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

"I'm truly impressed by you." Su Baichen's words were no longer playful, only filled with a heavy sigh: "Old Yao, what can I say about you... Your sensitivity to the properties of medicinal herbs is unparalleled; but your ability to discern the wickedness of people's hearts is sometimes... sigh, what a talent!"

He spoke the last three words with particular weight.

The once-powerful Medicine Venerable is now nothing but a remnant soul, hidden within a cold ring. His former majesty and bearing are now overshadowed by the shadow of betrayal and the weakness of his soul.

Seeing his old friend in such a wretched state, a sharp pang of heartache flashed in Su Baichen's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a more solemn expression. He leaned forward, his gaze fixed intently on Yao Chen's soul form, and asked in a low, clear voice, word by word:

"There's no use dwelling on the past. So now, Yao Chen, what do you intend to do? This state of a soul form is ultimately not a long-term solution; it's fraught with hidden dangers, and its strength is less than a tenth of its former glory." He paused, his tone carrying an almost resolute determination.

Do you need my help?

"To help you, to give you a new lease on life."

Upon hearing Su Baichen's words, "I'll help you be reborn," his fingers gripping the teacup tightened slightly, his knuckles turning white. But then, as if he had just thought of something, he suddenly remembered something!

"You're not talking about the resurrection method in that nameless martial arts manual, are you?!" Yao Chen's voice trembled with disbelief: "That nameless martial arts manual can actually be cultivated."

He clearly remembered that nameless martial arts manual—on yellowed parchment, ancient script recorded astonishing content.

He discovered it during an expedition, deep within a ruin forgotten by time. At the time, Han Feng's eyes were practically glued to the book; that longing, that fervor—looking back now, perhaps already sowed the seeds of betrayal.

Su Baichen leaned casually back in his chair, the moonlight outlining his sharply defined profile. He picked up his teacup and took a sip, as if discussing the weather: "Not entirely. I've improved that cultivation technique, perfecting it in every aspect, including the resurrection method."

"What did you say!" Yao Chen suddenly stood up, his teacup crashing onto the stone table, tea dripping down the edge. His fleeting soul rippled slightly with excitement, like a reflection in water being disturbed by a stone.

He had studied that nameless cultivation technique carefully. The methods recorded in it were too heaven-defying, almost challenging the limits of an alchemist's understanding of fire—using the body as a furnace and the flames of heaven and earth as nourishment to continuously advance.

But every step was fraught with enormous risk; the slightest misstep could lead to annihilation. Yao Chen had concluded that this was either the delusion of some ancient madman or a fragment of some lost forbidden technique, and should never be attempted lightly.

Seeing his friend's shocked expression, Su Baichen gently waved his hand: "Calm down, it's just modifying a small cultivation technique."

"A mere cultivation technique?" Yao Chen almost laughed in anger: "What's recorded on it is enough to drive all the alchemists on the continent crazy! Unlimited absorption of strange fire, and no upper limit on grade—!"

“I know, I know.” Su Baichen interrupted him, his expression unusually “serious”: “That’s why I also thought it was unreliable, so I spent a lot of time deducing, verifying, and perfecting it, and finally succeeded.”

Yao Chen slowly sat back down on the stone bench, looking at his old friend with a complex expression. Su Baichen was always like this, seemingly carefree and unrestrained, but in reality, more persistent than anyone else. Once he set his mind on something, he would devote everything to achieving it. This was true when they traveled together back then, and it was true now as well.

Chapter 104 Friendship

"However, the materials required for the improved resurrection method are very expensive." Su Baichen changed the subject, his tone becoming lighter, a sly glint in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Yao Chen simply rolled his eyes and said disdainfully, "Heh, I have no money, but I won't give you my life."

He had just "seen" the situation inside the Bone Inflammation Ring. All the gold coins, pills, and rare medicinal herbs he had accumulated over the years had vanished without a trace.

Even if Yao Chen were stupid, he would know where all these things went—besides this "old friend" in front of him, who else could have emptied his coffers without him noticing?

"Hey, who said I asked you for money? We're brothers, how could I possibly cheat you!" Su Baichen put on a hurt expression, but the smile in his eyes betrayed him.

"Heh, the moment you call me 'brother,' it's always a trap. After all this time, don't you think I don't know you?" Yao Chen scoffed, arms crossed, his mind involuntarily replaying the times he'd been tricked over the years—

Once, Su Baichen claimed to have discovered an ancient ruin, but it turned out to be the herb garden of some reclusive old monster. The two of them were chased for three whole months.

On another occasion, Su Baichen confidently promised to help him obtain information about a different kind of fire. In the end, he did obtain the information, but at the cost, Yao Chen had to help a princess of a certain empire refine pills for half a year.

Those memories made Yao Chen both angry and amused. It was as if time had reversed at that moment, and they had returned to the time when they were adventuring across the continent together.

At that time, one of them was already a renowned alchemy genius, and the other was a quirky genius full of curiosity about everything in the world. The two complemented each other and "schemed" against each other, and forged a deep friendship through countless life-and-death trials.

"Uh, how can you say that? Those are all in the past, why keep bringing up old grievances?" Su Baichen touched his nose, showing a rare hint of embarrassment.

Upon hearing this, Yao Chen asked with a skeptical look, "Really? You'll revive me without asking for anything in return?"

Upon hearing this, Su Baichen immediately retorted confidently, "How could that be? Even close brothers keep clear accounts."

Seeing this, Yao Chen rolled his eyes and continued, "So what do you want me to do?"

He knew Su Baichen all too well. This guy seemed indifferent on the surface, but in reality, he had a perfectly clear understanding of the situation. If he didn't want gold coins or medicinal herbs, then there must be something more complicated in his demands.

Seeing that Yao Chen was so cooperative, Su Baichen stopped beating around the bush and directly stated his request: "You have to stay by my side and refine pills for free for a period of time."

"Your pills are more effective than mine, why do you insist on making me do it?" Yao Chen frowned, puzzled. He knew Su Baichen's pill-refining skills well. Although he didn't often make pills, every time he refined one, it was considered top-quality. He even had unique insights into the fusion of medicinal properties, which Yao Chen himself admired.

Su Baichen sighed, his expression unusually serious: "I'm also wanted by the Soul Hall. My little gadgets have been used up quickly, and I need to replenish them. I don't have much time to refine pills."

The words "little gadgets" made Yao Chen's heart tighten. He certainly knew what Su Baichen meant by "little gadgets"—those seemingly insignificant but actually incredibly powerful puppets.

Back when they encountered a formidable foe, Su Baichen once used several Dou Zong-level puppets to entangle a powerful expert for an entire day. The creation of these items was extremely time-consuming and mentally taxing, and the materials were also scarce.

"Okay, I understand." Yao Chen nodded. He knew that Su Baichen had studied a wide variety of things, including alchemy, formations, and almost everything else.

He had personally witnessed the power of those "little gadgets." Yao Chen knew firsthand how troublesome the Soul Palace's pursuit was, and Su Baichen needed to be in top condition at all times, so he really didn't have much time to spend on alchemy.

A brief silence fell between the two.

After waiting a while, Yao Chen saw that Su Baichen did not make any further requests, and asked in confusion, "Is there anything else?"

Upon hearing this, Su Baichen readily replied, "That's all, that's all."

Yao Chen was stunned. He had thought Su Baichen would take the opportunity to make more demands—after all, the value of resurrecting a Dou Zun expert was far greater than the value of refining pills for a period of time for free.

Moreover, given Su Baichen's personality, it would be completely out of character for him not to take the opportunity to "extort" him.

However, Su Baichen simply sipped his tea calmly, his profile appearing exceptionally gentle in the moonlight. In that instant, Yao Chen suddenly understood something.

In this transaction that appears to be a deal but is not really a deal, Su Baichen never wanted an equal exchange. He was simply giving Yao Chen a way out, a way out that wouldn't make Yao Chen feel indebted.

Between true friends, sometimes what is needed is not generous gifts, but just the right amount of "taking," so that the recipient can also maintain their dignity.

Seeing this, Yao Chen smiled but remained silent. He picked up his teacup, only to find the tea had gone cold. Su Baichen naturally took the teapot and refilled it for him. Steam rose, blurring their vision.

“Su Baichen,” Yao Chen suddenly spoke, his voice very soft; “Thank you.”

Su Baichen paused for a moment, then resumed his normal expression: "Stop being so mushy. Once you're resurrected, you'll be busy. I have plenty of pills on my list, so don't even think about slacking off."

Yao Chen smiled and shook his head, a warm feeling welling up in his heart. Su Baichen hadn't changed; he was still the Su Baichen he remembered—the guy who seemed carefree on the surface but was actually more loyal and righteous than anyone else.

No matter how time flows, no matter how many changes occur, some things never change.

Unlike his apprentices, who had become unrecognizable to him, Han Feng's once clear and bright eyes had been replaced by greed and ambition.

Yao Chen still remembers what Han Feng was like when he first became his apprentice. That talented and diligent young man would be happy all day with a single compliment from him, and would be so excited that he couldn't sleep if he successfully refined a qualified pill.

When did it begin? Was it when he first encountered advanced alchemy? Was it when he distinguished himself at the Alchemist Conference? Or was it when he began to experience the darkness of the outside world and witness the power of authority and wealth?

Yao Chen wasn't unaware that people's hearts are fickle. But when he actually experienced it, the pain of being stabbed in the back by the person he trusted most was still etched into his memory.

He once thought that the bond between master and disciple could transcend everything, but he forgot that the insatiable desires deep in people's hearts are enough to devour any emotion.

"Thinking about Han Feng?" Su Baichen suddenly asked, as if he could see through his thoughts.

Yao Chen smiled wryly: "Is it that obvious?"

“Your expression tells me something.” Su Baichen put down his teacup and said seriously, “Old Yao, some people are destined to disappoint us, and that’s not your fault. You gave him everything you could, but he chose a different path.”

“I know,” Yao Chen sighed.

"But I still think about the past occasionally, about when he was a child, chasing after me and asking all sorts of questions about alchemy. Back then, his eyes shone with light."

Now, all that remains in those eyes is calculation and greed.

Su Baichen was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Do you know what would have happened if you had shown that cultivation technique to Han Feng back then?"

Yao Chen was taken aback.

“I’ve considered countless possibilities,” Su Baichen continued. “The most likely one is that he will be eager to try to rebuild his skills, and then suffer from qi deviation due to the aftereffects of rebuilding, which may even lead to his death on the spot. By stopping him, you may have inadvertently saved his life.”

“But he wouldn’t think that way,” Yao Chen said in a low voice.

“Yes, he won’t.” Su Baichen nodded and continued, “Greedy people only see what others don’t give them, and they don’t think about what others have given them, let alone whether what they don’t give them is really good for them. This is not your problem, it’s his problem.”

Yao Chen looked at Su Baichen and suddenly laughed: "Are you trying to comfort me?"

"I'm just stating the facts." Su Baichen shrugged and said helplessly, "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's talk about your resurrection plan. I've already collected the materials."

"But preparations take time, so for the time being, you'll stay with me in the Gama Empire."

"The Gama Empire?" Yao Chen was somewhat surprised. "Why would you come to such a remote place?"

"Of course I'm here to rescue you and escape the Soul Palace's pursuit," Su Baichen said matter-of-factly. "Besides, I've also discovered a rather interesting little girl here, who might be worth keeping an eye on."

"Little girl?"

Su Baichen smiled mysteriously and said with a grin, "But now is not the time to talk about that. Come on, let's take a look at the list of materials needed for resurrection. You may have heard of some of them, but you've probably never heard of others..."

The atmosphere between the two in the room was very harmonious.

For Yao Chen, this was not just a chance to be resurrected, but the beginning of a new life. And for Su Baichen, helping his old friend regain his life was simply what he should do.

Some friendships need no words; some sacrifices need no calculation. This is what friendship is—a bond that remains as strong as ever after the test of time.

Chapter 105 A Virtuous Wife - Cai Lin

After settling Yao Chen's affairs, Su Baichen came outside, stood quietly in the courtyard for a moment, looked in the direction of Cai Lin, and finally walked towards her.

Cai Lin was sitting by the window, holding an ancient book in her hands. The dappled sunlight outside the window shone on her long, ink-black hair, giving her a soft halo.

She seemed to have fully recovered; the lingering pain between her brows had vanished, replaced by tranquility and peace.

Su Baichen stood at the door, watching her, a warm feeling welling up inside him. He gently pushed open the door, his footsteps startling Cai Lin from her reverie.

She looked up, saw it was him, and a gentle smile naturally appeared on her lips: "You've come."

Su Baichen didn't answer, but quickly stepped forward and pulled her into his arms. Cai Lin was slightly taken aback, then relaxed her body, pressing her cheek against his chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat.

"Cai Lin." Su Baichen whispered in her ear, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe.

"I may have to go away for a while."

The sudden news made Cai Lin's body stiffen for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. Unlike a typical wife, she didn't press for details about his whereabouts, reasons, or return date. Instead, she quietly wrapped her arms around his waist, her voice soft yet firm: "Yes, I know."

Su Baichen released his embrace in surprise and looked down into her eyes. He thought she would ask questions, worry, or be reluctant to let him go—he had prepared a set of explanations. But Cai Lin just looked at him calmly, her beautiful eyes filled with trust and understanding, without the slightest doubt.

"Aren't you going to ask me where I'm going or what I'm going to do? You trust me so much." He couldn't help but ask, his tone filled with a mixture of curiosity and gratitude.

Cai Lin raised her hand and gently stroked his cheek, her fingertips lightly tracing the sharp lines of his jaw. Her gaze was tender and profound, as if she had already seen through all his thoughts.

"No need, I believe you," she said softly, each word brimming with unwavering strength.

"You have your own things to do, I just need to support you."

She paused, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes: "By the way, is there anything I can do?"

These words stirred up a storm in Su Baichen's heart.