At a temporary camp on the outskirts of Ten Thousand Medicines Valley, Su Xiaoxiao crouched beside a campfire, absentmindedly stirring the sparks with a branch. Her little face was scrunched up with worry. Lin Qingxue sat beside her, gazing toward the core area with a slight frown as she gently turned her jade flute between her fingers.
Mo Chen stood at the edge of the camp with his hands behind his back, his gaze deep. They had camped outside the valley to wait after escaping Falling Sunset Gorge that day, and three days had passed in the blink of an eye. There had been no further activity in the core area during those three days, but the calmer things were, the more uneasy everyone became.
"Sister Qingxue, do you think something... something might have happened to Brother Xiao Yan?" Su Xiaoxiao finally asked, her voice thick with tears. Over the past few days, she had dreamed countless times of Xiao Yan being swallowed by the Shadow of Darkness, waking with a start from the nightmare every time.
Lin Qingxue gently patted her shoulder. "No. Mr. Xiao Yan is so strong; he'll definitely come back safe and sound." Despite her words, she was not sure herself. The terror of the Shadow of Darkness had far exceeded their imaginations.
Liu Chengfeng sat beside a tent not far away, a complicated expression on his face. Part of him hoped something had happened to Xiao Yan, which would leave him with one fewer powerful rival. Yet he also felt a faint admiration for Xiao Yan's courage. In his place, he would never have dared stay behind alone to fight the Shadow of Darkness.
Just then, Mo Chen's eyes suddenly lit up as he looked toward the core area. "Someone's coming!"
Everyone rose to look. A figure in green robes emerged from the depths of the dense forest, walking with steady strides. It was Xiao Yan, whom they had been waiting for so anxiously!
"Brother Xiao Yan!" Su Xiaoxiao's eyes instantly reddened. Unable to hold back any longer, she dashed toward Xiao Yan and threw her arms around his arm, tears streaming down her face. "You're finally back! I thought... I thought I'd never see you again..."
Seeing the little girl in floods of tears, Xiao Yan felt warmth in his heart. He reached out and ruffled her hair. "Sorry I made you worry. See? I'm perfectly fine."
Lin Qingxue and Mo Chen also hurried over. Seeing that Xiao Yan's clothes were somewhat damaged but his breath was steady, and that he was even more refined than before, they both breathed a sigh of relief.
"Brother Xiao Yan, it's wonderful that you're all right!" Mo Chen said sincerely, admiration in his eyes.
A faint smile appeared on Lin Qingxue's face, like the first thaw of ice and snow. "I'm glad you came back safely."
Liu Chengfeng hesitated, then came over as well. He cupped his hands to Xiao Yan, his tone complicated. "You... I'm glad you're all right."
Xiao Yan nodded and said nothing more.
Back at the camp, Xiao Yan briefly recounted his experience in Fallen Immortal Abyss, leaving out the details about Elder Bai and the Realm-Sealing Crystal. He said only that a reclusive senior had saved him and that the Shadow of Darkness had been driven back.
Everyone sighed at the account, looking at Xiao Yan with even greater awe. Surviving such a desperate situation was a legend in itself.
"Since the crisis in the core area has been resolved, what about the Ten Thousand Medicines Gathering...?" Lin Qingxue asked.
"The gathering will continue," Mo Chen said. "But after what happened, the ten major factions decided to shorten the schedule. The final round will be held tomorrow to choose the champion and award the Nine Revolutions Soul Return Pill."
Xiao Yan had no objection. He had not come for the rankings in the first place.
The next day, the final round of the Ten Thousand Medicines Gathering was held in the central square. After all the previous upheavals, only a handful of contestants remained in the final round, among them Xiao Yan, Mo Chen, and Liu Chengfeng.
The final round was simple: refine a high-grade healing pill, the Nine Revolutions Life-Prolonging Pill, and use the results to determine the rankings.
At the pill-refining platform, Xiao Yan remained calm and unhurried. After his transformation in Fallen Immortal Abyss, his control over the Heavenly Flames had become more exquisite, and his spiritual power had also increased considerably. The Netherworld Core Flame burned quietly beneath his pill furnace, its deep blue flames rising and falling as if breathing, keeping the temperature just right.
The medicinal ingredients slowly melted and fused in the flames, their energy flowing with exceptional smoothness. Xiao Yan's movements flowed like clouds and water, without the slightest hitch, as though he had become one with the furnace and the flames.
Mo Chen and Liu Chengfeng also gave it their all, and the medicinal fragrance wafting from their furnaces grew stronger and stronger. By comparison, however, they ultimately lacked Xiao Yan's air of making a heavy task look effortless.
After an incense stick burned down, the refining ended.
Three Nine Revolutions Life-Prolonging Pills flew from Xiao Yan's furnace, each lustrous white from end to end, with faint golden patterns flowing across its surface. Their medicinal fragrance was pure yet overpowering; a single breath of it was enough to make one feel refreshed.
"Supreme-grade Nine Revolutions Life-Prolonging Pills, and they even have Pill Patterns!" the pill master serving as judge cried out again, shock written all over his face.
The pills Mo Chen refined were also supreme-grade, but they had no Pill Patterns. Liu Chengfeng's were high-grade.
The result was beyond doubt.
When Lin Qingxue handed Xiao Yan the jade box containing the Nine Revolutions Soul Return Pill, the entire crowd burst into enthusiastic applause. Having lived through the crises involving Old Freak Blood Fiend and the Shadow of Darkness, everyone acknowledged Xiao Yan's strength and willingness to take responsibility. The title of champion was well deserved.
Xiao Yan accepted the jade box. It felt warm and smooth in his hand, and he could sense the immense vitality contained within. He put it away and cupped his hands to the crowd. "Many thanks."
With that, the Ten Thousand Medicines Gathering came to a successful end. Representatives of the various factions offered Xiao Yan their congratulations, and quite a few even sought to recruit him, but he politely declined them all.
After the gathering ended, everyone began leaving Ten Thousand Medicines Valley. Mo Chen found Xiao Yan and once again brought up the matter of going to the Pill Region.
"Brother Xiao Yan, now that the Ten Thousand Medicines Gathering is over, when might you have time to come with me to the Pill Region?"
Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, then nodded. "I have a few things to take care of. How about we meet in Green Wind City in three days?" He planned to take Su Xiaoxiao home first, then head to the Pill Region.
"Good!" Mo Chen said with a smile. "In three days, at the Welcoming Guests Pavilion in Green Wind City. I'll wait for you there."
After the two made their arrangements, Mo Chen left ahead of him with the cultivators from the Pill Region.
Lin Qingxue also came to say goodbye. She looked at Xiao Yan, a trace of reluctance in her eyes. "Mr. Xiao Yan, the journey to the Pill Region is long. Please take care."
"You too, Miss Lin," Xiao Yan said. "If the Hundred Herbs Hall needs anything, you can send word to me at any time."
Lin Qingxue smiled and handed Xiao Yan a jade pendant. "This is a communication pendant from the Hundred Herbs Hall. With it, you can call upon the Hundred Herbs Hall's forces in the Southern Region at any time."
Xiao Yan accepted the pendant and solemnly put it away. "Many thanks."
Liu Chengfeng also came over. After hesitating for a long while, he finally forced out a sentence. "I... offended you before. I hope you can forgive me."
Xiao Yan smiled faintly. "What's past is past. There's no need to mention it again."
Liu Chengfeng gave him a long look, then turned and left with the Hundred Herbs Hall's group.
Soon, only Xiao Yan and Su Xiaoxiao remained at the camp.
"Brother Xiao Yan, are you leaving?" Su Xiaoxiao asked, her head lowered and her voice a little dispirited.
"Yes, I'm going to the Pill Region." Xiao Yan patted her head. "I'll take you home first."
"Yes!" Su Xiaoxiao nodded vigorously, her eyes lighting up again. "My home is in Su Family Village, just outside Ten Thousand Medicines Valley. It's not far from here!"
The two packed their belongings and set off toward Su Family Village. There was no conversation along the way, but the atmosphere was warm. From time to time, Su Xiaoxiao told Xiao Yan amusing stories about the village, dispelling the sadness of parting.
Half a day later, a quiet little village came into view. Several children were playing at its entrance, and cooking smoke curled into the air, filling the place with the signs of everyday life.
"That's my home!" Su Xiaoxiao shouted excitedly, pointing at a small house on the eastern end of the village.
As soon as they reached the village entrance, a sturdy little boy came running over and threw himself at Su Xiaoxiao. "Sister! You're back!"
"Xiao Shitou, did you miss your sister?" Su Xiaoxiao asked with a laugh, picking up the little boy, her face radiant with happiness.
A woman also hurried out of the house. When she saw Su Xiaoxiao, tears of joy appeared in her eyes. "Xiaoxiao, you're finally home! Mother was worried sick!"
"Mother, I'm fine. This is Brother Xiao Yan. He's the one who saved me!" Su Xiaoxiao quickly explained.
The woman hurriedly bowed to Xiao Yan. "Thank you, benefactor, for saving my daughter!"
"There's no need to stand on ceremony, ma'am. It was no trouble at all." Xiao Yan hurriedly helped her up.
Xiao Yan stayed with the Su family for two days. Watching the warm reunion between Su Xiaoxiao and her family, he felt a trace of warmth in his own heart. He left behind some Origin Qi Pills and healing medicine, then quietly departed Su Family Village.
He did not disturb Su Xiaoxiao, leaving only a note telling her that he had gone to the Pill Region and that, if she ran into difficulties, she could use the communication jade pendant to contact the Hundred Herbs Hall.
After leaving Su Family Village, Xiao Yan headed straight for Green Wind City.
Three days later, at the Welcoming Guests Pavilion in Green Wind City.
Xiao Yan pushed open the door. Mo Chen was already waiting in a private room, where the table was laden with food and wine.
"Brother Xiao Yan, you're finally here!" Mo Chen rose with a smile to greet him.
"Sorry, I'm late."
"Not late, not late." Mo Chen invited Xiao Yan to take a seat. "Come, let's have a drink first and toast to a smooth journey to the Pill Region!"
The two clinked cups and drained them in one gulp.
"Brother Mo Chen, what's the situation in the Pill Region now?" Xiao Yan asked.
Mo Chen set down his cup, his expression growing grave. "To tell you the truth, things haven't been peaceful in the Pill Region lately either. Quite a few pill masters have been corrupted by dark energy, turning violent and even harming their fellow disciples. Lord Pill King suspects that forces from the Domain of Darkness are behind it."
Xiao Yan's heart sank. It seemed the Lord of Darkness's infiltration was more widespread than he had imagined.
"And," Mo Chen continued after a pause, "the Pill Region recently discovered the ruins of an Ancient Pill Hall. Ancient pill formulas and secrets of the pill path are said to be hidden inside, but powerful dark creatures guard it as well. Lord Pill King is gathering pill path experts from all sides to explore it together."
An Ancient Pill Hall?
A trace of interest flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. He already had profound attainments in the pill path, and if he could obtain ancient pill formulas, they would be of great benefit in improving his strength.
"It seems this trip to the Pill Region won't be boring," Xiao Yan said with a smile.
Mo Chen smiled as well. "It certainly won't. But don't worry, Brother Xiao Yan. With Lord Pill King there, even if we run into experts from the Domain of Darkness, we'll have the strength to fight them."
The two exchanged a smile and raised their cups to drink together.
After three rounds of wine, the two rose, left Green Wind City, and flew toward the Pill Region.
The Pill Region lay in the heartland of the Southern Region. It was the holy land of the pill path in the Great Thousand World, home not only to countless rare medicinal ingredients and pill path masters, but also to many secrets unknown to others.
Xiao Yan knew that a new adventure was about to begin. The shadow of the Domain of Darkness, the secrets of the Ancient Pill Hall, and that mysterious bloodline power... all these mysteries would open a new chapter in the Pill Region.
He gazed into the distance, where clouds and mist swirled around the faint outline of a city floating among the clouds. That was the heart of the Pill Region: Pill City.
The journey continued.