Chapter 19: Medicine Dust

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Not far from the Xiao Family, Soul Changqing had already purchased a property here, a simple pavilion that looked no different from the outside.

However, beneath the pavilion, Soul Changqing had transformed it into an underground chamber.

Relying on the Demon Cores and Demon Beast materials obtained from the Soul Clan trials, and using some basic formation techniques from the True Yin Compendium, Soul Changqing had set up a simple perception-blocking formation in the secret chamber.

Though simple, as long as Soul Changqing didn't blow up the entire chamber, no one below the Six-Star Douzong level would be able to sense anything happening inside, no matter what commotion it caused.

In the secret chamber, Soul Changqing looked at the formation he had set up and nodded in satisfaction.

He then took out the storage ring he had received from Xiao Yan. Sensing the not-weak soul within the storage ring, Soul Changqing smiled and said, "Still hiding? Do I need to invite you out?"

As soon as Soul Changqing finished speaking, the storage ring flickered with a white light, and a soul body floated out.

The soul body's eyes were fixed on Soul Changqing, filled with deep-seated hatred. It gritted its teeth and said, "Soul Temple! You are from the Soul Temple!"

Soul Changqing was currently wearing the uniform of the Soul Temple, and his body emitted an extremely cold and sinister aura, immediately bringing to mind the Soul Temple.

Soul Changqing was now sitting cross-legged in front of the soul body, supporting his chin with his remaining hand, and said with a playful expression, "Oh? You know the Soul Temple? From your reaction, I guess I haven't found the wrong person. You must be Yao Chen, the Venerable Pharmacist who was suppressed and killed by Elder Mugu and the current Emperor Pharmacist decades ago, but managed to escape in soul form, right?"

"Hmph, you soulless creatures! I didn't expect that after hiding for so many years, I would still be found.

Kill me if you will, but I will never join the Soul Temple, and I will never tell you about that cultivation technique. Give up on that, hahaha!"

Yao Chen seemed to know that falling into the hands of the Soul Temple would not end well for him and was somewhat resigned to his fate. He spoke decisively without waiting for Soul Changqing to say anything and then laughed maniacally, appearing somewhat deranged.

It was as if he wanted to vent all the hatred for the Soul Temple and the bitterness of hiding for decades in soul form before his death.

"Oh? Have you misunderstood something? I never said I wanted you to join the Soul Temple or that I wanted the cultivation technique you were fighting over.

Though I am quite curious about what cultivation technique could cause such a struggle, my own cultivation technique is not weak. I have no desire to covet your cultivation technique. And why are you so certain I am from the Soul Temple?"

Soul Changqing ignored Yao Chen's deranged words and continued speaking calmly.

"Hmph! What tricks are you playing? You're wearing the Soul Temple's uniform, and you have that sinister and evil aura. How can you say you're not from the Soul Temple?"

Perhaps the madness had allowed him to vent years of pent-up frustration, or perhaps he hadn't had a conversation with anyone in years.

Now, Yao Chen calmed down and began to engage with Soul Changqing, wanting to see what new trick the Soul Temple was trying to pull.

After all, what was the worst that could happen? He had long come to terms with his fate.

Seeing Yao Chen calm down, Soul Changqing raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Oh? Calmed down? I am indeed from the Soul Temple, or rather, I was once a member of the Soul Temple.

I accidentally learned about your conflict with Elder Mugu and did some research on you, Yao Chen, the outcast of the Medicine Clan, who came to the Zhongzhou and joined the Pill Tower, renowned for your exceptional alchemy skills and peak Battle Venerable strength, known as the Venerable Pharmacist. Is that correct?"

"Hmph!"

Hearing Soul Changqing's praise, Yao Chen did not give him a good face, but a hint of pride still showed in his eyes.

After all, he was extremely proud of his achievements in life!

Soul Changqing, noticing Yao Chen's reaction, continued without concern, "Later, you obtained a mysterious cultivation technique in a Mystic Realm, but for some reason, Elder Mugu of the Soul Temple learned of this and contacted your former disciple, the current Emperor Pharmacist Han Feng.

They shattered your physical body, and on the brink of death, you managed to escape in soul form due to your extraordinary soul strength. No one has known where you've been for the past few decades."

"Hmph, that damned... How did you find me here?"

Hearing Soul Changqing's words, Yao Chen thought of someone, his eyes filled with shocking murderous intent, but he quickly suppressed it and asked his question.

"Hehe, don't rush, let me finish."

Soul Changqing did not immediately answer Yao Chen's question but chuckled and continued, "At the time, I was merely interested in the matter but did not pay too much attention. I only researched your information, as it was not related to me.

Many people in Zhongzhou have been looking for you, but no one has been able to find you. I naturally did not have the ability to do so, so I put the matter aside.

Until recently, I obtained some precious herbs in a Mystic Realm, but they were discovered by the descendant of a Martial Saint from the Soul Temple, who tried to seize them. I naturally refused, and he left, thinking the matter was over.

However, unexpectedly, he ambushed me as I left the Mystic Realm, severely injuring me. If not for my abilities, I would have died in that ambush.

After leaving the Mystic Realm, he relentlessly pursued me, ordering my execution. With no choice, I fled to the Northwestern Continent and came to this small city, where I only recently recovered from my injuries.

I intended to practice in secret, build up my strength, and then return to Zhongzhou to destroy the Soul Temple. But unexpectedly, I heard a piece of news in this small city."

Soul Changqing even shook his empty left sleeve to prove his point.

Yao Chen listened intently, and upon hearing Soul Changqing's words, he had a sudden realization.

"You heard about Xiao Yan?"

"Exactly! I heard the story of a former genius who could no longer condense Battle Qi and whose Battle Qi was gradually fading. Despite countless people examining him, no one could find the cause, and he eventually became a waste.

I was very curious when I heard this story. How could someone's Battle Qi regress and become unable to absorb it for no reason?

While such cases are not uncommon in Zhongzhou, they always have a cause. So, I guessed that there was some secret about Xiao Yan.

I went to investigate the Xiao Family, and when I sensed the soul power from the ring on his chest, I had a hunch. I felt that the ring might be connected to the Venerable Pharmacist who escaped decades ago.

With my suspicions, and with no one in this small city to stop me, I took the ring to verify my guess. As it turned out, I was right, wasn't I?"

(End of Chapter)