Encounter with Xiao Yi Xian!

In the early morning, sunlight pierced through the clouds like a sharp sword and spilled across the earth, bringing all things to life.

A figure broke through the clouds and dove downward. Before him lay a bustling little town, its houses packed tightly together.

Green Mountain Town, at last!

Xiao Dongchen folded his wings and landed three kilometers outside the town. To keep a low profile, he chose to cover the final stretch on foot.

A short while later, he entered the town and strolled leisurely along streets paved with bluestone slabs.

Because it stood near the Magical Beast Mountain Range, the town was filled with mercenaries who lived with their lives on the line. They traveled in groups, rough and unkempt, constantly swearing. They loved wine, women, and money—a distinctive feature of the town, one might say.

The buildings along the streets came in all varieties: weapon shops, herb shops, taverns, beast-material stores, trading houses, and more. Though the town was small, it had everything.

Xiao Dongchen looked over the lively shops lining both sides of the street and wandered through several with interest before arriving at a slightly more lavishly decorated herb shop—Myriad Medicine Hall.

"This is the shop Xiao Yan visited back then. If I go in and take a look, my chances of running into Xiao Yi Xian should increase considerably."

He entered the spacious shop. Moonlight Stones embedded in the ceiling illuminated the interior, while Ice Crystal Stones kept it cool. A decorative rock garden stood in the center, with lush greenery and flowing water lending the place an elegant air.

There was a considerable crowd inside. Several burly men stood by the counters, while the shop assistants were kept constantly busy.

Xiao Dongchen casually found a seat. With a sweep of his gaze, he spotted Blood Lotus Essence in a display case in the corner. He had no interest in it at all; instead, he secretly kept watch on the doorway.

He sat there for about two hours before a sudden commotion broke out at the entrance of the herb shop.

Is she here?

"Wow, Xiao Yi Xian! Is she here at the herb shop again today?"

"She's so beautiful! Her skin is so fair, and her waist is so slim!"

"You're so shallow. She's kind and gentle too! She's treated more than half the mercenaries in Green Mountain Town. She's practically a fairy descended from heaven!"

A string of praise reached his ears, and Xiao Dongchen could not help feeling secretly expectant.

Soon, a crowd surrounded a graceful young girl and entered the herb shop. As the crowd dispersed, Xiao Dongchen finally got a clear look at her face.

She wore a pale white dress. Her face was small and delicate, with thin red lips. Beneath her slender willow-leaf brows were a pair of pure, ethereal eyes. A smile always rested on her face, giving her a holy and transcendent aura.

His gaze drifted slightly downward. Beneath her well-developed bosom was a slender waist cinched by a green sash. Looking at that delicate waist, slim enough to fit in one hand, a flash of amazement appeared in Xiao Dongchen's eyes.

Such a soft, delicate waist, like a willow branch—surely it could not withstand the slightest rough treatment.

Xiao Dongchen clicked his tongue in admiration. Slim waist, long legs, fair skin, a beautiful face, and that pure aura—she truly was a beauty worthy of admiration!

"Impressed, aren't you?"

A mercenary beside him glanced over, raised his brows, and continued on his own, "You're from out of town? Xiao Yi Xian is Myriad Medicine Hall's specially hired physician. She's pretty, helpful, and considerate. Who wouldn't like her? Next time I head into the Magical Beast Mountain Range to gather herbs, I have to find a way to secure a spot on her team!"

"Indeed. A lotus rises clear from pure water, naturally adorned without ornament. How could anyone not cherish her?"

Xiao Dongchen nodded, brushed off his clothes, rose to his feet, and walked over with a smile.

After waiting so long, it was time for a wonderful encounter!

"Beautiful miss, meeting you must be fate."

A faint smile rested on Xiao Dongchen's lips. His gaze was sincere as he gave an elegant bow and spoke gently.

Let's see if this doesn't charm you senseless!

Xiao Yi Xian froze at his words and stopped walking. She blinked her watery eyes and examined the young man before her.

His long hair was tied back, his sword-like brows framed starry eyes, and his sharply defined features gave him an imposing bearing. Most especially, that smile struck directly at the heart, making one's pulse quicken.

What a handsome, sunny young man!

"Hello. May I ask what you need from me?"

After meeting his gaze for a moment, Xiao Yi Xian finally revealed a puzzled expression and asked in a soft, gentle voice.

"You are Xiao Yi Xian, right? I've heard so much about you. I have an urgent matter to discuss with you. Could you let me read your palm first?"

Xiao Dongchen blinked, stepped closer, and asked with a perfectly sincere expression.

"You lecherous brat! How dare you take advantage of Miss Xiao Yi Xian? Let this old master teach you a proper lesson!"

Seeing the youth approach, a bearded brute beside them could no longer sit still. He gripped the stone hammer in his hand, raised it high, and prepared to play the hero rescuing the beauty.

"Too noisy."

As the iron hammer came roaring toward him, Xiao Dongchen did not even spare it a glance. He kept smiling and casually pointed with the index and middle fingers of his right hand.

Whoosh!

A powerful burst of force shot forth. The iron hammer was pierced through instantly as if it were made of paper, and the brute was thrown backward by the tremendous force, crashing onto the ground.

Bang!

His broad body hit the floor, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Battle Qi projection—he's actually a Da Dou Shi?!"

"At such a young age, that's terrifying!"

Every onlooker sucked in a breath of cold air and instinctively retreated. Their eyes were filled with shock and apprehension.

Seeing how extraordinary the young man's casual move had been, Xiao Yi Xian guessed that she had encountered someone with an immense background. She blinked, nodded lightly, and then extended her jade-like hand.

"Go ahead."

Looking at her fair, tender hand, Xiao Dongchen merely answered before stepping forward and grabbing it. Her slender hand was soft and boneless, smooth and warm. He secretly licked his lips, then began feeling it over with a solemnly serious expression.

What a jade-like hand. Truly precious—impossible to put down!

"Is... is it finished?"

As his large hand stroked her small one, Xiao Yi Xian felt a tingling current run through her body. Her face flushed red, and ripples stirred in her beautiful eyes.

"Mm, not bad. Not bad at all."

"Xiao Yi Xian, after verifying your bones through my examination, I have discovered that your skeletal structure is extraordinary and your physique unique. You are suited to become a true Alchemist!"

"I am willing to accept you as a disciple on my master's behalf. Would you be willing to become my junior martial sister and inherit the will of the Supreme Pill Sect?"

He was still enjoying the feel of her hand and naturally had no desire to let go. His brows drew together as he spoke with a profound, inscrutable expression.

"What? An Alchemist?"

"Me? Are you sure I have the talent to become an Alchemist?"

Hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian's beautiful eyes widened. She swiftly pulled back the hand he had been playing with, then tucked the loose strands of hair by her ear behind it and asked with a slight frown.

Her physique really was special, but was it not supposed to be the Woeful Poison Body that everyone feared?

Could she still become an Alchemist?

"Mm, of course."

Xiao Dongchen nodded, savoring the softness from moments ago. With a faint smile, he casually made something up. "I discovered a hidden fire attribute and traces of wood energy within your body. Trust me, I'm right. You are a natural Pill Refiner!"

As he spoke, he casually took out a bottle of Spirit-Nourishing Pills and poured several into his palm, tossing them lightly.

"Look, these are pills I refined myself. If you don't believe me, I can refine some for you on the spot!"

He had actually refined these pills casually while studying the Pill Refining Compendium out of boredom. They were perfect for proving his claim.

Hiss—

However, this action once again drew gasps from the crowd. The more knowledgeable mercenaries widened their eyes, shocked beyond measure.

"They're Third-Grade Pills!"

"Spirit-Nourishing Pills! I've seen them at the Mite'er Auction House before!"

"Amazing! This young man not only has the strength of a Da Dou Shi, but he's also a noble Pill Refiner. What kind of force could possibly nurture such a monstrous genius?"

The crowd erupted in astonishment. As they looked at that tall, slender figure, their eyes were filled with utmost awe and reverence!