Chapter 608: The Ancestor of the Pill Tower
"Master Xiao Ze, are you interested in the Pure Lotus Demon Flame?" Qing Lin asked, somewhat puzzled. She knew Xiao Ze possessed a terrifyingly powerful exotic flame but was unsure how it compared to the legendary Pure Lotus Demon Flame, which was ranked third among exotic flames and immensely powerful, truly a king among such flames.
Medusa rested her hands on the table, her eyes thoughtful. "Generally speaking, isn't a person only able to assimilate one kind of exotic flame? Otherwise, wouldn't two types of flames within the body fight each other, possibly harming the host?"
"Indeed, however, the emergence of the Pure Lotus Demon Flame will attract countless powers, including the Soul Hall and even the Soul Clan. Perhaps we can use this opportunity to set a trap for them, weakening their forces," Xiao Ze said, his voice tinged with a hint of chill.
Now fully empowered, unless facing Soul Emperor or those with emperor-level souls like the Void Swallowing Flame, there likely isn't anyone within the Soul Clan who could challenge Xiao Ze alone. If those two were to act, Xiao Ze's jade slip would come into play.
"That makes sense. The Pill Alliance and the Soul Alliance are currently at war. If we can use the emergence of the demon flame to weaken the Soul Alliance, that would indeed be beneficial," Ziyan calculated and nodded.
"However, the emergence of a demon flame is fraught with peril. The Pill Alliance must also be cautious, lest we suffer heavy losses ourselves."
"I have calculated it; there's less than a month until the demon flame descends. We still have time," Xiao Ze added, then hesitated before continuing, "This time, I might not make a move when the demon flame descends because the ancient racial covenant also applies to me."
Medusa's expression changed. "Is it that covenant that forbids Five-Star Dou Saints from acting on the mainland? Does that mean I also cannot act?"
Xiao Ze nodded. "Of course, if they break the rules first, then they can't blame us for responding."
Ziyan clapped her hands, her eyes lighting up, "Does that mean only Qing Lin and I can act this time?"
"Pretty much," Xiao Ze smiled and nodded. "But don't worry, there are many Dou Saints in the Pill Alliance who can handle it."
After their discussion, they stayed on Ancient Dragon Island for a few more days before setting off for the Pill Tower. The four of them traveled on a golden lightning boat, speeding through space towards the Pill Tower.
Suddenly, a surprised voice came from the lightning boat. "Eh? What's this?"
Xiao Ze stopped the lightning boat and looked into the distance. Hundreds of miles away, lush green mountains surrounded a small village with smoke curling up from it.
"What's wrong, Xiao Ze?" Ziyan stepped forward, looking into the distance, though without Xiao Ze's powerful soul force, she didn't sense anything unusual.
"It seems someone is looking for me," Xiao Ze stated, sounding more certain than questioning. He smiled slightly and steered the golden boat towards the distant mountains.
As they approached, the three women could see the small mountain village with its scattered fields, seemingly unremarkable. Xiao Ze didn't head straight for the village but instead lowered the boat to land in a forest clearing.
Before the trio could ask Xiao Ze any questions, they heard a cow mooing from the woods. Then, a blue ox emerged, carrying a young herdsman dressed in simple hemp clothes, his face youthful. The herdsman held a common twig, idly tapping it on the ox's head.
Seeing the unexpected appearance of the herdsman, the three women grew tense; they had not sensed the existence of the ox or the herdsman in their earlier perceptions, indicating that this was no ordinary herdsman.
Xiao Ze stepped forward and respectfully greeted the young herdsman, "The current President of the Pill Tower, Xiao Ze, greets the Ancestor of the Pill Tower."
Xiao Ze's words caused Medusa and the others to look in surprise at the herdsman sitting on the ox's back. "The Ancestor of the Pill Tower!" Ziyan exclaimed, staring at the child-like face of the herdsman, who appeared no older than ten.
Despite their curiosity about the Ancestor's youthful appearance, they refrained from questioning it, simply marveling at the Pill Tower Ancestor's choice to live as a child.
The ox-back herdsman looked at them with clear eyes that seemed to perceive the essence of the world. His gaze lingered on Xiao Ze before surprise flickered in his eyes. "Your cultivation... is admirable for someone so young, surpassing even me, making an old man like myself feel embarrassed."
The herdsman paused, then his young face unexpectedly uttered an aged voice. Qing Lin, more familiar with the tales of the Pill Tower's Ancestor, explained in a low voice, "Legend says the Ancestor enjoys living amongst humans to experience life, often choosing to inhabit the body of an infant who died in the womb."
"The Ancestor enters the infant in a special way and becomes an ordinary child, experiencing a different identity and life until that body passes away."
Understanding dawned on Medusa and Ziyan as they realized why the Pill Tower Ancestor appeared as a child; he was "living a new life."
"Thank you for the compliment, Ancestor. May I know why you have called me here?" Xiao Ze asked.
The herdsman blinked, glanced at the three women who were quietly discussing, and then refocused on Xiao Ze. "Are you aware that the Pure Lotus Demon Flame, which appears once a millennium, is about to emerge?"
"Xiao Ze has returned to the Pill Tower to prepare for the emergence of the demon flame," the herdsman noted with surprise, remembering the younger generations' evaluations of Xiao Ze.
"Since you are prepared, I will not interfere further. I was initially worried that the Soul Hall and the Soul Clan would not abide by the rules and send peak Dou Saints stronger than Five-Star to intervene in the struggle for the Pure Lotus Demon Flame."
The herdsman flicked the twig in his hand, and the ox, almost human in understanding, turned and walked back towards the forest. "If you're going to act, then it doesn't matter whether I do or not."
"Ancestor, won't you consider returning to the Pill Tower for a visit?" Xiao Ze asked.
The herdsman waved a hand dismissively without turning around. "Let's not. The Pill Tower is quite dull; being this herdsman is far more interesting." His voice carried through the trees, fading into the distance as if returning to the small mountain village.
Xiao Ze chuckled and shook his head, then addressed Medusa and the others, "Let's go back to the Pill Tower!"
(End of Chapter)