The news that both Chen Xin and Ning Rongrong were on the verge of breakthroughs was a source of great joy for Gu Xuan. After all, if Chen Xin took another step forward, it meant the strength of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would advance once again.
The current Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan already far surpassed its state in the original story. In the original timeline, Gu Rong had not broken through to Rank 96 at this point, nor had Chen Xin entered closed-door cultivation to charge toward Rank 97.
Ning Fengzhi stored the Beautiful Silk Tulip away. Since Ning Rongrong was still in seclusion, it made sense for him to keep it and hand it to her personally once she emerged.
Next, Gu Xuan produced another brocade box. This one was intended for Chen Xin. Inside was an Immortal Herb called the Black Jade Divine Bamboo, which was exceptionally compatible with Chen Xin's Seven Kill Sword. This was precisely why Gu Xuan believed that Chen Xin would see further improvement after consuming it.
He handed this box to Ning Fengzhi as well for safekeeping, as no one knew how long they would have to wait for Chen Xin to emerge. Gu Xuan couldn't wait around the clan forever; he still needed to return to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to refine the antidotes for Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan.
Having arranged the Immortal Herbs for Chen Xin and Gu Rong, Gu Xuan led Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong to find Yang Wudi. Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan did not join them; instead, they headed to Gu Xuan's courtyard so that Dugu Yan could begin absorbing her soul bone. It wasn't just that she was impatient—the sooner she absorbed it, the sooner she could begin refining and concentrating the toxins within her body into the bone.
The Breaking Clan was now situated within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Most of the clan disciples were in the Outer Sect, with only a few exceptionally gifted individuals having entered the Inner Sect. The hierarchy of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was not particularly rigid, as the sect's core philosophy involved absorbing outside talent to strengthen itself.
Thus, even though the Breaking Clan had only recently joined, those with sufficient talent were quickly brought into the Inner Sect. This served a secondary purpose: it helped integrate the Breaking Clan more effectively, ensuring they truly became part of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Of course, the primary inheritance of the Breaking Clan remained intact. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan originally had a department for medicinal refinement, but it had now been reorganized into the Alchemy Hall. Yang Wudi served as the Hall Master, a position equivalent to a Crimson-Clothed Elder.
The elder hierarchy of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was structured as follows: the lowest-ranking leaders were the White-Clothed Deacons, followed by the Yellow-Clothed Deacons, then the Purple-Clothed Deacons. Above them were the Black-Clothed Elders and the Crimson-Clothed Elders.
Above the Crimson-Clothed Elders were the two guardians of the clan, the Titled Douluos Sword and Bone. While they had no specific title in the formal system, those beneath them addressed them as Supreme Elders. As they were of the generation preceding Ning Fengzhi and were the strongest in the sect, they were more than worthy of the title.
The Alchemy Hall was located in the Inner Sect area and occupied a significant amount of space. Yang Wudi's refined pills were truly extraordinary; if it weren't for the difficulty in finding certain rare ingredients, the hall would have expanded even faster.
Now that Gu Xuan had returned with such incredible news, Ning Fengzhi was certain the Alchemy Hall would shine brilliantly in the future. The effects of the Immortal Herbs were heaven-defying; if they could be refined into pills, the results would be beyond imagination, as alchemy was the ultimate way to maximize a medicinal plant's efficacy.
Upon arriving at the Alchemy Hall, the guards bowed immediately upon seeing the Sect Master and the Supreme Elder. Ning Fengzhi waved them off and asked directly. "Is Elder Yang in?"
The guard nodded quickly. "Elder Yang is in the pill room refining."
Without a moment's delay, the three headed toward the pill room. Along the way, Gu Xuan wondered to himself: if his "teacher" knew what gift he had brought, would the man turn around and call him master instead?
In the original story, when Yang Wudi first met Tang San, they were at each other's throats. But the moment Tang San produced the Aromatic Silk Beauty, Yang Wudi immediately forgot his grudge and practically knelt in devotion. This wasn't because Yang Wudi was fickle; he had tested Tang San's strength first and only lost because Tang San had the "cheat" soul ring of Xiao Wu. The Immortal Herb simply gave him a graceful way to concede.
This proved just how much pull an Immortal Herb—specifically the Aromatic Silk Beauty—had over him.
Entering the room, they found Yang Wudi focused intently on a cauldron, adding ingredients with meticulous care. Every step was cautious; even a tiny error could ruin the batch.
It took a full hour before Yang Wudi finished the refinement and collected the pills into a porcelain bottle. He then bowed to Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong, who had been waiting patiently. "Greetings, Sect Master, Elder Gu. I could not afford to be distracted during the refinement. I hope you can understand."
Ning Fengzhi waved it off dismissively. "Think nothing of it, Elder Yang. Look who has returned?"
As Ning Fengzhi spoke, Gu Xuan, who had been standing behind Gu Rong, stepped forward. "Teacher, your student has returned."
Seeing Gu Xuan, a smile broke out on Yang Wudi's face. He was beyond satisfied with this disciple. Gu Xuan had studied alchemy under him since childhood and had mastered most of his secret techniques in just a few years. Such talent was rare in this world. His only regret was that such a genius wasn't a member of his own clan.
Still, having Gu Xuan as a student was a great comfort. It ensured the Breaking Clan's status within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was secure, which was exactly why Ning Fengzhi had allowed the mentorship in the first place. One cannot win over a clan like the Breaking Clan without proper investment.
Yang Wudi looked at Gu Xuan and asked curiously. "Shouldn't you be at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy? Why have you run back here?"
Gu Xuan grinned and took Yang Wudi's hand, leading him out of the pill room toward a nearby lounge. "I've returned with a gift for you, Teacher. I guarantee you'll be satisfied," Gu Xuan said as they walked.
Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong smiled and followed behind. On the way there, Gu Xuan had emphasized the importance of alchemy, and both men now held Yang Wudi in even higher regard. After all, the Breaking Clan was one of the few families with a true inheritance of medicine. With the "treasure land" of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, they would soon be able to supply pills for the several thousand members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Yang Wudi was a burly man nearly two meters tall, with terrifying scars across his bare chest and a jagged mark on his right cheek, marking him as someone not to be trifled with. Yet, toward Gu Xuan, he showed only doting affection. Gu Xuan had treated him well and had pushed through all opposition to establish the Alchemy Hall. In a sense, they shared a bond of mutual appreciation.
Now, Yang Wudi didn't have to wander or search for ingredients himself; the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan provided everything. He spent his days cultivating and refining, turning in a batch of pills every month. For a man obsessed with alchemy, this was a dream come true.
(End of Chapter)
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