The Eternal Saint of Alchemy

Looking into his mother's sincere eyes, Xiao Fan could only nod in agreement, though somewhat reluctant.

"I promise I won't do anything reckless."

Su Wanqing finally felt relieved, and for the first time in eighteen years, she smiled from the bottom of her heart.

"Good boy. Come here, let me see your current cultivation level. Something's not right..." Su Wanqing grabbed his wrist, probing his pulse with a wisp of true essence. Her expression shifted from joy to shock. "How can your soul be so powerful? How is this possible?"

Xiao Fan scratched his head: "I accidentally mastered a mental cultivation technique."

Su Wanqing gave him a deep look, then suddenly laughed: "You're even more monstrous than your father was in his youth. He was already over thirty when he reached the Yang Realm, and you're only twenty? Not even twenty yet."

"You'll be twenty after the New Year."

Su Wanqing sighed, took out a thin booklet from her bosom, and handed it over: "I don't have much to give you, but this is my early work, 'Su's Notes on Alchemy,' which contains some of my original alchemy formulas and some insights. Perhaps it can help you."

Xiao Fan held it in both hands, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.

The two chatted for a long time, recounting everything from Xiao Fan's childhood to the events in Donglin City, the Dan Tower assessment, and the Zhao family's affairs.

As Su Wanqing listened, she alternated between laughing and crying. In the end, her face was filled with exhaustion, but she still refused to close her eyes.

Xiao Fan helped her to bed. "Mother, I'll come see you again tomorrow."

Su Wanqing pulled him along: "Fan'er, promise me one thing, and I'll help you."

"Please speak."

"No matter what the future holds, you must live well. Your father is gone, you are my only support."

Xiao Fan nodded and shook her hand: "I promise."

Emerging from the secret room, Xiao Fan leaned against the wall of the corridor and sighed deeply. This time, he was truly exhausted.

The mystery that had plagued them for eighteen years was finally largely solved at this moment. The mother survived, and the father was exonerated.

The real enemy, however, remains at large.

The second prince, Zhao Jun, raises assassins, practices evil magic, kidnaps people, and holds military power. If such a person is not eliminated, he will surely become a future threat.

Xiao Fan clenched his fists, feeling a surge of true energy coursing through his body.

A cultivation level of the fourth grade of the Yang Realm is ultimately somewhat lacking.

He must reach the peak of the Yang Realm, or even the Tribulation Realm, as soon as possible in order to truly face Zhao Jun.

"Xiao Fan." Master Gu Yuan approached. "The Tower Master wishes to see you."

Xiao Fan composed himself and followed behind Master Gu Yuan toward the ninth floor.

Jiang Yuanji remained seated on the futon, with the same pot of warm wine before him. However, he did not drink it this time. Instead, he held a secret report and frowned.

"Sir, what's going on?"

Jiang Yuanji looked up and handed over a secret report. "The Second Prince is mobilizing troops in Qingzhou, ostensibly to suppress bandits, but in reality… he's probably after us."

Xiao Fan quickly flipped through the secret report in his hand, and his expression became serious.

Qingzhou is only about 700 li away from the capital. If Zhao Jun really wants to make a move, his army will arrive in less than three days.

"Is Your Majesty aware of this matter?"

Jiang Yuanji said, "We have already sent someone to report the news, but His Majesty has instructed us to stabilize the situation first and not to act rashly. He is currently checking whether Zhao Jun's troop mobilization is legal. If it is legal, he has no reason to directly send troops to stop him."

"Are we just going to wait like this?"

Jiang Yuanji looked at Xiao Fan with a half-smile.

"What are you waiting for? Although the Second Prince has sent troops, this battle has been a slap in the face to Medicine King Valley and Pill Tower. Of course, we must retaliate in our own way."

"What's the solution?"

Jiang Yuanji took out a roll of yellow silk from under the futon and slowly unrolled it.

"Xiao Fan, the chief of the Pill Tower, has been ordered to lead the combined forces of the Pill Tower and Medicine King Valley to conquer Qingzhou and quell the rebellion."

Xiao Fan's eyes widened.

"Tower Master!"

"A secret edict," Jiang Yuanji said. "Zhao Jun used the pretext of bandit suppression to mobilize troops, and His Majesty went along with it, sending you to Qingzhou under the guise of bandit suppression to investigate this person. Under the banner of bandit suppression, he is actually here to sabotage him. Once you get to Qingzhou, you can investigate whatever you want."

Xiao Fan took the secret decree and looked at it over and over again.

This is a huge gamble.

If they win, Zhao Jun's reputation will be ruined, and she can avenge her mother.

If he loses, he might die in Qingzhou.

However, he did not hesitate, put away the secret decree, and cupped his hands in greeting to Jiang Yuanji.

"Xiao Fan obeys, Tower Master."

Three days later, Xiao Fan embarked on his journey to Qingzhou.

Accompanying them were elite guards from the two major forces, Danta and Medicine King Valley, led by Zhao Tieshan.

Upon learning that Xiao Fan was about to embark on a campaign, the old guard of the Xiao family rushed from Donglin City overnight, determined to follow him no matter what.

"Young Master, you saved Zhao Tieshan's life. Wherever you go, I will go!"

Xiao Fan responded.

The group exited the south gate of the capital. Su Wanqing stood on the city tower, gazing into the distance.

She didn't see him off, because she was afraid she would cry. Xiao Fan looked back at the city wall, silently waved, and rode away.

Han Fei sat on horseback, his expression solemn.

"Brother Xiao, this Second Prince has been operating in Qingzhou for many years and has a deep foundation. I don't think he's someone to be trifled with. This trip is likely to be fraught with danger."

"I know," Xiao Fan said, "but if we don't take advantage of the fact that his forces haven't fully assembled before it becomes much more difficult to deal with him."

Han Fei sighed and said nothing more.

Seven days later, the group arrived in Qingzhou.

Qingzhou, the second largest city in the Daqing Empire, is no smaller than the capital. Its towering city walls and bustling merchants create a vibrant and prosperous atmosphere. However, Xiao Fan noticed that the number of patrolling soldiers within the city was increasing, and the atmosphere was becoming tense.

At the city gate, a group of soldiers stopped them.

The leading officer glanced at Xiao Fan: "Who are you?"

Xiao Fan revealed his Pill Tower token and announced loudly, "Xiao Fan, Chief Pill Tower Leader, is here to inspect Qingzhou. I have an imperial edict with me."

The junior officer glanced at the imperial edict, his expression changed, and he quickly bowed, saying, "The Imperial Envoy has arrived! Please wait a moment, I will go and report to the Second Prince."

"No need," Xiao Fan interrupted him, saying, "I'll find a place to stay first, and then visit you another day."

The sheriff hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside.

Xiao Fan led his team into the city, booked an inn in the east of the city, arranged several guards, and then took Han Fei and Zhao Tieshan out to scout the situation.

Qingzhou was Zhao Jun's fiefdom, and most of the officials, merchants, and powerful figures in the court had intricate connections with him. Trying to find evidence against Zhao Jun here was like pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth.