The Eternal Saint of Alchemy

Xiao Fan ascended the high platform, took out a bluish-gray jade slip from his sleeve, and held it high above his head.

"Esteemed seniors, my name is Xiao Fan."

He recounted everything about the Taiyin Pill Master, the Black Lotus Sealing Heaven Formation, the Nine Stone Towers, and the shattering of the seal on Qingyun Mountain.

At first, the audience was silent, but as they listened, whispers began to circulate. This caused an uproar throughout the hall.

"Young Master Xiao, the 'Taiyin Pill Master' and the 'Heaven-Sealing Array' you mentioned are both from ten thousand years ago. How do you know that beneath that black lotus lies a Taiyin Coffin? What evidence is there in that jade slip?"

Xiao Fan slowly said, "This is a good question. There are indeed words left by the Grandmaster of Pill Refining in the jade slip, but I cannot project my divine soul into it in front of so many people."

However, I can take you to see it—the seal on Luoxia Valley of Qingyun Mountain still exists, and the stone tower beneath the icy sea still stands. Seeing is believing.

Tie Yan put down the wine pot and said in a deep voice, "I've also heard of the Black Lotus Poison Mist; it was sent by your great-uncle. But I'm curious, you said there are nine pagodas in the world, are there any in the Western Regions as well?"

Xiao Fan took out a page from the Pill Tower and handed it to the disciple beside him: "Deep in the Black Sand Sea, there is a black stone tower with runes on its body exactly the same as those beneath the Ice Sea. Anyone who gets close will have their internal organs burning and will die within three days. This should be one of those towers."

Tie Yan's expression changed slightly: "It is said that there will be will-o'-the-wisps at night and strange winds during the day."

Granny Miao, who had been silent until now, slowly said, "Young man, I believe you. In some places in the Southern Frontier, there are also roots and stems of black lotus, but the scale is much smaller. I thought it was some kind of spiritual medicine, so I didn't pay any attention to it."

She paused, her cloudy eyes scanning her surroundings. "But I still have a question: after all this time, have you discovered who broke the seal?"

Xiao Fan shook his head and said, "We don't know yet. However, since this person was able to dig a seal underground in Qingyun Mountain and release ice silk poisonous mist, he is obviously very familiar with the Taiyin Dao. Perhaps there is someone here who is related to this matter."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent. Many people exchanged glances, their expressions varied.

Jiang Yuanji said at the opportune moment, "I invited you all here today in the hope that you can consider the overall situation. No matter what grudges you may have had in the past, once Taiyin Danzun is freed, it will be a disaster for everyone."

I suggested that we send someone to investigate the location of these nine pagodas, then reinforce the seal and see who is secretly breaking it.

A moment later, Tie Yan was the first to stand up: "Xiao boy, if you're going to the Black Sand Sea, I'll go with you."

Grandma Miao nodded: "However..."

She looked at Xiao Fan meaningfully, "During the investigation, pay attention to the people around you."

Xiao Fan's heart skipped a beat, and he nodded solemnly, saying, "I understand."

The meeting ended in the evening. People from all walks of life left; some explicitly expressed their willingness to join, others were vague, and some were simply there to watch the spectacle. Xiao Fan memorized everyone's face.

Three days later, the group finally determined their route to the west.

Tie Yan brought eight elite disciples from the Western Regions Fire Refining Sect. Each of them was burly and bare-chested, with a fiery red spirit pouch hanging from their waists. They were clearly not good people.

Granny Miao sent out two young Miao girls, A'duo and A'cai. Both girls were experts, skilled in using and detoxifying poisons.

Yin Beishan volunteered, saying that the Beihai Dan Palace also needed manpower this time, so he personally accompanied them; this was his idea.

Xiao Fan did not refuse. Yin Beishan was straightforward and strong, and his understanding of the Black Lotus was only slightly inferior to that of Yin Tianyuan.

Gu Yuan grumbled as he packed his things, while Yun Ruoxi stood quietly beside Xiao Fan.

Xiao Fan also called Han Fei over—don't let his usual carefree attitude fool you, he's quite reliable when it matters.

The night before his departure, Xiao Fan was checking his luggage when Grandma Miao suddenly appeared and walked in, leaning on her cane.

"Young man, did you take my words to heart during the day?" She went straight to the point as soon as she entered the room.

Xiao Fan asked her to sit down, and then asked, "Did Grandma say 'be careful of the people around you'?"

Granny Miao sat down, her black wooden cane resting across her lap: "How many people know about your jade slip, the black lotus, and the stone pagoda?"

Xiao Fan thought for a moment and said, "Tower Master, Elder Gu, Ruoxi, Han Fei, Palace Master Yin, Yin Beishan, Uncle, Elder Tieyan, Grandmother..."

Grandma Miao nodded and said, "Many people know about this."

A dark glint flashed in Xiao Fan's eyes. He had considered this possibility before.

Granny Miao patted him on the shoulder and said, "I'm not trying to scare you. I just want to remind you not to reveal your trump card. You should try to keep that jade slip hidden."

Xiao Fan clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Grandma."

"There's something else. This Miss Yun beside you, although her cultivation level isn't obvious, I can tell that her innate talent is extraordinary. Do you know where she comes from?"

Xiao Fan was taken aback: "Ruoxi... what happened to her?"

Grandma Miao smiled without saying a word, then, leaning on her cane, she swayed and left.

Xiao Fan stood by the door, watching her figure gradually disappear into the distance, feeling a strange mix of emotions.

He entered the room, where Yun Ruoxi was sitting on the edge of the bed folding her clothes. She looked up at him and asked, "What did she say?"

"It's nothing, just a reminder to be careful." Xiao Fan walked over, sat down next to her, and hesitated before speaking.

Yun Ruoxi looked at him, but didn't ask any questions. She simply folded the clothes and put them into his storage bag.

The next morning, the group gathered at the entrance of the Dan Tower.

Master Gu Yuan rode on a short donkey, with three or five warming talismans hanging on his body. He looked much better than when he was in the Northern Region.

Tie Yan rode a crimson fire-scaled horse, reeking of alcohol but full of energy.

Yin Beishan, dressed in a silver outfit with the Beihai Token hanging from his waist, remained calm. Han Fei, riding a yellow horse, looked around with great interest.

Xiao Fan and Yun Ruoxi walked side by side, followed closely by Miao girls A'duo and A'cai, and then by eight men from the Fire Refining Sect.

Jiang Yuanji stood at the door to see him off, waving to Xiao Fan without saying anything more.

Xiao Fan rode his horse forward a few steps, then looked back and saw the nine-story white jade pagoda, its spire gleaming faintly in the morning sunlight.

After saying that, he turned around and spurred his horse westward.

The further west you go, the more desolate the land becomes.

Beyond the Camel Bell Pass on the western border, the landscape turns into a sea of ​​green. Looking around, all you see is yellow earth and gravel, the wind and sand stinging your skin.