People fight and become emperors in advance

Chapter 223 Dual Cultivation
Before the next day, after learning the purpose of Chen Xiao and Zi Yan's visit, Cao Ying took the two to the Pill Tower that evening after catching up.

With Cao Ying personally leading the way, the strict checks along the way were rendered meaningless, and the three of them entered the massive Pill Tower without any trouble.

Only when she reached the top floor of the giant tower did Cao Ying stop outside an extremely spacious hall.

"The teacher is inside. Although the Danhui event is still a few years away, the teacher has already begun preparations."

Cao Ying said softly, then took two steps forward, respectfully pushed open the palace door, and led Chen Xiao and Zi Yan inside.

The main hall was filled with bookshelves, making it look somewhat cluttered. Various colored flames leaped above the lamps, and the different colors of the firelight intertwined to create a dreamlike atmosphere.

The three of them quickly scanned the area and finally stopped in front of a bookshelf.

There was an elderly man in white, carefully wiping the dust off the bookshelf.

This person was none other than one of the three giants of the Dan Tower.

Xuan Kongzi!
When Chen Xiao last met this giant, his strength was still shallow, only at the peak of the Dou Huang level.

At that time, Chen Xiao could not sense any aura from Xuan Kongzi. He looked like an ordinary old man. Only when he used his soul perception to investigate could he be surprised to find that there was nothing in front of him, as if Xuan Kongzi did not exist at all.

So much time has passed, and Chen Xiao has already reached the level of a two-star Dou Zun.

However, upon seeing this giant again, he still had no way of seeing through him, but he could truly feel the terrifying power of Xuan Kongzi.

Faced with such a powerful opponent, even if Chen Xiao used all his trump cards, he could only flee for his life.

Although a Dou Zun who has reached the Ninth Revolution Realm is still in the Dou Zun category, he is no longer in the same category as an ordinary Dou Zun.

"Ying'er, why now... Oh? It's Chen Xiao."

As the three respectfully approached a short distance behind Xuan Kongzi, the giant stopped what he was doing and turned to look at him.

Upon seeing Chen Xiao and Zi Yan, a look of surprise flashed across Xuan Kongzi's aged face, followed by a hearty laugh.

With his strength, he could easily take in the situation within the Dan Tower if he wanted to. But then again, Chen Xiao and Zi Yan hadn't shown any hostility, so who would keep an eye on these details?
"Greetings, senior. It's been two years, but you still look as radiant as ever."

Chen Xiao stepped forward slightly and greeted him politely.

Even Zi Yan's expression turned serious, and she bowed respectfully with her hands clasped.

A Dou Zun at the ninth level deserves to be treated with respect, no matter where they are.

Moreover, if you really count, this was only their second meeting with Xuan Kongzi, and they didn't have much interaction.

The reason they are so friendly is simply because of Cao Ying as a connection.

"Oh, what kind of style do you have? But you, lad, have caused quite a stir in Tianbei. I've heard about it even in Shengdan City. Ying'er has been incredibly surprised these past few days after hearing about it, returning to the courtyard every day. I'm so glad you've all come. Please sit down and let's talk."

Xuan Kongzi put down the duster in his hand and waved his hand casually.

When he first heard the rumors and learned that Chen Xiao had advanced to the Dou Zun level, he was somewhat surprised, but after so much time, he has long since calmed down.

Whether Chen Xiao is at the peak of Dou Huang or a two-star Dou Zun, in his eyes, there is not much difference at present. He is still a junior and the fiancé of his own disciple.

Chen Xiao and the other two nodded their thanks, and only sat down opposite Xuan Kongzi after he had taken his seat.

"You young people haven't seen each other for so long, you should be enjoying your time together. Coming to Danta so late, you probably didn't come here specifically to visit this old man, did you? Is there something you need?"

Xuan Kongzi glanced at the three of them and made a rather teasing joke.

Hearing this, Chen Xiao smiled awkwardly, while Cao Ying's cheeks flushed slightly.

Only they know the details of their situation; it's a tangled mess, and although things are progressing in accordance with the established facts, they haven't yet reached the point Xuan Kongzi described.

Cao Ying glanced at Chen Xiao beside her and was about to explain her purpose when Chen Xiao stopped her.

"Yinger, let me speak."

Cao Ying nodded and didn't insist any further.

Chen Xiao turned his gaze back to Xuan Kongzi, sat up a little straighter, clasped his hands and said, "To be honest, senior, I have indeed come to the Pill Tower this time with a request."

Xuan Kongzi slightly raised his hand, signaling him to continue.

Chen Xiao nodded and said, "I have a pill formula called Bodhi Foundation Building Pill. This pill can be given to newborn babies to lay a solid foundation and maximize their potential. However, this pill is of too high a grade. Even Ying'er cannot refine it yet. Therefore, I came here to visit you, senior, and ask you to help me. I heard from Ying'er that you are preparing for the Pill Gathering. I have a gift here. If you don't mind, you can consider it as a prize for the champion."

As they spoke, Chen Xiao took out a foot-long wooden box and presented it to Xuan Kongzi.

The Bodhi Foundation Building Pill did not appear in the original timeline; it was obtained by Chen Xiao in advance.

As Chen Xiao recounted his story, Xuan Kongzi also became somewhat interested.

He opened the long box that was presented to him, inside which was a yellowed prescription for medicine and a long, thin scroll.

Xuan Kongzi glanced at the small characters on the scroll, and couldn't help but look at Chen Xiao slightly, but he didn't take it out to browse. Instead, he took out the yellowed pill formula to look at.

"It is said that the Bodhi Heart has endless uses. If one can obtain it, it is equivalent to opening the path to becoming a Dou Sheng, and it is even possible to become a saint on the spot. This Bodhi Foundation Building Pill uses a Bodhi seed as the main ingredient, along with many auxiliary medicines. Judging from the description of its effects, it seems to be a man-made small Bodhi Heart suitable for foundation building. If one really takes this pill, there will probably be no more bottlenecks before becoming a Dou Zun."

After a brief critique, Xuan Kongzi nodded in admiration: "Excellent pill! However, the Bodhi seeds needed to refine this pill are very difficult to obtain. There may be some Bodhi seeds left over on the continent today, but no one would be willing to exchange them."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao flipped his hand and took out another wooden box, along with the storage ring containing the other auxiliary medicines.

"Back in the Black Corner Region, I once auctioned off a Bodhi Transformation Saliva and luckily discovered a Bodhi seed inside."

"Haha, then there's no problem. To be honest, it's been a very long time since I've refined a pill of this grade. This Bodhi Foundation Establishment Pill makes me quite itchy to try it out. I'll take the job."

Xuan Kongzi laughed loudly and agreed without hesitation.

It might be true that he was itching to try his skills, and the reward Chen Xiao offered was tempting enough, but what made him so decisive was mainly due to their relationship.

In the Dou Qi Continent, taking on disciples is not like in some other worlds, where it often comes with some ulterior motive.

In the Dou Qi Continent, these old men, regardless of whether they are righteous or villainous, almost all of them genuinely want to pass on their mantle once they take on a disciple, treating their disciples as their own sons and daughters.

Because of this, with Chen Xiao and Cao Ying's relationship, in Xuan Kongzi's eyes, he was considered a 'prospective son-in-law,' one of his own.

"This reward is waived... No, with Ying'er's current alchemy skills and her rate of improvement, she's at least 60% certain to win the championship at this year's Pill Competition, if not 90% certain. Even if those old guys come out, they'll hardly pose a threat. You want me to use it as a championship reward? Isn't that just passing the buck?"

Xuan Kongzi quickly realized the problem and gave Chen Xiao a disapproving glare.

He wondered why Chen Xiao was so generous, willing to offer such a precious soul cultivation method; it seemed he had already planned out the follow-up.

What Xuan Kongzi didn't know was that this "Nine Nether Soul Scripture" had already been rejected by Chen Xiao.

Previously, he and the women around him, including Zi Yan, all cultivated this Soul Scripture. However, since obtaining the Bai Clan's "Heavenly Wind Soul Scripture," their cultivation methods have been gradually changed.

The Heavenly Wind Soul Scripture is a high-grade technique, above the Heavenly Rank, and is a secret method passed down through a clan. Chen Xiao will not pass it on to anyone except his closest female relatives, his future children and disciples.

In comparison, the eliminated "Nine Nether Soul Scripture" can be handled a little more casually.

This is enough to serve as payment for asking Xuan Kongzi to help.

Most importantly, this Soul Codex will most likely fall back into Cao Ying's hands. She won't be able to use it, but the Cao family will be able to, and at that time, the Cao family's foundation will be further enhanced.

This can be considered as internal digestion.

Chen Xiao wouldn't mind if Cai Lin and Zi Yan wanted to pass this Soul Codex down within their clan.

In his vision, this thing would become a basic feature of his forces, including the human groups around him, and could be spread within a certain range.

Having his little scheme exposed by Xuan Kongzi, Chen Xiao didn't try to deny it.

"The Dan Association will reward you, and the competition will be fair. If an outsider gets it, it won't be a big deal." However, Cao Ying, who was standing beside him, was deeply troubled after understanding Chen Xiao's plan.

She had just reunited with Chen Xiao today and was unaware that Chen Xiao already possessed a higher-level soul cultivation method. Due to this information gap, she felt that this Soul Manual was far too valuable.

It’s not finished yet, it’s not finished at all!
"Alright, this Soul Codex is indeed sufficient as a champion's reward and it's in accordance with the rules. It's rare for you to come to Saint Pill City, so you should spend more time together these days. As for Ying'er's current alchemy skills, I don't really have much to teach her anymore. Just try to advance to the Spirit Realm as soon as possible, which is the eighth rank, and then you won't need to come here every day."

Xuan Kongzi shook his head and smiled, then cleared everything off the table and gave Cao Ying a few more instructions.

In the original timeline, Cao Ying only studied under Xuan Kongzi at the Pill Tower for three years.

Now, however, they have spent a longer period of advanced study, which has not only allowed them to improve more quickly but also given them a more solid foundation.

Cao Ying is now only one step away from advancing to the eighth rank. In fact, she is already capable of handling things independently.

“Such a top-grade eighth-rank pill takes quite a while to refine. Let me prepare it a little longer, and you can come back to pick it up in a month.”

Xuan Kongzi spoke calmly, yet with an air of confidence.

The power of the Danta giants is evident.

Of course, no one dares to be careless before the pill is truly completed, especially since there is only one set of materials available. Even if Xuan Kongzi is the one refining it, he still has to take it seriously and adjust his state accordingly.

"By the way, Chen Xiao, do you still have that puppet?"

"Here I am."

"Then leave them all here, so that I won't have to spend any more energy dealing with Dan Lei."

That's what they said, but everyone present knew that this was clearly just another way to give Chen Xiao a little extra benefit.

After all, even if an eighth-grade pill attracts nine-colored pill lightning, it would be difficult for Xuan Kongzi to cause any trouble.

"Thank you, senior!"

Chen Xiao quickly thanked him and took out the Heavenly Demon Puppet that had undergone the most tribulation, temporarily handing it over to Xuan Kongzi for control.

After undergoing this baptism of pill lightning, this Heavenly Demon Puppet will surely undergo a qualitative change.

At that time, Chen Xiao will have another Dou Zun-level combatant!

"No need for formalities, you may proceed."

"Yes."

"Teacher, I shall take my leave now."

The three of them stood up one after another, bowed, and then turned to leave.

...

Late at night, in the courtyard.

Zi Yan sat listlessly at the stone table in the courtyard, seemingly protecting the two people inside, but in reality, she was listening intently to their every move.

Inside the room.

Chen Xiao and Cao Ying sat cross-legged on the bed, facing each other.

Upon seeing Cao Ying this time, Chen Xiao realized that she was only one step away from reaching the Spirit Realm Soul, and an idea immediately formed in his mind.

Cao Ying's current state is very similar to when he first entered the False Heaven.

Therefore, Chen Xiao thought that perhaps he could lend her a hand and help her overcome this obstacle in one fell swoop!
After all, the "Heavenly Wind Soul Scripture" is not just a method of soul cultivation; it also contains many secret techniques related to the soul.

For example, the White Dragon Venerable used the forbidden technique of splitting the soul.

For example, the Soul Guiding Technique that Chen Xiao is about to use at this moment.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, each adjusting their state until they were both free of thoughts, Chen Xiao raised two fingers of his right hand together, and an invisible and intangible soul power immediately overflowed from between his eyebrows and wrapped around his fingertips.

With his fingertips entwined with soul power, Chen Xiao gently touched Cao Ying's brow, and a wisp of soul power was immediately drawn out.

Two invisible soul forces intertwined as if they were alive. When they closed their eyes, they could even clearly feel the patterns deep within each other's souls. A wonderful feeling suddenly rose from their hearts, like an ancient pine tree bathed in moonlight, calm yet with a subtle warmth and coolness that made them extremely comfortable and irresistibly want to immerse themselves in it.

"Concentrate."

Noticing Cao Ying's condition, Chen Xiao quickly whispered a reminder.

This was the first time he had used this soul-guiding technique. According to the description in the "Heavenly Wind Soul Scripture," the two of them using this technique had endless wonders and could even help people break through to the next level of their soul.

The only thing to be careful about is that one party needs to trust the dominant party completely and open their heart and mind entirely.

Cao Ying is capable of doing this.

After all, given Chen Xiao's strength, he wouldn't need to go through all this trouble to do anything to her.

As the two soul forces intertwined, Cao Ying could feel her soul being lifted by a gentle force, as if slowly sinking into a wondrous space.

There are no physical boundaries here, only flowing halos of light moving back and forth between the two. The desolation left by Chen Xiao's cultivation was melted away by her heat, and her occasional restless thoughts were quietly calmed when they touched his rock-solid mind.

After an unknown amount of time, when the intertwined threads of light finally merged completely, an indescribable sense of ultimate comfort spread through the depths of their souls. At this moment, not only Cao Ying, but even Chen Xiao himself was unable to resist being immersed in it.

Day after day, three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Zi Yan walked in and out of the small courtyard, marveling at the wildly growing grass. Her soul perception seeped into the house, and she saw the two people on the bed who were still unconscious. She slightly curled her lips.

She didn't quite understand what the two were doing or why their expressions were so strange, which reminded her of their expressions when she accidentally stumbled into Cai Lin's room.

Zi Yan's soul perception swept away the object instantly, but Chen Xiao, who was engrossed in his work, still noticed it.

Like a snowflake landing on his brow on a hot summer day, Chen Xiao instantly snapped back to reality. Looking at Cao Ying's flushed face and then slightly sensing the scene outside the courtyard, a look of astonishment appeared on Chen Xiao's face.

So this is what they call endless wonders!
No wonder the introduction was so vague!

After experiencing it firsthand, Chen Xiao felt that this Soul Guiding Technique might be given a more straightforward name.

Dual cultivation of the soul!

Chen Xiao hadn't expected the Soul Guiding Technique to be like this, but what's done is done, and there was no need to say anything sentimental like regret.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Xiao began to guide the process to an end this unexpected cultivation session.

As Chen Xiao moved, Cao Ying also suddenly opened her eyes, meeting Chen Xiao's surprisingly bright gaze.

At this moment, their eyes reflected each other's image, carrying an unprecedented clarity.

After briefly assessing her own condition, Cao Ying was taken aback, but she did not dwell on the joy of her breakthrough, as if she quickly digested the fact.

She met Chen Xiao's gaze, and a look in her eyes appeared that Chen Xiao had only seen on Cai Lin and Little Fairy Doctor.

Is it daytime or nighttime outside?

"late at night."

Upon hearing this, the charm in Cao Ying's eyes deepened.

Seeing this, Chen Xiao no longer hesitated. With a slight thought, dense talismans shot out, sealing off the entire courtyard.

(End of this chapter)