"It seems Yao Lao agrees to this."
Hun Changqing smiled and watched Yao Chen, whose heart was surging with emotions at that moment.
"Indeed, I didn't expect it either, but I've actually been persuaded by a young man like you, haha."
Yao Chen stroked his non-existent beard and laughed.
Right after that, however, his mood turned somewhat gloomy as he spoke.
"Yet I feel a sense of guilt toward that little fellow whose Dou Qi I absorbed for three years.
Originally, before you came, I had planned to take him as a disciple and teach him some skills to repay the debt of being sustained by his Dou Qi for those three years.
Now that I have important matters to attend to, I'm afraid I can no longer take him as a disciple, sigh, and can only compensate him from other sources.
It's just that because of me, that little fellow has suffered quite a bit all these years. No matter how I compensate him, this old man feels I will still carry guilt in my heart."
Seeing Yao Chen speak sorrowfully of his guilt toward Xiao Yan, Hun Changqing chuckled and said,
"Yao Lao need not feel this way. Now that you are by my side, he will naturally regain his past talent.
No matter how good his past talent was, without being absorbed by you, he would at most be a Dou Shi by now.
Since you are now refining pills for me, in your spare time you can also refine some pills to Solidify the Foundation and Cultivate the Origin for him, and pass down some high-tier Dou Techniques and Cultivation Methods to him.
Then, for him, these things are not something a mere Dou Shi realm can compare to! So you absorbing his Dou Qi all these years is actually an opportunity for him!
If that kid knew, he would thank you instead of blaming you. Why would he resent you? You're overthinking it, Yao Lao."
Hearing Hun Changqing's words, Yao Chen suddenly felt a sense of enlightenment.
That's right, after all, it was only three years of Dou Qi, and just the Dou Qi of a Dou Zhe at that; there was completely no need to fret over it.
How many years of arduous labor could a single pill of his save the boy?
In the past, those people in the Central Plains would break their heads trying to beg him for a pill. Estimating beyond three years, they would gladly give ten.
Why did he manage to trap himself in this now? He always felt that there was a will in the dark forcing him to take that Xiao Yan as a disciple-was it just an illusion?
Yao Chen felt somewhat dazed, but quickly shook his head and cast those strange thoughts aside.
With Hun Changqing's enlightenment, Yao Chen no longer fretted excessively. He was confident that the things he would leave for Xiao Yan would definitely compare favorably to the Dou Qi of those three years of cultivation, and furthermore exceed them by a wide margin.
"Hehe, it seems Yao Lao has figured it out. You are an Alchemist renowned throughout the Central Plains; it is that child's blessing to receive your bestowal.
However, seeing how highly Yao Lao regards that child, I presume it must be for more than just the reason of absorbing his Dou Qi for the past three years.
I see that Xiao Yan is now fifteen years old, two years younger than me. Since that is the case, I shall take Xiao Yan as my adopted younger brother.
Now we still need to recuperate in this small city for some days, and in our spare time, we can certainly guide him."
Hun Changqing said with a beaming smile.
"Oh? Really? Then this wouldn't be a bad idea. Having a figure like you as his adopted elder brother ensures I will no longer feel guilty in my heart, though it's somewhat putting you out."
At this moment, the gaze Yao Chen cast toward Hun Changqing already carried a hint of gratitude. In his eyes, Hun Changqing was an expert destined to reach the absolute summit of the continent.
Yet now, for the sake of the slight bit of guilt in his, Yao Chen's, heart, he was actually willing to take a "genius" from a border town as an adopted younger brother-it was truly indescribable.
In his heart, he became even more convinced that a person like Hun Changqing must be a righteous, open, and honorable man of lofty character!
Shortly after, he caught sight of the wisps of murderous intent mixed within Hun Changqing's gloomy aura.
He could not help cursing the Soul Palace bitterly in his heart once more.
"Damned Soul Palace! Truly inhumane! Beasts! A child of such fine character has actually been nurtured by you into a tool for slaughter! You deserve to die! Just wait, it won't be long before Changqing and I return to the Central Plains to slaughter every last one of you wicked scoundrels! And return a bright and clear cosmos to the Central Plains!"
It was fortunate that Hun Changqing had no idea what Yao Chen was thinking; if he were to find out, he would surely burst into laughter and lament that Yao Chen was simply far too upright!
Since Hun Changqing decided to take Xiao Yan as his adopted younger brother, Yao Chen considered this to be Xiao Yan's blessing-Xiao Yan was getting the better end of the deal!
Thus, the guilt in Yao Chen's heart vanished as well.
With his mental burden laid down, Yao Chen and Hun Changqing embarked on their Path of Enterprise, preparing to make their mark on the world.
Hun Changqing first used the Three-Light Divine Water to heal the majority of Yao Chen's soul injuries, and at this moment Yao Chen's soul had already recovered to the strength of the Peak Dou Zong.
As if he hadn't felt such soul-lightness in a long time, Yao Chen even ran out of Wutan City for a stroll around the Magical Beast Mountain Range, taking in a good breath of fresh air before finally running back to start working.
Hun Changqing tossed all the materials in his Storage Ring to Yao Chen in one go.
He didn't even tell Yao Chen what kind of pills to refine, merely explaining the general situation of his own cultivation and leaving Yao Chen to handle it as he saw fit while refining.
Whatever pills Yao Chen refined, he would eat; professional matters should be left to professionals.
Yao Chen was not only proficient in alchemy, but his strength and vision were also far superior to Hun Changqing's.
Therefore, Hun Changqing would also consult Yao Chen on various issues and let him formulate some cultivation plans for him.
After a few days of getting along, the relationship between the two progressed by leaps and bounds, and at this point the two of them existed in a state somewhat akin to both master-disciple and friends.
"Little Changqing, why haven't you restored this arm of yours yet? This arm of yours should have been broken for quite a few days now, shouldn't it?"
The Soul Body Yao Chen slowly drifted to Hun Changqing's side, pointed at Hun Changqing's severed arm, and asked with a puzzled expression.
At that moment, Hun Changqing, who was deeply engrossed in studying a Water Attribute Dou Technique, instantly broke out in a sweat and said with annoyance,
"How many times do I have to tell you not to call me Little Changqing? Do you know how embarrassing this nickname is?
I am currently preparing to advance to the Dou Zong, and there is no one in this place who can threaten me. Regrowing my arm is not something that needs to be rushed."
Yao Chen nodded thoughtfully and said casually,
"I understand, Little Changqing."
"Don't call me Little Changqing!"
Hun Changqing repeated somewhat bashfully and angrily, then turned his head back to continue studying the Dou Technique, looking as though he had no intention of paying any more attention to Yao Chen.
Watching Hun Changqing's bashful and annoyed appearance, Yao Chen stroked his non-existent beard and laughed heartily, floating toward the medicinal cauldron at the side as he chuckled.
"Hahaha, the youths of today~ are really not cute at all."
"Little Changqing!"
Suddenly, Yao Chen, who had already floated away, dashed back in front of Hun Changqing and called out to him, startling Hun Changqing so much that he almost hurled the Dou Qi Jade Slip in his hand.
Realizing it was Yao Chen, Hun Changqing could not help but be left speechless, and he said testily,
"Do you know that scaring people to death is a real thing? Especially since you're a ghost now, which makes it even scarier. What is it this time?"
Seeing Hun Changqing frightened like that, Yao Chen found it immensely amusing and teased,
"You used to be a member of the Soul Palace, dealing with ghosts every day. How could you be afraid of ghosts? It should be ghosts who are afraid of you, hahaha."
Hearing Yao Chen's words, Hun Changqing was left powerless to retort.
"All right, all right, let's talk about business."
Yao Chen suddenly dropped his previous flippant expression, turning to look at Hun Changqing with a solemn face as he spoke.