The Eternal Saint of Alchemy

The convoy traveled south, passing through Beifeng Town and the northern wilderness, and was approaching the border of the Daqing Empire. Towns gradually increased along the way, the vegetation on both sides of the road turned from yellow to green, and the air became humid and warm.

Looking at the ever-changing scenery outside the window, Xiao Fan felt as if he were in another world.

Half a month later, Xiao Fan and his group finally arrived in the capital.

Red ribbons had already been hung on the top of the Pill Tower. Gu Yuan led a group of disciples to greet them, his eyes narrowed into slits.

Before Jiang Yuanji came down, Xiao Fan saw a small, thin figure standing in front of the window on the ninth floor, holding up a pot of wine towards him.

"Yes! Here he is!" Master Gu Yuan stepped forward, looked Xiao Fan up and down, and seeing that his complexion was rosy and his breathing was steady, he breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Not bad, his limbs are not broken, very good!"

Xiao Fan jumped off his horse, cupped his hands and smiled, "Elder Gu, I'm sorry to have worried you."

"Who cares about you! I'm just worried about your cauldron." Gu Yuan said this, but there was a hint of a smile in his eyes.

Xiao Fan briefly recounted his journey north. After listening, Master Gu Yuan's smile gradually turned into admiration. He said, "I never expected that old scoundrel Yin Tianyuan would actually let you live and even give you a Guest Elder Token. That's truly remarkable."

"It's not that scary," Xiao Fan said. "It's just that he's been stuck in a rut for the past few hundred years. Now that he's seen the legacy of the Grandmaster of Pill Refinement, he's actually much more relaxed."

Master Gu Yuan shook his head. "Alright, go in. The Tower Master has been waiting for you for several days."

Xiao Fan led Yun Ruoxi and Han Fei to the Pill Tower. Their first destination was Jiang Yuanji on the ninth floor.

Jiang Yuanji still looked like an old farmer, sitting cross-legged with two wine jars in front of him. When he saw Xiao Fan come in, he didn't get up, but waved his hand and said, "Sit down. Come and try my newly brewed peach blossom wine."

Xiao Fan sat down, took a sip of wine. The wine was mellow and slightly sweet. "Good wine."

Jiang Yuanji chuckled, then his smile faded, and he said seriously, "Let's get back to the main topic. Gu Yuan has already sent people back with news of the Ice Sea Ruins. You did a good job this time, neither turning against the North Sea Pill Palace nor failing to obtain the inheritance. It's much safer than I expected."

"Tower Master, don't you want to know what's inside the sacred relics of the Taixu Pill?"

Jiang Yuanji waved his hand dismissively: "This is your own good fortune, and I naturally won't be jealous. Since you're willing to share, then give it to me." He paused for a moment, "But I have another question for you—what do you plan to do with your father's remnant soul?"

Xiao Fan took out the Soul Pearl and placed it on the table.

The golden light was faint, yet steady, pulsating slightly.

"During this time, I plan to use the method given to me by Yin Tianyuan to nurture my remnant soul. Once it is stable, I will then find a suitable body."

Jiang Yuanji raised an eyebrow and said, "You want to resurrect your father?"

Xiao Fan said, "I am willing to give everything, even if I am left with only a wisp of my soul, as long as I can call my name one more time."

Jiang Yuanji pondered for a moment, then patted Yang Kai on the shoulder: "Kid, you're lucky. That day, he couldn't wait, but you came. Do whatever you want; all the resources of the Pill Tower are yours."

Xiao Fan felt a warmth in his heart and nodded repeatedly.

Three days later, Xiao Fan, along with his mother Su Wanqing, his wife Yun Ruoxi, Han Fei, Zhao Tieshan, and others, headed to Donglin City.

Before departing, Jiang Yuanji and a group of Pill Tower disciples saw him off at the gate. Gu Yuan handed a large wooden box to Xiao Fan: "This is a congratulatory gift from the Tower Master to your grandfather. Give it to him when you get back. Be careful."

Xiao Fan held the wooden box in his hands; it was heavy, and he had no idea what was inside. He bowed to Jiang Yuanji and said, "Tower Master, I will return to the capital after I have settled matters at home."

Jiang Yuanji waved his hand dismissively: "You can spend more time with your grandfather, and you can spend more time with your mother. The gates of the Pill Tower are always open for you."

Xiao Fan mounted his warhorse, took one last look at the nine-story white jade pagoda, then turned around and galloped off towards Donglin City.

Donglin City today is many times more prosperous than when Xiao Fan left.

The archway in front of the city gate has been renovated, and the number of shops on both sides has nearly doubled, making it a lively place with people coming and going.

The signboard of Fanchen Danfang stretches from one end of the street to the other, and there are three stores in total, each more impressive than the last.

No one knows how that fat Fan Jian found out, but he and a group of guards were already waiting at the city gate. From afar, he saw Xiao Fan's convoy and shouted, "Young Master! Young Master is back!"

Its chubby face jiggled as it ran over like a ball.

When he rushed to Xiao Fan, he hugged his horse tightly and burst into tears, crying, "Young Master, you're finally back! Fan Jian missed you so much! While you were gone, I ran three shops all by myself and lost over twenty pounds!"

Xiao Fan lowered his head, looking at the face that was even rounder than before he left, and said calmly, "You've lost more than twenty pounds? You seem to have gained weight again."

Fan Jian wiped his face and said matter-of-factly, "I'm just exhausted!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Amidst laughter, a carriage drove into the city. The curtain was lifted, revealing Xiao Zhankui's wrinkled but vigorous old face.

The old man jumped off the carriage, walked quickly to Xiao Fan's side, stared at him for a long time, and then punched him in the chest.

"Goodness! He's not missing any limbs, and he's even gained weight!"

Xiao Fan took a step back, grinned, and said, "Grandpa, your fists are as hard as ever."

Xiao Zhankui chuckled softly, shifting his gaze from Xiao Fan to Su Wanqing, his expression immediately softening.

He walked up to her, looked at the daughter-in-law he had rescued at Guanlan Garden, opened his mouth, and said, "It's good that you're back. Let's go, let's go have dinner."

With tears in her eyes, Su Wanqing nodded and helped Xiao Zhankui into the carriage.

In Donglin City, Xiao Fan strolled along, leading a horse. People on both sides of the street stopped, and those who recognized him exclaimed, "Young Master Xiao is back! Young Master Xiao, the one who kidnapped the Second Prince!"

"I heard that this guy actually went to the Northern Region to have tea with the Palace Master of the North Sea Pill Palace!"

"What nonsense are you talking about? They participated in the Alchemy Tournament and even won first place!"

As Xiao Fan listened to the crowd's discussion, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up.

He turned to look at Yun Ruoxi, who was riding a white horse with the jade hairpin he had given her in her hair. The sunlight shone on her face, making her radiate a faint golden glow.

"What are you looking at?" Noticing his gaze, she turned her head and asked.

Xiao Fan laughed heartily: "Look how beautiful my wife is."