"I've lost," Cao Ying murmured, her gaze fixed on the white-robed youth as he gradually receded into the distance, eventually vanishing from her sight. In that moment, his retreating figure became indelibly etched in her memory.
"This boy's talent is truly heaven-defying!" Pill Sunzi and the Cao Clan Ancestor finally understood why Yaochen had appointed this fifteen-year-old as the Young Pavilion Master of Starfall Pavilion.
At just fifteen years old, his cultivation had already reached the two-star Dou Huang realm, and his soul power effortlessly suppressed Cao Ying's. Such extraordinary talent was unprecedented; even the sacred sons of ancient clans might not have achieved such heights at this age.
Given this, the youth's chances of becoming a Dou Sheng in the future seemed exceedingly high.
"That old fox Yaochen has taken on a remarkable disciple!" Pill Sunzi couldn't help but chuckle bitterly.
Beside him, Dan Chen, her pale face framed by delicate features, stared wide-eyed, her cherry-like mouth agape.
As fellow core disciples of the Pill Tower, she was intimately familiar with Cao Ying's strength. Among their peers in the Pill Tower, Cao Ying was considered invincible.
Yet today, not only had she lost, but she had been utterly crushed, defeated with effortless ease. This left the usually reserved Dan Chen with a faint flicker of curiosity about Xiao Yan.
"Just what kind of person is this guy?" Dan Chen wondered, tilting her head.
In the dimly lit room, Old Yao lay sprawled on a large bed, his clothes disheveled. His chest was half-unbuttoned, revealing somewhat dry but still firm pectoral muscles.
Scattered across the floor were articles of clothing belonging to both men and women. Beside him lay Xuan Yi, clad in a seductive nightgown. Though past her prime, she maintained the youthful appearance of a woman in her thirties.
Her cheeks flushed with happiness, she nestled against Old Yao's chest.
Two hours had passed since they began their "research" into alchemy—on the bed, on chairs, on the sofa, and even in the alchemy chamber itself!
"Old man, after all these years, you're still such a closet pervert. I used to think you were a proper gentleman," Xuan Yi teased, tracing circles on his chest with one finger.
Old Yao remained silent, his expression serene, as if only a post-coital cigarette could complete the moment.
"I'm talking to you! Why aren't you answering?" Xuan Yi frowned at his lack of response.
"Shh!" Old Yao raised a finger, his eyes closed. "This is a moment of clarity. A flash of insight might be the key to reaching the Heavenly Realm."
"Then go find your clarity elsewhere, old man. You're annoying me," Xuan Yi retorted, kicking him lightly.
"Heh heh, it's rare to see you. We should really delve into the art of alchemy," Old Yao said, opening his eyes with a grin.
"Hypocrite," Xuan Yi retorted, glaring at him, but she leaned closer anyway.
Buzz, buzz! The Voice Transmission Jade Talisman vibrated, extinguishing the nascent alchemical fire Old Yao had just ignited. Frowning, he picked it up.
"Old man, where are you? Hurry up! This young master wants to practice alchemy!" Xiao Yan's voice boomed from the talisman.
"I'm busy right now. Can you wait a bit?" Old Yao replied with a voice message.
Moments later, the talisman vibrated again.
"Fifteen minutes. If I don't see you by then, I'll pluck out your beard!" Xiao Yan's cursing voice echoed through the talisman.
"That insolent brat!" Old Yao's brow furrowed. Reluctantly, he sat up and began dressing.
"Where are you going?" Xuan Yi asked, a hint of displeasure in her voice.
"Didn't you hear? My unfilial disciple is calling me," Old Yao said with a sigh.
"That disciple of yours is truly rude. I can't believe you took him as your apprentice. Even if he's the Xiao Clan's Holy Son, his alchemy talent can't possibly be that extraordinary," Xuan Yi scoffed.
"Heh heh, you're actually right about that," Old Yao chuckled, his wrinkled face lighting up as he recalled Xiao Yan's prodigious talent.
"Look at the wrinkles on your face! I refuse to believe your disciple's alchemy skills, no matter how heaven-defying, could possibly surpass my Cao Ying's," Xuan Yi sneered.
"Heh heh, I won't lie—my disciple's alchemy might actually be superior to yours," Old Yao replied with his usual smile. "How about a wager? If my disciple wins, you'll assist me in researching alchemy for three more days."
"Very well!" A hint of feminine allure flashed across Xuan Yi's usually aloof face. "If my disciple loses, I'll assist you in refining pills for a month."
"Then let him lose. I fear my Bone Spirit Cold Flame couldn't endure it," Old Yao chuckled, vanishing before Xuan Yi's embroidered slipper could strike his face.
"I truly wonder what kind of heaven-defying talent that Xiao Clan brat possesses, to make that old coot lose his composure like that."
Xuan Yi propped up her still-alluring face with one hand, reclining languidly on her bed. A hint of indolence radiated from her, clearly pleased with the exotic flame Old Yao had infused into her.
This languid state lasted less than half an hour before a knock interrupted it.
"Teacher, are you there?" Cao Ying's voice sounded from outside the door, tinged with exhaustion.
"I'm here. Wait outside!" Xuan Yi abruptly sat up, her languid aura vanishing in an instant. With a wave of her hand, all the clutter and traces in the room swiftly gathered together, flew out the window, and burst into flames.
By the time the ashes had scattered, Xuan Yi had already changed into a clean black robe. A hint of majesty in her expression, she strode to the door and opened it.
"What is it?" Xuan Yi asked her beloved disciple, her face betraying a trace of annoyance at the interruption, along with a lingering blush.
"Master, I was defeated by the Medicine Sovereign's disciple," Cao Ying said, lifting her bewitching face, tear streaks still visible. Her usually assertive features now carried a hint of vulnerability.
"Defeated by Xiao Yan?" Xuan Yi's heart skipped a beat as she gazed at her haggard disciple.
"What do you want?" Old Yao asked Xiao Yan, his face mirroring Xuan Yi's annoyance, tinged with frustration. In this world, disciples are supposed to be summoned by their masters, not the other way around!
Xiao Yan didn't answer. Instead, he sniffed Old Yao's robe with his nose, then squinted at him. "Why do you smell like a woman? Been sneaking off for a rendezvous with an old flame?"
"Nonsense! This old man was merely researching alchemy," Old Yao retorted, his weathered face flushing as he glared at Xiao Yan.
Dean Chen, did you go to learn a foreign language? Xiao Yan mentally quipped, patting Old Yao on the shoulder.
"Researching alchemy is admirable, Master. I was just worried that your advanced age might make excessive study physically draining."
"Spare your concern, dear disciple. This old body is still quite robust," Old Yao replied with a forced smile, his thoughts unreadable.
"Tsk tsk, if you're discussing alchemy with Xuan Yi, as your disciple, I can't fall behind. I'll have to exchange notes with Cao Ying soon. And Dan Chen too—exchanging insights with young, beautiful female alchemists is a surefire way to improve one's skills."
Xiao Yan swallowed his retort, fixing Old Yao with a steady gaze. "I need to refine my alchemy. I'll require your guidance, Master."
Whatever else could be said, Old Yao's alchemical prowess remained unmatched. Short of a Ninth-Rank master, none could rival him.
With that, Xiao Yan summoned a bronze cauldron. Glancing at Old Yao, he added dryly, "This is strictly for alchemy."
....