Might as Well Go Out and Take a Look

Xuan Kongzi and Tian Leizi both paused, exchanging a glance.

"The Yao Clan? What are they coming here for?"

"They said it was about that Eighth-Tier Nine-Colored Pill at the Space Trade Fair. They want to ask us about the alchemist who refined it."

Hearing this, Xuan Kongzi frowned. "That pill wasn't refined by our Pill Tower. We've already explained that."

Xuan Yi shook her head. "We have, but the Yao Clan clearly doesn't believe us. They think that, across the entire Dou Qi Continent, no one besides our Pill Tower and their clan could refine a pill of that quality."

Tian Leizi snorted. "Believe it or not, that's their problem. We didn't refine it. If they don't believe us, let them investigate it themselves."

Even so, Xuan Kongzi waved a hand. "Enough. We'll discuss this once the Yao Clan's people arrive. Go get some rest."

After the three elders went their separate ways, silence returned to the hall.

Jiang Yuan sat down on a meditation cushion after returning to his quarters. A full day of traveling back and forth, along with using the Forbidden Character Art twice, had certainly taken a toll.

Still, with his current physical strength, that expenditure was well within what he could handle. He quietly reviewed what he had gained at the Hall of Souls outpost that day. Although he had obtained no tangible spoils, he had at least gauged their general strength.

The head of a single outpost was a Five-Star Dou Zun. There were probably even more formidable figures at their headquarters.

Jiang Yuan was not afraid, though. At his rate of cultivation, he would have nothing to worry about even against stronger opponents, given a little more time.

With that thought, Jiang Yuan closed his eyes and began cultivating, while the Dou Di Bloodline within him automatically tempered his meridians and bones.

Jiang Yuan woke early the next morning. After stretching his limbs, he stepped out of his room and found Dan Chen already waiting at the door, holding some breakfast.

"You're up? I brought you breakfast."

Jiang Yuan took the food and ate a few bites, then casually asked, "Anything planned for today?"

Dan Chen thought for a moment. "Nothing for now. The elders said to let you rest for a couple of days. Oh, right, I heard the Yao Clan's people are coming today."

Jiang Yuan raised an eyebrow. "The Yao Clan?"

Dan Chen nodded. "Yes. Apparently, they're coming because of that Eighth-Tier Nine-Colored Pill at the Space Trade Fair. They don't believe it wasn't refined by the Pill Tower, so they insist on coming to get to the bottom of it."

Jiang Yuan could not help chuckling. "Let them investigate. They won't trace it back to me anyway."

Dan Chen laughed as well. "True. Who would think a young disciple like you refined that pill?"

As they were talking, a commotion rose in the distance.

Dan Chen stood and glanced in that direction. "Looks like some guests have arrived. Probably the Yao Clan's people."

Jiang Yuan stood up after her. "Come on. Let's go see what all the fuss is about."

The two headed toward the Pill Tower's main entrance and, sure enough, saw a group walking in from outside.

Leading them was a young man in white robes, with handsome features and a distinguished bearing. Several attendants followed behind him, each exuding a powerful aura. They all appeared to be at least at the Dou Emperor level.

Dan Chen paused when she saw the young man, then whispered to Jiang Yuan, "I know him. He's one of the Yao Clan's young geniuses."

Hearing the name, Jiang Yuan gave the white-robed man another look. "From the Yao Clan?"

Dan Chen nodded. "Yes. He's very famous among the Yao Clan's younger generation. He became a seventh-tier alchemist before he was even thirty. I also heard he's extremely gifted at cultivation. He's already reached Peak Dou Zong."

"Oh," Jiang Yuan replied, his expression unchanged. To him, a seventh-tier alchemist at Peak Dou Zong was nothing special.

The young man led his group into the Pill Tower's square, then stopped and swept his gaze over the surroundings.

Someone soon came forward to receive them and led them toward the guest hall. As the young man passed Jiang Yuan and Dan Chen, his gaze lingered on Jiang Yuan for a moment, as though taking a closer look, but he walked on without saying anything.