Chapter 562 - 312: Three Blood Exchanges, Qi Blood Transforms into a Flood Dragon

"Sun Li?"

"Among the three people taught by Master Cang this past month is you. Tell us, have you noticed anything unusual during this time?"

Zhou Cang’s death stirred waves within the Cyan Fish Gang. The Law Enforcement Hall and Hidden Shuttle Hall disciples began to become active, and even Su Mu and the other two had multiple visitors inquiring about the situation.

Su Mu had nothing to conceal; he answered everything truthfully. Although Zhou Cang had been of great help to Su Mu in alchemy, he never talked about personal matters, and Su Mu didn’t know much.

Even though Zhou Cang’s death caused a sensation, the Cyan Fish Gang operated as usual. Even the Alchemy Hall functioned normally; these major events did not significantly affect the daily life of most disciples in the Cyan Fish Gang.

At night, Su Mu once again swallowed the Qi and Blood Pill and Small Returning Pill like candy. The two rich medicinal powers dissolved, quietly fading away throughout the night.

"The meridians have recovered nearly ninety percent... Before leaving, I should check in on that little girl Li Lu, then go to the Li Family to redeem my competition rewards."

In the morning, Su Mu exhaled lightly, a powerful aura flashed, and he returned to being an unremarkable Seventh-Grade Martial Artist in everyone’s eyes.

In the distance, outside the alchemy room, two figures stood waiting for quite some time.

After a few days, Zheng Qi reappeared. Her steward’s blue-edged alchemy robe was spotless, and when she saw Su Mu arriving, a glint of smugness flashed in her eyes.

"Sun the Alchemist, Master Cang’s life or death is currently unknown, but the Alchemy Hall must not slacken even slightly. Elixirs are crucial for the Cyan Fish Gang disciples’ cultivation. Today, I have come under Elder Sun’s orders to take over this alchemy room."

"Let me introduce you; Liu Yuan... In the future, Liu Yuan will also be refining pills here with you and Shangguan Miao."

Zheng Qi introduced Liu Yuan with the tone of a superior, her gaze resting on Su Mu’s face, hoping to see a flicker of irritation on his face, but unfortunately, Su Mu remained expressionless.

"Alright."

Su Mu nodded blandly.

This obviously displeased Zheng Qi, and she let out a cold snort, "The capable do more work. Since Master Cang valued you, this month you need to refine three hundred Qi and Blood Pills."

"Alright."

Faced with a hefty alchemy target, Su Mu still replied simply with a single ’Alright,’ which seemed to infuriate Zheng Qi, causing her to leave with a sullen expression.

"Sun the Alchemist, this matter was assigned by the elder for me to handle... I am merely a minor figure and cannot defy it."

After Zheng Qi left, Liu Yuan, who appeared about twenty-five years old, spoke with a polite tone, looking troubled.

Upon hearing this, Su Mu just glanced at Liu Yuan. Master Cang was a Fourth-Grade Alchemy Master, highly esteemed within the Cyan Fish Gang, ranking just below the Gang Leader and the Great Elder in standing.

Now that something has happened to Master Cang, people rushed to insert themselves into the situation.

This matter was certainly not instigated by an elder of the Alchemy Hall. An ordinary elder, even if dissatisfied with Master Cang daily, would need to put on a front and would not have the courage.

There must be someone else behind this; this matter is likely tied to the struggle among the three factions within the Cyan Fish Gang. Su Mu does not want to make trouble, whether it’s inserting people or monitoring; he doesn’t care.

"Alchemist Liu, I’ll start refining pills now."

Su Mu gave a slight nod to acknowledge, then immediately stepped toward his alchemy room.

As he watched Su Mu’s departing figure, Liu Yuan’s look of difficulty gradually faded, his eyes turning thoughtfully, unknown thoughts swirling in his mind for the next several days.

In spare moments, Liu Yuan often came to make small talk, trying to extract information about Su Mu’s past and, intentionally or unintentionally, seemed to be probing whether Master Cang left anything behind before departing.

"Pill Book... Is Liu Yuan inquiring about that Pill Book?"

Su Mu’s heart tightened, becoming increasingly aware that even if this incident with Master Cang wasn’t orchestrated by someone within the Cyan Fish Gang, it inevitably involved them.

Su Mu’s answers were impeccable regarding Master Cang’s possessions; Su Mu played dumb and claimed ignorance on all counts.

Seemingly realizing Su Mu’s stubbornness, Liu Yuan soon shifted his target to Shangguan Miao. On one occasion, Su Mu saw Shangguan Miao presenting a Pill Book gifted by Master Cang in front of Liu Yuan, but whether Liu Yuan was satisfied after borrowing it was unknown.

"Today, Brother Shangguan refined twelve pills."

"Brother Sun... Eighteen pills!"

After Zheng Qi brought Liu Yuan along, Liu Yuan naturally took over the task of counting and consolidating the refined pills. As he received the pills handed in by Su Mu, Liu Yuan couldn’t help but express admiration in his tone.

He quickly arranged the pills into bottles of ten each and then handed two additional pills to Su Mu.

"Brother Sun, your talents are extraordinary. You will surely become a pillar of the Alchemy Hall in our Cyan Fish Gang in the future. You’ve worked hard today."

According to the rules, it should be one pill for every ten, but Liu Yuan gave two extra, clearly bending the rules. Su Mu did not reply but also did not refuse.

However, the truth was that today’s three batches of refined pills amounted to not only eighteen but also as many as twenty-six pills. To avoid unnecessary trouble, Su Mu extracted eight pills himself before handing them in.

"Counting these two pills, today’s yield is precisely one bottle of ten... taking over more than a third."

Accepting all that came his way, Su Mu discreetly pocketed them.

After Liu Yuan finished counting the pills and left, Su Mu exchanged a few words with Shangguan Miao while leisurely tidying up the pill furnace. To be honest, life in the Cyan Fish Gang was quite peaceful and not bad at all.

Every day he refined pills, managing to extract three to four-tenths. With Su Mu’s continually advancing alchemy skills, he could still collect some medicinal materials for personal use every day.

In the mornings, he used the Cyan Fish Gang’s materials to refine pills for them, and in the afternoons, Su Mu would ponder Sixth Grade Elixirs on his own.

At night, he practiced in a quiet little courtyard, and occasionally, the kitchen would cook demon beast meat, making the benefits quite considerable.

If he continued living peacefully here, using the Cyan Fish Gang’s resources to enhance himself, it seemed to be a decent place in the long run.