155: Chapter 154 Cao Ying's Love

Stepping into the smoke-filled secret chamber, a thick, pungent medicinal scent rushed toward them, wantonly drilling into everyone's nostrils.

The thick smoke, like clusters of stagnant dark clouds, surged and permeated the secret chamber, wrapping the entire space tightly and making vision extremely blurry, making it almost impossible to see the situation inside.

From within the smoke, bursts of violent coughing sounded from time to time, echoing continuously in this enclosed space, appearing increasingly dull and oppressive.

"Sister Cao Ying, you've failed again."

A crisp voice, yet carrying a hint of regret and helplessness, rang out abruptly in the smoke.

"Ying'er, are you alright?"

Xuan Kongzi looked anxious, his eyes filled with concern.

He suddenly raised his head, and a majestic, powerful force instantly surged from his palm. Like an invisible storm, the force swept away all the smoke with an overwhelming momentum.

As the smoke slowly dissipated, the figures of Cao Ying and Dan Chen gradually became clearly visible to everyone.

At this moment, they no longer had any of their usual refined appearance; they looked exactly like two little kittens that had stumbled into a place of smoke and fire.

Their faces, originally as fair as jade and exquisitely moving, were now covered in gray-black medicinal dust, looking dirty, and their originally beautiful and gorgeous clothes were also covered in mottled black medicinal stains, appearing utterly disheveled.

"Master, I failed to refine the Grade 8 Five-Color Pill Lightning medicinal pill again."

Cao Ying's voice was filled with frustration and disappointment. She lowered her head, and her originally bright, spirited, and expectant eyes instantly dimmed, as if they had lost all their luster.

She had been struggling and stagnant at this realm for as long as a year. Now that the Pill Gathering was approaching, she could at most only refine a Grade 8 Four-Color Pill Lightning medicinal pill.

With such strength, how could it be easy to win first place in the Pill Gathering where strong competitors gathered like clouds?

Moreover, hearing that Venerable Yao's disciple would also participate this time, the pressure in Cao Ying's heart was like Mount Tai pressing down, becoming increasingly unbearable.

She knew clearly in her heart that Venerable Yao's disciple must have extraordinary attainments in alchemy. For her to stand out and shine in the Pill Gathering was harder than ascending to heaven.

Not only that, through the future images shown in the livestream, Cao Ying already knew that even if she refined a Grade 8 Four-Color Pill Lightning medicinal pill, she would only rank third in the Pill Gathering.

Above her, there were two insurmountable peaks: Xiao Yan and Chen Yang.

Thinking of this, a deep sense of loss and helplessness instantly flashed in her eyes.

She possessed high-quality resources that others could hardly reach; her teacher was a Ninth-Grade Alchemist, and her family was the top-notch alchemy family in Holy Pill City.

But even so, she could only win third place at the Pill Gathering, which made it truly difficult for her to accept for a moment, and her heart was filled with mixed feelings.

Xuan Kongzi naturally took in Cao Ying's helplessness and disappointment, and his heart was also filled with emotion.

For a whole year, Cao Ying had already been able to refine a Grade 8 Four-Color Pill Lightning medicinal pill a year ago, but for some reason, she had always been unable to break through that critical step and successfully refine a Grade 8 Five-Color Pill Lightning medicinal pill.

From Xuan Kongzi's perspective and experience, whether it was the strength of Cao Ying's Dou Qi, her techniques and skills when refining pills, or the intensity of her soul power, all had already reached the corresponding level.

But the reason for this alchemy failure was always like a fog, making him, a Ninth-Grade Alchemist, feel deeply confused and unable to see through it.

"Ying'er, it's alright. The Pill Gathering is about to start soon. You should take a good rest for this month."

Xuan Kongzi sighed slightly, his eyes full of pity and helplessness. He slowly stepped forward and comforted her softly.

In his heart, Cao Ying could be called one of the most talented Alchemists in Holy Pill City.

At only twenty-something years old, she had already reached the cultivation of Peak Dou Zong and had also become a Grade 8 Alchemist. Such achievements were far beyond ordinary people, making others feel they were out of reach.

Moreover, Xuan Kongzi had always regarded Cao Ying as the future successor of the Pill Tower, one of the future three giants of the Pill Tower, and placed high hopes on her.

"Oh, Sister Cao Ying, I wonder if you could let me watch your pill refining process? I might be able to offer a few pointers."

Chen Yang's gaze fell gently on Cao Ying's helpless face, and a trace of pity couldn't help but well up in his heart.

After all, a few years ago, Cao Ying had also helped him a lot in secret.

Although the two had never met, in the livestream, they talked happily and communicated frequently.

Hearing this magnetic, gentle, and jade-like male voice, Cao Ying was slightly stunned and slowly raised her little head.

What came into view was an extraordinarily handsome man. His face was deep and three-dimensional as if carved by a knife and axe, with firm yet soft lines. A faint smile hung on his face, a smile that was like the warm spring sun, instantly dispelling the gloom in Cao Ying's heart.

He wore a gorgeous robe of gold and white, his sleeves fluttering, his posture as straight as a pine, exuding an innate noble temperament.

His hands were naturally clasped behind his back, and his whole body radiated a strange aura, as if he were completely different from all things in this world, making people involuntarily attracted to him.

Looking at Chen Yang in front of her, Cao Ying couldn't help but be slightly stunned, then her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. She looked at Xuan Kongzi with full of doubt and asked softly: "Master, who is he?"

"Hahaha." Xuan Kongzi looked at Cao Ying's ignorant and confused eyes and couldn't help but burst into laughter. He spread his left hand and said with a teasing smile on his face.

"Ying'er, isn't this your lover whom you think of day and night, Chen Yang!"

"What!"

Cao Ying immediately widened her eyes, her face full of shock and disbelief.

She never expected that Chen Yang would suddenly appear in Holy Pill City, and upon arriving, he happened to see her in such a disheveled and image-less state; this was truly too embarrassing.

Cao Ying gradually came back to her senses. Her face, originally covered in dust, was now quietly stained with a faint blush, like the sunset in the sky, shy and moving.

"Chen Yang."

Cao Ying's voice was as soft as a mosquito's whisper, so small that it was almost impossible to hear.

Don't look at Cao Ying as cheerful, bold, and lively in the livestream; in reality, she was a gentle, introverted, sensible, and well-behaved girl who understood propriety.

Cao Ying's thoughts drifted back to the time she spent chatting with Chen Yang in the livestream over these years.

From the initial joking and teasing acquaintance to gradually becoming familiar, she and Chen Yang had already become friends for many years.

Although they had never met, in Cao Ying's heart, Chen Yang had long occupied a special position, and she had an indescribable and strange feeling toward Chen Yang.

She didn't know what this was. Could this be the legendary love?