Chapter 324

Chapter 324

Bai Chenxing sized up Mu Chen, inquiring, "Have you stabilized your cultivation?"

Mu Chen nodded, wearing a confident grin, "Almost there."

Mu Chen had advanced to Martial Venerable a few days ago, leveling up at the Bai family altar. Most of the tribulation was masked by the altar's formation.

Mu Chen's advancement was a top-secret within the Bai family, known only to a select few.

Bai Chenxing looked at Mu Chen with concern, "Now that you're a Martial Venerable, you meet the criteria for soul possession by the Martial Saint. If the Fate Clan learns of this, those old geezers might not be able to resist targeting you. The Pill Tower controls two map fragments, granting ten spots. Surely, some belong to the Fate Clan."

Mu Chen smirked, a fierce glint in his eyes, "I'm aware. I'd be disappointed if they didn't try."

Bai Chenxing frowned, advising, "I know you have plans, but please, always proceed with caution."

The jade slip Lie Xing Tian gave Mu Chen contained not only the Rebirth Pill recipe but also a Soul Capturing technique. It specialized in manipulating soul power, seizing others' souls.

Normally, capturing someone's soul power would be challenging. However, if one willingly lets their soul leave their body to possess another, for Mu Chen, who had mastered the Soul Capturing technique, it would be like a lamb entering a tiger's den.

Bai Chenxing reiterated, "Always be cautious."

Mu Chen smiled reassuringly, "I know my limits. If they don't cross the line, I won't act rashly."

Bai Chenxing nodded and said, "That's good to hear."

Mu Chen hesitated for a moment before asking, "Have you found out about Ling Chuan?"

"I've asked Yan Xing. It's likely him, but Ling Chuan hasn’t revealed his connection with Qu Kun yet," said Bai Chenxing nonchalantly.

A weight seemed to lift from Mu Chen's heart. As long as Ling Chuan didn't speak, it would be hard for others to guess the relationship between him and Qu Kun. After all, one's from a foreign land and the other's from Central State. They seem worlds apart.

If Ling Chuan could be on their side, they would have an additional ally when the time comes.

"The Spirit Clan contacted me again," Mu Chen said with a furrowed brow.

Bai Chenxing's expression cooled. "What do they want?"

Mu Chen shrugged lightly, "They want a slot to enter the secret realm."

Bai Chenxing said sternly, "Ignore them."

Although Qu Kun has the Spirit Clan's bloodline, it's just a union of interests. When it comes to interests, fairness should prevail. Clearly, the Spirit Clan wants more than their fair share.

Mu Chen nodded, "I understand... Qu Quan wants Qu Kun's slot? What a joke. Do they forget that Qu Kun is Bai Chenxing's father-in-law, and Ling Chuan's lover? His spot is untouchable."

"It seems Qu Quan is a level seven senior alchemist," Bai Chenxing remarked.

Mu Chen frowned, no wonder Qu Quan is so desperate for a spot. The Pill Hall's relics are a significant opportunity for alchemists!

...

"That bastard, I'll make him pay," Qu Kun said menacingly.

Ye Shi, with twinkling eyes, said to Qu Kun, "Grandpa, it's better to reconcile than retaliate. Even if you don’t want to be with him, there’s no need to think about hurting him all the time!"

A bond forms over ten years in the same boat and a hundred years sharing the same pillow. After all, both grandfathers have had a shared past.

Qu Kun glared at Ye Shi, "What has he done to you? Why do you always defend him?"

Ye Shi gave an awkward smile, "He did nothing. Do you want some dried meat, grandpa? It's delicious!"

Qu Kun replied irritably, "Eat, eat, eat. That's all you think about."

Ye Shi replied innocently, "It really does taste good."

Qu Kun: "..."

...

A few days later, representatives from Dan Tower, Dan Valley, Dan Qi Pavilion, and the Bai family gathered at Ming Wind Island to discuss the opening of the secret realm.

By the time Bai Chenxing and his group arrived, representatives from other powers were already present.

As Mu Chen and his group entered, Jing Ming and Jing Li Feng from Dan Qi Pavilion nodded at them with a smile.

The other two from Dan Qi Pavilion seemed indifferent. The last slot for entering the secret realm from Dan Qi Pavilion was given to Qu Quan.

Mu Chen glanced at Qu Quan beside Jing Ming. The Bai family hadn't agreed to give Qu Quan a spot, but Qu Quan had approached Dan Ding Pavilion instead.

For Qu Quan to align with Dan Ding Pavilion so swiftly suggests they had connections long before, possibly revealing the Spirit Clan's earlier plans.

Seeing Bai Chenxing and the others, Qu Quan lowered his gaze, a shadow passing over his eyes.

Mu Chen's gaze briefly met Qu Quan's. For Mu Chen, Qu Quan, a level seven alchemist and a beginner-level Martial Venerable, was hardly a threat.

From the Dan Valley side, Mu Chen only recognized Ling Chuan, who wasn't affiliated with Dan Valley.

Among those from Dan Tower were Chou Zheng Rong and Ge Yi, both of whom had clashed with Mu Chen before. Beside Chou Zheng Rong was an elder in a gray robe, likely the elder of Dan Tower.

Not all from Dan Tower were their members; some cloaked figures were there as external aid. Mu Chen was sure there were members of the Destiny Clan among them.

Mu Chen frowned; despite being a Martial Venerable, his soul force was already at the Martial Saint level.

Yet, he couldn't discern the cultivation levels of many present. There could be numerous Martial Saints in the hall.

Qu Kun scanned the room. Ling Chuan, seated nonchalantly among the Dan Valley group, gave Qu Kun a discreet smile when their gazes met, making Qu Kun's expression darken.

"Alright, everyone is here. Let's begin," said Elder Mo Li Xuan of Dan Tower, opening his eyes and speaking softly.

Bai Chenxing and his group assembled, and the five map fragments came together.

As the fragments merged, a brilliant, multicolored light shot towards the sky, filling it with dazzling rays. Golden dragons soared, phoenixes flew, and the shadows of Qilins roared across the horizon...

...

A colossal palace emerged from the sea.

Five fragments of a map each ensnared a person, plunging them into the mystical realm.

After twenty-five individuals entered the mystic land, it submerged back into the ocean.

Watching the realm vanish, a group of concealed cultivators revealed themselves.

"They're all gone!"

"The Skyline Legacy is open only to the younger generation, but the Pillar Hall's legacy is for everyone. However, the spots available are far too limited."

"I wonder what lies within that realm."

"Given that it's a legacy left by the Pillar Hall, there must be some high-level alchemy teachings inside. Those who've entered are indeed fortunate."

"Not necessarily."

"What is Bai Chenxing thinking? Among those he took with him, only Mu Chen is an alchemist. It's one thing to bring his cousin Bai Chengfeng, but his twin, his father-in-law, and his entire family... Are they on a vacation? Bai Yanxing is even expecting a child, and he still brought her. It's a waste of spots," remarked a cultivator with a peculiar tone.

"I wonder who entered the Pillar Tower. Several faces were unfamiliar."

...

Upon entering the Pillar Hall's realm, a rich aroma of elixirs wafted through the air.

Ye Shi took a deep breath, exclaiming, "Such a delightful scent."

Bai Chenxing smiled, "The Pillar Hall used to be the alchemy sanctuary of Zhongzhou. Legends say that millions of years ago, the number of level-eight alchemists in the Pillar Hall equaled today's level-seven alchemists. There were even level-ten alchemists who crafted divine pills."

Ye Shi blinked, murmuring, "Level-ten alchemist? There were such beings?"

Bai Chenxing nodded, "Indeed! But that's ancient history. Now, even high-level eight alchemists are rare."

Mu Chen sent out his soul perception. The five map fragments had sent them to different locations. He couldn't determine where the others had been transported to.

Ye Shi looked at Mu Chen and inquired, "Mu Chen, where should we head now?"

A vast wave of soul perception was released, soon identifying a row of stone steles.

"Soul techniques," Mu Chen murmured.

"Is there such a thing here?" asked Bai Chenxing.

To become a level-nine alchemist, one must master a soul technique. It's said that crafting level-nine elixirs undoubtedly requires this. Their main purpose for entering the Pillar Hall was to assist Mu Chen in advancing his alchemy to the late stage of level-eight. Only then would they have a chance to awaken Qu Xinyang.

"Over there," pointed Mu Chen towards the east.

Bai Chenxing nodded, "Let's go."

"Alright," responded Mu Chen.

It didn't take long for Mu Chen and the others to arrive at the location of the stone steles. There were twelve steles in total, with the soul techniques inscribed from basic to advanced.

Everyone, except for Mu Chen, found it challenging to understand.

Bai Chenxing furrowed his brows, feeling like he overlooked something. Other than them, the alchemist ratio of the three other groups that entered was quite high. Many treasures in the Pillar Hall were beneficial only to alchemists, like these soul techniques that could be comprehended but not recorded. Although valuable, they were useless to them.

Regardless, having Mu Chen was enough. Bringing additional level-seven alchemists would be redundant.

"Proceed," Bai Chenxing instructed Mu Chen.

Mu Chen nodded and simply replied, "Alright."

Bai Chengfeng, with arms crossed, pondered aloud, "Interrupting the process of comprehending soul techniques could seriously injure an alchemist. We should stay on guard here."

Hearing Bai Chengfeng's words, Ye Shi's eyes widened in realization, and he nodded.

Mu Chen approached a stele, and his consciousness immediately delved deep into it.

"Dad, are soul techniques powerful?" Ye Shi asked.

Bai Chenxing nodded, "Extremely. Ancient alchemists of significance all possessed soul techniques. Soul attacks are omnipresent and nearly impossible to defend against."

"It's said that a level-eight alchemist, using just their soul strength, can instantly defeat a level-eight monster. However, most soul techniques are now lost. If not, alchemists would be even more esteemed. Perhaps it's a good thing they've mostly disappeared; otherwise, alchemists would rule the world."

Ye Shi's eyes widened, utterly fascinated by what he heard.