16
"Pill Tower Exchange Convention?"
"Hmph, Yao Chen cannot protect him forever."
He remained silent for a moment, his voice exceptionally eerie and terrifying: "Pass down the order, send more men, and closely monitor all movements of the Pill Tower."
"Look for every possible opportunity... if we can seize this brat while the chance arises."
"Perhaps we can pry into the secret behind Yao Chen's rapid advancement, or even..."
"Use this as a bargaining chip to restrain or even deal with Yao Chen!"
"Yes! Great Heavenly Venerable!" The figure below quickly responded, then retreated silently into the darkness.
An invisible undercurrent, accompanied by the scent of conspiracy, began to quietly converge toward Holy Pill City, where the Pill Tower was located.
...
Two months passed quietly amidst intense Cultivation and preparation.
When Xiao Qing emerged from seclusion again, his aura was more restrained and profound, although his Dou Qi Level was still a Nine-Star Dou Huang.
Yet, between the opening and closing of his calm eyes, he gave off a more dangerous feeling, as if a terrifying power capable of erupting at any moment was hidden within his body.
He handed over all the Medicinal Pill he had refined over the past two months to Venerable Feng, classified by type, for him to coordinate and distribute.
Afterward, he held a brief discussion with Yao Chen, Venerable Feng, and Yao Tianhuo.
It was ultimately decided that for this trip to the Pill Tower to attend the Exchange Convention, Yao Chen would lead the team personally, with Xiao Qing and Zi Yan accompanying him.
Yao Tianhuo and Venerable Feng would remain at Starfall Pavilion to guard the base and prevent any unexpected incidents.
"Finally, I get to go out and play!"
"I heard Holy Pill City is huge, and there's so much delicious food!"
Hearing that they were going out, Zi Yan jumped up with joy, her little face full of anticipation, already counting on her fingers what she wanted to eat.
Xiao Qing smiled and sank his consciousness into his Storage Ring, once again checking the items inside.
Medicinal Pill of various Levels, from healing to Cultivation to combat boosts, were all fully stocked.
The Silver Puppet and Gold Puppet stood quietly in the corner.
A large quantity of medicinal herbs and Magic Cores.
Some spare cultivation technique and Dou Technique scrolls.
And several special spiritual items obtained from ruins or as spoils of war.
Confirming that he was fully prepared, he felt at ease.
Yao Chen stood to the side, his gaze seemingly piercing through the spatial barrier of the Star Realm, looking toward the distant center of the Central Plains.
That Holy Land in the hearts of all Alchemist, Holy Pill City!
He spoke slowly, his voice calm but carrying a hint of a reminder: "disciple, are you ready?"
"This trip to the Pill Tower will be a brand new starting point for you, the time when you truly become famous across the continent and soar like a Dragon through the Nine Heavens."
"But remember, fame and opportunity are often accompanied by turmoil. The Pill Tower is not entirely peaceful, and I fear there will be no shortage of open and covert struggles within."
Xiao Qing's eyes were firm, without a trace of fear; instead, a confident curve appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Teacher, disciple has long awaited this day."
"The Three Thousand Burning Flame, I am determined to obtain it! As for the turmoil..."
His tone was calm, yet carried an air of absolute certainty.
"If any blind fool tries to block me, I shall simply cut them down with a sword."
"And I will also meet this so-called Genius of the Central Plains..."
Seeing such mental state in his disciple, a flash of satisfaction crossed Yao Chen's eyes, and he nodded.
The next day, amidst the expectant and blessing gazes of Venerable Feng, Yao Tianhuo, and many Starfall Pavilion disciple and Elder.
Yao Chen waved his sleeve gently, and the space in front of him was easily torn open like cloth, creating a stable, pitch-black rift.
Taking Xiao Qing and the excited Zi Yan, he stepped into it.
The spatial rift slowly closed, and the figures of the three disappeared from the Star Realm.
Chapter 123, Holy Pill City, Peering from the Soul Hall 【Please Vote!】
After leaving Starfall Pavilion, they were in a stable and swift spatial tunnel.
Yao Chen stood with his hands behind his back, his body devoid of any Dou Qi fluctuations, yet he seemed to have merged with the entire space.
He pointed to the vast, increasingly clear silhouette of light and shadow in the iridescent void outside the tunnel.
"Look over there, the core area where the energy light shield is most dense and brilliant is the Inner Domain of Holy Pill City, where the Pill Tower headquarters is established."
Yao Chen's voice was calm, carrying a hint of imperceptible nostalgia.
Xiao Qing gazed intently, and through the distorted spatial ripples, he could see the silhouette of a giant tower so majestic it was hard to describe.
Even from such a great distance, one could feel the ancient and majestic aura it radiated.
As well as the oceanic, vast energy fluctuations surrounding it.
He nodded and said sincerely: "It is indeed extraordinary in aura; it truly deserves to be the Holy Land in the hearts of all Alchemist."
Yao Chen nodded slightly and continued to introduce it to Xiao Qing, his voice ringing directly in the ears of Xiao Qing and the slightly bored Zi Yan beside him: "The structure of Holy Pill City is complex, far beyond that of ordinary cities. The Pill Tower is the absolute core, but the forces beneath it are deeply intertwined."
"In addition to the forces directly governed by the three giants—Xuan Kongzi, Tian Leizi, and Xuan Yi—there are several hereditary major Clan, such as the Cao Clan, who specialize in flame control and have a close relationship with Xuan Kongzi."
"The Bai Clan, who are skilled in soul nourishment techniques and often maintain good relations with Tian Leizi's faction."
"The Gu Clan, who are proficient in the identification and cultivation of medicinal herbs."
"And the Li Clan, who control nearly 30% of the medicinal herb circulation in the city..."
"These Clan all hold seats in the Pill Tower Elder Council, and their influence cannot be underestimated."
"Furthermore, there is the relatively independent Alchemist Guild, as well as the various major merchant alliances that depend on the Pill Tower for survival, which constitute the unique ecosystem of Holy Pill City."
Xiao Qing listened attentively, verifying this information with what he already knew, and gained a clearer picture of the distribution of forces in this massive city.
"So complicated..." Zi Yan, beside him, felt her eyelids drooping as she listened. She let out a huge yawn and tugged on Xiao Qing's sleeve.
"Xiao Qing, when we arrive, can we go eat first? I think I can already smell so many delicious scents!"
Her little nose sniffed hard, her face full of greed, as if those enticing aromas could drift in through the spatial tunnel.
Yao Chen looked at Zi Yan's expression and couldn't help but smile: "You girl, only thinking about eating."
"Very well, theory is always superficial. Let us enter the city now and let you gluttonous cat see the scenery of Holy Pill City for yourself."
Before the words had faded, Yao Chen flicked his sleeve gently, and the exit of the spatial tunnel ahead opened silently.
It was not in some conspicuous teleportation square, but in a quiet corner at the foot of the city wall where people came and went.
The figures of the three appeared without causing any spatial fluctuations.
It was as if they had always been standing there, blending in with the hurried pedestrians, revealing Yao Chen's exquisite control over the Spatial Power after becoming a Dou Sheng.
...
The walls of Holy Pill City were towering, almost impossible to see the top at a glance, and the wall body presented a blue-gray color that had been settled by time.
Inscribed on them were countless ancient runes in the shapes of Medicine Cauldron, flames, and various medicinal herbs, faintly radiating heart-palpitating energy fluctuations, highlighting the antiquity and majesty of this city.
At a huge city gate, the people entering the city formed a long line, and the queue moved forward slowly and orderly.
The guards wore uniform bright silver armor, their aura sharp and capable, their eyes scanning every person entering the city, checking their identity tokens or Alchemist badges.
The strength of these guards was at least the Dou Wang level, and the sub-captain in charge of the team even possessed the cultivation of a Dou Huang.
In the queue, a middle-aged man who looked like a traveling merchant wiped the sweat from his forehead and complained in a low voice to his companion:
"Every time I come to Holy Pill City, just queuing takes half a day; it's really hard to bear."
His companion quickly lowered his voice to warn him: "Shh, keep it down!"
"Didn't you see those lords over there wearing Alchemist robes?"
"In this Holy Pill City, Alchemist have a noble status; you must never offend them."
Not far away, a fourth-grade Alchemist wearing a badge with four silver ripples on his chest.
With a natural air of arrogance in his demeanor, he showed the guards his badge and an invitation:
"I have been invited to attend this Alchemist Exchange Convention."
The guard captain took the invitation, checked it carefully, and the seriousness on his face immediately turned into respect as he stepped aside to clear the path:
"Please enter, my lord! I wish you great success at this convention!"
A moment later, Xiao Qing and the others submitted their invitation to the Exchange Convention and stepped through the city gate, where the scene before them suddenly opened up.
The wide and clean streets were wide enough for a dozen carriages to travel side by side, and the architectural style on both sides was uniform.
Mostly in blue and white tones, with carved beams and painted pillars, the details exuded refinement and elegance.
Many buildings were decorated with Medicine Cauldron-shaped sculptures or logos on top.
The air was filled with a rich medicinal fragrance, and all kinds of medicinal herb shops and Medicinal Pill workshops lined both sides, with dazzling signs.
On the streets, people wearing Alchemist robes of various colors could be seen everywhere, from beginners with simple robes.
To high-level Alchemist with profound aura and shining badges on their chests, forming a unique landscape.
"Xiao Qing! Look at that! It smells so sweet!"
As soon as she entered the city, Zi Yan was attracted by a stall selling "Fire Spirit Fruits" on the side of the road, tugging on Xiao Qing's sleeve, her big eyes full of longing.
Xiao Qing smiled, walked over, bought a large bag, and handed it to her.
At the same time, he felt the surrounding environment and sent a soul voice transmission to Yao Chen:
"Teacher, the concentration of Heaven and Earth energy here, as well as the nourishing effect on soul Power, is indeed far beyond what the outside world can compare to."
Yao Chen's voice echoed in his mind: "Mm, the Pill Tower has operated this place for over a thousand years and has long since transformed it into a paradise for Alchemist."
"Notice the floor tiles under your feet; you can faintly see subtle patterns. Those are part of a large-scale Spirit Gathering Array."
"Although the individual effect is weak, it is spread throughout the city, and the energy gathered is quite considerable."
...
The three strolled leisurely and arrived at a more bustling street.
This was more like an open-air medicinal herb market, with all kinds of stalls densely packed together.
Cries of hawkers and sounds of bargaining were endless, and the air was mixed with the scents of thousands of medicinal herbs.
Zi Yan chewed on a candied fruit while keeping her eyes wide open, looking around like a gluttonous Dragon who had entered a treasure trove.
Suddenly, she pulled Xiao Qing hard and pointed to an inconspicuous little stall in the corner, on which were placed a few black, mud-covered things that looked like tree roots:
"Xiao Qing! That! Look at that!"
"The energy inside feels so comfortable! It tastes much better than this fruit!"
The stall owner was a middle-aged man who looked honest and simple. Seeing guests stop at his stall, he quickly stepped forward to greet them enthusiastically:
"This young master, young lady, good eyes!"
"This is a Black Jade Poria I painstakingly dug up from the outskirts of the Fallen God Ravine!"
"Don't look at this medicinal herb's inconspicuous appearance; its medicinal properties are gentle. It is an auxiliary herb that can be used to refine some sixth-grade Medicinal Pill..."
Xiao Qing's heart stirred, and his soul Power instantly swept over that "Black Jade Poria".
Upon this investigation, he immediately discovered the difference.
This was no ordinary Black Jade Poria; it was clearly the extremely rare "Earth Heart Jade Essence"!
It was just wrapped in a layer of special mineral impurities on the outside, which not only changed its appearance but also perfectly concealed its aura.
This Earth Heart Jade Essence had an extremely excellent effect on nourishing the soul and moisturizing the meridians, and it was an indispensable auxiliary herb for some seventh-grade Medicinal Pill.
He couldn't help but sigh that Zi Yan's talent for treasure hunting was truly innate; if it weren't for her, he might have missed it without a careful search.
Just as Xiao Qing was about to ask for the price, a voice with a touch of frivolity and arrogance cut in from the side:
"Eh? This piece of Black Jade Poria looks like it has quite some age; this young master will take it."
A young man wearing luxurious Alchemist robes, with a fairly handsome face but an indelible air of arrogance between his brows, walked over, followed by two guards with sharp gazes.