the top floor of the Dan Tower, in Xuan Kongzi's study.
The small study was truly packed with distinguished guests. Looking around, the vast majority of them were Dou Zun powerhouses, rarely seen outside!
The three giants had changed their previous demeanor and were each leisurely sipping tea, not appearing to have just experienced a tense confrontation.
Chen Guan, Little Medical Immortal, and Skyfire Venerable were also smiling warmly and appearing composed. This behavior left the more straightforward Feng Venerable perplexed for a moment, and he hesitated several times to speak.
However, the old man, Yao Chen, seemed to have come to some understanding. He had a "close relationship" with Elder Mu Gu, and it was because of this relationship that he keenly sensed something amiss with the Mu Gu he had handed over today.
The reactions of the people before him further confirmed his suspicions. He
also wanted to ask for confirmation, but sensing Xuan Kongzi's teasing gaze, Yao Chen suppressed his curiosity. "
You want me to ask so you can show off?
" Dream on!
Yao Chen had an idea, and quietly sent a message to Xiao Yanzi, who was waiting outside.
Soon, there was a rapid knock on the door.
"Xiao Yan, that kid. I've told him so many times, but he's still so impatient."
"Ha, young people, understandable."
Xuan Kongzi chuckled, understanding the situation without saying anything. He waved open the door, revealing a slightly surprised Xiao Yan.
Looking at the powerful experts sitting in rows in the study, even Xiao Yan, with his broad mind, felt a little nervous.
After bowing to the group of experts, he moved to stand behind Chen Guan, feeling more at ease.
Xuan Kongzi and the others ignored him, chatting away, remarking on the tea and the beautiful weather, never mentioning the main event of the day. This left those still in the dark feeling a pang of fear.
Just then, Xiao Yan received a subtle look from Yao Chen.
Immediately, he could only act as the first to lose his curiosity, leaning slightly closer to Chen Guan's ear to ask.
"Brother Guan, that old man Mu Gu, I heard he's an eighth-grade alchemy master, and must be highly respected in Soul Palace. Are you really going to hand him over like this?"
His voice was low, but everyone present, none less powerful than him, heard him.
Chen Guan looked up, his gaze meeting Xuan Kongzi, then glanced at Yao Chen and Feng Zunzhe. Seeing everyone staring at him, he knew what they were thinking.
With a slight nod, Chen Guan offered a subtle reminder.
"Old Man Mu Gu won't pose any threat to us anymore. On the contrary, he'll be a powerful weapon against Soul Palace!"
Everyone present was a close friend, and Chen Guan wasn't worried about them leaking the information.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan and Feng Zunzhe looked stunned, but Yao Chen nodded gently.
As expected!
While he was somewhat curious about how he had done it, since it was clearly a personal secret, Yao Chen didn't dare to ask any more questions.
He kept this in mind, calculating the convenience of having such an insider, but smiled and changed the subject, not wanting to give Xuankong Zishu a chance to show off.
"That's great! Yesterday at Xingyun Pavilion, Feng Xian and I noticed that Mo Yu and Prisoner Land had abandoned the blockade and left. We immediately guessed there must be other activities, and the major event during this period was undoubtedly the Alchemy Conference. Unfortunately, I wanted to come to help and repay your favor, but I still didn't have the opportunity to take action."
These words also explained their presence at the Alchemy Conference.
Xuan Kongzi smiled and nodded. "There won't be a fight unless the Soul Palace wants to go all out. We're at their mercy, and they have their own concerns. Before the third round of alchemy, Chen Xiaozi and I suspected that someone from the Soul Palace would take advantage of the situation to cause trouble, but deploying four Celestial Venerables simultaneously was beyond our expectations. Fortunately, the result was good, and Mu Gu was sent back naturally."
Xuan Kongzi recounted some unknown details, quietly redirecting the conversation.
Having accomplished such a "big" feat, it would be like having ants crawling on your body if you didn't show off to your old friend.
Yao Chen, knowing his intentions, defended himself and changed the subject again.
"As long as it goes smoothly, good. Speaking of alchemy, the elixir Chen Guan created today is something I've never heard of in my experience. To be honest, I share the same curiosity as the three Celestial Venerables. Could you please tell me about its effects?"
Most of those present today had achieved some level of alchemy, and upon hearing this, they all turned towards Chen Guan.
Clearly, they wanted to know.
Xuan Kongzi, who sat at the main seat, smiled silently and gave Chen Guan a look.
Chen Guan wasn't particularly interested in the "grudges" between these old men, but seeing everyone's curiosity, he didn't hide anything and told them the truth.
"Before the Alchemy Conference began, I had the good fortune to visit the Sound Valley. As a gift from the Valley, I mastered an eighth-grade elixir called the Tianyuan Pill. This elixir significantly enhances one's aptitude. The weaker one's aptitude, the greater the effect."
Yun Yun, standing beside him, stared directly at the young man with a watery gaze. The others seemed to have vanished before her.
This expression surprised Yao Chen and the others, but considering her current strength, they had guessed something.
Unaware of their thoughts, Chen Guan took Sect Master Yun's jade-like hand, which rested on his back, and continued his story.
"Although the Tianyuan Pill is highly effective, its ultimate power is only at the level of producing four-colored pill thunder. Therefore, I privately consulted my teacher, hoping to innovate. Finally, before the Alchemy Conference, my teacher and I developed an even more potent pill, which we call..."
"Bu Tian Pill!"
"Not only does it enhance aptitude even more powerfully than the Tianyuan Pill, it can also restore those whose cultivation has been compromised, such as those who have been resurrected, to their former peak in a very short time!"
Upon hearing this, Yao Chen couldn't help but stare intently at Chen Guan.
He had many elixirs that could help him quickly regain his former strength, but none that could produce eight-colored pill thunder.
If he had more time, Yao Chen could take it step by step.
But now, the Soul Palace's Eight and Nine Celestial Lords were constantly watching the Xingyun Pavilion, leaving him no time for slow progress.
He wanted faster, faster!
As long as he could return to his former peak, the Eight and Nine Celestial Lords wouldn't be a match for him in a single round!
His piercing gaze practically spelled out the word 'want' written all over his face.
But Chen Guan changed the subject, "This is the first time I've refined this elixir since my teacher and I revamped it. Today's success was partly due to luck. Whether it lives up to expectations remains to be seen. Yun'er, coincidentally, is about to reach Dou Zong status, so I'm planning to give it to her."
He called it a test, but the quality of an elixir was obvious to most present.
Regardless, taking this Heaven-Replenishing Pill would only benefit them.
Eyes turned toward Yun Yun, not much envy, but overwhelming anticipation.
Only Yao Chen opened his mouth wide, wanting to declare, "I'm willing to be this guinea pig!"
Unfortunately, he couldn't bring himself to do so, so he remained silent, trying to figure out a way to exchange the formula for it later.
Yun Yun, lost in the tenderness of the moment, suddenly snapped awake. She wanted to say something, but Chen Guan gripped her right hand tightly, his smile of affirmation speaking volumes.
"A truly astonishing Bu Tian Dan. However, Chen Guan, you still have some energy left in your refining today. I suspect the Eight-Colored Pill Thunder is only the Bu Tian Dan's limit, not yours. Your refining skills are now on par with a certain old fellow. We can discuss this later,"
Yao Chen affirmed, subtly glancing at Xuan Kong Zi, a move that left Xuan Kong Zi furious.
But then, realizing his disciple had surpassed his master, it was a matter of pride for the teacher. He casually glanced at Xiao Yan, his smile widening.
Yao Chen's smile froze...
The two old men were secretly competing, their rather childish behavior making everyone smile.
After the joke, Tian Lei Zi, who was sitting below Xuan Kong Zi, suddenly looked at Chen Guan with a serious expression.
"Although no major battle broke out today, the Soul Palace's strength has already been revealed. The Four Heavenly Venerables, Xuehe, have only just reached Douzun, but the Three Heavenly Venerables are already Semi-Saints. Imagine how powerful the two Heavenly Venerables, the Great Heavenly Venerables, will be. We must pay even greater attention to them in the future."
With these words, the atmosphere in the study suddenly grew solemn.
A palace and a tower—they were supposed to be on equal footing.
But what they saw today gave them the impression that the Soul Palace might be even more powerful than the Pill Tower.
And not even by a hair's breadth!
"Also, when the Three Heavenly Venerables attacked today, they were secretly aided by a master who was able to easily break their attack without the other party noticing. This master must be even more powerful than the Three Heavenly Venerables. Chen Guan, do you know such a powerful individual?"
"Could it be a senior from the Small Pill Tower?"
"No, I'm very familiar with the auras of those within the Small Pill Tower. It's definitely not them."
Upon hearing this, Chen Guan grew suspicious.
A powerful semi-saint who could suppress the Three Heavenly Venerables...
Suddenly, Yun Yun's signal came from his palm. Chen Guan turned his head and looked. Suddenly, a sound rang out.
"Yin Gu!!!"
(End of this chapter)