Chapter 317 This matter needs to be addressed urgently!

Valley Master Tang Zhen picked up his teacup; the tea was a clear yellow, with steam curling upwards.

He took a sip, set it down, and let his gaze sweep around the Flower Hall before bringing it back.

"Where is Wen-er?"

Tang Huo'er sat down beside him and said casually, "He went out. He said he's learning Alchemy from someone and it will take a month."

Valley Master Tang Zhen's brow furrowed slightly.

Learning Alchemy from someone?

He had known for a long time that the Pill Tower's mysterious Old Ancestor was personally teaching Shen Wen.

Looking across the entire Central Plains, the number of Alchemists who could surpass that Old Ancestor could be counted on one hand.

"Who is he learning from?"

Tang Huo'er picked up her teacup, her tone incredibly casual. "Old Man Shennong."

Valley Master Tang Zhen's hand holding the teacup suddenly froze.

He looked up at Tang Huo'er, his gaze filled with disbelief.

"Who?"

Tang Huo'er was amused by his reaction. She set down her teacup and said with a hint of playfulness, "Old Man Shennong. You didn't hear wrong, Father."

Valley Master Tang Zhen fell silent.

Old Man Shennong.

Of course he knew that name.

A Grade 9 Profound Pill Grandmaster, a Six-Star Dou Sheng, and the wielder of the fifth-ranked flame on the strange fire ranking list, the Living Spirit Flame.

He was an existence truly standing at the Peak of the Alchemy world, a generation Senior even to that Old Ancestor of the Pill Tower.

The Burning Flame Valley had a Legacy spanning centuries, and there were some records in the clan's ancient texts about those reclusive old monsters.

Old Man Shennong was one of them.

Back when the Fire Cloud Old Ancestor was heavily injured, it wasn't that he had never considered asking this person for help.

But what was the result?

He hadn't even managed to penetrate the outer perimeter of the Shennong Mountain Range before being repelled by those seemingly ordinary Restrictions.

Later, after asking around, he learned that the man had a very eccentric temper and wouldn't see just anyone.

Valley Master Tang Zhen took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart.

"That boy Wen-er... truly has a good Opportunity."

Tang Huo'er nodded, her tone carrying a hint of shared pride. "Of course."

Valley Master Tang Zhen looked at her expression, his mouth twitching, but he said nothing.

He lowered his head and took another sip of tea, but his brow furrowed slightly.

One month.

It wasn't exactly long, but it wasn't short either.

As for the Fire Cloud Old Ancestor, although his injuries were stable, they had dragged on for so many years that he always felt uneasy.

If Shen Wen got too engrossed in his studies and forgot the date...

Just as Valley Master Tang Zhen was thinking this, Tang Huo'er suddenly spoke.

"Father, don't worry." She stood up, picked up the teapot to refill Valley Master Tang Zhen's tea, and said in a relaxed tone, "Senior Xuan Danzi said that even if Shen Wen forgets to return, he will go and fetch him."

Valley Master Tang Zhen was slightly taken aback.

"Senior Xuan Danzi?"

Tang Huo'er nodded and sat back down. "Yes, he personally took Shen Wen there. Before leaving, he said he'd pick him up in a month."

Hearing this, the weight on Valley Master Tang Zhen's heart finally lifted.

With that Old Ancestor keeping an eye on things, he truly didn't need to worry.

He picked up his teacup, took another sip, and let his gaze fall on Tang Huo'er.

This girl was wearing a fiery red dress today, her hair swept up high, looking radiant and stunning.

Sitting there holding her teacup, her demeanor was noticeably more composed than before.

Valley Master Tang Zhen watched her for a moment, then suddenly set down his teacup.

"Huo-er."

Tang Huo'er looked up at him. "Yes?"

Valley Master Tang Zhen deliberated for a moment before finally speaking. "When will the happy occasion between you and Wen-er be held?"

Tang Huo'er was stunned, and her cheeks immediately turned a faint red.

"Father, what are you talking about?"

Valley Master Tang Zhen ignored her protest and just looked at her, his gaze quite serious.

"You're living in his residence right now; this can't be hidden from anyone.

"As an unmarried woman, if you just move in like this without establishing a formal status, what will the people outside say?"

He paused, his tone becoming more solemn. "The heir of the Burning Flame Valley and a Prodigy Elder of the Pill Tower—with these two identities combined, there are many eyes watching.

"Those people's tongues love nothing more than wagging with such gossip."

Tang Huo'er pursed her lips and lowered her head, her voice softening.

"This... what's the rush?"

Valley Master Tang Zhen looked at her and suddenly laughed.

This girl was usually carefree and feared nothing, but when it came to this matter, she actually knew how to be shy.

"What do you mean there's no rush?" He leaned back in his chair, his tone playful. "This matter must be rushed."

Tang Huo'er looked up and glared at him.

"Father!"

Valley Master Tang Zhen burst into laughter.

The laughter echoed in the Flower Hall, startling the maidservants in the corridor into peeking inside.

Tang Huo'er's face turned even redder, and she stood up to leave.

Valley Master Tang Zhen quickly waved his hand. "Alright, alright, I'll stop talking."

Tang Huo'er huffed and sat back down, but she turned her head away, refusing to look at him.

Just then...

As Shen Wen stepped out of a spatial rift, he immediately spotted the figure sitting in the Flower Hall.

Valley Master Tang Zhen.

Behind him, Old Man Shennong followed slowly, leaning on his staff adorned with jade bottles.

"You're back?" Tang Huo'er was the first to rush out, running up to Shen Wen with a smile, but her gaze quickly fell on the person behind him.

Valley Master Tang Zhen also stood up to greet them.

He walked quickly, and when he reached Shen Wen, his gaze passed over him to land on the thin figure.

Then, he froze.

That face, that staff hung with jade bottles, that faint yet vast aura—

Valley Master Tang Zhen's pupils constricted slightly, and he hurriedly bowed in greeting.

"Tang Zhen of the Burning Flame Valley greets Senior Shennong."

His voice was respectful, even carrying a hint of nervousness.

Old Man Shennong glanced at him and gave a slight nod.

"Are you this boy's father-in-law?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Valley Master Tang Zhen's expression turned awkward.

He opened his mouth to say something but found himself at a loss for words.

Shen Wen cleared his throat and whispered, "Revered Master, Huo-er and I... have not yet performed the ceremony."

Old Man Shennong's brow furrowed slightly.

"Then why did you say you had five wives and concubines?"

Shen Wen's face stiffened.

He had only mentioned it in passing back in the Shennong Mountain Range; he hadn't expected his Revered Master to remember it until now.

Tang Huo'er's cheeks reddened beside him, but she didn't hide, simply keeping her head down in silence.

Valley Master Tang Zhen stood there, unsure of what to say, and could only laugh awkwardly.

While the atmosphere was delicate, a white figure walked out from the backyard.

Xiao Yi Xian.

Today, she wore a moon-white dress, her long hair simply tied back, her steps composed. As she approached, her gaze fell on Old Man Shennong, and she bowed slightly in greeting.

"Greetings, Senior."

Old Man Shennong looked at her, his gaze lingering for a moment, and a flash of surprise suddenly crossed his cloudy old eyes.

"Calamity Poison Body?"

There was a hint of surprise in his voice as he sensed her carefully for a moment. "The Netherworld Poison Flame and the Calamity Poison Body working in coordination... and there's another technique within the body bridging the two..."

He paused and looked at Xiao Yi Xian, his tone now carrying a touch of admiration.

"Good methods, truly good methods."

Xiao Yi Xian smiled, her expression gentle. "It was all done by my husband. Otherwise, I'm afraid I would have been a withered corpse by now."

Old Man Shennong glanced at Shen Wen.

Having spent this month together, he had grown accustomed to the "surprises" this boy would spring from time to time.

Those strange methods and incomprehensible techniques—he no longer bothered to ask about their origins.

"Consider this a small gift for you."