Chapter 522: Just It?
Chapter 522: Just It?
...
The qilin was an auspicious beast, inherently kind-hearted and peace-loving.
Its steps were so light that it wouldn't harm even a single blade of grass, a single leaf, or a tiny insect on the ground.
One could say any creature deemed an enemy by the qilin must be truly evil.
Yet now, this qilin was looking at him with unfriendly eyes.
"Since you've reached me, it means you passed Monkey's test!" The qilin scrutinized Chen Huaian for a long time before finally speaking.
"But I'm not Monkey, nor am I Dang Kang—I won't let you pass so easily! Even if the Ancestral Dragon chose you, that's only the Ancestral Dragon's acknowledgment, not mine. If the one chosen by the Ancestral Dragon is trash, I'd rather perish together with those Ascender factions than become part of your power!"
Chen Huaian understood now.
Dang Kang was reasonable, but this comrade qilin was a hot-headed youth.Though just from its voice, one could tell the qilin was much younger than Dang Kang—its temper was understandable.
"This venerable one understands your strictness and caution toward the True Dragon's successor."
Chen Huaian sat cross-legged, a gentle smile appearing on his face: "In the past, whether I gained your acknowledgment or not wouldn't have mattered, because I would still do everything to stop the cycle of reincarnation."
"After meeting Monkey, this venerable one changed that view—I do indeed need your strength, everyone's strength."
"So, what test do you have for this venerable one? Name your challenge."
The qilin quietly observed Chen Huaian, a trace of surprise flashing through its large golden eyes.
This wasn't going as it expected.
It thought the successor would preach or argue his case.
Then it could use overwhelming power to teach him his place, make him retreat to train more, only returning when strong enough to accept the sacrifice...
But the other party accepted directly.
Just told it to bring it on.
This left the qilin feeling frustrated, like it had gathered all its strength with nowhere to release it.
"Aren't you angry at being questioned by me?" The qilin couldn't help asking.
"Your questioning means you want to acknowledge this venerable one," Chen Huaian said calmly. "Otherwise, with your power, you could crush me instantly without wasting words here."
He didn't know how strong the qilin was.
Couldn't tell at all—when in doubt, assume invincible.
After all, he couldn't beat Dang Kang, and the qilin was at least on that level.
"Hmph, at least you know your place!" The qilin snorted proudly.
It frowned in thought before lowering its head to Chen Huaian: "Testing your current strength is meaningless—you're still growing. No one knows how far you'll go. Even if you're strong now, that doesn't guarantee future victory against those beings."
"So I'll test your ability to heal and save! Fighting those beings isn't a solo endeavor—you need allies, comrades."
"But comrades will fall in battle... They say 'never abandon, never give up,' but facing life and death, such words become hollow jokes."
"So you're testing this venerable one's alchemy?" Chen Huaian slightly furrowed his brows.
This was unexpected.
He thought it would test his comprehension or such.
Truly fitting for the benevolence-renowned qilin.
"Exactly, your alchemy!" The qilin nodded. "I have a pill formula—if successfully refined, it can revive the dead and regenerate flesh. Even if the soul is scattered, as long as it's not completely erased, and even just a shred of flesh remains, this pill can bring them back!"
Chen Huaian was shocked.
Such a miraculous pill existed?
Its effects rivaled the Rebirth Lotus, though the lotus reformed bodies from souls.
This pill restored both body and soul, though it didn't mention preserving original strength.
"I know even the successor can't master everything," the qilin snorted. "So I'll allow outside help! Whether it's you or your subordinates, if you can refine this pill—even at lowest grade—I'll count it as passing."
"Understood."
Chen Huaian nodded.
He was confident in his alchemy.
But since outside help was allowed, more assistance meant more insurance. If he failed, there'd still be hope.
"Wait a moment—this venerable one will summon someone."
The qilin nodded unsurprisingly.
As Chen Huaian left, it opened a pouch on its belly, digging inside with chubby paws.
Pill-making required materials, not just formulas.
It couldn't make the successor gather materials himself. Besides, with the recent Spiritual Revival, many ancient materials were unavailable—only it had them.
Chen Huaan pondered while holding the Sect Summoning Token.
Dan Yun was too powerful to summon.
That left Dan Bai with seventy percent of Dan Yun's skill.
According to Dan Yun, Dan Bai's alchemy talent surpassed her own—only lacking experience and practice. More experience would help research new formulas.
But now the qilin provided the formula directly.
So summoning Dan Bai or Dan Yun made little difference.
Holding the token in his left hand, Chen Huaian formed seals with his right to activate it.
Cangyun Realm, Moon Shadow Sect.
Dan Bai, learning pill-making from her mother in the Alchemy Pavilion, suddenly blanked out—vanishing the next instant.
"This Soul Impact Pill's heat control is extremely precise—the slightest mistake ruins it. Bai'er, watch carefully... Bai'er?"
Dan Yun, mid-demonstration, got no response.
Turning, she found her daughter gone.
...
"This is your outside help?"
At the Demon Sealing Pagoda's summit, the qilin stared at Dan Bai—who barely reached Chen Huaian's chest, her face still bearing childish innocence—then laughed dismissively.
"I'll give you one more chance to find someone else. Don't think I'm joking—fail this, and I'll really kick you out!"
"No need. She's the one." Chen Huaian shook his head.
Smiling leisurely at the qilin, he said: "If we fail, no need to kick us out—we'll leave voluntarily."
"An-Ancestor, wh-what's happening..."
Dan Bai stammered, face pale, utterly confused.
Seeing the massive qilin, she instinctively hid behind Chen Huaian.
"Ancestor, let me clarify—I'm a pill cultivator, not a fighter! That huge monster... I can't beat it..." Dan Bai had heard the ancestor sometimes drafted people to fight in another world.
She'd longed to go.
But she knew her limits—poor at combat, she might never be summoned.
Now her chance came.
Yet now that it arrived, she wasn't happy...
The monster's toe was bigger than her!
She might not even fill the gaps between its teeth!
The qilin bared its teeth, laughing at the terrified girl.
"You sure about her? The little thing's about to wet herself! Hahaha!"
The laughter made Dan Bai clench her fists in humiliation.
She parted her lips but dared not speak—she truly was no match.
Until Chen Huaian patted her head, soothing gently:
"Dan Bai, don't fear. You're here for a pill-making contest, not combat."
A contest?
Pill-making?
Dan Bai looked the qilin up and down, her fear and shame vanishing, replaced by odd amusement and twitching lips.
Finally, she couldn't hold back.
Pointing at the qilin, she burst into laughter.
"A pill contest? Hahaha! Just it?"