Is Yun Xiao Actually Long Wuqi

"Just letting him leave like that?"

After the Right Dharma Protector departed, Da Huang gave Chen Chang'an a curious glance.

"What? You wanted to chat with him?"

"Not really. But you didn’t ask who it was that delivered the message to the Blood Slaughter Emperor."

"No need to ask. That person has likely already left by now."

"Even if we knew who it was, what difference would it make?"

"What’s done is done. There’s no changing it." Chen Chang'an replied with a faint smile.

"You already have a guess in mind?"

"Mn. Yun Xiao."

"Yun Xiao?"

Hearing the name, Da Huang was momentarily stunned. Though they had no prior interactions with Yun Xiao, the latter had once appeared at the Alchemy Emperor Manor and even refused Yao Niming’s offer to inherit his legacy.

Now, with all these events unfolding, what was his purpose?

"Back at the Alchemy Emperor Manor, I already felt something was off about that kid."

"But when did you start suspecting him?"

"And I can’t figure out—what’s his goal?" Da Huang looked at Chen Chang'an in confusion.

"At first, I only had a vague sense that something wasn’t right about him, but I didn’t pay it much mind."

"After all, who he was and what he wanted had nothing to do with me."

"It wasn’t until we encountered Lie Zhankuang on our way back from the Gu Family that I began to suspect him."

"Lie Zhankuang?"

"Dragon Emperor Palace?"

"Wait… are you saying this Yun Xiao might be Long Wuqi?"

"Not certain, but there’s definitely a connection."

"His soul feels abnormal, but his physique is nothing extraordinary."

"If I were Long Wuqi, I wouldn’t choose a body like his."

"Yun Xiao’s reputation as a genius was built purely on the strength of his soul, forged step by step—not because of any innate physical gifts."

This was something Chen Chang'an couldn’t quite reconcile. Moreover, Yun Xiao was far too young.

Long Wuqi had likely been hiding in the Central Heaven Domain for five thousand years—how could he suddenly appear as a young man?

Even if he were to possess someone, he should have chosen a more suitable vessel.

This was the one point Chen Chang'an couldn’t figure out. And if Yun Xiao truly was the one pulling the strings behind the scenes—what was his goal?

Destroying the Alchemy Emperor Manor?

Killing the Undying Alchemy Emperor?

What purpose would that serve?

"Never mind. We’ll find out his motives sooner or later."

"Let’s head back to the Alchemy Emperor Manor first."

"Alright, let’s go. Otherwise, those guys at the manor might piss themselves in fear." Da Huang curled his lip in disdain.

Upon Chen Chang'an’s return to the Alchemy Emperor Manor, Lie Zhankuang and the others instantly perked up.

He was back!

Their savior had returned!

And just in time—had it been even a day later, they might’ve needed tombstones.

"Let’s go! Time to fight!"

With Chen Chang'an back, their confidence soared. Lie Zhankuang and Kuang Zhongtang, in particular, were brimming with battle fervor, itching to charge out and clash with the Blood Slaughter Hall.

"You go ahead. I’m in no rush."

"Oh… then neither are we."

If Chen Chang'an wasn’t going, what were they supposed to do? Throw themselves to their deaths?

"Young Master, my cultivation has broken through to the ninth level of the Divine Transformation Realm."

Gu Xian'er spoke like an eager child, her eyes filled with anticipation and nervousness as she waited for Chen Chang'an’s praise.

Ever since Gu Fengyao’s cultivation surpassed hers, Gu Xian'er had redoubled her efforts, pushing herself relentlessly—and the results were undeniable.

"Good. You’ve done well." Chen Chang'an nodded with a smile.

"Thank you, Young Master."

Receiving his praise, Gu Xian'er beamed with joy.

"I’ve also reached the ninth level of the Divine Transformation Realm."

"Chang'an Gege, does this mean Xian'er and I can now claim the top two spots?" Gu Fengyao asked excitedly.

"Second place, maybe. But first? Don’t even think about it."

"That kid Chen Yunxuan has already reached the first level of the Void Comprehension Realm."

"He’s already at the Void Comprehension Realm? That fast?"

"Old Yao, I have a question for you."

"How much do you know about Yun Xiao?"

"Yun Xiao?"

Chen Chang'an’s sudden mention of Yun Xiao puzzled Yao Niming, but he still answered, "Not much, honestly."

"You didn’t know much about him, yet you were willing to pass your legacy to him?"

"What’s wrong? Is there truly something amiss with him?"

"Master, there’s absolutely something wrong with him."

Ever since Medicine Destiny caught Yun Xiao eavesdropping and witnessed his abrupt disappearance after the heavenly tribulation, he had been convinced of the man’s ill intentions.

"Medicine Destiny, don’t jump to conclusions."

"Master, I’m not being rash. After the last incident, I secretly sent people to investigate."

"This Yun Xiao is… strange. It’s like he popped out of nowhere."

"No family, no friends. He rose to prominence out of thin air, suddenly making a name for himself as a prodigy alchemist."

"His past is a complete blank. He never forms deep connections, never stays in one place for more than half a year—always moving on."

Yao Niming hadn’t expected Medicine Destiny to have dug into Yun Xiao’s background.

"Master, I was worried he had ulterior motives, so I looked into him. I didn’t mean to hide it from you."

"Fine. You did it for my sake. Did you find anything else?"

"The most suspicious thing is that there was nothing else to find."

Chen Chang'an understood Medicine Destiny’s point—no one’s history is entirely spotless unless they’re hiding something monumental.

Take Chen Chang'an himself, for example. Though he didn’t flaunt his existence, he never went out of his way to conceal his actions either.

After all, a clear conscience fears no accusations. There was no need for secrecy—just no reason to broadcast himself.

But Yun Xiao was different. It was as if his entire history had been deliberately erased.

"Brother Chen, why bring up Yun Xiao now?" Yao Niming asked, perplexed.

"I suspect he’s behind the Blood Slaughter Hall’s recent movements."

"There’s something off about him. Just looking at him fills me with revulsion." Chen Chang'an frowned.

Revulsion?

Chen Chang'an wasn’t the type to judge by appearances, nor was he some aloof, unapproachable figure.

For him to feel such aversion at a mere glance meant there had to be something inherently repulsive about Yun Xiao.

"Holy shit!"

"Brother Chen, you don’t think Yun Xiao is that ugly bastard, do you?"

Lie Zhankuang’s mind suddenly clicked—a rare moment of insight.

"Which ugly bastard?" Kuang Zhongtang asked, puzzled.

"Long Wuqi."

Lie Zhankuang then laid out his observations and suspicions.

When the topic of the Dragon Emperor Palace came up, Yao Niming and the others grew solemn.

Though the Dragon Emperor Palace wasn’t known for its virtue in the Central Heaven Domain, its reputation wasn’t outright vile either.

Who could’ve guessed it harbored such sinister depths?

"Speculating won’t help us now."

"We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it."

"Improving one's own strength is the most effective way to face adversity."

"Any schemes or tricks are worthless in the face of absolute power," Chen Chang'an said with a faint smile.

Chen Chang'an's words made sense, but after all, it was easier to dodge an open attack than to guard against a hidden arrow. Who knew what other schemes this bastard had in mind?

Most importantly—was he Long Wuqi?

"You should all stay here in the Alchemy Emperor Manor."

"As for the Blood Slaughter Emperor's side, I'll handle it alone."

"I... will wait for them," Chen Chang'an said calmly.

Wait for them?

"Didn’t the Right Dharma Protector go back to persuade them?"

"Will he fail?" Da Huang asked curiously.

"He’s a smart man, but he probably won’t be able to change the Blood Slaughter Emperor’s mind."

"This battle is inevitable!"