't you staying at your Spirit Beast Peak? What are you doing on my Pill Peak's territory?"

Zhou Xuelin didn't care about Fang Pengyi's attitude at all.

"Both Pill Peak and Spirit Beast Peak are part of the Beast Taming Sect, so why distinguish between them?"

"Hmph! Not distinguishing between you and me? I haven't seen your many spirit beasts from Spirit Beast Peak being given away to other peaks for free."

Fang Pengyi's tone carried a hint of sarcasm.

After saying that, he ignored the other person.

With a wave of his hand, the mist shrouding the valley dissipated automatically, revealing a narrow, winding path.

Fang Pengyi used his spiritual power to drag the coffin containing the Man-Snake Corpse-Nurturing Coffin into the valley.

Song Wen quickly followed.

As Song Wen passed by Zhou Xuelin gave him a friendly smile.

Song Wen quickly bowed slightly, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.

Then, they quickly walked onto the narrow path.

Walking at the very back, Zhou Siyi approached Zhou Xuelin and timidly called out to him.

"Father!"

Zhou Xuelin nodded, and then entered the valley with Zhou Siyi.

The Human-Snake Cavern.

Fang Pengyi placed the first-tier Man-Snake into a snake pit and summoned Liu Jiang, instructing him to take good care of it and meticulously record Man-Snake daily changes.

Liu Jiang was also greatly shocked when she saw the Profound Qi flowing on the Man-Snake body, and she praised Song Wen highly.

Song Wen responded modestly.

At this moment, Zhou Xuelin and his daughter also entered the Human-Snake Cavern.

Upon seeing the Profound Qi emanating from the Man-Snake body, Zhou Xuelin's eyes lit up. He quickly walked to the edge of the snake pit and carefully examined the Man-Snake.

"Peak Master Zhou, the Human-Snake Cavern is a forbidden area of our Pill Peak. Your uninvited arrival is somewhat inappropriate," Fang Pengyi said.

Zhou Xuelin said, "Peak Master, I'm just taking a look; you won't lose anything."

Fang Pengyi said disdainfully.

"Just looking? Then explain to me, the Man-Snake was something that my Pill Peak painstakingly developed, a unique Demon Beast belonging to my Pill Peak. Why does your Spirit Beast Peak also have it?"

Faced with accusations, Zhou Xuelin remained calm and composed.

"Does your Pill Peak have the ability to cultivate Man-Snake, but our Spirit Beast Peak can't? The Spirit Beast Peak's skill in cultivating Demon Beast is unparalleled in the entire Cultivation World."

Fang Pengyi said, "You bred Man-Snake yourselves? Do you even believe that yourself! A bunch of shameless thieves, yet you dare to claim to be unparalleled in the entire Cultivation World."

Zhou Xuelin's expression gradually turned cold.

"Fang Pengyi, aren't you going a bit too far with those words?"

"That's exactly right. Your Spirit Beast Peak coveted the Man-Snake hybrids that our Pill Peak could cultivate, so you schemed to send people to steal them, and you even sent your own daughter!" Fang Pengyi said angrily.

"Siyi deserves credit for the successful cultivation of the Man-Snake. If it weren't for Siyi, could your Pill Peak have cultivated Man-Snake hybrids so quickly and in large quantities?" Zhou Xuelin said.

"Zhou Siyi has rendered meritorious service, and I have already rewarded her. But this is not a reason for her to reveal the method of cultivating Man-Snake to the Spirit Beast Peak. If it weren't for her contributions, I would have expelled her from Pill Peak long ago," Fang Pengyi argued.

Zhou Xuelin was momentarily speechless, unsure how to refute.

Fang Pengyi suddenly smiled smugly.

"It's no use that your Spirit Beast Peak has cultivated Man-Snake. We have already fused with Profound Qi, and the credit that the First Supreme Elder has set for us, Pill Peak, is determined to claim."

Zhou Xuelin's gaze shifted and landed on Song Wen.

"This must be Elder Wu Sheng. He truly is a young prodigy."

At this time, Song Wen looked to be close to forty years old.

Zhou Xuelin's phrase "young heroes" seems somewhat odd.

"Peak Master Zhou, you flatter me," Song Wen said.

"Elder Wu, would you be willing to come to my Spirit Beast Peak? The position of the Guardian Elder of Spirit Beast Peak is vacant and awaits your arrival," Zhou Xuelin said.

"Hehe."

Before Song Wen could answer, Fang Pengyi's mocking laughter rang out.

"Zhou Xuelin, you're too late. Elder Wu is already the Grand Elder of Pill Peak."

Zhou Xuelin looked at Song Wen and said sincerely.

"Although both are Guardian Elders, there are still differences between being a Guardian Elder on Spirit Beast Peak and Pill Peak. Spirit Beast Peak is the largest peak of the Beast Taming Sect, with tens of thousands of disciples. A Guardian Elder can command thousands or even tens of thousands of disciples."

Song Wen cupped his hands in greeting.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Peak Master. I have loved alchemy since childhood and have no intention of joining another peak. I apologize for failing to live up to your good intentions."

Zhou Xuelin continued, "Elder Wu wishes to cultivate on Pill Peak, how could I force him? However, what does Elder Wu think of my Siyi? Would he be willing to become her dao companion?"

Song Wen's lips twitched, and he felt somewhat agitated.

Zhou Siyi had inquired about this matter not long ago.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Xuelin brought it up again in front of everyone today.

Rejecting her in public would definitely make Zhou Siyi lose face.

But Song Wen couldn't possibly compromise himself just to save Zhou Siyi's face.

He said, "Reporting to Peak Master Zhou, Senior Sister Zhou is exceptionally beautiful, intelligent, and of outstanding character. She is the best choice for dao companion in the hearts of all male cultivators. However, I am accustomed to living alone and have no intention of getting married."

Faced with Song Wen's repeated rejections, Zhou Xuelin's complexion gradually fell, no matter how good his self-cultivation Cultivation Method were.

"Elder Wu is indeed loyal to Pill Peak; I hope Pill Peak will appreciate your loyalty."

After saying this, he turned and walked towards the exit of the Human-Snake Cavern with a gloomy expression.

As the person involved, Zhou Siyi was rejected by Song Wen in front of everyone. She did not show any disappointment, but she appeared very embarrassed and uneasy.

She had no romantic feelings for Song Wen, nor did she wish to become his Song Wen dao companion.

She was simply powerless to control her own destiny.