Chapter 83: The Struggle for the Elixirs (2)

The six great experts of the Tianshan Sword Sect hesitated briefly before descending onto an open patch of ground more than thirty yards from Che Wuyou. They did not immediately rush forward to snatch the Restoration Pill. It was not that they cared little for the pill—rather, they were deeply wary of Li Ruohan. They had been terrified by this suspected Demon Lord, the King of Vajra Hands from the Demonic Sect.

Even when the Restoration Pill was in their hands, this Demon Lord had forced them to lose it midway. Now that the pill was not even in their possession, how could they know what other fearsome tricks Li Ruohan might have up his sleeve?

"Let others fight for it first. When the struggle reaches its peak, we’ll seize the pill amidst the chaos," the Tianshan Sword Sect members exchanged guarded glances with Li Ruohan, communicating silently among themselves.

Seeing that the experts of the Tianshan Sword Sect made no move, the other sects also hesitated. As if by tacit agreement, they all stopped at a distance, more than thirty yards from Che Wuyou. After all, the Tianshan Sword Sect’s reputation preceded them. As one of the four great sword sects—the Tianshan Sword Sect in the south, along with the Huashan Sword Sect in the Central Plains, the Qingchi Sword Sect from the southern territories, and the Sword Sect of the Northern Wastes—their influence was still deeply felt among the southern factions.

As a first-rate power in the southern provinces, the Tianshan Sword Sect would not send weaklings to seize the Restoration Pill. Since even they dared not act rashly, there must be a deeper reason. Though the surrounding onlookers could not gauge each other’s strength, seeing the Tianshan Sword Sect so cautious was enough to make them wary of acting impulsively themselves.

Li Ruohan, too, paused near Che Wuyou, casting a wicked glance at the Tianshan Sword Sect crowd before turning his gaze to an old monk not far away. His eyes narrowed slightly.

He had little regard for the Tianshan Sword Sect, but the old monk standing quietly to the southwest commanded his caution. The monk was as silent and unmoving as a great mountain—Li Ruohan could not fathom his depth. How could such a formidable figure be entirely unknown to him? Where had he come from?

"Venerable monk, you, too, as a man of the cloth, wish to join this commotion and lay claim to the Restoration Pill?" Li Ruohan smirked, his tone mocking. "There are no Buddhist cultivators in the southern territories. How should I address you? And what brings you here?"

"Amitabha," the old monk intoned, his voice calm. "My Dharma name is Huichan. In recent years, I have wandered the world, compelled by whim. Yet today, passing through this place, I sensed an unusually evil aura. I followed it here, only to discover, much to my unease, that the source inexplicably vanished upon my arrival. It is most strange, truly most strange."

The old monk’s gaze was serene as he spoke, hiding nothing of his purpose.

"So, you are Master Huichan. Since you have not come for the Restoration Pill, then I hope you won’t be tempted later," Li Ruohan said, his eyes fixed intently on the monk.

"I will not, I will not. Amitabha," Master Huichan replied with a smile, shaking his head.

Hearing the old monk’s assurance, Li Ruohan relaxed slightly. He turned his attention back to Che Wuyou. Should he make the first move? Even if the monk did not interfere, it would be extremely difficult to seize the pill under the watchful eyes of so many experts.

If he were uninjured, he might take the gamble. But after using his art to divine the whereabouts of the Heavenly Demon Pill, he had been struck by a bolt of lightning, leaving him gravely wounded. In his current state, success seemed unlikely. Moreover, there was no telling if the monk’s words were sincere. If the monk intervened at the critical moment, how would he respond?

"Little thief, hand over the Restoration Pill now, or I’ll skin you alive," Bai Hansong snarled, glaring viciously at Che Wuyou. "You cunning brat, you brought the pill all the way to Jizhou—no wonder we couldn’t find you! You were so good at running, why have you stopped now? Run, I dare you."

Bai Hansong’s cold laughter was filled with hatred for the young beggar, who had not only caused him to lose face but also earned him the scorn of his peers. Worst of all, the brat had witnessed his humiliating flight from Zhang Wei. If given the chance, Bai Hansong would not hesitate to erase this nuisance from existence.

"Young beggar, you’d best hand over the pill. Otherwise, you’ll lose more than just the pill—you’ll lose your life as well. If you bring the pill to me, I promise to do my best to spare your life and even grant you entry into the Demonic Sect," Li Ruohan interjected, seeing the Tianshan Sword Sect had spoken.

The others, surrounding Che Wuyou, watched in silence. No one wished to offend the Tianshan Sword Sect. Since someone else had stepped forward, they were content to remain bystanders and enjoy the show.

"Little beggar, which sect are you from? With the Tianshan Sword Sect present, you’d better bring the pill here quickly. Or do you intend to give it to that Demon Li and become a traitor to the immortal path, despised by all?" Xie Changfeng shouted, seeing the young beggar glaring at them with no intention of handing over the pill. "If you dare give the pill to that demon, I swear I’ll wipe out your entire family, leaving none alive. Even in death, you will know no peace."

"Xie Changfeng, haven’t you learned your lesson from me yet?" Li Ruohan’s wicked smile deepened. "If you dare vie with me for the Restoration Pill, beware—I’ll cripple you first."

"Demon Li, don’t be arrogant. Even before you were wounded, you could do nothing to me. Now, after your severe injuries, you still dare to boast?" Xie Changfeng sneered, noting Li Ruohan’s battered appearance. "The Qingchi Sword Sect is already on their way. You’d best pray for your life, lest you fall here tonight as we purge the world of demons."

Che Wuyou listened to their ceaseless threats and insults, his eyes flashing red as he sneered inwardly. They all wanted the Restoration Pill. If he refused to give it up, they hesitated; but once he did, they would likely kill him without a second thought.

"Little beggar, if you don’t hand over the pill, I, Bai Hansong, swear to make you suffer unimaginable torment. I’ll see to it your family endures every form of punishment, dying slowly and painfully," Bai Hansong threatened, already imagining how he would torture the boy once this was over.

"None of you will ever get the Restoration Pill! Ha, ha, ha! I’d sooner destroy it than hand it to any of you," Che Wuyou cried, his eyes glowing even brighter with madness. Whether from the Demonic Sect or the immortal path, none of them were trustworthy. Since they all bore him ill will, why should he submit?

Che Wuyou drew a beautiful silver box from his robes. Instantly, everyone’s breath caught, and their eyes blazed with hunger—the Restoration Pill truly was in his hands. Unconsciously, all took a step closer, poised to snatch it at any moment.

With the pill revealed, the tension in the air became palpable, the atmosphere charged with the threat of imminent violence.

"Whoever dares act first will be making an enemy of the Tianshan Sword Sect! When this is over, we and the Qingchi Sword Sect will unite and purge you all, razing your sects to the ground for your foolishness today!" Xie Changfeng bellowed, seeing the crowd stir. He feared not only that they would ruin his chance to seize the pill, but that their reckless struggle might damage it.

Should the pill be ruined through their carelessness, it would be too late for regrets. Every moment he could delay was a gain. Once the Qingchi Sword Sect arrived, the combined might of two great sword sects would be unassailable—even the Demon Li Ruohan would have to flee.

Then, none of those present for tonight’s pill struggle would be spared. They would be crushed and slaughtered, for daring to covet what belonged to the sword sects.

The crowd, cowed by Xie Changfeng’s threat, grew cautious. The pill was precious, but it was not worth dying for. To earn the enmity of the Tianshan Sword Sect was to invite destruction before even using the pill.

Better to fish in troubled waters, seize the pill in the confusion, and vanish. Among so many, who would know? Would the Tianshan Sword Sect really risk offending so many sects at once?

Li Ruohan laughed coldly to himself. He knew well the Tianshan Sword Sect was stalling, waiting for the Qingchi Sword Sect’s arrival. But he, too, was buying time, awaiting the arrival of other figures from the Demonic Sect. If he acted now, he might only pave the way for others to benefit from his efforts.

The crowd inched closer to Che Wuyou, but with so many concerns, no one dared act rashly. Thus, the tense standoff persisted, with neither side willing to make the first move…