Chapter 221: Can You Help Introduce Me to the Guardian Wu?
"What a nice smell!" Zi Yan's large eyes sparkled with longing, her nose quivering at the rich elixir fragrance, sensing its immense energy. Her throat stirred.
"Did it work?" The scent brought coolness to Cai Lin's depleted sea of consciousness, surging her soul. Witnessing a sixth-grade elixir's emergence for the first time, shock welled within her.
Gazing at the black-robed figure under the towering light pillar, she recalled their shared moments. A slight smile curled her lips, pride flickering in her eyes.
Suddenly, Cai Lin sensed several powerful auras approaching. Recognizing two, she noted they paused at the doorway, their gazes lingering briefly before withdrawing. Other weaker auras gathered around the house, showing no hostility, so she ignored them. In the human capital, unsure of Xiao Bai's ties, she avoided causing trouble without clear provocation.
An incense stick's time passed. Xiao Bai's soul sensed the restless energy in the cauldron calming. Breathing relief, he shifted his hand, and two spheres of shimmering, multicolored liquid in the cauldron erupted with a devouring force.
The light pillar trembled, shattering into rainbow clouds that swirled into the liquid below, fully absorbed.
With a wave, the liquid spheres hovered in his palm. Examining them, Xiao Bai nodded. "As expected of me, a peak sixth-grade cultivator, succeeding in one try!"
Cai Lin and Zi Yan, approaching joyfully, rolled their eyes.
"How did I not notice you were so shameless?" Cai Lin snorted, glaring at the narcissistic figure.
"Right! Xiao Bai, how dare you say that? It makes me blush!" Zi Yan crossed her arms, lips curled in disdain.
"…!" Xiao Bai ignored the humorless duo, pouring the liquid into jade bottles and stowing the furnace. Stretching, he rubbed his brow, showing faint fatigue.
"Want to see those people outside? Shall I send them off?" Cai Lin's cold voice carried concern.
"I'll take a look!" Xiao Bai turned toward the exit.
"Wait. I'll go with you!" Cai Lin said, approaching.
"Don't force yourself. I can go alone!" Xiao Bai said gently, noting her worry. Her aloof nature wouldn't typically engage others.
"Don't worry! They're no different than Tagor Desert dust to me!" Cai Lin's eyes softened, chuckling.
"Okay then!" Xiao Bai took her hand, laughing. "If my queen darling dislikes anyone, don't hesitate to kill them!"
"Think I'm some ruthless killer?" Cai Lin rolled her eyes, knowing he was teasing to amuse her.
"Let's go!" Xiao Bai smiled, walking out hand in hand.
Zi Yan glared after them. "That bastard forgot me again! He just loves big things!" Looking at her petite frame, she longed to grow up.
*Main Hall*
"Haha, I wondered why Mr. Bai skipped the meeting. What a surprise!" Jia Xingtian entered, smiling warmly at Xiao Bai in the main seat.
Fama, Hai Bodong, and others followed. Hai Bodong's smile froze upon seeing Cai Lin, his body stiffening.
"Haha, Queen Medusa, long time no see. Hope you're well!" Jia Xingtian said, shock and fear flashing as he saw the fierce woman sitting obediently beside Xiao Bai, their closeness evident.
"Queen Medusa?!" Nalan Yanran and Ya Fei, trailing behind, froze, eyes wide at the legendary figure of the Tagor Desert.
Ya Fei regained composure, biting her lip as she noted their relationship, her eyes complex. Cai Lin glanced at Jia Xingtian, nodding faintly. She'd fought him before; stuck at Dou Huang, he posed no threat to her Snake People's migration plan.
"Hey, hello, sister-in-law!" Xiao Yan approached, smiling.
Cai Lin's eyes flickered, nodding slightly.
Xiao Yan stood before Xiao Bai, chest puffed out. "Brother Bai, allow me to introduce myself: champion of the 7th Jia Ma Empire Alchemist Conference, fourth-grade master alchemist, Yan Xiao!"
"…!" Xiao Bai.
"…!" Yao Lao. No need to grit "champion" and "fourth-grade" so hard; we heard!
"Right! You've reached fourth-grade. No longer the kid waiting for my foundation-building spirit liquid!" Xiao Bai smiled, recalling three years ago when he visited Yao Lao post-memory loss.
Xiao Yan paused, emotions surging. He'd refused his teacher's refining, waiting for Brother Bai. Meeting him and Yao Lao was his fortune, enabling his rapid rise.
"Haha, Young Master Yan Xiao's excellence owes much to Mr. Bai's guidance!" Fama stroked his beard, grinning.
"He's excellent, but I didn't teach him. His teacher's a carefree senior, hard to name!" Xiao Bai shook his head.
"I see!" Fama nodded, impressed. If Xiao Bai called him "senior," Yan Xiao's teacher was a true master.
During the chat, Xiao Bai's eyes flickered, a fierce look crossing his face. Only Cai Lin noticed, tilting her head in confusion as his anger calmed.
"I'm fine. Just two annoying people," Xiao Bai said softly, sensing her worry.
"Yunlan Sect's Grand Elder Yun Leng visits Mr. Bai!"
"Yunlan Sect's Gu He begs Master Bai's forgiveness for the intrusion!"
Two voices echoed, prompting varied reactions: Fama and Hai Bodong indifferent, Jia Xingtian puzzled, Nalan Yanran hesitant.
"Haha, Bai's new residence is lively!" Xiao Bai glanced at Nalan Yanran. "Miss Nalan, as a Yunlan Sect member, bring them in!"
"Yes, sir!" Nalan Yanran nodded, exiting.
Xiao Bai raised his head, silver lines on his forehead glowing faintly before fading. He waved to Xiao Yan. "Xiao Yanzi, come here!"
"What's wrong, Brother Bai?" Xiao Yan approached, perplexed.
"Don't speak or ask!" Xiao Bai tapped his dantian, severing Xiao Yan's connection to the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire. His expression changed.
If not for trusting Brother Bai, he'd be terrified. "Teacher, what's happening?" he asked mentally, getting no response.
Suspecting the Yunlan Sect's visitors, his face darkened. Is that mysterious person here?
"Go! Don't be nervous, do what needs doing!" Xiao Bai smiled under the hall's puzzled gazes.
As Xiao Yan returned to his seat, Cai Lin whispered, "Xiao Bai, what's going on?"
She'd noticed the glowing rune on his forehead, previously thought decorative, and felt her sea of consciousness tremble.
Xiao Bai shook his head, silent, watching three figures approach behind Nalan Yanran.
An old man in a moon-white robe, white-haired and majestic, walked with vigor. A green sword with cloud patterns adorned his sleeve. The middle-aged man in an alchemist's robe, handsome with a trimmed mustache, wore a six-rippled Medicine Cauldron medallion. The third was Gu He's disciple, Liu Ling.
The two nodded to the room, then faced Xiao Bai. His youthful face startled them. Yun Leng spoke, smiling, "This must be Mr. Bai. I'm Yun Leng, Yunlan Sect's Grand Elder Tianju. This is Elder Gu He, our Chief Alchemist!"
Yun Leng glanced at Cai Lin, frowning slightly at her familiarity. Gu He stared, stunned, then looked away.
Xiao Bai nodded expressionlessly. "I have no ties with the Yunlan Sect. What brings you here?"
"Haha, Mr. Bai, you jest. Our young master's grandfather was saved by your medical skills. How is there no connection? I'm here to thank you and invite you to our sect to show hospitality!" Yun Leng laughed earnestly.
Jia Xingtian and Fama chuckled, seeing his intent to win Xiao Bai over without mentioning the sixth-grade elixir.
They'd heard from Hai Bodong of Xiao Bai's grudge against the Yunlan Sect, so they watched the show.
"I saved him, they paid. Fair trade. No thanks needed," Xiao Bai said calmly.
"I heard your reward was the Seven Illusions Green Spirit Saliva. Any spiritual injuries?" Yun Leng's tone probed, waving as Xiao Bai frowned. "No prying intended! If you need soul restoration, the Yunlan Sect can help!"
Help? Introduce me to Guardian Wu? Xiao Bai sneered inwardly, smiling faintly. "Thanks, but my injuries are healed. No need to trouble you."
Relieved as the vague surveillance from the visitors receded, he cursed his carelessness. Refining a soul elixir drew this guy!
"I won't disturb you then. Honored to meet you! Visit our sect someday; I'd be glad!" Yun Leng bowed, pulling out a gilded note. "You know our Young Master. Her grand event is in two days at the Yunlan Sect. Please attend!"
"I'll see if I can," Xiao Bai said, accepting the note with a strange smile. Hope you won't regret it.
"Haha, I'll await you!" Yun Leng laughed, greeting Jia Xingtian and others before leaving.
"Mr. Bai's alchemy skills amaze me. I hope to exchange ideas someday!" Gu He said, speaking for the first time.
"There'll be a chance," Xiao Bai replied, eyes cold but nodding with a smile.
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(End of Chapter)