The Eternal Saint of Alchemy

Xiao Fan stared at the painting, lost in thought for a long time.

In the southeast of the Daqing Empire, deep in the mountains and forests of the southern border, on a small island in the East China Sea.

What surprised him most was the last phantom, which was located in the southernmost part of the continent, a place that had never been marked on the map.

The phantom was dimmer than the others, but also much larger, like a quietly beating heart.

After putting away the jade slip, Xiao Fan sat on the roof for a long time.

The night wind blew through the Camel Bell Pass, carrying sand and gravel from the distant desert, sweeping in from afar and rustling against the roof tiles.

Yun Ruoxi appeared beside him at some point and sat down next to him.

She asked, "What did you discover?"

Xiao Fan put away the jade slip and said, "I found a map. However, the locations of seven towers have not yet been determined, and we need to send someone to check the data. Also, the one in the far south... seems a little different."

"What's different?"

"I don't know." Xiao Fan looked up at the sky. "I just feel like there's something pressing down on it, heavier than the other eight mountains combined."

He thought for a moment, then reached out and took his hand: "You always carry everything on your shoulders."

Xiao Fan glanced at her sideways. In the moonlight, her profile was beautiful, and her eyes were calm.

He suddenly felt that as long as she was by his side, the invisible pressure would be relieved.

He smiled and said, "Let's take it one step at a time."

After resting for three days at Camel Bell Pass, the westward-bound groups returned home.

Tie Yan returned to the Fire Refining Sect with several disciples, saying he wanted to look for clues in the old records.

Aduo and Cainan returned to the southern border to report; Yin Beishan was going to the northern region to report the news of his trip to the western region to Yin Tianyuan.

Xiao Fan, Yun Ruoxi, Gu Yuan, and Han Fei headed east towards the Imperial Capital, Dan Tower.

The way back was much easier than the way there.

Master Gu Yuan drank alcohol the whole way, and when he got drunk, he would sit on the donkey's back and talk about his travels around the world when he was young.

Along the way, Han Fei told Yun Ruoxi all sorts of jokes. Although most of them were lame jokes, Yun Ruoxi's lips would occasionally curl into a smile.

Xiao Fan rode at the head of the group, his mind constantly drawing up a star map. Determining the positions of the seven illusory figures required extensive recording and map comparison.

When he returned to Danta, more than half a month had passed.

Jiang Yuanji, holding the letter, waited personally at the tower entrance, his expression somewhat grim. He said, "This letter is from the East Sea Pill Pavilion."

Xiao Fan took the letter, opened it, and his brows gradually furrowed.

The letter stated that a strange thing had recently happened on Bibo Island, which was under the jurisdiction of Donghai Dange: a large number of black roots were growing on the beach, which looked like a black lotus flower, but no flowers bloomed.

Fishermen who get close to the fishermen develop high fevers, and three have already died.

Liu Ruyan personally went to the island to investigate and found a crack in the center of the island. Cold air was constantly emanating from the crack, which was very similar to the ice silk poison gas that Xiao Fan had mentioned.

The letter ended with: "I suspect there is another sealing tower here, but the crack is too small for us to enter. If Young Master Xiao has the time, please come and take a look as soon as possible."

After reading the letter, Xiao Fan handed it to Jiang Yuanji and said, "The tower in the East Sea has also run into some problems."

Jiang Yuanji glanced at it and said in a deep voice, "I know about Bibo Island. More than a hundred years ago, this was just a barren reef. I didn't expect there to be something underneath."

Xiao Fan calculated the time; the distance between Donghai Dange and the capital would take approximately twelve days at full speed.

He looked at Yun Ruoxi, who had already gone into her room and started tidying up her things.

Gu Yuan took a sip of wine, wiped his lips, and said, "Old Tower Master, couldn't you have let him go alone? I just got back, and I haven't even had a chance to sit down properly."

Jiang Yuanji glared at him: "If you don't go, who will help Xiao boy? I'm counting on your talisman skills."

Gu Yuan yelled, threw the wine jug on the ground, and went to carry his luggage while cursing.

Before leaving, Xiao Fan returned to Donglin City. This time, his departure was hasty, and he only caught a glimpse of Xiao Zhankui.

The old man was practicing his martial arts in the backyard. When he heard that he was going on a long trip, he stopped and wiped his face with a towel: "Donghai is damp and cold. Don't catch a cold."

Xiao Fan smiled and bowed to his grandfather, saying, "Take care, Grandpa."

Xiao Zhankui waved his hand and threw another punch.

The next morning, Xiao Fan, Yun Ruoxi, Gu Yuan, and Han Fei continued their journey.

This time, however, they headed east, crossing the heart of the prosperous Daqing Empire and heading straight into the East China Sea.

The willow trees by the roadside have just sprouted tender buds, and the spring breeze is gentle and warm.

Xiao Fan reined in his horse and stood atop a hill, gazing westward.

He thought of the crack in the black tower, the fleeting black flame, and the huge, dim shadow in the southernmost part of the jade slip star map.

He had a feeling, deep down, that this was just the beginning.

On Bibo Island in the East China Sea, there stands a pagoda, waiting for them to unravel its mysteries.

The sound of horses' hooves rang out, and four figures headed east along the official road, soon disappearing from sight.

Heading east, spring is gradually intensifying.

Leaving the eastern part of the Daqing Empire, the official road turned into a gravel road, and we traveled along the coastline.

A salty sea breeze blows, the shore is covered with reeds, and the distant sea shimmers with silver light under the sun.

Master Gu Yuan, sitting on the donkey's back, took a deep breath and said, "This fishy smell reminds me of the salted fish I ate when I was a guest at the East Sea Pill Pavilion. The taste..."

"Really?" Han Fei asked.

"It stinks!" Gu Yuan waved his hand.

A burst of laughter erupted from the crowd.

Xiao Fan gazed at the horizon where the sea met the sky, lost in thought. He could already sense a faint chill emanating from the sea, much like the icy poisonous mist within the Sunset Valley of Qingyun Mountain, only far less intense.

Yun Ruoxi rode closer to him and asked, "Did you sense anything?"

Xiao Fan nodded and said, "The closer you get to the sea, the more obvious this becomes. This icy aura is milder than that of the Northern Ice Sea, but its penetrating power is much stronger. It seems to be slowly seeping out from the depths of the ocean."

On the twelfth day at dusk, the group finally arrived at the East Sea Dan Pavilion.

Donghai Dange is built against the mountain, with white walls and green tiles, and the pavilions are scattered. Wind chimes hang from the eaves, making a tinkling sound when the sea breeze blows.

Several wooden boats were moored in the square in front of the pavilion, their masts adorned with colorful banners.