Chapter 697

Chapter 697: Alchemy

"That kid really had a lot of fine wine. What a pity I couldn’t get any," the Ancestor of the Sword Path thought, watching Ye Yun drink cup after cup while swallowing his thirst in his soul state. As a wine lover, if he weren’t in this soul state, he would’ve made Ye Yun stockpile hundreds of jars for him.

"That’s why I’m relieved you’re in this state. Otherwise, this place would’ve become a wine cellar," Ye Yun said with a faint smile, hearing the Ancestor’s grumbles.

For someone like the Ancestor who cherished liquor, this was torture. After downing another jar and feeling the alcohol’s rush, Ye Yun mindlessly drained an entire vessel.

"Brother Hongchen, why share this secret? Fewer people knowing would be better, no?" Qiu Xiao asked, eyeing Yao Hongchen’s cheerful demeanor. If he possessed such a secret about the World Tree, he’d never reveal it just to forge connections—fewer competitors meant higher chances of claiming treasure.

Yao Hongchen chuckled. "Ever heard the tale of the fox borrowing the tiger’s might?"

"Are you using Brother Ye’s reputation to scare off rivals?" Wan Sha tilted his head.

"Exactly my initial plan when befriending him. But after our talk, it feels like we’ve met too late—such schemes seem trivial now," Yao Hongchen replied, grinning.

"Brother Hongchen, your alchemy skills are renowned. With Yao Feng dead, you’ll surely lead the Medicine King Valley. We should be bowing to you," Qiu Xiao corrected with a laugh.

"My strength remains obscure despite my alchemy fame. This time, I’ll prove my power matches my pill-making—outside the valley’s shadow." Yao Hongchen slammed her cup, eyes blazing.

"We believe you. Show the world your strength rivals your alchemy!" Qiu Xiao and Wan Sha raised their glasses.

"Exactly!" Amid the noise, Ye Yun feigned drunkenness to request a room. Evaporating the alcohol within him, he scanned the canyon—uneven terrain rich in spiritual energy, though the basin’s positioning felt reckless.

If he acted, a single Sea of Heavenly Fire could trap everyone here. They’d burn true qi resisting until reduced to ashes.

Unhurried, Ye Yun circled the area. A massive boulder caught his attention. Teleporting atop the cliff via spatial laws, he pressed a hand to the stone. The faint dragon aura suggested the spatial dragon egg’s soul from the first layer might be linked to Yao Hongchen.

But confronting her now would strain their fragile alliance. Ye Yun shelved the matter, though he wondered—why would someone without spatial affinity need a Dragon’s Soul? His probing, even through the Ancestor, revealed only wood spirit power and Fire Spirit Qi in her.

"Secrets are inevitable between allies. This likely ties to her alchemy." The boulder’s residual spatial energy indicated the Dragon Soul hadn’t been absorbed yet—it merely once dwelled here. Securing it could elevate his spatial mastery exponentially.

"Taking what I need shouldn’t breach our pact." White light flashed as Ye Yun returned to his room. He lay down, savoring rare tranquility.

At dawn, medicinal fragrances led him to the alchemy hall. Medicine King Valley disciples focused on furnaces, refining ingredients with practiced motions despite occasional failures.

Seeing their frustration, Ye Yun smirked. Failure bred success. Intrigued, he asked the Ancestor, "Know anything about pill-making?"

"Enough to warn you: it’s a spirit stone-draining, time-sinking trap. Only meant for lifelong servants," the Ancestor scoffed.

"Top alchemists command respect," Ye Yun countered.

"Fools clinging to shortcuts! My friend died devouring pills to patch his weak foundation." Bitterness tinged the Ancestor’s voice.

"Brother Ye, care for a closer look?" Yao Hongchen approached, smiling.

Ye Yun nodded. Curiosity and the Dragon Soul question compelled him.

"Tranquil Mind Pills, Blaze Ignition Pills, Aqua Spirit Pills…" Yao Hongchen listed names while the busy alchemists ignored her. She waved a sleeve, bathing the room in invigorating energy. The disciples brightened but kept eyes locked on their furnaces.

"Impressive. Care to demonstrate your true skills?" Ye Yun prodded.

"Gladly." Crimson light flared in Yao Hongchen’s eyes as she summoned a beast-headed black cauldron. "The Qianshou Ding—a supreme Immortal artifact. Near perfection, needing only a Spatial Dragon Soul to become the Wan Shou Ding, a peerless treasure."

Ye Yun’s smile tightened. Her explanation answered his unasked question—she wouldn’t yield the Dragon Soul.

Yao Hongchen tossed heavenly materials and earthly treasures into the air. Fire Spirit Qi surged from her palm, mingling with wood spirit power in the cauldron. Within an incense stick’s time, fragrance wafted out.

"Infant-Breaking Pills. They aid Nascent Soul breakthroughs, though less effectively than Nascent Soul fruit." She tapped the cauldron, releasing dozens of pills. "Try one?"

"Useless to me now. Had I known you earlier…" Ye Yun declined.

"Pathetic trinkets! Real experts don’t rely on pills!" the Ancestor spat.

"Not all share your view—though I personally dislike them," Ye Yun mused.

"Your Cleansing Immortal Heart Technique demands self-cultivation!" the Ancestor retorted.

"Still, imagine endless breakthrough pills…"

"Even immortals lack such fantasies."

Ye Yun watched the diligent alchemists. "They’ll keep trying. Who knows?"

"Fools wasting lifetimes," the Ancestor muttered.

As Ye Yun left with Yao Hongchen, he memorized her pill-refining gestures—useful for future impersonations.