Chapter 1298: Introducing an Ancestor

The fervent atmosphere inside and outside the pill-refining hall persisted for a long time, showing no signs of subsiding. Even several Saints had yet to intervene, because they understood clearly what this pill yield rate signified. While they temporarily couldn't ascertain whether this twenty-six-pill yield was due to Zhou Yuan or Yao Yao, these details were irrelevant, for the result was what truly mattered. As long as this pill yield could be maintained, not to mention Yao Yao replacing Xu Beiyan with Zhou Yuan, even if she wanted to substitute him with a dog, no one would raise an objection.

In the bustling square, Zhao Mushen's face was expressionless. This almost unbelievable result gave him a strange sense of familiarity. It seemed that back at the Nine Regions Grand Assembly, when he was suddenly defeated by the emergent Zhou Yuan, it had also triggered widespread disbelief and astonishment. Now, however, such an event seemed to be repeating itself. The only slight comfort was that this time, he was a bystander.

Zhao Mushen's gaze drifted with a hint of pity towards Xu Beiyan. That fellow was also a prominent figure in All-Heavens City, yet it seemed he had underestimated Zhou Yuan, because this scoundrel was practically the professional bane of all prominent figures. Back then, he had been immensely prestigious in Hunyuan Heaven, unrivalled in the Divine Dwelling stage, yet in the end, he had also been trampled down by Zhou Yuan. Had it not been for his resilient character and his gradual resurgence, he might truly have been crushed beyond recovery by Zhou Yuan that time. After that, he keenly perceived that going against that scoundrel Zhou Yuan did not lead to good outcomes. Thus, he decisively suppressed his former enmity and shifted his focus elsewhere. If you can't win, retreat. Zhao Mushen never considered this shameful, because only those who laugh last are the true winners.

Beside him, Su Youwei's tense body also relaxed. She seemed to be in excellent spirits, with a smile playing on her radiant eyes. She tilted her head and said to Zhao Mushen, "It seems you've saved yourself an Ancestral Dragon Pill." This was a reference to Zhao Mushen's earlier reluctance to bet with her. Zhao Mushen was displeased, but could only let out a cold snort.

"Let's go congratulate His Highness later," Su Youwei suggested, seeking their opinions. Wu Yao hesitated for a moment, then gave a slight nod with her delicate, fair chin. Zhao Mushen, however, refused without hesitation: "I'm not going. You two go yourselves." Although he didn't want to be enemies with Zhou Yuan, the lingering resentment in his heart was undeniable. Zhao Mushen had no desire to go congratulate him; it would only upset him.

Su Youwei was unconcerned, simply saying, "Suit yourself. His Highness will be assisting in the refinement of Ancestral Dragon Pills from now on, holding considerable authority. If he could offer us some convenience when exchanging for Ancestral Dragon Pills, it would save us a lot." Her last words were directed at Wu Yao. Upon hearing this, Wu Yao was somewhat moved. After all, only those who had experienced the hardships of the Void Battlefield could truly understand the perils of acquiring remnant Ancestral Dragon souls. Moreover, the critical point was that for All-Heavens City, Ancestral Dragon Pills were always in short supply relative to demand. Even with sufficient quota tokens, one sometimes had to wait. If Zhou Yuan could offer assistance in this regard, it would save them a great deal of trouble. At the very least, obtaining Ancestral Dragon Pills first would allow them to enhance their strength earlier, providing greater security in their future endeavors. Perhaps, it was precisely these strength enhancements that would allow them to save their lives. Although Wu Yao was a proud person, she was not rigid. So, she nodded, and the two women proceeded together.

However, after only a few steps, they noticed some movement behind them. Turning around, they saw Zhao Mushen, head bowed, trailing behind them as if searching for something on the ground. Noticing their gazes, Zhao Mushen looked up and said expressionlessly, "I want to see what level that fellow has truly reached now. I'll need to be wary in the future." Su Youwei and Wu Yao exchanged a glance. A slight curve appeared on their lightly glistening lips. Then, ignoring Zhao Mushen, they walked forward. Zhao Mushen naturally saw the teasing curve of their lips. Even with his composure, he couldn't help but feel his face flush slightly. He then let out a cold snort, flicked his sleeve, and followed. As long as he could improve his strength, what couldn't he endure? Only those who can bear humiliation and heavy burdens will have the last laugh.

Inside the hall, Zhou Yuan had already taken out a jade box. Under numerous fervent gazes, he collected all twenty-six Ancestral Dragon Pills, and was about to hand them to Yao Yao. However, Yao Yao simply waved her hand and casually said, "You keep them." Around the colorful pill cauldron, the Law Domain experts were all stunned for a moment. They then looked at Zhou Yuan with complex expressions. Previously, after pill refinement concluded, Xu Beiyan would hand over the collected pills to the Divine Maiden for safekeeping. But now, the Divine Maiden completely disregarded this, directly allowing Zhou Yuan to keep them. This was sufficient to show that the relationship between the two was extraordinarily close.

The thirteen Law Domain experts stood up, preparing to withdraw. However, at this moment, Yao Yao swept her clear gaze around, and said in a cool voice, "Wait a moment." All thirteen Law Domain experts were startled. Yao Yao's gaze landed directly on one of the Law Domain experts, and her cool voice stated indifferently, "From now on, you need not come. You know the reason." The Law Domain expert, targeted by Yao Yao's gaze, instantly turned pale upon hearing this. He wanted to say something in defense, but in the end, he couldn't utter a single word, and turned to leave, trembling.

This sudden scene left many astonished, but they quickly understood what had happened. It was when Zhou Yuan's fire control had almost gone awry earlier. At that time, the thirteen normally stable Law Domain Genesis Qi streams had suddenly gone out of control. Previously, they had thought it was due to Zhou Yuan's insufficient ability, but with the current result, that reason was directly refuted. And if it wasn't Zhou Yuan's fault, then the problem must have been with the master of that specific Law Domain Genesis Qi stream. Now, looking at the expression of that Law Domain expert, they understood that it was likely because the former had made a mistake at that time, causing the Genesis Qi to go out of control. Regardless of whether there was a conspiracy involved, for a Law Domain expert to inexplicably lose control of their Genesis Qi for a moment, such a basic mistake should not have occurred. Therefore, being directly removed from the team was entirely reasonable.

Some people looked at the Law Domain expert with pity. Providing fire for pill refinement was a desirable position. Though not as significant as an assistant like Zhou Yuan, the remuneration was excellent. Countless individuals had vied for it in the past. To lose such a position in such a ridiculous manner now was truly regrettable. Zhou Yuan also watched this scene but said nothing. He vaguely sensed that there was more to this incident than met the eye, but there was no direct evidence. Therefore, speaking about it would be useless. It was better to keep the peace on the surface, while maintaining heightened vigilance in secret.

Zhou Yuan thought to himself, and then his gaze fell upon three familiar figures entering the pill-refining hall. A smile immediately appeared on his face.

"Congratulations, Your Highness, on the successful pill refinement," Su Youwei said, gazing at the tall, young figure. Her gaze then shifted with a hint of complexity towards Yao Yao on the white jade platform behind him. Wu Yao also gave Zhou Yuan a slight nod. Zhou Yuan looked at them and said, "Princess of Martial Arts, Yin-Yang Master, Son of Devourer, all well, I trust?" After speaking, his own mouth couldn't help but twitch slightly. Su Youwei couldn't help but cover her face. Even a blush appeared on Wu Yao's cold and proud face, clearly indicating extreme embarrassment.

"Your Highness, these are all arbitrary titles people outside came up with. They have nothing to do with us," Su Youwei offered a weak defense.

"I find them quite fitting, actually." Zhao Mushen gave a faint smile, not feeling ashamed by this, but instead challenged Zhou Yuan with his gaze: "Zhou Yuan, you've been completely out of sight for the past two years. Your former renown has already been overshadowed by us."

Zhou Yuan watched Zhao Mushen with interest, then suddenly laughed, "Zhao Mushen, there's something I've always wanted to do to you."

Zhao Mushen frowned, "What?"

A strange arc appeared at the corner of Zhou Yuan's mouth. With a swift grab of his hand, he inexplicably pulled Tun Tun, who was lazily sleeping in Yao Yao's arms, through the air, then tossed it to Zhao Mushen: "I just wanted to... introduce you to an ancestor."

A dark shadow rushed towards him. Zhao Mushen's brows furrowed deeply. He raised his palm, intending to slap it away. However, the instant his skin made contact with the dark shadow, an indescribable ripple suddenly surged from the deepest part of his body. Under the influence of that ripple, the palm strike Zhao Mushen was about to unleash transformed directly into a cupping motion, cradling the dark shadow in his hands. He then involuntarily knelt down on one knee.

He held his hands cupped before him. At this moment, Tun Tun had just woken from its slumber. It opened its sleepy eyes, gazing at the man kneeling before it.

Man and beast stared blankly at each other.