The Eternal Saint of Alchemy

The two walked side by side into the Xiao family's back garden. The spring sunshine shone on the bluestone path, making it feel warm and cozy.

"What are your plans for the future?" Yun Ruoxi asked.

Xiao Fan said, "Finish what you're doing first, then go to the capital to participate in the Pill Tower Examination."

"Are you leaving?" Yun Ruoxi stopped in her tracks.

"Mm." Xiao Fan glanced at her. "I'll marry you when I return from the capital."

Yun Ruoxi blushed and glared at him fiercely: "I don't want to marry you!"

Xiao Fan smiled and said, "There's nothing we can do about it; your father has already agreed."

"My father?" Yun Ruoxi looked at him in confusion.

"A few days ago, I went to the Yun family to discuss the alliance, and I mentioned it inadvertently. Uncle Yun said that if I can achieve good results in the Pill Tower assessment, he will marry you to me and let me take you as my wife."

Yun Ruoxi stomped her feet in anger, "Xiao Fan, you bastard! How could you say such things to my father behind my back!"

Xiao Fan laughed loudly, then turned and ran.

"Don't run!" Yun Ruoxi chased after them, and the two of them left the courtyard laughing and joking.

It was three days later when Xiao Fan escorted Han Fei back to the capital.

At this moment, Han Fei's injuries had almost fully healed, but his spirit was still somewhat weak. However, he was already able to walk on his own.

"Brother Xiao, are you really not coming with me?" Han Fei stood in front of the carriage, looking unwilling.

"I have other things to do." Xiao Fan patted his shoulder and said, "You should go back first. I'll be coming to the capital in half a month, and I'll come to find you then."

"good!"

Han Fei sat in the carriage, and the carriage drove further and further away.

Xiao Fan turned around, returned to the Xiao family, and headed straight for the alchemy room.

He needed to make the final preparations.

First, improve his cultivation level.

A first-grade Yin Realm expert is considered a top-tier expert in Donglin City, but in the capital, they are nothing.

He heard that a large number of geniuses from both the Yin and Yang realms would be participating in this year's Pill Tower assessment, so he had to improve his strength as soon as possible.

Next was alchemy. He planned to refine some high-level pills before leaving, partly for his own use, and partly as a "stepping stone" to establish himself in the capital.

There's also the Qiankun Creation Cauldron. Although the cracks caused by its clash with the Soul-Devouring Beast have healed considerably, they haven't fully healed. To nurture this cauldron, some special materials are needed.

Just then, Fan Jian ran in from outside.

"Young Master! People from Baicaotang have arrived. They say they've sent someone from Medicine King Valley to see you!"

Medicine King Valley?

A cold light flashed in Xiao Fan's eyes.

Finally, someone arrived at Sun Xingzhou's side.

He stood up, straightened his robes, and strode outside.

Inside the main hall, a middle-aged man in a blue robe was sitting at a guest table, sipping tea. He had a lean face and a refined air about him, unlike someone from Medicine King Valley, who seemed more like a schoolteacher.

Upon seeing Xiao Fan enter, the middle-aged man placed his teacup on the table, stood up, clasped his hands in greeting, and said...

"Young Master Xiao, my name is Su Qinghe, and I am an inner sect elder of Medicine King Valley. Excuse me for disturbing you."

Xiao Fan looked at him, somewhat surprised.

This person's cultivation level was at least at the Yang Realm or above, and there was a faint medicinal fragrance emanating from his body, indicating that he had considerable skill in alchemy.

"Elder Su, there's no need for such formalities. May I ask what brings you here today?"

Su Qinghe smiled slightly and said, "Since Young Master Xiao is so straightforward, then I will not beat around the bush. Sun Xingzhou stole the secret medicine from the valley and has been expelled from the Medicine King Valley. As for what grudge Young Master Xiao has with him, the Valley Master has already investigated and found out that it was Sun Xingzhou's own doing and has nothing to do with Medicine King Valley."

"So?" Xiao Fan raised an eyebrow.

"Therefore, I hope Young Master Xiao will be lenient and not take his anger out on Medicine King Valley." Su Qinghe took out a gift list from his sleeve. "This is just a small gift, nothing more. I hope Young Master Xiao will accept it."

Xiao Fan glanced at the gift, and even with his experience, his eyelids twitched.

Three Grade 4 pills, five Grade 4 spiritual herbs, one Grade 4 pill formula, and ten thousand taels of silver.

Medicine King Valley has really gone all out this time.

Su Qinghe said sincerely, "The Valley Master's intention is not to be an enemy of Young Master Xiao. On the contrary, Medicine King Valley is very willing to befriend Young Master Xiao. If Young Master Xiao is willing, the two of us can cooperate. Medicine King Valley will sell all the pills in the Mortal World Pill Shop, and the profits will be split 50/50."

Xiao Fan thought for a moment and nodded.

"Yes. But there are two points."

"Young Master Xiao, please speak freely."

"First, Sun Xingzhou will be handed over to the Xiao family. Second, I need a complete supply chain for the medicinal herbs of Medicine King Valley."

Su Qinghe readily agreed: "No problem. Sun Xingzhou will deliver it to the Xiao family in three days. I'll have someone compile the information on the medicinal herb procurement channels right away."

Xiao Fan stretched out his hand: "Then I won't be polite."

Su Qinghe shook hands with him and said with a smile, "Thank you."

After seeing Su Qinghe off, Xiao Fan stood at the entrance of the hall, looked at the white clouds in the sky, and let out a long breath.

In this way, the Medicine King Valley connection was stabilized.

Now, it's time to head to the capital.

In the three days leading up to his departure, Xiao Fan did everything he could.

He left the Xiao family guards over a dozen bottles of Meridian Tempering Powder and Qi Cultivation Pills, enough to last the mortal pill shops for three months. Zhao Tieshan had already reached the fifth rank of the Spirit Realm, and under Yun Tianxiao's protection, no one in Donglin City would dare to provoke the Xiao family.

In the study, Xiao Zhankui sat in a grand chair, his eyes slightly red as he looked at his grandson.

"Fan'er, you must be careful in the capital. The Pill Tower is a place where hidden talents abound, unlike our Donglin City."

"Don't worry, Grandpa." Xiao Fan knelt down with a thud, kowtowed three times, and said, "Grandson will be back soon. After I pass the Pill Tower, I will come to take you to the capital to enjoy a life of luxury."

Xiao Zhankui laughed heartily: "I'm too old for that. I might as well stay in Donglin City. With the Xiao family backing me up, you can go ahead and make your own way."

As the grandfather and grandson chatted, Xiao Fan took his leave.

Just as he reached the door, Xiao Zhankui called him back.

"Fan'er".

"Um?"

"Back then, the place where your father, Xiao Yuanshan, had his accident was in the capital." The old man's voice was hoarse. "I don't know who he offended, but I always felt that there was more to the story."

Xiao Fan stopped.

The original owner had few memories of his father, Xiao Yuanshan, only knowing that he was a rare genius who appeared only once in a hundred years in the Xiao family. He broke through to the Yang Realm before he was thirty years old, and then went to the capital to make his way in the world, eventually dying and disappearing.

The Xiao family kept the matter a closely guarded secret, and no one dared to mention it again.

"Grandpa, do you know who killed him?"

Xiao Zhankui shook his head: "I don't know about that. However, what I want to say is that if you go to the capital, you might have the chance to investigate. I just want to seek justice for Yuanshan."

Xiao Fan nodded and said, "I understand."