“Xuan Yi? Why do you look like that? Did someone bully you?”
“Get off, haven’t you seen cauldron explosion before? If I also had a Heavenly Flame then a trifling sixth tier pill would be nothing, hmph.”
Xuan Yi – one of Holy Pill City’s three great jewels, an extremely good friend of Han Shanshan. Her treatment towards Yao Chen had always been a bit warm. She seemed to both like him as well as want to compete with him. Many of Xuan Yi’s movements and habits were similar to Han Shanshan’s due to their friendship.
Yao Chen laughed and shook his head. Looking at her crafty manner, a burst of pain filled his heart. Nine years ago, Han Shanshan had left Holy Pill City and never returned.
No one knew where Han Shanshan had gone, and there was also no one who knew why she had suddenly left without saying again. All he knew was that in the past nine years, no news whatsoever of Han Shanshan had surfaced.
When he had come back from the death zone with the Bone Chilling Flame and having advanced to Dou Huang as well as his seventh tier alchemist strength, Yao Chen had refined a perfect eighth tier medicinal pill during the Pill Gathering, defeating countless geniuses. Xuan Kong Zi, Hou Guaicai, and every other genius who was practically considered a god within the Pill Tower were all completely crushed beneath him, letting him obtain the first place at the Pill Gathering and making him famous within all the Central Plains.
The owner of the Bone Chilling Flame, the victor of eight years in the Ice Source… all kinds of glorious titles were given to him.
However, he was unable to feel even the slightest bit of excitement.
“Hey, Yao Chen, what you thinking about? Did you not hear me?”
“Ah, what did you say?”
“You! Hmph, I won’t bother with you…”
Xuan Yi angrily stamped her foot. But she continued, “The little demon girl has once more come to find you. She’s waiting for you at the entrance hall.
“Ok, thanks.”
Yao Chen nodded to Xuan Yi and started to leave for the entrance hall.
The little demon girl was actually the demon race’s little princess, Hu Jiujiu.
Xuan Yi angrily glared at him as he left. “That damn vixen exploiting this kid. Shameless!”
The way she cursed was both unruly and cute. She was obviously completely infuriated for her to forget herself and rain curses on Yao Chen.
Feng Xian had just happened to be walking by. Hearing her curses, he coughed loudly. “Xuan Yi, Yao Chen dislikes girls who talk without thinking. No matter how beautiful such a woman was, it would be useless.”
“Really? Wait, who wants him to like them? Hmph, Feng Xian, do you need a spanking? Even you dare bully me!”
“Do you need my help?” Feng Xian blinked at her. Other than Han Shanshan, perhaps the only other woman in Holy Pill City who was a good match for Yao Chen was Xuan Yi. Yao Chen didn’t take such matters seriously, but as his little brother, he definitely had to help his big bro out.
“Who would want your help… doesn’t Yao Chen like the little demon girl?”
Xuan Yi clearly wanted more information.
Feng Xian laughed. “Are you talking about Jiujiu? She’s helped me and brother Chen out a lot, saving us from even death. She is a good friend, but when it comes to relationship between a man and a woman… well, if others are too slow, it might be possible for their relationship to progress to that point.”
“He dares! Cough… I mean, he dares marry the demon race’s princess? He wouldn’t be able to even enter the eyes of the Demon Saint. All he has is the Bone Chilling Flame…”
Although that was how she spoke, her heart had started to jump a bit faster. She was very clear on the demon race’s attitude towards alchemists, especially one with a Heavenly Flame. If you added on that such a person had just won the Pill Gathering and was now famous within the Central Plains, then let alone a princess, even two or three of them could be taken in just as concubines for such an alchemist with a limitless future.
Feng Xian laughed again and stopped teasing her. The seed had been planted now. The rest would be up to fate. The only thing was that ever since Han Shanshan had disappeared, Yao Chen seemed to have become a different person. Other than when he was refining medicine, the rest of his time was spent staring blankly as if he had lost part of his soul. Feng Xian was a bit worried about this.
Feng Xian walked over to the entrance hall and saw the demon race’s little princess sipping tea.
“Yao Chen.” Hu Jiujiu immediately leapt off her chair and rushed over to Yao Chen.
“Jiujiu.”
Yao Chen forced a smile and braced her from falling. “Try to act more like a princess. This isn’t Demon Valley. Please try to follow the human race’s etiquettes.”
“Tch, boring.” Hu Jiujiu rolled her eyes. “Then where’s that Xuan Yi who’s always staring at me?”
“She stares at you? Uh… haha, who asked you to so bewitching.”
“Well I am a demon.” Hu Jiujiu nodded very pleased. But she quickly once more glared at Yao Chen suspiciously. “Why do you seem to be defending her? Are you afraid I’ll do something to her?”
“Last time you came here, three days after you left she got a dozen pimples on her face. Although she didn’t suspect you, but… don’t make trouble, ok? Just treat it as helping me out.”
“Haha, so you so knew about it. Fine, I’ll give you face. I won’t make any more stupid human troubles with her. This time I came to find you for something important. Do you still have the Yuan Transforming to Life Pill from last time?”
At this time, Hu Jiujiu’s smile had vanished and she was completely serious.
“Yes I do. What happened?” Yao Chen was surprised and nodded. Although it was a seventh tier pill, this kind of medicinal pill that extended the lifespan was not any use to him.
“Excellent. Can you trade it with me? Sell it to me for some medicinal ingredients or whatever else you need. Anything within Demon Valley.”
Yao Chen smiled and took out the Yuan Transforming to Life Pill. “Take it then. This thing is useless to me.”
It was actually completely possible for him to refine the pill himself. Back then when Dan Huchen was refining it, he had had detailed discussions with him about it. As long as he had the medicinal ingredients, Yao Chen who was now a seventh tier alchemist had a fifty percent chance of succeeding a refinement.
Hu Jiujiu immediately became happy. Taking the medicinal pill, she glanced around and saw that no one was around, and she quickly leaned over and gave Yao Chen a peck on the cheek. She bashfully said, “I have to hurry back now. Also, you are forbidden from getting too close to Xuan Yi! You are one of my people and always will be!”
She quickly turned to leave, but not before adding, “Don’t think you can escape me! Even if ten years passes, even if you reach your unlimited potential with the Small Pill Tower, you will always be one of mine!”
These words might be a bit overbearing, but as soon as she said it her face turned completely red. This was her way of bluntly declaring her feelings for him. She quickly stamped down her foot, disappearing.
Yao Chen smiled bitterly as he watched her pretty figure disappear out the door. A lingering scent still remained on his face. He felt a bit helpless to this. Ever since returning from Fallen Spirit Ice Source, the little demon girl would come to Holy Pill City every month to see him. And it would be false to say he didn’t have any feelings towards Jiujiu. To real men, the more beautiful women, the better. Towards Xuan Yi he also had a similar affection. However in his heart, whenever it came to the matters between a man and woman, he always felt completely empty. It wasn’t just because Han Shanshan had disappeared. It felt as if the most important thing in his heart had been forgotten, making it impossible for him to take action on any feelings.
That was why whether it was Holy Pill City’s absolute jewel Xuan Yi or Demon Valley’s beautiful Jiujiu, he was always unable to admit his own feelings. Since he couldn’t let go of his inner heart, why would he go and harm their hearts?
Suddenly an aged laugh came from behind him. “Yao Chen, outstanding men naturally want love. Haha, I’ve decided, how about I help you ask for the Fox Saint’s hand?”
“Cough, master-ancestor.”
Yao Chen looked back and quickly bowed. This was Han Shanshan’s master. Although he hadn’t truly taught Yao Chen alchemy, but when he had discussed alchemy with Han Shanshan and they had run into problems and questions they couldn’t answer, Han Shanshan would also be able to explain it the next day. Obviously this wasn’t because she had figured it out but because she had gone to this master of hers, in other words this old white-haired ancestor.
But ever since Han Shanshan had left, this old man who had been filled with vigor had entered a slump. Nine years ago he would refine a cauldron of pills every day. The lowest would be fifth tier and the highest would reach the seventh tier. Every few months he would even try a couple times at eighth tier medicinal pills.
But ever since Han Shanshan’s trace had completely disappeared, he would only refine a couple times a month, and they were always fifth tier pills that were refined carelessly and indifferently, his heart not on the alchemy.
“Ah, I guess it’s ok now. Here are my alchemy techniques. If you find Shanshan then take my place to give it to her. Of course you can also look at them yourself. From the start I never thought of you as an outsider. And a child like you who is still respectful of his elders and calls me master-ancestor is encouraging, so I can’t let that be for nothing.”
“Master-ancestor…” Yao Chen’s heart shook. He sensed what the old man was implying.
“No need to say anything. My time is coming. I will reach two hundred years in this world this year. A hundred and twelve years ago I was injured by a Dou Sheng. I used five different Life Seizing Pills to extend my vitality, and being able to live to here is already a miracle. However I really am a bit unwilling to die just like this. I have another way to continue surviving, but I don’t have your terrifying spiritual talent. Only by transforming out of a cocoon would that method work…”
The old man shook his head. Looking deeply at Yao Chen, he suddenly said, “Yao Chen, you have outstanding power within you. I hope you can use it well. If you continue to hide within Holy Pill City, then no matter how loud your name is sung, you will still be nothing more than a little child… take my place to find Shanshan.”
Yao Chen’s heart violently jumped. That’s right, why had he always just been foolishly staying here? Why hadn’t he gone out to find Han Shanshan?
“Have you come to your senses? Haha, you help me find her and I’ll help you propose.”
“Master-ancestor, please don’t hold this junior to the matter of a proposal.”
Marriage could not just be randomly brought up. In any case, he also had feelings to the little demon girl, however right now he couldn’t muster any energy towards the matter of a man and woman.
“Fine, fine. I’ve lived my life to its full. Although I didn’t reach Dou Sheng, I am at the peak of Dou Zun. A high grade ninth tier alchemist really would have his reputation harmed by bringing up this matter of marriage for others. However, a child like you is actually so lucky. That girl Xuan Yi is actually extremely good.”
Yao Chen rolled his eyes and didn’t reply. But he understood inside that the old man was drawing the conversation towards a light-hearted topic because he didn’t want the mood to become depressed after saying his lifespan was reaching its end. Men must live their lives carefree, walk their paths with joy, and act in the manner of a true hero.
“You still haven’t taken it!” The old man once more shook the alchemy writings in his hand.
“Yes…” Yao Chen quickly bowed and respectfully took it.
“Haha, good, good. Since you’ve taken them then you can also count as my disciple. Han Shanshan is also your apprentice-sister of the same generation. You two can handle your own affairs. And for a manly man to have one or two concubines as well is something I don’t mind either.”
The old man patted Yao Chen’s shoulders and disappeared as silently and quickly as he had arrived.
Yao Chen knew inside that the old man tacitly agreed to any relationship between him and Han Shanshan. He also knew that this was most likely the last time he would see the old man. Just now he had handed him everything that needed to be handled in the future and also pointed him in a direction to go to from now.
After leaving Holy Pill City he would establish his own power, and then… he would find Han Shanshan.
This was also a way to prove himself to the Yao clan. Yao Wangui and Yao Feng were becoming more and more powerful within the clan. He had to build a power that was enough to crush the two of them before he could accomplish his mother and father’s last wishes and get their names carved into the Clan Monument.
In an instant, Yao Chen felt as if the clouds had been dispelled and he could see the sun again. His heart which had always had an obscured shadow over it now was free. He had a goal to move towards.
Returning to his residence, Yao Chen told Feng Xian to call over all the powerful experts that were close to them. These experts all had their own fame within Holy Pill City. They might not be geniuses, but with Yao Chen’s medicinal pills they had all shed their mediocrity and transformed to have an impressive potential.
These were all those people who had a special camaraderie with Yao Chen.
Including Feng Xian, they had thirty-two people. That was the currently power that Yao Chen was able to control. Each of them was at least a three star Dou Wang, and furthermore none of them were over thirty years old. As for Yao Chen himself, with the support of the Bone Chilling Flame and adding on that he could enter the Small Pill Tower to cultivate, he had advanced extremely quickly. In just a short year he had become a seven star Dou Huang. As for his true battle capabilities, back when he was just at the peak of Dou Wang he could withstand the Dou Zong Qing Hua if he joined hands with Feng Xian. Now with his techniques and advantages, he could fight on equal grounds with a Dou Zong for a time, and even if he met an extremely powerful peak Dou Zong he would still be able to retreat, and it wouldn’t even be a miserable retreat.
If this kind of power was placed within the Central Plains, then yes it was perhaps a bit too weak. But although it couldn’t compare to those supreme powers, sweeping over those smaller powers would definitely not be a problem. If placed in the outers regions then it would be even more terrifying.
Yao Chen got right to the point. “I’m about to leave Holy Pill City.”
“What?”
“Boss, did I mishear?”
Feng Xian’s eyes lit up and he coughed loudly to get the attention of their comrades. “If there’s anyone who wants to come with us, then meet us at the Spatial Wormhole tomorrow morning. I’ll tell you straightforwardly that Yao Chen and I are planning to build an organization and we need manpower.”
Feng Xian had already completely consolidated his power at the peak of Dou Wang. He had even taken half a step into the Dou Huang class. Within this group, his prestige was only second to Yao Chen.
Some people had hesitation in their eyes, while some were pleasantly surprised.
Yao Chen waved his hand. “Everyone should return to think about it. You don’t have to force yourselves to come with us. Staying within Holy Pill City is also fine. However, perhaps it will be many years before we ever return to Holy Pill City again.”
Their group discussed it for a bit longer before each person returned home with different thoughts running through their heads.
Feng Xian sighed, “Brother Chen, isn’t this a bit too rushed?”
If he had been given enough time, Feng Xian was sure he would have been able to get everyone to follow Yao Chen. From the groups’ various expression, there were perhaps half of whom didn’t want to leave.
Yao Chen shook his head. “This time we aren’t leaving to get experience. Those who aren’t determined don’t need to force themselves.”
Feng Xian nodded. He would always follow Yao Chen’s decisions unconditionally. At most he would just bring up a couple issues he thought he might have forgotten about.
At this time he once more added, “Brother Chen, since we’re leaving so soon, how about we come up for a name for the organization right now. A name is…”
Yao Chen laughed and put his hand on Feng Xian’s shoulder. “You can pick it. You understand me the best. All I know about is alchemy, so I can only delegate these small details to you.”
Feng Xian immediately laughed. “Ok, I’ll handle everything. But still, what kind of name do you think is best?”
Yao Chen thought about it and said, “Then we’ll call it… the Falling Star Pavilion.”
The Bone Chilling Flame had been obtained from the Fallen Spirit Ice Source. There was a popular saying that the stars in the skies were actually gods, and whenever a star fell to the earth it was a god landing amongst men.
Feng Xian silently nodded. He actually understood that what had fallen from Yao Chen’s heart wasn’t a star, it wasn’t a spirit, but it was a person.
The next day’s early morning, Yao Chen took out his Spatial Boat in front of the wormhole. Thirty-two Dou Wangs followed him. Not one person had failed to show up.
“You guys…” Yao Chen felt like he was in a daze. Originally he thought that only half of them would come.
Feng Xian was also a bit surprised. “Su Qu, your son is just one year old. You should stay.”
A dark-faced man laughed. “I’ve already thought about it, and leaving the son with the wife is fine. Moreover the current me is all because of brother Yao. I don’t want to stay a Dou Wang for the rest of my life.”
Su Ou’s eyes flashed when he said that.
They all understood him and laughed. Perhaps what Su Qu had thought about the most wasn’t his own advancement, but actually his son. Everyone knew that Yao Chen had many techniques. Nurturing and training a foundation from three years old would truly allow you to raise a genius that was a complete defiance of the heavens.
Feng Xian coughed and smiled. “Everyone here are all good brothers. Today our Falling Star Pavilion has officially formed. Big bro Yao Chen will be everyone’s pavilion chief.”
Everyone all agreed together, their eyes shining. Now that their organization had a real name it naturally didn’t feel the same. What had been relaxed and unconsolidated became stricter and closer, bringing with it a sense of belonging and safety.
And by doing it like this they were now even closer to Yao Chen than ever. Everyone was clear that as long as they were with Yao Chen, even a pig could become an expert.
Time flowed by. Ten years passed. It felt like just the blink of an eye. The time that had passed would never return. They experienced much… betrayals, expeditions, establishments, and also a constant search…
The Falling Star Pavilion had already grown to become a colossal existence. Not only did it exist in the Central Plains; feelers had been sent out towards all the various lands, and even the most remote desolated placed still had the eyes of the Falling Star Pavilion on them. Some powers directly attached themselves to them.
Perhaps it was simply fate, but information came over that a natural formation had formed within the Sky Star Mountain Range. A meteorite’s star strength had formed a space that only appeared like a sea of trees. Whether you used the naked eye or spiritual energy to probe it, you wouldn’t be able to see the hidden world inside.
“Considering the name of the Fallen Star Pavilion and this meteorite is a ‘fallen star’, brother Chen, what do you think about the Sky Star Mountain Range…?”
Feng Xian had already become a three star Dou Zong after these ten years. His cultivation speed was completely monstrous. And this was despite him having to waste a great deal of time on the everyday matters of the Fallen Star Pavilion. He was only able to advance so quickly because the number of medicinal pills Yao Chen had used on him had reached an astronomical number over these years.
Although Yao Chen was the pavilion chief, it was just a title. Over the past ten years he had always been roaming outside. He would only get in contact with the Fallen Star Pavilion once or twice a month. After throwing out a couple more medicinal pills he would then disappear again.
It was Feng Xian who was the one who truly ran the Fallen Star Pavilion. In order to support Yao Chen as best he could, he always expanded the power of the pavilion to wherever Yao Chen was roaming.
This kind of expansion was obviously a bit overbearing and could easily lead to a collapse. Who knew just how many people they had offended over the past ten years? Even the ancient Hall of Souls had been provoked by them.
Of course, the more people they offended, the more people they ended up meeting. Feng Xian’s methods became more and more cunning. They didn’t only make enemies of people during this time. With Yao Chen’s new title of being the ‘mainland’s number one alchemist’, the Fallen Star Pavilion ended up growing to the point that even the Hall of Souls wouldn’t provoke them lightly. It wasn’t that they were weaker, but that they would have to use their full force. The Hall of Souls didn’t want to prematurely break the equilibrium over the current Central Plains.
Yao Chen laughed and took out a Yin-Yang Mysterious Dragon Pill and gave it to Feng Xian. “Take this pill. I just refined it and it’s not the same as before. Circulate your Dou Qi as fast as you can and quickly refine the medicinal energy. See if there if a strange energy that comes out from it.”
Feng Xian closely examined this Yin-Yang Mysterious Dragon Pill. Two golden dragons were swimming along it and a faint dragon roar shook the spirit. “Brother Chen, are you using me to test your medicine again?”
Although that was what he said, Feng Xian didn’t have any hesitation. Circulating his Dou Qi, he swallowed the medicinal pill in one gulp.
BOOM BOOM BOOM! A three star Dou Zong’s entire Dou Qi was in motion now. Feng Xian’s body released a powerful gale and even the air around his body had become a bit thin. Formless wind blades could vaguely be seen. If seemed as if even space had been set ablaze.
Half a day later…
Feng Xian shook his head blankly. “Brother Chen, is there something wrong with the pill? I didn’t sense the slightest thing…”
Yao Chen scratched his forehead. “It was originally just a chance. There’s no guarantee of inheriting it. Oh, sorry for troubling you again Feng Xian.”
“Tch.” Feng Xian didn’t ask more questions. He couldn’t help feeling that just randomly eating a seventh tier medicinal pill like that was a bit luxurious. The Fallen Star Pavilion may lack everything, but it only didn’t lack medicinal pills. Yao Chen’s success rate when refining was absolutely shocking. Especially when it came to high tier medicinal pills, his success rate was at least fifty percent. That meant with every two attempts he would succeed at least once! If any other alchemist heard that, they would be filled with so much jealousy that they could die.
Yao Chen still wasn’t done and took out another sixth tier medicinal pill for Feng Xian to consume. “This time suppress your Dou Qi to the absolute limit. If you could cause your Dou Qi to disappear from your body it would be best.”
Feng Xian nodded his head taciturnly and swallowed it…
Six hours later, Feng Xian stared at Yao Chen with complete shock. “Brother Chen… I just… advanced?”
“Yup. It should be temporary, but if you can maintain it for long enough then it would be a true advancement. Four star Dou Zong – congratulations.”
Feng Xian had an urge to knock his head against a wall. Each advancement in the Dou Zong realm would require at least a year of bitter cultivation. But now he just randomly ate a couple of Yao Chen’s medicinal ingredients and advanced another Dou Zong class star… if he had known about this before, would he have even bothered bitterly training so much?
However he quickly shook his head and smiled, “Brother Chen, if you keep this up I won’t have any motivation to train.”
Yao Chen laughed, “I only do this for you. I believe in you.”
Feng Xian was a bit moved. He understood what Yao Chen was saying. When it came to talent, compared to the top talents in this world, Feng Xian could only be considered average. If he couldn’t advance further then he wouldn’t have any advantage over them. Those medicinal pills were not just casually taken out. Yao Chen had put in much of his sweat and tears for them, doing detailed adjustments to the refinement to make it suited to his constitution and Dou Qi nature. Only through those countless minor adjustments did he become stronger and stronger. His advancement was such that he wasn’t the slightest bit inferior to those top geniuses.
“Let’s go to Sky Star Mountain Range.” Yao Chen’s eyes flashed. He had never done that much as the chief of the Falling Star Pavilion, although he had caused quite a bit of trouble for the pavilion. The matter of offending the Hall of Souls was mostly because of him. The trouble though had been completely thrown to Feng Xian to handle. All he cared about was roaming throughout the heavens, searching for the things and person he was looking for.
Now he felt it was time to contribute some things for everyone. In particular he wanted to make a safe headquarters for everyone since he had antagonized so many enemies.
Every single one of the ancient great powers had a secret land to themselves. If they encountered some kind of great calamity, all they had to do was hide their clan within that secret land. There they could wait till the calamity passed and they had recovered before once ore appearing when the opportunity came.
As for the Fallen Star Pavilion, it was also time for it to have such a home.