Chapter 20: Yao Chen's Shock
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Yao Chen fell silent for a moment after hearing Soul Changqing's words.
Soul Changqing didn't continue speaking but quietly stared at Yao Chen.
After a long while, Yao Chen finally spoke up.
"So, why did you bring me here?"
Soul Changqing smiled when he saw Yao Chen speak.
"It's simple. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Your enemy is the Soul Temple, and I also have a deep-seated hatred for the Soul Temple. I came to you because I want to cooperate with you to fight against the Soul Temple together."
Yao Chen's face turned red with anger upon hearing Soul Changqing's words. He spoke to him in a bad temper.
"Cooperate with me? Fight against the Soul Temple? Just because you're at the peak of Battle Sovereign, who gave you the courage to say such things?"
Soul Changqing didn't mind Yao Chen's disdainful words and instead smiled as he replied.
"Don't be in a hurry. Since I already know your basic information, it would be impolite of me not to introduce myself to you."
Soul Changqing licked his lips and continued.
"I am now at the peak of Battle Sovereign. I have slain two seventh-rank magical beasts and a seventh-rank Nine Nether Green Serpent, all within the time it takes to burn an incense stick. I am... seventeen years old."
"This... this..."
Yao Chen was stunned by Soul Changqing's words and for a moment, he was at a loss for words. He couldn't believe that this person had such terrifying accomplishments, especially at just seventeen years old. What was he doing at seventeen?!
In Yao Chen's memory, no one in Zhongzhou had achieved such feats at his age, excluding the Eight Clans. Even in the Pharmacist Clan, only those whose bloodline powers hadn't weakened could match this person. Among the young generation of the Pharmacist Clan, no one could be his match.
Moreover, as a member of the Pharmacist Clan, Yao Chen could sense that this person did not have any Battle Emperor bloodline, meaning he had achieved everything through his own talent. How could Yao Chen not be shocked?
As for whether Soul Changqing was lying, Yao Chen didn't even consider it. It wasn't that he trusted Soul Changqing so much, but rather that one's combat strength and age were impossible to hide. A simple verification would reveal the truth.
Soul Changqing, ignoring Yao Chen's shock, continued.
"Do you know why I was interested in you? It's because I accidentally learned that you are not only an eighth-rank alchemist but also possess a Strange Fire, a very peculiar Strange Fire."
"Bone Spirit Cold Fire? So what? Do you want to take my Bone Spirit Cold Fire?"
Yao Chen's eyes carried a hint of vigilance as he listened to Soul Changqing.
"No, the Bone Spirit Cold Fire is useless to me. Only in your hands can it display its greatest value, even greater than what you previously thought."
Soul Changqing waved his hand and said.
"Oh, what kind of value? Does the Bone Spirit Cold Fire have any special properties?"
Yao Chen asked with curiosity.
"Of course it does. The most special thing about the Bone Spirit Cold Fire is that it can refine pills for me."
Soul Changqing said with a nonchalant expression.
"Hmph!"
Yao Chen burst out in a mocking laugh upon hearing Soul Changqing's words.
Yao Chen looked at Soul Changqing with disdain, his expression suggesting, "Look at how you're pretending."
Soul Changqing ignored Yao Chen and continued.
"Do you know that my body type is extremely yin and cold, very terrifying. My battle qi attribute is also extremely yin and cold. That's why you feel a chilling aura when you see me; it's due to my body type.
When I absorb energy, it's best to absorb yin and cold energy. Otherwise, it will be half the result with double the effort. Therefore, I cannot absorb pills refined with violent and hot flames. The energy converted from those pills is even less effective than directly absorbing the medicinal herbs used to refine them.
Since I started cultivating, I have only absorbed medicinal herbs and never taken any pills. Despite never taking pills, I have reached the peak of Battle Sovereign at seventeen years old, with one foot already in the realm of Battle Ancestor."
Yao Chen was once again speechless upon hearing Soul Changqing's words, not knowing what to say. He needed some time to calm down; it was too much of a shock.
He originally thought that Soul Changqing, like the disciples with Battle Emperor bloodlines, had never lacked pills. He never expected that Soul Changqing had never taken a pill.
A person without the support of a bloodline and without taking pills could surpass the disciples of the Eight Clans, who not only had Battle Emperor bloodlines but also an unlimited supply of pills.
This made Yao Chen feel as if he was living in a fantasy, that the world was not the one he was familiar with.
However, after a moment, Yao Chen came to his senses, and some key points suddenly surfaced in his mind.
"Extremely yin... extremely cold... cannot absorb pills refined with violent flames... Bone Spirit Cold Fire... Eighth-rank Alchemist..."
"Sigh!"
Connecting the dots in his mind, Yao Chen thought of a possible answer and couldn't help but draw a sharp breath. He quickly asked, "You don't mean..."
"Exactly! Since I cannot absorb pills refined with normal flames, I will absorb pills refined with extremely yin fire. You can imagine that I have reached this level without taking any pills. Once I start taking pills, can you imagine how powerful I will become!"
Yao Chen, upon hearing this, came out of his shock and fell silent, his eyes filled with struggle and hesitation.
Although Soul Changqing had a heaven-defying talent and had rebelled against the Soul Temple, harboring a deep grudge against it, he was the best person to help him avenge his grievances.
However, Soul Changqing was once a member of the Soul Temple, a blood-soaked executioner. His hatred for the Soul Temple was for personal reasons, and Yao Chen was afraid.
He was afraid that by eliminating the Soul Temple, he would inadvertently create a monster even more terrifying than the Soul Temple for Zhongzhou!
He couldn't allow himself to cultivate a monster that would bring chaos to the world; that was his own bottom line!
"Sigh, you're called Soul Changqing, right? I know you hate the Soul Temple and want to take revenge, but... sigh, I cannot..."
Yao Chen thought for a moment and decided to reject Soul Changqing's request, even though Soul Changqing's talent was so high that it made him feel as if revenge was within reach.
He wouldn't cultivate a monster for his personal vendetta, no matter how slight the possibility.
Moreover, with the precedent of Han Feng, he dared not act rashly.
He decided to cultivate that young Xiao Family member instead. After all, he had absorbed the person's battle qi for three years, causing such a heavy blow to someone so young. His nature wouldn't allow him to feel at ease.
Over the past three years, he had also come to understand Xiao Yan's character quite well, and it suited him.
Even his slight lecherousness was quite similar, and he wasn't a great evil.
(End of Chapter)