A towering mountain, entirely iron-gray, resembling a meteorite, stood amidst the forest sea. At the peak, clouds and mist drifted, and sparse pavilions and buildings could vaguely be seen scattered across various parts of the mountain.
Bai He soared and circled above the buildings, emitting clear cries.
Within the largest building on Meteorite Mountain, a young Dou Ancestor expert respectfully but not humbly bowed to an elder sitting in a chair:
"This Medicine Ceremony will determine the continent's number one Alchemist. The winner will receive a cultivation technique, the cultivation technique practiced by Tuo She Ancient Emperor.
"The person who provided this technique wishes to invite the most capable Alchemist to refine a pill for them. The reward will be an Exotic Flame, the Living Spirit Flame, which all Alchemists dream of!
"Since the invitation has been delivered, I shall not disturb you further. I look forward to your presence."
The young Dou Ancestor left the hall, leaving Yao Chen alone, staring blankly at the invitation in his hand.
"Medicine Ceremony…"
Yao Chen's eyes flickered, and a complex emotion arose in his heart.
Of course, Yao Chen had great interest in the cultivation technique practiced by the legendary last Dou Emperor, and the Living Spirit Flame was something he yearned for and Xiao Yan needed.
Finally, and most importantly, he wanted to engrave the names of his parents on the ancestral tablet of the Yao Clan!
The Yao Clan has an ancestral tablet, and only those who achieve great accomplishments within the clan can leave their names on it. This is the lifelong goal of many Yao Clan members.
Yao Chen was born into the Yao Clan. Both his parents passed away when he was young, and leaving their names on the ancestral tablet was their expectation for Yao Chen, and also their dying wish.
"It seems I must go to this Medicine Ceremony," Yao Chen put down the invitation, his eyes gradually becoming firm.
"With your current ability, it might be difficult to win at the Medicine Ceremony," a voice sounded in the hall.
"Who?" Yao Chen's expression suddenly turned grave.
Until the other party spoke, he hadn't even detected their location. How terrifying was this concealment ability?
The void in front of him shattered piece by piece, revealing a pitch-black space, and a figure in black robes walked out of the void.
The newcomer was tall and walked with a powerful, confident stride, giving off a feeling of boldness and grandeur.
The black-robed man glanced at Yao Chen and chuckled, "Four-Star Dou Saint at the initial stage, Heaven Realm mid-stage soul. Looking at the entire continent, you are indeed among the top ranks, but to win at such a grand event, you're still a bit short."
"Who are you, sir?" Yao Chen raised an eyebrow, his eyes filled with vigilance.
The mysterious person did not answer immediately, but instead asked, "Do you still remember that you owe someone a chance to refine a pill? That person gave you this body, gave you pills, and also helped you during your resurrection."
Upon hearing the other party speak in such detail about something that should only be known by him, Xiao Yan, and the senior who helped him, Yao Chen believed that the mysterious person in front of him was related to that senior. The vigilance in his eyes lessened greatly, and his voice softened:
"What is your relationship with that senior?"
The mysterious person in black robes sighed and said with a complex tone, "That was an ancestor of my clan… He passed away not long ago."
"Ah? This…" Yao Chen was startled, looking very surprised, then softly said, "My condolences."
"Do you acknowledge that agreement from back then, or not? This is also the ancestor's dying wish," the mysterious person said.
Yao Chen immediately stated his attitude: "How could Yao Chen not acknowledge such a great kindness? However, empty words are without proof. Although you have recounted the events of that time, which should have been a secret, your ability to speak of it indicates a certain credibility, and I am inclined to believe you.
"I am willing to refine a pill for you… but this is no small matter. Is it not inappropriate for you to be so secretive, sir?
"At least reveal your true identity. If I later discover you were deceiving me, at least I'll know who to settle accounts with."
The black-robed man nodded: "A reasonable request, but you must keep my identity secret, and also keep our dealings secret. No one is to be told, including your disciple."
Yao Chen showed a flicker of doubt, but still nodded: "Alright."
Some people do not want others to know about the pills they refine, and requesting Concealment is not uncommon. Yao Chen had encountered it before. Keeping a customer's secrets is also a professional ethic for Alchemists.
The black-robed man removed his hood and dispelled the Dou Qi that had always enveloped it, revealing his true face.
Yao Chen's eyes widened, looking incredulous: "Clan Leader Xiao… Clan Leader Xiao?"
"Hahaha, Elder Yao, long time no see. Thank you for taking care of Xiao Yan all these years," Xiao Zhan laughed heartily.
Yao Chen was still unable to process it for a while. He and Xiao Yan had long speculated about the identity of that senior; it could have been someone from the Xiao Clan or Xiao Meng's clan, but he never expected the person now asking him to fulfill the agreement to be Xiao Zhan!
"Clan Leader Xiao, how could it be you?" Yao Chen's voice clearly showed his surprise.
He remembered very clearly that Xiao Zhan was just a Dou Grandmaster back then, and the entire Xiao Family was pushed to the brink by an insignificant Alchemist like Liu Xi!
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He truly found it difficult to connect the powerful expert in front of him, whose depth he couldn't discern and whom even his current Four-Star Dou Saint self was wary of, with that Xiao Family Clan Leader!
"Haha, are you surprised? To be honest, I'm also quite surprised that you and I would formally meet under such circumstances."
"Back then, I had also admired Xiao Yan's mysterious teacher for a long time…" Xiao Zhan did not speak these words to maintain his identity.
"The Xiao of the Xiao Family is the Xiao of the Xiao Clan, one of the Ancient Eight Clans. Under these circumstances, there's no need to be too surprised to see me," Xiao Zhan said indifferently.
"Now that you know my true identity, can we discuss the pill refining matter?"
"Yes, of course!" Yao Chen was also very enthusiastic.
After a slight pause, he asked with some confusion:
"Since Clan Leader Xiao possesses such strength, then the Xiao Family should be safe and sound. I just don't know why you haven't told Xiao Yan about this?"
Xiao Zhan's eyes flickered, and he said with a complex tone, "That child has suffered, but he needs some motivation. My Xiao Clan's preparations for a thousand years have all been placed on him…
"To become a strong person, how can one not experience some hardships? Bearing my expectations, and the expectations of my clan, his burden as the Young Clan Leader is not small."
Yao Chen understood in his heart, realizing that Xiao Zhan was concealing the truth to temper Xiao Yan's mind and help him grow faster.
A bitter smile involuntarily appeared on his face: "But you are too… too…"
"Too cruel?" Xiao Zhan took over the conversation, shaking his head slightly: "I don't want to be like this either, but time waits for no one. For the revival of the Xiao Clan, the ancestor even disregarded his life. We, the descendants, cannot be useless!"