While in Battle Through the Heavens, one can pre-appoint oneself as an emperor.

Chapter 355 Shennong the Elder, Hunxuzi

Although Chen Xiao and his three companions entered the Medicine Realm at the same time as Yao Chen and his three companions, they arrived at the plaza at different times, more than an hour apart.

Therefore, when Yao Chen and the other two arrived, Chen Xiao and the others were already dozing off.

"boom!"

Suddenly, a loud clang of weapons rang out, drawing everyone's attention.

At the edge of the square, a red-haired old man shielded the disheveled Yao Wangui behind him, standing opposite Xiao Chen. His aura surged, and his fighting spirit stirred the heavens.

Clearly, it was these two who made the commotion.

Considering Yao Wangui's current wretched state and the grudges and entanglements between him and Yao Chen, it's easy to deduce why the current situation has arisen.

Nine times out of ten, it was Yao Wangui who caused the trouble, and Xiao Chen stepped forward for Xiao Yan's sake.

"You're Xiao Chen? Blood Axe Xiao Chen?!"

After frowning and pondering for a long time, the red-haired old man's pupils suddenly dilated, and he cried out in surprise.

The name of Blood Axe Xiao Chen was quite renowned a thousand years ago.

But that's not the most important thing. The most important thing is that everyone knows the Xiao clan is gone!

But now, Xiao Chen has appeared out of nowhere.

It's not hard to imagine that if this news gets out, Zhongzhou will be in an uproar for a while.

The Soul Clan will never allow Xiao Chen to live; they will definitely eliminate him completely.

As long as Xiao Chen doesn't perish, he's unlikely to make things easy for the Soul Clan either.

"We came with invitations but were met with difficulties. Is the Medicine Clan taking advantage of the fact that my Xiao Clan has no one to rely on?" Xiao Chen glanced coldly at the red-haired old man, not directly answering the question, but that was tantamount to admitting it.

The red-haired old man was a six-star Dou Sheng level expert, whose strength surpassed Xiao Chen's. However, when he met Xiao Chen's gaze, he could hardly maintain his composure.

"Xiao Chen, Yao Wangui has already been injured and has received his due punishment. My Yao Clan naturally welcomes your participation in the Pharmacopoeia. However, please leave as soon as possible after the Pharmacopoeia concludes. This is a well-intentioned piece of advice. Since you have appeared in Zhongzhou, you must know that the Soul Clan will not let you go." The red-haired elder cupped his hands in greeting.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen smiled nonchalantly, "The Soul Clan, huh? Their time is running out."

Without saying anything more to the red-haired old man, Xiao Chen waved his hand and led Yao Chen and Xiao Yan straight into the square, ignoring all the surrounding criticisms and various gazes.

Not far from the seats chosen by Xiao Chen and his companions, Zi Yan glanced at the red-haired elder from the Medicine Clan, expressing her bewilderment.

"He's clearly a six-star Dou Sheng, so why is he so weak?"

"This is the saying that a person's name is like the shadow of a tree. A thousand years ago, this Elder Wanhuo would probably not have been a match for Xiao Chen. If Xiao Chen had not been trapped in the Demon Flame Space, after a thousand years of cultivation, even the clan leader's medicinal pills might not have been able to defeat him."

As he spoke, Chen Xiao shook his head with a smile.

After all, if he hadn't been trapped in the Demon Flame Space, Xiao Chen would probably have perished in that great battle long ago.

Therefore, there's no need to make various assumptions; just focus on the present.

Zi Yan nodded slightly, then smiled with a hint of schadenfreude, "I suspect that Elder Wan Huo told Xiao Chen to leave early because he was worried that the Soul Clan would get the news and come to deal with Xiao Chen. He said that to avoid getting burned."

'

""

After the little incident caused by Xiao Chen, nothing else noteworthy happened.

The crowd in the square was chatting enthusiastically, and the flow of people was getting bigger and bigger. Eventually, all kinds of noises soared into the sky, and the buzzing sound even shook the clouds in the sky apart.

As the sound waves spread, a bell-like sound suddenly resounded in the sky. Immediately, the many members of the Medicine Clan stood up quickly, and their respectful voices spread out in a grand and resounding manner.

"Welcome, clan leader."

Amidst the resounding welcome, the clouds in the sky churned and then spontaneously split open. A white-haired old man in a white robe slowly emerged from within. The space beneath his feet emitted strange fluctuations, as if the invisible space itself had solidified into a tangible form at that moment.

"Is he Yao Dan, the patriarch of the Medicine Clan?"

"His demeanor is quite good, but his strength is somewhat lacking."

Looking at the kind-faced, white-haired old man, Zhu Hong, who rarely spoke, nodded slightly.

With his abilities, he is certainly qualified to offer his comments.

Zi Yan and Jiu Xuan both nodded in agreement.

Chen Xiao looked towards the distant horizon, sensing that the strange fire within his body was stirring.

"Shennong, I thought you didn't want to come."

In the sky, a gentle smile appeared on Yaodan's aged face. He glanced down, cupped his hands in greeting to the dense crowd, and then looked towards the distant horizon, laughing.

"Hehe, old man of medicine pills, how could I miss such a grand event? As for you, have you finally decided to leave seclusion this time?"

Just as the medicinal pill fell, another voice, filled with the vicissitudes of life, slowly echoed in the sky. Along with this voice came an extremely rich medicinal fragrance.

Then, everyone saw a green light flashing in the distant sky, and in a few moments, a pale green medicine cauldron swiftly broke through the air and came flying in.

Above the medicine cauldron sat an old man dressed in ordinary hemp clothing. In his hand, he leaned on a cane that looked like it was woven from medicinal herbs. Many jade bottles hung from the cane, making a tinkling sound as they were shaken.

"Shennong the Elder..."

"I didn't expect even this senior to show up."

Upon seeing this person, many alchemists in the room showed a hint of surprise and began to discuss among themselves.

Shennong Laoren was not very well-known in the Central Continent, which was related to the fact that he rarely traveled outside.

However, in the world of alchemy, this Shennong elder holds an extremely high position. His qualifications and strength are all top-notch. Even Yao Chen can only treat him as a junior.

Only a grand event like the Medicine Clan's Pharmacopoeia could attract such a person to participate.

"That sounds impressive. How does it compare to Sister Cao Ying?"

"In terms of strength, Ying'er is no worse than him now, but in terms of experience, Ying'er is definitely lacking. No one knows who will come out on top until they have competed."

"Should we take him back with us? If this Shennong Elder joins us, we won't have to rely on Sister Cao Ying's hard work to refine all the pills we need in the future."

"We'll see how it goes after the pharmacopoeia is published. We can ask around." Chen Xiao nodded slightly.

After replying, Chen Xiao realized something was wrong and looked at Jiu Xuan in surprise.

He was truly surprised that Jiu Xuan had said those words.

Seeing Jiu Xuan's matter-of-fact attitude, Chen Xiao couldn't help but glare at Zi Yan.

Indeed, one becomes like the company one keeps.

With Zi Yan around, everyone around her is more or less affected.

Not only Jiu Xuan, but also Chen Yao and Chen Xi, as well as Qing Huan and Xing Yao, were the same. They were so cute when they were little, but as they grew up, Chen Xiao noticed that their brain circuits were somewhat peculiar.

Ultimately, Dae Ja-yeon bears a heavy responsibility for this.

In the eyes of the children, Cai Lin was the most serious and the one they respected the most.

Xiao Yixian, Xun'er, Qinglin, and Cao Ying are all quite gentle and easy to talk to.

Zi Yan was the closest to them, often leading them in silly antics and playing together without any sense of distance due to their different social statuses.

Therefore, they all had a very good relationship with Ziyan.

"It has nothing to do with me, including Xiaoxi and the others; it's just their nature."

Zi Yan understands Chen Xiao just as well as Chen Xiao understands her.

Seeing Chen Xiao looking at him, he immediately knew what Chen Xiao was thinking and promptly issued a disclaimer without any guilt.

"If I hadn't discovered that you were using the blood of those Heavenly Phoenix Demons to make pills, I would have almost believed it."

As the group whispered among themselves, the square suddenly fell silent, and all eyes turned toward the direction from which the old man Shennong had come.

Suddenly, dark clouds appeared in the void, spreading out at an astonishing speed and reaching the mountaintop in the blink of an eye. The dark clouds churned and condensed, eventually transforming into a middle-aged man dressed in black. With his appearance, a low wailing sound, like the lament of a soul, echoed throughout the world.

"Soul Void Child of the Soul Clan, I have come uninvited. I hope Clan Chief Yaodan will not take offense." The man in black smiled faintly, and his unhurried voice echoed in mid-air.

"Hun Xuzi..."

Upon hearing this person's name, the atmosphere in the square instantly froze, and hostile and wary gazes were cast in his direction.

For the Medicine Clan, the Soul Clan is the biggest suspect in the disappearance of the Spirit Clan and the Stone Clan, and is an enemy that the Four Clans Alliance has almost openly acknowledged.

To the alchemists from Zhongzhou, the Soul Clan is the force behind the Soul Palace, and the culprit behind the Soul Palace's previous large-scale capture of alchemists' souls.

For Yao Chen, who has the identity of the Pill Tower, Hun Xuzi had caused the Little Pill Tower to change. He had once infiltrated the Little Pill Tower and eventually betrayed and injured his master, escaping.

These incidents, one by one, are too numerous to recount.

This made Hun Xuzi an enemy of everyone the moment he appeared.

"Scum of the Soul Clan!"

Looking at the arrogant Soul Void Child high in the sky, Xiao Chen gritted his teeth, his eyes turning bloodshot in an instant, his reason being rapidly swallowed up by killing intent.

"Calm down, don't scare my ninth-grade Xuan Dan."

Just as Xiao Chen was about to lose his temper, a soft laugh entered his mind. Although the voice was gentle, it was deafening and went straight to his soul, making Xiao Chen suddenly wake up.

In Chen Xiao's opinion, although each of the participants in this pharmacopoeia is a skilled fighter, Hun Xuzi has the highest probability of having the last laugh.

After all, the Soul Clan members are more uninhibited and have no bottom line.

Xiao Chen knew who was reminding him, so he took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the urge to lash out.

After all, he had promised to follow orders before leaving Dragon Island.

Moreover, rationally speaking, with his current strength, he is really no match for Hun Xuzi.

"Heh, it seems that none of you here are very welcoming to me, not even the Medicine Clan. This seems rather contrary to the hospitality that nobles pride themselves on, doesn't it?"

High above, Hun Xuzi ignored the overwhelming hostility around him, his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping across the entire scene before finally settling on Yao Dan, and he smiled lightly.

"Soul Void Child, my Medicine Clan never extended an invitation to you! The relationship between the Soul Clan and the other ancient races is no longer what it used to be. Aren't you afraid of being misunderstood by coming uninvited?"

Elder Wanhuo, standing beside Yaodan, suddenly stood up and said in a deep voice, his fighting spirit already surging.

"A misunderstanding? Perhaps."

Hun Xuzi smiled nonchalantly, then changed the subject, "However, once the Pharmacopoeia concludes, these so-called misunderstandings will naturally dissipate. I have come uninvited today precisely to clarify these entanglements."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the numerous alchemists below, his tone laced with provocation: "Moreover, this Pharmacopoeia is hailed as the highest-level alchemist gathering on the Dou Qi Continent. As for the title of 'Number One Alchemist on the Continent,' I, Hun Xuzi, would like to contend for it. Putting aside character, without a true contest with me, wouldn't this so-called 'Number One' be undeserving?"

"furious!"

Hun Xuzi's words immediately stirred up a huge wave of controversy. Many elders of the Medicine Clan and alchemists from the Central Continent shouted angrily, and the hostility in the room instantly escalated.

The title of "Number One Alchemist on the Continent" is not something that can be earned through mere words; it is earned through solid alchemy skills.

Yao Dan remained calm and spoke indifferently: "Since you are so obsessed with this title, then stay. My Yao Clan is not one to be bound by trivial matters. As long as you abide by our clan's rules, you will be an honored guest. But if you dare to make the slightest disturbance—"

"Even if you are the Soul Clan's chief alchemist, I wouldn't mind keeping you in this Medicine Realm forever!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a sharp killing intent flashed across Yao Dan's aged face, revealing the majesty of a clan leader, which made many people in the room secretly startled.

"Chief! Isn't this too risky?"

Seeing that Yao Dan actually agreed to let Hun Xuzi stay, the surrounding Yao Clan elders all showed surprise, and Elder Wan Huo also hesitated before trying to dissuade him.

"The Pharmacopoeia is the most solemn ceremony of our Medicine Clan. To drive people away without cause in front of so many guests would only earn us a reputation for being tyrannical and domineering."

Yao Dan waved his hand, his tone calm: "While the Soul Clan certainly needs to be guarded against, the Medicine Realm is now gathering the world's strongest experts, and the Ancient, Thunder, and Flame Clans are also watching. Do you think he'll cause any trouble? You can all just focus on your own tasks. I will personally keep an eye on him, and if he makes any misdeeds, I will capture and kill him on the spot!"

Seeing Yao Dan's resolute attitude, the elders, though still having reservations, could only comply and step back.

"The Medicine Clan Chief is indeed extraordinary." Hun Xuzi chuckled and boasted, but a strange, almost imperceptible smile appeared on his lips.

Immediately, he moved, transforming into a black shadow, and landed directly on a stone chair under the gaze of countless complex eyes.

That location happened to be not far from Yao Chen and his companions.

As soon as Hun Xuzi settled down, his gaze casually swept across his surroundings. When it landed on Xiao Chen's angular face, his pupils suddenly contracted, and his fingers, which were adjusting his robes, paused slightly, clearly recognizing Xiao Chen.

He was stunned for a moment, then, as if he had witnessed some incredible event, he chuckled softly. His voice was not loud, but it carried a chilling sarcasm that clearly echoed around him.

"Tsk tsk, isn't this Blood Axe Xiao Chen? This is really unexpected. I thought the Xiao clan had long since become dust in the ancient history of Zhongzhou, and there shouldn't even be a trace left. I didn't expect that besides those ants from the Xiao family in the Northwest, there are still some fish that have escaped the net and are still alive."

As soon as he said this, the noise in the square immediately subsided by half, and countless eyes turned to Xiao Chen.

Even Chen Xiao and the others slightly rubbed their foreheads.

Xiao Chen is impulsive and straightforward by nature, and this guy is being shameless, rubbing salt into his wounds. If Xiao Chen could still hold back, he wouldn't be himself.

"Xiao Chen, give him a good slap across the face, and then—"

Upon hearing the telepathic message, Xiao Chen, his eyes red, did not hesitate any longer. The stone chair he sat on shattered instantly, and he flashed to Hun Xuzi's side.

"Hun Xuzi, you're courting death!"

The angry roar made the surrounding air buzz, and Xiao Chen's fist, as big as a sandbag, clenched so tightly that it cracked, and with a whooshing sound, it smashed straight towards Hun Xuzi's mocking face.

The smile on Hun Xuzi's face vanished abruptly, and a hint of surprise and anger flashed in his eyes.

The past is the past, the present is the present.

Now he is the chief alchemist of the Soul Clan, and his strength far surpasses that of Xiao Chen. How could he allow Xiao Chen to act presumptuously in front of him?

At that moment, Hun Xuzi wanted to use his battle qi to block and counterattack, but just as he had a thought, he suddenly found that the battle qi in his limbs and bones, which was originally like a surging river, was frozen and could not be moved at all. His body seemed to be firmly locked by invisible shackles, and it was as difficult as climbing to the sky to move even a finger.

"What's going on?!" Hun Xuzi was shocked, his pupils contracted sharply, and a strong sense of unease surged into his heart.

Before Hun Xuzi could figure it out, in the blink of an eye, before anyone around him could even react, a crisp, loud "crack" resounded throughout the entire plaza.

Xiao Chen's fist slammed solidly into Hun Xuzi's cheek. As a Dou Sheng powerhouse, even without using any fighting techniques, his simple punch was still terrifying.

Hun Xuzi was sent flying, crashing into the center of the square like a wild dog, his mouth full of blood and broken teeth. Half of his cheek swelled up at a visible speed, and a burning pain pierced his heart.

And this was the result of Xiao Chen's deliberate control.

"hiss--"

The square fell silent; everyone was stunned by the sudden turn of events.

No one expected that Xiao Chen would actually dare to attack Hun Xuzi in the Medicine Clan's Pharmacopoeia. Even more unexpectedly, Hun Xuzi didn't even have a chance to fight back and took the punch head-on.

Xiao Chen stood in front of Hun Xuzi, his chest heaving violently, his eyes still burning with anger as he stared intently at Hun Xuzi on the ground.

He desperately wanted to seize the opportunity to kill him with a single blow, but his remaining rationality told him otherwise.

No!

At least, not now.

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Chen gritted his teeth and said, "Hun Xuzi, shut your filthy mouth! If you dare to utter another word against my Xiao clan, I will tear you to pieces!"