Cao Ying's curiosity and confusion increase, emotional value +40
Cao Ying gazed at Gu Fei's departing figure, casually tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she gently bit her lower lip.
"Senior Li, what exactly did Gu Fei want to discuss with my teacher?" she asked curiously after Gu Fei disappeared around the corner.
"That… I'm not entirely sure either. The Leader is inside. You might as well ask him directly," Elder Li replied, shaking his head.
Cao Ying frowned slightly, nodded, and walked toward the grand hall, her skirt fluttering as she moved.
Inside the hall, Xuan Kong Zi stood with his back to her, gazing out the window, a flash of sharp light in his seemingly aged eyes.
"Teacher, what did that man want?" Cao Ying asked impatiently after greeting Xuan Kongzi, eager to know about Gu Fei.
Normally, Cao Ying wouldn't be so curious about someone Xuan Kongzi had met. However, Gu Fei gave her an unusual feeling, and it wasn't just because of Elder Li's respectful address.
There was also her own intuition!
Xuan Kongzi turned to face her, speaking calmly, "That young man wanted to try to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame."
Upon hearing this, a rare look of surprise appeared in Cao Ying's usually seductive eyes. She straightened her posture, her brows furrowing with doubt.
"So many predecessors in the Pill Tower have failed to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame. Can he really do it?"
"He seemed quite confident. Even I think he has a good chance," Xuan Kong Zi responded with a smile.
Cao Ying fell silent, surprised that her teacher had such faith in Gu Fei. What kind of abilities did he possess?
"Ying'er, that young man has already reached the Dou Venerate realm in his cultivation…" Xuan Kong Zi said, his voice soft.
Cao Ying was momentarily stunned, never expecting that someone so young would possess such formidable power.
But Xuan Kong Zi's next words shocked her even more.
"And his soul power is exceptionally strong. His alchemy skills should be quite advanced."
Cao Ying's breath caught as she began to grasp the situation.
For Xuan Kong Zi to personally commend someone's soul power, Gu Fei must be extraordinary.
She narrowed her eyes, suddenly wondering if Gu Fei was a highly skilled individual using some kind of technique to maintain a youthful appearance.
"Ying'er, with your talent, you rank among the best in this region. But compared to him, there's still a long way to go."
"Teacher, could it be… is he actually some kind of elder?" she asked, still holding onto some skepticism.
As one of the most talented individuals in Holy Pill City and the Pill Tower, Cao Ying was naturally proud.
She had been a leader among the younger generation for years, and the sudden emergence of someone even more exceptional was hard for her to accept.
Xuan Kong Zi gazed at Cao Ying for a moment before slowly shaking his head, denying her guess.
He was certain that Gu Fei hadn't used any technique to appear younger; he was genuinely young.
Cao Ying couldn't hide her shock, her beautiful eyes widening slightly as she struggled to comprehend her teacher's high regard for Gu Fei.
She took a deep breath, feeling an unsettling suspicion.
"Teacher, does that mean… has he already reached the level of a peak seventh-grade alchemist?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Xuan Kong Zi shook his head again, his eyes filled with deep meaning.
"Not seventh grade; his soul power has already entered the true Spirit Realm…"
"The Spirit Realm?"
"How is that possible?"
Cao Ying's breathing quickened, her chest heaving as her lips trembled in disbelief.
Gu Fei, who appeared to be around her age, was such a monstrous talent. This revelation dealt a heavy blow to her usual self-confidence.
She stepped back in disbelief, quickly finding an excuse to leave the room.
She had to learn more about Gu Fei.
After Cao Ying left, Xuan Kong Zi sighed softly.
Before long, two other figures appeared in the grand hall.
One was a black-robed old man with dark skin, his face tight with a stern expression. The other was a beautiful woman dressed in a cheongsam. Though likely no younger than Xuan Kong Zi, she looked like a woman in her thirties, her expression calm, with a touch of grace accumulated over the years.
These two were also Pill Tower leaders: Tian Leizi and Xuan Yi.
As the three leaders gathered, Xuan Kong Zi quickly explained the situation.
Tian Leizi's initial reaction was to refuse.
"Pill Tower's rules can't be easily broken."
"I understand, but after so many years, no one has been able to refine it, and it still requires our constant attention."
"At least, he's the most promising candidate I've seen in all these years."
Xuan Yi, usually quiet, glanced thoughtfully at the stars outside the window before slowly nodding. "If you say so, it's worth considering."
Tian Leizi hesitated. It was rare for Xuan Kong Zi to hold such a high opinion for a young man.
"If there's no issue with his identity, let him try."
Tian Leizi finally relented but insisted on confirming Gu Fei's identity.
They sent people to investigate Gu Fei's background- when he arrived, which inn he was staying at, and who his companions were.
However, they were all unfamiliar with Huo Tian Huo, the Dou Venerate who accompanied him.
"Gu Fei… Gu clan…"
As they repeated these names, the three leaders exchanged glances, their eyes filled with intrigue.
"Could he really be from that ancient, mysterious clan?"
Tian Leizi seemed to confirm Xuan Kong Zi's suspicion, no longer voicing any objections.
After further discussion, they decided to let Gu Fei try, hoping to form a good relationship.
After all, the Pill Tower had long wanted someone to deal with the Three Thousand Burning Flame. Keeping it sealed in the Star Realm required their constant maintenance.
Whether Gu Fei succeeded or not wasn't their concern.
…
Elsewhere, Gu Fei had returned to the inn. Along the way, he thoughtfully bought a dessert for Xiao Yi Xian.
"So sweet…"
Xiao Yi Xian smiled sweetly as she tasted the treat.
Xiao Yi Xian feels a sense of attachment, emotional value +100
Meanwhile, Qing Lin's gaze shifted between Xiao Yi Xian and Gu Fei.
This made Gu Fei feel a bit awkward. He glanced away, feeling guilty, as if worried that Qing Lin would ask him about their previous "training" again.
Seeing Gu Fei's reaction, Xiao Yi Xian chuckled, knowing that Qing Lin had also asked her about their "training."
"Qing Lin, why don't you join us?" Xiao Yi Xian offered, using food to distract Qing Lin.
After they finished eating, with nothing else to do, Gu Fei decided to take Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin on a tour of Holy Pill City while waiting for the Pill Tower's final decision.
"Brother Gu Fei, Sister Xiao Yi Xian, let's check out that place!" Qing Lin excitedly pulled them toward a bustling area of the city.
Suddenly, a lazy yet alluring female voice called out from behind them.
"Young Master Gu Fei, what a coincidence! I didn't expect us to meet again so soon!"
Gu Fei turned around to see who it was.
It was none other than Cao Ying, dressed in the same black gown, which made her fair skin look even more radiant and her features particularly exquisite.
"Uh…"
Gu Fei hesitated.
Cao Ying claimed it was a coincidence, but it seemed more like she had sought him out.
Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin also turned around, both instantly noticing that the speaker was an extraordinary beauty.
Recalling Cao Ying's words, Xiao Yi Xian slowly glanced at Gu Fei, asking softly, "Do you know her?"
Cao Ying's stunning beauty and her earlier remark made Xiao Yi Xian a bit sensitive.