Chapter 325: Faking an Injury?
The burning soul flame surged into the starry sky. Under its light, the spiritual essence scattered across the sky shimmered enchantingly, twinkling like distant stars.
But Xiao Yuan's condition was far from ideal.
After all, he was burning his own soul power.
Yao Lao, sensing something was off, emerged from the ring with a solemn expression as he gazed at Xiao Yuan.
He himself had done reckless things in his youth—but what Xiao Yuan was doing now was clearly even more extreme.
One misstep, and soul damage was no laughing matter.
Yet Xiao Yuan was well-prepared. As he continued forming hand seals, his soul fire spread and unfolded in the starry sky, forming a vast sea of flame.
This kind of soul flame was invisible to the ordinary eye.
Only those at the high seventh-tier alchemist level and above could sense it.
The fire sea ignited spiritual matter from the starry sky, integrating it into the soul sea and strengthening it further.
Xiao Yan seemed to understand something. "He's using soul fire to refine the starry sky's spiritual matter for his own use?"
"This method is somewhat similar to my Soul-Refining Technique," Yao Lao analyzed. "That technique elevates a pill's quality. But Xiao Yuan is refining soul essence to improve his own soul. Compared to the amount of soul essence gained, the burned soul power becomes negligible. Still, this method carries risks."
Indeed, using this approach could dramatically improve soul sensitivity, but it also had a steep cost. If mishandled, it could damage the soul and stagnate Dou Qi cultivation.
Moreover, executing this technique required at least eighth-tier alchemist strength. Otherwise, it was tantamount to courting death.
Whoosh!
A sharp gust signaled Venerable Tian Huo's arrival. He appeared beside Xiao Yan, eyes twitching as he watched Xiao Yuan's insane actions.
"This kid has a death wish? He's really doing this?"
He was clearly worried.
"Third brother has always been this way," Xiao Yan said with a sigh.
He liked to think he was decisive—but he'd never willingly burn his own soul.
Still, if Third Brother said it worked, and he could handle it, maybe he'd try it someday. It might really help his soul cultivation.
Xiao Yuan continued refining for a full hour. Even with his powerful eighth-tier soul, he was nearing his limit.
Above, the soul flame sea had expanded to triple its original size.
Feeling himself reaching the brink, Xiao Yuan didn't push further. Changing his seals, he drew the flame sea downward.
He raised his head and exhaled a radiant orange-red flame that wrapped around the soul fire mass.
At the same time, the Yin-Yang Soul Pearl in his sea of consciousness began releasing purified soul energy to replenish what he had spent.
His complexion improved. Using his Heavenly Flame, he forcefully returned the burning soul fire to a stable state.
The orange-red flame transformed into a stream of light and flowed into his brow, triggering a spiritual storm within his sea of consciousness.
A rich wave of spiritual essence pulsed from his body, spreading across the courtyard.
Xiao Yan and Venerable Tian Huo instantly felt a mental boost, their souls refreshed. Even Yao Lao's illusory form gained solidity.
The courtyard became vibrant and alive. Lush green shoots burst from the soil, covering the formerly withered ground with fresh vitality.
"What the…"
Xiao Yan was stunned, then realized it was a chain reaction triggered by the spiritual ripple from Xiao Yuan's soul.
As he finished organizing the energy in his soul sea, Xiao Yuan turned toward Xiao Yan with a smile.
"Well? Did you understand it?"
"Yeah. But without soul-replenishing pills or rare herbs, this technique is way too draining."
Xiao Yan chuckled bitterly.
"That's not a problem. I just realized that since the Soul Nurturing Pearl can repair and replenish soul essence, I can extract some of that energy and turn it into pills."
Xiao Yuan smiled, brushing it off.
"Seriously?" Xiao Yan widened his eyes.
"Mm, it's a good idea. We should study it together," Yao Lao nodded in interest.
Soul-repairing pills were extremely rare on the continent. Even most eighth-tier alchemists would kill for one.
For alchemists, such a pill was basically a second life.
"You little monster. I like you!" Venerable Tian Huo laughed, stroking his beard.
"Alright, it's late. Time to rest. Xiao Yan has his assessment tomorrow," Xiao Yuan said.
He needed time to digest the spiritual essence he'd absorbed.
Of course, the commotion hadn't escaped the senses of the high-level seniors. In a void deep within Holy Pill City's inner domain, several exchanges were taking place.
"Someone was probing the Star Domain earlier. Fortunately, the Three Thousand Burning Flame wasn't awakened, or we'd have had a disaster," an old voice said.
"Could you identify them?"
"No. But their soul power was remarkable. One had just touched the Soul Realm, the other was firmly within it. The latter could definitely refine three-colored pill-light."
"Could they be from the Hall of Souls? We know they're eyeing the Three Thousand Burning Flame. Reports say they'll send people to the Pill Gathering. If they make it to the top ten, they'll surely go after it."
Another voice chimed in warily.
"Uncertain. Their souls felt young and showed no malice. But we can't rule it out."
"Strengthen defenses around the flame. It absorbs starlight and grows stronger. We can't keep it sealed forever. And it bears a deep grudge. If it breaks free, it could level the entire city. Ideally, someone should tame it… but definitely not someone from the Hall of Souls. Too many alchemist souls have fallen to them already."
"By the way, did you see that soul fire sea earlier? That was likely that young eighth-tier alchemist's doing."
"Yeah. Oddly, I found it… familiar. The way it moved. The way he controlled the fire."
"I felt that too. Maybe we've seen his master before."
The space went quiet.
"Could it be… Yao Chen?"
A female voice finally broke the silence.
"Yao Chen… what a name from the past. He could've been one of our Pill Tower's three giants. But his heart lay elsewhere. The Hall of Souls did him dirty…"
"There was a major battle in the Pill Region not long ago. Rumor has it the main character was his disciple. But no one knows if Yao Chen himself is here."
"If he is and doesn't come to see us, I'll give him a piece of my mind!"
After another pause, a new old voice shifted the subject.
"I'd like to meet this disciple. If Yao Chen chose him, he must be exceptional. I wonder how he compares to those monsters from the Cao and Dan clans…"
"They're terrifying prodigies. At this rate, they could become the next generation's Pill Tower giants in a century."
"Well, the Pill Gathering is near. Let's focus on that. The Hall of Souls may be powerful, but they're not omnipotent. If they try anything too bold, the Ancient Clans and hidden factions won't sit idly by. Our top priority is to keep the Three Thousand Burning Flame out of their hands. That's all."
"Agreed."
And with that, the conversation among the Pill Tower giants ended in silence.
—
The next morning, Xiao Yuan's four lovers awoke to find the previously desolate courtyard now bursting with vibrant spring growth.
"You're awake?"
Xiao Yuan was already standing in the courtyard, basking in the morning sun. He turned and smiled at them.
"Well? Staying here or heading out?"
"What are you planning?" Xiao Yi Xiang asked.
"I'm going to see just how strict the Pill Tower's alchemist assessment really is," Xiao Yuan replied.
"Then I'll come along. I may not be an alchemist, but it'll be fun to watch," she smiled.
"I'll pass," Tang Huo'er said. She'd had enough of pill refining. Sitting in front of a cauldron for days on end just wasn't for her.
"I'll stay too," Cai Lin said. "Yun Yun and I hit bottlenecks in our techniques. We're planning to spar a bit. Huo'er, you in?"
"Absolutely!" Huo'er's eyes lit up.
"Alright. Venerable Tian Huo's staying behind too—he's in seclusion. Try not to be too loud," Xiao Yuan advised.
"Don't worry. Just a sparring match," Yun Yun said gently.
"Okay, we're off then." Xiao Yuan took Xiao Yi Xian's hand, and the two left.
"He's grown stronger again," Yun Yun said with a sigh, watching him go.
She was currently the weakest among the four.
Though her strength surpassed even her late master Yun Shan, beside these monstrous women, she felt enormous pressure.
"You should be used to it by now," Cai Lin said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
"Sisters, let's spar!" Huo'er hugged both from behind.
—
After leaving the Ye Residence, Xiao Yuan, Xiao Yi Xian, and Xiao Yan followed Ye Zhong for ten minutes before stopping outside an ancient stone tower in the outer region of Holy Pill City.
Outside, alchemists bustled in and out. Voices rose and fell like waves.
"This is one of the Pill Tower's branch towers. Like a guild branch in the empires," Ye Zhong explained.
Inside, the tower was vast, comparable to the Jia Ma Empire's alchemist headquarters. Alchemists of various ranks moved about in robes of all colors.
"The north section is a trading area—pills and herbs are exchanged there. But don't expect much. In two days, a special auction just for certified Pill Tower alchemists will be held. That one often has rare treasures. We should check it out."
Xiao Yuan raised a brow with interest. Even if he didn't find anything useful, it'd be worth seeing.
"But the assessment area is in the south. Come with me," Ye Zhong said, leading them onward.
Soon, they reached the assessment hall—only to find a long queue.
Ye Zhong frowned. "Wait here. I'll go pull some strings. Otherwise, we might not finish today."
Xiao Yuan, Xiao Yan, and Xiao Yi Xiang nodded and stayed put.
Then suddenly, Xiao Yuan's brows twitched as a soft body bumped into him.
"Is this… someone faking an injury to scam me?"
he thought.
(END CHAPTER)
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