Chapter 265: The Elder's Old Friend
"Heavenly Demon Puppet. This is neither a cultivation technique nor an ordinary Dou Skill, but rather a puppet technique passed down from ancient times. To refine a Heavenly Demon Puppet, three components are required: a body, a soul, and a magic core. The body serves as the vessel, the soul as the guide, and the core as the heart. With additional rare materials, one can finally forge a 'Demonic Puppet.' The puppets are divided into Heaven, Earth, and Human grades—their level depending on the quality of the materials and the refining flame. With infinite strength, they feel neither pain nor emotion, and serve as pure instruments of slaughter."
As Xiao Yuan's eyes passed over the last line of blood-red script, he sighed, shook his head, and handed the bamboo slip to Su Qian. The latter examined it closely, his face showing a trace of astonishment.
"I've only read of such puppet techniques in ancient books—never seen one detailing the refining process. Who would have thought that old Earth Demon had something like this hidden away. That seventh-tier fire-element magic core we saw earlier must've been prepared for this Heavenly Demon Puppet."
Su Qian couldn't help but marvel.
Xiao Yuan nodded regretfully. "What a pity. We obliterated the Earth Demon's body. It would've made an excellent vessel."
"This refinement method is rather… brutal. Taking someone's body, soul, and magic core—when combined with this unique process, it probably produces something terrifying."
Su Qian shook his head and handed the bamboo slip back. "Still, you should hold onto it. Something like this is not suitable to exist in the academy. Since you'll be heading to Central Plains, it's better in your hands."
"Thank you, Elder."
Xiao Yuan accepted it with a pleased expression. He was genuinely intrigued. Except for a few special materials, he already had the soul and magic core required. As for the body—killing a Dou Zong wasn't all that difficult now.
Actually, he did have one… Yun Shan's corpse was still somewhere in Cloud Mist Sect, probably not decomposed yet.
But if he really refined that into a puppet, Yun Yun would probably never speak to him again—and she'd be impossible to coax. Better to target someone else.
After stashing the bamboo slip, Xiao Yuan looked around. Most of the remaining Dou Techniques and cultivation methods were unworthy of his attention. Only the meticulously preserved rare medicinal herbs were of value, so he picked out a handful that might prove useful in the future.
With the valuable items collected, he reluctantly stopped. What remained wasn't useful to him, but for the Xiao clan, it was an enormous windfall. The clan had declined for years and lacked decent Dou Techniques and cultivation methods. Ransacking Demon Flame Valley had solved that problem entirely.
Naturally, Su Qian would also select techniques useful for the academy and have the elders make copies.
From the Earth Demon's ring, Xiao Yuan had also retrieved some valuable combat skills used during their fight:
Thousand Illusion Ice Thorns, Ice Condensation Sword Technique, and Blood-Chill Freezing Heaven
Two high-level Xuan-tier ice Dou Skills and one low Earth-tier skill.
There was also a low Earth-tier ice-element cultivation method:
Heavenly Cold Blood Scripture—a perfect complement to Blood-Chill Freezing Heaven.
Xiao Yuan wasn't impressed at first, but after some thought, it made sense.
What good techniques could the old ghost even have?
If he had anything amazing, he wouldn't have been stuck at Seven-Star Dou Zong for so long.
But it gave Xiao Yuan a new goal.
In Central Plains, there was a force known as Ice River Valley, led by a Dou Zun. Their ice Dou Skills and cultivation methods were high-grade—very appealing to Xiao Yuan.
After resting, the group returned to the Inner Academy. That day's events would surely elevate Jia Nan Academy's reputation to new heights across the Black-Corner Region.
Back in the academy, all the elders returned to their posts. Xiao Yuan, however, sensed an unfamiliar Dou Zong aura.
But Su Qian didn't seem alarmed—perhaps it was someone he knew. Xiao Yuan returned to his quarters and began checking Little Doctor Immortal's pulse.
Her condition was stable. Though she had been cultivating with poison, it wasn't enough to trigger her Calamity Poison Body. No danger of losing control in the short term.
That brought Xiao Yuan peace of mind.
Still, the two of them were… very close. Even a little contact stirred deeper feelings. Though they didn't go too far, they shared some tenderness before parting.
As she walked away, Little Doctor Immortal's face was flushed. Despite her usual confidence in battle, her limbs now felt weak.
She couldn't help but squeeze her legs together, blushing as she thought about how Xiao Yuan's hands had roamed her body while kissing her.
Xiao Yuan, having gained a little yin to replenish his yang, felt refreshed. That's when Xiao Yan arrived.
"Brother, Elder Su sent someone—he wants to see us."
"He wants both of us? Didn't his old friend arrive?"
Xiao Yuan asked, puzzled.
"Dunno. Probably nothing bad."
Xiao Yan shrugged.
"Alright, let's go."
The two soared toward the Elder's Courtyard.
With their current speed, the large academy felt small. They could cross it in an instant.
Upon arrival, they saw three figures: Su Qian, an old man in green robes—clearly a Dou Zong—and a beautiful young woman in pale blue.
She was strikingly attractive, her curves accentuated beneath her robes, but her aloof demeanor exuded distance. Clearly the type not easily approached.
But Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan weren't interested.
"Looks like this is about your old friend, Elder."
Xiao Yuan appeared beside Su Qian, nodding politely at the guests.
Xiao Yan landed next, greeting Su Qian and offering a respectful nod to the guests as well. Courtesy, if nothing else.
The old man in green looked at them with visible astonishment.
He could tell Xiao Yan wasn't much older than his granddaughter—and already a Seven-Star Dou Huang.
Xiao Yuan had arrived on foot through the air—a Dou Zong.
Such young Dou Zong! No wonder Su Qian had looked so smug earlier.
"These are the Xiao brothers—Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan," Su Qian smiled, then introduced his guests. "This is an old friend from my Central Plains days—Ye Zhong. And this young lady is Ye Xinlan. She's already a fourth-tier alchemist and will be training here for a while."
"Oh? Elder's old friend. Nice to meet you, Elder Ye, and hello, Junior Sister Xinlan."
Xiao Yuan smiled warmly, though inwardly… those names sounded familiar.
Xiao Yan also smiled politely. He hated formal occasions and was happy to let Xiao Yuan take the lead.
"Haha, when Su Qian told me about you two, I didn't believe it. Now that I see it—such talent would be top-tier even in Central Plains!"
Ye Zhong cupped his hands respectfully. He was, after all, seeking help—and knew when to be humble.
"So, let's get to the point?"
Xiao Yuan didn't want to waste time.
"Yes, of course."
Su Qian nodded and looked at Ye Zhong.
The old man grew solemn. "I came hoping the two of you would help the Ye clan regain our seat on the Pill Tower Elder Council."
"Pill Tower Elder Council?"
Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan exchanged confused glances.
Yao Lao had never mentioned this before.
Seeing their confusion, Ye Zhong explained. "The Pill Tower is located in Pill Region and is supported by five great families. My Ye clan is one of them. These five clans have existed since the tower's early days, founded by its core elders. If the clans meet certain criteria, they hold a seat on the Elder Council."
"The Pill Tower periodically evaluates the five clans. Only those who pass can retain their seat."
"How is the assessment done?"
Xiao Yuan asked.
"They focus on the younger generation. Each clan must send a junior alchemist to be tested. Passing maintains the seat. Failing… means exile."
Ye Zhong sighed.
"My Ye clan has failed twice. One more failure and we lose our seat—and our place among the Five Great Families. Once that happens, others will pounce."
"The requirements are that strict?"
Xiao Yuan asked.
Ye Zhong nodded. "To participate, one must be at least a sixth-tier alchemist. To pass, they need to be seventh-tier."
Xiao Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Seventh-tier… I should be there soon."
Ye Zhong lit up.
"Master Xiao Yuan is already nearing seventh-tier?"
But then he sighed again.
"I've spent my whole life just reaching that level. Our juniors—like Xinlan here—are struggling to even get close. And now, the rules are harsher. To pass, our candidate must place top three."
"Top three?" Xiao Yuan repeated.
"The other families are growing stronger. Even if they don't send their best, securing top three is hard—even for us with a seventh-tier junior, which we don't have."
Ye Zhong sighed again.
Xiao Yan shook his head, sympathizing with the Ye clan's decline. Other families could pass without even trying. The Ye clan couldn't meet the basic standard.
Seeing Xiao Yan's reaction, Ye Zhong's face turned red. The once-proud family had fallen far. He was ashamed.
"Well… it's doable. But I don't work for free. What's the reward?"
Xiao Yuan stroked his chin. Helping wasn't a problem—but not for nothing.
Ye Zhong looked pained.
That… was the hard part.
Ordinary rewards wouldn't be enough to hire a seventh-tier alchemist.
(END CHAPTER)
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