Chapter 312 Deducing Elixirs, Shennong the Elder

By the time Shen Wen and Tang Huo'er returned to Pill City, it was already noon on the third day.

As soon as the two entered the Shen Residence, they saw Cao Ying sitting in the Flower Hall looking through account books, with Xiao Yi Xian accompanying her and chatting nearby.

Dan Chen was also there, holding a scroll of a Pill Formula and reading it intently.

Seeing them enter, Cao Ying looked up. Her gaze swept over Shen Wen once before landing on Tang Huo'er, the corners of her lips curling slightly.

"Oh, Miss Tang is... visiting?"

Tang Huo'er's cheeks reddened slightly, but she didn't shy away. She walked in gracefully and sat down beside her. "I'm not visiting; I'm moving in."

Cao Ying raised an eyebrow and looked at Shen Wen.

Shen Wen rubbed his nose and gave a dry cough. "Uh... Huo-er said it was too lonely living by herself and wanted to come to the residence to make things more lively."

Cao Ying gave an "oh," her tone meaningful. "Lonely, huh... then it really is time for things to get lively."

Xiao Yi Xian covered her mouth and chuckled on the side. Dan Chen looked up at Tang Huo'er, then lowered her head to continue reading the Pill Formula, though the corners of her mouth also curved up.

Cao Ying set down the account books, stood up, and walked over to Shen Wen. Leaning close to his ear, she lowered her voice significantly. "I knew it."

Shen Wen gave an embarrassed smile and didn't respond.

Cao Ying gave a soft huff but said nothing more. She turned to greet Tang Huo'er. "Let's go, I'll take you to see the living quarters. There are still a few empty courtyards in the back; you can take your pick."

Tang Huo'er nodded and followed her toward the backyard.

Shen Wen stood in the Flower Hall, watching the two figures disappear at the end of the corridor, before finally letting out a sigh of relief.

Xiao Yi Xian walked over and said softly, "Sister Ying guessed it long ago."

Shen Wen smiled helplessly. "I know."

Dan Chen leaned over, her almond-shaped eyes blinking. "Brother Shen Wen, will Sister Tang be living here from now on?"

Shen Wen nodded.

Dan Chen gave an "oh" and lowered her head back to the Pill Formula, asking no more.

Now that she possessed the Supreme Pill Body, her interest in Alchemy was even stronger than before. She spent all day studying Pill Formulas, and the time she spent pestering Shen Wen had even decreased.

Shen Wen looked at her serious expression, smiled, and didn't disturb her as he turned and left the Flower Hall.

In the following days, Shen Wen's mind was entirely focused on Fire Cloud Old Ancestor's injuries.

After all, he was a Dou Sheng and the stabilizing pillar of the Burning Flame Valley. If he could be cured, it would be a solid boost for dealing with the Hun Clan in the future.

Moreover, with Tang Huo'er in the picture, he couldn't afford to be careless.

On this day, Shen Wen came alone to the highest level of the Pill Tower and knocked on Xuan Danzi's door.

Xuan Danzi was sitting by the window drinking tea. Seeing him enter, he lifted an eyelid. "Is something the matter?"

Shen Wen sat down opposite him and explained Fire Cloud Old Ancestor's situation.

After listening, Xuan Danzi's brow furrowed.

"soul poison? And it has already invaded the Soul Origin?"

Shen Wen nodded.

Xuan Danzi was silent for a moment. He set down his teacup and leaned back in his chair. "This injury is not easy to treat."

Shen Wen said, "This Disciple also knows it's hard to treat. That's why I've come to ask the Old Ancestor if there are any Medicinal Pills specifically for Soul injuries?"

Xuan Danzi shook his head. "None."

He paused before continuing, "The Soul is a mysterious and profound thing. Ordinary Medicinal Pills can treat the Physical Body and Qi, but treating the Soul... in the entire continent, the number of Medicinal Pills that can claim to heal Soul injuries can be counted on one hand."

"Furthermore, that old fellow Fire Cloud's injury has dragged on for decades. The soul poison is already entangled with his Soul Origin. Removing it is easier said than done."

Shen Wen frowned slightly. "Then what grade of Medicinal Pill does the Old Ancestor think would be required?"

Xuan Danzi pondered for a moment before slowly spitting out three words: "Ninth Grade."

Shen Wen's eyelids twitched.

A Ninth Grade Pill.

What kind of concept was that?

An Eighth Grade Pill could make Dou Zuns fight to the death; a Ninth Grade Pill... was something even a Dou Sheng would be tempted by.

In the entire continent, the number of Alchemists capable of refining a Ninth Grade Pill could be counted on one hand.

Xuan Danzi looked at him, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness. "And it's not just any Ninth Grade Pill. It must be one specifically for Soul injuries. I haven't even seen a Pill Formula for such a thing."

He paused and added, "In other words, if you want to heal Fire Cloud, you must deduce a completely new Ninth Grade Pill yourself."

Shen Wen fell silent.

He knew Xuan Danzi was right.

Fire Cloud Old Ancestor's injury was indeed troublesome.

But he had no intention of backing down.

So what if it was a Ninth Grade Pill? Hadn't he deduced the zun ji pill himself back then?

Shen Wen thought for a moment and suddenly said, "Old Ancestor, this Disciple wishes to enter the Pill World to comprehend the Three Thousand Burning Flame."

Xuan Danzi raised an eyebrow. "The Three Thousand Burning Flame? You're setting your sights on it?"

Shen Wen shook his head. "Not to refine it, just to comprehend it."

He explained, "The Three Thousand Burning Flame is known as the 'Undying Flame' and contains extreme vitality. This Disciple wants to comprehend some Profound Truths regarding life and recovery from it. Perhaps it will help in deducing a Medicinal Pill to treat the Soul."

After hearing this, a look of contemplation flashed in Xuan Danzi's eyes.

After a moment, he suddenly smiled.

"You brat, you've actually reminded me."

Shen Wen looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

Xuan Danzi said, "The Three Thousand Burning Flame does indeed contain vitality, but it would be difficult for you to comprehend the Profound Truth of healing the Soul from it."

After all, it isn't specifically targeted at the Soul."

He paused, his tone becoming somewhat meaningful. "However, I can take you to see someone. The thing in that person's possession might be more suitable for you."

Shen Wen was slightly startled. "Who?"

Xuan Danzi slowly spoke three words: "Old Man Shennong."

Shen Wen's pupils constricted slightly.

Old Man Shennong.

He naturally knew this name.

A Grade 9 Profound Pill Grandmaster, a Six-Star Dou Sheng, and the possessor of the Living Spirit Flame, ranked fifth on the strange fire ranking list.

He was a true titan of the Alchemy world, his standing no lower than the Xuan Danzi before him.

Seeing his reaction, Xuan Danzi smiled. "It seems you know of him."

Shen Wen nodded, suppressed the shock in his heart, and asked, "The Old Ancestor knows him?"

Xuan Danzi said, "He was a friend of mine during my lifetime."

He spoke calmly, but Shen Wen heard the weight in his words.

A friend during his lifetime.

Xuan Danzi himself was not a living person, but a Senior powerhouse from the ancient Pill Tower. A refined Medicinal Pill had gained spirituality and taken human form, resulting in the current Old Ancestor Xuan Dan.

The friend from his lifetime he spoke of...

...must have been a friend of the Pill Tower Senior who refined him.

Xuan Danzi continued, "When I told you before that I would find a way to help you block the gaze of the Gu Clan, I was talking about him."

He picked up his teacup and took a sip, his tone casual. "Old Man Shennong is of an extremely high seniority, even a generation higher than me."

"He has some friendship with the Medicine Clan, and his words carry weight."

"Combined with his status as a Grade 9 Profound Pill Grandmaster, as long as he stands up and says you are his Disciple, the Gu Clan will have to think twice."

Shen Wen was silent for a moment before asking, "Then why didn't the Old Ancestor mention this before?"

Xuan Danzi glanced at him and smiled. "Because mentioning it before would have been useless."

He set down his teacup, his tone becoming more serious. "That old fellow Shennong has a very eccentric temper."

"He doesn't just take anyone. Although I previously thought your talent was good, getting him to nod would have been difficult."

"But it's different now."

Xuan Danzi looked at Shen Wen with a hint of admiration in his gaze. "I have already told him about the zun ji pill. After that old fellow heard it, he was silent for a long while, and then he said one thing."

Shen Wen raised an eyebrow. "What did he say?"

Xuan Danzi said, "He said, 'This kid is quite interesting, bring him to see me.'"

Shen Wen was stunned for a moment, then quickly understood.

The zun ji pill.

It was the zun ji pill again.

This Medicinal Pill was truly his stepping stone.