C101 The Surging Undercurrents

Only those who have transcended the status of a grandmaster alchemist are honored with the title of Pill King, a title that commands immense respect on the Dragon Continent.

Even the Dragon Clan, on occasion, requires the aid of a Pill King's alchemical prowess. As such, each Pill King holds a position of great prestige, with countless individuals eager to pledge their service in exchange for a single pill.

Nanguo Wujin's icy gaze bore into Ho Soong, who felt a sheen of cold sweat form on his forehead under such scrutiny. After a tense silence, Nanguo Wujin finally spoke, "I've been informed that your disciple was bested by an alchemist in a contest?"

Fear gripped Ho Soong, yet he knew he must face the truth. With a heavy nod, his face flushed with embarrassment, he admitted, "I have brought shame upon our sect."

Duan Linshu, kneeling on the ground, pleaded, "The fault is mine alone. I implore you to punish me and not my master."

A cold laugh escaped Nanguo Wujin's lips. "Punishment is inevitable, for you have squandered the Unique Battle Pill bestowed by our sect. You shall spend the next decade in seclusion on the back mountain, contemplating your errors."

Duan Linshu's eyes widened in terror, his forehead beading with sweat at the thought of enduring ten years in such a desolate place, his body trembling with fear. His resentment towards Ning Qi surged, vowing, "Ning Qi is to blame for my punishment. When the day comes that he's at my mercy, I will have my revenge!"

As Nanguo Wujin finished speaking, a middle-aged man with a stoic face stepped forward from behind him—a Peak Battle Emperor and, notably, Nanguo Wujin's senior disciple. He grasped Duan Linshu by the collar and led him away.

Ho Soong remained silent, his head bowed low.

Soon after, Nanguo Wujin's voice echoed once more, "Investigate that individual's background and master, then persuade him to join our Hundred Herb Sect. Should you handle this successfully, I will overlook your transgression."

Ho Soong nodded eagerly, "Understood." A moment later, a thought struck him, and he cautiously inquired, "Great Elder, what if he refuses to join the Hundred Herb Sect?"

Nanguo Wujin let out a cold snort and said, "If he's unwilling, find a chance to eliminate him. We cannot allow the Unique Battle Pill to fall into the hands of outsiders. Do you understand?"

Ho Soong forced a smile. "Lvh Wuchang seems to hold that person in high regard. It's not exactly easy for me to make a move."

"Lvh Wuchang? Don't worry about him," Nanguo Wujin replied with a dismissive tone.

Phoenix Capital City.

A figure sliced through the sky and descended into the Sun family's courtyard.

"Daneng, I've come to visit you. Show yourself!"

As soon as he touched down, he began bellowing. This short, stout man stood seven feet tall and was at least six feet wide, with a face resembling Maitreya Buddha and earlobes as large as pancakes. His appearance would have been better suited to plain attire, yet he donned a brightly colored robe, which was quite the sight.

The Sun family members were taken aback.

"It's Daneng's master!"

"Someone go and inform the Grandmaster!"

"There's no need for that," came a calm voice. Grandmaster Sun had appeared, as if from nowhere, and approached the stout man with a welcoming smile.

"Master Zhu."

Upon hearing the voice, Zhu Dazhuang turned and broke into a wide grin upon seeing Grandmaster Sun. "You've left your seclusion today? Did you know I was coming and decided to greet me personally?"

The Sun family members fell silent. Only Zhu Dazhuang, a fellow Alchemist Grandmaster and Battle Emperor, would dare address Grandmaster Sun so familiarly.

Grandmaster Sun offered a slight smile. "I've hit a bottleneck in my cultivation. Without the Cocoon Breaking Pill, I'm afraid I won't make any breakthroughs soon. Do you have any news about the pill, Master Zhu?"

Zhu Dazhuang chuckled. "Why else do you think I'm here? I've come to tell you about an auction happening six months from now in a market city 90,000 miles from here. An old friend tipped me off that they'll be selling many rare and exotic pills. You'd better get your gold banknotes ready. We'll go together. And bring my apprentice along for the experience. Oh, and between you and me, they're also auctioning off a Seventh Rank Giant Dragon at the market!"

"Seventh Rank Giant Dragon," Grandmaster Sun's eyes flickered with a hint of astonishment before he let out a sigh and declared, "Daneng has passed away."

Zhu Dazhuang paused, taken aback, then looked at Grandmaster Sun with incredulity. "You're kidding, right? Who would dare harm a member of the Sun family?"

A cold laugh escaped Grandmaster Sun. "I would never jest about my grandson's life."

Fuming, Zhu Dazhuang demanded, "Who murdered my apprentice? I swear, I'll shred them to pieces!"

"The one who took Daneng's life is an alchemist, and not just any alchemist—an Alchemist Grandmaster," Grandmaster Sun stated icily.

"An Alchemist Grandmaster? Could it be Lvh Wuchang, Qin Jinge, or Mo Wentian? Why would they want to kill my apprentice?" Zhu Dazhuang was momentarily dumbfounded.

"The man in question is the thirteenth son of the Champion Marquis from Jing City. At just sixteen, he's already an Alchemist Grandmaster. I've sent Zeshi to keep an eye on him in Jing City. My plan was to seize the opportunity to exact vengeance for Daneng, but now that he's an Alchemist Grandmaster and has been granted the title of Dragon Slaying Marquis by the Emperor, our hands are tied—for now," Grandmaster Sun explained with a heavy sigh.

"An Alchemist Grandmaster at sixteen? I couldn't even nurture such a prodigy. What's his story? Is he possibly from the Hundred Herb Sect?" Zhu Dazhuang was visibly shaken.

"No, according to Zeshi, his master is a wanderer, much like you," Grandmaster Sun revealed.

"His master's identity is irrelevant to me. No one takes my apprentice's life and escapes justice. Rest assured, out of respect for Daneng alone, I will see to it that he finds peace! Titles like Alchemist Grandmaster and Dragon Slaying Marquis mean nothing to me," Zhu Dazhuang declared resolutely.

"I appreciate your efforts," Grandmaster Sun said with a grateful smile, gesturing with a cupped hand salute. He then shifted the topic, "About that marketplace you were talking about earlier."

"Make sure you bring plenty of gold banknotes. That marketplace is sure to live up to our expectations," Zhu Dazhuang advised.

Time slipped away imperceptibly.

Nearly half a year had elapsed since Ning Qi's return to Jing City from the Wind Dragon Cave. In that time, Gou had ascended to the rank of a One-Star Battle Master, while Zhang Loong and Zhao Hu had seen their own cultivation levels rise, each achieving the status of a Three-Star Battle Spirit.

Their rapid advancement could be attributed to the Spiritual Nourishment Pills that Ning Qi generously bestowed upon them each month. With these pills, they were able to trade for a variety of potent medicinal pills at the Hundred Herb Hall, which significantly boosted their cultivation. The prospect of reaching the esteemed level of Battle King was now within their grasp.

Yet, it was Yue and Zuo Linger who had undergone the most remarkable transformations.