Xiao Jinghou

Han Shanshan was utterly stunned.

She had never imagined that Yao Chen's claim that "my big brother can test for the seventh tier" was not only not an exaggeration, but actually somewhat understated.

This young man, who looked barely over twenty, was actually, like her, a genuine seventh-tier high-grade alchemist!

But she had no time to dwell on it.

Pill lightning had already torn through the clouds, carrying world-destroying force as it struck toward the pill chamber.

With a tap of her toes, Han Shanshan transformed into a streak of red light and shot into the sky. Flames surged around her, dissolving all the pill lightning.

She glanced down toward the pill chamber, and the corner of her lips unconsciously lifted. These two boys were far more interesting than she had imagined.

It was done. The Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill, a seventh-tier high-grade medicinal pill, had been successfully refined.

Han Shanshan descended from the air, the flames around her gradually withdrawing.

"You're actually a seventh-tier high-grade alchemist as well?" She paused, then pointed at the pill in Lin Yu's hand and pressed, "And what kind of pill is that?"

As if suddenly remembering something, she slapped her forehead, an unusual trace of embarrassment entering her voice. "Ah, right, I haven't introduced myself yet, have I? My name is Han Shanshan. What are your names?"

"My name is Lin Yu. Yao Chen and I created this pill formula together—the Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill. It allows one to rise anew after being broken."

Lin Yu held the black-and-white intertwined pill in his palm. Faint dragon-shaped patterns flowed across its surface; anyone could tell at a glance that it was extraordinary.

"Yao? Mm... a branch of the Yao Clan?" Han Shanshan keenly caught the peculiarity of Yao Chen's surname. Her brows lifted slightly as her gaze shifted to the silent Yao Chen beside him.

Yao Chen remained silent, his lips pressed together as his eyes lowered to the floor. A nearly imperceptible gloom passed over his young face.

Seeing him like this, Han Shanshan swallowed the words that had reached her lips.

Though she was straightforward by nature, she was not ignorant of human feelings.

Everyone had their own past and secrets. Since he did not wish to speak of it, there was no point in pressing further.

"Fine. If you don't want to say, I'll assume you have your reasons." She waved a hand casually, then abruptly changed the subject. Her obsession with alchemy flared up again as her blazing gaze locked onto Lin Yu. "Lin Yu, do you have any other techniques? Show me."

Lin Yu could not help but laugh.

He had just finished refining a seventh-tier high-grade medicinal pill. The expenditure of soul power had not been too great, but the mental exhaustion was real.

Yet Han Shanshan would not even let him catch his breath before demanding another demonstration.

He raised a hand and rubbed his brow, refusing tactfully. "I'm somewhat tired from refining pills. Another day, perhaps. By the way, could you bring my friend in as well? His name is Feng Xian. He isn't an alchemist, but he's a very capable assistant."

As he spoke, Lin Yu pictured Feng Xian's helpless face in the branch tower's main hall.

They had "left" that kid outside. Who knew how anxious he was by now.

"A friend? Feng Xian? Fine. You'll see him tonight."

Han Shanshan agreed crisply. To her, bringing someone from the Outer Domain into the inner region was no more difficult than lifting a hand.

In Sacred Pill City, there were not many who dared stop Han Shanshan from doing what she wanted.

"But you're also a seventh-tier high-grade alchemist, so there isn't much I can teach you." Han Shanshan pinched her chin, revealing a rare look of serious contemplation.

She herself was a seventh-tier high-grade alchemist. Though she had spent far longer at this rank than Lin Yu and possessed much greater experience, their ranks were ultimately the same. Even she felt it was somewhat improper for her to teach an alchemist of the same rank.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up. She snapped her fingers. "Come meet my master. Perhaps he'll take you as his disciple."

Lin Yu raised a brow, then curled his lips into a teasing smile. "Then should I call you Senior Sister from now on?"

Han Shanshan froze at first. Then an imperceptible flush rose to her face. She gave a heavy snort and turned her face away. "Whether my master will accept you is still unknown. Don't try to get familiar with me!"

Seeing her stubborn manner, Lin Yu could not help but chuckle.

This Martial Uncle Han had seemed like a stern and formidable expert when they first met. Only after becoming acquainted with her did he realize that she was merely a simple-minded enthusiast wholly devoted to alchemy. Though she was nearly ten years older than him, when she got sulky, she acted like a little girl.

Not long afterward, Han Shanshan led Lin Yu through space to a concealed chamber.

Inside, a white-haired elder sat cross-legged before a cauldron. He had just finished refining a batch of pills, and a refreshing medicinal fragrance filled the chamber.

"Master, I found a genius! He's so young, yet he's already a seventh-tier high-grade alchemist like me!"

The instant Han Shanshan entered, she began shouting impatiently.

At her words, the white-haired elder's half-closed eyes snapped open. His deep gaze, seemingly capable of seeing through people's hearts, swept over Han Shanshan before settling upon Lin Yu behind her with surprise and scrutiny.

The elder's face was lean, his beard and hair as white as snow. Sitting before the cauldron, he naturally exuded an imposing aura without needing to show anger. Yet when he looked at Han Shanshan, a hint of helpless indulgence unconsciously appeared in his stern gaze.

Even when facing Xiao Jinghou, Lin Yu did not dare be careless. He straightened his robes, clasped his fists, and bowed, his voice carrying more sincere respect than usual. "This junior is Lin Yu. Greetings, Senior."

Xiao Jinghou nodded faintly. A glint flashed through those eyes that seemed to see through all things, and a Heaven-Realm Soul force gently swept over Lin Yu like a spring breeze.

A moment later, approval appeared in his eyes. A rare smile bloomed upon his normally impassive face as he nodded. "Mortal Realm Great Perfection. If you can find a soul cultivation technique, you may immediately enter the Spirit Realm."

Hearing this, Han Shanshan was even happier than Lin Yu himself.

She hurried to Xiao Jinghou's side, placed both hands on the elder's arm, and spoke with a hint of coaxing affection. "What do you think, Master? I told you he was a genius. Why not accept him as your disciple?"

The smile on Xiao Jinghou's face faded slightly. Stroking his snowy beard, he shook his head, his tone resolute. "Hmph! I announced to the world that you are my final disciple, and I will never accept another. Are you asking your master to break his oath?"

Han Shanshan was left speechless. Xiao Jinghou's announcement to the world that she was his final disciple was no secret throughout the Pill Tower and even the entire Central Plains Continent.

But she was not someone who gave up easily.

Han Shanshan bit her lower lip, still clutching Xiao Jinghou's sleeve as her voice softened further. "Master..."