Chapter Fifty-Five: The Great Counterattack (1)

The championship round of the third stage had begun, marking the final contest of the tournament. Xuanqing Sect had originally planned to select the champion first, then proceed with the refining of the Great Huai Pill. However, for reasons unknown, they abruptly changed their minds; this round itself would be the refining of the Great Huai Pill. One must know that the ingredients for this pill were exceptionally precious, and the loss of even a single portion was enough to cause heartache.

Yet, this time, Xuanqing Sect astonishingly provided five complete sets of materials for the Great Huai Pill. Accompanied by Zhang Yuan, the sect master, and others, the sect’s Grand Elder, Master Zhang Wanli, personally arrived at the site, a testament to the importance Xuanqing Sect placed on the Great Huai Pill. Not only was it the crucial medicine to save Zhang Qing, but it was also revered throughout the cultivation world as the ultimate healing elixir. Its value was extraordinary, and thus, no mistake could be tolerated in this final round.

With Master Zhang himself overseeing the proceedings, the atmosphere at the pill-refining site became even more intense. As one of the only few Core Formation experts in Jizhou, his presence added great prestige to the competition.

Although several other influential figures appeared in this last round, drawn by the allure of the ultimate treasure, their real interest lay in seeing who would finally claim the lower-grade treasure artifact. After all, any faction capable of refining the Great Huai Pill would be coveted by all major powers. The influence of such a faction would be immense, demanding careful consideration.

Witnessing the attention the great powers bestowed upon the champion, the members of Miao Manor felt even heavier at heart.

Old Whitehead glanced at Miao Shilin’s darkened face and chuckled cheerfully, “Brother Miao, Geermu was only teasing you. Don’t take it so seriously... Yang Jian is, after all, your cherished disciple. We may be lacking, but we couldn’t possibly take his right arm.”

“...How about this? We don’t wish to go too far. Hand these two children over to our Medicine Garden Pavilion, and all past grievances will be wiped clean. What do you say?” Old Whitehead said magnanimously, gesturing toward Che Wuyou and Liu Lanzhi, clearly indicating his intentions.

“You... absolutely not.” Miao Shilin was furious. He hadn’t expected Old Whitehead to harbor such designs, yet he could never agree to hand over these two, not even at the cost of sacrificing Yang Jian.

Old Whitehead seemed to know Miao Shilin would not consent, so he continued, “Brother Miao, you can see for yourself; with Lan’er’s skill, the Great Huai Pill, though difficult, isn’t beyond her reach.”

“If Lan’er succeeds, and then issues a reward to Xuanqing Sect or all the sects in Jizhou—‘Whoever exterminates Miao Manor shall receive free pill refinement for a year from Geerlan herself, and forever the friendship of Medicine Garden Pavilion.’ With Lan’er’s reputation then, do you not think someone would dare to destroy Miao Manor? I daresay, even Xuanqing Sect, your allies, might be tempted to take action against you. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha...”

Miao Shilin’s expression changed dramatically. Old Whitehead was indeed sinister, and Miao Shilin had not expected him to devise such a cunning scheme. The disciples behind him were all furious; Medicine Garden Pavilion’s bullying was intolerable. Yet, they understood Old Whitehead spoke the truth. Geerlan’s talent was terrifying, and with such gifts, she would inevitably rise in the art of pill refinement, perhaps even become a great master.

If one befriended her while she was still weak, the benefits would be endless. What’s more, her current achievements in pill refinement were already considerable, enough to draw the pursuit of many major powers. Once the Great Huai Pill appeared, all of Jizhou would be shaken. It had been years since such a top-tier yellow-grade pill had emerged. For those below the Core Formation realm, the Great Huai Pill was tantamount to gaining an extra life; even for those in the Core Formation realm, it had great value.

Miao Shilin’s face seemed to age further. Knowing Old Whitehead’s ruthless character, he was fully capable of carrying out his threats—otherwise, how could the vast Medicine Garden Pavilion have fallen into his hands? Was Miao Manor truly doomed by his own hand, despite faithfully following ancestral teachings and living quietly and prudently? Trouble, it seemed, had finally found them.

Miao Shilin was silent for a long time before suddenly calling to Liu Lanzhi, “Come here, your master has something to say to you.” Amidst the crowd’s puzzled gazes, Liu Lanzhi walked to his side...

Could it be that Miao Shilin really intended to hand Liu Lanzhi over? Was there truly no other way out?

Liu Lanzhi leaned in, listening to Miao Shilin for a long time. His voice was low, and he used a minor transmission technique, so no one knew what he said. All they saw was Liu Lanzhi’s face filled with confusion, then she exclaimed loudly, “Master, how can I possibly do that?” and after that, no further words were heard.

The faces of Miao Manor’s members grew even darker. It seemed the master truly intended to send their junior sister to Medicine Garden Pavilion...

The members of Medicine Garden Pavilion watched the scene with satisfied smiles. If Che and Liu joined their ranks, it would not simply mean two talented disciples; in essence, four of Jizhou’s top five pill refiners would belong to Medicine Garden Pavilion, making its name resound far and wide. Even the top powers of Jizhou would hesitate to provoke them, for Medicine Garden Pavilion’s influence would extend beyond the entire region.

This move would not only bring them immense benefit but also strike a heavy blow to Miao Manor. After all, if a sect could not protect its own disciples, who would dare to approach them?

“Master...” Han Feng finally could not endure it. He could not watch Liu Lanzhi be sent to Medicine Garden Pavilion. Before he could speak, Miao Shilin waved his hand, clearly unwilling to hear more.

The contest to refine the Great Huai Pill finally began. This time, there was no time limit; anyone who succeeded would be considered a victor. After all, the Great Huai Pill was no ordinary medicine. In Jizhou, where there were no second-tier pill refiners, it was regarded as a supreme achievement. Though the five contestants were the elite of Jizhou’s pill world, few believed all could succeed—only Geerlan and the Elegant Physician were considered likely.

The five pill refiners approached their task with utmost caution, as if facing a formidable foe. Especially Che Wuyou, whose highest achievement had only been mid-grade yellow pills; he had never dared hope to refine a top-grade yellow pill, knowing it was beyond his abilities.

But now, for Miao Manor, for himself, and even for Lanzhi, he had to give his all. There was no retreat left... Having been abandoned once, could he bear to witness a second abandonment?

Che Wuyou cleared his mind of all distractions, gazing at the pile of ingredients before him, and slowly closed his eyes. He attuned himself to the flow of spiritual energy around him, and to his amazement, he entered once again a state where self and world were forgotten... In his eyes, there were no pills, no people, nothing at all. Only clusters of “spiritual energy forms”—some still, some moving, in every manner imaginable...

This state had appeared before, on the night Senior Brother Yang Cheng died, if only for a moment. When Liu Lanzhi was struck by Yang Cheng and left in uncertain peril, Che Wuyou had suddenly entered this state. It was then he sensed Yang Cheng’s physical condition and revealed to Hongtao and the others the truth of the “man in black.” Now, that state had returned.

Che Wuyou lowered his gaze to the forty-one medicinal ingredients arranged beside him, each transforming in his eyes into a unique spiritual energy form, each with its own hue. He tried observing the other pill refiners; except for Geermu, who appeared indistinct, the rest also became spiritual energy forms, though the degree of energy varied.

He turned his attention to the audience below; aside from Zhang Wanli and Sect Master Zhang Yuan, who were indistinct, everyone else appeared as spiritual energy forms. Che Wuyou was no longer the novice he had been years ago; through study and Miao Shilin’s guidance, he had learned something of spiritual power.

Though the Miao family’s collection never explicitly defined spiritual power, it hinted at its existence, and through Master Miao Shilin, Che Wuyou had learned he possessed second-grade spiritual power... Had his spiritual power advanced again? He pondered this silently. Though he did not feel he had reached third-grade, his sensitivity to the world’s spiritual energy had grown, to the point where he perceived everything as energy forms.

Che Wuyou did not know that spiritual power was notoriously difficult to improve; many experts spend their lives unable to advance. Yet, after suffering injury, his own spiritual power had grown—a rare stroke of fortune. At the time, his wounds were severe, and upon awakening, he focused solely on recuperation, never consolidating his newfound state.

Now, in the intense pressure of the pill competition, once his mind relaxed, he returned to that extraordinary state. Fortunately, luck was with him; had more time passed, he might never have entered this selfless state again, for it is a rare and elusive phenomenon.

Che Wuyou opened his eyes, glanced at the others already refining their pills, and looked at the spectators below. He carefully savored the profound sensation he had just experienced. It was marvelous; if he could refine his pill in that state, he believed he could succeed in making the Great Huai Pill...