As Yao Lao and Xiao Yan appeared, several powerful soul fluctuations discreetly rippled out from the towering spire at the center of Holy Pill City.
The next second, two elderly men and a beautiful middle-aged woman appeared above the square.
"Whoa!" The already noisy square erupted into even more chaos.
"The Three Pill Tower Giants! They actually all showed up!"
"The respect for Yao Zun-zhe is insane. Now the top alchemists on the entire continent are all gathered here. Folks, this is what you call a spectacle!"
Someone shouted in excitement.
"Yao Chen, you're here." The middle-aged woman glanced coldly at Yao Lao, though her tone remained polite.
"Since you sent me an invitation, of course, I had to show up."
Yao Lao's expression wasn't exactly friendly, but Xiao Yan could see the excitement flickering beneath his calm exterior, along with a faintly meaningful smile in his eyes.
"Tsk tsk, this old man's up to no good." Xiao Yan chuckled.
"So, Yao Chen, this kid is your new disciple?" Xuan Yi asked with a sly smile, giving Xiao Yan a subtle glance.
"You think you're the only one who can find a talented disciple?" Yao Lao snorted.
"Looks like you've got a lot of faith in your student." Xuan Yi looked at Xiao Yan with some curiosity.
Her recently accepted disciple had monstrous talent—better than even the most outstanding students in the Yao Clan. And yet, Yao Chen seemed so confident in this boy?
"Heh, this kid's got quite the background—he's even got two powerful protectors with him." interjected an elderly man beside them.
This was Xuan Kongzi, the most powerful among the Three Pill Tower Giants, just a step away from becoming a Half-Saint.
Hearing this, Xuan Yi and Tian Leizi's expressions shifted.
Both of them were at the peak of Dou Zun, but for two people to hide in space without being detected? Those guardians had to be at least Five-Star Dou Zun, and experts in concealment too.
As Xuan Kongzi's voice fell, two spatial ripples unfolded behind Xiao Yan, and Wen and Wu, the Two Saints, stepped out.
As their aura spread, the Three Giants' expressions changed dramatically.
"Two Half-Saints!"
How terrifying was this kid's background if two Half-Saints were assigned to protect him?
In a continent where most Dou Saints were in seclusion or retired, Half-Saints were basically top-tier forces—enough to start a first-rate faction in Central Province.
Yet two such figures were acting as this boy's bodyguards?
"Oh right, forgot to mention. This disciple of mine is the Holy Son of the Xiao Clan, personally valued by the clan leader."
Seeing the trio's faces go pale, Yao Lao was screaming with joy inside—Damn, this is one hell of a flex.
Of course, none of that joy made it to his face. Especially in front of women—had to keep it cool.
Xiao Yan hadn't told even Yao Lao or anyone else that he was the Emperor's Son of the Xiao Clan. He was afraid that title was too overpowered, and no one would want to genuinely befriend him.
So he took a step back, claiming to be a mere Holy Son of the Xiao Clan, a little better than the others, thus earning the clan leader's favor.
Xiao Clan! Personally valued by the clan leader! The Three Pill Tower Giants exchanged glances, all seeing the shock in each other's eyes.
The Xiao Clan had always stayed hidden from the world, but at their level, they were vaguely aware of its power.
Not to mention the fact that the Xiao Clan had the only Dou Di (Battle Emperor) alive—the sheer number of Dou Saints in the clan alone was enough to suffocate anyone.
Among the Ancient Seven Clans, even the weakest Ling Clan was above the Pill Tower. To be a Holy Son or Daughter of an Ancient Clan meant a high probability of becoming a Dou Saint in the future.
"So, you're the Holy Son of the Xiao Clan. Heh, this way please, young friend."
After a moment of silence, Xuan Kongzi gestured courteously and even extended the gesture to the Two Saints behind Xiao Yan.
"Esteemed elders, this way please!"
"Mm." The Two Saints nodded blankly, but inside they were loving every second of it.
Although Half-Saints held high positions in the Xiao Clan, there were so many top experts that they could barely get a word in. Try to flex there, and a Dou Saint would appear just to humble you.
Since coming to the outside world with Xiao Yan, though, all they saw were smiling faces. Pill Tower Giant? Starfall Pavilion Master? Didn't matter—they all had to show respect.
If no Dou Saints show up, who dares to challenge us?!
This almost lawless freedom was bliss for Wen and Wu, to the point they didn't miss the clan at all.
Once Xuan Kongzi led Xiao Yan and his guardians away, Xuan Yi dropped her polite smile and quietly walked over to Yao Lao.
"Old man, spill it—how the hell did the Xiao Clan's Holy Son end up becoming your disciple?"
"Heh, maybe this old man's just that charming. Not lying—this brat brought two Half-Saints, busted into Starfall Pavilion, and forced me to accept him."
Yao Lao was ecstatic inside, but all that showed on his face was a breezy smile and a hint of smugness—couldn't ruin the vibe.
"Bullshit!" Xuan Yi cursed, a rare moment of losing her cool.
"Believe it or don't. Let's just see if your precious disciple can outshine mine this time." Yao Lao chuckled and walked off in Xiao Yan's direction.
"That old fart is such a poser." Xuan Yi glared at his back before finally transforming into a streak of light to catch up.
Her previously unshakeable confidence was now tinged with doubt.
After all, she was facing the Holy Son of the most powerful Ancient Clan—the Xiao Clan. This boy had the potential to become a Saint.
Her own disciple had freakish talent too, but this opponent… was a monster.
"Hmph. Just because he's gifted in cultivation doesn't mean his alchemy skills are just as good. I don't believe he can outdo Ying'er in pillcraft!"
In the topmost hall of the Pill Tower, Xuan Kongzi personally served tea to Xiao Yan and his group.
Now, in the eyes of these top figures, Xiao Yan wasn't just some talented kid anymore. Anyone associated with the Xiao Clan immediately commanded the attention of even Dou Saints.
Let alone someone who could walk around with two Half-Saint bodyguards.
After finishing his tea, Xiao Yan stood up.
"Teacher, elders, you chat. I've always heard how lively the Pill Tower is—I want to take a walk. Call me if anything comes up."
Xiao Yan pulled out a voice transmission jade token and made a "call me" gesture to Yao Lao.
"Go, go." Yao Lao had long gotten used to Xiao Yan's weird habits.
Seeing Xiao Yan leave, the Two Saints immediately got up to follow him.
"Esteemed elders, why not stay for more tea? This is our territory—there's no need to worry about the Holy Son's safety." Xuan Kongzi quickly stood up to stop them.
"Hehe, we appreciate the kind gesture, President Xuan Kongzi, but the Holy Son's safety is paramount. If anything happens to him, our heads won't be enough to pay the price." Xiao Wen said with a smile.
And just like that, Xiao Yan's status in the Xiao Clan went up another level in the eyes of the three Giants.
Xiao Yan swaggered through the Pill Tower, and to make his stroll easier, Xuan Kongzi even gave him a special access badge. Except for classified zones, he could go wherever he liked.
Levels two to four of the Pill Tower resembled the Xiao Clan's Scripture Hall, filled with alchemy books, pill formulas, and even battle techniques to assist in refining pills.
Bored, Xiao Yan randomly picked up a book titled "Green Bamboo Cliff Alchemy Chronicles" and flipped through it.
These were the kind of alchemy notes from the outside world that weren't considered secret, so Xiao Yan could read them freely.
"Not bad. Seems like alchemists out here do have some unique ideas compared to ancient clans." He closed the book and put it back, stepping back instinctively.
Only to bump into something soft.
"Who the hell doesn't watch where they're going?! Got no damn eyes?!" A snappy voice rang out behind him.
As Xiao Yan turned around, a slender figure appeared before him.
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