173: Discussions at Dan Pavilion, Murderous Intent in the Dark Night

Inside the Marvelous Elixir Pavilion hall, the lights were bright, and the mix of medicinal and sandalwood scents created an elegant and solemn atmosphere.

The attendees were all prominent figures in the Eastern Region's Alchemy world, either long-famed alchemists or representatives from influential Sects.

Lin Xuan entered with Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan, the two beauties, naturally causing quite a stir and attracting scrutiny.

However, those invited were all sharp-witted; though curious, they maintained basic etiquette on the surface, only observing secretly.

Daoist Master Miao Dan, as the host, announced the start of the exchange meeting in a gentle voice.

It began with the customary exchange of Alchemy insights, where several renowned alchemists shared their recent realizations or discussed difficult Pill Formulas.

The atmosphere was quite harmonious.

Lin Xuan sat quietly and listened, not rushing to speak.

His Alchemy Foundation stemmed from the massive knowledge returned by the System and the evolutionary principles connected to the Primal Beginning Sword Scripture, forming his own System that differed significantly from the mainstream Alchemy of the Eastern Region.

He was observing and learning the Alchemy styles and techniques of this world.

Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan sat on his left and right, one cold as ice, the other charming as fire, forming a stark contrast, which invisibly deterred some with ill intentions, making those probing gazes retract significantly.

The exchange progressed, and people began to take out rare Spiritual Medicine or uncommon Pill Formulas to request identification or discussion.

At this moment, a middle-aged alchemist in luxurious robes and an arrogant expression took out a jade box.

After opening it, inside was a small, strange plant that was pitch-black all over but emitted faint Star Power.

"This is a 'dark star grass', obtained from an ancient ruin a hundred years ago.

Its medicinal properties are difficult to determine, and there are few records in ancient books.

Do any Fellow Daoists recognize this item?

If you can identify its properties, this Zhao is willing to pay a heavy reward, or exchange it for items of equal value."

The alchemist surnamed Zhao looked around, his tone carrying a hint of complacency, clearly wanting to use this to gain fame.

Everyone's Divine Sense swept over the dark star grass, all showing expressions of contemplation or confusion.

The grass's Aura was obscure, seemingly Yin and Yang, truly rare.

Just then, the System prompt sounded in Lin Xuan's mind:

【Detected special Spiritual Plant: Yin and Yang Star Soul Grass (Immature). Contains two mutually exclusive Yin and Yang Star Power, requires special methods to reconcile. Can be used to refine the Grade 7 Medicinal Pill 'Yin and Yang Spirit Fusion Pill', balancing conflicting Qi in the body and resolving the danger of Qi Deviation. Very high value.】

Lin Xuan's heart stirred.

This "Yin and Yang Star Soul Grass" was useless to him, but its characteristics and value might serve as a good bargaining chip.

Just as he was about to speak, a sinister voice sounded first:

"This item, this old man wants it."

Everyone looked towards the sound, only to see an elderly man in the corner of the hall, who had been silent, wearing grey robes with a withered Face, slowly raising his head.

His Aura was obscure, his eyes turbid, yet he gave a feeling of extreme danger.

He was actually a Cultivator at the Middle Nascent Soul Stage!

"It's 'Ghost Hand Alchemy King' Mo Qianchou!" Someone exclaimed in a low voice, their tone filled with wariness.

This Mo Qianchou was both righteous and evil, with extremely high Alchemy attainments, but a perverse personality and ruthless methods, having quite a reputation in the Eastern Region.

Seeing Mo Qianchou, the alchemist surnamed Zhao's expression changed slightly, clearly feeling fearful, but he still bit the bullet and said: "So it is Senior Mo.

I wonder if Senior recognizes this grass?

And what are you willing to exchange for it?"

Mo Qianchou's turbid eyes swept over the dark star grass and said hoarsely: "This grass has great use for this old man.

As for the exchange... this old man will give you a bottle of 'Bone-Eroding Heart-Rotten Pill', which is enough for you."

Bone-Eroding Heart-Rotten Pill!

It was a Grade 5 poison pill, extremely vicious!

This was not an exchange, it was clearly robbery!

The alchemist surnamed Zhao's expression instantly became extremely ugly.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense.

Daoist Master Miao Dan frowned slightly, about to speak to mediate.

However, Lin Xuan spoke calmly at this moment: "This grass is called 'Yin and Yang Star Soul Grass', containing extreme Yin and extreme Yang Star Power.

Its medicinal properties are overbearing and conflicting.

It needs to be reconciled with the 'Universal Star Attraction Technique' supplemented by 'Taiyi Azure Wood Qi' before it can be used as medicine to refine the Grade 7 'Yin and Yang Spirit Fusion Pill', which can balance conflicting Qi and resolve the danger of Qi Deviation."

He spoke at a moderate pace, his voice clear, and every word hit everyone's hearts like a hammer.

"Yin and Yang Star Soul Grass?"

"Grade 7 Medicinal Pill? Yin and Yang Spirit Fusion Pill?"

"Universal Star Attraction Technique? Taiyi Azure Wood Qi?"

For a moment, the hall was silent, and everyone looked at Lin Xuan in shock.

Even Daoist Master Miao Dan showed a look of surprise, carefully examining Lin Xuan.

Recognizing the dark star grass was already difficult, but he could actually detail its name, characteristics, processing methods, and even the Medicinal Pill it could refine?

Was this youth's knowledge so extensive?

The alchemist surnamed Zhao was even more dumbfounded.

Mo Qianchou's turbid eyes suddenly shot out a sharp light, staring at Lin Xuan like a poisonous snake, his voice carrying a chill: "Brat, what did you say?

Say it again!"

Lin Xuan faced his oppressive gaze with an unchanged expression: "I said, this grass is the Yin and Yang Star Soul Grass, the main ingredient for refining the Yin and Yang Spirit Fusion Pill.

If Senior wants to take it by force, I fear it would be casting pearls before swine and wasting a heavenly treasure."

"Hmph!" Mo Qianchou snorted coldly, radiating cold Killing Intent from his body, "A mere youth dares to show off in front of this old man?

You say it is the Yin and Yang Star Soul Grass, what proof do you have?

If you dare to speak nonsense, don't blame this old man for being impolite!"

Facing the threat of a Middle Nascent Soul Stage expert, Lin Xuan smiled indifferently: "Proof?

If this grass is placed under moonlight, the Star Power on its surface will naturally condense into the shape of Yin and Yang fish, flowing endlessly.

Fellow Daoist Zhao might as well try."

Hearing this, the alchemist surnamed Zhao hurriedly and carefully carried the jade box to the window, looking through the bright moonlight passing through the window lattice.

Sure enough, he saw that the spots of Star Power on the surface of the dark star grass actually began to flow slowly, faintly outlining a miniature, constantly rotating Yin and Yang fish pattern!

"It's real! It's real!" The alchemist surnamed Zhao's voice changed in excitement.

At this, no one doubted Lin Xuan's words anymore.

Everyone's gaze towards him was suddenly filled with amazement and curiosity.

What exactly was this youth's background?

His Alchemy knowledge was so profound!

Mo Qianchou's Face was so gloomy it could almost drip water.

He stared fixedly at Lin Xuan, his Killing Intent undisguised.

Lin Xuan not only ruined his good deed of forcibly taking the Spiritual Medicine but also made him lose Face in front of everyone!

"Good! Very good! Brat, this old man will remember you!" Mo Qianchou squeezed a few words through his teeth, took a deep look at Lin Xuan as if to carve him into his bones, then flicked his sleeves and rose, leaving the Marvelous Elixir Pavilion directly.

The disturbance was quelled by Lin Xuan's intervention.

The alchemist surnamed Zhao thanked Lin Xuan profusely, and in the end, exchanged that Yin and Yang Star Soul Grass plus a batch of rare auxiliary medicines for a Grade 5 Pill Formula in Lin Xuan's hand that he had obtained from the System return and was not core to him.

Both parties were very happy.

After this incident, Lin Xuan had firmly established his foothold in this small exchange meeting.

In subsequent exchanges, people asked him for advice from time to time.

Lin Xuan also chose the key points, based on the concept of the Primal Beginning Sword Scripture evolving all methods, and proposed some unique insights.

Although he did not fully reveal his trump cards, it made Daoist Master Miao Dan and others nod frequently, the appreciation in their eyes growing stronger.

The exchange meeting lasted until late at night before breaking up.

When leaving the Marvelous Elixir Pavilion, Daoist Master Miao Dan personally sent Lin Xuan to the door and said meaningfully: "Little Friend Lin has extraordinary knowledge, and your future achievements will surely be limitless.

The matter of Qiwu Valley is extremely dangerous.

If you are determined to go, you need to make more preparations.

If you need anything, you can come to find this old man again."

As he spoke, he handed over a jade talisman, "This is this old man's token, perhaps it can obtain some convenience on the periphery of the Ten Thousand Monster Mountain Range."

"Many thanks, Immortal Master." Lin Xuan took the jade talisman and thanked him solemnly.

On the way back to Listening to Bamboo Pavilion, the night was deep, and the streets were empty.

Su Wanqing suddenly said in a low voice: "Someone is following us, their cultivation is not weak, and their concealment methods are extremely high."

Qu Feiyan ran her fingertips over the strings of the yaoguang immortal sound zither, a cold light flashing in her charming eyes: "More than one wave.

Besides the bugs from Heavenly Frost City, there seems to be the Aura of that old monster from just now... truly persistent."

Lin Xuan's expression remained unchanged, transmitting his voice: "As expected.

Ignore them, return directly to the inn."

He could feel that the followers seemed to be wary of something and did not act immediately.

However, just as they turned a relatively secluded street corner, a sudden change occurred!

The surrounding space seemed to solidify instantly, and an invisible force field enveloped them, isolating the street from the outside world!

Immediately after, four ghost-like figures appeared silently in front, back, left, and right, blocking all paths.

These four were all dressed in night-traveling clothes, their Faces blurred, their Aura cold and sharp, and they were all Cultivators at the Golden Core Peak!

And their movements were very tacit, clearly proficient in combined attack techniques.

"Kill the man, take the woman!" The leader gave a cold order, their voice hoarse and distorted, not sounding like a human.

All four attacked at the same time!

Sword light, blade Aura, poison darts, and chains attacked from four tricky angles, as fast as lightning, cooperating seamlessly, instantly sealing all space for Lin Xuan and the others to dodge!

These were definitely not ordinary robbers, but well-trained killers!

Su Wanqing's cold eyes grew cold, the frost silence sword instantly unsheathed, cool moonlight bloomed, turning into an arc-shaped sword curtain to protect her front!

Qu Feiyan flicked her jade fingers rapidly, the yaoguang immortal sound zither emitted a series of urgent notes, and invisible sound waves like sharp thorns drilled straight into the Divine Soul of the four killers!

However, these four killers seemed to be prepared, either wearing Magic Treasure to protect their Divine Soul, or their will was extremely firm, and the effect of the sound wave attack was greatly reduced!

Seeing the attack was about to hit them, a fierce look flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes, and he was about to unfold the Taichu Sword Domain—

Just at this critical moment!

"Hum!"

A brilliant purple thunder light, like an angry Dragon tearing through the night sky, with the majestic Aura of Chaos when it first opened, arrived late but first, fiercely crashing into the center of the four killers' combined attack!

"Boom—!!!"

Thunder roared!

The violent power of thunder exploded instantly, tearing the seamless attack to shreds!

The sword light and blade Aura were annihilated, and the poison darts and chains were knocked away!

I saw a petite figure, her whole body wrapped in solid purple Chaos Thunder Gang, like a Thunder God descending to the world, landing steadily in front of Lin Xuan, a Chaos-colored thunder seal slowly rotating in her hand, emitting a heart-palpitating pressure!

It was Gongsun Yu!

She had actually followed them out at some point, and at the most critical moment, displayed her newly formed "Chaos Thunder Gang Seal", breaking the enemy in one blow!

The four killers were caught off guard by this sudden terrifying lightning strike, their bodies shook violently, and their Auras were chaotic.

"Go!" The leading killer saw that the situation was not feasible, did not linger, and gave a low shout.

The four figures merged into the shadows like ghosts and disappeared instantly, and the space imprisonment was lifted accordingly.

The street returned to silence, as if everything had just happened never occurred.

"Xiaoyu! Why are you here?" Lin Xuan was surprised and happy, and hurriedly stepped forward to support Gongsun Yu, whose breath was a little short.

That thunder seal just now obviously consumed a lot of her strength.

Gongsun Yu's small Face was a little pale, but she was excited and firm: "I... I felt Killing Intent outside, I was worried... Big Brother Lin, I... I didn't hold you back, did I?"

"No, you came just in time!" Lin Xuan looked at her, his heart full of emotion.

This little girl, always at the critical moment, erupted with amazing courage and strength.

Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan also walked over, looking at Gongsun Yu with approval in their eyes.

After this joint defense against the enemy, the relationship between the three women seemed to have drawn closer invisibly.

"Let's go back first." Lin Xuan's gaze swept over the shadows where the killers disappeared, his eyes cold.

Heavenly Frost City? Mo Qianchou? Or other forces?

He noted down this debt.

Back at Listening to Bamboo Pavilion, after strengthening the alert, Lin Xuan took out the remnant map and jade talisman regarding Qiwu Valley gifted by Daoist Master Miao Dan.

"Ten Thousand Monster Mountain Range, Qiwu Valley... It seems that we must go there as soon as possible." Lin Xuan said in a deep voice.

Not only for the nirvana flower, but also to improve their strength to cope with the increasingly complex situation.

Crisis urged them to move forward constantly.