Chapter 283: I Won't Pretend Anymore—I'm the Personal Disciple of Starfall Pavilion's Master and a Tier Seven Alchemist
Refining a tier-seven pill had cost Xiao Yuan quite a bit of time.
When he finally stepped out of seclusion, he was immediately greeted by Han Yue's plaintive gaze—and Han Xue rushing up to latch onto his arm.
"We know Dou Zong experts take time to cultivate, but did you really have to make us wait a whole month?"
Han Yue said softly, full of complaint.
"Exactly! Brother-in-law, you totally did it on purpose!"
Han Xue chimed in as well.
They had both come out of their own training over half a month ago.
They thought Xiao Yuan wouldn't be too far behind.
Yet, he stayed in seclusion for a full month!
During that time, both Han Chi and Han Fei had come to check in—but to no avail.
"Hehe, I was refining some pills—just in case."
Xiao Yuan smiled.
Most of this closed-door session had been spent crafting tier-six and tier-seven pills.
The tier-six ones were routine.
The tier-seven? He'd focused on the simplest one: the Instant Qi Pill.
A disposable pill that barely reached low-tier seven rank, it allowed one to recover Dou Qi instantly. It was considered tier-seven only because even Dou Zong-level experts could benefit from it.
This also meant that refining it didn't stir major elemental phenomena—so the average person had no clue he had made a tier-seven pill.
Of course, that was deliberate.
After all, the Northern Pavilion Master Fei Tian might show up at any time. Xiao Yuan wouldn't risk going all-out refining more advanced tier-seven pills just yet.
But Instant Qi Pills? Perfect. Technically tier-seven, but easy enough that he could stop at any time if needed.
Strangely though... Fei Tian hadn't come. Not once. In an entire month.
Xiao Yuan found that... odd.
"Oh, right. My father said he wants to see you after you come out."
Han Yue suddenly remembered and passed on the message from Han Chi.
"Great. I have something for him too."
Xiao Yuan nodded, glancing down at Han Xue still clinging to his arm.
Truly a clingy little sister-in-law.
"What is it?"
Han Xue looked up at him innocently.
"You planning to hang off me while I meet your father?"
Xiao Yuan asked helplessly.
"Why not?"
Han Xue blinked and smiled.
They had already walked arm-in-arm in front of the whole clan—what was there to be shy about?
"Let's go together."
Han Yue also stepped up and latched onto Xiao Yuan's other arm.
"With both of you like this, I feel like Uncle Han might punch me."
Xiao Yuan shook his head with a wry smile but didn't resist. With one beauty on each arm, Lord Xiao strode grandly through the estate, drawing stares as he went to meet Han Chi.
"So... in the end, my daughters really are going to marry the same man."
Inside, Han Chi looked at his two usually reserved daughters, now each clinging to one of Xiao Yuan's arms, and sighed helplessly.
"My sister and I never wanted to be separated. Isn't this perfect?"
Despite her age, Han Xue was fearless.
"You little rascal..."
Han Chi shook his head, then turned to Xiao Yuan with a warm smile.
"She's spoiled. I hope you'll be patient with her."
"No worries, Uncle Han. I'm lucky she wants to follow me. I'd never let her suffer."
Xiao Yuan smiled and gave Han Yue a wink.
Han Xue blushed deeply. Though she'd initially been drawn to his looks, she now understood why her sister liked him.
He was handsome, strong, but didn't treat women like possessions—he respected them. In fact, he'd never done anything improper with either of them.
Men like that were rare on the Dou Qi continent.
Because in this strength-oriented world, the weak rarely received respect. Even a great beauty could end up as a strong man's plaything if she lacked power.
"Since we're all here, how about we discuss the wedding?"
Han Chi asked with a smile.
"No need to rush. I'll be traveling through Central Plains for a while. Though I've given the bride price, a wedding shouldn't be done hastily. It's not the right time to host a grand celebration. Uncle, how about we get engaged for now and choose a better time for the actual ceremony later?"
Xiao Yuan had already considered this.
A full wedding would be inappropriate.
After all, even with Xiao Yu and Yafei—who were with him from the start—they'd only gotten engaged. Yun Yun, Little Doctor, and Medusa—whom he'd met even earlier—hadn't officially joined him yet.
If he married the Han sisters first, he might trigger a full-out jealousy war.
"Actually, the Grand Elder and I have been concerned about Fei Tian, the Northern Pavilion Master. You killed so many—Wind, Thunder, Lightning—it's certain the Wind Lightning Pavilion won't let it go. The Han Clan is rooted in the Northern Region. Wind Lightning Pavilion is basically the top force here. We've decided: you should take Yue'er and Xue'er and leave the North for now. Go somewhere else and return only when you're stronger."
Han Chi said seriously.
Xiao Yuan frowned slightly.
Han Chi had a point. Unless he destroyed the Wind Lightning Pavilion entirely and had the Han Clan replace them, there was no real peace to be had.
And his current cultivation wasn't increasing as quickly as before. He couldn't guarantee he'd reach Dou Venerate in a year.
"Looks like I've brought trouble to the Han Clan."
He sighed, guilty.
"It's not your fault. Ever since Hong Chen joined the Pavilion and rose in power, he's used their name to suppress us. Did anyone in the Pavilion step in to help? No. We've always been at odds with them. If not for you, my daughters might not be alive today. Forcing them to marry Hong Chen would've been worse than killing them. Even then, the Hong Clan would've devoured us. You didn't drag us into anything—you saved us."
Han Chi shook his head with conviction.
"Besides," he added, "for the Pavilion to go after you with such force, and still lose, is already humiliating. If they try again—bring out a Dou Venerate even—it would only make them look worse. You, on the other hand, will become even more famous. Not everyone can make the Pavilion lose face like that."
This was the conclusion he and Han Fei had reached.
The Han Clan was a major power in Tianbei City. If Wind Lightning Pavilion targeted them again, it would only backfire.
As long as Han Yue and Han Xue left with Xiao Yuan, the clan could publicly sever ties.
The killings? Xiao Yuan's doing.
The bride price? He took it back.
The daughters? He took them too.
The Han Clan? Too weak to stop him.
And as a reminder: Xiao Yuan killed three Dou Zongs, twenty-three Dou Huangs, and forty-six Dou Wangs by himself.
They strongly condemn him, of course—but they're powerless.
Of course, this only works because Wind Lightning Pavilion has a reputation to uphold. If it were Soul Hall, Han Chi would already be on a boat to Dan Territory.
"No. If I take them and something happens on the road, it's too dangerous. I'm not worried about myself, but Xue'er is just a Dou Wang, and Senior Han Yue only a Dou Huang. If a Dou Venerate shows up, even I may not escape—let alone protect them."
Xiao Yuan shook his head firmly.
Even another round of the Nine Heavens Thunder Prison would put the sisters at risk.
"Still, the Pavilion won't let this go."
Han Chi sighed.
"It's fine. Worst case—I stay in the Han Clan for a while longer. I'm not afraid of Fei Tian. If Wind Lightning Pavilion wants to make a move, they'll need to send a Dou Venerate. And I do have someone I can call on."
Xiao Yuan gritted his teeth. Time to raise the stakes.
Xiao Yan and Yao Lao were in Dan Territory. The three heads of the Pill Tower were old friends of Yao Lao.
It was time to use his connections.
"Let's leak a bit of information. Say I'm the personal disciple of the Starfall Pavilion's Master—and a tier-seven alchemist. Also, that I have some ties to the Pill Tower."
Xiao Yuan said calmly.
This might seem trivial to outsiders, but the Wind Venerate would understand the implications.
After all, the Starfall Pavilion was led by the Wind Venerate, but the Master's seat was left vacant—for Yao Lao.
And after what Xiao Yuan had just done, the news was probably already spreading across the Central Plains. A well-timed leak would ensure the Wind Venerate heard it.
Xiao Yuan was certain: the Wind Venerate would come.
Of course, there was some risk.
If Soul Hall caught wind of it, things could get messy.
Which is why he didn't invoke Yao Lao's name directly.
"Starfall Pavilion's disciple? A tier-seven alchemist!?"
Han Chi and both daughters were stunned.
"Son-in-law, that's not something to joke about. If the Wind Venerate finds out, it could spell disaster."
Han Chi quickly warned.
"Brother-in-law, you're a tier-seven alchemist? And only around twenty?!"
Han Xue stared at him in awe.
"Don't worry, Uncle. I'm not joking. I just can't contact the Wind Venerate right now. I didn't want to bother him unless necessary. But if the Pavilion really pushes, I'll have no choice."
Xiao Yuan sighed like a helpless disciple in over his head.
"Alright, I'll arrange for the word to spread... Wait—did you say tier-seven alchemist!?"
Han Chi's eyes bulged, delayed realization dawning.
"Dear heavens…"
He suddenly realized he'd struck gold.
Even Wind Lightning Pavilion wouldn't ignore a tier-seven alchemist.
With that kind of backing, they'd be forced to think twice.
"Oh, Uncle—this is a Breaking Sect Pill for you. I noticed you're already at half-step Dou Zong. With this, breaking through should be easy."
Xiao Yuan took out a jade bottle and handed it to Han Chi.
"Breaking Sect Pill!"
Han Chi trembled with excitement.
This tier-six peak-grade pill was hard to make. Only tier-seven alchemists could produce it reliably.
Even in Tianbei City, it was rarely seen for sale.
And here was his son-in-law, giving him one casually.
He was truly more and more impressed.
"By the way—do you have more tier-seven pills? If we're staying in Tianbei City, I want to host an auction under the Han Clan's name. We'll sell off some of the Hong Clan's leftover assets and use it to solidify your new identity."
Han Chi said seriously.
"Only some recovery pills for now. But I'll refine a few more tier-seven pills in the next few days. Feel free to stir up the buzz."
Xiao Yuan nodded.
"Excellent. Leave it to me!"
Han Chi pocketed the Breaking Sect Pill with a grin.
"Oh—Senior Han Yue already brought me a bunch of ingredients from the family storehouse. These are the pills I've refined. You decide how to use them."
Xiao Yuan handed him a ring originally used for herb storage.
"So many pills?!"
Han Chi scanned it with his soul and gasped.
Inside were dozens upon dozens of tier-four to tier-six pills. It was dazzling.
"Yue'er, you've found me the perfect son-in-law!"
After a long pause, Han Chi couldn't help but exclaim.
(END CHAPTER)
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