C14 You Are Not Worthy!

"Boom!"

With a surge of energy erupting within the room, Chen Yi, seated cross-legged in a wooden barrel, abruptly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing through them.

Whoosh!

He exhaled a breath of stale air.

"The path of body refinement is long and arduous," he mused, eyeing the thick layer of grime coating his skin and shaking his head in mild disapproval.

His body was riddled with too many impurities, and the herbs he had acquired from South Wind Auction were primarily for detoxification. He knew all too well the significance of a robust physique and was determined never to neglect his physical conditioning. Reborn into his younger self, his priority was to purify his body. Only by ridding himself of these impurities could he strengthen his body and enhance his cultivation more effectively.

Above all, the Blood Holy Bead required a solid physical foundation to function.

After all, to decode the blood and inherit the innate abilities of a Spirit Beast, one must possess the requisite physique. Otherwise, even with newfound abilities, their potential would be capped.

After requesting a fresh bucket of water and cleansing himself, Chen Yi settled onto the bed. Glancing at his Space Ring, now empty, a wry smile crossed his face. "Resources deplete so quickly..."

Three days had passed since his return from South Wind Auction.

In that time, he had transformed all the medicinal herbs into Body Cleansing Elixirs, repeatedly purifying his body. Though not yet flawless, his physique was substantially free of impurities.

While his cultivation level hadn't seen a tangible boost, the cleansing process would make his future training efforts far more fruitful.

"Now, to elevate my realm," he declared, inhaling deeply, a clear strategy forming in his mind.

Unlocking the second level of the Blood Holy Bead was crucial to augmenting his power. Yet, that would take time, and for now, he would have to rely on Medicine Pills for strength enhancement.

"It seems I must return to South Wind Auction for more herbs," Chen Yi murmured to himself.

"Brother, are you there?"

A sweet voice suddenly pierced the silence.

"Yue?" Chen Yi's eyebrows lifted as he responded, "Yes, I'm here!"

He strode to the door and drew back the bolt, revealing Chen Yue in her yellow embroidered dress.

"Brother, someone's looking for you."

"For me?" Chen Yi paused, a thought striking him. "Is it someone from South Wind Auction?"

Chen Yue nodded affirmatively.

"Speak of the devil," he chuckled. "Where are they?"

"In the guest hall. Father and the elders are hosting them."

"Understood. I'm on my way."

"Brother, I'll come with you!"

Together, they made their way through the mansion to a grand hall where several individuals were gathered.

Chen Shanheng, Chen Ji, and other elders were in attendance, along with Elder Weng, Nan Yingyue, and three others: a grey-haired elder, a short-haired young man, and a stout youth, all exuding an air of arrogance.

The entrance of Chen Yi and Chen Yue drew the room's collective gaze.

"Master Chen, you've arrived?" Elder Weng rose to greet him, and despite her reluctance, Nan Yingyue followed suit. The other three remained seated, their eyes appraising Chen Yi.

"Father," Chen Yi greeted Elder Weng with a nod before respectfully bowing to Chen Shanheng at the head of the room.

"Yi, good to see you!" Chen Shanheng's face brightened as he gestured towards the guests. "These are our esteemed visitors from South Wind Auction, here specifically for you."

"Indeed," Chen Yi acknowledged, turning to Elder Weng. "You've made your decision?"

"Yes," Elder Weng confirmed, producing a list and two prescriptions, intending to hand them to Chen Yi.

"Hold on a moment!" interjected the grey-haired elder sharply. He scrutinized Chen Yi. "Weng Yun, is this the Pharmacist you spoke of?"

"That's correct, he is Master Chen," Elder Weng replied, sensing trouble brewing.

"Master Chen?" The elder gave Chen Yi a skeptical look. "Weng Yun, you're not playing a prank on me? This youngster is the Pharmacist capable of concocting Rank Three Medicine Pills?"

Elder Qian interjected, "The Medicine Pills previously submitted were indeed refined by Master Chen on the spot..."

"Did you witness it yourself?" the grey-haired elder pressed.

Elder Weng hesitated before shaking his head, "No, I did not."

"There you have it," the elder concluded dismissively. "Those Medicine Pills must have been crafted by another and merely presented by this boy!"

Elder Weng spoke up, "Elder Qian, indeed there was a session of alchemy in the VIP room, and Master Chen was the only one present..."

"Enough!" The elder with the gray hair cut him off, stating, "Given this young man's age, even if he had begun his alchemical studies in the womb, it's utterly implausible that he could have produced that Medicine Pill!"

"But..."

Elder Weng attempted to interject, yet before he could continue, a short-haired youth clad in a resplendent robe interrupted, "Elder Weng, let it be. My master is correct. For this youngster to be a Pharmacist is already commendable. How could he possibly have crafted a Top Quality Rank Three Medicine Pill?"

"That's the point. Our Master has dedicated decades to perfecting his craft, only recently achieving a Top Quality Medicine Pill. How could this boy hope to replicate such a feat?" chimed in another youth, this one a bit portly, nodding in agreement.

Their dismissive words soured Elder Weng's expression.

He had been reluctant to bring the trio in grey robes from the start, dreading the very confrontation that was unfolding. But given their special status, he was in no position to refuse them.

Elder Weng hadn't directly witnessed Chen Yi's prowess in alchemy, but the remnants of the event in the VIP room three days prior had somewhat swayed his belief. Even if Chen Yi wasn't the actual alchemist, it had to be someone closely associated with him.

Regardless of the circumstances, Elder Weng was keen on not crossing Chen Yi.

Now, with the grey-robed elders' disparaging remarks, he could almost visualize the look on Chen Yi's face.

Yet, when he turned to Chen Yi, he was met with a serene expression, as if the young man had tuned out the others' comments entirely.

Could it be that Chen Yi wasn't offended by their contempt?

It was then that Chen Yi spoke, "Do you belong to the South Wind Auction?"

Elder Weng was about to respond when the arrogant, short-haired youth preempted him, puffing out his chest, "We represent the South Wind Auction's Willow State branch. My master here is none other than Master Qian Yuan, one of the key figures in charge!"

"What!"

"Master Qian Yuan? He's Master Qian Yuan!!"

The revelation elicited no response from Chen Yi, but the Chen family elders were visibly taken aback, their eyes wide as they regarded the grey-haired elder.

Master Qian Yuan was a name that resonated like thunder throughout Willow State. Any Cultivator worth their salt would recognize it.

He was not only the premier Pharmacist in Willow State but also the sole Rank Four Pharmacist in the entire region!

The South Wind Empire spanned eighteen provinces, with Willow State among them, and Wood County City was merely a minor city within its borders.

The Chen family's upper echelon had initially thought little of Elder Weng's group's arrival. They were aware of Chen Yi's status as a Pharmacist and his dealings with the South Wind Auction. However, they had not anticipated the presence of such a distinguished individual in their midst.

Master Qian Yuan was a figure of unparalleled stature in Willow State, commanding respect even from the likes of the state governor. That such a personage had graced the Lau family with his presence sent a tremor of excitement through the Chen family elders.

Chen Shanheng himself took a deep breath and bowed respectfully to the gray-haired elder, "It is an honor to have Master Qian Yuan among us. Please accept our apologies for any lack of hospitality."

The elder merely hummed in acknowledgment, his demeanor nonchalant. Accustomed to reverence from others, he remained unfazed.

Beside him, the short-haired youth's pride swelled visibly, basking in the prestige of being Master Qian Yuan's disciple.

He regarded Chen Yi smugly, eager to see astonishment mirrored on his face. Yet, to his dismay, Chen Yi remained unruffled even upon hearing Master Qian Yuan's name.

"Hmph, just for show!" the youth scoffed under his breath.

Chen Yi paid him no mind and addressed the gray-haired elder directly, "Since you're the one in charge, are we proceeding with this transaction?"

"How dare you!" The young man's voice was sharp with indignation before the elder could speak, "My master is a person of high esteem. You have no right to address him with such disrespect!"

Chen Yi spared the youth a fleeting glance before returning his attention to the elder.

"You!!" The youth was seething, but before he could erupt, the elder silenced him with a firm, "Enough!"

"Master..."

The youth bit back his words as the elder's icy gaze silenced him.

The elder then turned to Chen Yi, speaking with measured indifference, "Of course, we'll continue with the deal, but first, bring forth the actual alchemist."

Chen Yi replied calmly, "I am already here."

"I meant the one who performed the alchemy," the elder insisted.

"That would be me," Chen Yi maintained.

The elder's expression grew stern, "Young man, I have no time for games."

"It seems you have no interest in making a deal, so let's leave it at that. Father, please show our guests out."

Chen Yi spoke with a detached tone before turning to leave the hall.

At that, the gray-haired elder's face sank into a deep scowl. "Boy, are you testing my patience!?"

"Testing?"

Chen Yi halted, casting a dismissive glance over his shoulder, "You don't even qualify."

His cool remark hung in the air, silencing the room.

Stunned glances converged on him.

Unworthy... Chen Yi had the audacity to declare the venerable Master Qian Yuan unworthy!

Good heavens!

Chen Shanheng and the Chen family elders were astounded.

They knew Chen Yi was a Pharmacist, but he was now boldly confronting Master Qian Yuan, the preeminent Pharmacist of Willow State!

"Insolence!"

The grey-haired elder snapped out of his shock, his anger erupting.

As Willow State's top Pharmacist, he was unaccustomed to such disrespect.

Unworthy!

This young upstart dared to claim he was unworthy!

A formidable soul aura began to emanate from the elder.

The tension in the room grew palpable.

"So this is the soul force of a Rank Four Pharmacist?"

Chen Shanheng and the others inwardly marveled.

Pharmacists held esteemed status in this world, not only for their medicinal prowess but also for their exceptional soul-based abilities, far surpassing those of their Cultivator peers. Indeed, the soul was their hallmark. To become a Pharmacist, one needed a soul far stronger than the average person, and with each advancement in their craft, their soul force intensified.

The soul force of a Rank Four Pharmacist could match that of an ordinary Crystal Stage Cultivator.

"Let's see what makes you think you can deem me unworthy!" the gray-haired elder bellowed, his soul aura coalescing into a crushing pressure that surged towards Chen Yi.

"Elder Qian!"

Elder Weng's face turned pale at the sight.

The soul pressure from a Rank Four Pharmacist was not something a mere Meditation Stage Cultivator could bear.

"This is bad!"

Chen Shanheng's face blanched, and though he wanted to intervene, it was too late.

The soul pressure was swift, and in an instant, it bore down upon Chen Yi...