The Anxious Yun Yun

In the master's chamber of Yun Lan Mountain, Yun Yun was sitting cross-legged on her bed, hands forming seals in meditation. Suddenly, she felt a tumultuous sensation in her abdomen, and her Dou Qi became irregular. Her brows furrowed as she focused on sensing her internal condition.

"This… this is?" Yun Yun's eyes flew open, filled with panic.

She muttered to herself, "This can't be. How could I be pregnant? Could it be him?"

She had initially thought the issue was with her meditation, but to her shock, she felt a faint life force within her—something definitely not of her own. The only explanation was that she was pregnant.

Yun Yun's face grew pale as she realized she had fallen for a young man after years of solitary cultivation. She knew almost nothing about this young man except his name—Xiao Yu.

Her delicate hands gently touched her abdomen, and she recalled the scenes from the cave, causing her previously pale cheeks to flush with color.

Knock, knock!

A knock on the door startled Yun Yun. She forced herself to calm down and called out, "Come in!"

With a creak, the door opened to reveal a tall figure—Alchemist King Gu He.

Seeing Gu He, Yun Yun remembered that he had mentioned traveling to the Tagore Desert. It seemed he had come for that reason.

Gu He smiled warmly at Yun Yun, "Sect Master, the medicine for Yanran has been prepared. She is now in closed-door training, and there are no major issues in the sect. Therefore, I plan to depart for the Tagore Desert tomorrow."

Yun Yun nodded slightly, "Alright, I'll prepare and set off tomorrow."

Gu He was pleased and nodded, "Thank you for your trouble, Sect Master!"

"Since Elder Gu is an honorary elder of the Yun Lan Sect, it is naturally my duty," Yun Yun responded with a cool demeanor.

Gu He frowned slightly, disliking Yun Yun's formal tone, but noticing her pale complexion, he asked with concern, "You look pale. Have you been injured during your training?"

Yun Yun furrowed her brows but replied, "It's nothing serious, just some discomfort. Since we're departing for the Tagore Desert tomorrow, Elder Gu should prepare early."

Gu He understood the hint to leave but offered, "If you need any assistance, I will do my utmost to help!"

Yun Yun gave a slight nod, and Gu He turned to leave.

Yun Yun placed her hand on her abdomen and whispered, "Your arrival has truly caught me off guard." Gazing at the burning clouds in the sky, she felt a sudden unease about the upcoming desert expedition.

Back in the Alchemist Hall, Gu He encountered an elderly man standing in the hall. The old man showed respect upon seeing Gu He and greeted him, "Master Gu He!"

Gu He responded with a gentle smile, "Master Frank!"

Gu He's warm demeanor made Master Frank feel at ease. Despite his status as a sixth-tier alchemist, he was humble and respectful toward Frank.

Gu He spoke softly, "I asked Master Frank to come to the capital to request your help with something."

Frank nodded, "Master Gu He, what is the matter that requires such an effort?"

Gu He explained, "I plan to travel to the Tagore Desert. I've received news of a rare fire appearing deep within the desert, and I wish to investigate. What do you think?"

Frank pondered for a moment and replied, "The most powerful force in the desert is the Serpentmen tribe. If the rare fire is indeed in the desert, it is likely within the Serpentmen tribe. This will be no simple task!"

Gu He was pleased with Frank's insight, as his knowledge of the desert was limited. He asked, "How do you assess the Serpentmen tribe's strength?"

Frank sighed, "The Serpentmen tribe likely has three or four Dou King level experts, and their Queen is a Dou Emperor level expert. Such strength is enough to make them dominant in the desert!"

Frank's words made Gu He's heart sink slightly. He hadn't anticipated the presence of a Dou emperor expert in the Serpentmen tribe. Gu He mused, "I'd like to invite Master Frank and Master Otto to join me. I've also invited Lion King Yan Shi and Wind Walker Feng Li. I hope Master Frank will agree."

Frank was not surprised by the invitation and responded, "Since Master Gu He has extended an invitation, I certainly cannot refuse. However, with the Serpentmen having a Dou Huang expert, I wonder…"

Gu He understood that Frank was referring to Yun Yun and replied with a smile, "Yun Yun will accompany us as well!"

Frank glanced at Gu He and chuckled, "Well, Master Gu He certainly knows how to prepare!"

The two parted ways to prepare for the journey. Despite Yun Yun's presence as a Dou Huang providing extra assurance, they were still not complacent.

The next day, Gu He led a powerful group to the Tagore Desert—a Dou Emperor, three Dou King, and six Dou Spirit made a formidable force that would make even the Serpentmen wary. Yun Yun, dressed in black robes, stood at the front of a massive flying beast, lost in her thoughts.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yu and the Little Doctor had arrived at the Mo City Alchemist Guild. The hall was quiet with only a few people present. A maid approached Corei and asked, "Sir Corei, do you need any medicinal ingredients?"

Corei arrogantly glanced at the maid and pointed at Xiao Yu, saying, "Not really. I'm here to accompany this young man for the alchemist assessment!"

The maid understood and went to the counter to retrieve an ancient yellowed parchment and a pen. She approached Xiao Yu and said softly, "Sir, this is the registration form. Please provide your name, age, and tutor for the record."

Xiao Yu thought for a moment and replied, "Xiao Yu, age eighteen, tutor Dan Lao!"

Since Dan Lao was a representative name for his tutor, he used it here.

Corei, overhearing Xiao Yu's tutor's name, burst into laughter, "Dan Lao? I've never heard of such an alchemist!"

The maid looked a bit embarrassed and said, "Sir, your tutor's name does not seem to be in our records."

Corei's smugness grew as he mocked Xiao Yu, "Did you perhaps choose the wrong tutor, or are you just some nobody from a remote corner? Hahaha!"

The Little Doctor, standing beside Xiao Yu, was enraged by Corei's words and said, "Your remarks are truly disgusting!"

But Xiao Yu remained calm and replied, "I'm just afraid that this so-called 'nobody' might end up being stronger than you!"