With the matter at Burning Flame Valley settled, the group began their journey back.
Elder Han, with his disciple's lifelong happiness in mind, subtly tried to bring the two together on the way back to Heavenly Flame City. After spending time with Zhao Li, he was quite satisfied with him.
Aside from not being handsome, this young man was extraordinary in every other aspect, whether it was his talent, strength, character, demeanor, knowledge, or conversation.
Naturally, the more he looked at such a promising young man, the more pleased he became, and he strongly supported the idea.
However, seeing Xuan Xueling's complete lack of reaction, he vaguely realized that he might have been mistaken earlier. Perhaps they didn't have those kinds of feelings for each other at all.
Han Zichuan sighed inwardly:
Fine, fine, let her be.
He composed himself, then looked at Zhao Li and asked:
"Little Zhang, we're setting off for the Pill Tower tomorrow. Do you need to prepare anything?"
Hearing this, Zhao Li shook his head. He had spent two years in the deep mountains and old forests and had only recently arrived here. Being unfamiliar with the place, there was indeed nothing for him to prepare.
The next morning, Han Zichuan and his group came and went in a hurry. They only stopped in Heavenly Flame City for one day before bidding farewell to Xuan Xueling and leaving.
Before leaving, Han Zichuan also suggested that Xuan Xueling go with them to the Pill Tower to study, so she could reach the Rank 8 Alchemist level sooner and participate in the next Pill Convention. However, Xuan Xueling refused.
She knew that to refine Eighth Grade Pills, she had to imbue them with spirituality, and her Soul Power still had a long way to go. Before that, she didn't need to learn anything else.
Xuan Yi, however, was ready to go along. One reason was that she wanted to wait for Yao Chen, and the other, of course, was to sharpen her skills for the Pill Convention.
Zhao Li naturally had nothing to prepare. After resting for a night, he followed the group back the next morning, heading towards Holy Pill City.
"Xueling, since you don't want to come back, you must take good care of the Pill Tower Branch in Heavenly Flame City. If you get bored, tell your Master, and I'll send someone to replace you."
Before leaving, Han Zichuan instructed her again.
"Alright, alright, I know. You've said it many times, really. Just go. Mister Zhang, study hard! I'm really looking forward to seeing you shine."
Xuan Xueling nodded perfunctorily, then said to Zhao Li.
Seeing this, Han Zichuan shook his head and sighed, saying sourly:
"Ah, this old man's words don't carry any weight anymore. Let's go, let's go."
Zhao Li nodded, didn't say much, and followed Han Zichuan.
"Aunt Ling, I'm leaving too. I'll come see you next time."
Xuan Yi waved at Xuan Xueling, bidding her farewell.
...
Even with the Spatial Wormhole, it still took the group several days to reach their destination.
At the front end of the Spatial Wormhole, a silver-white halo appeared. As long as they passed through there, they would arrive at the holy land in the hearts of Alchemists—Holy Pill City!
Spatial Boats streaked through the dark night sky like meteors, heading towards the exit, then like fish leaping over the dragon gate, they burst out of the halo.
After a jolt, Zhao Li and his group appeared inside Holy Pill City. What followed was a cacophony of noise filling their ears. The sudden shift from silence to noise made their heads swell.
Fortunately, everyone was quite strong; even Xuan Yi had Dou Emperor strength, and they quickly adapted.
Zhao Li glanced around and immediately noticed many Alchemists above the Sixth Rank, sighing in admiration:
As expected of the holy land in the hearts of Alchemists. Just a single Spatial Node Teleportation Plaza has so many people. I wonder what the scene is like in the Inner Domain of the Pill Tower.
Zhao Li couldn't help but imagine.
Earlier on their way back, Xuan Yi and Elder Han had introduced Holy Pill City to Zhao Li.
Although Holy Pill City was a city, its area was vast, far beyond what ordinary cities could compare to.
It was also divided into the Inner Domain and Outer Domain, but both were within the Pill Tower's sphere of influence, so Holy Pill City was also called the Pill Domain.
And the Pill Tower was located in the core of the Inner Domain.
Suddenly, a gentle breeze blew past, filled with the unique fragrance of pills. Zhao Li took a deep breath, and his spirits lifted considerably.
Shaking his head, Zhao Li cast aside his various thoughts and looked at the crowded flow of people in the plaza, secretly clicking his tongue.
This was the first time he had seen such a prosperous city.
"Let's go, we're heading to the Pill Tower."
Han Zichuan's voice came, revealing a hint of irrepressible joy.
He also wanted those old fellows to see what a true genius was like. Previously, the talents he had recommended were far fewer than theirs, and he had been mocked quite a bit.
Now, he couldn't wait to take Zhao Li to slap those old fellows in the face, otherwise, they would really think that anyone recommended over was a talent.
Zhao Li naturally had nothing to say and followed steadily.
Along the way, Zhao Li seemed to remember something and looked at the starry sky above the Pill Tower.
He remembered that in the Pill Convention where Xiao Yan participated, one of the top ten had the opportunity to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame, and the Three Thousand Burning Flame had been sealed for a long time.
Zhao Li stared intently for a long time but found nothing.
Zhao Li's sword-like eyebrows slightly raised, and he secretly speculated.
Could it be that the Three Thousand Burning Flame hasn't been discovered yet? Or perhaps that Heavenly Flame was brought back to the Star Domain by someone and was only sealed later due to a riot?
"Elder Han!"
A respectful voice brought Zhao Li back to his senses, suppressing the various speculations that had surfaced in his mind.
Unknowingly, they had already arrived at the Pill Tower.
The Pill Tower was shaped like a slender bamboo, thin and tall, with a cap-like top and a bottle-shaped finial. It was stone-blue and unique.
It stood like a pillar reaching the heavens, piercing the clouds, having stood there for countless years, exuding an aura of ancientness.
Tens of thousands of exquisite stone statues were carved on the tower body, each Buddha statue in a different posture, but all lifelike.
Looking up, the building before them soared into the clouds. Amidst the hazy mist, the pointed spire was faintly visible, appearing and disappearing, seemingly within reach yet unattainable, full of solemn and majestic momentum.
Standing beneath the tower, Zhao Li also felt a sense of insignificance.
Elder Han nodded in greeting, then spoke to the crowd:
"Although this journey was a bit perilous, thankfully there were no accidents. Now that we're back, you may all disperse. Xuan Yi, you should go see your teacher as well. Zhang Li, come with me."
Han Zichuan dismissed the others and led Zhao Li towards the upper levels of the Pill Tower.
Along the way, people occasionally greeted Elder Han, and when they saw Zhao Li, they cast curious glances.
The Seventh-Grade Alchemist badge certified by the Pill Tower pinned to Zhao Li's chest surprised many.
Even within the Pill Tower, Seventh-Grade Alchemists weren't a dime a dozen.
Zhao Li quietly followed behind Han Zichuan. After about ten minutes, Han Zichuan brought Zhao Li to the second-to-last floor of the Pill Tower.
This was where the Pill Tower's Elders resided.
And the very top of the Pill Tower was personally guarded by the three giants of the Pill Tower.
"Little Zhang, wait for me here for a moment."
After bringing Zhao Li to a spacious room, Han Zichuan said this to him and went up to the top floor alone.
Regarding the changes at Burning Flame Valley on this trip, he had only sent a simple message via jade slip. Upon returning to the Pill Tower, he naturally had to report it immediately.
Knocking on the door, Han Zichuan entered.
Inside the room, two old men with white hair but youthful faces and vibrant spirits sat facing each other.
Looking at the messy state of the room, Han Zichuan smiled wryly.
These two Presidents were engaging in Soul Confrontation again, honing their skills against each other. He just didn't know what kind of game they were playing this time.
Spirit Pearl opened his eyes first, looking bright and radiant. He burst into laughter:
"Hahaha, Wind Lightning, you lost again."
Wind Lightning shook his head helplessly and looked at Han Zichuan, asking:
"Zichuan, you're back? What was that message you sent back earlier about?"
Seeing this, Spirit Pearl also lowered his voice and frowned.
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