Gu Han finally understood that the humanoid figure was likely following him because it had detected a similar trait in him. The one Dan Chen was truly waiting for was the mysterious ’him’ recorded in the jade token. Perhaps an unfortunate accident had occurred, or something else had gone wrong.

Gu Han speculated that the former possibility was more likely. Otherwise, Dan Chen couldn’t have lacked the chance to leave even a final record. After such a long span of time, no one knew whether that person had ever returned in the end. Maybe there would never even be an answer.

Thinking of this, he smiled apologetically at the humanoid figure. “I’m sorry... I might not be able to help you...”

Whether the humanoid figure understood or not, it remained motionless, maintaining its previous posture. Still, one thing was obvious. As long as the person it was waiting for didn’t come, it would continue waiting like this for another million years, or even ten million. For that was the meaning of its existence.

***

Upon returning to the three, Gu Han saw that they were sweating under the oppressive pressure.

Shen Xuan quickly asked, “How did it go?”

Gu Han shook his head. “It’s very complicated. Hard to explain in just a few words. Besides, I’ve already checked, and there really isn’t anything on this level.”

He had meticulously inspected the first level of the tower, but had found no pills or other jade tokens.

Unable to bear watching the three struggle, he glanced outside the hall. “How about you all wait for me outside first?”

Murong Yan was carefree. “No need. We can at least temper our cultivation by staying here. Still counts as a small opportunity.”

Yang Ying and Shen Xuan also chimed in.

“Mhm, she’s right!”

“For us, it is indeed a form of tempering.”

Gu Han thought for a moment, then nodded. “Alright then. You all wait for me here then, I’ll go up and take a look.”

The pill chambers had always been strictly confidential, built from materials that could block divine sense. Therefore, even as a Divine Connection realm cultivator, if he wanted to know what was inside, he had to inspect them personally.

Although Dan Chen said the pills here were long exhausted, Gu Han was a bit unwilling to give up. The remaining eight levels had thirty-six pill chambers left unexplored. There could also be jade tokens lying around. Even if they weren’t as detailed as Dan Chen’s token, as long as they left a few words, it would be enough for him to decipher many things.

Under the somewhat envious gaze of the other three, Gu Han easily stepped into the second level.

Murong Yan sighed. “It was the same in the secret realm! The great opportunity seems tailor-made for him!”

Shen Xuan thought for a moment. “Maybe... This is compensation for his Dao Bell ringing ten times without a blessing?”

Suddenly, Gu Han’s dissatisfied voice came over. “Brother Shen, didn’t we agree not to mention that anymore?!”

Shen Xuan was speechless. He felt he had underestimated just how resentful Gu Han was about that matter.

Yang Ying silently gazed at the humanoid figure, lost in thought. He vaguely felt that the figure had gained something—something very familiar to him, something that had once appeared on him as well. Loneliness, desolation, being out of place with everything around, and a trace of despair from seeing no future ahead.

***

The second level was identical to the first level, only slightly smaller and with only eight pill chambers. This level corresponded to pill chambers twenty-five through thirty-six.

After a thorough search, although Gu Han didn’t find any pills, he did discover another jade token. Perhaps due to differences in personality, the owner hadn’t recorded every single detail like Dan Chen, leaving only four pieces of information. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

“I am Lin Shan. All my disciples, friends, and beloved ones died at the hands of the demonic creatures! I want to seek revenge, but I’m unskilled in combat. I chose to join the Profound Pill Camp to contribute my meager strength to this battle concerning the fate of all living beings!

“I have been in the Profound Pill Camp for fifty years. The front line suffers defeat after defeat, and our casualties are severe. There’s a serious shortage of personnel. We have no choice but to enlist those youngsters into the army. Dan Chen is very good and brilliant. Those youngsters are also good. Ah, what a pity!

“Today, Fellow Daoist Mo summoned us, asking us to deduce a pill formula together. Violent Blood Pill, Soul-Devouring Pill, Marrow-Draining Pill—such extremely vicious pills! We know these things will ruin them, but there’s no other choice! Once these pills appeared, the front line couldn’t get enough of them... Despite knowing death is certain, they vow to go to their deaths. My heart aches deeply, I wish I could go in their place!

“Today marks my seventieth year in the Profound Pill Camp, I am now one of the few who have stayed the longest. Lately, I feel my end is near, my time is short. Still, with the arrival of that person, I can see hope! Can he win? I’m not afraid of death, but now I wish to live a bit longer! He is the hope of all of us! If I cannot witness his victorious return with my own eyes, I will not rest in peace!”

Gu Han had mixed feelings. “It’s that person again.”

Through the jade token, even across the endless ages, he could feel the intense obsession of this alchemist named Lin Shan.

Hope, huh...?

He sighed softly, suppressing the heaviness in his heart. The two jade tokens already helped him decipher many things. The great war had to have lasted for a very long time. Their opponents weren’t just the divine races, but also some extremely troublesome demonic creatures. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been pushed to such extremes.

Above all, the war was no accident, but driven by a hidden hand. Dan Chen did mention that the mysterious person was preparing to strike at the heart of the enemy, to settle accounts with the mastermind behind it all.

Although it had nothing to do with him, Gu Han couldn’t help but wonder whether the mysterious man had succeeded. He really didn’t know why. Perhaps the obsessions of Dan Chen and Lin Shan had infected him.

I hope he did. In a way, that would give these people some form of closure.

As he composed himself, he stepped forward again, heading towards the third level of the tower. However, he found nothing on the third level, or the fourth.

Without hesitation, he immediately made his way towards the fifth level. By this point, his desire to find these jade tokens and uncover the truth of what happened back then had surpassed his obsession with finding pills.

Finally, he made another discovery on the fifth level.