Heaven-Dominating Martial Emperor

On the bed, the old man suddenly opened his eyes. A flash of light passed through his murky pupils.

He looked at the pair of grandchildren by his bed, his face suddenly flushing with color. He was even able to speak. "This pill… is incredible…"

"It's working! The Three Corpses Soul-Returning Pill is working!"

Liu Yanran was so happy she began to cry. She hugged Liu Yuchan's arm, extremely excited. "Big Brother, you're amazing! You actually managed to create the Three Corpses Soul-Returning Pill!"

Among Fourth Grade pills, the difficulty of creating the Three Corpses Soul-Returning Pill was considered one of the highest.

Successfully creating it not only meant they could save their grandfather's life, but it also represented a new level in Liu Yuchan's Alchemy skills.

"No, I wasn't the one who created this Three Corpses Soul-Returning Pill," Liu Yuchan said with a bitter smile.

But the two of them had no time to think about it. Seeing their long-bedridden grandfather open his eyes again—nothing could be more exciting than this!

"I…" The old man struggled to push himself up with his arms, seemingly wanting to get out of bed.

Liu Yanran hurried forward to support him. "Grandfather, let me help you."

But just then, the old man's body suddenly trembled violently. He then opened his mouth and spat out a large mouthful of blood.

The blood was pitch-black, as if it had been soaked in ink, and it gave off a foul, fishy stench, splashing all over Liu Yanran.

Liu Yanran froze completely. She paid no mind to the filth on her clothes and cried out in alarm, "Grandfather, are you alright?!"

"How could this be?!" Liu Yuchan rushed forward and checked the old man's pulse.

His expression changed slightly. "His pulse is extremely chaotic and weak. This Three Corpses Soul-Returning Pill only gave Grandfather a final burst of life; it couldn't remove the illness from his body!"

"What?" Liu Yanran panicked. "Not even a Fourth Grade pill like the Three Corpses Soul-Returning Pill works? Then what are we going to do?"

"At this rate, Grandfather won't last much longer!"

The initial joy had already been replaced by terror.

Tears streamed down Liu Yanran's small face. Cradling the old man, she sobbed, "Grandfather was such a strong man his entire life. I never imagined his final years would end like this."

"What is going on? Why is this illness so hard to get rid of?!"

Liu Yuchan's face was grim. He clenched his jaw and his fists, feeling just as lost.

'The Three Corpses Soul-Returning Pill was our last hope!'

'If even the Three Corpses Soul-Returning Pill has no effect, does that mean Grandfather really can't be saved?'

At the very least, he, the number one Alchemist in Lei Province, was truly at his wit's end.

"No, this won't do!"

"We can't just sit here and wait for him to die!"

Liu Yuchan shot to his feet. "There's still hope! Grandfather still has a chance!"

"Even the Three Corpses Soul-Returning Pill couldn't save Grandfather. What hope could we possibly have?"

Liu Yanran looked at Liu Yuchan through tear-filled eyes, her expression fragile and helpless. But then she froze. "Big Brother, don't tell me you're thinking of…"

"That's right! As long as we find that person… he definitely has a solution!"

Liu Yuchan's gaze was firm.

'That person's Alchemy techniques are far beyond my own.'

'Right now, he's our only hope.'

"But… where are we going to find him now?" Liu Yanran wiped the tears from her face.

"The Treasure Pavilion!" Liu Yuchan said in a low voice. "He's a Guest Elder at the Treasure Pavilion now!"

"Whether our Liu family falls into decline or regains its former glory all depends on him!"

...

「Luoyun City, Yan family estate.」

Led by Chen Jue, Ye Chen's visit was met with the highest level of courtesy from the Yan family.

"So this is the Treasure Pavilion's new Guest Elder, Elder Ye? Rumor has it his Alchemy skills even surpass Master Liu's?"

In the main hall, the Yan family's Patriarch, Yan Zhenfang, rose and walked up to Ye Chen.

He scrutinized Ye Chen, but unfortunately, Ye Chen was wearing a conical hat, making his face impossible to see.

"Elder Ye, this is the Patriarch of the Yan family, Yan Zhenfang."

Chen Jue introduced them with a smile.

"Patriarch Yan." Ye Chen nodded slightly.

Facing the Patriarch of the Yan family—one of the four great families renowned throughout Lei Province—he felt little stir within his heart.

Yan Zhenfang gave Ye Chen a deep look. "Why don't you remove your hat, Elder Ye? Are you unwilling to show your true face?"

Ye Chen didn't answer, but Chen Jue, standing to the side, preemptively chuckled. "Elder Ye is a private person and prefers not to reveal too much in front of strangers."

"Is that so?"

"Usually, people who refuse to show their true faces are those who've done some shady things, aren't they?"

"Besides, to refuse to show your face even when meeting the Patriarch of my Yan family… such disrespect is far too arrogant!"

Below the main seat, many of the Yan family's high-ranking members snorted coldly, their gazes unfriendly.

As one of the four great families of Lei Province, the Yan family had a heritage stretching back several hundred years, a profound foundation, and immense influence in the province.

The Yan family's upper echelon was used to a pampered and privileged life, always looking down on others. Even when facing an Elder from the Treasure Pavilion, their attitude was quite aggressive.

Chen Jue's brow furrowed, a flicker of displeasure in his heart.

'After all, the Treasure Pavilion is backed by the Penglai Chamber of Commerce, a major power spanning the entire Great Hong Dynasty.'

'This may be the Yan family's territory, and as the saying goes, a mighty dragon can't crush a local snake, but aren't these Yan family members taking things a bit too far? They're completely disregarding us.'

"It's not your place to lecture me on how I conduct myself."

Ye Chen spoke coolly with his hands behind his back. "You are the ones who invited me here for Alchemy. If you don't even understand basic courtesy, then I will take my leave."

With that, he turned to leave.

"Wait!" Yan Zhenfang called out to Ye Chen. He ignored the furious glares of his family members, his gaze fixed calmly on Ye Chen.

"Elder Ye's voice sounds so young. I must admit, I have some doubts whether your Alchemy skills can truly surpass Master Liu's."

"Why not test it and find out?" Ye Chen replied with a casual smile.

"Besides, a criminal we've recently put a warrant out for also has the surname Ye."

"It is said this person has already infiltrated Luoyun City… and Elder Ye's origins are mysterious, plus you're unwilling to show your face. Might I venture a guess as to your identity, Elder Ye?"

Yan Zhenfang stared at Ye Chen for a long moment before letting out a soft chuckle, his smile laced with amusement.

"Patriarch Yan, what is the meaning of this?" Chen Jue's expression had already turned ugly.

"What's the meaning?" Yan Zhenfang sneered. "Guards!"

In an instant, the Yan family's guards surged out, surrounding the main hall.

Seeing this, the various high-ranking members of the Yan family all retreated with cold smiles.

"If you truly possessed such superb Alchemy skills, how could you be unknown in Lei Province? Why would you even need to go to such lengths to hide your identity?"

"I'm afraid the Treasure Pavilion must have some shady dealings with you, helping you conceal who you are, right?"

Yan Zhenfang looked at Ye Chen and Chen Jue, who were surrounded in the center of the hall, and smiled with complete confidence.