Chapter 169: Decision

“Have you heard of alchemical arrays?” Yun Che asked mysteriously.

“Alchemical arrays?”

“An alchemical array is an invisible formation, a special array used to refine pills,” Yun Che explained. “My master told me that refining pills using cauldrons and karmic fire is the most common, but also the most primitive method. This is because it leads to significant loss of medicinal efficacy and has a high chance of failure. Using an alchemical array, however, is different. It directly extracts and fuses ingredients through the formation, resulting in virtually no loss of medicinal efficacy, a very low chance of failure, and a much shorter refining time. What I just used was an alchemical array.”

Yun Che finished speaking without batting an eye. What he said wasn't entirely fabricated, however. Alchemical arrays do exist in this world; his master on the Azure Cloud Continent could use them, and perhaps there are eccentric individuals on the Profound Sky Continent who can as well. Yet, no matter how proficient or advanced an alchemical array might be, its refining capabilities could never compare to the Sky Poison Pearl, a supreme profound artifact.

The Little Fairy's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. The term "alchemical array" didn't feel entirely unfamiliar to her; she seemed to have a faint impression of it. Such a vague memory suggested that alchemical arrays were extremely rare, meaning very few people could use them. At the very least, Gu Qiuhong, the top divine physician in the Cangfeng Empire, couldn't use them, nor could her sect's chief alchemist. It had never even been mentioned.

Yet, this young man before her had effortlessly refined a pile of ingredients into three pills radiating King Profound energy. What he called an “alchemical array,” despite her astonishment, she couldn't help but believe.

“May I see your pills?”

The Little Fairy extended a delicate, snow-white hand towards Yun Che. Before he could respond, a chill permeated the air, and a Dragon Blood Pill was drawn into her grasp.

Her slender fingers picked up the Dragon Blood Pill, sensing the aura it contained. The Little Fairy's eyes subtly wavered again. The aura within this Dragon Blood Pill was unmistakably that of a dragon, specifically a King Profound Dragon.

Dragons are the venerated lords of all beasts. Regardless of common or lesser dragons, among the divine beasts of ancient legends, dragons hold supremacy, surpassing even other divine beasts like phoenixes, celestial wolves, and golden crows. No creature in the world can compare to the sheer might of a dragon's physique. Its blood, bones, scales, organs, flesh—every part is a treasure of the world. However, due to their immense power, they cannot be easily used on a human body without complex refining and harmonization; otherwise, instead of benefits, they would cause harm. This was especially true for anything derived from a King Profound Dragon.

Yet, the dragon aura within this pill was incredibly gentle, uniformly blended with the various medicinal ingredients, making it highly compatible with human physiology. Though it carried the aura of a King Profound Dragon, even a Spirit Profound practitioner could likely refine it within their body.

This pill was extraordinary, even in her eyes.

With a flick of the Little Fairy's finger, the Dragon Blood Pill flew back into Yun Che's hand. Her beautiful eyes fixed on him as she calmly asked, “I have a question for you. You claim to be a divine physician, and your medical skills are indeed remarkably high. You effortlessly neutralized the profound venom in my body, and you easily detected the Gu Poison that Medical Saint Gu Qiuhong planted in Cang Wanhe, the Cangfeng Emperor. Now you even know ‘alchemical arrays’ and can casually refine such high-grade pills. Any one of your abilities is enough to shock the world. If you wanted to join a sect, I believe all sects in the Cangfeng Empire would eagerly invite you, promising you a high status and endless glory. So why do you humble yourself in a small place like the Cangfeng Profound Palace, and as merely an ordinary inner palace disciple?”

“Once you enter a sect, you can never leave for life; otherwise, it's considered betrayal. You're bound to live for that one sect your entire life. To me, that's fundamentally no different from entering a cage. What I pursue is absolute freedom…”

Yun Che didn't voice the latter half of his thought, which was absolute control. Both freedom and control, however, required powerful strength as a prerequisite. This wasn't because he craved power or enjoyed looking down on others, but because he had lost too much. Having been reborn, he no longer wished to lose anything more.

The Little Fairy's expression remained unchanged, showing no reaction to his arrogant words. She then asked, “Since you pursue freedom, why did you let me know about these abilities? Aren't you afraid I'll spread the word? If those sects learn of your formidable medical and alchemical skills, and you lack the ability to protect yourself or resist, then you won't even be able to have freedom or peace. You'll either comply willingly or be forced to comply.”

“Because I trust you,” Yun Che smiled. “Someone at your level wouldn't need to spare a glance for someone as insignificant as me. Yet, when I was severely injured, you didn't leave; instead, you guarded me for several days and used your profound energy to heal my wounds. You returned as promised two months later, and last night, you even saved my life when I was in danger. All of this shows that despite your cold exterior, your heart is very kind. Moreover, someone as beautiful as the Little Fairy—even if others said you were a real immortal, I would believe it. You simply don't look like a bad person.”

“...Hmph, silver-tongued,” the Little Fairy turned her beautiful eyes away. Though her voice was dismissive, her gaze inadvertently softened a little.

“Little Fairy, may I ask you a question?” Yun Che suddenly said.

“You must be... from Frozen Cloud Asgard, right?” Yun Che asked tentatively.

The Little Fairy did not answer; she neither admitted nor denied it.

“If you don't speak, I'll take that as a yes,” Yun Che smiled. After a moment of hesitation, he then asked, “Then do you know someone named Xia Qingyue? She should also be a disciple of your Frozen Cloud Asgard.”

The Little Fairy's eyes suddenly narrowed. “You know Qingyue?”

The Little Fairy's reaction to the name "Xia Qingyue" startled Yun Che slightly. He nodded, “Yes, I've known her since we were very young. Like me, she was born in Flowing Cloud City. I later heard she got married, and not long after, she left Flowing Cloud City to go to Frozen Cloud Asgard.”

“That's right, Qingyue is indeed a disciple of my Asgard. However, you don't need to inquire further about her,” she paused, then glanced at Yun Che and said, “If you represent the Imperial Family in the Cangfeng Ranking Tournament this year, you might get to see her.”

“She's participating in this year's Cangfeng Ranking Tournament?” Yun Che was surprised. “But her age is similar to mine; she just turned seventeen. Won't participating at seventeen be too difficult?”

When he had separated from Xia Qingyue, her profound energy was at the tenth level of the Elementary Profound Realm. Even if she had concealed her true strength, she would at most have been in the Nascent Profound Realm. Starting from the Nascent Profound Realm and participating in the Cangfeng Ranking Tournament after only a year and a half—that would be more than just "difficult."

“Hmph, others naturally cannot, but Qingyue can! In the previous tournament, Ling Yun reached the top at seventeen, and Xia Qingyue of my Frozen Cloud Asgard can do the same! Qingyue's talent and comprehension are unparalleled, unmatched throughout history; not even Ling Yun can compare to her. In this Cangfeng Ranking Tournament, Qingyue has only one opponent: Ling Yun! If Qingyue had participated in the previous tournament, my Frozen Cloud Asgard would have definitely taken first place! And even facing Ling Yun three years later, Qingyue absolutely will not lose.”

When speaking of Xia Qingyue, the Little Fairy's demeanor was completely different from her usual self. Her usual indifference was replaced by deep pride, anticipation, and an abundance of confidence.

Yun Che remained silent for a long time. He had heard Lan Xueruo describe how terrifying Ling Yun's strength was. Yet, from the Little Fairy's words, she had immense confidence in Xia Qingyue defeating a twenty-year-old Ling Yun. He had given Xia Qingyue the Heaven-Spirit Divine Veins, but talent wasn't only about profound veins; it also encompassed understanding, control, and comprehension of profound energy laws.

When Ling Yun achieved first place in the ranking tournament, Xia Qingyue was only fourteen and had just entered the Elementary Profound Realm, while Ling Yun was already at the ninth level of the Spirit Profound Realm. Now, Ling Yun must have broken through the Spirit Profound Realm and entered the Earth Profound Realm. Among the younger generation in the entire Cangfeng Empire, perhaps only Ling Yun could enter the Earth Profound Realm before the age of twenty. Frozen Cloud Asgard couldn't be unaware of such a vast disparity, yet they were so confident she could contend with Ling Yun.

Yun Che's heart twitched uncontrollably. If this was true, then the talent of his wife Qingyue was truly too frightening.

“I know you won't believe it, and you don't need to,” the Little Fairy said. “You met Ling Yun yesterday and praised him as ‘flawless,’ but unfortunately, this year's Cangfeng Ranking Tournament will be the time his reputation falls.”

Yun Che slowly nodded and quietly asked, “So she's already that powerful... Uh, Little Fairy, do you know which man was so lucky as to marry such an incredibly powerful girl?”

“Her marriage was merely to resolve her earthly ties and to prevent her family from bearing the name of faithlessness. The Palace Mistress was astonished by her talent, moved by her pure heart, and wished to ensure she had no worldly attachments. Furthermore, the man she married had crippled profound veins from birth and would be a cripple his entire life. Qingyue also swore she harbored no feelings for him, which is why she was granted an exception to become the first married disciple in my Asgard. Immediately after her marriage, she returned to Frozen Cloud Asgard, and from then on, she will never see the man she married again.”

Yun Che was speechless.

“As you said, he truly is a lucky man. Even a thousand men like him couldn't possibly be worthy of Qingyue, yet he gained the title of her husband, which can only be considered a great blessing from heaven upon him.” The Little Fairy glanced at Yun Che and continued, “This is all I can tell you about Qingyue. You revealed many of your secrets to me, so consider these words my repayment.”

*Knock, knock.*

A soft knocking sound echoed, and Lan Xueruo's voice came from outside the door: “Junior Brother Yun, are you in there?”

As the knocking began, icy light shimmered before Yun Che's eyes, and the Little Fairy vanished like a dissolving illusion.

Yun Che walked over and opened the door. Before Lan Xueruo could speak, he declared firmly, “Senior Sister, I've decided! I'm participating in this year's Cangfeng Ranking Tournament!”