Chapter 1302: Calculations

Nearly half a month had passed since Zhou Yuan refined the fourth Ancestral Dragon Pill.

In the small courtyard, the intense red glow on Zhou Yuan's body gradually faded, and white mist emanated from him, causing the void itself to subtly ripple.

His tightly shut eyes slowly opened.

His eyes were as deep as an abyss, shimmering with divine light. It took a long while for them to finally settle.

Zhou Yuan immediately sensed his internal state. The Origin Infant within his Divine Dwelling had experienced a subtle increase. This growth seemed insignificant, but it was incredibly exhilarating because it indicated that the Ancestral Dragon Pill indeed had a considerable effect on enhancing the Origin Infant.

As long as he continued to refine them over time, his Origin Infant might even grow to nine inches and eight fen, or even more.

Moreover, and most importantly, the Ancestral Dragon Pill possessed the miraculous effect of supplementing one's innate potential. This was an incomparable advantage that no other pill could match. While Zhou Yuan might not yet fully grasp its depth, for those who had been stuck in a single realm for years, this miraculous effect undoubtedly offered them hope.

Only by supplementing their potential could they hope to advance further.

Unfortunately, Ancestral Dragon Pills were simply too scarce.

Even though Zhou Yuan's assistance had significantly increased the pill's production rate, it was still a drop in the ocean for the numerous Origin Infant and Dharma Domain experts in All-Heaven City.

However, there was nothing to be done. The primary ingredient for the Ancestral Dragon Pill was the remnant soul of an Ancestral Dragon, a mysterious substance incredibly difficult to find even in the Chaotic Void. Without sufficient materials, no matter how powerful someone was, they couldn't conjure Ancestral Dragon Pills out of thin air.

“It seems I'll have to find opportunities to explore the Chaotic Void during my alchemy downtime,” Zhou Yuan sighed. The monthly supply of four Ancestral Dragon Pills was certainly enough to make many Dharma Domain experts incredibly envious, but for him, it still wasn't enough. His nine-point-seven-inch Origin Infant was like a bottomless pit, incredibly difficult to fill.

What's more, Yao Yao had also given him the task of breaking through his limits...

Just thinking about this demand made Zhou Yuan feel overwhelmed and incredibly stressed; it was enough to drive someone crazy.

***

All-Heaven City, West City District.

A majestic hall stood tall, with Origin Infant and Dharma Domain experts constantly coming and going, either alone or in groups, a testament to the area's liveliness and popularity.

This was the "Treasure Hunt Hall," considered the most favored gathering place for Origin Infant and Dharma Domain experts in All-Heaven City.

Whenever the Saints of All-Heaven City calculated the spatial coordinates indicating the presence of Ancestral Dragon remnant souls, they would announce them here. Following this, various teams would swarm out to explore.

At this moment, Su Youwei stood before a counter, casually taking a recommended jade slip. It listed some newly calculated areas, but it was clear she was somewhat distracted.

Or rather, this state had persisted for a month.

Ever since Zhou Yuan disclosed his relationship with Yao Yao that day, Su Youwei's spirits had been low. During this period, she had taken far fewer external missions, forcing Wu Yao and Zhao Mu Shen to team up for explorations.

However, Su Youwei ultimately understood she couldn't let these emotions control her. So, she composed herself, intending to take a solo exploration mission first, and then team up with Zhao Mu Shen and Wu Yao once she had fully recovered.

“This one,” she said, choosing a newly calculated location, to the attendant before her.

The attendant quickly assented and handed her a mottled copper tablet. Faint spatial fluctuations emanated from it, for it bore the engraved, fixed spatial coordinates.

Su Youwei thanked her, took the copper tablet, and turned to leave.

Standing outside the hall, Su Youwei lifted her beautiful, delicate face towards the light, took a deep breath, and clenched her fists, giving herself a pep talk: “Su Youwei, pull yourself together! You’ve been through so many setbacks; when did you become so sentimental?”

After her self-encouragement, she stepped out into the sunlight and hurried away.

However, as she departed, she didn't notice a gaze fixed on her figure from a nearby pavilion.

“Did she choose that area?”

From the pavilion, Xu Beiyan, handsome and refined, gazed into the distance and asked with a faint smile.

From the shadows behind him, someone replied, “Just as Young Master expected.”

Xu Beiyan nodded, his eyes growing somewhat cold. Zhou Yuan had taken his position and was so close to the Divine Maiden; this was a slight he couldn't swallow. However, Zhou Yuan was currently extremely popular in All-Heaven City, and the fellow stayed hidden, providing no perfect opportunities.

But while Zhou Yuan couldn't be touched, his friends could.

During this period, Xu Beiyan had already thoroughly investigated Su Youwei, Wu Yao, and Zhao Mu Shen. Among the three, only Su Youwei had the closest relationship with Zhou Yuan.

“Young Master, this Su Youwei also has quite a background. The Domain Master of Purple Cloud Domain is by no means inferior to Grand Venerable Cang Yuan,” the figure in the shadows reminded him.

Hearing this, Xu Beiyan chuckled lightly. “I haven't done anything, have I? I merely let her choose a very normal area.”

Then, he suddenly blinked, speaking as if in belated realization, “Oh, I almost forgot. During this time, I also secretly spread some rumors, saying that Su Youwei is Zhou Yuan's mistress, and that Zhou Yuan gave her many Ancestral Dragon Pills obtained from the Divine Maiden.”

A smile curled at Xu Beiyan's lips.

“The Ancestral Dragon Pills are the most coveted items in All-Heaven City. While Su Youwei's talent is exceptional, she is, after all, only at the Origin Infant stage. Now that she's ventured out alone, it's inevitable that she'll attract covetous glances...”

“Truth be told, she can only blame herself for underestimating the darkness of human nature. Some people would even betray their teachers and ancestors just to advance further, let alone someone at the Origin Infant stage?”

“In the past two years, how many deeply bonded teams have turned on each other and slandered one another over a single Ancestral Dragon Pill?”

Xu Beiyan brought a dark flute to his lips and chuckled again, “I truly haven't done anything excessive. Everything is just happening naturally, so what can even Grand Venerable Purple Cloud do?”

Having said that, he spoke no more, and melodious flute music drifted out.

Yet, as he played the flute, his gaze was fixed on the residence of Yao Yao and Zhou Yuan in All-Heaven City, and deep envy surged in his eyes.

Oh, he'd also forgotten to mention: regarding that seemingly ordinary area, he had received the latest information from his master, Green Willow. There seemed to be some unusual activity there, activity that somewhat resembled the presence of the Saint Race...

By established rules, this area should have been marked as dangerous, but Xu Beiyan had delayed that update. And, as fate would have it, Su Youwei took on that mission at precisely this time. Thus, it was all destiny.

Perhaps, even Heaven disapproved of that kept man.