Chapter 126: Startling News

After a while, seeing that Che Wuyou had made no move, Zhang Qing'er could not help but feel a twinge of curiosity. Logically speaking, given his concern for the Miao family, it was impossible for him to simply let the matter drop. The more she thought about it, the more curious she became. She could not help but turn her head to look at him, only to find Che Wuyou staring at her in a daze. His expression was uncharacteristically complex, revealing a mix of hesitation, nervousness, and perhaps a faint, underlying sense of anticipation.

Seeing this, Zhang Qing'er let out a soft, drawn-out sigh. "If there is something you wish to ask, then ask. As long as I know the answer, I will not hide it from you."

Che Wuyou instinctively clenched his fists. He stared intently at Zhang Qing'er’s slightly weary face for a long moment before finally speaking. "What major events have occurred in Jizhou? What kind of storm did the refinement of the Great Huai Pill trigger? Has the Miao family been affected? And Lanzhi... is she doing well?" Strangely, after asking these questions, his expression seemed to relax.

Zhang Qing'er cast a meaningful glance at Che Wuyou and said slowly, "Jizhou has not seen so many alchemy prodigies in a very long time—not just in Jizhou, but across the entire Southern Border. As soon as the news spread, it caught the attention of many factions. If these youths capable of refining the Great Huai Pill had appeared in the Central Plains or a holy land for alchemy, it might have been considered ordinary, but for so many geniuses to emerge from a remote and barren place like the Southern Border, it inevitably aroused suspicion."

"It is said that the Four Great Sword Sects, the Demon Sect, several major clans, and even the Holy Land have all intervened. The other factions are one thing; after all, alchemy geniuses don't hold such immense appeal for them. But the Alchemy Pavilion of the Holy Land has been exceptionally aggressive. They specifically named Ge Erlan, Liu Lanzhi, Ge Ermu, and you. Among the four of you, the Pavilion values Ge Erlan and Liu Lanzhi the most, while they seem less interested in Ge Ermu, even though he has already reached the level of a second-tier alchemist."

By this point, Zhang Qing'er was slightly out of breath. She rested for a moment before continuing, "According to my grandfather, the Alchemy Pavilion is acting so urgently partly because of the struggle for the position of the Saintess, and partly because of a prophecy from the Holy Land. As for the specifics of that prophecy, my grandfather does not know."

"Did Lanzhi and Ge Erlan go to the Holy Land?" Che Wuyou interrupted immediately. It made sense; given the overwhelming power of the Holy Land, who would dare deny them? Even the arrogant Demon Sect would likely avoid a direct conflict with such an entity.

"Yes, it seems they have both gone to the Holy Land. What is puzzling, however, is that several large-scale battles between powerful experts later erupted in Jizhou, with some even involving masters at the Immortal-Seeking level. Although all parties are tight-lipped about the cause of these wars, some unverified reports have leaked out."

"It is rumored that these major factions discovered that the Miao family is actually a descendant of one of the ten great ancient clans—the descendants of the legendary Medicine King. My grandfather said that if this is true, the Alchemy Pavilion is competing for the 'Dao Heaven Scripture' and the ancient alchemical formulas left behind by the Medicine King. As for the other factions mobilizing so many experts, it goes without saying that they are all after the legendary ancient text, the 'Dao Heaven Scripture'."

Hearing that Liu Lanzhi had gone to the Alchemy Pavilion, Che Wuyou felt a sense of disappointment; he had assumed she would surely come to Qingchi. Yet, upon reflection, he realized this was a tremendous opportunity for her.

The Alchemy Pavilion was a super-faction far more formidable than even the Four Great Sword Sects. Ordinary people had no chance of entering, and if not for the Great Huai Pill incident, Liu Lanzhi likely would never have had such an opportunity, regardless of her talent. The entry requirements for the Alchemy Pavilion were notoriously strict throughout the Southern Continent, and talent alone was not enough. In the talent-saturated "Central Alchemy Plains," her gift might only be considered average.

Che Wuyou shook his head slightly, deciding to set these thoughts aside. As long as Liu Lanzhi was safe, there would eventually be a day for them to meet again.

He frowned and looked back at Zhang Qing'er. "What you just mentioned—the 'Dao Heaven Scripture'—what is it, and why is it called an ancient legendary text?"

Che Wuyou had heard of the "Qihuang Classic" as a legendary ancient text, but he had never heard of any "Dao Heaven Scripture." Could it be that the Miao family possessed multiple legendary books? That seemed impossible. Such texts were incredibly rare, and each one was a myth in the Southern Continent. If the Miao family truly held such fortune, they would never have fallen to their current state.

"I don't know what it is, and my grandfather only knows a little, which he heard from a friend... However, I suspect that since it is called a legendary text, it must be an incredibly miraculous cultivation method. Still, I find the rumor hard to believe. Think about it: if the Miao family truly possessed such a book, how could they have remained confined to such a small corner? Especially since the Miao family has never lacked geniuses," Zhang Qing'er replied with a weary shake of her head.

Che Wuyou had intended to ask more about the Miao family, shocked that so much had happened in Jizhou in the mere months since he left. But seeing her pale, haggard face, he knew she was exhausted and did not want to tax her further. "You should rest for a while. If Yun Fan doesn't appear soon, we will head out."

As he spoke, he glanced at the large rock nearby, but it was empty. Li Zhen had clearly departed, and in his focus on the conversation, Che Wuyou had failed to notice when he had left.

Zhang Qing'er had already drifted into a deep sleep. The surroundings were dim and deathly quiet, and a sense of loneliness crept into Che Wuyou’s heart. The first level of the Tower of Heaven had been so perilous—how far could he possibly get on the second? If he were eliminated by the Qingchi Sword Sect, where would he go?

Liu Lanzhi had clearly entered the Alchemy Pavilion of the Holy Land. Just thinking of that sacred, suffocating name made one feel the need to look up in awe. The gap between them was already vast, and with her brilliant talent, she would surely flourish in the Holy Land. If they were to meet again in the future, how would he face her?

Even if he were lucky enough to successfully form his golden core, what state would Liu Lanzhi be in by then? Would it truly be as Zhang Qing'er suggested, with her youthful beauty contrasted against his withered, graying self? He had rarely thought of such things before, but meeting Zhang Qing'er today had brought these anxieties to the surface. As he looked at the directionless, fire-red world around him, it felt like a mirror of his own uncertain future, leaving him feeling inexplicably panicked.