Chapter 177: The Return of a Soul Hall Member

When Yun Shan heard Gu He’s words, he was momentarily taken aback, but soon understood and laughed. “Could it be, Elder Gu He, that you’ve broken through to become a sixth-tier alchemist?”

Gu He glanced subtly at Yun Yun, a touch of pride in his voice. “I just broke through to sixth-tier last month.”

“Hahaha! It seems from now on, we’ll have to address Elder Gu He as the Pill Emperor.” Yun Shan laughed heartily. Gu He becoming a sixth-tier alchemist was a tremendous event. Fifth-tier pills were almost useless for a Dou Sect-level expert like Yun Shan, but sixth-tier pills were not only effective for Dou Emperor experts; even Dou Sect-level powerhouses found them exceptionally useful. Once he gathered the necessary medicinal ingredients, he planned to ask Gu He to refine some pills for him—perhaps he might then break through to a two-star Dou Sect.

Yun Yun’s beautiful eyes flashed with delight upon hearing Gu He’s words. Gu He was a guest elder of the Misty Cloud Sect, and his breakthrough to a sixth-tier alchemist was a grand blessing for the sect.

Noticing Yun Yun’s gaze, Gu He’s face lit up with a smile. He had always harbored admiration for Yun Yun, which was the main reason he was willing to become a guest elder of the Misty Cloud Sect. Originally, Gu He thought it would take one or two more years to break through, but his rapid progress was, in no small part, due to the provocation from Xiao Xie. The relationship between Xiao Xie and Yun Yun had always been ambiguous.

Gu He, who always kept a close eye on Yun Yun, was, of course, aware of this. At that time, he had only been a fifth-tier alchemist, as was Xiao Xie. But between a young fifth-tier alchemist and a middle-aged one, Xiao Xie was clearly superior. Determined to surpass him, Gu He devoted himself to cultivation, finally breaking through to the sixth tier ahead of schedule. The gap between a fifth- and a sixth-tier alchemist was immense; while there were still several fifth-tier alchemists in the entire Jia Ma Empire, none had reached the sixth tier. One could imagine the rarity.

Now, as a sixth-tier alchemist, Gu He felt considerably more confident before Yun Yun. The difference between the two levels was vast; a sixth-tier alchemist had a certain degree of influence across the entire Dou Qi Continent. Though Xiao Xie was young, he was ultimately still a fifth-tier alchemist, and compared to Gu He, there remained a gap. “Let’s see how you compete with me for Yun Yun,” Gu He thought with no small amount of satisfaction.

Xiao Xie glanced at Yun Yun beside him and shook his head helplessly. Now he understood the reason behind Gu He’s hostility: it was simply the natural reaction of a man encountering a rival in love.

However, Gu He had no hope of stepping over Xiao Xie in this competition, for Xiao Xie would not indulge him. Xiao Xie took out two bottles of pills, placed one in Yun Yun’s hand, and said, “Yun Yun, this is a Sovereign Extreme Pill I specially refined for you.”

“Thank you.” Yun Yun was slightly startled by Xiao Xie’s words. She had naturally heard of the Sovereign Extreme Pill, but what delighted her most was that Xiao Xie had said this one was made especially for her.

“There’s no need for such formalities between us.” Xiao Xie gently took Yun Yun’s delicate hand, smiling softly.

Yun Yun was in high spirits and made no move to withdraw her hand, letting Xiao Xie hold it as he pleased.

Seeing Yun Yun display such a gentle manner, Gu He’s eyes all but blazed with jealousy. Yun Yun had never shown this side of herself before him, and here this fellow was, boldly holding her hand. Over all these years, Gu He hadn’t even touched her fingertips. Were it not for Xiao Xie’s inhuman strength, he would have rushed forward and slapped him several times.

The Sovereign Extreme Pill was a top-tier sixth-grade pill, and at present, Gu He could not guarantee he could refine one himself. His face flushed hot with shame. “Was I just showing off?” he thought bitterly. Who could have guessed that Xiao Xie would immediately produce a Sovereign Extreme Pill and deliberately emphasize it was especially refined for Yun Yun? Wasn’t that a naked slap in the face?

“Xiao Xie, I’m here as well. Congratulations on breaking through to a sixth-tier alchemist,” Yun Shan said, watching Yun Yun’s girlish demeanor, momentarily taken aback, before turning to Xiao Xie with a smile.

Yun Shan was more than happy to see Xiao Xie and Yun Yun together. He had already been quite pleased when he learned Xiao Xie’s strength had reached the Dou Sect level; now, hearing he was a sixth-tier alchemist, he was even more delighted. Yun Yun was his disciple, whom he had raised himself—though master and disciple, their bond was like that of father and daughter. Naturally, he wanted the very best husband for Yun Yun.

Xiao Xie did not bother to correct Yun Shan’s assumption. Though he was already a seventh-tier alchemist, he had yet to refine a seventh-tier pill due to a lack of ingredients. In any case, the Sovereign Extreme Pill was enough to silence Gu He for now.

“This is a sixth-tier Barrier-Breaking Pill, for you. It should help you break through to a two-star Dou Sect.” Xiao Xie handed the other bottle to Yun Shan.

“So I get a share as well—thanks to Yun’er! Good, good!” Yun Shan accepted the bottle, beaming, more and more satisfied with Xiao Xie, looking at him as if he were already his son-in-law. In truth, he hoped Xiao Xie and Yun Yun would come together sooner rather than later; it would be even better if their relationship could be sealed before long.

In another corner of the hall, a graceful figure watched Xiao Xie chatting and laughing with Yun Shan and the others, her beautiful eyes flickering with complex emotions. Years ago, she and Ge Ye had gone to the Xiao family to break off an engagement, only to be forcefully driven out by Xiao Xie. Since then, the memory of that domineering figure had often flashed through her mind. Now, Xiao Xie stood high above, while she remained merely the young mistress of the Misty Cloud Sect.

Nalan Yanran looked at Xiao Xie’s back and quietly averted her gaze. They were destined to belong to different worlds. Xiao Xie would surely shake the very heavens of the Dou Qi Continent in the future, while she could only remain tucked away in a corner of the Jia Ma Empire. That bold figure—she could only hide it forever in her heart.

Yun Shan put away the Barrier-Breaking Pill, his expression turning grave as he said to Xiao Xie, “There’s something I must tell you. Half a month ago, a man in black robes came to me, hoping to ally with our Misty Cloud Sect against the Xiao family. His strength matches my own.”

“Is he from the Soul Hall?” Xiao Xie murmured, recalling that the Soul Hall’s last agent in the Jia Ma Empire had been slain by his hand. It seemed they had now sent another Dou Sect-level figure. Their attempt to ally with the Misty Cloud Sect was likely a move to avoid detection by the ancient clans, joining forces with the strongest power in the Jia Ma Empire.

If not for Xiao Xie, Yun Shan would probably have allied with the Soul Hall as in the original story. But now, with Xiao Xie’s strength and potential alone, he earned Yun Shan’s respect—and then there was Xiao Xie’s extraordinary relationship with Yun Yun. Yun Shan wasn’t foolish enough to join outsiders against his own people.

A sinister laugh suddenly echoed through the hall. “Heh heh heh, Yun Shan, you dare betray me? It seems your Misty Cloud Sect has no reason to exist any longer!” A swirl of black mist shot in from outside, dispersing to reveal a figure clad head-to-toe in black robes.

“That’s him,” Yun Shan said to Xiao Xie, recognizing the intruder.

“All of you Soul Hall people love hiding behind masks, don’t you?” Xiao Xie sneered at the black-robed figure.

“So you know of the Soul Hall? And your cultivation... You’re a three-star Dou Sect? Impossible!” The black-robed man was shocked after sensing Xiao Xie’s aura. Such a young three-star Dou Sect—there wasn’t even such a prodigy among the Soul Clan! “You cannot be allowed to live. Otherwise, you’ll become a grave threat to the Soul Hall!”

Xiao Xie nonchalantly dug at his ear and mused, “That line sounds so familiar. Oh right, another man in black said the same thing last time—he’s dead now.”

“You killed Hun Qian?!” The black-clad man was enraged and astonished. The last Soul Hall agent stationed at the Misty Cloud Sect had vanished, which was why he’d been sent. Since Hun Qian’s soul hadn’t returned to the Soul Hall, they’d suspected something had happened to him, with their greatest suspicion falling on the ancient clans. This time, his mission was not only to find the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor’s Jade guarded by the Xiao family, but also to discover Hun Qian’s fate. Who would have thought he’d now hear from Xiao Xie himself that Hun Qian had been slain—Hun Qian, a seven-star Dou Sect, while Xiao Xie was only a three-star.