pertwk 783. An Unexpected Sight
783. An Unexpected Sight
After all, Qing Lin was absolutely unique to Xiao Yan, and he genuinely believed that Qing Lin's talent on the path of cultivation was stronger than his own. However, Xiao Yan had already seen through Qing Lin's feelings for him through so many experiences, so he selflessly gave Qing Lin the power of choice.
Two days later, the two had crossed the distance between Starfall Pavilion and Burning Flame Valley.
"Young Master, we're about to enter the Starfall Pavilion territory." Qing Lin's voice was soft. No matter how reluctant he was, this was the end of their encounter.
Xiao Yan paused slightly, slowing down his flight.
"Yes, we're home." Xiao Yan's voice was gentle, a faint smile playing on his lips. He reached out and naturally brushed a strand of hair from Qing Lin's forehead.
Qinglin's body trembled slightly at this: "Young Master, Qinglin will take her leave now. I will definitely return when you need me!"
Xiao Yan smiled and gently pulled Qing Lin into his arms. Qing Lin's body stiffened slightly at first, then completely relaxed, burying her face in his firm chest and wrapping her arms tightly around his waist and back, as if trying to merge herself into him.
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself; ultimately, I'll have to do what's rightfully my responsibility."
She left Xiao Yan's embrace, her movements carrying a hint of reluctance yet utterly solemn. She carefully took out a jade slip, its surface a deep, dark black, with several extremely fine yet powerfully spatial silver runes entwined upon it.
"Young Master," Qinglin solemnly placed the jade slip into Xiao Yan's outstretched palm, "This is a spatial jade slip refined with my essence and blood, connected to the core of my secluded cultivation place in the Nine Netherworld. Whenever and wherever you need me, just crush it."
Qinglin said, enunciating each word clearly: "Even if we are separated by thousands of mountains and rivers, I will tear through space and arrive by your side in an instant!"
Xiao Yan felt the cool touch of the jade slip in his palm, his heart burning with passion. He knew that making this jade slip was no easy task, but it truly represented the feelings of the beautiful woman before him.
"Okay." Xiao Yan didn't say anything more, but just solemnly held the jade slip tightly in his hand.
Take care of yourself, don't push yourself too hard. Remember, your safety is just as important to me.
Qing Lin gave Xiao Yan one last deep look. A spatial rift opened naturally in front of her, and Qing Lin then completely disappeared from the spot, leaving only a faint, cool fragrance.
……
Xiao Yan returned to the Starfall Pavilion, and as its young master, he naturally encountered no unnecessary obstacles. Seeing that the Starfall Pavilion was functioning without incident and the disciples were coming and going in an orderly manner, Xiao Yan's initial worries subsided somewhat. After all, his biggest concern was that the ancient clans would directly confront the Starfall Pavilion, but fortunately, these ancient Dou Di families still had basic principles and did not take advantage of Xiao Yan's absence to do anything underhanded.
Xiao Yan's return caused quite a stir once again. After all, in the hearts of many disciples, Xiao Yan, who created many legends, probably held a position no less than that of the old sect master, Venerable Feng.
Then, many figures appeared one after another to welcome Xiao Yan's return. The first to appear was naturally Little Fairy Doctor. She carefully examined Xiao Yan, and upon seeing that he was unharmed, the barely perceptible worry in her eyes vanished. Xiao Yan and she exchanged a glance; no words were needed, their hearts understood each other.
"Old Xiao is finally back. Without you as the young master, Starfall Pavilion almost went out of business." The familiar carefree voice rang out, and even without looking, Xiao Yan knew it was definitely Wei Jiangyuan.
However, Xiao Yan's gaze did not linger on Wei Jiangyuan for long, but was completely attracted by the old man beside him.
It was an old man dressed in ordinary hemp clothing, leaning on a cane that looked like it was woven from medicinal herbs. Many jade bottles hung from the cane, making a tinkling sound when he shook it.
The old man stood there quietly, a peaceful smile on his face, as if he had seen through the ways of the world. His aura was neither sharp nor completely concealed, like an ancient tree in the mountains, seemingly old and frail, yet possessing an extremely surging and vast life force at its core.
Xiao Yan's Heavenly Realm soul perception surpassed that of ordinary people. From the old man, he sensed an aura almost identical to that of countless herbs. Wei Jiangyuan also possessed this feeling, but compared to the old man, it was like the difference between a firefly and the bright moon.
Xiao Yan had roughly guessed his identity.
The old man sized up Xiao Yan for a moment, and finally smiled kindly and said, "You must be the new champion of the Pill Gathering, young Xiao Yan. I am Shennong."
Xiao Yan thought to himself: Just as I expected.
Wei Jiangyuan's teacher was a master alchemist of the highest order, a true ninth-grade alchemist—the Elder Shennong!
Shennong's seniority in Zhongzhou is exceptionally high. Even when Yao Lao and the three giants of the Pill Tower were just beginning to emerge, Shennong's alchemy skills were already unparalleled in Zhongzhou. Xiao Yan had also learned about him from the Pill Tower. Although his strength was extremely formidable, he disliked fighting and was wholeheartedly devoted to alchemy, thus traveling freely and unrestrained throughout the Dou Qi Continent.
The old man Shennong's strength and status are even more transcendent than those reclusive masters of the Pill Tower. His appearance in the Starfall Pavilion now is indeed that of an extraordinary being.
Xiao Yan never expected to encounter this supreme alchemist here. Upon receiving confirmation, Xiao Yan immediately returned the greeting respectfully, saying, "Junior Xiao Yan greets Senior Shennong."
"What a magnanimous spirit! To cultivate both battle qi and soul power at your age is practically an achievement, no wonder you were able to defeat my worthless disciple." Shennong praised him sincerely.
Being reprimanded by his own teacher to his face, Wei Jiangyuan immediately put on a pained expression: "Cough cough cough, old man! How can you talk such a disparaging thing about your own disciple?"
"Old Xiao, you see how much my teacher likes you, and I've also studied with Venerable Medicine for a while. How about we switch teachers?"
Hearing this conversation, coupled with Wei Jiangyuan's winking and gesturing, everyone chuckled. Shennong glared at Wei Jiangyuan, but there was little real reproach in his eyes; instead, it revealed a kind of helplessness towards his mischievous child, clearly indicating that he was already used to his disciple's behavior.
After exchanging a few words with Little Fairy Doctor, Xiao Yan immediately led Shennong Elder, Yao Lao, Xuan Yi, Wei Jiangyuan, and Yao Qingyu to the alchemy room.
Shennong the Elder is a genuine and incredibly experienced ninth-grade alchemist. The combined skill of the other five might not even match his. Now that the Elder's resurrection is imminent, his opinion is extremely important!