Battle Through the Heavens: Starting with Cao Ying as an apprentice

Cao Ying was about to cause trouble again, tugging at his sleeve as if to say something, when she saw Su Baichen suddenly turn around, a 'kind' smile blooming on his face:

"Hmm? Is there anything else?"

"No, no!" Cao Ying immediately understood and quickly let go, standing properly.

Su Baichen glanced at Xun'er and Xiao Yu, and the two of them immediately shrank back like quails, shaking their heads repeatedly.

In this year, with the Yin-Yang cultivation secret method as a supplement and the refining of the Pure Lotus Demon Flame source as the main focus, the cultivation levels of the three women all improved by leaps and bounds.

Cao Ying obtained 75% of the origin and directly entered the mid-stage of the five-star Dou Sheng, her aura as deep and boundless as the sea; Xiao Yu obtained 10% and successfully broke through to the Saint realm, firmly establishing herself as a one-star Dou Sheng; Xun'er also obtained 10% and broke through to the three-star Dou Sheng, her Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame and demonic fire auras subtly merging, making her even more profound.

After dressing, Su Baichen swayed and transformed into a stream of light, disappearing into the Heavenly Profound Pearl and then landing in Cao Ying's hand.

Cao Yingyu lightly waved her hand, and the space was torn open like a curtain, allowing the three of them to flash out and return to the Central Plains.

After a brief discussion, Xun'er decided to temporarily accompany Cao Ying and Xiao Yu to the White Dust Realm.

They made no attempt to conceal their presence, and almost the instant the three appeared, countless prying eyes from the shadows locked onto them. News of their arrival spread like wildfire to every corner of Zhongzhou.

Inside the main hall of the White Dust Realm.

As soon as Su Baichen appeared, he waved his sleeve and summoned the spatial puppet back.

Cai Lin and Xuan Yi arrived upon hearing the news, their eyes filled with joy upon seeing his return.

"My husband has returned. Has your mission been accomplished?" Cai Lin greeted him.

Su Baichen nodded slightly and asked, "When I returned, I sensed many 'eyes' outside the boundary. While I was away, did anything happen in Zhongzhou?"

Xuan Yi's expression turned solemn as he recounted the events of the Stone Clan's annihilation, the Medicine Clan's alliance with the Flame Clan, the arrival of the Ancient Clan, and the perilous situation faced by all races.

Cai Lin added details from the side, her tone carrying a hint of irony and a touch of solemnity when she spoke of the ancient clans being isolated.

"The Soul Clan is quite swift in their actions."

Su Baichen tapped the edge of the table lightly with his fingertips and pondered, "Now that the Stone Clan has been destroyed, the next target... is probably the Medicine Clan."

“The Medicine Clan is currently the weakest of the Imperial Clans, making it the best choice for the Soul Clan to make another move,” Cai Lin nodded.

"The Medicine Clan's Pharmacopoeia is nearing completion, and all forces will be attending. If the Soul Clan wants to make a move, they might choose this time."

Xuan Yi frowned and said, "Should we remind the Medicine Clan?"

Su Baichen shook his head: "No need. Although the Medicine Clan is weak, they are not stupid. After this incident, they will surely be on guard."

"I will teach Cao Ying a lot during this time, and then take her there. Maybe we can get some freebies from the pharmacopoeia."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xuan Yi suddenly narrowed his eyes, his gaze piercing Su Baichen's face like needles: "Husband, you came back with Cao Ying, Xiao Yu, and Xun'er, but the way they looked at you when they came back was a bit strange. You wouldn't have..."

Cai Lin crossed her arms, her red lips curving into a dangerous arc: "Xiao Yu is one thing, but Xun'er is a noble lady from an ancient clan, and then there's your precious disciple Cao Ying—husband, shouldn't you explain yourself?"

Su Baichen felt a chill run down his spine and chuckled dryly, "Um... um... I suddenly remembered I still have some pill formulas to organize, so I'll take my leave first!"

Before the words were even finished, the person had already run out of the hall.

"Su Baichen! You stop right there!"

"You don't even spare your own apprentices? Are you even human?!"

Xuan Yi and Cai Lin were both angry and amused. They moved swiftly and gave chase.

Three figures, one in green, one in white, and one in red, swept past the pavilions and towers, startling the birds in the forest into flight.

"Please calm down, Madam. This is a long story... It's not my fault!"

Chapter 373 Su Baichen is not going to the pharmacopoeia!

Time flies like an arrow; half a year has passed quietly.

For the past six months, Su Baichen has devoted almost all his energy to teaching Cao Ying and Xuan Yi the art of alchemy.

He not only explained the pharmacology of the pill formulas and the techniques of fire control in detail, but also personally demonstrated the refining of ninth-grade pills in the alchemy square. Those precious pills and mysterious pills that were like miracles in the eyes of the world were made naturally in his hands as if by flowing clouds and water.

Before the alchemy furnace, Su Baichen stood dressed in snow-white robes, the Glazed Heavenly Flame dancing at his fingertips seemingly possessing a life of its own.

Cao Ying and Xuan Yi held their breath and focused their minds, imprinting every detail into their memories. When the pill was completed, dark clouds filled the sky and pill lightning descended. Su Baichen directly withstood the pill lightning with his own body.

The two women had witnessed this scene no less than ten times.

"My path to alchemy prioritizes a calm mind."

"If your mind is in turmoil, you will make mistakes in alchemy; only when your mind is calm can you concentrate on alchemy."

Under his careful guidance, Cao Ying's alchemy skills improved by leaps and bounds, and she was able to independently refine ninth-grade treasure pills. However, she was still lacking in Xuan Dan, and the same was true for Xuan Yi.

If word got out about the two women's rapid progress, it would be enough to shake the entire alchemy world.

That morning, Cao Ying, holding an invitation that exuded a faint medicinal fragrance, quietly entered Su Baichen's study.

"Master, the Medicine Clan has sent an invitation, inviting us to participate in the upcoming Pharmacopoeia." Cao Ying presented the invitation, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Su Baichen accepted the invitation, which was soaked in a special medicinal liquid, and traced the exquisite medicinal clan emblem on it with his fingertips. He remained silent for a long time, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Ying'er, let's not go to the pharmacopoeia this time." He finally shook his head and gently placed the invitation on the table.

"Why?" Cao Ying asked in surprise, her voice filled with confusion and urgency.

"Didn't you promise to take me there?"

Su Baichen stood up and looked out the window at the distant mountains and clouds: "I can't go. I have other important matters to attend to. More importantly, there may be changes in the current pharmacopoeia."

He turned around, his expression grave: "The Soul Clan has been eyeing the eight ancient clans covetously, and has already made moves against the Spirit Clan and the Stone Clan. The next one will be the Medicine Clan."

"Although the Medicine Clan is strong overall, it is precisely because of this that if the Soul Clan wants to take action, it will definitely send out an even stronger force, and the Void Devouring Flame will certainly accompany them."

The study was silent for a moment, with only the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind outside the window.

Cao Ying lowered her head in silence, her hands unconsciously clenching her sleeves. After a long while, she raised her head, her eyes shining with a firm light that Su Baichen had never seen before.

"Husband," she called softly, a title that made Su Baichen pause slightly.

Cao Ying continued, "I don't want to live under your wing forever, just a pretty face who can only look up to you."

"If I back down because of the dangers ahead, I will always be Cao Ying who needs your protection. I want to become stronger, I want to stand shoulder to shoulder with you in the future, and even... be able to be your support when you need me."

Her eyes were like burning stars, clear and intense.

Su Baichen looked at the woman in front of him, who had shed her youthful naiveté, and suddenly smiled. He reached out and gently patted Cao Ying's head, a gesture so tender that it almost brought tears to Cao Ying's eyes.

"Okay, okay." He said "okay" twice, his tone a mixture of relief and helplessness.

“Our little Cao Ying has finally grown up and dares to argue with her teacher.”

Cao Ying's heart tightened, thinking that Su Baichen was being sarcastic, but her determination to become stronger kept her from backing down.

"Husband, do you... agree?" she asked cautiously.

Su Baichen didn't answer, but gently patted her shoulder and turned to walk out the door.

Cao Ying stood there, staring blankly at the empty doorway, a wave of sorrow washing over her. She didn't want to always be protected, yet she was also afraid of disappointing Su Baichen.

Two conflicting emotions tore at her heart, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

She didn't know how she got out of the study until Xuan Yi's voice rang in her ears, bringing her back to her senses.

"Silly girl, what are you thinking about? You seem distracted." Xuan Yi held the freshly refined pills and looked at her with a puzzled expression.

Cao Ying recounted the whole story, her voice choking with emotion by the end.

After listening, Xuan Yi put down the medicine basket and pulled Cao Ying to sit down on the stone bench in the courtyard: "Do you still want to go now?"

"I want to, but..." Cao Ying bit her lower lip, hesitating to speak.

"Go if you want to!"

Xuan Yi put his arm around her shoulder and laughed, "Besides, hasn't he already agreed?"

"Huh?" Cao Ying looked up abruptly, her face blank.

"You've been with him for so long, don't you understand him?" Xuan Yi tapped Cao Ying's forehead, his eyes full of mischief.

"His silence means he agrees. If he really disagreed, do you think you'd still be standing here unharmed?"

Cao Ying blinked, her mind unable to process what was happening for a moment.

Does silence equate to agreement? What kind of logic is that?

"Do not worry."

Seeing her confusion, Xuan Yi patiently explained, "He just agreed to let you go. Think about it, if it were before, how would he have treated you if you insisted on doing something he didn't approve of?"

A single sentence awakened Cao Ying's long-dormant memories. She instinctively covered a certain area behind her with both hands, her cheeks instantly flushing crimson.

Upon seeing this, Xuan Yi burst into laughter, bending over backwards.

"Hahaha! Little Cao Ying, you're still so cute after all these years!"

"Sister Xuanyi!" Cao Ying stomped her foot in embarrassment and turned to leave, but was stopped by Xuanyi.

"Alright, alright, I'm not teasing you anymore." Xuan Yi said seriously, "If he really objected, he would have a million ways to prevent you from going. Since he didn't stop you, it means he believes you can handle it."

"For the past six months, he has shared everything he knows with me, all for this day, hasn't he?"

Cao Ying was stunned, then suddenly understood something.

Yes, Su Baichen has been carefully teaching her for the past six months.

A few days later, at dawn.

Cao Ying wore a light purple dress, with a protective jade pendant given to her by Su Baichen tied around her waist, and her long hair was simply tied up with a jade hairpin.

Standing next to her was Little Fairy Doctor, who was also on this trip to the Medicine Clan.

Black-clad figures and colorful butterflies came to see them off.

Xuan Yi stuffed three pills into her hand: "He prepared these for you; they could save your life in a critical moment."

Looking at the three pills in her hand, Cao Ying paused for a moment, then nodded.

"Well, I see!"

Cai Die, who was standing nearby, stepped forward and patted Cao Ying on the shoulder, saying domineeringly, "If anyone bullies you in the pharmacopoeia, remember to send a message back, and I'll help you beat them up. We, the White Dust Realm, are not easy to bully."

"Thank you, Sister Xuanyi, thank you, Sister Caidie," Cao Ying said softly.

Immediately afterwards, Cao Ying and Little Fairy Doctor disappeared in a flash.