The Dao of Reincarnation (76-79) (Patreon)

Chapter 76: The Peerless Pill Venerable (Part 4)

At the village entrance, the morning sun had just risen.

"Brother Chen…"

Su Chen, pack slung over his shoulder, turned at the sound of the voice. A graceful young woman stood there.

"Ah Fang?"

He was genuinely surprised.

"Brother Chen, are you leaving the village?"

Ah Fang managed a smile, though it looked forced.

Su Chen nodded.

"I know you're a martial cultivator. My parents always said one day you would leave."

Ah Fang spoke with her head lowered.

Su Chen fell silent. He was no longer the simple cowherd Su Chen.

"Ah Fang, thank you—and thank Uncle Wang and Aunt Wang for me. I've already spoken with City Lord Nangong. Soon, someone will come to escort your family to the city. You'll live a life of comfort and luxury."

Tears welled in Ah Fang's large eyes. "Brother Chen… may I hug you once?"

Su Chen nodded without refusal.

Ah Fang pleaded in a trembling voice, "Brother Chen… this isn't what I want. I want to leave with you. Please take me with you."

Su Chen shook his head. The world of cultivators was no place for ordinary people. Ah Fang lacked any martial aptitude; she could never become a cultivator. He spoke gently, "Ah Fang, a human life lasts only a hundred years. I am merely a passing traveler. One day, you will meet a boy who moves your heart. You'll marry, have children, and live happily together. Why cling so stubbornly?"

The girl in his arms clung to him desperately. "But none of them are you, Brother Chen. I only like you."

Su Chen left. He knocked Ah Fang unconscious, carried her home, then set off alone on the path of cultivation, slaying monsters and forging his name across the world. Nangong Tao would ensure Ah Fang and her family lived in peace and security for the rest of their days. The journey of life stretched long ahead. He could not pause his steps for any one person.

…

Dragon Firmament Dynasty, Imperial Capital.

Su Chen narrowed his eyes. After three months of traveling and investigating in every direction, he finally understood exactly where he was. After circling around, he had returned to the Eastern Wasteland of the Heavenly Profound Continent.

More than two thousand years had passed, and the Eastern Wasteland had changed dramatically. With the fall of the Profound Origin Sacred Land, only eleven sacred lands had remained in the Eastern Wasteland.

But a thousand years ago, a supremely powerful Saint King from the Central Continent arrived. His title was the Undefeated Saint King—and the name was no exaggeration. He suppressed every sacred land and orthodox lineage in the Eastern Wasteland until none dared raise their heads.

Remarkably, this Saint King turned out to be the sworn brother of an ancestor from a minor sect called the Prison-Suppressing Sect. After helping that small sect avert total destruction, he voluntarily became their guest elder.

With a Saint King overseeing them, the Prison-Suppressing Sect filled the vacancy left by Profound Origin Sacred Land and rose to become Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land. Although the Saint King did not remain long, he left behind profound foundations: a Saint King weapon that could be awakened at will, and several saint-grade artifacts.

Su Chen's mouth twitched. Prison-Suppressing Sect—this was none other than the sect he himself had founded in his fifth life. Back then, he had established it merely to preserve and pass down the Prison-Suppressing Sovereign's inheritance after the sacred land's collapse.

He never imagined that in just over two thousand years it would grow into one of the Eastern Wasteland's dominant sacred land orthodoxies. He had unwittingly become the ancestral founder of a sacred land?

Talk about unexpected success. An unintentional planting had grown into shade. In a way, he had more than fulfilled the dying wish of the old goat-bearded man—the Prison-Suppressing Sovereign.

"What a loyal sworn brother! What a pity he was born in the wrong era."

Su Chen thought to himself. If only in that lifetime, he had held on for a few more centuries until Fang Bubai appeared—perhaps he really could have coasted to victory.

Unfortunately, let alone a few centuries, even exhausting every last resource of the Prison-Suppressing Sect would not have bought him more than a handful of years once his lifespan ran dry.

Su Chen felt a twinge of regret.

"Young master, we've arrived at the imperial capital."

Su Chen paid the fare and stepped down from the carriage. He had come to the Dragon Firmament Dynasty's imperial capital with two main goals.

The first was to participate in the upcoming grand alchemy conference of the dynasty.

Over the past three months, beyond the news of Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land, Su Chen had also pieced together the old man's true identity.

Su Weichang had once been a sixth-grade Pill King alchemist of the Dragon Firmament Dynasty, known far and wide as the Eight Desolations Pill King. His reputation had been resounding, yet luck had never favored him—he was forever second best.

In the end, a single gambling match left him gravely injured, his cultivation plummeting from the Profound Connection Realm to the Spirit Soul Realm. Disheartened, he withdrew from the cultivation world entirely and chose to live in seclusion.

"Old man, just watch carefully. I'll show you how the number-one alchemist is made!"

To wash away the old man's lifelong shame of being second best—that was Su Chen's first goal. His second goal was to use the Dragon Firmament Dynasty as a stepping stone to obtain the qualification to enter the Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land. After all, he was technically the ancestral founder of that sacred land. For now, though, there was a more immediate task at hand.

Su Chen arrived at the entrance of the Alchemist Guild.

"Young master, are you here to take the alchemist assessment?"

A beautiful maid greeted him with a warm smile. The young man before her clearly came from an affluent background; the aura around him made it impossible for anyone to look down on him.

Su Chen nodded.

"Su Chen. Assessing for first-grade alchemist."

First-grade alchemists were far from rare in the imperial capital. The maid quickly escorted him through the registration process.

Moments later, Su Chen emerged from the alchemy chamber, a first-grade alchemist badge now pinned to his chest.

"Next, second-grade alchemist assessment."

Less than a few hours passed.

"Third-grade alchemist assessment."

In under half a day, Su Chen walked out again and stated calmly, "Fourth-grade alchemist assessment."

One day, four grades.

The entire Alchemist Guild was thrown into an uproar. This youth intended to challenge the fourth-grade rank!

The staff could no longer handle it on their own. Fourth-grade alchemists held an exalted status in the Dragon Firmament Dynasty. They hurriedly summoned the vice guild master. The vice guild master arrived, accompanied by several genius alchemists of the guild.

"You're the one requesting the fourth-grade assessment?"

The vice guild master looked astonished.

Su Chen nodded.

The vice guild master cautioned, "Fourth-grade alchemist is no easy rank to achieve. Every year, many are seriously injured during the attempt. With the alchemy conference approaching, are you certain you wish to proceed?"

Su Chen remained resolute. "This junior would like to try."

The vice guild master did not press further. He led Su Chen to the alchemy chamber.

One day later.

The Alchemist Guild trembled with shock. When Su Chen emerged once more, a gleaming fourth-grade alchemist badge adorned his chest. There was no doubt—he had succeeded. In less than two days, an ordinary young man had transformed into a revered fourth-grade alchemist. Such a thing had never occurred in the entire history of the Dragon Firmament Dynasty. It was a miracle destined to be recorded forever in the annals of the Alchemist Guild.

The vice guild master felt a surge of admiration and spoke with genuine warmth. "Young friend, do you have a master?"

Su Chen thought of the old man and nodded. "This junior is a disciple of the Eight Desolations Pill King."

"What a pity… wait—what did you just say?"

The vice guild master's eyes widened in disbelief. The entire guild fell deathly silent, everyone doubting their own ears.

"Eight Desolations Pill King?"

"Isn't that the legendary Pill King senior of our Dragon Firmament Dynasty? He vanished without a trace two hundred years ago!"

"Hiss! So he's the disciple of a Pill King—no wonder, no wonder!"

In an instant, every gaze directed at Su Chen changed completely.

A sixth-grade alchemist… a Pill King-level master. Even in the entire Dragon Firmament Dynasty, such figures could be counted on one hand—and among them, the Eight Desolations Pill King had once ranked second!

Chapter 77: The Peerless Pill Venerable (Part 5)

Passing four grades in a single breath made perfect sense once everyone learned he was a Pill King's disciple.

While the crowd busied themselves making excuses for him, Su Chen spoke up abruptly.

"Senior, I would also like to assess for a fifth-grade alchemist."

The vice guild master studied Su Chen's face and saw no trace of jest. His expression grew solemn. "You're certain? What are your odds?"

"More than fifty percent," Su Chen replied.

In truth, it was closer to ninety-nine, but he saw no need to crush the black-haired elder's spirits. Fifty percent was already impressive in an alchemist assessment. Most candidates considered themselves fortunate to have even twenty or thirty percent confidence.

"The fifth-grade assessment is extremely rigorous. Under normal circumstances, one must apply to the Sacred Assembly for qualification… but our guild holds one emergency slot that bypasses that requirement. As a disciple of the Eight Desolations Pill King, you won't be denied it."

Su Chen understood the implication and bowed slightly. "Many thanks, senior."

The vice guild master smiled warmly. "I've already informed the guild master. He should return to the capital tomorrow. A fifth-grade assessment requires his personal supervision."

Su Chen had no choice but to wait one more day.

A bombshell spread throughout the imperial capital overnight. The long-vanished disciple of the Eight Desolations Pill King had appeared at the Alchemist Guild!

In the entire Dragon Firmament Dynasty, Pill Kings could be counted on one hand. They stood at the absolute pinnacle of attention.

Somewhere in the dynasty, a silver-haired middle-aged man read the report and let a faint smile curve his lips.

"Junior brother… so this is the disciple you spoke of. Not yet twenty, and already challenging fifth-grade alchemist. Truly a heaven-defying talent… but Qing'er is no less gifted in the pill dao. Defeating her won't be so simple. I'm genuinely looking forward to it."

A gentle breeze brushed his face, sending his white robes fluttering. Six gleaming stars adorned the alchemist badge on his chest. The number-one alchemist of the imperial family, the foremost Pill King of the contemporary Dragon Firmament Dynasty.

Ghost Valley Pill King!

…

The next day.

Su Chen arrived at the Alchemist Guild for the fifth-grade assessment. He met the guild master—another sixth-grade Pill King. The man had narrow, smiling eyes, a round belly, and an affable appearance. This kindly-looking fat man was none other than the Blazing Embers Pill King.

Facing a sixth-grade Pill King, Su Chen remained perfectly composed and unruffled. The Blazing Embers Pill King's regard for him rose another notch. Few people could maintain such calm in the presence of a Pill King.

"So the old ghost Eight Desolations has finally taken on a promising disciple. That geezer's eye for talent was never wrong."

The Blazing Embers Pill King spoke familiarly, as though he and the old man had known each other for decades, laughing heartily in praise.

Su Chen accepted the compliment without much reaction. Sixth-grade alchemists held immense prestige in the Dragon Firmament Dynasty. Yet he had personally witnessed eighth-grade alchemists—two of them, even within the ancient clan. A mere sixth-grade simply could not stir his emotions.

The Blazing Embers Pill King did not dwell on it; after all, the youth already had a Pill King for a master.

The assessment began swiftly. Though Su Chen's current cultivation stood only at the Spirit Sea Realm, refining a fifth-grade pill posed no difficulty.

Three days later, a crimson pill rested before him, wreathed in faint flames, its surface glossy and perfectly rounded.

"The younger generation truly surpasses the old!"

The Blazing Embers Pill King sighed with genuine emotion and smiled. "Congratulations. You have passed the fifth-grade alchemist assessment and become the youngest fifth-grade alchemist in the history of the Dragon Firmament Dynasty. Given time, you will surely eclipse us old fogies. You came to the capital this time to participate in the dynasty's grand alchemy conference, I presume?"

Su Chen nodded.

The Blazing Embers Pill King continued, "With you in the mix, those young ones are going to have headaches. Even I'm looking forward to seeing how the conference unfolds."

Su Chen registered for the conference at the guild. With half a month remaining until it began, he decided to stay in the capital for the time being.

News of Su Chen spread like wildfire across the Dragon Firmament Dynasty: a fifth-grade alchemist not yet twenty, backed by a Pill King master. Major powers quickly took notice and dispatched envoys in attempts to recruit or befriend him.

Su Chen, however, showed no interest. His ambitions had never been confined to the Dragon Firmament Dynasty.

"Strange… the old man's reputation carries this much weight?"

Su Chen found it puzzling. He had not forgotten that the imperial family harbored the number-one alchemist who had once cost the old man everything. With such a powerful enemy still alive, how could so many forces dare approach him so openly and eagerly? There had to be something more to it.

Unfortunately, no matter how much Su Chen investigated, he uncovered nothing concrete. Only by meeting that person face-to-face might the full truth come to light. The good news was that no one had come looking for trouble, and he was spared the constant threat of being hunted. Soon, the day of the grand alchemy conference arrived.

Su Chen finally laid eyes on the alchemy prodigies of the Dragon Firmament Dynasty. Most of them were third-grade alchemists, with only a rare few reaching fourth-grade. Then one figure appeared and instantly drew every gaze in the venue.

The woman wore a moon-white silk skirt that flowed gracefully with her lithe figure. Her features were exquisite, her skin fairer than snow, and the five-star badge on her chest outshone even her captivating curves.

Song Wanqing approached Su Chen. She lifted a jade hairpin to secure her long, black hair, tilting her slender swan-like neck. A few stray strands fell against her skin, carrying an air of quiet arrogance.

"Su Chen, I've heard of your reputation—the youngest fifth-grade alchemist, disciple of the Eight Desolations Pill King.

"My master says you will be my greatest rival, that we will contend for first place at this conference.

"Su Chen, let me make this clear: I, Song Wanqing, will defeat you—just as my master once defeated the Eight Desolations Pill King."

"…"

Su Chen barely registered her words. His attention had been captured by someone else. On the elevated platform, amid the gathered alchemists, sat a silver-haired middle-aged man. He too turned his gaze toward Su Chen and offered a gentle, kindly smile—the exact look one gave to a promising junior.

Su Chen muttered inwardly, "So the old man really does have quite a story."

Seeing Su Chen's distracted expression, Song Wanqing's delicate brows shot up, her chest rising and falling with indignation. "Su Chen, are you even listening to me?"

Su Chen glanced at the woman who had shifted in an instant from graceful composure to fierce temper. "Mm-hmm, I'm listening. Go on."

Song Wanqing: "…"

She felt utterly humiliated. Ever since hearing of Su Chen, she had regarded him as her archenemy. She had spoken so many words, even issuing a formal challenge. Yet the person she cared about most had not paid the slightest attention to anything she said.

"Su Chen, I will definitely defeat you!"

Song Wanqing stamped her foot and let out a cold snort.

Su Chen: "Oh."

That single word made her explode. Hair practically standing on end, she lunged straight at him.

Chapter 78: The Peerless Pill Venerable (Part 6)

Su Chen felt utterly speechless. He sidestepped Song Wanqing's furious strike with ease.

"Miss, this is our first meeting. Isn't this progressing a little too quickly?"

Song Wanqing glared at his face, barely restraining the urge to tear it apart. The alchemy conference was about to begin, and the prompt inviting participants inside sounded at just the right moment.

She forced herself to calm down. "Self-obsessed fool."

She was a noble alchemist. How could she stoop to brawling like some crude martial brute? She would defeat Su Chen openly and honorably on the stage of the alchemy conference—and wash away the old humiliation once and for all!

Watching Song Wanqing storm off in a huff, Su Chen reflected that women truly were baffling creatures.

"She must be Ghost Valley Pill King's disciple."

Su Chen made the educated guess, then followed the crowd inside. The rules of the alchemy conference were straightforward: each participant drew a random pill formula at random, starting from first-grade, then second-grade, third-grade, and so on.

It was an elimination format that tested not only control of fire but also adaptability. Every pill had its own unique refinement method, and bad luck alone could eliminate even mediocre alchemists on lower-grade formulas.

To Su Chen, such a conference was a rare opportunity for ordinary alchemists—good fortune might even let them learn new formulas.

"Alchemists really are loaded."

The last event this extravagant had been the disciple selection of Profound Origin Sacred Land, where they set out an ancient Profound Origin Stele for participants to comprehend techniques and martial skills from.

First-grade… second-grade… third-grade… fourth-grade pills posed no challenge to Su Chen. By the time they reached fifth-grade pills, only nine people remained on the field.

Su Chen successfully produced his fifth-grade pill, followed shortly by Song Wanqing. Most of the others had already been eliminated by furnace explosions, but with Profound Connection Realm powerhouses standing guard, the blasts caused little real disturbance.

"I did it… I actually did it!"

A disheveled young man clutched a purple pill in both hands, dancing with joy and laughing wildly. "I finally refined a fifth-grade pill!"

Su Chen recognized him as one of the youths who followed Blazing Embers Pill King—most likely his disciple. By sheer luck, he had now half-stepped into the realm of fifth-grade alchemists.

The competition reached its final stage. The remaining three would each refine their signature pill using their most proficient technique. The highest-quality product would claim victory.

Su Chen chose the Heavenly Yang Tyrant Body Pill—a fifth-grade formula personally created by Su Weichang. It was notoriously difficult to refine, and it was precisely this pill that had once cost the old man his victory against Ghost Valley Pill King.

"If I win with this pill, it will settle one of the old man's lingering regrets."

With that thought, Su Chen focused entirely on the refinement.

Song Wanqing had the same idea. She began refining the pill that had made her master famous: the All-Heavens Spirit-Condensing Pill!

Seeing both of them choose fifth-grade pills, Blazing Embers Pill King's disciple gritted his teeth and reluctantly followed suit.

But luck did not favor him twice. A single misstep soon caused his furnace to explode violently. Fortunately, a Profound Connection Realm expert intervened in time, sparing him from serious injury—or worse.

In the end, only Su Chen and Song Wanqing remained.

From the platform, Blazing Embers Pill King chuckled. "These two little ones really do take after you and your junior brother back in the day!"

Ghost Valley Pill King gave a helpless smile, though anticipation gleamed in his eyes.

Which of the two would come out on top?

Three days passed quickly.

Song Wanqing successfully completed her All-Heavens Spirit-Condensing Pill. Relief washed over her. The formula's difficulty was immense—even she could not guarantee success every time. Fortunately, this attempt had succeeded, and the quality was quite good.

She glanced sideways at Su Chen and saw that he was still refining. Suddenly, his furnace shot upward and burst apart with a resounding bang.

"He failed?"

Song Wanqing stared in shock, a storm of complicated emotions rising in her chest.

Disappointment… anger…

For far too long, she had been hailed as the foremost genius alchemist of the Dragon Firmament Dynasty. Her talent in the Pill Dao even surpassed that of her master, Ghost Valley Pill King. Su Chen's emergence had made her believe—for the first time—that she might finally meet a true equal.

Yet her rival had committed the rookie mistake of a furnace explosion. It left her profoundly disappointed.

A few coughs sounded from within the smoke. Golden rays suddenly burst outward from the haze, bathing the entire arena in brilliant light.

Su Chen stepped forward, cradling a golden pill in his palm. Golden veins crisscrossed its surface, radiating an overbearing aura of power. A halo of light enveloped the pill, suspending it perfectly at the center of his hand.

Silence fell over the crowd of alchemists like a grave. Even Song Wanqing stood frozen, clutching the pill she had once taken such pride in. It slipped from her fingers and rolled across the ground unnoticed.

"Pill veins… he actually produced a pill with pill veins!"

Pill veins were the stuff of legend among alchemists—the pinnacle of perfection. A single pill bearing them could easily fetch ten times its normal value. But value was secondary. This was an alchemist's supreme honor, a convergence of timing, location, and harmony that few ever achieved.

Song Wanqing did not wait for the official verdict. She turned and walked off the stage without looking back. The outcome needed no announcement.

Su Chen claimed first place in the alchemy conference. He was now hailed as the greatest alchemy prodigy the Dragon Firmament Dynasty had ever seen.

Endless powers sent envoys offering him positions and resources, all of which he politely declined.

At last, a familiar figure approached. Ghost Valley Pill King had come to find him.

"If you don't mind, you may call me Martial Uncle."

Ghost Valley Pill King spoke with a warm smile.

Su Chen blinked in confusion.

Ghost Valley Pill King sighed. "In truth, your master—the Eight Desolations Pill King—and I are martial brothers. We studied under the same teacher. I was the senior; he was the junior."

"Greetings, Martial Uncle."

Seeing the sincerity in Ghost Valley Pill King's eyes and sensing no hidden agenda, Su Chen followed the flow of conversation. "Martial Uncle Ghost Valley, I would like to know what really happened back then. Why did Master suffer such a drastic reduction in lifespan?"

Faced with Su Chen's clear desire for the truth, Ghost Valley Pill King did not conceal anything.

The full story came to light.

After losing to Ghost Valley Pill King at the alchemy conference years ago, the old man had fallen into obsession. He became fixated on defeating his senior brother, only to be drawn into Prince Cheng's rebellion. He supplied pills to the prince's cause—until Ghost Valley Pill King intervened and exposed the scheme. Realizing he had been used and already crushed by his earlier defeat, the old man's state of mind shattered completely. He chose to vanish into seclusion.

Su Chen: "…"

So the old man had been that bold in his youth—joining a rebellion and somehow surviving. Losing a major realm of cultivation was practically a light punishment.

Ghost Valley Pill King asked quietly, "How is your master doing these days?"

Su Chen shook his head. "Master has reached the end of his lifespan. He may rest among the mountains and rivers, or perhaps by the sea."

A flicker of sorrow passed through Ghost Valley Pill King's eyes. He murmured softly, "Junior brother… junior brother, why did you have to torment yourself like this?"

Chapter 79: The Peerless Pill Venerable (Part 7)

Ghost Valley Pill King asked, "What are your plans next, nephew?"

Su Chen replied, "First, I want to defeat you, Martial Uncle. After that, I'll head to Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land."

Ghost Valley Pill King showed no anger—only delighted laughter. "Good. I'll be waiting for that day. Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land is a fine choice. I had even planned to secure you a spot for advanced training at the Central Continent's Pill God Hall. But it seems you already have your own path in mind."

Su Chen nodded. The Pill God Hall was one of the premier alchemy sanctuaries in the Central Continent—technically more prestigious.

Yet Su Chen placed greater faith in Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land. Over the following three years, he remained in the imperial capital to cultivate. Thanks to his status as an alchemist, cultivation resources were never scarce. His realm advanced steadily until he broke through to the Spirit Soul Realm.

At last, Su Chen sought out Ghost Valley Pill King once more.

The older man was not surprised by his arrival. He smiled warmly. "Are you ready?"

Su Chen nodded.

Only one spectator witnessed the contest.

Song Wanqing watched as her master and the youth named Su Chen began refining pills at the same moment, competing head-to-head.

"Perhaps… this is what a true genius looks like."

A bitter smile tugged at Song Wanqing's lips. She had heard her master say that real alchemy prodigies existed only in the great sacred lands—monsters far beyond her reach. She had once believed herself their equal. Now she realized she had been gazing at the sky from the bottom of a well.

Su Chen successfully produced a sixth-grade pill. The technique he employed left even Ghost Valley Pill King in awe.

Both pills were of superior quality. Yet Ghost Valley Pill King smiled gently and said, "I have lost."

Su Chen was far younger than he was. To reach such heights in the art of alchemy at his age meant his future was limitless.

"Su Chen, my nephew—will you truly not reconsider the Pill God Hall?"

Ghost Valley Pill King spoke with genuine regret. With Su Chen's talent, the Pill God Hall could offer unparalleled nurturing. Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land was respectable, but when it came to the depth of alchemical heritage, it could not compare.

Unfortunately, Su Chen's mind was made up. He could only decline.

When Su Chen departed the Dragon Firmament Dynasty, no one—except Song Wanqing—knew that a private alchemy duel had taken place, ending in the defeat of the dynasty's foremost alchemist, Ghost Valley Pill King.

"Master… I wish to go to the Central Continent!"

Song Wanqing spoke with firm determination. She longed to see a broader world.

Ghost Valley Pill King rose to his feet and lowered his gaze. Softly, he said, "Very well… it is time we left the Dragon Firmament Dynasty as well. This debt of gratitude—I no longer owe it to them."

…

Su Chen left the Dragon Firmament Dynasty and set out directly for the Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land. After a year and a half of travel, he finally arrived. The sacred land happened to be recruiting disciples.

"Age twenty-one? Sorry, our assessment requires applicants to be twenty or younger."

The recruiting elder did not even lift his head.

"Well… actually, I am also an alchemist."

The elder raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. When he looked up, he saw a white-robed youth casually polishing a badge on his chest with an indifferent expression.

Six gleaming stars shone brightly in the sunlight.

The elder's eyes widened. The stern face that rarely smiled suddenly bloomed into a radiant grin, as bright as a chrysanthemum in full bloom.

"A sixth-grade alchemist? You're a Pill King? Such a young Pill King?"

Watching the elder beam like an idiot, Su Chen casually pinned the badge back to his chest and asked, "Elder, may I participate in the assessment?"

The elder slapped the table. "Assessment? Assess my foot! You're already a disciple of Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land—an inner disciple, no less! I'm reporting this to the sacred land right now. An elder will definitely come out of seclusion to take you as a true disciple!"

The other applicants: "…"

Noticing the stares, the elder waved a hand dismissively. "What are you all looking at? If any of you were a sixth-grade alchemist, I'd accept you even if you were fifty!"

Soon, an elder rushed off in a frenzy to notify the sacred land. Moments later, Su Chen was escorted inside. Compared to more than two thousand years ago, the Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land had changed dramatically.

A rosy-cheeked, white-haired elder tore through space and appeared beside him in an instant. Without ceremony, the old man reached out and felt Su Chen's bones.

"Seven Apertures Exquisite Body… bone age truly twenty-one. A once-in-a-century alchemy prodigy!"

Before long, the void trembled again. A black-robed man appeared, a sword case strapped to his back.

The rosy-cheeked elder cursed the moment he saw him. "Hey, kid! What is Sword-Hiding Peak doing here?"

The black-robed man spoke slowly and calmly. "This little fellow has the Seven Apertures Exquisite Body—cultivation will come twice as fast with half the effort. Sword-Hiding Peak is sorely lacking such talent."

"Little brother, would you like to practice the sword? Become a sword cultivator? Roam ten thousand li with a single swing, free and unfettered between heaven and earth?"

The elder spat. "Bullshit! You lot are so poor you have to buy spirit wine on credit. All you know is swindling and cheating. You want this alchemy genius to slave away for Sword-Hiding Peak? In your dreams!"

He turned back to Su Chen. "Join my Pill Hall, and every disciple of Sword-Hiding Peak will be your personal servant."

The black-robed man's face darkened instantly, murderous aura leaking from him. The elder calmly produced a spirit contract. Seeing it, the black-robed man slunk away without another word.

More powerhouses arrived in quick succession.

The elder wasted no breath.

"Saber Hall? Have you paid back last month's spirit stones yet?"

"Law Enforcement Hall? Believe me or not, next month Pill Hall cancels all discounts for you!"

"Spirit Martial Peak? Don't even think about cooperating with Pill Hall for your next martial technique cultivation!"

"…"

"Sacred Lord? Doesn't matter. No spirit stones next time, don't come begging me!"

The Prison-Suppressing Sacred Lord pinched his nose. He had only been passing by. He left as quietly as he had come.

Su Chen watched the ferocious old man single-handedly chase off one powerhouse after another until they all slunk away dejected. A faint smile touched his lips.

From Prison-Suppressing Sect to Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land—the Pill Hall's dominance had never changed. He formally took the old man as his master.

The elder was titled Myriad Forms Pill Venerable, Hall Master of Pill Hall, and the foremost alchemist of Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land.

In a single day, Su Chen leaped three ranks and became a true disciple. When the young prodigies of the sacred land heard the news, most would have tested any other newcomer to see how much weight he carried—especially with so many inner disciples yearning for true disciple status. But the moment they learned he came from Pill Hall, every trace of dissatisfaction vanished. Only one thought remained.

Get close to him!

What did they want true disciple status for, anyway?

Better cultivation resources.

And where did those resources come from?

Pill Hall, of course!

Who wouldn't want to hug such a thick thigh?

Even the sacred land's ranked true disciples were alarmed. They personally arrived bearing gifts to congratulate the new true disciple.

Su Chen suddenly realized something. In the cultivation world, having a bit of talent really did make all the difference. Being an alchemist felt far more exhilarating than slogging it out as a crude martial brute.