Chapter 1359: A Man with a Story

"Ye Yuan, your talent in the Dao of alchemy is astonishing. How about formally joining my Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion?"

Xiao Feng formally extended an invitation to Ye Yuan, knowing that Ye Yuan would surely not refuse.

Without the protection of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, Ye Yuan would be nothing more than a morsel for the Wang family.

He believed Ye Yuan was a wise man who knew how to choose.

Unexpectedly, Ye Yuan smiled and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Senior, but I already have a place to go."

Ye Yuan's answer stunned Xiao Feng, clearly catching him off guard.

"Ye Yuan, that junior from the Wang family only apologized under my pressure. But this will likely make him harbor even more resentment toward you. I'm afraid... you don't fully understand the strength of the Wang family in Mingyang City?" Xiao Feng thought Ye Yuan was unaware of the situation and reminded him.

Ye Yuan smiled and said, "I am well aware of that, Senior, but I have my own plans. Rest assured, Senior, we still share a bond of teacher and student."

Xiao Feng frowned, puzzled by Ye Yuan's words.

But soon, he understood and said in surprise, "You want to enter the Wumeng Academy?"

Ye Yuan nodded. "Yes! The Wumeng Academy gathers geniuses, and I yearn for it!"

Xiao Feng felt a bit flustered and advised, "Ye Yuan, your alchemy talent is astonishing, even I am in awe! In the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, you can enjoy immense resources without having to compete with other young talents!"

The Wumeng Academy also valued the training of alchemists, but its primary focus was martial arts.

Becoming an ordinary student at the Wumeng Academy would yield limited resources, and one would have to fight tooth and nail with other students for them.

In the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, Ye Yuan could devote himself to studying the Dao of alchemy.

With his talent, his future achievements would be boundless.

In Xiao Feng's view, Ye Yuan was seeking the far and neglecting the near, abandoning the root for the branch.

Ye Yuan only smiled in response, clearly having made up his mind.

Seeing this, Xiao Feng sighed and said, "Very well, then, do as you wish! You have given the Yangyuan Pill formula to the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, and the pavilion owes you a great debt. This is the Bronze Ten Thousand Treasures Token. With this token, you can enjoy a thirty percent discount on all purchases at any Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion in Wumeng Royal City. Additionally, there are ten million low-grade divine spirit stones here. Do not think it too little; consider it the price for the full rights to the Yangyuan Pill."

Ye Yuan's eyes lit up as he took the token and thanked him, "Thank you, Senior!"

Xiao Feng scolded with a smile, "You brat, you insist on taking the long way around! If you were willing to join the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, why would you care about this discount?"

Xiao Feng truly cherished talent, which was why he acted this way.

Over the past six months, the two had developed a mutual admiration.

Unknowingly, Xiao Feng and Ye Yuan had become close friends despite the age gap.

Ye Yuan chuckled and said, "It's all the same. Even in the Wumeng Academy, I can still come to listen to your lectures."

Xiao Feng shook his head. "You may not have that chance! I have benefited greatly these past six months. After returning this time, I will likely go into seclusion for a long time!"

Ye Yuan's eyes brightened. "Senior, could it be... that you are about to break through that barrier?"

Xiao Feng laughed heartily. "Maybe yes, maybe no. But if I do, half the credit goes to you! I am grateful for this favor!"

Ye Yuan smiled. "It is Senior's accumulated effort that brought this about; what does it have to do with me? But I congratulate you in advance, Senior!"

Xiao Feng was already at the Great Perfection of the Guixu realm; one more step would be the Divine Lord realm!

Many experts were blocked before this major realm.

Those who could cross this step would become a regional lord!

If Xiao Feng truly broke through, it would be like a fish leaping over the dragon gate, soaring to the skies!

Xiao Feng laughed loudly. "You brat, nothing is certain yet, and you're already talking nonsense! This step is as hard as reaching the heavens; it's not so easy to break through! Alright, enough of that. Since you're going to Wumeng Royal City, why not come with me?"

Ye Yuan laughed. "I couldn't ask for more!"

Wu Chen's insight was unparalleled, but after all, he was not a true Alchemy God.

Xiao Feng had profound views on the Way of Alchemy, which gave Ye Yuan great inspiration. Along the way, they could sit and discuss the Way together.

...

Over the years, Liang Wanru had grown much thinner.

"For her, I grow haggard"—it was probably just like that.

"Miss Wanru."

That voice she had dreamed of sounded behind her, making her whole body tremble.

"Master Ye! You... you've finally come to see Wanru!"

The moment she saw Ye Yuan, Liang Wanru couldn't help but shed tears.

Over the years, Ye Yuan had been avoiding her, hardly ever coming to see her.

Although she knew Ye Yuan's feelings from Hong Yin, she could not forget him no matter what.

From the moment Ye Yuan rescued her from the Liang family dungeon, her heart could no longer hold anyone else.

Later, Ye Yuan stormed the Wang family and refined the Divine Pill.

In Liang Wanru's eyes, it was like a legend.

How could Ye Yuan not see Liang Wanru's haggardness?

He sighed and said, "Miss Wanru, why must you torment yourself like this?"

Liang Wanru suddenly threw herself into Ye Yuan's arms and said, "Wanru doesn't care! Really doesn't care! Wanru has nothing left. If even you don't want me, I... I can only die!"

She wasn't trying to scare Ye Yuan; after she came out of the dungeon, Ye Yuan had become her only reason to live.

Ye Yuan gently patted her back and said with a bitter smile, "Miss Wanru is my lifesaver. How could I not want you? It's just... I really can't accept your feelings!"

Ye Yuan sighed in melancholy, his words filled with helplessness and pain.

When Mu Lingxue sacrificed her soul to unleash the Eternal Freeze, she also froze Ye Yuan's heart.

Even Yue Mengli, who had shared life and death with him, could not melt that frozen heart.

As if sensing Ye Yuan's pain, Liang Wanru looked up at him and couldn't help but tremble all over.

She saw that tears were actually falling from the corners of Ye Yuan's eyes!

Back then, when Ye Yuan was severely injured and near death, he hadn't even groaned once. In Liang Wanru's heart, Ye Yuan was a man of indomitable spirit.

But even such a man could shed tears—what had he been through?

Indeed, Ye Yuan aimed high, wanting to become the Tenth Dao Ancestor!

But Ye Yuan himself knew that it was merely a grand vow he had made.

This path was too difficult, a thousand times harder than his breakthrough to the Divine Way in the Immortal Forest Domain!

Suddenly, Liang Wanru felt a pang in her heart, not because Ye Yuan didn't accept her.

Ye Yuan's tears seemed to flow into her heart, making her feel his pain.

Suddenly, Liang Wanru had a strong urge to understand this man's past.

She realized that this young man seemed to have many, many stories.

"Master Ye, please don't drive me away, okay? Wanru doesn't ask for any promises from you, only to be allowed to stay by your side, even as a maidservant!" Liang Wanru suddenly stopped sobbing and said firmly.