After conquering the Empress, I proved my Dao with the Heaven and Earth Spirit Furnace!

"Within the Dan Sect, the only one most likely to know Dan Shui's identity is Dan Chen..."

Shaking his head, Qin Chuan sighed helplessly.

In his view, the Madness Pill could confuse others, but it certainly couldn't confuse Dan Chen.

Moreover, given Dan Chen's status, as long as he is within the Wen Dan Sect, if he wants to know something, naturally no one can hide it from him.

In fact, Qin Chuan didn't deliberately hide anything; he just didn't expect the Mad Demon Pill to cause such a sensation back then.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, the entire Southern Region began speculating about who Dan Shui was.

Looking at the main furnace token in his hand, Qin Chuan sighed helplessly, recalling the voice in his mind earlier.

He knew that this Master Dan Chen, whom he had never met before, already knew his identity.

"Since you know that I am the renowned Dan Shui Master, who is famous throughout the Southern Region and whom every sect and family wants to serve as my guest, why don't you give me spirit crystals!"

Thinking of this, Qin Chuan felt another surge of anger, but he was still helpless.

After all, Dan Chen was a figure akin to an ancestor of the Dan-seeking lineage.

If he wanted to renege on his promise, Qin Chuan felt he really had no way to get the spirit crystals back.

"The richer they are, the stingier they become..."

With a sigh, Qin Chuan transformed into a rainbow and hurtled towards the Wen Dan Sect.

"We have to return to the sect within five days, but the distance from here to the Dan Inquiry Sect is more than five days..."

Qin Chuan unfurled his lightning wings, increasing his speed.

"Advancing to the Red Furnace Realm... This old monster Dan Chen took my spirit crystals. Could it be that he feels guilty and is giving me a chance to become a Red Furnace Realm expert?"

As he pondered, Qin Chuan's eyes suddenly flashed, and his heart skipped a beat.

He was well aware of the many benefits of becoming a Purple Furnace Alchemist, let alone a Red Furnace Alchemist.

Especially in the current Wendan Sect, the Wendan lineage has only had ten Red Furnace Alchemists in the past thousand years.

There was never an eleventh place...

Qin Chuan's breathing quickened, and his speed increased instantly.

"Five days... I must return to the sect no matter what. As long as I pass the trial, I will definitely be able to see Dan Chen!"

"At that time, both the tenth-grade spiritual medicine needed to heal Instructor Guan and the Ghost Face Flower on my body can be resolved at the same time!"

Lightning flashed within the rainbow, and Qin Chuan vanished in an instant, speeding away.

Qin Chuan had never forgotten his purpose in coming to ask about the Dan Sect, and now that he was only one step away, he couldn't help but feel excited.

Qin Chuan had considered the abruptness of this matter.

After all, he had just risen to prominence in the west and his cultivation level had increased, so the sect summoned him back.

This whole thing looks like it's part of a conspiracy.

However, Qin Chuan hesitated for a moment and then dismissed his concerns.

As a major sect in the Southern Region, the Wen Dan Sect's foundation is comparable to that of the six major sects.

If someone truly harbors malicious intent, there are countless ways to capture themselves silently.

Moreover, during his months with the Wen Dan lineage, Qin Chuan had gained a considerable understanding of the sect and learned about the Wen Dan lineage's unique characteristics and its tendency to protect its own.

Otherwise, when the alchemists from the Southern Region were captured by Mo Tu, it wouldn't have been only the alchemists from the Wen Dan Sect who returned safely.

However, despite this, Qin Chuan did not lose his caution; rather, it remained hidden deep within his heart…

……

Guiyun City.

The Qin family's backyard.

Qin Zhantian kept moving the medicinal herbs around before walking into a small courtyard.

"Patriarch Qin, you don't need to move so much. I just want one ivy plant..."

Inside the courtyard, Yin Jiaojiao blushed slightly and spoke somewhat shyly.

"It doesn't matter!"

Putting down the herbs in his hand, Qin Zhantian laughed heartily, "Jiaojiao, you are Chuan'er's good friend, so feel free to ask for anything!"

"Then... thank you very much, Patriarch Qin."

Seeing this, Yin Jiaojiao could no longer refuse, and smiled as she bowed.

Immediately, she took out her pruning tools and began to tidy up the herbs in the yard.

After a long while, Qin Zhantian finished carrying all the herbs by himself and then collapsed onto the steps under the eaves.

He wiped his sweat as he drank the tea brought to him by a servant.

At this moment, Qin Zhantian looked at the girl pruning herbs in the sunlight not far away.

A look of doting affection flashed in his eyes, and he felt most of his fatigue dissipate.

Listening to the sound of grass being trimmed, he slowly closed his eyes, revealing an expression of enjoyment.

A moment later, Qin Zhantian looked at Yin Jiaojiao's retreating figure and smiled slightly, saying, "Jiaojiao, have you been settling in well these past few days?"

Upon hearing the voice, Yin Jiaojiao turned her head and said with a smile, "Thank you for your concern, Patriarch Qin. I'm living very well."

As she spoke, she focused her attention back on the herbs in front of her.

"That's good!"

Qin Zhantian nodded, his smile growing even brighter.

"correct!"

As if thinking of something, Qin Zhantian took a sip of tea, trying his best to keep his voice calm.

"Jiaojiao, I heard from Chuan'er that you have a mother at home. How is she doing now?"

As he spoke, he swallowed hard, a hint of anticipation on his slightly weathered face.

"My mother..."

Yin Jiaojiao didn't turn around, but paused in the act of pruning the herbs.

"Ok!"

Finding nothing amiss with the girl, Qin Zhantian smiled and continued, "I've also heard Chuan'er mention some things about you."

If it's convenient, I can go and pick up your mother, and then we can all..."

Before Qin Zhantian could finish speaking, Yin Jiaojiao shook her head and interrupted, "Thank you for your kindness, Patriarch Qin, but let's forget about it."

Her voice was soft, tinged with a touch of sadness.

"what happened?"

Qin Zhantian was taken aback.

At that moment, he finally realized that something was wrong.

With a sigh, Yin Jiaojiao said softly, "My mother was captured by disciples of the Hundred Flowers Sect a few years ago, and she's probably still being tortured..."

"boom!"

As Yin Jiaojiao finished speaking, the teacup in Qin Zhantian's hand suddenly fell to the ground.

As the shards flew, a jarring sound of a cup shattering echoed through the courtyard.

"Master, what happened?"

The guards, led by Liu Ergou, immediately rushed into the courtyard where the two were.

"No...it's nothing, my hand just slipped a little."

Qin Zhantian waved his hand, signaling everyone to step back.

After Liu Ergou and the others left, he looked at Yin Jiaojiao, who was slightly frightened, and forced a smile, "Did I scare you?"

Yin Jiaojiao remained silent and slowly shook her head.

Immediately, the courtyard fell silent.

After a long while, Qin Zhantian calmly broke the silence and said, "Jiaojiao, can you tell me about your mother?"

Seeing the girl's puzzled eyes, Qin Zhantian smiled and explained, "I was just curious for a moment, I didn't mean anything by it."

Upon hearing this, Yin Jiaojiao frowned slightly, but still nodded.

She spoke softly, slowly recounting the hardships her mother endured giving birth to her alone.

And how the two relied on each other for survival in the remote fishing village, until their mother was finally captured by the Hundred Flowers Sect.

Even the fact that he was taken back to the Heavenly Sword Sect by Elder Ge Ye, and that he almost became a furnace cauldron if Qin Chuan hadn't appeared in time.

He told everything in detail, without reservation.