Chapter 39: The Top of the Rankings

Yanyue Sect’s main square.

The sun already hung at the zenith; it was noon. Now, only Lin Yang and Wang Ze remained to be tested.

Next up was Wang Ze’s turn to present his pill. Ancestor Gongsun walked to the seventh arena.

“Take it out. Let’s see what talents the young cultivators of the Hehuan Sect possess.”

Wang Ze handed a blood-red pill to Master Gongsun.

“This is called the Bloodthirst Pill. Its effects are extraordinary. All you need to do is capture a large number of cultivators, bleed them, and gather their blood in a pool. Swallow this pill, jump into the pool, and absorb the blood. Never mind your foundation—with this, you can become powerful instantly. But the Yanyue Sect claims to be righteous. Do you dare use it?”

He mocked brazenly, “In fact, you could use it. As long as Master Gongsun brings his granddaughter back to the Hehuan Sect, not only would you avoid coercion, you could even restore your foundation.”

Master Gongsun fell silent at his words. After a moment, he rebuked sternly, “You thieves and murderers, I am ashamed to be in your company.”

“So Master Gongsun won’t save your granddaughter? Such lofty integrity—you’d sacrifice her future for your so-called righteousness?”

But Wang Ze dared not push too far.

“Well then, I won’t waste words with you.” With confidence, Wang Ze stepped down, uncertain whether he trusted his own victory or believed he had Gongsun completely in his grasp.

“Hmph, keep your concern to yourself.” Helpless and cornered, Master Gongsun could do nothing but turn to Lin Yang.

“Master Gongsun.”

“What kind of pill have you refined?”

“The Life Creation Pill,” Lin Yang replied confidently.

“It has a pleasant name, but what does it do?” Master Gongsun asked, not expecting much.

“As long as a breath remains, it can regrow flesh from bone. Even death can’t claim someone.”

“Truly?” “You know the cost of deceiving me.”

“Of course, sir. I would not ruin my own reputation before so many.”

“That will do.” Master Gongsun brought out a Foundation Establishment spirit beast. With a single slap, he left it half-dead, then forced the pill into its mouth.

Almost immediately, green light bloomed from the beast’s body. Its shattered form began to mend. In less than a quarter of an hour, the spirit beast was snatched back from death’s door, its wounds healed without a scar.

Everyone was dumbfounded by the pill’s miraculous effect.

“This is a true peerless elixir!”

“Indeed!” The disciples below burst into lively discussion. All coveted such a pill, for it was as good as a second life.

After witnessing this, Master Gongsun announced, “The champion of this Alchemist Conference is the young friend from Huangfeng Valley.”

“Come, here is your reward.” To Lin Yang, he awarded a millennium-old spirit herb and a secret manual, The Undying Mind Zen.

“I refuse to believe there’s no corruption! My pill, when used properly, far exceeds his effects! Why did he win? Clearly, you old thief were so angered by my words that you let him take the prize out of spite!” Wang Ze raged hysterically.

“Silence!” With a mere wave of his sleeve, Master Gongsun sent Wang Ze flying, rolling him to Granny Jia’s feet.

Only after hitting the ground did Wang Ze realize his folly—daring to insult someone vastly more powerful than himself. If it weren’t for the Hehuan Sect’s reputation, he’d likely have been killed on the spot.

“Master Gongsun, I was reckless. I simply couldn’t believe someone so young could surpass me. But this young talent from Huangfeng Valley is indeed remarkable. We shall take our leave.” Wang Ze, quick to adapt, instantly composed himself, the blood at the corner of his mouth the only trace of his earlier outburst.

Yet those who can endure humiliation are often the most dangerous, like venomous snakes lurking in the night, waiting to strike when least expected.

By now, Lin Yang had likely caught his eye. The Hehuan Sect had always been stronger than Huangfeng Valley; if they kidnapped Lin Yang, the latter would be powerless to stop them.

But whatever troubles came, Lin Yang was prepared.

Wang Ze’s bedraggled figure looked clownish, but his snake-like eyes betrayed his poisonous nature.

Once the Hehuan Sect retreated, the crowd dispersed. Master Gongsun led the remaining group to his cave residence.

Within the cave was a bed of icy jade, upon which lay a pale young woman. Even without adornment, her delicate features were unmistakable, but the beauty could not conceal the exhaustion and frailty that suffused her face. Her black hair only made her pallor more pronounced.

“This is my granddaughter, Gongsun Yao. I won’t explain the circumstances, but I hope you can find a way to cure her.”

“I still have some savings left,” Master Gongsun added.

Lin Yang examined her wan complexion.

“I can restore her health, but I cannot repair her foundation,” he stated honestly.

“That’s enough, that’s enough!” Master Gongsun replied joyfully.

“In that case, I’ll need a few things.” Lin Yang listed all the medicinal ingredients required, including a large number of rare millennium spirit herbs. This was for a Life Preserving Pill he had practiced making, and its effects were excellent, well-suited to the current situation.

“Very well, I’ll fetch them myself.” Master Gongsun took the list and set out at once, mobilizing the entire sect to gather any ingredients he lacked.

After three hours, when the sun had fully set, all the ingredients were assembled.

Master Gongsun handed them over to Lin Yang.

For some reason, Lin Yang saw a final glimmer of hope in Master Gongsun’s eyes. For Gongsun Yao, the pill he was about to refine was that last spark.

Lin Yang took the ingredients and began his work.

He produced his own pill furnace from his storage pouch and surrounded himself with spiritual stones, in case the ambient spiritual energy proved insufficient for this most challenging concoction.

He took a deep breath.

Now, he carried both a grandfather’s last hope and a young girl’s life on his shoulders.

Failure was not an option; a mistake could spell disaster for him.

This time, he extended the warming phase of the pill furnace, determined to perfect every step.

An hour passed before Lin Yang was finally certain there could be no mistake. At last, he placed the ingredients into the furnace.

…