Time slipped away. At this time, Yao Chen had stayed in Holy Pill City for three years.
In the outer region of Holy Pill City in an auction house…
“Look, it’s Yao Chen!”
“The alchemist big brother of Feng Xian who trained him? How young!”
“Right it’s him! Originally that Feng Xian’s talent was just average, but with his medicinal pills and skills he nurtured Feng Xian into a peerless talent. But what’s most frightening is that no matter who or how you examine Feng Xian, it’s impossible to tell that his body’s potential has been raised by medicinal pills.”
“How is that possible? Medicinal pills do benefit cultivation, but talent is another matter! You can’t confuse one with the other.”
“Haha, are you new to Pill City? This Yao Chen has a medicinal bath technique that can actually raise one’s talent! It might not be a miracle, but with it, you have a sixty percent chance of advancing past your level!”
“Just look at Feng Xian. Back when he was a seven star Da Dou Shi he was able to fight on par with a Dou Ling. Three months ago as soon as he stepped into the Dou Ling class he killed a Dou Wang expert. This is something you can’t NOT believe!”
“I heard that that Dou Wang and Feng Xian had an enmity that could only be resolved by extermination of the whole family. But didn’t the Pill Tower’s people go help him?”
“I heard that the demon clan’s princess was there. The information that came back was that Feng Xian went up to kill him on his own. He, a two star Dou Ling, used three consecutive Xuan class techniques to kill a Dou Wang.”
“Haha, Feng Xian isn’t that ridiculous. I heard that that Dou Wang had relied entirely on medicinal pills to forcefully raise himself to a superficial level. His true level was unworthy of his class. He might be able to scare country hicks, but in Holy Pill City he would be demoted to just a slave.”
“Oh… Feng Xian has come! Look!”
Yao Chen was currently focused completely on the new medicinal formulas in front of him. Seeing Feng Xian coming over, he laughed, “You’ve finally come? Do you see anything you want?”
Feng Xian shook his head. Three months ago he had resolved his enmity, and the current him was extremely relaxed. However Feng Xian knew that if it weren’t for Yao Chen, in his lifetime he wouldn’t even dare to show his face again, let alone speak of revenge.
“Brother Chen, I heard some news just now. I can’t speak of it here though.” Feng Xian quietly whispered to Yao Chen.
Yao Chen nodded. The things he had wanted from the auction this time were already in his grasp now so there was no need to continue looking. He left with Feng Xian, but Feng Xian continued to stay silent all the way into the inner region.
Only then did Yao Chen realize that something big had happened.
They arrived at the inner region where people were much more sparse and they didn’t need to fear being overheard. Feng Xian quietly transmitted to Yao Chen, “Brother Chen, three months ago while I was travelling back here, I coincidentally ran into a strong bandit group raiding a village.”
“I remember that. You even brought back a powerful bandit. So what? Did something happen?”
Yao Chen remembered this. After Feng Xian had gotten his revenge, he had brought back a captive who he said was a bandit. This was something Yao Chen hadn’t really cared about.
“I’ve learned quite a few things from the mouth of that bandit. He said they came from the death zone within Fallen Spirit Ice Source.”
“Impossible. Even a Dou Wang can’t live in that death zone.”
“However, if there was a Heavenly Flame…” Feng Xian’s transmission became many times quieter.
Yao Chen’s expression abruptly changed. Heavenly Flame!
Heavenly Flame were, extremely special existences within heaven and earth’s vastness. Perhaps a meteorite descended from the heavens and contained a flame sprout. Perhaps it was a flame that had been burning for thousands of years in the deepest part of a volcano… these Heavenly Flames were overbearing and tyrannical. By using one to refine medicine, it could increase the medicinal pill’s medicinal energy, increase the success rate, and increase the quality. But being able to control a Heavenly Flame required fate and luck. Countless alchemists had spent their entire lives looking for a Heavenly Flame without obtaining their wish. Even if they found one, they might be unable to contain the overbearing tyrannical Heavenly Flame within their bodies to make it a part of themselves.
But just like moths to a flame, as soon as news of a Heavenly Flame appeared, it would attract countless alchemists. Even though it might cause self-destruction, everyone still wanted to try for that one in a thousand chance. Alchemists longed for Heavenly Flames from the very bottom of their hearts, so much so that they almost worshipped and adored them.
Feng Xian continued, “That bandit said that that Heavenly Flame’s body was completely white and emitted an icy chill. Every three months, they offer a stranger to it as sacrifice, obtaining the Heavenly Flame’s protection. It counteracts the death zone’s icy chilliness and gives birth to a blessed land.”
“Snow white and icy chilliness… could it be eleventh of the Heavenly Flames Rankings, Bone Chilling Flame?”
Yao Chen had yet to formally join the Pill Tower in these three years, but with the discussions he had had with Han Shanshan, he had basically already learned everything that could be learned from the Pill Tower. He could even say that he had surpassed his teacher. Although he had yet to take the alchemist test again and still wore the fifth tier alchemist badge, but if he were to use all his strength, then he would reach the seventh tier high grade level.
He had endured countless troubles and trials over these three years. Many of them had been dangerous, while some had been fortunate. Just one such example would be enough to describe them: Baiwei who was an enemy of Dan Huchen was a seventh tier high grade alchemist, and his status had allowed him to collect countless experts. They were an extremely large group within Holy Pill City, however one year ago, due to provoking Yao Chen, they were completely exterminated by him and would never exist again.
Similar matters both small and large had occurred several times in the past year, and Yao Chen had always suppressed them head on. Although he was borrowing the support of Han Shanshan behind him, every time he made a move, it was always just Yao Chen alone.
Currently there were now countless experts who had aligned themselves with Yao Chen and Feng Xian in Holy Pill City, and they had formed a large group. Even the five great clans couldn’t ignore their organization. To Yao Chen, uniting people was never a complicated matter. He had a medicinal bath that allowed someone to change their innate talent. Just this one thing was enough to attract experts to do work for him. No matter how powerful you were, who didn’t have a couple descendants who were only of average talent? Who wouldn’t want their descendants to be more talented?
With such a power at his disposal, Yao Chen’s status was no longer the same as three years ago. But the current him was very clear on one thing: to accomplish his father and mother’s final wishes, just this power was far from enough!
Not long ago, news had come from the Yao clan that Yao Wangui had become even more deep-rooted within the clan. Once Yao Chen had been expelled, Yao Feng had naturally been the winner of the Medicine Competition. A great amount of the Yao clan’s resources were spent on him, and Yao Feng was already a seventh tier alchemist, and this was the Yao clan’s seventh tier! In terms of difficulty, it was vaguely even another level higher than the Pill Tower’s seventh tier requirements.
He had to become stronger!
Originally his current goal in coming out today had been to find a good medicinal cauldron.
But now that he had heard news of a Heavenly Flame, he naturally couldn’t let that opportunity go.
“Many thanks brother Feng.” Only now did Yao Chen realize why Feng Xian would bring a bandit a thousand miles back to Pill City. Perhaps he had worked tirelessly to confirm this news over the past two months. Most likely he was even prepared to leave and only waiting for him to give the go-ahead. Just where could you find such a brother?
“Thank me again and see what happens.” Feng Xian glared at him angrily.
“Haha, we’ll leave tomorrow… but this matter is too big, so it’ll just be us.” Yao Chen might have a great deal of power at his disposal, but the matter of a Heavenly Flame was extremely great, and the less people that knew of it, the better. To say the truth, the only person he could trust was Feng Xian.
“I understand. I’m already prepared.”
“I know.”
The two of them laughed. They could say a thousand words to each other with just a glance.
The next day, Yao Chen packed up everything he had saved over these three years. Just as he was leaving with Feng Xian, Han Shanshan stopped them.
“Where are you going Yao Chen?”
Han Shanshan could somehow sense a strange feeling. Having been in contact with Yao Chen for three years, it would be a lie to say she hadn’t developed some feelings to him. This was the first time she had met someone whose talent in alchemy surpassed her’s, and it was a man. In truth, such a thing was even rarer than finding a three-legged frog. If she hadn’t run her mouth in front of her master and declared she absolutely wouldn’t marry him… then perhaps she would have long since forced herself upon him.
Yao Chen felt a bit of a headache. Yao Chen sincerely considered her like a big sister. In terms of matters between a man and a woman, he did feel a bit of it indistinctly, but he was actually a bit afraid of such a notion. He was all too familiar with her, especially her tendency to explode over small matters. That was a part of her that couldn’t be changed. Yao Chen felt that he absolutely couldn’t be interested in her. A well-behaved woman was naturally best. One who didn’t listen couldn’t be twisted into reason no matter what. A pretty woman like that would be best to keep as a friend.
“Sister Han, we’re going to gather medicine,” quickly explained Feng Xian. He knew Yao Chen tended to treat women properly and would be a bit powerless to trick Han Shanshan.
“Really?”
“Why would I trick you?”
“Fine, go.” Han Shanshan nodded. Glancing at Yao Chen one more time, she returned back to the refining room.
Fallen Spirit Ice Source…
This was a region of snow. No one knew just how Fallen Spirit Ice Source had formed; all they knew was that at its center was a chilling icy hell of a death zone where no life could survive, not even a Dou Wang. Perhaps even a Dou Huang wouldn’t be able to stay in the death zone for a long time.
All of Fallen Spirit Ice Source was completely empty without a single person. Only snowflakes interrupted the quiet white landscape.
Yao Chen and Feng Xian’s arrival broke this place’s tranquility.
Feng Xian had a map with the safest route towards the death zone.
Although there was no life, Fallen Spirit Ice Source had natural ice cave pitfalls everywhere, and if you fell down into one, your death would be imminent. The icy chilliness at the bottom of Fallen Spirit Ice Source would freeze any life in an instant.
“It should be this way.”
Feng Xian was now exhaling white breaths. The hot air that met the cold immediately became frozen into sparkling ice crystals.
The map was true and they managed to progress deeper. As they travelled further, it also became colder. Yao Chen could already sense an extremely powerful energy coming from not far ahead. This kind of energy was vaguely probing his own spirit.
According to the legends, when Heavenly Flames had formed a spirit would have a unique consciousness. They could even sometimes cultivate Dou Qi like humans. The Bone Chilling Flame had reached the eleventh place on the Heavenly Flame rankings, which was no small accomplishment. For it to gain a consciousness was not strange.
The Bone Chilling Flame this time had already caused people to worship it and to offer sacrifices to it, so it obviously had already gained consciousness.
They ended up spending more time than they had anticipated to travel through Fallen Spirit Ice Source. Even in the evening when the sun was setting they yet to achieve their goal of reaching the safe house that was marked on the map. That place was a canyon with geothermal heating that could just barely resist the cold. But of course even with that heating, without a Dou Ling’s strength it would be impossible to survive.
Not wanting to travel during the night, the two of them found a mountain that blocked the wind. Feng Xian used his Dou Qi to dig an ice cave for them, and they ignited some fuel that they had prepared that didn’t release smoke. The blazing fire brought with with it a trace of warmth. In the middle of this chilling landscape, this little bit of warmth didn’t bring with it any security, but it was still better than nothing. At least the light of the fire was comforting to watch.
The true thing that let the two of them resist the cold was a Blazing Fire Pill Yao Chen had refined. It continuously gave birth to heat that protected their organs from being invaded by the cold qi.
Even though they had this Blazing Fire Pill that was continuously heating up their bodies, halfway through the night the two of them had entered a meditative state and had to use more and more Dou Qi to resist the profound cold.
Yao Chen in particular was extremely cold…
Within his mind flashed countless scenes. His father, his mother, elder Yao Lan, Yao Wangui, Yao Feng, the little princess, the Sacred Daughter, Demon Valley, Peak Martial City…
This was an odd feeling. He was in a meditative state where all was calm. Other than his Dou Qi, his mind should be empty. However in the midst of the cold, these scenes involuntarily surfaced. Some scenes were even those that Yao Chen had already forgotten about.
Suddenly his mind buzzed and he opened his eyes. Han Shanshan flicked him on the forehead.
“What are you doing!” Yao Chen was startled and moved his head away.
“Hmph, I’m saving your life!” Han Shanshan took her hand away embarrassedly. Her expression was currently both proud and displeased.
Yao Chen recovered from his shock and jumped up. “Why are you here?”
“Haha, you’re asking me? I still haven’t asked you just what are you doing ‘gathering medicine’ in Fallen Spirit Ice Source!”
“This…”
Yao Chen had nothing he was prepared to say.
“You want to trick me? Go back and train for a couple more years.” Han Shanshan saw right through Yao Chen’s expression. “Speak, why did you come here?”
Yao Chen looked at Han Shanshan. She was also an alchemist, and so it went without saying she would be enticed by the Heavenly Flame. However… who he was today would have been impossible without Han Shanshan. Without her, it would have been impossible for him to gain the strength of a seventh tier alchemist in just three years.
Yao Chen sighed and quietly said, “Heavenly Flame.”
Han Shanshan was shocked. In her countless theories she had never guessed it was for a Heavenly Flame.
“You…”
“Right, and that’s why I only brought Feng Xian.” Yao Chen smiled bitterly. He hesitated inside. If Han Shanshan were to fight over the Heavenly Flame with him, just what should he do?
In terms of strength, if he and Feng Xian joined hands they would definitely crush Han Shanshan.
However, in terms of feelings….
It was a difficult to explain in just a few words.
“I’ll help you.” Han Shanshan’s eyes blazed.
“What?”
“I said I’ll help you.”
“But... you’re an alchemist.”
“Not interested.” Han Shanshan was just putting on airs. It was true that it was impossible for her to not want it, but when she looked at Yao Chen’s crystal clear eyes she just had an urge to help him. There was no reason or justification, it was just a feeling.
Yao Chen was dazed for a long time. “Just now…”
“You were bedeviled. You actually let your mind run wild in meditation; it caused your Dou Qi to almost explode your body. Look at Feng Xian. His meditation is true meditation.” Han Shanshan pointed at Feng Xian. In his meditative state he still hadn’t woken up despite the two of them talking for this long. His aura was completely stable and resisting the cold.
“Haha.” Yao Chen foolishly laughed when he looked back at Han Shanshan. He suddenly felt despite her violent nature she was actually worthy of being loved…
“My mind wasn’t running wild. I fear it’s the Heavenly Flame… Bone Chilling Flame.”
“The eleventh ranked Bone Chilling Flame? Looks like it has already gained a spirit. Have you even thought about how you were going to subdue it?”
“Even if it’s a one a in thousand shot, I still have to try.”
“Alchemists who think like you all die. The Bone Chilling Flame’s special characteristic is its two sides; it can be extremely cold or extremely hot. According to the records, only when the sun and moon intersect will an extreme Yin extreme cold land appear. The Fallen Spirit Ice Source truly is a place of extreme cold, and since no life can exist in the death zone it is a land of extreme Yin… but when it comes to the sun and moon’s intersection, that’s a bit unclear. Perhaps that is the critical moment to subdue the Bone Chilling Flame.”
In terms of experience, Han Shanshan might be an alchemy fanatic, but she was still ten times more experienced than Yao Chen. Having grown up from a small age within the Pill Tower, who knew just how many precious secret pill tomes she had read. Those contained secrets that absolutely could not be transmitted out. This kind of experience and inheritance might not benefit attacking and killing others, but it was true kind of strength that could not be neglected.
Yao Chen was from the Yao Clan, but he still hadn’t had the chance to access the Yao clan’s true repository. All he had learned was the foundation and a couple techniques from his branch bloodline. The true inheritances and secrets could only be found in the clan’s concealed repository and required an elder’s permission in order to peruse.
At this time, Yao Chen could only blankly listen to Han Shanshan quietly tell him all sorts of secret knowledge and calculate his odds of subduing the Bone Chilling Flame.
“It’s not very high. But if you can find these ingredients, you can raise it to a thirty percent chance of success. Yao Chen, are you really going forward with this gamble?
Yao Chen smiled. “Thirty percent is already very high. My original odds were just ten percent.”
Han Shanshan was filled with worry, but she was already familiar with his character. He was stubborn down to his bones. Once he set his mind on something, no one should even try to talk him out of it.