Chapter 19: Plan Accomplished! The Crisis Descends Upon Xiaojia District

“I carry your bloodline within me.” Facing the gaze of the Soul Emperor, Hun Cang wore a sincere expression. “I can accept being mediocre, but only if I’ve tried, if I’ve truly struggled. Otherwise, I won’t be content... Father!”

“Quite ambitious, aren’t you?” The Soul Emperor's cold lips curled into a faint smile as he glanced at the Void Swallowing Flame beside him.

Void Swallowing Flame nodded slightly and smiled in return. “Truly your offspring.”

A hush fell over the crowd, everyone watching the Soul Emperor with curiosity, wondering how he would respond.

After a moment’s thought, the Soul Emperor said, “Bring him along.”

“Yes.” Void Swallowing Flame acknowledged and beckoned Hun Cang over.

Under countless eyes, Hun Cang stood beside Hun Yu and the others as black smoke engulfed them.

The Soul Emperor and Void Swallowing Flame then vanished as well.

“Hun Cang is bold, daring to set conditions before the clan leader!”

“As far as I know, those who pass the trials are at least Dou Zong in strength. Hun Cang is only a one-star Dou Huang; he’s doomed.”

“If he dies, he has only himself to blame.”

Among the crowd, some cast envious glances at the spot where Hun Cang had stood, their words tinged with a bitter jealousy.

Alas, none dared to step forward, only muttering after Hun Cang’s departure.

…

One year later.

The Soul Clan’s testing square was crowded with people.

At the center, black smoke suddenly swirled and expanded, as if something was emerging.

“He’s back.”

“Hun Cang actually survived and didn’t perish!”

“...”

Among the crowd stood Hun Cang’s mother, her face showing signs of weariness.

All year, she had worried about her son’s safety, praying day and night. Now, seeing him return, she finally felt at ease.

“Hun Cang, only a five-star Dou Huang after a year? What a waste.” Hun Li sneered with a mocking gaze.

Hun Ya took over the taunt, shaking his head. “You’re just bored out of your mind, talking to a failure.”

Soon after, the Soul Emperor appeared, his gaze sweeping over everyone before resting on Hun Cang.

“You actually lived. Not bad. But at this pace, you might as well accept reality,” the Soul Emperor said coldly, waving his hand dismissively.

“Father.” Hun Cang looked up, a smile breaking through his stern face. “My slow progress has its reasons.”

“Oh?” The Soul Emperor’s curiosity was piqued.

That area belonged to the Soul Clan’s core territory, designed to accelerate the younger generation’s power breakthroughs, with a different flow of time from the outside world.

Under such conditions, advancing only four stars at the Dou Huang stage was baffling.

Hun Cang waved his hand, and a cauldron appeared before him.

If Yao Chen were here, he would recognize it as the treasure Hun Cang had plundered from him!

Lifting the lid, a strong medicinal aroma wafted out instantly, and the sky darkened as clouds gathered, lightning flashing and thunder roaring.

“A pill attracting a lightning tribulation... its grade is not low,” Void Swallowing Flame murmured in awe as he appeared beside the Soul Emperor.

In the next moment, a pill shot out from the cauldron, as if possessing a spirit, attempting to escape.

The Soul Emperor’s eyes flickered, and the space was immediately sealed. In the blink of an eye, the pill returned to his hand.

“A seventh-grade pill, flawless in quality, quite impressive,” Void Swallowing Flame, skilled in alchemy, observed at a glance the pill’s extraordinary nature.

Seeing the Soul Emperor’s gaze, Void Swallowing Flame nodded. “Indeed, the ingredients came from within that area.”

This meant the pill was not prepared by Hun Cang beforehand but was refined within that special territory.

“How did you manage this?” the Soul Emperor asked gravely.

Hun Cang replied, “I once discovered a mysterious cave in the outside world where I inherited an alchemist’s legacy. Using the pills there, I broke my own limits. I’ve now digested most of that legacy and can refine seventh-grade pills.”

Under twenty years old and already a seventh-grade alchemist?

Hun Yu, Hun Ya, Hun Li, and others nearby all looked at Hun Cang with astonishment.

Although a five-star Dou Huang wasn’t remarkable, the status of a seventh-grade alchemist was entirely different!

Especially since Hun Cang was so young...

Hun Li, recalling his earlier mockery, felt a flush of embarrassment.

The Soul Emperor took a gentle breath, a hint of delight shining in his eyes. “I didn’t expect you to have such an opportunity. Good, very good.”

He no longer mentioned his earlier dismissal.

After a brief assessment, he announced their main tasks ahead.

Hun Cang listened quietly, his eyes bright.

As he had guessed, they were to visit various Soul Halls, take over related affairs, and collect information on the ancient Tuo She Emperor Jade.

When the Soul Emperor finished, Hun Cang voluntarily requested to oversee the Gamma Empire region.

The Soul Emperor agreed without hesitation.

As the crowd dispersed, Hun Cang saw his mother, and they walked home together.

Along the way, he could feel countless gazes sweeping over him, accompanied by clearly audible praise.

Hun Cang’s lips curved faintly upward, but he paid them no mind.

Back home, after a brief moment with his mother, he announced his intention to leave the Soul Realm.

He had achieved both his goals on this visit and saw no reason to stay longer.

His mother understood his lofty ambitions and did not stop him.

…

Gamma Empire, Utan City.

The Xiao Family.

On the back mountain, Xiao Yan lay on the grass, feeling relaxed, a faint smile on his lips.

Half a month ago, the Xiao Family’s annual test had begun once again.

Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi reached the eighth stage, drawing astonished gasps from the crowd. Eyes filled with disbelief and amazement swept over him, filling him with satisfaction.

Several years before, he had been the focus of such attention.

Experiencing it again, the feeling was just as delightful.

“What’s so great about reaching the eighth stage of Dou Qi in just one year?” a voice interrupted, spoiling the mood. Xiao Yan opened his eyes to see Yao Chen looking at him with disdain.

Xiao Yan raised his middle finger but said nothing.

Yao Chen raised his hand to strike, but Xiao Yan stopped him. “Old man, you made a promise to give me three days’ rest. Don’t back out now!”

“Hmph, I’ve marked it down. We’ll settle this in three days,” Yao Chen said, lowering his hand.

Xiao Yan smiled and paid it no mind. Just as he was about to speak, Yao Chen suddenly vanished.

Someone was coming... Xiao Yan immediately understood, stood up, and saw his father’s figure approaching from afar.

Father and son met, and Xiao Zhan began praising him. Seeing his son’s strength improving and shedding the label of worthless, how could he not be happy?

They talked for a while, then the topic shifted to Hun Cang.

It had been a year since Hun Cang left.

If it weren’t for Yao Chen’s presence, Xiao Yan might have thought it all a dream.

“Father, why are you looking for big brother?” Xiao Yan asked, puzzled.

Xiao Zhan sighed heavily. “That old man, Gallebi, somehow found an alchemist and, using the medicines he refines, has been stealing all the business from our Xiao family’s market stalls.”

“So...” Xiao Yan pressed.

Xiao Zhan forced a bitter smile. “Your big brother is a Dou Huang expert and has connections. I was thinking of asking him to bring an alchemist here. Otherwise, at this rate, the Xiao family’s market business will collapse sooner or later.”