222: Visit Gudanzong

Seven days passed just like that, and Lu Hao arrived at the first destination of his journey.

In front of the gate of the Ancient Pill Sect, a massive ship slowly descended. Just as it was about to land, a young man in white robes leaped down from it and then casually put the ship away.

It was none other than Lu Hao; he had come to the Ancient Pill Sect in person.

"Little brother from the Ancient Pill Sect, please go inside and report to your Sect Master that Lu Hao has arrived."

Lu Hao did not wait for the guarding Disciples to ask, and spoke first.

"Lu Hao, Lu Hao?! Which Lu Hao?!"

Upon hearing Lu Hao's name, the guarding Disciples were all shocked!

"Could it be the Lu Hao who displayed his prowess at the Alchemy Conference over a year ago and then recruited ten thousand Disciples?"

"That shouldn't be it, right? That person is said to be at least a Grandmaster of Alchemy. How could he be so polite to guarding Disciples like us? Besides, he would only need to send a voice transmission, and an Elder would come to welcome him personally, right? It must just be someone with the same name."

"Forget it, don't worry about that for now. We should hurry inside and report to our superiors. If it really is him, wouldn't our Ancient Pill Sect be slighting him?"

None of these people had been to the Alchemy Conference; they had only heard of Lu Hao's reputation later.

Saying this, several Cultivators ran directly toward the rear of the Ancient Pill Sect.

Meanwhile, the Cultivator who remained behind spoke politely to Lu Hao:

"Fellow Daoist Lu, please wait outside for a moment. We have already gone to report to an Elder. Per Sect rules, we cannot let you in. Please forgive us!"

"Alright, no worries. Thank you for the trouble."

The patrolling Elder on duty for the Ancient Pill Sect recently was the Fifth Elder, Zhang Xuheng.

At this moment, he was inside his residence, Cultivating. Judging by the aura fluctuations around him, he was clearly a Nascent Void expert!

"Report!!!"

A voice came from outside the room, interrupting Zhang Xuheng's Cultivation.

"Come in."

The door was opened, and several people walked in respectfully.

Zhang Xuheng asked indifferently:

"What has happened?"

The leader among them quickly said:

"Elder, a young man has arrived outside the Sect claiming to be Lu Hao. He wants to see the Sect Master. We could not make a decision, so we came specifically to ask you, Elder."

"Hmm? Lu Hao? Why does this name sound so familiar?"

Zhang Xuheng frowned upon hearing his subordinate's words and muttered to himself.

"Fifth Elder, have you forgotten? The person who recruited ten thousand Disciples at the Alchemy Conference over a year ago and wiped out six Nascent Void experts with a wave of his hand—his name is exactly Lu Hao!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xuheng suddenly realized!

"Oh! So it is him! Quickly, invite him in! This Lu Hao is an honored guest! Furthermore, he has some friendship with our Sect Master. Remember, do not neglect him!"

"Fifth Elder... we were worried he might be someone with the same name, so we made him wait outside..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xuheng angrily reprimanded them:

"Are you idiots?! Even if it were someone with the same name, what loss would it be to our Ancient Pill Sect to let him in?!"

"But if it really is that person, wouldn't we have offended him?! Sigh, forget it, I will go myself. What a bunch of idiots!"

After speaking, Zhang Xuheng's figure flashed, and he disappeared from where he stood.

Watching the Fifth Elder leave, a trace of resentment appeared on their faces.

The leader said in a low voice:

"Hmph, the Fifth Elder makes it sound so simple. If we invite him in and find out it's not that Lu Hao, he'll just say we disregarded Sect rules and let a stranger in without clarifying the situation."

"If something happens, can we bear the responsibility?! Will he, the Fifth Elder, speak up for us?"

Another person heard this and chimed in:

"Exactly, exactly. Regardless, we are insignificant, and whatever we do is wrong. Sigh... it's really hard."

The group looked at each other, then slowly flew toward their posts, loafing for as long as they could.

At the Ancient Pill Sect gate, Lu Hao was waiting quietly. Before long, a middle-aged man appeared in front of Lu Hao with an anxious expression.

As soon as Zhang Xuheng appeared, he immediately fixed his gaze on Lu Hao, and upon discovering it really was that person, he quickly cupped his fists and said:

"Oh my, it really is Senior Lu. I am the Fifth Elder of the Ancient Pill Sect, Zhang Xuheng. Senior Lu has arrived, yet our Ancient Pill Sect failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive us, Senior Lu!"

Lu Hao also quickly cupped his fists and said:

"Elder Zhang, you are too kind. I cannot accept such courtesy."

"Hahaha, Senior Lu, I wonder what brings you to visit our Ancient Pill Sect today?"

"I have come specifically today to find your Sect Master about a matter. Would it be possible to take me to see your Sect Master?"

"Naturally, that is possible. The Sect Master is inside the Sect teaching his granddaughter Alchemy. Senior Lu, please come with me."

"Alright, then I will trouble you, Elder Zhang."

Ancient Pill Sect, Sect Master's residence, in a courtyard within the residence.

Dan Ding was teaching Dan Xiaoya Alchemy.

Ever since the last Alchemy Conference, Dan Xiaoya had been completely crushed by Yin Xiaotong.

Yin Xiaotong's Alchemy techniques were simply too strong; Dan Xiaoya was defeated and was completely convinced.

However, as the granddaughter of the current Ancient Pill Sect Master, the Peak Grandmaster of Alchemy Dan Ding, she was extremely proud and unwilling to admit defeat.

She could accept temporary failure, but she would not fail forever!

Therefore, after returning from the Danyang Ancient Region, Dan Xiaoya seemed like a different person. She no longer pestered her grandfather as she used to, clamoring to go out and play.

The last time Lu Hao met the two of them on the edge of Danling State, it was because Dan Xiaoya couldn't stay inside the Sect and insisted on traveling around Danling State, which led to her encountering Lu Hao, who had just arrived in Danling State.

Dan Xiaoya was now single-mindedly devoted to Alchemy, working exceptionally hard. Deep down, she had made up her mind!

The next time they met, she must surpass Yin Xiaotong!

In fact, it wasn't just Dan Xiaoya; almost all the Alchemy Geniuses in the entire Danling State considered Yin Xiaotong their imaginary rival!

Now, Dan Xiaoya had been promoted to a Fourth-Grade Alchemist. At her age, achieving the rank of a Fourth-Grade Alchemist was already an extremely terrifying feat.

She did not believe that she could not compare to this Yin Xiaotong!

Seeing his granddaughter in this state, Dan Ding was also exceptionally gratified, and he even silently thanked Yin Xiaotong.

If Yin Xiaotong hadn't completely crushed her, Dan Xiaoya would probably still be the same as before—mischievous and restless, unable to calm her heart to practice Alchemy.

Alchemy is most afraid of impatience; this had always been the thing Dan Ding worried about most regarding Dan Xiaoya. Now it was good; one Alchemy Conference had directly cured her of arrogance and impatience.

Dan Ding was currently lying on a recliner, holding a cattail fan in his hand, watching Dan Xiaoya practice Alchemy with a smile, occasionally offering guidance.

"Sect Master, Lu Hao has come to find you, saying he has a matter to discuss."

The voice of Zhang Xuheng came from outside the courtyard.

"Lu Hao?!"

Upon hearing this, Dan Ding immediately climbed up from the recliner and leisurely went to open the door.

As soon as he opened the door, he saw the Fifth Elder, as well as the young face following behind him.

"Little brother Lu? What has inspired you to visit our Ancient Pill Sect today?"

Dan Ding said with a chuckle.

"Old Mister Dan Ding, I have come this time because I have a very important matter, and I have come specifically to ask for your advice."