Chapter 362: Vice President of the Pill Tower
The Skyfire Venerate looked into the distance, and even the lingering aura left him deeply shocked. "Such terrifying lightning!"
"Thank you, senior, for saving me. Could you leave your name so I can repay you in the future?" The Skyfire Venerate hesitated for a moment, then bowed towards the direction of the spatial rift.
However, no matter how his voice echoed, the only response was the gradually healing spatial rift. Not receiving a response, the Skyfire Venerate did not think much of it. After all, the senior had saved his life.
Looking at where the Hall of Souls' Heavenly Venerate once stood, the Skyfire Venerate couldn't help but marvel, "He chased me so relentlessly, yet couldn't withstand a single strike from that senior. What realm is that senior in?"
The Skyfire Venerate thought for a moment, then took out a map to roughly determine his direction and headed towards Saint Pill City. Since Xiao Yan fulfilled his promise to refine a body for him, the Skyfire Venerate had become Xiao Yan's protector. This put him at odds with the Hall of Souls, one of the most powerful forces in Zhongzhou.
Recently, Xiao Yan planned to participate in the Pill Meeting hosted by the Pill Tower but was ambushed by two strong members of the Hall of Souls on the way. In a critical situation, the Skyfire Venerate decided to lure away the stronger Five-Star Dou Zun, leaving Xiao Yan to deal with the weaker one. They agreed to meet in Saint Pill City after escaping the Hall of Souls.
"I wonder how Xiao Yan is doing. With his teacher around, he should be fine," the Skyfire Venerate muttered to himself as he flew towards Saint Pill City.
In the endless void, Xiao Ze picked up the spoils brought back by the lightning. With his heavenly-level soul power, he easily erased the soul imprint on the high-level storage ring.
"The Hall of Souls' Heavenly Venerate had quite a collection," Xiao Ze praised before handing the high-level storage ring to the others. While the collection was rich, there was nothing that caught his eye, so he gave it to Qinglin and Little Doctor Immortal.
They happily accepted the ring, passing it around and each taking some items from it. Finally, Qinglin stored the ring away for future use. High-level storage rings were very precious, but at their level, everyone had one, with several kept as spares.
"Young Master Xiao Ze, that Dou Zun seems to be thanking us," Qinglin said with a smile.
"No need to pay attention to it. The Zhongzhou Continent is vast, and whether we meet again is unknown. Talk of future repayment is pointless," Xiao Ze shook his head. It was better to hurry back to the Pill Tower.
A few days later, Xiao Ze and his group arrived outside Saint Pill City, emerging from the void. Seeing the bustling city for the first time, Little Doctor Immortal couldn't help but gape in amazement.
"What a prosperous city! Even the Heavenly Alliance City can't compare!"
"Of course. The size of Saint Pill City rivals the Black-Corner Region. As the holy land for alchemists across the continent, its foundation is far beyond that of the Heavenly Alliance," Xiao Ze said with a smile. "Let's go."
They didn't land directly in the outer regions of Saint Pill City to avoid attracting the attention of the Pill Tower's experts. Although Xiao Ze wasn't afraid, he preferred to avoid unnecessary trouble. This time, they had traveled through the endless void using the Thunder Dou Technique instead of taking a spatial wormhole.
"Saint Pill City is much busier than before!" Qinglin observed, seeing people in various alchemist uniforms.
"It's only close to the start of the Pill Meeting. In a few days, it will be truly crowded," Xiao Ze explained. "Countless alchemists gather here, hoping to soar to new heights on the stage of the Pill Meeting!"
Looking at the many confident alchemists around him, Xiao Ze knew they were brimming with confidence now, but once they witnessed the Pill Meeting's intensity, their spirits might temper.
With elder tokens, Xiao Ze and his group easily entered the inner region of Saint Pill City.
"Qinglin, Medusa, take Little Doctor Immortal to the Elder Tower first. I'll go see the three presidents," Xiao Ze instructed, watching the three women leave before heading to the black tower.
At the entrance of the black tower, several familiar figures were among the guards. Some who didn't recognize Xiao Ze were about to shout but were stopped by others who smiled and said to Xiao Ze, "Elder Xiao Ze, you're back. Please come in. The three presidents said you can enter without announcement when you return."
"Thank you," Xiao Ze said, bowing slightly before stepping inside, leaving the stunned guards behind.
"Is he the legendary genius of the Pill Tower, Elder Xiao Ze?"
"Yes, lucky I stopped you. Otherwise, the consequences would have been dire."
"Thanks, brother!"
Ignoring the conversation at the door, Xiao Ze made his way to the hall where the three presidents were.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Come in, Xiao Ze," came Xuankongzi's voice from inside as soon as Xiao Ze knocked.
"Greetings, presidents! Xiao Ze has been away from the Pill Tower for a long time. Please forgive me," Xiao Ze said, bowing as he entered and saw the three presidents.
"Haha, no need to worry about such trivial matters. The Pill Tower is much more lenient than other forces," Xuankongzi said with a smile, waving his hand.
At this moment, Tian Leizi suddenly widened his eyes at Xiao Ze. "Xiao Ze, what is your current level of strength?"
Hearing Tian Leizi's question, Xuanyi and Xuankongzi were also taken aback, turning their gazes to Xiao Ze, eyes widening in surprise because they couldn't discern Xiao Ze's cultivation level.
"I have reached the peak of Nine-Star Dou Zun."
Gulp!
The three presidents swallowed simultaneously. Being peak Dou Zuns themselves, they knew how difficult it was to reach such a level. Yet Xiao Ze had gone from Five-Star Dou Zun to the peak in less than two years!
"And your alchemy skills?" Tian Leizi asked, his throat dry.
"I can now refine eight-rank pills with Nine-Colored Dan Thunder."
Boom!
The three presidents looked as if they had been struck by lightning, stunned. They knew Xiao Ze's talent was unparalleled, but to see him catch up to them in both alchemy and cultivation so quickly was astonishing.
After a moment, Xuankongzi shook his head with a bitter smile. "We thought there might be some resistance to you hosting the Pill Meeting, but it seems you are well qualified."
Tian Leizi added, "Since none of us have resigned from our positions as presidents, we didn't want to break the rules. So, we came up with a compromise."
"We will appoint you as the vice president of the Pill Tower. This way, you can host the Pill Meeting under the title of a Pill Tower president," Xuanyi said with a smile.
"Thank you, presidents, for your trust. I will do my best to make this Pill Meeting a success!" Xiao Ze said earnestly.
The three presidents nodded in satisfaction, confident in Xiao Ze's abilities.
(End of chapter)