At Last, Sacred Pill City

As he stepped out of the main hall, the mountain wind rushed toward him, carrying the distinctly bitter, earthy scent of medicinal fields.

The Holy Maiden stood beside the stone steps outside the hall, her moon-white gown fluttering lightly in the mountain breeze.

When she saw Lin Yu emerge, she gently beckoned to him.

"Did the Holy Maiden wish to speak with me?" Lin Yu walked over and asked casually.

His tone was relaxed, as though he were speaking to an ordinary acquaintance rather than the powerful Holy Maiden of Demon Valley.

The Holy Maiden turned around. The captivating eyes that usually brimmed with allure now held not the slightest trace of charm, only solemn seriousness.

Looking at Lin Yu, she came straight to the point. "Lin Yu, please try not to get close to the princess again. She cultivates the Frost Heaven, Frozen Earth Divine Dou Qi Art. Before she reaches major completion, she cannot fall in love."

Lin Yu's eyelid twitched slightly.

"You may state any condition you have to Demon Valley."

The Holy Maiden continued, her tone somewhat businesslike, though a trace of imperceptible helplessness lay hidden deep within her eyes.

She had not come to force Lin Yu. As Hu Jiujiu's elder sister, she understood better than anyone how her younger sister felt about this human youth.

But the backlash of the cultivation art was no trifling matter. She could not gamble with her sister's life.

Lin Yu fell silent for a moment.

Then he raised his head and calmly met the Holy Maiden's gaze.

There was no anger, no resentment, and no bargaining. In a tone as though he were simply stating a fact, he answered firmly, "I will become a Dou Saint."

The Holy Maiden was slightly stunned.

She had imagined all kinds of reactions from Lin Yu—anger, refusal, negotiation, compromise—but she had never expected those words.

A Dou Saint?

There were only a handful of Dou Saint-level beings on this continent. Even all of Demon Valley had only one Dou Saint guarding it.

This youth was telling her that he would reach that height, then stand before Hu Jiujiu openly and honorably as a Dou Saint. By then, neither the Frost Heaven, Frozen Earth Divine Dou Qi Art nor the rule forbidding love would remain an obstacle.

"You're that certain?" The Holy Maiden neither agreed nor disagreed, her voice carrying a hint of scrutiny. "You should know that Demon Valley has only one Dou Saint."

"Then I hope the Holy Maiden will not be too surprised the next time we meet."

Lin Yu chuckled softly. There was not the slightest arrogance in that smile, only an utterly natural certainty.

With that, he turned to leave.

"Wait." The Holy Maiden called after him.

Lin Yu paused.

The Holy Maiden stepped forward, took out a Storage Ring, and held it before Lin Yu.

For that instant, her expression became somewhat complicated, containing both helplessness and an indescribable expectation.

She said softly, "Consider this Demon Valley's investment in you. I also hope you can reach the Dou Saint realm."

Her voice paused slightly, and she then smiled with a touch of emotion.

Lin Yu accepted the Storage Ring. After sweeping it with his spiritual sense, his pupils contracted slightly.

The things inside the Storage Ring were worth far more than he had expected.

He did not offer many words of thanks. He merely put away the Storage Ring and nodded solemnly.

An hour later, Lin Yu, Yao Chen, Feng Xian, and Dan Huchen, having finished packing, met at the foot of Demon Valley Peak.

The four followed the winding mountain road outward and soon vanished into the vast mountain forest.

After traveling for an entire day, the four finally reached Azure Spirit City.

After entering the city, they did not delay for even a moment and headed directly for the spatial wormhole within the city.

Upon reaching the spatial wormhole, Lin Yu paid the fee for its use and boarded a spatial vessel bound for Sacred Pill City.

After arriving in Sacred Pill City, Lin Yu and the other three followed Tiger Minister through the bustling streets toward an ancient stone tower.

Although this stone tower was not as grand as the towering Pill Towers at the center of Sacred Pill City, it possessed an ancient and imposing aura of its own.

"This branch tower was once overseen by my mother." Standing before the tower, Tiger Minister looked up at the ancient stone structure, his rough voice carrying an unusual gentleness. "The alchemist currently in charge is my mother's eldest disciple, my senior brother."

As he spoke, he took a badge from his robes. The guards at the entrance saw it and immediately bowed aside without asking a single question.

Holding the badge, Tiger Minister led Lin Yu and the other three smoothly into the tower.

"Let's go. My senior brother should already know I've returned. He must be waiting for me inside."

Dan Huchen quickened his pace, leading the three toward a special passageway.

As they walked, he continued, "First, let him conduct a rank assessment for you and get you your alchemist badges. With Yao Chen's skill, fifth grade may be somewhat difficult, but becoming a fourth-grade alchemist should not be a problem."

As he spoke, he glanced at Yao Chen. An encouraging smile appeared on his fierce-looking face.

"As for Brother Lin Yu," Tiger Minister's gaze shifted to Lin Yu, and he declared with certainty, "becoming a Sixth-Grade Alchemist is a sure thing."

At the end of the passageway stood a spacious hall.

Around the hall were different stone doors, each representing a different assessment.

At this moment, a group of people was already gathered there. At their head stood a thin old man of around sixty, with refined features and a clean, austere face. He wore a simple alchemist's robe.

"Senior Brother!" Tiger Minister strode forward, rare excitement appearing on his fierce face.

He spread his arms and gave the old man a firm embrace, his eyes glistening faintly with tears.

"Junior Brother, you've finally returned." The old man patted Tiger Minister's shoulder, smiling warmly as his own eyes reddened slightly. "It's a pity you didn't return earlier. Master has entered seclusion, but that is a good thing."

"Could it be that she's making a breakthrough?" Tiger Minister's eyes instantly filled with delight, and his voice rose unconsciously.

In truth, his banishment from the clan had ended several years ago. He had merely been trapped in Demon Valley and unable to leave, while also lacking the means to make up for the grave mistake he had made back then. That was why he had been unable to return to Sacred Pill City.

Now, not only had he returned, but he had also brought back two geniuses, Lin Yu and Yao Chen.

If his mother made further progress as well, then truly no one would be able to stop him from returning to Sacred Pill City.

"Correct. If Master succeeds in her breakthrough, our branch will truly rise."

The old man nodded, his tone brimming with expectation and pride. He did not linger on the subject. His gaze shifted to the three youths behind Tiger Minister, and he changed the subject with a chuckle. "Hehe... enough of that. Who are these two?"

As soon as he spoke, the old man's gaze suddenly turned sharp.

He narrowed his eyes, and an invisible pressure burst forth from his body, shrouding Lin Yu and the others.

Feeling that pressure, Lin Yu remained standing where he was from beginning to end, as though every ripple in the world around him had nothing to do with him.