"By the way, Kid Yang." Just as the Seven Luminaries Treasure Light was about to retract, the Ghost Ancestor suddenly spoke up. "I've noticed you seem quite knowledgeable about spiritual medicines and pills. Don't tell me you know alchemy?"
Although the two had only harvested the Brahma Heaven Sacred Fruit and the Demon-Transmuting Mushroom so far, Yang Kai had been able to immediately name what pills could be refined from both herbs each time. He was also well-versed in their preservation methods and spoke about them with great eloquence, which naturally led the Ghost Ancestor to connect the dots.
"I do!" Yang Kai nodded without any intention of denying it.
"Oh?" The Ghost Ancestor looked at Yang Kai with surprise. "In the span of just thirty to forty years, going from the Saint Realm to the third level of the Void Return Realm was already impressive enough. You actually had time to study alchemy as well? Aren't you afraid of spreading yourself too thin?"
Yang Kai chuckled and replied, "I took up alchemy primarily to support my cultivation. I've never abandoned my pursuit of the Martial Dao."
"Exactly." The Ghost Ancestor nodded approvingly. "Alchemy, artifact crafting, and formation arts — though their power is unfathomable, they still fall slightly short compared to the Grand Dao of Martial Arts. As cultivators of our generation, we should prioritize the pursuit of the Martial Dao above all else. Everything else is merely supplementary."
He spoke with an air of earnest sincerity and patient guidance, and Yang Kai naturally nodded in agreement.
"Hmm, but having said that, achieving notable success in any of those three fields is still quite remarkable." The Ghost Ancestor was quite satisfied with Yang Kai's attitude and smiled faintly. Then, with curiosity, he asked, "Tell me — what grade of pills can you refine right now?"
Hearing this question, Yang Kai considered it seriously for a moment before answering with a solemn expression, "Since the Senior asks, I won't hide it. Well, I can now be considered a Void King grade alchemist. I can refine Void King grade pills!"
The moment those words left his lips, the Ghost Ancestor's body shook violently. He froze on the spot, staring straight at Yang Kai without saying a word for quite some time.
"Senior?" Yang Kai gave an awkward laugh. The Ghost Ancestor's reaction was within his expectations. After all, how many Void King grade alchemists were there in the entire Star Domain? Every single one of them was world-renowned and white-haired — none were anything close to Yang Kai's age. Becoming a Void King grade alchemist at such an age was practically impossible.
The Ghost Ancestor was silent for a long while before finally taking a deep breath and saying in a trembling voice, "You're joking, right?"
He thought Yang Kai was pulling his leg. He had been staring at Yang Kai intently, trying to read any signs of deception on his face. But he found not a trace of jesting in Yang Kai's expression, and he immediately realized... what Yang Kai said might actually be true.
"I'm not." Yang Kai shook his head.
"You really are a Void King grade alchemist?" the Ghost Ancestor exclaimed. The moment he finished speaking, he whipped his head around to scan their surroundings, as though terrified that someone might have overheard.
"How could I joke about such a thing? Well, I've only refined a few Void King grade pills so far, but I have successfully produced them. According to the Star Domain's classification system for alchemists, I should be considered a Void King grade alchemist."
The Ghost Ancestor drew in a sharp breath, staring at Yang Kai as if he were some kind of monster.
How old was Yang Kai? Having such high cultivation was one thing, but to have also achieved Void King grade attainments in the art of alchemy! How had he managed it? Even without sleeping or resting for all these years, it shouldn't have been possible — unless he could spawn dozens of clones to cultivate simultaneously. Only then might such a feat be achievable.
The Ghost Ancestor couldn't wrap his head around it no matter how he tried!
"Very few people know I'm a Void King grade alchemist. Other than the women close to me, you're the only one, Senior. So I'd appreciate it if you could keep this a secret," Yang Kai said with a grin.
He had hidden his identity as an alchemist in the past because he lacked the strength and feared drawing unwanted attention. But now, with his increased power, having his alchemist identity exposed would not only avoid trouble but could actually bring enormous benefits and assistance. So Yang Kai had no intention of hiding it any longer.
Hearing this, the Ghost Ancestor let out a long breath and said solemnly, "I understand the gravity of this, and I certainly won't go spreading it around. Besides, I don't really know anyone else — why would I do something so pointless? But... Kid, why did you tell me the truth? Weren't you afraid I might harbor some ill intentions toward you? You should know how attractive a Void King grade alchemist is to people like us. If I could capture one and have them refine pills exclusively for me, boosting my strength would be a given."
"Heh, you're not that kind of person, Senior." Yang Kai scratched his nose. "If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't have told you the truth. Besides, offending a Void King grade alchemist versus befriending one — I'm sure you know which is the better choice. Even if you captured me, you'd still need my willingness to refine pills for you. Who knows what poisons might be hidden inside the pills I produce?"
As he spoke, Yang Kai even threw the Ghost Ancestor a series of exaggerated winks and grimaces.
His decision to confide in the Ghost Ancestor had been carefully considered, not some spur-of-the-moment impulse.
The Ghost Ancestor stared deeply at Yang Kai for a long moment before suddenly bursting into hearty laughter. "Hahaha! I'm deeply honored. I never would have imagined that a boy I once deemed unworthy of notice would not only achieve such cultivation but also become a Void King grade alchemist! If word of this ever got out, it would bring me no small amount of glory as well."
"You flatter me, Senior." Yang Kai said modestly.
"In that case — the Great Brahma Heaven Pill and the Demon-Suppressing Pill you mentioned earlier, you can refine both of those?" the Ghost Ancestor asked eagerly, his heart racing with excitement.