Chapter 127: Not Ruthless Enough

Chapter 127: Chapter 127: Not Ruthless Enough

Zhao Zongzhen was sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, flipping through a yellowed Pill Formula. His brow was slightly furrowed, as if he were pondering some difficult alchemy problem.

Hearing Lv Qianfang’s hurried footsteps and flustered cries, he abruptly raised his head and looked at Lv Qianfang, who had just entered. "Chen Yue has been promoted to an Inner Sect Disciple?"

Lv Qianfang nodded vigorously. "He’s at the Affairs Hall now."

"How was he promoted? Did he break through to the Marrow Refining Realm, or did he succeed in refining a Dan Yang Pill?" Zhao Zongzhen’s brow furrowed tightly.

In his judgment, the fact that Chen Yue could kill Jiang Linkuo of the Marrow Refining Realm while only at the Bone Forging Realm meant his Qi Blood accumulation had reached a considerable level. If Chen Yue announced a breakthrough to the Marrow Refining Realm today, he wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest; in fact, he would consider it a given.

At the same time, Chen Yue’s near-perfect mastery of refining the Solid Essence Pill showed that his fundamentals in the Alchemy Dao were exceptionally solid. Building on that foundation to take the next step and refine a Dan Yang Pill wouldn’t be strange, either.

But the implications of becoming an Inner Sect Disciple through these two paths were worlds apart.

If he broke through via the martial path, it would mean Chen Yue was already on the cusp of the Marrow Refining Realm, and his talent wasn’t nearly as incredible as they had imagined. They would still have plenty of ways to deal with him.

But if he was promoted through his alchemy, it would mean his proficiency in the Alchemy Dao was not to be underestimated. This was someone progressing on the parallel paths of alchemy and martial arts, making his value far greater than that of an ordinary disciple.

Lv Qianfang shook his head, panting heavily. "It was alchemy, but not the Dan Yang Pill... It was the Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill! The one that’s even harder to make!"

Zhao Zongzhen’s eyes narrowed abruptly, a glint of disbelief flashing within them.

"Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill? Didn’t our investigation show he’s never exchanged for the ingredients for that elixir? All ingredient transactions on Dan Peak are recorded. If he had traded for them, it’s impossible we wouldn’t have found the record."

Lv Qianfang nodded, his expression grim.

"That’s right, there’s no record of him ever exchanging for the ingredients for the Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill, and no one has given him any either. So... it’s very likely he already knew how to refine it all along and was just hiding his skill, only revealing it today!"

Zhao Zongzhen fell silent for a moment upon hearing this.

He set down the Pill Formula, slowly rose to his feet, and began to pace around the courtyard.

His steps were slow, each one landing as if weighed down by his heavy thoughts.

After a few laps, Zhao Zongzhen stopped and took a deep breath. "What a brilliant move. What a calculating mind!"

’First, he used a lightning-fast strike to kill Jiang Linkuo and Cheng Jun, displaying a strength that could not be challenged.’

’Then, he became Meng Yu Jin’s disciple, securing a powerful backer for himself.’

’Finally, he played his trump card—the Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill—using his proficiency in the Alchemy Dao to get promoted directly to an Inner Sect Disciple, completely breaking free from the shackles of his former status.’

’With this, Chen Yue had fully revealed his value. His Martial Dao talent was outstanding, capable of defeating a Marrow Refining Realm cultivator while only at the Bone Forging Realm.’

’His proficiency in the Alchemy Dao was profound, allowing him to refine an advanced elixir like the Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill.’

’In the eyes of a sect like Panshi Sect, this made him a promising talent worthy of being heavily nurtured.’

’If the Mutual Aid Association wanted to make a move against him now, they would have to seriously weigh the consequences.’

Lv Qianfang hesitated for a moment before asking in a low voice,

"Then, Senior Brother Zhao, what should we do next? We planned to go harass that Chen Yue today and put him in his place, but the kid knows the Sect Rules inside and out. He threatened us directly with a mandatory Life and Death Decision."

As he said the words "Life and Death Decision," Lv Qianfang’s expression became visibly unnatural, and his voice dropped a few notches.

Even now, he felt a chill run down his spine whenever he recalled Chen Yue’s icy eyes.

If Chen Yue had been just a bit more ruthless, he would probably be lying dead on the Martial Arts Arena right now, having followed in Jiang Linkuo’s footsteps.

Zhao Zongzhen said nothing in response.

He stood in place, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the Jade Pendant at his waist, his gaze flickering with uncertainty.

’He didn’t know what to do now, either.’

’The plan Lin Junshi had proposed yesterday, to threaten Chen Yue’s friends and family, was no longer a good option.’

’It was an underhanded tactic to begin with, and now Chen Yue had proven he had far too much value.’

’If something were to happen to Chen Yue’s loved ones at this critical juncture, everyone would immediately suspect the Mutual Aid Association, even without any proof.’

’The only path left was a Life and Death Decision—to find a Marrow Refining Realm disciple strong enough to kill Chen Yue openly and legitimately on the Life and Death Platform.’

’But the problem was that Chen Yue was now an Inner Sect Disciple, which gave him more influence and autonomy. If he refused to fight, the Mutual Aid Association couldn’t force him onto the platform.’

’Or... they could abandon their grudge against Chen Yue and just swallow this insult.’

’After a while, no one would even bring it up anymore.’

’Zhao Zongzhen himself could let it go; he wasn’t one to act on impulse. But he wasn’t sure if the senior brothers in the Refining Organ Realm within the Mutual Aid Association would be willing to do the same.’

’Those men were proud and arrogant. Having been publicly humiliated by a mere Bone Forging Realm disciple, they were unlikely to let the matter drop so easily.’

...

At the same time, the news that Chen Yue had successfully refined the Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill and been promoted to an Inner Sect Disciple began to spread from Dan Peak, radiating outward like ripples on water.

A disciple’s promotion from the outer sect to the Inner Sect was hardly a noteworthy event within a behemoth like the Panshi Sect.

After all, the Panshi Sect had a vast number of outer sect disciples and no shortage of Inner Sect Disciples. Promotions and eliminations happened daily, so few would pay any mind to when an ordinary disciple made the transition.

But Chen Yue was different.

Just yesterday, his name had been on the lips of countless disciples. In the dining halls, beside the Martial Arts Arena, and along the mountain paths, people everywhere were discussing this ruthless individual who had fought two against one and killed a Law Enforcement Hall disciple on the Life and Death Platform.

And today, Chen Yue had actually gone and refined the Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill, earning a direct promotion to Inner Sect Disciple!

Some were amazed, some were jealous, some were skeptical, and some cheered him on in secret.

But regardless of their reaction, everyone realized one thing: the clash between this young man named Chen Yue and the Mutual Aid Association was far from over.

It was already past noon when Chen Yue and Yao Jin returned from the Affairs Hall to the Hundred Herbs Pavilion on Dan Peak.

Sunlight streamed in through the tall, latticed windows of the Hundred Herbs Pavilion, casting shafts of light upon the floor. Tiny dust motes floated in the beams, lending an air of tranquility to the hall, which was perpetually filled with the fragrance of herbs.

The scents of dozens of medicinal herbs mingled in the air, weaving together into an aroma unique to Dan Peak.

The moment Chen Yue stepped through the doors of the Hundred Herbs Pavilion, the gazes of nearly every disciple focused on him—or more accurately, on the brand-new Inner Sect disciple’s attire he was wearing.

It was a uniform of deep cyan, with silver cloud patterns adorning the cuffs and lapels, forming a stark contrast to the plain, gray robes of the outer sect disciples.

The fabric was of a much finer quality, lending the wearer a dignified and composed air.

The eyes of many disciples filled with unconcealed envy.

What they envied was not just the status and benefits that came with being an Inner Sect Disciple, but even more so, the level of Alchemy Skill Chen Yue had demonstrated by successfully refining a Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill.

The Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill was an extremely sought-after elixir within the Panshi Sect.

It could both nourish the Divine Soul and enhance one’s cultivation, with significant effects and no side effects. Disciples from both the Marrow Refining Realm and the Refining Organ Realm clamored for it.

Therefore, Dan Peak’s procurement policy for the Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill was to buy as many as could be refined, without any limit.

This meant that as long as Chen Yue was willing, he could earn a steady stream of Contribution Points by refining Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pills and exchange them for all sorts of cultivation resources.

This powerful alchemy ability was the true reason countless Pill Masters were green with envy.

Yao Jin walked to Zhao Weiyuan’s desk and respectfully returned the Waist Token. "Martial Zhao, everything has been taken care of. Senior Brother Chen’s Identity Token and related documents have all been updated."

Zhao Weiyuan nodded, his face impassive. He reached out, took the Waist Token, and fastened it to his waist.

His gaze rested on Chen Yue for a moment, carrying a hint of scrutiny, but he said nothing more before lowering his head and continuing to flip through the scroll in his hands.

Chen Yue paid it no mind, simply cupping his hands in a salute toward Zhao Weiyuan. "Thank you, Martial Zhao."

Then he turned and walked toward the ingredient exchange counter.

The disciple at the exchange counter was looking at a ledger. When he heard footsteps and turned to see it was Chen Yue, his expression immediately grew complicated.

He had already heard that Chen Yue had successfully refined the Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill. Now, seeing the Inner Sect disciple’s robes on Chen Yue, his thoughts were in turmoil.

Not long ago, he’d thought Chen Yue was overly ambitious and impatient, that it would be absolutely impossible for him to refine the Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill. He had even secretly mocked this arrogant newcomer in his heart.

But in reality, not only had Chen Yue succeeded, but he had also used that very elixir to get a direct promotion to Inner Sect Disciple.

He suppressed his conflicting thoughts and forced a smile onto his face. "Junior Brother Chen... no, Senior Brother Chen, what can I exchange for you?"

Chen Yue placed his Identity Token on the counter, his voice calm. "I’d like to exchange for three sets of ingredients for the Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill."

The disciple took the Token, pressed it against the Contribution Spirit Jade, then looked up and explained,

"Senior Brother Chen, six Contribution Points have just been credited to your Waist Token. That’s the reward for the Sect buying back the Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill you refined earlier."

"According to the rules, elixirs refined for promotion can also be sold directly back to Dan Peak. The three sets of ingredients for the Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill cost nine Contribution Points, which have already been deducted."

Chen Yue’s brow twitched slightly. ’He hadn’t expected such a rule—that an elixir, even one slightly damaged from the inspection, could be sold directly back to Dan Peak for Contribution Points without him having to deal with it himself.’

’That certainly saved him a lot of trouble.’

Seeing that Chen Yue had no objections, the disciple turned and retrieved the ingredients for the Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill from the cabinets behind him. A moment later, he handed the packets of herbs to Chen Yue.

Chen Yue took the packets, but instead of leaving right away, he did the same thing as last time, opening each packet one by one in front of the disciple.

His fingers sifted through the ingredients, his gaze focused and serious. He examined and smelled every single herb, only nodding in satisfaction after confirming there were no issues.

Then, he cupped his hands toward the disciple, thanked him, and, carrying the ingredients, turned to walk toward the Pill Furnace he regularly used.