On Great Pill Mountain, there was a secluded gazebo reserved for the Senior Apothecaries in the sect. It was a recent addition, built as part of the ongoing development on the mountain. The gazebo provided a place for apothecaries like Guo Xiaomei and Huo Zirou to rest after spending the day supervising apothecary disciples.

Currently, Yang Wei and Elder Qian were seated there, having a casual conversation.

From their brief conversation, Yang Wei learned that Elder Qian no longer stayed in the Garden of Eternal Alchemy.

The woman had spent nearly 300 years there and had chosen eternal seclusion out of personal frustration. Realizing she couldn’t pass on her legacy made her bitter, so she decided to abandon everything and live her life in self-hatred.

Elder Qian had her fingers interlocked as her hands rested gently on the table between them.

“I really need to thank you for everything you’ve done, Wei.”

It felt strange for her to say his name so casually. Seeing him as an equal in the path of medicine was something she knew she’d have to get used to.

Yang Wei tilted his head and asked, “Thank me for what?”

Sometimes, he pretended not to understand why women were grateful just to see their cute reactions. But this time, he was genuinely lost.

Elder Qian sighed, clearly reluctant to explain her gratitude further. “As we’ve established many times, I see myself as an inadequate teacher.”

Yang Wei raised a finger to correct her. “I believe you said ‘terrible teacher’, yes?”

Elder Qian stared at his smiling face with half-open eyes and muttered heavily under her breath, “Yes… terrible teacher.”

There was a tense silence as Elder Qian glared at Yang Wei, her face suggesting she wanted to hit him.

────AHEM!

She cleared her throat and tried to regain her usual elegance.

“Thank you. You’ve shown that my efforts weren’t in vain and made me seem like a competent teacher. When I designed the Dao of Spirit-forging Alchemy, I drew knowledge from both the Dragon Blossom and White Serpent Sects.”

Elder Qian’s graceful face took on a solemn expression.

This was a difficult topic she struggled to talk about. Find adventures on empire

Prideful as she was, admitting her own faults felt like swallowing self-made poison. She despised acknowledging her imperfections, and yet here she was, doing just that, and with a man, no less.

“After the two sides split, mastering it became harder but not impossible. I gave up on many of my students, and finally, I gave up on myself. When you came to inherit my legacy, I doubted a man could master it, but I was wrong. I apologize for ever belittling you. You’re clearly the better apothecary.”

Yang Wei leaned back in his chair, absorbing everything she had shared. His face remained unreadable.

Usually, he might seize such moments to boast, but he empathized with Elder Qian’s pain. He’d already discussed this with Guo Xiaomei and understood the weight of Elder Qian’s burden.

While his primary focus was refining the ultimate blood pill, Elder Qian served as a source of motivation. Naturally, he couldn’t let her know that.

Instead, he stroked his chin thoughtfully and smiled to himself.

────Mhmm~

Looking at Elder Qian again, he said, “I have something for you.”

The serious expression on her face turned into mild curiosity as she responded, “Hmm?”

Summoning items from his storage pouch, Yang Wei placed several bamboo scrolls on the table.

Afterward, Yang Wei stayed silent. Maybe he enjoyed keeping Elder Qian curious; it was amusing to see such a graceful and attractive woman showing more interest than usual. While he admired nonchalant women, he also liked seeing them intrigued every now and then.

“What are these?” Elder Qian asked, eyeing the scrolls suspiciously.

Yang Wei gestured towards them with a casual wave of his hand. “See for yourself.”

“Mhm, I see…”

With a watchful gaze, Elder Qian picked up one of the scrolls and carefully unrolled it.

She read through the words and examined the illustrations painted on it. Whispered sounds escaped her lips as she subconsciously read each word. When she finished, a look of shock spread across her face.

“Th-, this is…”

She couldn’t believe what she was holding.

Nodding proudly, Yang Wei decided to satisfy her curiosity further.

“Medicinal Art of Celestial Breath, Dance of the Eternal Flame, Doctrine of Soul Resonance… During my year-long seclusion, I developed these after re-theorizing the information from your version of the Dao of Spirit-forging Alchemy. They’re guides that will help Sisters Zirou and Xiaomei fully comprehend your legacy.”

He kept his explanation straightforward, even though his accomplishment was significant.

Elder Qian stared at him wide-eyed, at a loss for words, utterly flabbergasted.

“Really…”

Elder Qian kept her head and voice low.

“Thank you for this.”

Her voice trembled with emotion she hadn’t felt in ages.

Usually, the graceful apothecary grandmaster kept her composure, even when she reconciled with her students. But this was different. Yang Wei’s gesture touched her deeply. He had given her the chance to teach her students again, to relive precious memories.

The thought made her hands shake with intensity.

Feeling casual about it all, Yang Wei got up from his seat and waved at Elder Qian.

“Well, I have to go now. Just enjoy teaching them, alright? Unfortunately, I won’t be heading to the Eastern Continent anytime soon, but I’ll come pay you all and my lovely Zirou a visit soon. How’s that sound?” He smiled.

Elder Qian wiped away her tears and exhaled heavily, trying to suppress them. “I-, I would love that…”

“Great!” Yang Wei replied.

He flicked his sleeves and started to leave. But before he could take three steps, something held him back… someone.

Out of the corner of his eye, Yang Wei saw Elder Qian hugging him tightly from behind, her face buried into his back.

Pure gratitude was written on her face.

“Wei… thank you so much.” She hugged him tighter.

Yang Wei stood there, satisfied.

There was nothing better than enjoying the warmth of a beautiful woman, after all.

…

Meanwhile, in the Osmanthus World.

He Dongmei sat next to Mu Lin in bed, having just finished her daily check-up. Usually, after making sure Mu Lin’s health was stable, she would stick around for a while to share some news about the sect.

Mu Lin always enjoyed hearing about Yang Wei and the betrothal trial by fire, finding it amusing how he would always find some strange way to deal with troublesome, attention-seeking women.

Now, seeing that Mu Lin had already fallen asleep, He Dongmei quietly got up, disposed the leftovers of the Qi-boosting foods she had brought, and left.

“I’ll come see you again in a few hours…”

A swirling, white rift cracked open and He Dongmei gently walked through it.

During this time, Mu Lin could hardly enjoy her rest.

She was sweating heavily, like someone with a high fever, and she felt sharp pains in her spirit wound. It was a chaotic period for her; the pain was so intense that she could barely think, gritting her teeth so hard they might have turned to dust.

“Ngghhh…” she groaned in pain.

Suddenly, a vision appeared in her mind.

She looked at the Eastern Continent first!

Then, she saw everything beyond it!

There was a woman walking in a vast, empty space filled with stars.

The woman had a small frame but generous endowments that highlighted her femininity. She had golden-yellow eyes, long black hair, coffee-brown skin, and wore revealing black and golden robes.

Wang Ruolan.

A perfect image of elegance and pride.

Moreover, her strong presence was clearly that of someone at the Immortal Realm!

Wang Ruolan respectfully greeted the majestic megastructure far above her by bowing her head.

“Supreme Elder, the issue with the Great Wulong Forest has been resolved. Heavenly Demon Master Su Meirong has been sealed.”

As she spoke, the world around them thrummed with powerful divine energies. Soon, a magnificent scene unfolded as a colossal figure emerged from the deep expanse of stars.

This figure resembled a deity or a majestic spirit, composed of ethereal, star-like material that glowed with a red luminescence. He sat in a meditative posture, surrounded by a cosmic aura that exuded both immense power and tranquility!

This divine figure was Supreme Elder Crimson Star!

Above Crimson Star stood a grand temple.

It was held up by tall columns stretching towards the sky. The building had fancy designs, with shiny red orbs sitting on top of each column, making the place feel grand and almost like it was from a higher world.

Finally, Supreme Elder Crimson Star spoke up.

“In a few days, a distinguished guest will arrive in the Eastern Continent… the soul fragment of the Record-Bearing Heavenly Mother. This is the opportunity our Godless Star Record Sect has been waiting for to fulfill the Matriarch’s grand wish. Ensure all necessary arrangements are ready.”

He didn’t seem bothered by the obstacle like Su Meirong being sealed.

Wang Ruolan bowed her head lower and replied with a mild smile, “Yes.”

Not surprisingly, Wang Ruolan wasn’t alone in the starry world.

Daoist Demon-Sky was also present, dressed in all white robes with a hood masking her face.

She spoke next, her voice calm and composed.

“Honorable Supreme Elder, it seems Wang Ruolan forgot to mention the spies from the Northern Continent who’ve been quite active in our territory. However, I’ve taken care of them. To ensure everything aligns with your wishes, I propose letting my faction proceed with our operations in the Great Wulong Forest. I, Demon-Sky, shall ensure all clans under Su Meirong’s rule are suppressed.”

Just hearing Daoist Demon-Sky’s voice made Wang Ruolan’s face twist with disgust. Though she knew of the woman’s sinister intentions, she couldn’t oppose her.

Deciding to end the discussion, Supreme Elder Crimson Star said firmly, “I allow it. Demon-Sky will oversee the Hall of Sacred Masters. Wang Ruolan, you shall handle matters in the Three Worlds Domain until further notice.”

Wang Ruolan dared not question his decision.

“Y-, Yes… Supreme Elder.”

The vision faded away like smoke in the wind.

────GASP!

Mu Lin’s eyes flew open as she panted heavily.

—

Author’s Note: Read ch. 254 for some clarity.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep