Chapter 236: End of the Watch, the Elders’ Pavilion

Chapter 236: End of the Watch, the Elders’ Pavilion

Upon returning to the refuge, Xiao Ze volunteered to take over the watch of the elixir region.

Partly, he felt indebted to Elder Liu for having replaced him earlier. Additionally, he wanted to look for more rare ingredients and take Qing Lin to find magical snake beasts that might have escaped.

Time passed quickly while they were busy, and soon the end of their watch came.

That day, Xiao Ze returned to the refuge with Qing Lin and noticed the presence of two more people.

They were two elders, both with white hair and beards. One was Elder Sheng, one of the eight great elders. The other had a scar on his face, giving him a fierce look, more like a veteran warrior than an alchemist. However, anyone who could watch over the elixir region should not be taken lightly.

“Xiao Ze greets Elder Sheng, and this is…”

“My name is Lei. You can call me Elder Lei. Your name has been ringing through the Alchemist Tower since I returned.”

The elder with the scar smiled, softening his intimidating appearance.

“Nice to meet you, Elder Lei.”

“Haha, don’t worry, Xiao Ze. Lei has fought many battles, and his aura isn’t directed at you,” explained Elder Liu, concerned that Xiao Ze might have a bad impression of Elder Lei.

“Many battles?”

“Yes, although the Alchemist Tower is one of the most powerful forces on the continent, it isn’t without enemies. Like this time, Lei went out to deal with an attack by the Hall of Souls against our disciples,” Elder Lei explained.

“The Hall of Souls? Do they dare to attack the disciples of the Alchemist Tower openly?”

“Yes, those guys from the Hall of Souls are known for collecting souls. And alchemists, with their strong souls, are their favorite prey,” Elder Sheng said with a grim expression.

“By the way, Xiao Ze, your fame has spread throughout the continent. If you need to leave the Alchemist Tower, make sure to take some of our strong guardians with you,” Elder Liu advised.

“I understand. In fact, I have means to deal with Dou Zun-level warriors. At least the low-level ones.”

The three elders were surprised, showing that Xiao Ze had many resources at his disposal.

After talking for a while, Elder Liu said, “Well, it’s time for us to leave and hand this place over to you.”

“Elder Sheng and Elder Lei, Xiao Ze bids you farewell,” Xiao Ze said, bowing, followed by Qing Lin.

Elders Sheng and Lei watched them go. Once the spatial distortion calmed down, Elder Lei turned to Sheng.

“Sheng, tell me about Xiao Ze. It seems a genius has arrived at the Alchemist Tower during my absence.”

“Haha, his talent far exceeds what you imagine. Since you’re interested, I’ll tell you.”

Xiao Ze didn’t know that he had caught the attention of Elder Lei.

Upon returning to the Alchemist Tower, Xiao Ze had a brief conversation with Elder Liu and then headed with Qing Lin to the Elders’ Pavilion.

The Elders’ Pavilion is where all matters related to the elders of the Tower are handled, such as promotions, merit exchanges, and stipends.

Near the great black tower stood an ancient building with green tiles and red bricks, showing the passage of time.

Due to the frequent presence of people with powerful souls, the building exuded an impressive atmosphere, as if it were a beast made of spiritual energy.

Above the building, there was a plaque with three characters that said “Elders’ Pavilion” written with intense spiritual energy.

Xiao Ze squinted at the plaque, feeling a strong spiritual shock. Only those with powerful souls could perceive its true nature.

“The Elders’ Pavilion has a strong spiritual presence. The author of these characters must have a celestial level soul.”

The Elders’ Pavilion didn’t have many people, as it was exclusive to the elders. Xiao Ze and Qing Lin entered and were greeted by a delicate-looking young woman.

“Greetings, Elder Xiao Ze. How can I help you?”

By this time, Xiao Ze had become a prominent figure in the Tower, known by all the disciples.

“I’ve come to exchange merits. Where should I go?”

“Please, follow me.” The young woman respectfully guided him to a door on the second floor.

“Thank you,” Xiao Ze said with a smile, entering with Qing Lin.

To his surprise, he found the Grand Elder inside.

“Greetings, Grand Elder,” Xiao Ze said, bowing.

“No need to be so formal, Xiao Ze. What brings you here today?” the Grand Elder asked.

Xiao Ze explained his need, which made the Grand Elder frown.

“Since this involves the president, I don’t have the authority to handle it. You must wait a moment while I contact an available president.”

“Does it really need to trouble a president?”

“Yes, the spiritual technique you want is one of the most advanced. It’s better that a president handles it.”

Chapter 237: The Accumulation of the Pill Tower

“Since that’s the case, then please inform the Grand Elder,” said Xiao Ze, bowing slightly. The Grand Elder smiled and nodded, approaching a bookshelf and placing his hand on a crystal sphere. With a glow of energy, the sphere began to flicker.

Xiao Ze remembered that this was the communicator of the Pill Tower, which allowed free communication within the area of the Pill Holy City. Shortly after, the Grand Elder withdrew his hand, showing a joyful expression.

“You’re lucky, President Xuan Yi is available.”

“So, should I go to the Black Tower now?” Xiao Ze knew he couldn’t expect President Xuan Yi to come to see him since he was the one making a request.

“Hehe, no need, child,” said a familiar voice. A woman appeared smiling from a distorted space.

“Greetings, President Xuan Yi,” said both the Grand Elder and Xiao Ze, bowing.

Xuan Yi looked at Qing Lin and then went to her seat.

“The Grand Elder told me you need to settle your merits for the Xuan Qing soul technique,” Xuan Yi said.

“That’s right, during the time I was watching the Pill Realm, I gained many benefits and had time to prepare some pills.”

Xiao Ze took out several jade bottles filled with eighth-level pills. The Grand Elder’s eyes widened. He couldn’t believe that Xiao Ze had had time to make so many pills during his watch.

Xuan Yi frowned upon seeing so many pills. “Xiao Ze, the Pill Tower doesn’t need your merits this way. You shouldn’t force yourself so much, you could damage your soul power.”

“I understand, President. I make sure not to overdo it, and I know that soul overload is very harmful to an alchemist,” Xiao Ze replied.

Even so, Xuan Yi insisted: “Come, let me check.”

Xiao Ze approached, feeling a warm comfort at being so genuinely cared for. Xuan Yi touched Xiao Ze’s palm with a finger, connecting their soul energies. After a moment, Xuan Yi opened her eyes, surprised.

“Your soul power is not only undamaged, but you’ve reached the advanced phase of the Spiritual Realm!” The Grand Elder trembled upon hearing this. The advanced Spiritual Realm!

“Yes, during my time as a watchman, I had a revelation and advanced naturally,” Xiao Ze said, trying to seem modest. Xuan Yi couldn’t help but feel a bit envious.

“Reaching the advanced phase of the Spiritual Realm usually takes over a decade for most alchemists…” Xuan Yi sighed, feeling a mix of admiration and resignation.

She took a deep breath and looked at the jade bottles, releasing the powerful energies of the pills. The air filled with a medicinal fragrance, and mystical figures of dragons and tigers formed in the air. The Grand Elder inhaled deeply, feeling revitalized by the aroma.

Xuan Yi examined the pills with her soul energy and, after a moment, resealed the bottles. “They are all eighth-level pills and of high quality. These are more than enough to settle your debt for the Xuan Qing soul technique.”

“Additionally, I would like to use the remaining merits to obtain some eighth-level pill recipes to expand my collection,” Xiao Ze said.

“That’s fine,” Xuan Yi nodded. The Pill Tower had one of the best collections of pill recipes on the continent.

“Give me your elder medallion, and I’ll modify your merits,” Xuan Yi said. After a brief moment, she returned the medallion to Xiao Ze.

“Elder Liu Tian has already informed me about your performance in watching the Pill Realm. I have also added those merits.”

After returning the medallion, Xuan Yi said goodbye, leaving the task of exchanging recipes to the Grand Elder.

“It’s my duty,” the Grand Elder responded reverently. Xuan Yi smiled at Xiao Ze and disappeared into the distorted space.

“Hehe, here is the information about the eighth-level recipes in the Pill Tower. You can review them and tell me which ones you want,” the Grand Elder said, handing Xiao Ze a purple jade plaque.

Scanning the plaque with his soul energy, Xiao Ze was amazed to see fifteen eighth-level recipes. Each one was more astonishing than the last, ranging from healing medicines to pills that could enhance the strength of a Dou Zun over decades.

Xiao Ze wished he could obtain them all, but his merits were insufficient. Nonetheless, he realized the immense value of being in the Pill Tower, a place where his alchemical skills would grow immensely.

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