C1429

Perched on the cliff, Van Heqing, known as the Shattering Sword, listened intently to every word Yu Yuan uttered. His eyes, seemingly brimming with unspoken thoughts, studied Yu Yuan closely, as though he was silently comparing him to someone else. After a moment, Van Heqing's brow furrowed slightly, and he abruptly remarked, "You haven't changed much from the person you were in the first half of your life."

Yu Yuan fell silent, taken aback by the comment. It didn't take long for him to grasp the meaning behind Van Heqing's words; he was referring to Hong Qi.

"If I'm not mistaken, I've never had any dealings with you before, have I?" Yu Yuan was genuinely perplexed. Back when he was known as Hong Qi, Van Heqing was already a renowned Great Sword Immortal, mostly secluded from the world, only occasionally appearing in the Outland Star River.

In his past life, Yu Yuan had only heard of Van Heqing's esteemed reputation; the two had never interacted. Yet, Van Heqing's words implied a familiarity that dated back to Yu Yuan's days as Hong Qi.

"You've visited the Crack Archipelago before, accompanied by that young lady. She was the prized jewel of the Sword Sect at the time, and the sect entrusted me to look after her discreetly. Consequently, every time I saw her, I also saw you," Van Heqing explained, pausing to reflect before continuing slowly, "Your visits to the Crack Archipelago weren't infrequent, and with each one, your presence became more imposing. Your temperament, your aura, they both swelled to extremes, which, to me, seemed rather unusual."

Van Heqing cast a glance toward Medicine God Island, falling silent for a few seconds before speaking up again, "Have you ever considered that the drastic change in your disposition towards the end of your life could be the result of a spiritual poison?"

"Spiritual poison?" Yu Yuan was taken aback. The possibility had never crossed his mind.

The common belief was that his descent into darkness was due to an obsession with crafting poison pills and the realization that his life was drawing to a close, which led him down a path that outraged both mortals and deities alike. Reflecting on the events at the end of Hong Qi's life, Yu Yuan's memories seemed clouded.

Given his current level of cultivation and the strength of his soul, the anomalies were becoming apparent. He had previously assumed it was a reluctance on his part to face those memories.

Upon hearing Van Heqing's explanation, Yu Yuan felt bewildered. "A poison that affects the soul, altering my temperament and amplifying the malevolent thoughts deep within my heart?"

"As a Hong Qi who has not embarked on the path of cultivation and has not refined your soul, your understanding of your three souls is lacking. This makes you susceptible to such poisons without even realizing it," Van Heqing elaborated on the possibility, "I mention this because each time you return to the Crack Archipelago, my disdain for you intensifies."

"You may not realize it, but evoking such disdain in me is a talent in itself."

Van Heqing's mouth curled into a wry smile.

Yu Yuan fell into a contemplative silence.

Indeed, he was aware of certain poison pills that could stir up sinister thoughts. By finding specific herbs and blending their properties, it was easy to provoke the darkness within one's heart or a thirst for bloodshed.

He also knew the methods for crafting pellets that could awaken numerous wicked thoughts, leading one gradually into corruption.

If he had inadvertently ingested such a pellet, would his unrefined soul from his second life be utterly unaware of its influence?

"I've observed you from the shadows on her behalf numerous times. Each observation reveals a drastic shift in your temperament. I sense that these aren't natural changes—they're too abrupt," Van Heqing stated bluntly.

"Are you suggesting they're induced?" Yu Yuan's expression darkened.

With a slight nod, Van Heqing continued, "The current atmosphere in the Crack Archipelago is quite precarious. I've heard that the Chamber of Commerce is actively recruiting individuals skilled in pharmacology and spirit plant cultivation. Many from the Medicine God Sect are considering defecting to the Chamber. Even Medicine God Island, a place you know well, has herbalists who are now under control."

"Recruiting herbalists..."

Yu Yuan pondered the implications, considering whether the Chamber of Commerce and the Divine Soul Sect were indeed orchestrating these developments.

No matter his standing with the Medicine God Sect, the fact that the Chamber of Commerce was scouring for those with medicinal expertise suggested they were gearing up to dispatch them to the Dark Wing Starfield eventually.

With a whoosh, the Dragon Slash Platform materialized, shrinking before settling into the palm of his hand. His consciousness delved into it, and through the Dragon Slash Platform, he surveyed Medicine God Island.

On the island, every planted flower, spirit plant, medicinal hall, pill furnace, and the network of earth fire's veins came into view in an instant. He unexpectedly spotted a silver-haired elder loudly berating something at the base of a medicinal mountain. The elder exuded an extraordinary presence, with a fierce gaze that, despite his alchemist's robes, made him seem more like a valiant cultivator.

"Uncle Master Qu, you're still alive," Yu Yuan exclaimed in surprise.

Qu Yun, a contemporary of his master, had devoted his early years to the study of alchemy. Later, he shifted his focus to breaking through to higher realms, successfully condensing his Yang God and ascending to the heavens.

Zhong Chichen, in his youth, was particularly favored by Qu Yun, who also guided his cultivation. It's fair to say that Zhong Chichen's later preoccupation with cultivation and neglect of alchemy were influenced by him.

Yu Yuan vividly recalled Qu Yun's disdain for him. Shortly after he joined the sect, Qu Yun discovered his inability to embark on the path of cultivation and dismissed him as worthless, advising his master not to squander time and effort on him.

Qu Yun argued that an alchemist incapable of cultivating had too brief a lifespan to benefit the Medicine God Sect. Even after his master took him on as a disciple against all odds, Qu Yun threw a tantrum and left for the heavens to refine his Yang God.

Rumors later circulated that Qu Yun's Yang God perished in the heavens, causing his true body to suffer a backlash. Qu Yun had remained unseen up until Yu Yuan's own misadventure with reincarnation.

Yet now, Qu Yun was not only present on Medicine God Island but also very much alive. His Yang God Stage appeared remarkably stable, showing no signs of a shattered Yang God.

"You hadn't been gone long when he emerged," Van Heqing said, his voice calm yet laced with a peculiar undertone. "His Yang God returned from the Outland Star River, not only intact but also enhanced in realm and combat prowess. Your senior brother managed to swiftly secure the situation and silence the critics, thanks in no small part to him."

After a brief pause, Van Heqing added, "In my eyes, he and your senior brother appear more like a master and disciple."

Yu Yuan remained silent, continuing to peer at the activities on Medicine God Island through the Dragon Slash Platform, while listening to Qu Yun's tirades.

He observed several alchemists, well-versed in medicinal lore, hesitantly retreating into the cave dwelling on the mountain, all the while fervently assuring Qu Yun that they had no desire to leave.

He also noticed three individuals bound on the solid rocky ground behind Qu Yun, their bodies marred with contusions and lash marks.

All three, dressed in the Medicine God Sect's robes—an elderly woman, accompanied by a male and a female apprentice—seemed familiar to Yu Yuan, yet he couldn't quite place her.

As he focused on Medicine God Island using the Dragon Slash Platform in his unique way, Van Heqing's gaze, the Shattering Sword, also settled upon the platform.

Van Heqing's eyes began to brighten. Even he was unable to penetrate the murky white glow with his vision to see the world within the Dragon Slash Platform.

But he could see the platform creating ripples of iridescent colors around it, as if tiny, vibrant dragons were darting within the ripples.

"Mr. Fan, I'm heading to Medicine God Island first."

After a moment of contemplation, Yu Yuan inhaled sharply, his face taking on a grave expression.

Van Heqing gave a slight nod, "I should not interfere with the internal matters of the Medicine God Sect."

"Regardless, I appreciate the information, Mr. Fan."

With another respectful bow, Yu Yuan, along with the Dragon Slash Platform, vanished into thin air.

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