359: The Valley Master calls him Uncle-Master!

Just as Jiang Donghua and Mu Qingxian had predicted, before the lingering power of the four-colored pill thunder had completely dissipated in the sky, the area outside the Sound Valley's mountain gate had already begun to bustle.

The first to catch wind of the news were naturally the Dou Zong families who completely depended on the Sound Valley for survival.

They were the closest, had the tightest relationship with the Sound Valley, and were the most sensitive to changes.

In less than half a day, several streaks of light sped over from all directions, landing before the magnificent mountain gate of the Sound Valley.

The few family heads leading the group were all Peak Dou Zong cultivators, their faces currently plastered with almost fawning smiles as they directed the clansmen behind them to carry heavy, faintly glowing gift boxes.

Before they even arrived, enthusiastic voices were already transmitted over.

"Congratulations, Valley Master Mu! Felicitations to the Sound Valley!"

"Your esteemed sect's Supreme Elder, Profound Sound Venerable, has achieved great success in cultivation, broken through his seclusion, and furthermore reached the pinnacle in the Dao of Pills, drawing forth the four-colored pill thunder! This is truly a blessing for our Northwestern Region!"

These family heads were quick-witted, and naturally attributed this earth-shattering Pill Lightning to the Supreme Elder Mu Yunshan, who had been in seclusion for decades.

In their view, only the emergence of such a legendary ancestor could produce such a phenomenon.

However, the Dou Zong deacons guarding the mountain gate of the Sound Valley stood ramrod straight, their faces sporting a proud yet deliberately mysterious smile.

Following Mu Qingxian's prior instructions, they neither completely denied nor directly confirmed the speculation, merely shaking their heads with a smile.

"Patriarch Wang, Elder Li, your intelligence is keen, but you have guessed slightly incorrectly."

"How could the Supreme Ancestor, Profound Sound Venerable, who is elusive like a divine dragon, emerge from seclusion so quickly?"

"As for the Pill Lightning on Tianyin Terrace today, haha, it was caused by another senior expert within our Sound Valley."

"Another senior expert?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the smiles on the faces of the family heads who came to offer congratulations instantly stiffened, and a hint of unconcealed shock flashed in the depths of their pupils.

It wasn't Profound Sound Venerable?

Besides Profound Sound Venerable, who else in the Sound Valley could refine a four-colored Eighth Grade Pill?

Almost subconsciously, a name jumped into their minds: Elder Han Ye!

The only Seventh-Grade Intermediate Alchemist openly known in the Sound Valley!

"Could it be that Elder Han Ye broke through?!"

Someone couldn't help but gasp in a low voice, their tone trembling.

If Elder Han Ye truly leaped from Seventh-Grade Intermediate to the Eighth-Grade Grandmaster Realm capable of drawing forth the four-colored pill thunder in just a few years, then this talent and the Sound Valley's foundation would be too terrifying!

However, as more and more forces came to inquire and congratulate, and the level of these forces grew higher—with representatives even arriving from powers that had a detached relationship with the Sound Valley and were overseen by low-star Dou Venerables—someone finally found an opportunity to meet Elder Han Ye himself, who was still studying Pill Formula in the Medicine Hut, seemingly bewildered by the recent commotion.

Elder Han Ye still maintained his stern appearance, exuding a faint chill; although his soul aura was not weak, it was clearly an unreachable distance from the Spirit Realm Soul required to draw forth the four-colored pill thunder.

The truth quickly spread among the high-ranking members of these forces.

The one who refined the four-colored pill thunder was definitely not Han Ye!

This conclusion did not cause the various forces to look down on the Sound Valley; instead, it deepened the apprehension in their hearts!

"It wasn't Mu Yunshan, nor was it Han Ye... The Sound Valley actually harbors a third Alchemy Grandmaster capable of refining the four-colored pill thunder!"

"Hiss~ As expected of one of the long-standing three valleys, this foundation is truly unfathomable!"

"It seems our previous judgment regarding the Sound Valley's weakness was too rash. We must immediately adjust our strategy and establish good relations with them!"

For a time, the news that the Sound Valley had a profound foundation and harbored an unknown Alchemy Grandmaster spread like wildfire, replacing the speculation about Profound Sound Venerable emerging from seclusion, and becoming the hottest and most awe-inspiring topic in the surrounding region.

The sense of mystery and deterrence Mu Qingxian wished to create had been perfectly achieved.

At this moment, the instigator, Jiang Donghua, had long since returned to the Quiet Heart Hall, completely detached from the turmoil of the outside world.

Only Mu Qingxian knew that the great ship of the Sound Valley, propelled by the invisible hand of this senior, had begun to break through the fog and set sail anew.

Over the next few days, the Sound Valley was truly flooded with visitors.

Before the enthusiasm of the Dou Zong families had faded, a heavier pressure began to descend sequentially.

The true Dou Venerable old monsters, after all, could not remain idle.

They were not as easily fooled as the Dou Zong forces.

Through more secretive channels, more refined perception, and the cross-validation of information, they quickly reached a conclusion that made their hearts pound, yet they had no choice but to believe it.

The one who refined the four-colored pill thunder was neither the Supreme Elder Mu Yunshan, who was in deathly seclusion, nor the well-known Elder Han Ye!

Unbeknownst to anyone, the Sound Valley had unexpectedly gained a mysterious Eighth-Grade Alchemist Grandmaster!

This conclusion shocked them more than the emergence of Profound Sound Venerable from seclusion.

No matter how strong Mu Yunshan was, he was still a local powerhouse whose background was known.

However, a suddenly appearing Eighth-Grade Alchemist Grandmaster of unknown origin represented endless variables and uncontrollable power.

This meant that the Sound Valley's sphere of influence might have quietly expanded to a level they could not imagine.

What chilled them even more was the attitude of the Sound Valley's Valley Master, Mu Qingxian.

In certain necessary situations, when facing these Dou Venerables, Mu Qingxian's words were filled with respect for the mysterious Alchemy Grandmaster. Moreover, in some unintentional revelations, they clearly heard Mu Qingxian use the title "Martial Uncle"!

Martial Uncle!

What did this imply?

It implied that this newly appeared Eighth-Grade Alchemist Grandmaster might be of the same generation as the legendary Profound Sound Venerable, Mu Yunshan!

His age and strength were terrifying to contemplate!

Furthermore, recalling the Sect Master of the Five Poisons Sect, who had recently been gifted a three-colored supreme venerable pill by Jiang Donghua and was currently in seclusion attempting to break through to Three-Star Dou Venerable, his attitude had completely reversed, becoming utterly respectful toward the Sound Valley, clearly regarding himself as a vassal.

All the clues pieced together pointed to a fact they were reluctant yet forced to confront.

The Sound Valley had not only avoided decline but had instead introduced, or perhaps awakened, a terrifyingly powerful backer!

That Martial Uncle was likely an unfathomably strong Peak Dou Venerable old monster, and a terrifying Eighth-Grade Alchemist Grandmaster!

On this day, several Dou Venerable old monsters who usually rarely interacted and each occupied their own territory, unusually gathered via soul transmission for a virtual meeting.

After a period of heavy silence, a Dou Venerable shrouded entirely in shadow was the first to speak, his voice hoarse.

"Gentlemen, the situation is already clear. The Sound Valley's momentum is beyond our ability to gauge, and it cannot be shaken."

Another middle-aged Dou Venerable dressed in luxurious robes gave a bitter laugh and interjected.

"We originally thought that with Mu Yunshan in seclusion for many years and the Sound Valley lacking successors, we might be able to... Alas, now it seems that was nothing but wishful thinking."

"The existence of that Martial Uncle is more terrifying than Mu Yunshan emerging from seclusion. His power is incalculable."

"Since that is the case, let us put away certain thoughts we harbored previously."

A Dou Venerable with an aged voice spoke slowly, his tone carrying a sense of helplessness and resolution.

"Not only must we not offend them, but we must also redouble our efforts to show goodwill. That Eighth-Grade Grandmaster might not care for our meager possessions, but the tributes due to the Sound Valley cannot be reduced in the slightest, nor can they be delayed."

This proposal received the tacit approval of all the Dou Venerables present.

After another silence, the Dou Venerable in the shadows added a sentence, voicing the thoughts of everyone present.

"We must not only give, but give generously and flawlessly, ensuring the Sound Valley cannot find fault. Perhaps we can also use this opportunity to see if we can request an audience with that Grandmaster, even if it's just to become acquainted."

Soon, the delegations dispatched by these Dou Venerable forces, whose scale far surpassed previous ones, arrived at the Sound Valley once more, bearing even richer gifts and adopting an extremely humble demeanor.

Inside the Sound Valley, as Mu Qingxian listened to the reporting Elder Deacon list the tributes that various forces had proactively increased and delivered ahead of schedule, a relaxed and genuine smile finally appeared on her lips.