I Heard Mysterious Water Pills Are Delicious

That night, a silver moon rose, and the stream glimmered with scattered light. The four sat around several campfires, whose occasional crackling drove the moonlight from their faces.

Xiao Zhan patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder and laughed heartily. "Haha, we tried all sorts of methods these past few days without any results, but the moment you came back, you solved Xiao Yan's problem."

"It was nothing. Even without my help, Xiao Yan would have recovered on his own." Huo Yuhao smiled as well, helping Xiao Yan cover up the lie. At the same time, he took pots, bowls, utensils, and ingredients from his storage ring.

"By the way, Brother Yuhao, what is that blacksmithing furnace you specifically bought for?" Xiao Xun'er asked.

"A blacksmithing furnace is obviously for forging iron." Huo Yuhao made a joke.

"Father, why are you eating outside with us too?" Xiao Yan asked.

"Haha, the First Elder and Second Elder always say that us cooking extra dishes at home isn't dignified enough and looks bad." Xiao Zhan scratched his head, smiling awkwardly.

Xiao Xun'er smiled. "I think the First Elder and Second Elder are just angry that we never invite them to our gatherings."

Xiao Yan curled his lip. "Those two old men always throw their seniority around and nitpick everything, yet they eat more than anyone else. Who would want to invite them?"

"Achoo! Achoo!" It was late at night, yet candles still burned in the council hall. Although Huo Yuhao had installed soul-guided lamps long ago, the First Elder and Second Elder always forgot about them whenever they got busy. The two lowered their heads over the documents in their hands, occasionally exchanging a few words. Then they suddenly sneezed at the same time.

"Which bastard is cursing us?!"

The two muttered curses under their breaths and continued their discussion.

"Next year's opening marks Canaan Academy's admissions period," the Second Elder suddenly recalled and reminded him.

"Yes. Which juniors in the clan are likely to enter Canaan Academy this time?" the First Elder asked.

"Hmm... Huo Yuhao definitely won't have a problem. Xiao Yu should be able to make it too, and there's also..." The Second Elder listed several names in succession, all clan members expected to break through to the Fighter realm by next year.

"What about Xiao Yan? Didn't the clan head say that he had recovered his cultivation talent?"

"Even if he has recovered his cultivation talent, it will probably take at least another two years for him to return to the Fighter realm. He likely won't make this round of enrollment."

Knock! Knock! The sound of knocking interrupted them. After receiving their permission, the door opened, and a wave of fragrance drifted in. Two servants entered carrying two steaming jars.

Seeing the elders' confusion, one servant explained, "These are medicinal meals that Young Master Yuhao prepared for the two elders."

"Oh, Yuhao is thoughtful. Put them here."

After the servants left, the two stopped handling clan affairs, opened the jars, and began tasting the food.

"Sigh! It would be wonderful if Yuhao were truly a member of the Xiao Clan."

Back at the gathering, no one was chatting anymore. They were all hunched over, eating furiously. Even Xiao Xun'er, who had never cared much for food, had turned into a merciless eating machine. If Gu Yuan were here, he would probably roar and demand that whatever monster possessed his daughter get out.

Huo Yuhao said nothing, his hands never stopping as he moved like a stove that had gained sentience.

After eating and drinking their fill, they chatted briefly again. Once they helped Huo Yuhao clean up the bowls and chopsticks, Xiao Zhan and Xiao Xun'er left. Xiao Yan was also about to return when Huo Yuhao suddenly spoke.

"Teacher, they're gone. You can come out now."

With a flicker of light and shadow, Yao Chen appeared before them. He tossed Huo Yuhao a pill and said, "Yuhao, try it and see how it differs from the original Mysterious Water Pill."

"Master, you came back early? I've been wanting to ask, why didn't you want us to tell the others about your existence?"

"It wouldn't matter much if you told the Xiao Clan, but that little sweetheart of yours... her background is far from ordinary," Yao Chen explained.

"She has been hiding her strength." Huo Yuhao said, "She should have broken through to the Fighter realm long ago. And there has always been an expert following her."

"Huh?" Xiao Yan wore an expression that said, So I'm the weakest one after all.

"How did you know, Yuhao?"

Huo Yuhao explained, "Although her Dou Qi is maintained at the total amount of seventh-stage Dou Qi, its intensity is not something someone at the Dou Qi stage could possess."

"Hey, that isn't important! Xiao Yan, stop interrupting. Yuhao, try the effects of that pill first."

Huo Yuhao walked to the stream, changed his clothes, then swallowed the pill in his hand and felt its medicinal power spread through his body.

"Master, what effect does the pill Yuhao ate have?" Xiao Yan asked curiously.

Yao Chen chuckled. "Xiao Yan, this pill is good stuff. It can cleanse the marrow and forge the bones, improving one's innate talent. It is an extremely rare pill that can be used even at the Dou Qi stage."

"It's that amazing? Master—do you have any more? I want one too!" Xiao Yan's eyes burned with envy. He shook Yao Chen's sleeve and deliberately put on a shy smile.

"Eugh—!" A chill ran through Yao Chen. He flung Xiao Yan away and said, "No. And even if I did, I wouldn't give you one."

"Hmph! Fine if you don't have any. It's not like I care." Xiao Yan's face was full of sourness.

After the medicinal power dissipated, Huo Yuhao examined his body. Seeing that the situation from back in Douluo Continent had not occurred, he showed a trace of understanding. He said to Yao Chen, "It works. My body is rather special, so the effect didn't show itself. Other people should have no issues after taking it."

He then explained to Xiao Yan, "The reason I won't let you take it is because I'm immune to poison and can test medicine. You can't."

Yao Chen laughed loudly. "Look at Xiao Yan's sour face. He wouldn't even need vinegar when eating dumplings! Hahaha!"

Huo Yuhao held back Xiao Yan, who was about to pounce on him. Once Xiao Yan had calmed down, Huo Yuhao said to Yao Chen, "By the way, Teacher, Father has been stuck at the peak of the Grand Fighter realm for a long time. Do you have a way to help him break through?"

Yao Chen took out a pile of bottles and said, "Perfect timing. I refined quite a few Mysterious Water Pills and Qi-Recovery Pills—enough for your Xiao Clan. As for your father, the two of you go collect... these medicinal ingredients. I'll refine some pills for him."

"Thank you, Teacher!" Huo Yuhao and Xiao Yan thanked him together.

Yao Chen waved his hand. "All right, why thank me for something so small? It's already late. Go back and rest. Xiao Yan, you still have to get beaten tomorrow."

Xiao Yan was about to return to his own courtyard when he suddenly remembered something. He grabbed Yao Chen, who was about to slip back into the ring, and asked, "Isn't Yuhao learning Eight Extremes Collapse too? Why doesn't he have to get beaten?"

Yao Chen yawned and answered, "Yuhao has a more suitable method."

Huo Yuhao took out a scroll and smiled. "I have a body-tempering cultivation technique called the Golden Body Formula, so I don't need to keep you company."

Xiao Yan flew into a rage. "If you have a body-tempering technique, why do I still have to get beaten?! Is this fun to you?"

Yao Chen covered his mouth and snickered. "At first, I only wanted to see how much perseverance you had and how long you could endure. Later, seeing how enthusiastically you took those beatings, I thought you liked it that way, so I never mentioned it!"

"You old bastard!!!"

After laughing, Yao Chen explained, "When the body is active, Dou Qi is also more active. Cultivation is most effective then. But Xiao Yan, you cannot circulate the Heavenly Cycle Art to improve your Dou Qi while cultivating the Golden Body Formula, so you can only use your master's method. Besides, you didn't think cultivating the Golden Body Formula would be comfortable, did you? Body tempering is never easy."

Huo Yuhao suppressed the curl of his lips and added, "Teacher's whip is actually condensed from the energy of heaven and earth. Every strike leaves energy inside your body, helping you improve your Dou Qi."

"So that's why, Master..." Xiao Yan was about to be moved.

Yao Chen suddenly grinned wickedly again. "Actually, it's because being whipped with the energy of heaven and earth hurts more."

"You! Old! Bastard!"

"Right, Xiao Yan, you'll distribute the pills tomorrow. Teacher and I have something to take care of outside." Huo Yuhao's lips curved slightly.

"Remember, everyone gets one Mysterious Water Pill and one Qi-Recovery Pill. The Mysterious Water Pill can be taken at the Dou Qi stage, while the Qi-Recovery Pill should only be taken after they break through to the Fighter realm. Xiao Yan, don't give certain people fewer pills because of personal grudges." Yao Chen and Huo Yuhao exchanged glances, both revealing strange smiles.

The next day, Wutan City's marketplace was as bustling as ever. Strangely, however, the Xiao Clan shops, which usually opened first, had their doors tightly shut, with no one arriving for a long time.

"Did you hear?"

"Yeah, when I passed by this morning—oh, damn!"

"That smell!"

"Did the Xiao Clan blow up their latrine or something?"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Possible. And I know it must have been that Xiao Yan who blew it up."

"That kid is that impressive? A gentleman's revenge can wait ten years!"

At the same time, in the Xiao Clan.

"Xiao Yan!!!"

"Where are you?! Get out here!"

The crowd was furious. Most members of the Xiao Clan were poorly dressed, carrying all kinds of tools as they searched each room one by one.

"Did you find him?"

"No. Where is he hiding?"

"Check the back mountain. He always likes running over there."

After the crowd rushed past in a swarm, the lid of a water vat slowly rose. Xiao Yan, wearing only a pair of underpants, climbed out.

"Damn it! Old bastard, and Huo Yuhao too—you just wait!"

"Brother Xiao Yan!" Xiao Xun'er's voice rang out. Xiao Yan abruptly turned around and saw that Xiao Xun'er was still as usual, smiling at him.

"Whew, you scared me to death. Xun'er, are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Brother Xiao Yan, come with me quickly. It isn't safe here." Xiao Xun'er grabbed Xiao Yan's hand and ran outside.

Once they reached a deserted forest, Xiao Xun'er stopped without turning around.

"It's safe here, Brother Xiao Yan."

"Whew—thanks to you, Xun'er. You didn't eat that pill, right? Let me tell you, Huo—"

"Brother Xiao Yan." Xiao Xun'er interrupted him. For some reason, hearing Xiao Xun'er's calm voice made Xiao Yan shudder.

"Xun'er, you—"

Xiao Xun'er turned around. Her expression was calm, and not a trace of light remained in her eyes.

"Thanks to Brother Xiao Yan, Xun'er is no longer clean!"

"Th-that wasn't me, Xun'er. Listen to my explanation..."

"Ah! Don't hit my head!"