120: Version 2.0 (Official)!

Zhou Yan and his group had already left the Secret Realm area and were currently riding the Niu Family's flying boat back to Jiangzhou.

“So, your Master was Sixth Elder, and Long Tianxing's Master was Fifth Elder?”

Zhou Yan looked at Wang Yao with a face full of disbelief.

Among this batch of disciples, he, Wang Yao, and Long Tianxing together should have been considered the first echelon, yet their Masters were the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Elders.

Oh, wait, that's not right.

Zhou Yan shifted his gaze to Shi Suiyan, who wore a happy smile.

This sister's Master was Third Elder.

So, in this world, only the Grand Elder and the Sect Master were left suffering, right?

“What's the deal with Long Tianxing? Isn't he the Son of Luck?”

Zhou Yan knew there was a Fifth Elder, but he had never actually met him, only heard the Fourth Elder's evaluation.

“Fifth Elder engages in cheating, swindling, kidnapping, and stealing—he is not a good person. Tell him to interact with him less in the future.”

Wang Yao and Long Tianxing didn't get along, so he didn't know the specific reason.

Shi Suiyan explained at the appropriate time.

“Long Tianxing meant that having a Master or not was the same to him. Furthermore, he valued the Fifth Elder's Legacy, so he made this choice overall.”

“Legacy? Does the Fifth Elder have some amazing Legacy?”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan became interested.

He had everyone's Legacy in his ring, except for the Fifth Elder's. If the Fifth Elder truly had some powerful methods, he definitely needed to learn from them.

“Cheating, swindling, kidnapping, and stealing. Seems like just those five.”

“Long Tianxing said that it was only interesting if he challenged something different.”

This was the part Wang Yao understood well; after all, it counted as the opponent's dirt, and as his rival, he certainly knew about it.

“Later, he was even hung up and beaten by his Senior Brothers for practicing stealing.”

“In his words, ‘It was merely a bit of hardship.’ However, ever since he stole a pink bellyband from a Body Cultivator Senior Brother, he stopped acting against fellow disciples. Perhaps he suddenly had a change of heart.”

That wasn't a change of heart; he clearly encountered someone consumed by lust and was scared into developing a psychological trauma.

Given Zhou Yan's understanding of the Sect, perhaps that Senior Brother did it on purpose, setting up a 'Zhou Yu fights Huang Gai' situation.

So, was this Long Tianxing truly the Son of Luck?

Zhou Yan remembered that the last time he saw him, although he was a bit slick, he was quite a handsome young man. How did he become so eccentric now?

Could it be that the Sect Master letting me grow freely was genuinely for my benefit, ensuring I developed sound values?

Regardless of the purpose, Zhou Yan thanked the Sect Master again.

Fortunately, he had been sent out early, otherwise, he truly didn't know what he would have experienced.

“But what were you thinking? You're a Body Cultivator, why did you go learn Alchemy?”

Zhou Yan stopped asking about Long Tianxing and turned to question Wang Yao.

After all, Wang Yao was an SSR card. If he truly had a talent for Alchemy, he could replace Huo Zhongshan and become his dedicated Alchemy family member.

Upon hearing this, Wang Yao rubbed the back of his head and smiled shyly.

“Actually, I have a dream of becoming a pharmacist.”

As he spoke, an image flashed through Zhou Yan's mind: Wang Yao wearing a white coat, suddenly ripping it off to reveal eight-pack abs.

Zhou Yan quickly shook his head, throwing that eccentric image out of his mind.

The only benefit of this guy becoming a pharmacist was probably that he wouldn't fear medical disputes after killing someone with his treatment.

“Haha, Junior Brother, your aspirations are grand.”

“Senior Brother, you might not know this, but Junior Brother Wang is now the famous 'Ghost Hand' of Pill Peak.”

Shi Suiyan interjected, emphasizing the words “Ghost Hand.”

Zhou Yan thought he had misunderstood. Was this Wang Yao really a Genius?

But one look at Wang Yao, who was staring up at the sky with an embarrassed expression, and he understood.

“Ghost Hand” was not a title; it was a nickname.

“It's not that bad, is it? The Medicinal Pills I refine have decent effects; it's just that the pill poison issue is a little bit serious. I'm fine even when I eat them myself.”

“If Senior Brother doesn't believe me, look. This is the Dragon Power Pill I refined. Eating it can significantly boost strength.”

After speaking, he took out a pale green pill and placed it in front of Zhou Yan.

Zhou Yan looked at the pill curiously.

[Dragon Power Poison Pill (Tier 2)]: Increases Strength attribute by 172% for those below Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage, grants 15 minutes of Heart Devouring effect, mild muscle stiffness, and Blood Boiling.

Good heavens, Junior Brother Wang, you are too modest. How can this Medicinal Pill have pill poison? The medicinal properties are the Impurities, right?

“Senior Brother, this is my masterpiece.”

“When a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator eats it, not only does their strength increase, but they also feel energized throughout their body, their blood boils, and they feel their muscles harden significantly.”

“This effect is something ordinary Dragon Power Pills don't have. Senior Brother, would you like to try it?”

“Ah... haha, Junior Brother refines well, refines well.”

“However, I don't need such a fine Medicinal Pill right now. I appreciate the gesture; I'll try it when I get a chance.”

Zhou Yan accepted the Medicinal Pill, deciding to find a “lucky individual” to test it on later.

Having received affirmation, Wang Yao's mood improved considerably.

Only Shi Suiyan looked at the pill with disgust, as if she had seen something filthy.

The idea of having Wang Yao as an Alchemy-type family member was shattered. It seemed better to have him forge iron instead.

At least his stats were high; even if the forging effect was purely vanilla, it should still be decent, and at least it wouldn't contaminate his Medicinal Pill reserves.

However, given the Prodigy's demeanor, it would probably be difficult to trick him into joining; he would need to use some linguistic traps.

With a new idea in mind, Zhou Yan changed the topic of discussion.

“Speaking of which, are you really coming back to Jiangzhou with me?”

Although Zhou Yan had heard them mention it, he still wanted to know the reason.

“I took a regular mission, which only requires me to escort Senior Brother back to Jiangzhou. I won't be able to listen to Senior Brother's teachings for much longer.”

“I must return to the Sect soon, improve myself, enrich myself, and realize my self-worth.”

“It is also so that I can strive to better develop the Qingxu Grotto-Heaven and give back to my homeland in the future.” Niu Zhiyuan answered first, radiating righteousness.

This made Zhou Yan feel embarrassed, as if he were looking at the sun at eight or nine in the morning.

Next, Wang Yao also explained the reason.

“Well, Senior Sister and I are different from Little Niu. Senior Martial Uncle Fourth Elder gave us a trial mission, which has a long duration.”

“Although the goal has been achieved, there are still a few months left until the scheduled time. Going back early is against the rules. At that point, we would only be able to temporarily stay in Longmen Town, and that place...”

Wang Yao seemed to have reservations and stopped talking, but Shi Suiyan was not one to hold back.

“Senior Brother, do you truly have the heart to let a frail woman like me live in a place full of idiots?”

“I'm a light sleeper, and staying there will definitely affect my rest and make me age prematurely.”

“I might even be corrupted and turn into an idiot. Then, I'd die of stupidity before I die of old age.”

After saying this, Shi Suiyan put on a look as if she were about to cry, appearing very lovable.

If only she hadn't just uttered those aggressive words.

“Senior Sister, the Seniors must have a profound intention in doing this.”

“It is truly inappropriate for us to speak disrespectfully behind their backs when we don't know the truth. Please, Senior Sister, stop doing this.”

Niu Zhiyuan then began eloquently lecturing on grand principles—about gratitude, about the need for self-reflection... leaving the three listeners dumbfounded.

If it were anyone else rambling on with such sentimental nonsense, Zhou Yan would have interrupted long ago.

But the person in front of him was Niu Zhiyuan!

Since this Devil Pill had become like this, interrupting him would truly be inhumane.

Fortunately, Niu Zhiyuan noticed the strange expressions of the others, stopped, and quickly apologized, saying he didn't mean to spoil the mood.

Looking at his righteous demeanor, Zhou Yan felt a bit dazed.

This... he truly didn't know what to say.

Let it be this way. It's quite good.

What if one day Niu Zhiyuan successfully cultivated the Golden Body of Karma or Vast Righteous Qi?

Afterward, the four of them chatted aimlessly.

Shi Suiyan talked about how excellent she was and how suitable she was to be a Dao Companion.

Wang Yao discussed techniques combining Alchemy and Body Refining, especially his concept of refining Medicinal Pills into liquid form to inject into muscles for targeted strengthening.

Niu Zhiyuan, meanwhile, shared tips for comprehensive development in morality, intelligence, physical education, aesthetics, labor, and the virtues of gentleness, kindness, respectfulness, frugality, and humility.

This chaotic atmosphere inexplicably gave Zhou Yan a sense of peace, like returning to the days when he could talk about anything with his online friends.

No lack of boundaries, no scheming or cruel struggles.

Alas, ever since coming to this world... “Ding! Esteemed Player, hello. The official version of 'Seeking the Dao 2.0' has completed its update. The update contents are as follows.”

Yay! No time to be emo now, my cheat has arrived!