Chapter 250: One After Another!

In the Alchemy Hall, many elders gathered, discussing Shao Yun's sudden seclusion.

"What do you think Shao Yun encountered at Ye Yuan's place? The more I think about it, the more bizarre it seems."

"Logically, the most likely reason for Shao Yun's seclusion is that he was defeated, felt utterly disgraced, and couldn't face us, so he chose to go into seclusion. But the problem is, Shao Yun was inside Ye Yuan's residence for less than half a quarter of an hour—not even enough time for them to exchange a few words!"

"Indeed, half a quarter of an hour isn't even enough to explain a single pill formula clearly. What could he have done? This isn't a martial artist duel; it's not like Ye Yuan could have defeated him instantly."

"Elder Xin, you're our senior. This matter requires your intervention! Are we, the elders of the Alchemy Hall, really going to be outdone by a mere alchemist?"

At these words, all the elders turned to look at the old man sitting at the head, who had his eyes closed in meditation. He was the third seat of the Alchemy Hall, Xin Yuanshu—the foremost elder after Ouyang Yu and the vice hall master.

Xin Yuanshu was the most senior and highest-level elder in the Alchemy Hall, and naturally became the backbone of the group.

Also an advanced quasi-pill king, Xin Yuanshu's strength far surpassed Shao Yun's. He had been an advanced quasi-pill king for decades, and though slightly inferior to Ouyang Yu, he was not far behind.

Regarding Ye Yuan, an alchemist, becoming a nominal elder of the Alchemy Hall, Xin Yuanshu naturally had his complaints; otherwise, he wouldn't have been there that day.

But he had always respected the supreme elder, so he had kept silent.

As for Shao Yun challenging Ye Yuan, Xin Yuanshu was naturally pleased to see it happen, but he never expected Shao Yun to get trapped.

Thus, he was naturally pushed forward by the crowd.

Seeing the elders gather around, Xin Yuanshu opened his eyes, swept his gaze over them, and sighed, "Alright, I'll make a trip and meet this Ye Yuan."

Xin Yuanshu was advanced in years, and even if displeased, he was unwilling to engage in such competitive matters.

Although Shao Yun's strength was inferior to his, the fifth seat was not undeserved. He had thought Shao Yun would handle it easily, but instead, this happened.

Such a bizarre situation would be most safely handled by the hall master, but that would leave no room for maneuver.

Xin Yuanshu had spent his entire life in the Alchemy Hall and had deep feelings for it. Now that the hall's honor was at stake, he had to swallow his pride.

A man over two hundred years old facing a fifteen-year-old youth—even if he won, it would be a dishonorable victory.

If he lost, he would truly lose his integrity in his old age.

Before, Xin Yuanshu had never considered the word 'lose,' but with Shao Yun's precedent, he was no longer so confident.

As everyone said, this Ye Yuan was very strange.

The elders had worried that Elder Xin might refuse to step forward, but seeing him agree, they were overjoyed.

…

Unlike Shao Yun's arrogance, Xin Yuanshu went straight to the Earth Battalion and knocked on the door of number seventy-two.

After the Shao Yun incident, Ye Yuan's residence had become well-known to the Alchemy Hall elders.

Before this, these elders couldn't even remember the residence number of a core disciple.

It was still Lü'er who opened the door, poking out only her little head, with no intention of letting Xin Yuanshu in.

Just as Xin Yuanshu was about to speak, Lü'er spoke first: "May I ask this elder's name?"

Xin Yuanshu was taken aback but still announced himself: "I am Xin Yuanshu, third seat of the Alchemy Hall. I am—"

"Bang!"

Before Xin Yuanshu could finish, Lü'er slammed the door shut.

Xin Yuanshu was stunned at first, then felt endless humiliation and fury!

Indeed, like master, like servant!

The master was so inconsiderate, and the maid was equally so!

What kind of hospitality was this?

Even if you, Ye Yuan, are truly an elder of the Alchemy Hall, I, Xin Yuanshu, am still your senior, am I not?

Xin Yuanshu was about to lose his temper when the door creaked open again.

This time, Lü’er poked out a small head and one arm.

“Elder Xin Yuanshu, right? This jade slip is for you. The young master said you’ll go back on your own after reading it.” Afraid Xin Yuanshu wouldn’t look, she added, “Um… that Elder Shao Yun earlier also left after reading the jade slip.”

With that, she slammed the door shut again, and there was no further sound.

Jade slip in hand, Xin Yuanshu stood there dumbfounded.

He had already set aside Ye Yuan and Lü’er’s lack of hospitality, focusing instead on the latter half of Lü’er’s words.

Shao Yun went into seclusion because of this jade slip?

Given Ye Yuan’s level, what could the jade slip he inscribed possibly contain?

If there was anything of Ye Yuan’s that Shao Yun would deem worthy, it could only be a pill formula!

It was common knowledge among the elders that Ye Yuan knew many pill formulas unknown to the sect. But would Shao Yun give up the challenge for a single pill formula?

That would be too reckless, wouldn’t it?

After thinking for a long time, Xin Yuanshu still couldn’t figure it out, so he decided to take a look at the jade slip first!

The moment his divine sense sank into the jade slip, he instantly understood why Shao Yun had gone into seclusion!

Then, his expression became just as interesting as Shao Yun’s…

…

“Elder Xin has been gone so long, why hasn’t he returned?”

“Who knows? Could it be that the two are locked in a fierce contest?”

“Impossible! Elder Xin’s skill is almost on par with the Hall Master’s; crushing Ye Yuan would be a piece of cake.”

“Then how do you explain him not coming back yet?”

In the Alchemy Hall, two elders fell silent at the same time. Suddenly they exchanged a glance, their eyes full of disbelief, yet they said in unison, “Don’t tell me he’s also gone into seclusion?”

So they sent someone to investigate, and the result was indeed seclusion!

The elders looked at each other, at a loss for words.

This situation was simply too bizarre…

The third and fifth seats of the Alchemy Hall went to challenge Ye Yuan, only to inexplicably go into seclusion without even a word. What was going on?

“What kind of sorcery did Ye Yuan use to make Elder Xin and Elder Shao go into seclusion without a word? Could they… have fallen under some evil spell?”

Faced with an inexplicable situation, some naturally began to think of evil spells.

The elders had nothing to say.

After a long while, an elder suddenly stood up and said gravely, “I’ll go and see Ye Yuan too. I don’t believe he can make me go into seclusion as well!”

With that, before anyone could stop him, he rushed out the door.

He left in a fury, but the result was… he didn’t come back either.

That elder also went straight into seclusion!

The situation grew more and more bizarre; the elders almost felt like they were seeing ghosts.

One or two might be understandable, but three was just too much to explain, wasn’t it?

Yet it didn’t end there. Over the next two days, several more self-important elders, unconvinced, came to challenge Ye Yuan.

But… their result was always… seclusion!