Within the valley, Gu He stepped out of the cave with a radiant expression.

Having attained the Emperor Realm, he now ranked among the empire's elite. Finally, he possessed a measure of self-defense. With a thought, his crimson wings spread behind him.

Taking a light step, Gu He ascended from the ground and headed towards the valley's exit.

"Oh?" "Why is this girl here?"

At that moment, Gu He caught sight of a white-robed figure gradually approaching the valley from outside.

It was Xiao Yi Xian. A smile played on his lips as Gu He descended toward her.

"It's been ten days..." "I wonder when the teacher will emerge from seclusion."

Outside the valley, Xiao Yi Xian made her way toward it at a leisurely pace. Ever since Gu He had entered seclusion, she visited this valley every other day.

Today marked her fifth visit. "Hopefully, nothing unexpected occurs." Watching the valley's direction, a hint of concern appeared in Xiao Yi Xian's lovely eyes.

She had heard many stories of powerful cultivators losing control during their breakthroughs.

Thus, the prolonged seclusion of her teacher gave rise to some anxious thoughts. "Teacher, please don't lose control... You still owe me a meeting gift." Xiao Yi Xian murmured.

"My obedient disciple, what other gift do you desire?" Suddenly, a gentle voice resounded.

"Ah!"

The sudden sound startled Xiao Yi Xian, yet when she saw the white-robed figure beside her, a joyful expression brightened her lovely face.

"Master, you've ended your seclusion?" Speaking swiftly, Xiao Yi Xian hastened to Gu He's side, linking her

arm with his and exclaimed with a tender voice, "Master, why did you seclude yourself for so long? Your disciple was truly worried..."

"Hehe." Gu He gently tousled Xiao Yi Xian's hair with a refined air and chuckled softly, "This time, I've successfully broken through to the Dou Emperor Realm. It took just ten days; that's considered quite swift."

Gu He remembered vividly that in the original story, Xiao Yan had spent a whole year in this valley before successfully breaking through to the Dou Emperor Realm.

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Of course, that was due to his protagonist's aura, allowing him to achieve the breakthrough within a year.

For an ordinary person, even secluding themselves for several years might not guarantee a smooth breakthrough.

"Dou Emperor Realm?" "Master, did you seclude yourself this time to break through to the Dou Emperor Realm?"

Hearing Gu He's words, Xiao Yi Xian widened her eyes in astonishment, gazing at him with surprise. "Yes, I'm now a Dou Emperor Realm expert. From now on, in the Jia Ma Empire, I can walk with confidence."

Gu He smoothed Xiao Yi Xian's long hair and chuckled softly. With his status as a Sixth-Rank Alchemist and the strength of a Dou Emperor, no one would dare offend him in the Jia Ma Empire.

Perhaps, his title in the Jia Ma Empire would change from Alchemist King Gu He to Alchemist Emperor Gu He.

"Dou Emperor Realm... Master is actually a Dou Emperor Realm expert..." Excitement shimmered in Xiao Yi Xian's beautiful eyes. Gu He's breakthrough to the Dou Emperor Realm naturally brought her joy. As his direct disciple, his increasing strength meant her own growth in status and position.

"My dear disciple, have you been slacking off lately? Have you diligently practised what I taught you?" At this moment, Gu He

remembered something and playfully inquired of Xiao Yi Xian.

They had a good relationship before his seclusion, and he had plans to assess her progress afterwards.

"Master, I don't even have an alchemy cauldron, how can I practice..." Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian's voice held a tinge of

aggrieved sentiment.

"Uh..."

Upon hearing her words, Gu He appeared somewhat dazed, then a hint of embarrassment appeared.

"I forgot to give you an alchemy cauldron." "But the cauldron I use might not be suitable for you."

Gu He used the Crimson Serpent Cauldron, a four-mouthed cauldron that Xiao Yi Xian's current strength couldn't utilize.

Moreover, in Qing Shan Town, alchemists were scarce, and alchemy cauldrons were even scarcer.

Realizing this, Gu He softly said to Xiao Yi Xian, "My obedient disciple, let's return to Yun Lan Sect tomorrow. There, whatever you need, I can arrange for you."

"Returning to Yun Lan Sect..." Xiao Yi Xian's expression shifted slightly. After a brief hesitation, she nodded slowly. Although leaving Qing Shan Town was a bit hard for her, her passion for alchemy meant she had to accompany Gu He to Yun Lan Sect.

After all, she was now Gu He's disciple, and he held an honorary elder position in Yun Lan Sect.

In a sense, Xiao Yi Xian was now a disciple of Yun Lan Sect. Seeing her agreement, Gu He smiled and said, "Then, let's go pack our things. We'll leave Qing Shan Town early tomorrow morning."

Saying this, Gu He lifted Xiao Yi Xian's petite form and soared into the sky.

"Master, before we depart Qing Shan Town, there's a place I'd like to visit." As they flew over the outskirts of the Magic Beast Mountain Range within the void, Xiao Yi Xian suddenly had a thought and addressed Gu He.

"What place?" Gu He asked casually upon hearing her words. "It's a cave left behind by a senior. There should be some treasures hidden inside."

Excitement shimmered in Xiao Yi Xian's beautiful eyes, "Master, let's go on a treasure hunt."

"Cave exploration?" Upon hearing Xiao Yi Xian's words, a thought crossed Gu He's mind.

Could it be the cave that Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Yan had visited in the original story?

Gu He recalled that within that cave, there seemed to be a remnant image of the Purifying Lotus Flame.

That was a valuable item!

"Alright." With this thought, Gu He nodded to the Xiao Yi Xian in his arms and responded, "Where is this cave?"

"It's over there." Xiao Yi Xian extended her delicate hand, pointing in a direction. Following the direction pointed by Xiao Yi Xian, Gu He's wings behind him trembled slightly. He then accelerated, flying directly toward it.