The group returned to the Pill Tower, and Han Zichuan dismissed everyone to report the details of their trip to the President.
Although Han Zichuan had used a Jade Slip to communicate, it wasn't very clear, and the two Presidents were quite curious.
They had received news earlier that Han Zichuan's group was attacked, and before they could even set out, another message said they were safe and sound. The two were still completely bewildered.
Seeing this, Han Zichuan recounted the events at Burning Flame Valley in detail to the two Presidents, then said in a deep voice:
"The Soul Hall's actions are truly becoming more and more overbearing. Now that they've attacked Burning Flame Valley, I'm afraid their next target will be our Pill Tower."
"I'm afraid they've already started acting against our Pill Tower. Over the past century, there have been reports from all over the continent of Alchemists disappearing without reason. It must be related to them."
Wind Lightning said faintly.
Then the two Presidents exchanged a look, and Spirit Pearl sighed:
"Even if we know it's them, what can we do? They've always been secretive in their movements. So far, we've only found a few branch halls, which is completely insignificant to them. Alas."
Wind Lightning nodded, also sighing, then his eyes gleamed with excitement as he looked eagerly at Han Zichuan:
"Where is this Zhang Li you mentioned? Did you bring him back? I'd like to see if he's really as formidable as you say."
Han Zichuan was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, wondering why Wind Lightning was so eager, but he still answered honestly:
"He's downstairs. I haven't taken him to complete the procedures for entering the tower to study yet."
Before he could finish speaking, Wind Lightning's figure flickered and disappeared.
Han Zichuan looked at Spirit Pearl, his face full of confusion.
"Why are you looking at me? Don't you know him? He's always trying to one-up me. Who knows what method he's thought of this time to tease the juniors. Let's go, let's take a look."
...
Following Elder Han's arrangement, Zhao Li sat alone in the room, somewhat bored as he looked around.
In the center of the wall was a relief of a vermilion Medicine Cauldron about two meters high. The cauldron's legs resembled coiling dragon golden pillars, wrapped around vigorous golden dragons; the cauldron's body was adorned with brilliant, vibrant, and colorful painted patterns, set against flowing clouds and flames.
A giant coiled dragon was on the ceiling, and a large, silvery-white round pearl hung from its mouth, glowing with an ethereal light, providing illumination for the room.
It was beautiful, but it didn't feel like the Pill Tower itself; it lacked the aura of having been tempered by time.
Perhaps this place is changed frequently, and they each renovate it to their liking, Zhao Li thought, looking around.
Suddenly, a sprightly old man came into Zhao Li's view.
The old man wasn't tall, even slightly short.
Zhao Li didn't sense the aura of a powerful expert from him, but for him to be able to appear here, he couldn't be a simple person.
Perhaps he's some unknown expert, or a big shot from the Pill Tower, Zhao Li thought, then withdrew his gaze and continued to examine the surroundings.
But the old man walked directly towards him and approached Zhao Li.
"Kid, what are you doing here? Where's Elder Han?"
The old man walked into the room on his own, looked around, and seeing no one else, asked Zhao Li.
Seeing his completely unrestrained manner, Zhao Li became even more certain that the old man was by no means simple.
Either he had a high status, or he was very strong.
But hearing the old man's question, Zhao Li didn't know his purpose, so he didn't say much, shaking his head to indicate he didn't know:
"Elder Han brought me here and told me to wait for a while, then he left."
The old man's expression suddenly became a little anxious, and he muttered to himself:
"What can be done? Saving someone is like fighting a fire, there's no time for delay."
Then, as if remembering something, he looked at Zhao Li, his eyes filled with anticipation, and asked:
"Young brother, I see you are also a Seventh-Grade High-Level Alchemist. I wonder if you could attempt to refine an Eighth Grade Pill?"
Zhao Li understood; so he had come for a pill.
Seeing his urgency, Zhao Li first nodded, then shook his head.
Although Zhao Li was confident he could refine Eighth Grade Pills, he had never actually refined one. He didn't dare to boast casually, lest he delay the old man's matter.
Seeing this, the old man was confused, and a hint of displeasure appeared on his face as he asked:
"What do you mean by nodding and shaking your head? Are you playing tricks on this old man?"
Zhao Li frowned. Why is this old guy getting angry?
But seeing the old man's anxious look earlier, Zhao Li didn't dwell on it and instead spoke to soothe him:
"I haven't refined Eighth Grade Pills before, and I don't want to delay your matter because of overconfidence. I know you're in a hurry, but please don't rush. Elder Han just asked me to wait a moment; he shouldn't be gone for too long and should be back soon."
Wind Lightning didn't listen to what Zhao Li said at all. He took the opportunity to size up Zhao Li, muttering to himself:
This kid is quite formidable. There's no reason for Han Zichuan to lie, so what he said should be true. But even I can't fully discern his depth; he's not simple. His character is also good, humble.
Then his expression became even more anxious, and he said:
"There's no time. How about this, take a look at this first and see if you can refine it. If you can, we'll leave right away."
With that, he took out a scroll of Pill Formula and tossed it to Zhao Li.
Zhao Li felt a bit strange, as if this old man hadn't come to find Elder Han at all, but had specifically come for him.
He took the Pill Formula, and a wisp of Soul Power extended to perceive it. Immediately, his eyes lit up – this was an Eighth Grade Pill Formula.
The Soul Purification Spirit Pill could stabilize the soul, clear mental impurities, and to a certain extent strengthen the connection between the soul and the world, improving understanding of Cultivation Techniques and Dou Techniques, and elevating cultivation results. It even had some effect on Dou Venerates. It was an Eighth Grade Low Grade Pill that could attract Two-Colored Pill Lightning.
After reading it, Zhao Li understood. Although the refining process was quite complicated, for him, it was no different from refining a regular Seventh Grade Pill. The only difference compared to Seventh Grade was the added step of Spirit Imbuement, which was explained in the Pill Formula. It was just that...
Zhao Li somewhat regretted taking it and opening it to look. For a moment, he didn't know whether he should agree or not.
Although the old man had told him to look, Zhao Li naturally didn't think the old man was being so kind as to just give him an Eighth Grade Pill Formula for no reason.
After pondering for a while, it was indeed difficult to leave. Zhao Li was just about to refuse and offer the old man some compensation instead, treating it as a transaction.
But a burst of laughter came, leaving Zhao Li a little startled.
"Hahahaha, after so many years, you're still like this. Do you really enjoy teasing juniors and watching them furrow their brows like that?"
In the distance, Elder Han and another white-haired, ruddy-faced old man walked over together. The one who had just spoken was Spirit Pearl.
Zhao Li understood, and inwardly grumbled:
Are these big shots really so idle? Every single one of them has so much free time.
How could he not understand? The one who had just given him the Pill Formula was a high-level figure in the Pill Tower, at least one of them.
"You must be Zhang Li. Elder Han just told us about you. He didn't stop praising you. Hmm? I actually couldn't sense your Cultivation Level. That's not simple. To be able to hide your aura in front of us two, you do have some skill."
Spirit Pearl looked at Zhao Li, talking to himself, then pointed at Wind Lightning and introduced him:
"This is Wind Lightning, one of the Three Giants of the Pill Tower. He's always been like this, likes to test and tease juniors in various ways. Just take the thing he gave you; consider it your good fortune."
"Greetings, Senior Wind Lightning. I've troubled you."
Hearing this, Zhao Li respectfully bowed. There was no need to dwell on the previous matter anymore, and he felt a sense of relief.
Wind Lightning smiled and waved his hand:
"How is it? Seeing your brows furrowed, is there something in the Pill Formula you can't understand? There's no need to rush. You are already a Seventh-Grade High-Level Alchemist now. Cultivate peacefully in the Pill Tower's training school for a while, and Eighth Grade is within reach."
-----------
Machine Translation by: https:// randomtranslator.com/
Read 666+ original & fanfic translations in English, Español, Português, Deutsch, Français, or Русский at: https:// randomtranslator.com/
Join our Discord: https:// discord.gg/NSWvfN7vua
-----------