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

If it were Yao Chen at his peak, he admitted he really couldn't beat him.

But now... Su Baichen examined the soul body before him, which, although solid, was clearly far weaker than before, and he had a better understanding of its nature.

This old guy was ambushed and suffered a great loss, even losing his physical body. After his own treatment, his strength was restored to the level of Dou Zong.

"You brat Chen, you actually took advantage of me!" Yao Chen was even more furious when his attack missed. His soul power surged, creating a slight energy ripple.

Despite its weakness, the pure essence of its soul still caused the surrounding air to tremble slightly.

"Old man Yao, so what? What's wrong with treating me like your son?" Su Baichen put his hands on his hips and deliberately raised his chin high, his smug look making Yao Chen's teeth itch.

"Get lost! Die!"

Yao Chen stopped talking nonsense, his transparent palm clenched, and a wisp of pale white flame suddenly shot out. Although weak, it emitted a heart-palpitating aura—the Bone Spirit Cold Flame! Even with its master so weak, the power of this strange flame should not be underestimated.

"Hey, old man Yao is serious!" Su Baichen's eyes narrowed, no longer daring to play around. His battle qi instantly covered his body, and a layer of light blue wind attribute battle qi formed a protective shield.

He stood there seemingly casually, but in reality, every muscle in his body was tense, ready for battle. "If you hit me again, I'll fight back."

"Alright, today I'll teach you what it means to respect the elderly and care for the young!" Yao Chen shouted, and the wisp of bone spirit cold fire shot out like a serpent. Wherever it passed, the air made a faint "hissing" sound, and the temperature strangely had both extreme cold and scorching characteristics at the same time.

Su Baichen's figure floated back like a willow catkin in the wind, while at the same time he pointed his fingers like a sword, and a condensed cyan battle qi shot out, colliding with the wisp of pale flame.

"Oh!"

A deep, muffled thud echoed through the courtyard, sending up gusts of air and stirring up dust. It also drew the attention of the already alerted onlookers.

Little Fairy Doctor covered her mouth, her purplish-gray eyes filled with amazement: "Wow! This old man is amazing, he's actually fighting with Master!"

Although her strength was still shallow, she could feel the terrifying power contained in that pale flame, far exceeding any fighting technique she had ever seen.

Cao Ying's bright, beautiful eyes widened as she followed the two figures closely, her face flushed with excitement: "When will I ever have that kind of strength?!"

She was born with a powerful soul and a keen sense of energy. At this moment, she felt that every exchange between the two people in front of her contained mysterious fluctuations that she could not quite understand, which made her yearn for it.

Cai Die's figure was graceful, her alluring face bearing a hint of doubt and solemnity. As the most powerful among them, she was already at the peak of the Dou Wang realm, half a step away from the Dou Huang level, and thus better understood the dangers involved. "Who is this old gentleman? Even in his soul form, he possesses such power..."

She murmured, her heart filled with shock. Souls are usually incredibly fragile, yet this one before her was not only as solid as a real person, but could also wield such terrifying flames. What kind of terrifying being must he have been in his previous life?

Yun Yun, dressed in a simple white dress, possessed a cool and aloof air, like the moonlight. She gazed at the scene before her, her slender hands unconsciously clenching slightly. She had long been aware of her master's unfathomable strength, yet the suddenly appearing old man's soul had managed to briefly contend with him.

"Both of them are incredibly strong... Their use of battle qi and soul power is exquisite." A hint of heat ignited in her cool eyes.

"I need to break through to the Dou Huang level as soon as possible!" Only with greater strength can I see a wider world and be qualified to... stand beside certain people.

In the arena, Su Baichen and Yao Chen exchanged a few more blows. Su Baichen mainly dodged and weaved, occasionally using exquisite fighting techniques to block and deflect attacks, without truly unleashing his full power.

Yao Chen seemed to have vented enough, and his movements gradually slowed down. Both of them knew perfectly well that this was just a greeting after a long separation, exchanged in the most familiar and "manly" way.

After their fists and palms collided once more, producing a slight vibration, the two used the force to separate and stood several feet apart.

Su Baichen patted off non-existent dust from his sleeves, and Yao Chen also withdrew the wisp of bone spirit cold fire, calming down the fluctuations in his soul body.

Their eyes met in mid-air, and they both saw the smile in each other's eyes that only old friends could understand, as well as a barely perceptible sigh about the passing years and changes.

Playful banter is one thing, but being watched by a group of younger people, especially several pretty girls, while they "fight" is really inappropriate. The two exchanged a glance and tacitly lowered their voices simultaneously.

"Ahem." Su Baichen coughed twice, composing himself.

Yao Chen stroked his illusory beard, striking a pose of a wise and venerable senior—if one ignored his earlier "furious" attempt to fight.

But this stop made some people unhappy.

Cao Ying was engrossed in the game when she saw the two stop fighting. She jumped out anxiously, her clear voice chattering, "Why did you stop? Keep fighting! The battle isn't over yet! Master, are you scared?"

Chapter 102 Cao Ying, the Stirring Up Trouble

Upon hearing this, Su Baichen's expression, which had just regained its composure, instantly darkened again.

This girl, she loves watching the drama unfold, and she's even learned how to goad people?

He flashed and appeared in front of Cao Ying. Before she could react, he flicked his finger and gave her a solid tap on the forehead.

"Ouch!" Cao Ying cried out in pain, covering her forehead with both hands. Her big eyes instantly filled with tears as she looked at Su Baichen with a pitiful expression.

"What are you doing, all you know is fighting!" Su Baichen scolded sternly. "Don't you understand respecting elders and caring for the young? This person is your senior! Also, I think you're too idle. Tonight, memorize the combined 'Illustrated Compendium of Herbs' and 'Complete Collection of Basic Medicinal Herb Properties' that I gave you. I'll be checking your memory tomorrow. If you remember the properties of even one herb incorrectly, you'll have to copy it ten times!"

Cao Ying, whose head had quickly swelled up with a small bump, lost all interest in faking tears upon hearing this "bad news."

Ignoring the pain in her forehead, she rushed forward and grabbed Su Baichen's sleeve, nuzzling her head against him. Her voice was sweet enough to drip honey, and her expression was utterly pitiful, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

"Master~~ No! I hate reading the most, these books are so thick, they make my head spin!"

"Good master, dear master, the best master in the world! Please forgive me this time, I beg you!"

"I promise I'll behave from now on and won't cause any more trouble! I'll massage your legs and make you some tea!"

The speed of his change of expression and the sophistication of his acting left Yao Chen, who was standing nearby, stunned, before he couldn't help but chuckle.

This mischievous little girl is quite amusing. However… hearing the title "disciple," and seeing the playful yet intimate interaction between master and disciple, a long-dormant part of Yao Chen's soul was unexpectedly pricked. That wicked disciple… Han Feng…

The fleeting sadness and pain in his eyes, though subtle, did not escape the notice of Su Baichen, who had been watching him out of the corner of his eye.

Su Baichen sighed inwardly, knowing that the old man had brought up unpleasant memories again. He deliberately ruffled Cao Ying's hair, messing up her carefully styled hair and interrupting her attempt to continue being coquettish. Then he turned around and solemnly introduced her to everyone, his voice carrying clearly throughout the courtyard:

"Alright, stop fooling around. Come over here and let's get to know each other properly."

He turned to the side, reaching out to guide Yao Chen, his face showing a rare solemnity and respect.

"This is my close friend, Yao Chen."

He paused, then clearly uttered the words that would shock anyone:

He was known as the Medicine Master.

"A high-level alchemist of the eighth rank".

"In his lifetime, he was a peak Nine-Turn Dou Zun expert."

Each title was like a heavy hammer blow to the hearts of Cai Die, Yun Yun, Xiao Yi Xian, and Cao Ying.

Eighth-grade high-level alchemist! What does that even mean? In the entire Jia Ma Empire, even a fifth-grade alchemist is revered as a Pill King and receives royal treatment. Eighth-grade... that's a legendary existence; the pills they refine are enough to cause a frenzy of competition among Dou Zun-level powerhouses! And high-level is the cream of the crop among eighth-grade alchemists.

Peak of the Ninth Revolution Dou Zun! In the Dou Zun realm, from the first to the ninth revolution, each advancement is incredibly difficult. Reaching the peak of the Ninth Revolution signifies standing at the very pinnacle of the Dou Zun level, with one foot already in the elusive Dou Sheng realm! Such powerful individuals were previously only figures to be admired from afar, existing only in legends.

Little Fairy Doctor covered her mouth, her purplish-gray eyes filled with disbelief.

Cao Ying forgot to act cute, her mouth slightly open, staring blankly at the seemingly unreliable old man in spirit form.

For the first time, a look of shock and disbelief appeared on Cai Die's alluring face. Her red lips parted slightly, but no sound came out. Even Yun Yun, who was usually aloof and composed, suddenly became breathless, and her gaze toward Yao Chen was filled with unprecedented awe.

The air in the courtyard seemed to freeze, with only the slightly disordered breathing of a few women in shock remaining.

Yao Chen took in everyone's reactions, and the gloom in his heart lessened somewhat. He waved his hand, revealing a warm yet slightly melancholic smile, his voice gentle, carrying a clarity and serenity born of experience:

"Alright, don't be nervous, and there's no need to be so formal. That's all... the old news."

He looked down at his slightly translucent palms, his tone calm and unwavering:

"Now I am nothing more than a wisp of a soul that has survived by sheer luck, barely clinging to life. Let bygones be bygones."

These simple words reveal a sense of desolation and magnanimity at the end of a hero's life, inspiring both respect and regret.

Su Baichen picked up the conversation at the right moment, and said to the four women who were still a little stunned, "What are you still standing there for? This is a true senior expert. Although he is currently... well, in a special state, even a few words of guidance from him will be of great benefit to you. Quickly introduce yourself."

The four women then seemed to snap out of their daze, and hurriedly stepped forward to bow in turn, their tone respectful:

Cai Die took the lead, bowed gracefully, and said in a soft yet solemn voice, "Junior Cai Die greets Senior Yao Chen."

Yun Yun nodded slightly, her clear, cold voice like ice striking jade: "Yun Yun greets Senior."

Little Fairy Doctor nervously clutched the hem of her clothes and whispered, "Greetings, Senior Yao Chen, I am Little Fairy Doctor."

Cao Ying's eyes darted around, recalling how she had instigated the fight and been punished. She immediately put on her sweetest and most obedient smile, her voice clear and crisp: "Greetings, Senior Yao Chen! My name is Cao Ying, and I am my master's disciple! Just now... just now I was joking, please don't mind me, Senior!" She even stuck out her tongue, looking charming and adorable.

Yao Chen's gaze swept over the four women, lingering particularly on Little Fairy Doctor and Cao Ying, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

With his keen eyesight, he could naturally see that Little Fairy Doctor's physique was special, and the subtle fluctuations of toxicity were anything but ordinary. As for Cao Ying, although she was still young, her agility and innate, powerful soul perception made her a natural-born alchemist.

"They're all good kids, no need for formalities." Yao Chen nodded with a smile, his soul form appearing warmer in the sunlight. He looked at Su Baichen and teased, "Young Chen, you know how to pick up bargains. These two girls are both exceptionally talented."

Su Baichen raised his eyebrows smugly: "That's right, look at whose judgment you have."

He walked over to Yao Chen, lowered his voice, and his tone became serious: "Alright, old man, stop standing there. Come with me and tell me properly, what exactly happened back then? I've already reminded you, how did you end up in this mess?"

Yao Chen's smile faded slightly, and a complex expression flashed in his eyes—pain, anger, and a deep weariness. He nodded, not rejecting his old friend's concern.

"Hey, come inside and talk with me." Seeing this, Su Baichen led Yao Chen into the house.

Chapter 103 The Simple-minded Medicine Dust

After Yao Chen's complex and somewhat difficult explanation, the room fell into a brief silence.

Su Baichen slowly turned his head, scrutinizing Yao Chen's semi-transparent soul form with an extremely strange look. His gaze was a mixture of disbelief, utter absurdity, and an undisguised "Are you kidding me?" implication.

"So—" Su Baichen drawled, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth, "You, the dignified Medicine Venerable, the Pavilion Master of the Central Continent Starfall Pavilion, a peak eighth-grade alchemy master, knowing full well that your good disciple Han Feng harbored treacherous intentions and secretly colluded with the Soul Palace… just because that kid 'plop' knelt down, kowtowed several times, and confessed with snot and tears streaming down his face—you believed him? You forgave him?"

He spread his hands exaggeratedly, his voice echoing in the room: "My God! Yao Chen, tell me, has the world gone mad? Or have the people of Dou Qi Continent become more naive and innocent than three-year-olds in recent years? Is this even possible?!"

Su Baichen pointed at Yao Chen, his fingers trembling slightly: "He colluded with the Soul Palace, plotting to obtain that nameless cultivation technique, and might even have taken your life! Can such betrayal be forgiven with a few kowtows and a few tears? Yao Chen, Yao Chen, what... what can I say about you!"

He held his forehead, looking as if his worldview had been shaken.

"And you actually believed it!"

Seeing his old friend's contorted expression, as if he had swallowed a fly, and his barrage of questions, Yao Chen's translucent face also revealed clear embarrassment. He subconsciously raised his hand, wanting to scratch his head, but his fingers passed through illusory strands of hair; this habitual action now seemed particularly awkward and forlorn.

"Ahem..." Yao Chen coughed lightly, his soul aura fluctuating slightly, revealing his inner turmoil. He said awkwardly, "Um... well, it's not entirely like that. At the time... he was indeed very emotional, and his repentance was... quite sincere."

His voice lowered, carrying a hint of barely perceptible pain: "Moreover, he didn't just kowtow and admit his mistakes. He practically spilled the beans, telling us all the details of their original plan, the Soul Palace contact person, the agreed signal... in every single detail."

Yao Chen raised his head, his eyes filled with complex emotions, including reminiscence, deep fear, and self-mockery: "I did have my doubts at the time, but seeing how open he was... I thought that perhaps he had really come to his senses. More importantly, the information he provided was extremely detailed. So I had an idea—why not turn the tables on them? Use this information to set a trap for the Soul Palace, and maybe we can deal them a heavy blow."

He sighed, and even the light of his soul seemed to dim slightly: "I've even started to secretly plan how to use this opportunity to both clean house and strike at the Soul Palace."

“I told Han Feng that I had forgiven him and asked him to deal with the Soul Palace according to the original plan and cooperate with me to put on a show... I thought everything was under control.”

Yao Chen's voice became hoarse: "Who could have imagined...who could have imagined that at the most crucial moment, just before meeting with the elders of the Soul Palace and the trap was about to be set...Han Feng...he actually betrayed us again."

“This time, he went even further and was even more ruthless. To this day, I still can’t understand why the way he looked at me when he betrayed me for the second time was so cold and resolute, as if all the tears and vows of repentance before were just a carefully rehearsed play.”

His words were filled with exhaustion and a deep sense of powerlessness: "I was too confident, and too... attached to the past."

After hearing Yao Chen's more detailed explanation, Su Baichen's exaggerated expression gradually subsided, replaced by a deep sense of helplessness and disappointment. He shook his head and let out a long breath, as if trying to release all the pent-up frustration in his chest.