Reaching the pinnacle from Doupo

Chapter 622 Choice, Matters of the Dan Tower
If one lacks strength, reality is as hard as a rock, unshakable by any individual's will, just like Gu Xun'er at this moment.

Even though she was extremely angry, there was nothing she could do.

After years of arduous training, Gu Xun'er has now reached the peak of the Dou Zun realm. Such cultivation is undoubtedly outstanding among the younger generation... However, when facing a powerhouse like Yao Wangui, this level of cultivation still seems insignificant.

Insufficient cultivation level results in a lack of influence within the ancient clans.

Even though Gu Xun'er is the daughter of the clan leader, she doesn't have the authority to mobilize a four-star Dou Sheng from the Gu clan, let alone deal with a four-star Dou Sheng from the Yao clan.

After all, the ancient clan and the medicine clan have always had a deep cooperative relationship.

Among the ancient clans, all the elders who have taken ninth-grade pills are basically indebted to the Yao clan. Without a special reason, it is impossible for them to take action against Yao Wangui.

As for asking her old, conservative father to help, that was even more impossible.

Xiao Yan only ranked sixth at the Pill Gathering, which will undoubtedly be a point of failure in her father's eyes. If possible, Gu Xun'er would not even want Gu Yuan to know about this.

After all, no matter how she tried to justify Xiao Yan's defeat in the competition or how outstanding he was among his peers, with Lin Yuan, who was the same age as Xiao Yan and came from the same place, as a comparison, all her arguments were rather weak and unconvincing.

In this situation, if Gu Xun'er wants to seek justice for Xiao Yan, she can only rely on him.

At the earliest, it will have to wait until she advances to the Dou Sheng level.

However, a difficult choice now lies before Gu Xun'er—whether to focus all her efforts on improving her cultivation before her coming-of-age ceremony and strive to break through to the semi-saint realm.

She has already reached the peak of the Dou Zun realm and will soon be able to undergo the "Nine Revolutions Baptism".

After completing the "Nine Revolutions Baptism", her cultivation will surely soar. In about half a year, she will be able to raise her cultivation to the eighth or ninth level of Dou Zun. After two more years of seclusion, relying on her own bloodline power, she will have an 80% chance of breaking through to the Half-Saint level before her coming-of-age ceremony.

Within the ancient lineage of the Ancient Clan, there is a fundamental difference in status between those in the Sacred Realm and those below it.

If Gu Xun'er can break through to the Half-Saint level, coupled with her divine bloodline and status as the clan leader's daughter, her influence within the clan will undoubtedly increase significantly, and she may then be able to mobilize Dou Sheng powerhouses.

However, taking this route also has a "side effect".

According to the records within the ancient clan and the conclusions of the clan's powerful members, the legendary Bodhi tree, which appears only once every thousand years, will reappear in a few years.

More precisely, only three or four years later.

Regarding the Bodhi opportunity, there was a tacit understanding among the ancient clans—the younger generation of each clan should compete for it, and the Saint Realm experts of each clan should not directly participate.

After all, the opportunity to attain enlightenment is helpful for becoming a saint, and those who have already become semi-saints should naturally not get involved.

If this were not the case, and all races allowed Saint Realm experts to participate in the struggle, the resulting bloodshed would be unimaginable!
Given Gu Xun'er's deep understanding of Xiao Yan, even if the latter obtains Xiao Xuan's Dou Di bloodline, he will definitely go to compete for the Bodhi opportunity without hesitation, just to improve his cultivation as quickly as possible.

However, the struggle for the Bodhi opportunity is inherently extremely dangerous, and if Xiao Yan were to go and compete for it, his situation would be even more precarious than that of ordinary people.

As for the reason, it is naturally the Soul Clan, who has a blood feud with the Xiao Clan.

In the earth-shattering war between the Soul and Xiao clans a thousand years ago, a considerable number of Soul Clan Battle Saints perished because they participated in the siege of Xiao Xuan, which led to the destruction of the Xiao clan.

Their descendants harbored deep hatred and hostility towards the Xiao clan.

If they were to meet again while vying for the Bodhi opportunity, Xiao Yan, whose identity has already been exposed, would surely be subjected to the Soul Clan's relentless targeting.

If Gu Xun'er hadn't personally gone to the scene and used the power of the Gu Clan to balance the power of the Soul Clan and protect Xiao Yan, then the latter would have had a much higher chance of dying in the process after being targeted by the Soul Clan and even some members of the Medicine Clan.

However, if she had already broken through to the Half-Saint level by then, she would not have been able to go and compete for the opportunity, and naturally she would not have been able to protect Xiao Yan or even help him seize the Bodhi opportunity.

As for other methods, Gu Xun'er had racked her brains to think of them as well.

For example, she could pay some price to ask Lin Yuan for help, but the latter had already broken through to the Dou Sheng realm and wouldn't be able to go to that place of opportunity; as for asking her fellow ancient clan members for protection... she didn't analyze it carefully and directly dismissed the idea!

In summary, Gu Xun'er is currently in a dilemma, unable to have the best of both worlds.

"Brother Xiao Yan, what should Xun'er do?"

As her thoughts wandered, the girl's clear voice echoed softly in the empty room, as if carrying a hint of confusion.

Shaking her head, Gu Xun'er reached out and accepted the "Jade Balance Token" that floated in front of her.

Then, she got up from the embroidered bed, walked gracefully to the window, and looked towards the Central Region. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on her slender figure, gilding her with a layer of golden light and casting a delicate shadow in the room.

Leaning against the windowsill, Gu Xun'er held the "Jade Balance Token" in her hand, her red lips slightly parted as if she were speaking to the air, but her voice strangely traveled into the distance.

"Lord Yaoguang, please help me check on Young Master Xiao's condition."
-
Central Territory, Shengdan City.

After more than a month of excitement, the vast crowds surrounding the square finally dispersed as the Dan Conference came to a close.

Even so, the entire city was still enveloped in a vibrant atmosphere.

Unfortunately, the intensity of this alchemy gathering far exceeded everyone's expectations—powerful Dou Sheng experts frequently appeared, the younger generation of the two major alchemy groups clashed, and ninth-grade pills competed for supremacy.

Just thinking about these things is enough to get your blood pumping.

In previous alchemy competitions, more than ten eighth-grade alchemists who were qualified to win the championship appeared this time.

Even so, they were merely insignificant supporting characters at this Dan conference.

Not to mention, the re-establishment of a tower master after hundreds of years and the announcement of the Dou Qi Continent Strengthening Plan by the Dan Tower are two major events that will influence the future of the Dou Qi Continent.

Undoubtedly, the events at this Dan conference will shake the entire continent.

Night fell quietly over the vast city amidst the hustle and bustle, but the celebration of Saint Dan City began amidst bright lights.

The streets were bustling with people, and everyone's conversations revolved around the Pill Gathering. The most talked-about topic was naturally the champion of this year's Pill Gathering, the Pill Tower Master who was not yet thirty years old, a Dou Sheng powerhouse, and a ninth-grade Grandmaster!
Lin Yuan, this familiar name, is now completely imprinted in everyone's minds, and it won't be long before it resounds throughout the entire Central Plains.

At that time, he will be the most dazzling star in the Central Plains.

While the city was still in a state of euphoria, the contestants who had spent nearly a month refining pills were exhausted from the immense mental and physical exertion. After returning to their residences, they collapsed into bed like dead dogs.

Of course, Lin Yuan was not among these people—as the tower master of the Pill Tower, he still had some matters to attend to.

Eleven figures sat upright in the council hall at the top of the Dan Tower.

Upon closer inspection, it was indeed the newly appointed Tower Master Lin Yuan, the Grand Elder, the three leaders, and others—the eleventh seat of the Grand Elder Council, the highest decision-making body of the Pill Tower. "The Tower Master intends to repair the Pill Realm?" Grand Elder Lin stroked his beard, his expression somewhat grave.

"I am also heartbroken by the gradual desolation of the Pill Realm. I have tried to repair it, but in the end I was helpless. According to the Ancestor, the core of the Pill Realm has been damaged and must be rebuilt by a high-level Dou Sheng. Otherwise, it will be a futile effort."

"The only forces that possess high-level Dou Sheng (Battle Saint) power and do not conflict with our Pill Tower are the Ancient, Flame, and Thunder clans."

"However, given the alchemy skills and potential you have demonstrated, Tower Master, there is a chance to persuade them to take action. It's just that the price they're asking for is probably not a small one."

"We need to be mentally prepared for this in advance."

"Gama...it's alright!" Lin Yuan waved his hand, a smile playing on his lips. "At worst, I'll help them refine ninth-grade pills at an even lower price."

"Having more human interactions with ancient clans is a way to deepen relationships, and it's not a bad thing."

"If the Dan Tower wants to compete with the Medicine Clan, it needs to gain some support from these forces. After all, these ancient races possess the strongest power and the best resources... Cooperating with them more will be of great benefit to us!"

"These ancient races must also harbor some resentment towards the Medicine Clan's monopolistic pricing, and this presents an opportunity!"

"Anyway, I need to improve my alchemy skills, which requires a considerable amount of high-grade medicinal materials. Treating helping them refine medicine as a form of cultivation is not a bad idea."

"A win-win situation for both sides, which is also the style I like."

"Hehe!" Lin Yuan chuckled slightly, speaking in a half-joking, half-serious tone, "If I really owe them ninth-grade pills, and I ever encounter any danger in the future, they might be the first ones to come to my rescue, hehe..."

The Grand Elder was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled and said, "Haha, that's indeed the case! In that case, I will fully support this matter."

"Hmm!" Lin Yuan nodded, then looked at the others, "What about you all? Do you support this?"

"We support it!" The three leaders exchanged glances and said in unison.

"I support it!"

“The tower owner has considered everything carefully, and I have no objections.”

"I also support this matter, but the Tower Master will have to work hard afterwards... Restoring the Pill Realm is a huge project!"

"me too."

"If you need help, please let me know at any time."

And so, as everyone chimed in with their own opinions, the first thing Lin Yuan attempted to promote after becoming the Tower Master of the Pill Tower was unanimously approved.

Then, Lin Yuan looked at the three giants, pondered for a moment, and then slowly spoke.

"Although I have succeeded as the Tower Master of the Pill Tower, for a considerable period of time I will be focusing my main attention on cultivation and will not be involved in the management affairs of the Pill Tower... I ask the three presidents to continue to handle this matter!"

"The Dou Qi Continent Foundation Strengthening Project and the Pill Realm Restoration Project can be allocated some manpower and resources."

Xuan Kongzi exchanged a glance with Xuan Yi and Tian Leizi, then cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and solemnly said, "Tower Master, rest assured, these mundane matters can be left to the three of us. You can focus on your cultivation."

Seeing this, the other two also bowed to Lin Yuan in unison, saying, "Rest assured, Tower Master, we will certainly live up to your expectations!"

Lin Yuan secretly admired this posture.

The three leaders of the Dan Tower were indeed shrewd and intelligent people—in this relatively formal meeting setting, facing me, who was already the Tower Master, they not only did not act like elders, but instead showed the attitude of subordinates, intentionally helping me establish my authority.

This attitude relieved Lin Yuan of a lot of worries and made him decide to give the three of them some limited support, promising them a future as Battle Saints in his heart.

With his alchemy skills and resources, some things are no longer impossible.

After all, the three giants of the Pill Tower are already extremely talented and have accumulated enough experience. With the right resources, breaking through to the Dou Sheng realm is not too difficult.

With them as my base in Danta, I can save myself a lot of trouble later.

"You three are too kind. We're all on the same side, there's no need for such formalities!" Lin Yuan waved his sleeve, and the three giants straightened up. "I will be going out to take care of some business soon, and I will leave the affairs of the tower to you three."

"Yes!" The three nodded.

"By the way," Xuan Yi seemed to remember something and pondered, "Should we hold a formal ceremony for the succession to the Tower Master? The kind where people from all over the Dou Qi Continent are invited to attend!"

"Let me think about it... I think I'll pass!"

After a moment's thought, Lin Yuan waved his hand and rejected the proposal, saying, "Although it is in line with the trend, the Pill Gathering is already quite significant, and there is no need to hold another one."

Although such ceremonies are glamorous, he has a lot of important business to attend to recently and doesn't have that kind of leisure time.

Seeing this, Xuan Yi nodded and said no more.

She only mentioned it casually, and since the person in question didn't seem interested, there was no need to go to the trouble of doing so.

After discussing some matters that were neither too big nor too small, Elder Lin took the lead in getting up to return to the Little Pill Tower.

“Refining precious pills is no easy task; the Tower Master must have expended a great deal of energy. I think we should conclude our meeting here today and let the Tower Master go back and rest properly! Tower Master, you should also take some time to go there together…”

He paused, his expression turning serious, and said solemnly, "It wouldn't be good to keep that person waiting too long!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuan naturally understood that the Grand Elder was referring to meeting the Heavenly Pill Saint in the Heavenly Pill Stele space. So he nodded and set a date.

“Okay, let’s go together in half a month.”

Zi Yan has returned and successfully advanced to the Great Perfection of the Heavenly Realm, now possessing the power to overturn tables.

In that case, it's time for me to see the Heavenly Pill Saint again.

The founder of the Pill Tower was not only a former top expert but also the number one alchemist a thousand years ago. It would be a great pity if his wisdom and insight were buried... He should be allowed to make good use of his remaining energy and contribute to the development of alchemy.

Lin Yuan had many ideas about alchemy and needed a knowledgeable fellow Daoist to discuss them with.

But before that, he had some things to take care of.

To be more precise, it was to act in a play and kill someone!

(End of this chapter)