Chapter Sixty: An Age of Turmoil Approaches, and Demons Rise (Part 1)

This man was none other than Che Wuyou’s “master,” Miao Shilin. As he gazed at Che Wuyou, who was beginning to show his brilliance in the small training ground, a complex expression surfaced on his aged face. There was a trace of mockery, and perhaps a hint of bitterness. After a while, he murmured to himself, “The Medicine King Constitution… the Medicine King Constitution indeed.”

This was the second time Miao Shilin had uttered these words, and it would also be the last in his life. The first time had been when he discovered that Che Wuyou possessed second-grade spiritual power. Six years had passed since then, and now those memories of Che Wuyou’s arrival at the Miao family came flooding back. At that time, he had been just a child—ignorant and innocent.

The image of Che Wuyou as a child and the young man he had become flashed rapidly through Miao Shilin’s mind, merging at last into the proud figure standing upon the dais. Miao Shilin gave a slight shiver, as if struck by a sudden chill. If only he had chosen differently back then—could everything have been different now? But he had made his decision, and now it was too late for regrets…

Miao Shilin felt that he ought to act, to make some kind of amends, or at least to give himself some peace of mind. He slowly stood up, his eyes filled with admiration as he looked at the awkward youth standing on the training ground. Finally, he took the lead and began to applaud, saying, “Good child, you did well. You have won the championship for our Miao Manor and rendered great service to us. Miao Manor is proud of you.”

With Miao Shilin’s words, the people of the Miao family finally came back to themselves. Though still somewhat bewildered, they began to cheer for Che Wuyou. After all, a victory was cause for true happiness.

Perhaps this was the first time Miao Shilin had ever praised Che Wuyou so openly. Che Wuyou felt both embarrassed and at a loss. Had he really accomplished some great deed for the Miao family? Had he finally gained his master’s approval? Only, that recognition seemed to have come far too late.

Looking down from the dais, Che Wuyou saw the pride shining on the faces of his senior brothers and sisters. Warmth spread through his heart. For the first time, he felt a taste of “home.” For the first time, he thought all his years of hardship had been worthwhile.

“What nonsense!” An abrupt, discordant voice cut off the Miao family’s celebrations. Ge Ermu, his expression unpleasant, said, “Since when did your Miao Manor win the championship? It’s not even certain whether this boy Hai Yuan has refined a Great Nourishing Pill. Do you really think a mere lad could produce a top-grade Great Nourishing Pill of the highest quality?”

Ge Ermu didn’t realize the youth on the dais was Che Wuyou; he assumed his name was Hai Yuan. As an alchemist in the Core Formation realm, his words carried weight. The crowd began to murmur, clearly doubting that a youth could craft a Great Nourishing Pill of such superb quality.

Just then, all eyes were drawn to a figure in pure white on the training ground. Slightly shy, she nonetheless bravely met their gaze and called out loudly to the crowd, “I can help appraise the pill… If I make any mistakes, I hope the seniors here will correct me.”

Ge Erlan, dressed in flawless white, was like an immaculate fairy. The crowd, seeing the utter purity in her eyes, instinctively nodded. Clearly, Ge Erlan’s abilities had awed them. To be capable of refining both the Great Nourishing Pill and a pill of the highest quality, she certainly had the skills and authority to appraise such medicine.

Though she was young, the crowd unconsciously overlooked her age, seeing her as a grand master of alchemy. In the cultivation world, after all, strength was what truly mattered.

Seeing no objections, Ge Erlan accepted the pill from the appraiser and examined it closely. After a long moment, she spoke: “The color is pure, the form round and plump, spiritual energy contained within, its radiance soaring heavenward. It is like a perfect work of art—untouched by carving, fresh and natural. It surpasses first-grade pills by a whole level. I am certain it is a top-grade Yellow-class pill of the highest tier!”

“I agree! It is the highest tier of top-grade Yellow-class pills!” The Fair Physician, looking somewhat weary, had the option to form a pill herself, but for reasons unknown, she had refrained. Standing behind Ge Erlan, she stared at the radiant pill in Ge Erlan’s hands, feeling both a sense of loss and a curious lightness.

This time, the crowd erupted completely. With two heavyweight figures of the Jizhou alchemy world simultaneously confirming the pill’s supreme quality, there was no more room for doubt. A top-grade Yellow-class pill of the highest tier! Such a peerless elixir was worth several fine treasure artifacts, if not more.

Zhang Wanli, the True Master Zhang, drew a sharp breath. He’d been watching the events on stage from the start, and when both women confirmed the pill’s grade, he too was stunned. This year’s alchemy competition had turned into quite the spectacle. Not only had four Great Nourishing Pills been produced, but one was of the very highest tier. A Great Nourishing Pill of the highest quality—he’d have to sell everything he owned to get even one, yet now it lay right before his eyes.

In an instant, Zhang Wanli made a decision. He nearly shouted at the elite disciples of the Xuanqing Sect beside him, “Quick, secure the area! Guard the Great Nourishing Pill! If anyone attempts anything suspicious—execute them without mercy!” Even before finishing, he himself sped toward the training ground like a wisp of smoke. At a time like this, he could hardly trust his subordinates. Such a priceless pill demanded his personal protection—only then could he feel truly at ease.

After completing her appraisal, Ge Erlan offered Che Wuyou a shy smile before descending from the dais. Che Wuyou watched her deeply, feeling certain this little girl was anything but simple. Logically, anyone capable of making a pill of the highest tier shouldn’t have produced only a third-grade Great Nourishing Pill, and yet that was precisely what Ge Erlan had done. He couldn’t help but be puzzled.

Han Feng watched Che Wuyou standing at the center of the training ground, momentarily lost. Wasn’t it supposed to be him standing there, basking in the attention of the multitudes? The heavens were truly cruel, playing such a joke on him—one he found not the least bit amusing.

“From childhood, I was hailed as a prodigy in alchemy. I’ve worked hard for years and shown great talent in this path. Among my fellow disciples at the Miao family, I’ve always been at the forefront in alchemical skill.”

“But what use is any of that? After more than thirty years immersed in alchemy, I’ve been defeated by a child who’s only been learning the craft for a few years—and one whom I considered to have the weakest aptitude.” With these thoughts, Han Feng nearly broke down.

He’d almost forgotten why he’d come up to the training ground in the first place. Distracted and unsettled, he glanced down at the crowd. Whenever his eyes met someone else’s, he could keenly sense the contempt and ridicule in their gaze. Han Feng felt sweat trickling down his back. He knew he had once again become the laughingstock of the alchemy competition, yet he could not understand why, every time, it was always he who was wounded most deeply.

A surge of resentment rose within him toward the pill appraiser. If not for the appraiser’s nonsense, he would never have made such a fool of himself. Yet his resentment toward Che Wuyou was even greater. If not for this person’s participation, he would have been in good spirits—perhaps even taken home a fine result.

At last Han Feng found a corner where no one was watching and tried to slip away, hoping to escape the embarrassment of being the center of attention. But it seemed someone was unwilling to let him go so easily…

The pill appraiser, now reassured after Ge Erlan and the Fair Physician had both confirmed his judgment, looked at Che Wuyou with genuine appreciation. This generation was truly remarkable—someone had actually managed to craft a top-grade Great Nourishing Pill of the highest tier, a true eye-opener.

As he was marveling, he suddenly caught sight of Han Feng trying to sneak away. He bellowed, “You scoundrel, where do you think you’re going?” He remembered clearly how this young man had stormed onto the training ground in a frenzy, and how he had dared to claim that the pill he’d judged as top-tier was merely a low-grade Yellow-class pill.

“All right, even if I really did make such a mistake, you’re hardly qualified to point it out. Only someone of great reputation or standing in the Jizhou alchemy world—someone like Hai Yuan, Ge Erlan, Liu Lanzhi, Ge Ermu, or the Fair Physician—would have the right to challenge my judgment. But you? What right have you, an ignorant upstart, to call out my errors?” The more the appraiser dwelled on it, the angrier he became. He had no patience for anyone who dared damage his reputation.

With the appraiser’s thunderous shout, all eyes shifted from Che Wuyou to Han Feng. Han Feng’s attempt to slip away was abruptly halted. Awkwardly, he met the crowd’s gaze, uncertain what to do next. It was like a thief, believing he’d gotten away with his crime, suddenly discovering dozens of eyes watching his every move—the embarrassment was beyond words.

Seeing Han Feng’s furtive, crestfallen appearance, the crowd recalled his earlier bluster as he stormed the training ground, and at last could restrain themselves no longer. A tremendous wave of laughter erupted, as piercing as the sharpest treasure, striking Han Feng until his limbs went limp and his face flushed with shame. Unable to bear the humiliation a moment longer, Han Feng gave a loud cry, ignored the pill appraiser’s continued scolding, and bolted from the scene, vanishing from sight in an instant.