Limitless - Chapter 113: Pill Analysing Technique

Yu Rui wept and told her ancestor Yu Tong how much she trusted Yang Xiaofeng. The Three Leaves Sect trained and nurtured Yang Xiaofeng since he was young. Who knew that he had become such an ungrateful b*stard!

Not only did he betrayed Yu Rui's trust, he also invoked tension between the Three Leaves Sect and the Wu Clan of Qing Hai. He even ruined the Spiritual Concentration Formation!

If this b*stard was captured, only when his soul is extracted and hacked into millions of pieces, will the deep hatred be quelled.

Today, things have finally come to light.

Even though there were not enough evidence to determine that Yang Xiaofeng was the culprit, the facts have already clearly lead to that notion.

Yang Xiaofeng is deemed to be the culprit whether or not it is the truth!

To be frank, at the end of this matter, Yu Rui of Three Leaves Sect have to find someone to blame.

Although she was deceived by Yang Xiaofeng, this situation made her looked dumb.

However, from another point of view, it could also be seen as how much Yu Rui trusted her disciples, with the exception of Yang Xiaofeng. He is an anomaly and is worse than a beast! He betrayed her trust!

No matter what, blaming Yang Xiaofeng is surely much better than taking the blame herself.

The ancestor of the Three Leaves Sect, Yu Tong, has been listening attentively in silence. In the end, he sighed and said, "Forget it, let's momentarily put aside the disputes with the Chu Clan..."

"Why? Ancestor, if it weren’t for the Chu Clan, we wouldn’t be in this predicament today. Also, the Chu Clan has…"

Yu Rui became anxious and her face was filled with grief as she did not want to go against the ancestor’s wishes.

"If the Chu Clan was easy to handle, would we have lost so much? If he was someone you raised since young, why would he betray you? What benefits did the Chu Clan promised him?"

Yu Tong gave Yu Rui a cold look and boomed, "It is a matter of time that the Chu Clan will be exterminated, but the time is not now! Right now, our most important thing is to train and progress! Let's choose this place here to rebuild our sect since the Feng Shui here is not bad. It will also make the Chu Clan restless."

Yu Rui wanted to continue but Yu Tong had flung his sleeves and walked off.

He suffered heavy injuries and required a place to recover.

The Spiritual Concentration Formation is no longer reliable. If it remains here, it was reckoned that their injuries would worsen.

…

The crisis have been averted.

The Chu Clan celebrated!

The result was hugely unexpected

Even Master Chu Tianyu and second Master Chu Tiannan did not expect things to end up like this.

They trusted Chu Yu without a doubt, but in their eyes, he is still a child.

"The new waves of Yangtze River pushes those in front!" Chu Tianyu let out an uncontrollable sigh.

"The new generation replaces the old!" Chu Tiannan said emotionally.

Chu Yu felt awkward as the seniors of the Chu Clan praised him. His face flushed red from embarrassment.

Those that did not know Chu Yu personally would misjudged him as a shy person.

Fortunately, the large majority of the Chu Clan were not clear on the specifics of the process.

Otherwise, they will despise Chu Yu.

Someone almost died because of you and yet you are still able to act shy and embarrassed?

Chu Tianyu and Chu Tiannan were tight-lipped on this matter.

If not this will lead to greater problems for Chu Yu and the Chu Clan.

Saying is easy. However, in reality, it is a double edged sword. A slight mistake could result in the situation to be beyond redemption.

Chu Yu had the entire situation under control. His understanding on how the major characters think has reached to a whole new level.

Saying is easy, but to let it become a reality is much tougher.

One wrong step could lead to a different outcome.

To be gifted, smart and humble... of course, being humble was just their own point of view.

No matter what, there would always be biasness towards children from their own clan.

They had already received the news that the Three Leaves Sect had chosen a place to build their Sect school.

How can you stand having someone hostile sleeping so close to you?]

The problem now is that the Chu Clan is definitely no match for the Three Leaves Sect.

Although the Three Leaves Sect had suffered heavy losses, they are still a threat.

They are of no comparison with the ancient legacy that had the same rank as them, but compared to the Chu Clan, they are still a huge monster.

It is impossible for the Chu Clan to move.

Chu Yu was puzzled about the current situation. Under such circumstances, after being badly beaten in the battle, the Three Leaves Sect should have retreated.

Instead they chose to stay.

If the Three Leaves Sect were to do this just to threaten the Chu Clan and make them uneasy… it seems too childish.

Perhaps, there is something in the Chu Clan that is attracting them!

Chu Yu asked the two clan masters in private if there is anything special about the Chu Clan.

Chu Tian Yu pondered and replied, "There is really nothing special other than the higher spiritual energy."

"Of course, we chose this place because of its Feng Shui which suggests that the land is very valuable," Chu Tiannan added.

Chu Yu frowned and thought deeply.

"Why? Do you think that the Three Leaves Sect has ulterior motives for our land?" Chu Tiannan asked Chu Yu.

Chu Yu nodded, "I believe that the spiritual energy alone is not enough to impress them."

Thinking about the Spiritual Concentration Formation of the Three Leaves Sect only strived to further validate Chu Yu’s point.

How is it possible for the Spiritual Concentration Formation from an ancient sect to stay put just for the land’s spiritual energy?

Chu Tianyu and Chu Tiannan also thought about this. They looked at each other, puzzled.

Chu Yu laughed bitterly, "In the olden days, the Chu Clan was just an average clan. They have a pathetic amount of skills to pass on to their future generations. I don’t see a problem here."

Chu Tiannan laughed bitterly, "If we knew that there was any treasure here in our land, we would have taken it already!"

Chu Yu agreed.

Soon after, Chu Yu bid the clan masters farewell and strolled off.

He could not think of any reason why such a place would attract the Three Leaves Sect.

He had a tinge of regret. He should not have let Yang Xiaofeng exposed him so early. However, the situation was not for him to dictate.

Who knew that the vertical eye would explode so suddenly and took back the aura at an instance. Even Spiritual Concentration Formation was not sparred.

Chu Yu sighed and felt slightly despondent.

When Chu Yu returned to his residence, he quickly resumed his training.

Training past his limitations has enabled him to better appreciate the wealthy knowledge the Immortal Crane Pill Scripture has to offer.

For the past few days, the tension with the Three Leaves Sect has prevented him from gaining any enlightenment.

Now that the crisis have been averted, Chu Yu resumed his studies and rigorous training at the Immortal Crane Pill Scripture.

The rate of recovery of the world started increasing and a large number of warriors emerges. Chu Yu has to quickly improve his strength in order to deal with any possible complications.

"Pill Analysing Technique?"

Chu Yu gave a light frown and his eyes glimmered.

He could not help but blurted out, "F*ck, there is such a technique?"

Chu Yu was surprised and began studying the Pill Analysing Technique."

As he delved deeper, he felt the great prowess of the Immortal Crane Pill Scripture, which was far beyond his imagination.

It consist of all sorts of complex knowledge!

It gets harder to comprehend as well!

It helps greatly with the consumption of spiritual power.

Chu Yu finally understood the need to become stronger. The stronger one becomes, the more knowledge one can acquire from the Immortal Crane Pill Scripture.

For example, Chu Yu can only see the words ‘Pill Analysing Technique’. The following sentences requires a lot of pondering.

And there are days where he could not comprehend anything at all.

As his comprehension deepens, Chu Yu was filled with joy!

He finally understood why so many people were crazy over attaining the Saint’s Legacies.

It was really powerful!

The Pill Analysing Technique is a profound complex knowledge system!

It does not consist of just the study of medicine.

For example, there were toxic pills. When Chu Yu was in the Three Leaves Sect, he heard that the big crocodile was merely a puppet, but he questioned on why the toxic pills would be able to poison and kill the puppet.

According to puppetry, no matter how lively the puppet looks, it is still a deceased animal.

How could a deceased be poisoned to death again?

This was very abnormal!

All this while, Chu Yu had been able to decipher these thoughts; until he learnt a portion of the profound meanings behind the Pill Analysing Technique.

Thereafter, when he used this understanding to analyse the toxic pill, he finally understood the reason.

The strength of the toxic pill is not solely based on its medicinal properties but the strength of the toxicity it contained as well.

Inside, it contains information about the herbs extracted from the various elements, refined to the molecular, atomic level.

In the process of the pill concoction, where modern science was unable to explain, every pill is able to be cultivated to become something similar to a nuclear bomb.

In other words, when the toxic pill begins to take effect, every atom is similar to a miniature nuclear bomb.

It is highly toxic!

Once attached it will explode!

Even if we reached to the level of the true lord realm and attained an indestructible body, a moment of carelessness could allow the intrusion of this miniature nuclear bombs into our system.

Explosions would then occur in our body!

Such a display of destructive force is rarely seen but it is definitely frightening!

The poison will flow into our veins, arteries and bones. When the explosion occurs, it would result in a fatal blow.

This is the real prowess of the toxic pills.

It is low in cost and there is a high abundance in raw material. It is definitely the ultimate weapon.

It is recorded that in the year the Crane Saint attained this technique, it was used very cautiously.

The technique was recorded in the Immortal Crane Pill Scripture and the knowledge was not leaked out.

Of course, at the true lord realm, there are a myriad of superpowers and the people are not easily deceived by an attack.

Although that big crocodile from before is from the true lord realm, it is still a dead being.

The toxic pill would be a nightmare for those below the true lord realm!

The Pill Analysing Technique is indeed a powerful and explosive source of knowledge.

In the past, Chu Yu didn't know the theories behind concocting pills, he could only concoct pills according to the pill formula.

Now, he understood the nature of pill cultivation.

The composition of each pill, the percentage of what herbs should be used and their purpose...

This knowledge was not only limited to toxic pills, but all pills as well. Once Chu Yu internalises the technique, he will be able to discover all of its secrets.

Only after studying the Pill Analysing Technique, one can understand the theories of pill cultivation and therefore enter the highest level of alchemy.

Otherwise, one is just another pill processor!

This is similar to the workers that manages the assembly line in a modern factory. They handle the production but never understood the principles behind the pill production.

If they were to leave the assembly line, they will never be able to replicate the process.

23 October 2056, autumn.

Seven disciples of the ancient heritage challenged the Chinese Heaven's Pride Board, besides Lin Shimeng who was cultivating behind closed doors and did not respond to the challenge. The others from the top 20 lost desperately.

In that moment, China was in a state of uproar!

Limitless - Chapter 112: The Miserable Three Leaves Sect

Fortunately, this live broadcast is transmitted through satellite. If it was not, both sides of the battle would not have been properly captured.

Yet, almost no one can distinguish the two sides of the battle – they were only able to catch glimpses of light and shadow.

Chu Yu stood far away and raised his head to the sky.

Deep in his heart, there was a powerful sense of admiration when he looked at the two terrifying cultivators fight.

This should be how the Earth Gods are, right?

He could not resist opening the vertical eye in his forehead to look beyond the skies and analyse the battle between the two ancestors.

By scrutinizing with his vertical eye, Chu Yu finally understood their fighting techniques.

Instead of utilising any weapons, the ancestors depended purely on their pure energy to conjure a variety of magical equipments to attack and kill the opponent.

Sword, spear, dagger, halberd, battle-axe, hook, fork … These are amongst the numerous other assortments of weapons the ancestors could conjure any time they wanted.

Sadly, these weapons could not be seen with the naked eye!

Only huge rays of light could be observed.

This was the true powers of sacred art!

Only old monsters that have lived for thousands of years could have used such remarkable methods!

Chu Yu stared intently and thought, If pure energy is used in the same realm, it can directly determine the outcome!

Of course, if those who used it to attack the cultivators are not proper warriors, they might lose their senses if they are lucky, but if they are not, they might even die.

So, that’s how pure energy is utilised in the realm of the cultivators…

Chu Yu focused and watched raptly, absorbing as much information as he can.

He stood there and watched happily whereas the Three Leaves Sect Elders, Yu Rui, and the people wept.

Who would have thought that attacking such an insignificant clan did not result in their defeat but instead led to such a big loss.

In this situation, with an entire army overwhelmed… there is no more hope.

"Dammit… where did the problem come from?"

"We were getting along fine, why did the Wu Clan of Qing Hai rush here?"

"Even if the two storage rings that we got came from Wu Clan of Qing Hai, how would they know if nobody told them?"

"How… how did we land up in this stage?"

"No… it is definitely not a coincidence!"

"No one provoked them, so how could we allow this unreasonable monster, who have no regard for his status, attack us?"

Yu Rui frowned and pondered deeply. She thought about it and had a sudden realization that the person who found out about this issue the earliest was Yang Xiaofeng from Wu Clan.

That intelligent child…

Yes, really intelligent. Thinking about it, she couldn’t help but smile.

She even personally sent him for Spiritual Concentration Formation… with all intention to shape him into a good role model for Three Leaves Sect!

However, the more she thought about it, the more it felt like something was off.

Was each and everyone of Yang Xiaofeng’s actions normal? Did he act like other normal human beings?

Upon discovering the corpse in the Supreme Realm, a normal person’s reaction would either be to flee far away, or… to find valuable treasure on the corpse.

However, Yang Xiaofeng was not even the slightest bit perturbed. He still ran back to report.

Is there really anyone in this world who, when faced with such a huge temptation would not even feel the slightest bit tempted?

Well, even if there is such a person with such extreme kindness and honesty, but before he entered the Spiritual Concentration Formation, he posted the card which still posed a big problem!

At that time, the child looked very simple and innocent, but in actual fact, he was loyal and devoted to the other sect.

But now that they thought about it, was it because he wanted to disclose something on purpose?

Right now, if someone informed the Wu Clan of Qing Hai on Yang Xiaofeng’s suspicious actions and on the card he posted, and if they probed deeper…

A sudden cold shiver ran through Yu Rui’s spine.

She could become the head of Three Leaves Sect, without relying on the fact that she is the direct descendent of Yu Tong.

Other than that, she is also quite intelligent.

Now, she could almost conclude that this Yang Xiaofeng… is a very problematic person!

Yu Rui, faced with the gloomy prospect of taking out the communication device, and not caring if her words could be picked up by the audience watching the live broadcast, commanded, "Hold on to the big door of the Spiritual Concentration Formation and come out, Yang Xiaofeng!"

A timid voice squeaked, "Sect Leader, I was about to inform you that… there is no more spiritual activity in Spiritual Concentration Formation already. It’s as if… it has disappeared!"

Thud!

The communications device on Yu Rui’s hands fell to the floor. She was in complete disbelief!

The building of Spiritual Concentration Formation has almost exhausted the resources that the Three Leaves Sect took thousands of years to set up.

That was the blood and sweat of countless of people!

They… they have now disappeared!

"AHHHH! Yang Xiaofeng… you are a traitor! I will shred you into thousands of pieces!"

Yu Rui was almost going crazy from anger. She headed towards the direction of Three Leaves Sect at lightning speed.

There were a few of the Supreme Realm Elders left, who gazed at each other in speechless despair. Their mournful faces were etched with loss and they were unaware of what was happening.

Seeing the Sect Leader storming away, the Elders could only hurriedly remove the remaining few survivors of the Three Leaves Sect who were seriously wounded and left with her.

At this moment, beyond the clouds, there finally was a clear winner in the battle between the two cultivators.

Wu Jianghai from Wu Clan of Qing Hai prepared to use his most vicious skill which seriously injured Yu Tong, who fled in panic.

Wu Jianghai was also slightly injured, but it was nothing serious.

At this moment, everyone from Wu Clan of Qing Hai walked out from afar.

They headed towards the ancestor and bowed. In unison they shouted, "Thank you cultivator for protecting us!"

Wu Jianghai shook his head and let out a big sigh.

This fight was not what he wanted.

After this battle, Three Leaves Sect and Wu Clan of Qing Hai had become enemies.

From today onwards, there would be endless conflict between both parties.

This would bring honour and glory to the whole world!

Who is willing to lay down before dawn?

"From today onwards, we must be more careful and warn our disciples not to provoke the enemy," Wu Jianghai gazed at the horizon and then looked to the skies.

"Alright, it’s about time we packed up, there’s nothing much to see anymore."

With this sentence, the live broadcast had stopped.

However, this only meant that the internet craze had just begun.

Countless of people had witnessed a great battle between the cultivators.

Even though they could not see anything clearly – they could only see flashes of light colliding – this did not stop them from gushing about the battle.

"Wow, such great power actually exists in this world, I always thought that the martial artists of Invigorated Meridian Stage have the actual power."

"According to the Gods of the ancient mythology, do they actually exist? They fly around the earth freely and have the power to move mountains and seas. They are almost akin to the Gods!"

"Today is really an insightful day. After having lived for so many years, I found out that this world contains such powerful humans."

"Comparing today’s battle with the major sci-fi productions filmed by the western countries, I feel that those actors with superpowers are so unrealistic. Today is when I realised how naive I was. In the eyes of the ancestors from China, those ‘superheroes’ are so pathetic!"

Far away at Xiao Zhen, a few decades have passed, but majority of people in this world still have not changed much.

Humans only realised that their sky is blue and that their water is clear. They have become stronger and healthier and were able to live longer.

The sight of people queuing up in hospitals have long since disappeared. Patients in today’s hospitals are sparse and infrequent.

From a layman’s point of view, there is actually no profound change and impact.

Compared to a few decades ago, there is no fundamental change to society at all.

To the whole world, the live broadcast today was considered to be the one that is the most insightful and impactful broadcast ever.

It may even become a legacy in history!

The mysterious mythical world, ancient mythology and legends… has finally, for the first time, unravelled a part of its mysterious veil to the whole world.

Truth Sect and Rainfall ancient school opened a fantasy institution on Earth, which made everything livelier!

The Wu Clan of Qing Hai could not care less about the people of Chu Clan. They did not even bother acknowledging the Chu Clan. A small family like the Chu Clan could be destroyed with very little effort.

This would happen without attracting any attention!

Under the leadership of the cultivator, Wu Jianghai, they headed towards the north.

They also intended to visit the historical site.

It was a place that had caused them great losses and suffering, with a heavy price to pay. If there was nothing beneficial that can be obtained from it, then it would be of no use.

Back to Three Leaves Sect.

Yu Rui, the Sect Leader, was so livid because she had flown back a few hundred miles without stopping!

The house of Spiritual Concentration Formation was barren, just like how Yang Xiaofeng had disappeared into nothingness.

Yu Rui spurted a mouthful of blood and roared towards the sky.

"Yang Xiaofeng…. How dare you deceive me! I will definitely hunt you down and shred you into thousands of pieces! AAAAAAAHHHHH!"

Yu Rui collapsed and burst into tears.

She speculated that Yang Xiaofeng had been bribed by the Chu Clan.

If not, why would he dare to betray his own clan?

"Capture all those people involved with Yang Xiaofeng instantaneously… I will kill them all! With my own hands!"

Yu Rui hollered resentfully, "Chu Clan… an eye for an eye! I will make you pay sooner or later! I will destroy your whole clan!"

The whole of Three Leaves Sect was shrouded in a veil of anguish and rage.

The people left in the Sect had long since watched the entire exchange through the live broadcast.

All the people were sullen, their hearts filled with dissatisfaction and animosity.

They do not understand, why will it become like this?

At this moment, someone can to report again, "Sect Leader, bad news, bad news! A few of our disciples ate that crocodile meat… and died from food poisoning!"

Aiya!

Yu Rui, the Sect Leader, swayed a few times, before she spurted out blood again.

A Supreme Realm even lifted his eyes to the sky.

She was so infuriated that she felt her lungs were going to explode.

"Idiot! Are they pigs? That crocodile… is a puppet. Is that edible?" Another Supreme Realm of Three Leaves Sect bellowed, almost spewing out blood as well.

The discipline who reported the news to Three Leaves Sect smiled bitterly and uttered, "The crocodile meat was very fresh and it smelled delicious. The disciplines had also checked with the ancient books and have found out that this crocodile is a beast that is the best out of the best. Everything was similar compared to the normal creatures. They were also curious too…"

Grief and indignation was written all over Yu Rui’s face, "Curious my ass! We are risking our lives outside while this bunch of assholes dared to stay at home to drink beer and celebrate! Serve them right! Serve them right for dying from food poisoning!"

The disciple who reported the news to Three Leaves Sect bowed his head. His heart was filled with indignation, Weren’t you the one that asked us to prepare a feast for you so that we could have a party when you come back?

Those Three Leaves Sect’s disciplines were the ones in charge of the logistics. They wanted to take advantage of the opportunity before the crowd came, to try out the meat of the spiritual beast that is of top quality. They believed that their skills would be enhanced once they eat the meat.

In the end, tragedy befell upon them. Not all did their skills remain the same, but their lives had been lost.

The cultivator of Three Leaves Sect, Yu Tong, appeared at this very instant. He was seriously injured, badly battered and dispirited.

Once a bunch of people saw him, they immediately rushed over to pay their respects to him.

Yu Tong waved his hand and solemnly announced, "That huge crocodile is an ancient poisonous crocodile, only people who are ignorant and foolish would eat it. They got more than what they bargained for. Serve them right!"

One of the deacon of the King’s Realm meekly voiced out, "Cultivator, Chu Clan is good at handling poison. Do you think that this issue… could be a scheme crafted out by them?"

"You imbecile!" Yu Tong stared coldly at the deacon. "Are you doubting my judgement?"

"No no, I am of a younger generation than you. I would not dare to do that…" The deacon hurriedly lowered his head.

Yu Tong cruelly remarked, "This poisonous ancient crocodile has been trained into a skilful puppet with military capabilities of the True Lord. Nothing can defeat it. Anyhow, it is a puppet beast, can a poison really poison it to death? Please use your brain when you talk next time!"

With that, Yu Tong flicked his sleeves and prepared to leave before remarking, "I want to go to Spiritual Concentration Formation to heal!"

An agonised look passed over Yu Rui’s face, "Ancestor… our Spiritual Concentration Formation is gone!"

"Gone?"

Yu Tong jerked to a stop and turned back. His pair of eyes shot out two icy cold rays of light. He looked coolly at Yu Rui, "You said… the Spiritual Concentration Formation is gone?"

Yu Rui collapsed to the floor with a loud thump. On her knees, she wailed, "Cultivator, it is all because I was an incompetent junior. Just kill me as you please. I am too desolated and beyond console!"

Limitless - Chapter 111: Battle between the superior cultivators

Damn!

What the hell was that?

A transparent... palm shaped cloud?

How scary!

This not only awed those watching the live broadcast, it also stunned the people from the Three Leaves Sect.

Many of them were not even able to react to what happened!

They looked up at the sky, stupefied!

Those who were more agile and quick to respond wanted to escape, but they were suppressed by the suppressive aura emitted from the energy hand.

They were immobilized!

A few of the Supreme Realm Elders and the Sect Leader were quick to respond. They offered their magical equipment and attacked the hand.

They wanted to smash it!

As the hand pressed down at high speed, all the mountains and forests in the vicinity were smashed.

This scene was almost like the apocalypse.

Everyone watching was completely silent!

It was almost like the world had come to a standstill.

This was the power of a true powerful cultivator!

The poisoned Supreme Realm cultivator had died even before he could showcase anything he had learnt his whole life.

The skyscraping trees were all shattered and turned to ash!

The mountains crumbled, forming large craters in the ground!

The power of the palm was unimaginably terrifying!

It was almost that a divine mountain was crashing into the earth!

The few Supreme Realm cultivators who tried to match it had blood spewing out from their mouths as they ran for cover.

They couldn’t resist it!

The group that the Three Leaves Sect sent had no weak people. Anyone of them would be considered a powerhouse in society!

However, in the face of this hand, they seemed extremely weak.

Other than the few Supreme Realm elders and the Sect Leader, the hundreds of others were all killed by the palm!

Regardless of King’s Realm or Xiantian, they were all ants in the face of this palm.

After this palm, there were only about 15-16 people surviving on the side of the Three Leaves Sect.

They were all seriously injured, moaning on the ground.

The ones with the least injuries were the few Supreme Realm cultivators and the female Sect Leader.

The Sect Leader was about to go crazy. She shrieked, "Who are you? Why do you attack my Three Leaves Sect? I will fight it out with you!"

As she spoke, she took out seven to eight Supreme Realm magical equipment, activated them, and attacked the point where the hand originated from.

After killing hundreds of people, this palm slapped viciously at these magical equipment.

Almost like it was chasing flies.

Bang bang bang...

A whole string of explosions echoed through the air like thunder.

The seven to eight Supreme Realm magical equipment that the Sect Leader had used exploded to smithereens!

This was too terrifying!

Those magical equipment were all Supreme Realm magical equipment!

Yet, they were shattered by a single palm!

After which, that huge hand flew towards the Sect Leader.

At this point, a thunderous voice bellowed from a far distance, "My friend... isn’t this too much?"

A ray of light flew over from afar.

It was almost like a rainbow travelling through space, firing straight for the huge hand.

The hand gave up its quest to grab the Sect Leader, instead, it went to meet this ray of light.

Kaboom!

A huge sound echoed through the air.

All the mountains in the distance crumbled!

Sand and dust flew skyward!

Originally, this place was an ancient forest. However, everything within a large radius was completely flattened!

After which, the huge hand disappeared and so did that ray of light.

A cold voice could be heard from a distance

"All of you from the Three Leaves Sect... deserve to die!"

All of these happened in the blink of an eye. Even Chu Yu did not manage to see every frame of what just happened, not to mention those watching the live broadcast.

As soon as he saw the huge hand appear, he turned and ran.

He ran faster than anyone else!

During this process, he didn’t forget to keep the poison mist.

He did not want to antagonize the Wu Clan of Qing Hai because of the poison mist.

It was clear that his plan worked!

It worked splendidly!

The reaction from the Wu Clan of Qing Hai was more intense than anything he could have imagined!

He had initially thought that the Wu Clan of Qing Hai would just send a few powerful cultivators to fight it out with the Three Leaves Sect, but he never expected that they would react so drastically and activate their ancestor!

Anyone with this sort of power must be an ancient cultivator training for thousands of years.

The Supreme Realm cultivators who entered the realm after the world recovered were mere infants when compared to these ancient cultivators!

A figure rose from the distance. He flew into the sky, a ball of mist enveloping him.

It was impossible to see his appearance, but that hand made of energy came from him!

It had come from the oldest ancestor of the Wu Clan of Qing Hai!

Another figure flew up from the side of the Three Leaves Sect. He too was enveloped by a layer of mist hiding his appearance.

A terrifying aura of power radiated from their bodies. In the blink of an eye, they met.

One could sense their anger, radiating in all directions, from afar.

At this point, Chu Yu had already retreated a great distance, he also shrunk the poison defences to a thirty mile radius.

He looked on coldly.

"Friend Wu Jianghai, are you crazy?" The Three Leaves Sect ancestor, Yu Tong, was fuming. Despite his thousands of years of cultivation, he was still fuming.

The palm from Wu Jianghai had killed almost one third of the Three Leaves Sect elite!

This kind of losses would drive anybody crazy!

"Crazy? I still have more in store!" As Wu Jianghai spoke, he launched an attack on Yu Tong.

The battle between two powerful cultivators was filled with danger, every attack out for the kill.

Wu Jianghai was fuming too. One of the Supreme Elders who died was his bloodline!

His own grandson had died at the hands of the Three Leaves Sect. This wrong could not go unpunished!

Kaboom!

Explosions constantly echoed in the air.

Everyone watching the live broadcast were completely stupefied. They could barely figure out what was happening previously, but this battle was a complete blur.

They could only see two balls of light clashing in the air.

But, it was awesome!

It was a feast for the eyes!

Even fireworks paled in comparison to this!

Bang!

Another explosion of light.

Yu Tong bellowed, "Wu Jianghai... what are you trying to do?"

Having fought, he didn’t even bother calling him a friend.

He was on the verge of crumbling. He did not understand why his opponent was going after the disciples of the Three Leaves Sect with such vengeance. Even after seeing him, it still confused him.

These two men had known each other over 2000 years ago. They had met when they came down to the earth to cultivate. Even though they did not know each other well, they considered each other friends.

Who would have thought that the next time the two of them met would be in a fight to the death after the world had recovered.

"Stop acting!" Wu Jianghai stopped. He and Yu Tong were of similar cultivation levels. Both were at the peak of the Supreme Realm. In a fight to the death, it would be difficult to determine a winner.

Having killed over a hundred Three Leaves Sect elite, his fury had abated slightly and he was not as agitated.

"How am I acting?" Yu Tong’s fury reached a maximum, he really did not know what had happened.

He turned to the injured Sect Leader, she was his grandchild.

"Yu Rui, what is going on?"

Only now did Chu Yu know that the Sect Leader’s name was Yu Rui. He thought to himself, what a beautiful name, wasted on such a person.

Yu Rui looked depressed, "Ancestor, I don’t know!"

Even though she said this, her heart throbbed, Could it be the result of the two storage rings and that huge crocodile?

But did that justify such a reaction?

They had just picked up two ownerless storage rings, was that such a huge crime?

The rings did contain quite a lot of items, but the issue was, there weren’t any ridiculously superior items.

Yu Rui never expected that they had been set up by Chu Yu.

"Do you really not know" Yu Tong looked coldly at her, "Tell me the truth!"

"I... I really don’t know!" Yu Rui said hard headedly, not daring to look into the icy glare of her ancestor. She murmured, "It’s... it’s..."

"What is it?" Yu Tong began to feel a tinge of regret for making her the Sect Leader, she couldn’t even keep her head straight at key moments.

If she could not explain things clearly today, even his presence would not help matters.

They had waited aeons for the world to recover.

They were not aiming to kill, all they wanted to do was to attain higher cultivation levels!

Countless ancestors waited hopelessly for over 6000 years!

In the tides of time, this was not a negligible number.

The aeons of waiting had already destroyed many things.

They were the lucky few.

If it wasn’t for the fact that the Chu Clan were small and insignificant, coupled with the fact that they had something the Three Leaves Sect wanted, Yu Tong would have stopped them from attacking the Chu Clan.

Advancement was the first order of business!

The Sect Leader said softly, "Previously... we found a few bodies on a river bank. One of them was a 30m long crocodile, it was clear that both sides died from the fight..."

"Get to the point!" Yu Tong said solemnly.

He could feel that a crisis was about to befall them, and he did see the gargantuan crocodile carcass.

Yu Rui continued, "We found two storage rings on the three bodies, at that time... we did not find any identification documents on the bodies, so we..."

At this point, Yu Tong understood.

He waved his hand to interrupt Yu Rui. He turned to Wu Jianghai, "Those people were from the Wu Clan of Qing Hai?"

Wu Jianghai stared at them icily and said sarcastically, "What do you think?"

"Wu Jianghai, this is a small matter, do you need to do something so extreme? We didn’t kill them! We just picked up two of your storage rings and you kill over a hundred of our people?"

Yu Tong’s tone was filled with fury, he believed his grandchild would not lie.

As such, he was really enraged and radiated an oppressive aura.

Wu Jianghai laughed coldly, "That’s all? Yu Tong ah Yu Tong, this is the last time I will call you a friend! We have known each other for over 2000 years, today, our friendship comes to an end!"

As he spoke, he tore of a corner of his robe and threw it away.

That piece of robe floated in the air, blown away by the wind.

Everyone watching the broadcast was stunned.

"Damn, ripping off one’s sleeves to signify the end of a relationship, how ancient!"

"This demeanour... so oppressive!"

"My gosh... what is their cultivation level? They are all flying in the air!"

"It is said that after Acupoint Charging comes Invigorated Meridian, after that comes Xiantian, but what comes after Xiantian? Could they be higher than Xiantian?"

"They could even be in the True Lord Realm!"

"The realm of Deity Erlang? Don’t be stupid! Deity Erlang knows the 72 transformations!"

"Damn it, those are legends!"

"Aren’t we living in a world ruled by legends? Is there a problem?"

In the air, Yu Tong almost went berserk when he saw Wu Jianghai rip his sleeves.

"Do you really not believe me?"

"Of course not!"

"Then let’s fight!"

Boom boom boom!

The two ancient powerful cultivators clashed with full force up in the air.

They exchanged blows once again!

Library of Heaven's Path - Chapter 99: A Completely Stunned Ouyang Cheng

Ouyang Cheng and the others felt their insides crumbling apart.

To not even know where the basic tier book collection vault was and to choose to undergo the difficult Pill Debate, they were starting to suspect whether this fellow's head was once crushed by a slammed door.

However, since the other party's determination was resolute, there was no point trying to persuade him otherwise at this point.

After revealing the location to Zhang Xuan and watching as he left, Du Man looked toward Ouyang Cheng and asked, "Isn't he... being too reckless?"

"He is being reckless, but didn't you see that he is full of confidence as well!" Ouyang Cheng said incredulously. "It is truly a wonder where all that confidence came from!"

"Could it be that he doesn't understand the fearsomeness of Pill Debate?" Speaking of such an examination method, Du Man shuddered. "Even though I am a 1-star apothecary, it is definitely impossible for me to pass the Pill Debate!"

Pill Debate was something extremely terrifying. It was equivalent to challenging the ten apothecaries with the knowledge of one. No matter how deep and vast one's knowledge was, how could they compete with that of ten people?

[Furthermore, the main problem is that... You have never forged a pill before!

This is equivalent to the difference between a biologist and a butcher when trying to explain how to slaughter a pig. No matter how excellent your theories are, without trying it out hands-on, it is difficult to succeed!]

"We have already put it out so clearly, it is impossible for him to not to understand!" Ouyang Cheng shook his head. "This person is truly an enigma!"

"Indeed. In the first round, he achieved a perfect score. In the second, not only was his paper flawless, he even turned around to correct our mistakes... Furthermore, he is still so young. It is truly a wonder where his memorization and reasoning abilities came from!"

Recalling what that had happened a moment ago filled Du Man with shock.

The performance of the fellow previously was simply too outstanding! In terms of the ability to discern medicinal herbs, he was probably an entire level higher than them!

An apprentice apothecary that was more knowledgeable than an apothecary himself... Without witnessing it firsthand, it was something no one would believe.

"Actually, it is not that difficult to know where his self-confidence came from. Didn't he go to the book collection vault to study? We can send someone over to follow him. It will just be a matter of time before he gives his secret in!" Ouyang Cheng said.

Since he dared to undergo the Pill Debate, he definitely possessed vast and deep knowledge of pill forging. As long as they sent someone to follow behind him, it should be possible for them to unravel his secret. noveltranslationweb.blogspot.com

"You're right!" Du Man nodded his head. Gesturing with his hands, he commanded his apprentice, "Hua Hua, go and see what he is doing in the basic tier book collection vault. Try to keep your movements silent and inconspicuous so as to not be noticed by him!"

"Yes!" Zhu Hua Hua headed to the basic tier book collection vault.

Not long later, the apprentice apothecary returned with a peculiar expression on his face.

"Why? What is he doing? Is he reading some remote pill forging method?" Ouyang Cheng stared at him.

Apothecaries that participated in the Pill Debate would definitely come up with extremely difficult and remote questions, making it hard for others to answer. If one wanted to pass the examination, not only must they possess vast knowledge, they must also have a deep understanding of these remote pill forging methods as well.

"He isn't!" Zhu Hua Hua's eyes swam around, as though still in a state of disbelief over what he just witnessed. "He is... flipping books!"

"Flipping books? Perhaps he is looking for a specific book. Say, what is he flipping through?" Ouyang Cheng continued his interrogation.

"When I was there, he was flipping through basic pill forging books on the shelves. I secretly took a look, they were 《Basic Pill Forging Methods》, 《How to Extract the Essence of Medicinal Herbs》、《Preserving Medicinal Properties》、《Guide to Moving Cauldrons》 and books of that such. I was afraid of getting discovered, so I dared not get near to him!" Zhu Hua Hua pondered for a moment before replying.

"Basic Pill Forging Methods? How to Extract the Essence of Medicinal Herbs?"

"Preserving Medicinal Properties? Guide to Moving Cauldrons? This..."

Du Man and Ouyang Cheng stared at one another, dumbfounded.

[Those are the most basic books for apprentice apothecaries, alright... They are knowledge that all apprentice apothecaries need to wield, just like how a human can walk and eat. This fellow is going to undergo Pill Debate tomorrow, and yet he is flipping through such books only now?

Are you sure you aren't mistaken?

This is as though after challenging the top swordsman under the heavens to a duel, you suddenly recall that you had to buy a sword and learn how to use it...

Are you for real?]

"Are you certain that he is reading these books?"

Unable to believe it, Ouyang Cheng asked once again.

"I am not certain. He doesn't seem to be reading but flipping... He flips all the book that he passes by, I have no idea what he is doing!" Zhu Hua Hua was on the verge of tears.

He truly had no idea what the other party was doing. It was as though he was a lunatic, flipping all the books from the first row of books all the way over. He didn't seem to be reading through them or searching for a specific book, so what in the world could he be doing?

"Flipping books? All of the book that he passes by?"

Ouyang Cheng and Du Man blinked their eyes.

Why did it sound like nonsense to them?

"How is he flipping through them? Show us!" Du Man said.

"Alright!"

It happened that there were quite a few books in the room as well. Zhu Hua Hua walked in front, grabbed a dozen of books and flipped through them. The sound of the flipping pages echoed in the room.

"You're done?"

Seeing that there were no actions after he was done flipping through those books, Ouyang Cheng and Du Man's eyes enlarged into perfect circles, unable to comprehend the situation.

"Yes!" Zhu Hua Hua nodded his head. "Just like that, after he's done, he moves on to the next shelf..."

"..."

Ouyang Cheng and Du Man stared at one another and saw the frenzy in the other's eyes.

They thought that this fellow went to the basic tier book collection vault to study, but in the end, he was there just to flip through books... [Furthermore, no matter how fast others flip their books, they would at least try to see what was in it. Yet he... What in the world can one see flipping through the book at such speed!

Putting aside the contents in the book, he probably doesn't even know what the book is about…]

"It can't be that... He wishes to see what material the books are made of so that he can burn them down?"

After a long while, Du Man squeezed out a few words.

Other than to burn these books, he truly had no idea what the use of flipping through all those books like that was.

"Impossible. Even though there aren't any secrets of the Apothecary Guild in the basic tier book collection vault, it isn't something that one can burn down casually. As an apprentice apothecary, he shouldn't be that rash!" Ouyang Cheng shook his head.

Even though Du Man's words seemed a little absurd, he was truly at a loss for a better explanation. His frown caused his forehead to wrinkle into large lumps.

"Then, what do you think is going on? What is he trying to do?"

Du Man couldn't help but ask his colleague.

"I…” Ouyang Cheng's face reflected nothing but confusion as well. He had never heard of such a freak in his entire life, needless to say, see one.

"Could it be... Is he trying to look for a specific book? Furthermore, the book is made of a special material such that one can only identify it through touch?" After a long moment of silence, he came up with a new theory.

"That's possible..."

The two of them sat before the desk, frowning at one moment and showing a bitter expression at the other. No matter how hard they tried, they were unable to figure out the secrets of Zhang Xuan.

In a few short moments, they had come up with all kinds of reasons, generating excuses sufficient to last them for an entire lifetime. Even so... they were still oblivious to what the other party was trying to do.

In between, Zhu Hua Hua paid the book collection vault several visits and reported on the other party's situation upon returning.

Upon hearing that his movements had never stopped, and he was still flipping through the books, not even sparing books like 《What are Pills》, 《The Types of Medicinal Herbs and Their Classification》、《Do You Need Cauldrons to Forge a Pill》... Several emotions flashed across their faces: bewilderment, dilemma, contemplation, confusion...

At this moment, they realized that there was still capacity in their minds to generate more peculiar excuses...

Library of Heaven's Path - Chapter 98: I Want to Debate Pills

"Oh? There is such a way too?"

Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.

Without years of practice, he knew that it was impossible for him to successfully forge a grade-1 pill. However, Pill Debate was different. With the Library of Heaven's Path, as long as there were sufficient books and knowledge, learning was an easy task for him!

"This method may seem simple, but even master teachers would rather learn to forge pills than to resort to this method!" Noticing the excitement in the other party, Ouyang Cheng interjected and shook his head.

"Why?"

Zhang Xuan was confused.

If one was able to pass the examination based on theories itself to become an apothecary, there should be no need for them to waste their time to learn to forge pills.

"To tell the truth, it is impossible for one to possess an in-depth understanding into an occupation without trying it hands-on. No matter how much theory one learns, if one doesn't verify them practically, no one can guarantee whether they are right or not! For one who isn't even an apothecary yet to debate with a true apothecary based on knowledge one learnt off the books? Who do you think will win?"

Ouyang Cheng said.

"This..."

Zhang Xuan nodded his head.

What one could learn from the books was shallow, to understand the essence of which, one needs to experience it first-hand! This was a famous maxim expressing the utmost truth.

How could one ascertain whether something was right or wrong just by theories itself without trying it out? With just a single error, the entire pill forging would end in failure!

One erroneous move would make a great difference!

"Ever since Pill Debate was created, more than thousands of master teachers had undergone it and they were all incredible geniuses. Their knowledge of pill forging exceeds that of any apothecary. However, it is a pity that... most of them ended up in failure. Of the thousands of master teachers, the ones to succeed might not even exceed the number of fingers on a single hand!"

Ouyang Cheng sighed.

"Not exceeding the number of fingers in a single hand?"

Zhang Xuan was taken aback

[Out of a thousand people, not even five of them succeeded? This success rate is way too low!]

"Indeed, there is a huge difference between theories and practical. This is precisely the reason why even though Pill Debate remained a possible way for one to become an apothecary, not many people used it and it was gradually forgotten!"

Ouyang Cheng shook his head.

Pill Debate might seem easier than Pill Forging, but in reality, the difficulty of which was much greater.

Without practical experience, how could one succeed in it with just theories?

If one didn't have a single mistake in his theory, that meant that his practical should be excellent as well.

If so, rather than engaging in a Pill Debate, he might as well just go for the Pill Forging method. It would be much easier that way.

"Others may be unable to... But I can!"

Ignoring the lamentations of the other party, Zhang Xuan's motivation surged and his eyes glowed.

Pill Debate might be much more difficult for others, but for him, it was nothing short of easy!

With the Library of Heaven's Path, he was able to identify errors and flaws directly. Just basing on theories itself, others were unable to tell whether something was true or not. On the other hand, with a single look via the Library of Heaven's Path, everything was clear to him!

Conducting a Pill Debate with this, it was impossible for him to make an error. He could definitely pass the test easily!

"Since there's such a method, I have decided to try becoming an apothecary through Pill Debate!" Thinking such, Zhang Xuan declared without much hesitation.

"Ah?" Initially, he thought that he would be able to persuade the other party to give up after saying so much. He didn't expect his words to cause him to become even more resolute. Ouyang Cheng was speechless. "Do you know the consequences of failing a Pill Debate?"

"Consequences?"

"Yes. Pill Debate requires the presence of a minimum of ten apothecaries to conduct a debate. All these apothecaries are people of high standing, and if there isn't any price to pay for failure and everyone were to go on and try it, wouldn't they tire themselves to death?" Ouyang Cheng said. "Thus, the guild had set a rule regarding such. If an apprentice who applied for Pill Debate were to pass the test, nothing would occur. On the other hand, if they were to fail, they will have to pay every single apothecary hundred thousand gold coins! On top of that, they will have to suffer a hundred God Slaying Flogs as punishment. Also, they will be banned from taking the examinations to become an apothecary for a decade!"

Zhang Xuan was speechless.

This punishment was truly severe.

Given that a Pill Debate required at least ten apothecaries, if he had to pay each of them hundred thousand gold coins, that meant he would have to fork out a million gold coins in total.

To an apprentice apothecary, such money was an impossibility among impossibilities. Perhaps, they might not even be able to earn that much money in their entire life!

God Slaying Flog was a type of punishment. Depending on the cultivation realm of the person, it would exert a different force. A hundred God Slaying Flogs, even with his current strength, after he was done with the punishment, he would probably be unable to climb out of bed for a month or two.

As for the third penalty, a human's lifespan was only around several decades. To be banned from the examinations for a decade, it was equivalent to keeping one away from medicinal herbs and pills for ten whole years. Basically, this would create an upper limit on a person's future achievements as an apothecary, even if they decided to continue treading on the path.

"Not only are the consequences severe, it is also a daunting task to pass a Pill Debate. This is the reason why no one dares to even try it. Based on what I know, there hadn't been a Pill Debate in Tianxuan Kingdom and the dozen or so kingdoms around it for the past few centuries!"

The dissuasion in Ouyang Cheng's tone was clear. "Given your talents, I think you should just go the conventional route and learn pill forging instead. Pill Debate isn't a suitable option!"

"I have already decided to go ahead with Pill Debate, I hope that Master Ouyang can help me make the necessary arrangements!" Zhang Xuan shook his head in response to his dissuasion.

[What a joke! If Pill Debate can make me an apothecary, I have to go along with it.]

Otherwise, it would take an inestimable amount of time for him to learn pill forging or that sort.

Not to mention how he didn't have sufficient time on his hand, he didn't have the effort to waste on it either!

"Make the necessary arrangements? It can't be that... you wish to carry it out now?"

Master Ouyang staggered.

[You just became an apprentice apothecary. You don't even know what pill forging is yet, and you want to undergo a Pill Debate? Are you for real?

Are you sure you aren't jesting with me?]

"Yes!" Zhang Xuan nodded his head.

"You... Do you know the contents of a Pill Debate? Do you know what the apothecaries will ask you about? You have just barely become an apprentice and you have yet to go through the systematic education, to undergo a Pill Debate now..."

Du Man, who was standing by the side, was also at a loss for words.

"I can go to the basic tier book collection vault now, right? I can study those that I do not know now!" Seeing the anxiety on the other party's faces, Zhang Xuan quickly explained.

"Study?"

Du Man, Ouyang Cheng, and the others were on a verge of tears.

[Brother, to think that you will remember to study!

You have just become an apprentice apothecary. Despite not having visited the book collection vault before, you wish to undergo a Pill Debate. Are you very certain that you aren't pulling my leg?

……

There are hundreds of thousand of books in the book collection vault, and it is impossible to finish looking through them without three to five years of intense effort. Without even paying it a visit, you wish to undergo a Pill Debate...

Are your guts too inflated or is there a problem with your head?]

"Un, I will head to the book collection vault to study later on. Don't worry, it won't take too much time. As for the Pill Debate, I will be troubling the two of you!" Zhang Xuan said.

"Study later on..."

Everyone felt faint-headed.

[Do you intend to study last minute?

Undergoing a Pill Debate without studying?

To be able to do something so brainless, how did this fellow manage to become an apprentice apothecary?]

"Rest assured, I know the severity of it. I won't do anything I am unconfident of. Just go ahead and make arrangements, I have to start reading now as well!" Seeing the crowd rooted to the spot, Zhang Xuan continued.

"Know the severity?"

"Won't do anything you are unconfident of?"

[Your head!

Do you know what a cauldron looks like? Do you know whether a pill is round of square? Do you know how do apothecaries extract the essence from medicinal herbs?

You don't know a single thing at all, yet you want to take the examination for an apothecary, not to mention, a Pill Debate... Are you sure that you are confident?]

"Alright!" Upon his insistence, Ouyang Cheng and Du Man knew that they were unable to convince him otherwise at this point. Trading glances, they shook their heads. "I will make arrangements now, but it will take some time to gather so many apothecaries. So, I will set the Pill Debate to be at tomorrow afternoon! During this period of time, you better carefully contemplate over the matter. Otherwise, once the Pill Debate starts, you won't be able to back out!"

"Un!" Zhang Xuan nodded his head. Then, he flung his sleeves with a confident expression and took two steps toward the entrance before abruptly turning around. "Ah, I forgot. Where is the basic tier book collection vault?"

"..." Ouyang Cheng.

"..." Du Man.

"..." Sun Tao and Zhu Hua Hua.

Library of Heaven's Path - Chapter 97: Pill Debate

"Give it a try?"

Not only Ouyang Cheng felt as though the world was going mad, Du Man and the rest also felt faint-headed.

[Brother, do you take apothecaries to be like the cabbages and cucumbers sold in the market, so easily obtainable?

Give it a try? Are you playing with me?

As one of the highest-standing Upper Nine Path occupations, who didn't study for numerous years and put in effort multiple folds of that imaginable to an ordinary person to join their ranks?

Yet, you said to give it a try...

Your head!

Do you know the content of the examination? Do you know how can one become a true apothecary?]

"Cough cough cough!" Ouyang Cheng's body staggered and he suppressed his urge to vomit blood. He looked at Zhang Xuan seriously and replied to him, "To become an apothecary, one must be more than capable of knowing and discerning medicinal herbs. One must also learn to formulate medicine, extract and refine the essence of which, condensate and forge it into a pill and many more. Just pill forging itself contains several thousands of methods to do so... It isn't that easy to pass the examination!"

"Indeed. Furthermore, one must possess sharp control over the flame in pill forging. If an error were to occur in any of the sequences, it would end in failure. Only by learning seriously and practicing continuously will one succeed. It is impossible for one to become an apothecary with a moment's effort!"

Du Man added.

"So complicated?"

Zhang Xuan felt helpless, "So it's impossible for me to achieve it in half a month's time?"

The Freshmen Tournament would be held in half a month. His purpose here was simple, that was to find a pill that could awaken Yuan Tao and Zhao Ya's unique constitution so that their cultivation would soar by leaps and bounds and they would be able to achieve victory then.

Thus, he had to settle this matter in half a month's time. If he wasn't able to, what's the use of him becoming an apothecary?

After his conversation with Huang Yu, he had already decided on a goal. That was to become a master teacher! This time, Lu Xun laoshi's challenge was an opportunity as much as a threat. If he was able to emerge victorious, it would prove his capabilities and it was likely that he would catch the eye of a master teacher!

Similar to an apothecary, if one wanted to become a master teacher, they must become an assistant master teacher first. This was a process that they must go by.

If one wasn't valued by a master teacher, how could one become an assistant master teacher?

"Half a month..."

Hearing his words, the crowd went speechless once more.

[Which apothecary wasn't an apprentice apothecary for many years before daring to take the examination?

Yet, right after becoming an apprentice, you wish to take the examination for an apothecary... Half a month some more, you must be joking!]

Especially for Sun Tao and Zhu Hua Hua, they were just barely suppressing the urge to throw their shoes at him.

[Brother, is it really alright for you to be putting on an act like this?

It is even more difficult to become an apothecary than an apprentice. You should have already seen the others struggling so furiously just to become an apprentice.

Becoming an apothecary in half a month?

I think you should just keep it to your thoughts…]

"Zhang Xuan, don't be too ambitious and complacent. You are barely twenty, and becoming an apothecary at thirty is already something unprecedented in Tianxuan Kingdom. Fifteen days is an impossible goal! I advise you to study normally, proceed on step-by-step and don't think too much into the future..."

Ouyang Cheng offered his earnest advice to Zhang Xuan.

[This fellow is talented, but he is way too impatient. To want to become an apothecary in half a month... You must be daydreaming!]

"Alright, since it is so troublesome, then I will not take the examinations. I will look for another way then!"

Upon listening to the words of the other party, Zhang Xuan shook his head.

He didn't have much interest in becoming an apothecary. Possessing the Heaven's Path Divine Art, breaking through was like eating and drinking to him. Pills were completely unneeded to him. If so, what was the use of becoming an apothecary?

If not for Yuan Tao, he wouldn't come here at all.

Thinking that Zhang Xuan had given up because he had found it bothersome, Ouyang Cheng and Du Man quickly tried to persuade him otherwise, "There are many occupations in the world, and apothecary is considered as one of the noblest. You possess such incredible talent and you have also specially taken the trouble to study the medicinal herbs. Wouldn't you have wasted years of your efforts if you were to not become an apothecary at this point?"

"Years of my effort?" Zhang Xuan blinked.

[It was just four hours, where did the years you speak of come from?]

"I still have other matters to attend to. Since becoming an apothecary is such a complicated process, requiring one to learn how to formulate pills, it is unlikely that I am able to grasp the technique of such within a short moment. I will just give up on it!"

Without much hesitation, Zhang Xuan shook his head.

"Calm down, there is more than one way for one to become an apothecary. Actually, there is another way other than Pill Forging!" Ouyang Cheng suddenly recalled something and spoke. "Given your formidable memory, this method might be more suited for you!"

"It can't be that you are referring to..." Astonishment appeared on Du Man's face.

"Indeed!" Ouyang Cheng nodded his head.

"But... You should consider the consequences. If he fails, the penalty will be harsh. He might even lose the opportunity to ever take the examination to become an apothecary..."

Du Man was filled with anxiety.

"I know, but this is the only way one can become an apothecary quickly. Otherwise, one would have to walk the conventional path of practicing routinely. Given the countless medicinal herbs and each of their unique properties, it is nigh impossible for one to succeed in a short period of time!"

Ouyang Cheng said.

"But..."

"There are no buts. We are only responsible for informing him of the possibility. The choice is up to him!" Ouyang Cheng shakes his head.

"What is this method you speak of?"

Upon seeing the commotion between the two, Zhang Xuan's couldn't help but ask.

"There are actually two methods for one to become an apothecary. The first method is the usual one, Pill Forging. As long as one is able to forge a grade-1 pill, he will be able to become a 1-star apothecary. This is the standard and traditional method!"

Without hesitation, Ouyang Cheng started to explain.

"The second method is not Pill Forging but Pill Debate!"

"Pill Debate?"

Zhang Xuan was bewildered.

Not just him, even Zhu Hua Hua, Sun Tao and the others seemed to have never heard of it and a perplexed expression appeared on their faces.

"Indeed. You all should have heard of the noblest occupation of the Upper Nine Paths, master teacher!"

Ouyang Cheng said.

"Un!"

The crowd nodded their heads.

Those who knew of the Lower, Middle and Upper Nine Paths naturally knew of master teachers.

This was the highest ranking occupation of the Upper Nine Paths and their social position was superior to that of the apothecaries by numerous folds.

"The more formidable master teachers can offer pointers beyond that of cultivation, pill forging, smithing, formation creation and such are all possible for them!" Ouyang Cheng explained. "However, one has to expend quite a lot of time just to become a master teacher, so how can they have the effort to spend on learning pill forging and smithing to become an apothecary and blacksmith?

"At the same time, if they do not join their ranks, how can they be qualified to teach them?

"To deal with such a situation, a unique examination method was created, Pill Debate!

"It is clear to see from us apothecaries that one requires a lot of practice, forging pills ceaselessly, to become a true apothecary. However, master teachers do not have the time to waste on doing so. In fact, all he needs is to comprehend and integrate the knowledge of pill forging!

"That is to say, he doesn't really need to learn how to forge pills. As long as he has complete knowledge of the theory, he is able to successfully become an apothecary!

"Of course, the examination isn't easy. It requires one to debate with ten true apothecaries about the various aspects of pill forging and one could be disqualified with just a single mistake. Furthermore, a huge penalty will be enforced on one if that happens!"

Ouyang Cheng slowly explained the other method of becoming an apothecary, Pill Debate, to the others.

Library of Heaven's Path - Chapter 96: I Will Give It a Try

"It's Dragon Scale Grass. We have made a mistake!"

After a long moment, Ouyang Cheng said with a bitter smile on his face.

As a famous apothecary in Tianxuan Kingdom, he had been the one to teach others all along. He didn't expect to be the one taught today!

"Since it is Dragon Scale Grass, you are the only one who passed the second round, Medicinal Herb Discernment Time Trial. As long as your cultivation realm is Zhenqi realm pinnacle and above, you are officially an apprentice apothecary!"

Upon hearing these words, Sun Tao was on the verge of bursting into tears.

He was probably one of the most tragic candidates ever. His qualification as an apprentice apothecary was canceled in less than ten minutes after its announcement, and it was passed on to someone else...

[Does reality have to be so damned? Does reality have to slap on my face so forcefully?]

However, even though he still felt discontented with the final verdict, having witnessed Zhang Xuan's fearsome memorization ability, he could only swallow his tears back in.

To take the examination with this kind of freak, he had to concede to him even if he didn't want to!

"Later, when the examination ends, I will look for a secluded location and find an opportunity to beat him up. After all, I am nearing thirty, ten years older than the other party. My cultivation realm should be higher than his. Fighter 4-dan Pigu realm pinnacle, it should be more than enough to teach him a lesson!"

As such a vile thought appeared in his mind, he immediately heard the voice of the other party.

"My current cultivation realm is Fighter 5-dan Dingli realm pinnacle!" After which, Zhang Xuan revealed his level of cultivation.

Guang dang!

Sun Tao fell to the floor.

[Do you need to be so terrifying? Not only is your memory so frightening, your fighting prowess just has to be the same as well. To think that I wanted to teach you a lesson, it is lucky that you revealed your cultivation realm now. Otherwise, I would surely be reduced to the state of a snake melon…]

"Alright, alright! Congratulations on joining the ranks of apprentice apothecaries!"

Seeing that his cultivation realm fitted the regulations as well, Ouyang Cheng went straight to the point and drew out an emblem from his embrace. "This is the emblem of an apprentice apothecary. With this, you can enter the guild's basic tier book collection vault freely. You will also enjoy special privileges and priority when purchasing pills from the guild!"

The Apothecary Guild usually sold pills to the outsiders at an exorbitant price. On the other hand, those among their ranks would receive a huge discount when purchasing pills.

Even though he was just an apprentice apothecary, he could be considered as a member of the guild.

"Yes!"

Zhang Xuan grabbed the emblem from Ouyang Cheng's hands joyfully.

The reason why he exerted so much effort to gain the identity of an apprentice was so that he could enter the book collection vault. Finally, he had achieved his aim.

"Also, upon becoming an apprentice, you can choose to follow an apothecary so as to better come into contact with pills and study them. Given your talent, I believe that you will be able to become a true Apothecary in a few years time!"

Ouyang Cheng stared expectantly at Zhang Xuan as he said these words.

It was very clear that he hoped to admit Zhang Xuan as his apprentice.

This young man had astounding memorization ability, not to mention his incredible talents. As long as he was guided carefully, he should be able to achieve high heights soon. Having such an apprentice would help boost his fame.

Du Man, who was standing by the side, had the same intentions as well and he stared at him with glowing eyes.

Looking at the gazes of the two, Zhang Xuan shook his head and replied, "I'm sorry, but I do not have any intention of becoming the apprentice of any apothecary for the time being!"

No matter what, he was a teacher of Hongtian Academy, as well as a transcender. How could he become an errand runner and apprentice of someone else?

It would be a joke if he were to!

After becoming an apprentice, one had the choice to choose whether he wanted to come under an apothecary or not.

"Looks like I was too anxious. You have just become an apprentice, so there's no need to think too much into it. You can make a choice after contemplating over the matter properly!"

Upon Zhang Xuan's rejection, Ouyang Cheng realized that he was a little too hasty and he flashed an embarrassed smile.

"Indeed, you should consider it carefully. It is easier to learn under an apothecary, and you would be able to become a true apothecary faster through so!" Du Man nodded his head in agreement.

"Un!"

Knowing the intentions of the other party, Zhang Xuan nodded his head in response. Suddenly, he recalled something and asked, "Is there any pills in our Apothecary Guild that can awaken special constitutions?"

He had asked a receptionist previously and she didn't seem to know. However, these two over here were true apothecaries of the guild, people of respectable standing. They should at least know a little more than her.

"Pills that awaken unique constitutions?"

Ouyang Cheng and Du Man stared at one another for a moment before the former replied, "There is, but different constitutions require different pills to awaken. If one were to erroneously consume a wrong pill, not only will be constitution not be awakened, it might even result be severe side effects!"

Having browsed through related books, Zhang Xuan understood this fact and continued, "Then... Are there any books relating to unique constitutions and the pills required to awaken them? Can you allow me to take a look at them?"

Yuan Tao possessed the Emperor Bloodline, and before his unique constitution awakened, it was safer for him for fewer people to know of it.

These two apothecaries seemed kind on the surface, but a human's heart was unfathomable. It was hard to say whether revealing the fact to them would bring about a series of trouble.

Thus, it was best for fewer people to know of his Emperor Bloodline. Therefore, he phrased it as a unique constitution and did not reveal any other details about the matter. At most, they would only surmise that he was the one consuming the pill.

"There are quite a books on them, but they are all in the advanced tier book collection vault. According to the rules, only certified apothecaries are allowed to enter and look through them. Not even I have the qualifications to loan them to you!"

Ouyang Cheng shook his head.

"What he said is true. Pills and unique constitutions are something that only qualified apothecaries will research. As such, it is placed in the advanced tier book collection vault. If you really want to take a look at it, you should choose to become the apprentice of one of us. With your talent, you should be able to attempt the examination for a 1-star apothecary within a year's time. Once you succeed, is there still anything that isn't for your browsing?"

Apothecary Du Man made use of this opportunity to help him analyze the situation. "Furthermore, a true apothecary is granted with generous privileges in all Apothecary Guild. Regardless of whether it is the purchasing of pills or scavenging for herbs, your needs will be prioritized over outsiders... You should consider it carefully. It will be slower if you try to fumble your way through to become an apothecary. Even with your superior talent, it is hard for you to succeed even in a few years time!"

"They cannot be loaned?"

Bitterness cloaked Zhang Xuan's face.

Didn't this mean that his hard work has been in vain?

He had wasted quite a bit of time and effort to pass the examination to become an apprentice apothecary.

If Sun Tao, Wen Xue, Uncle Li and the rest were to know his thoughts, blood would definitely spurt forth from their mouth.

[We spend a minimum of six to seven years memorizing the content in those books, and we haven't even passed the examinations yet. All in all, you have only spent four hours... Do you know that four hours ago, you don't even know what an apprentice apothecary is...

You call this hard work?

You dare to call this hard work? Then what is ours called?]

"Indeed. If you wish to look at the books of the advanced tier book collection vault, you have to become an apothecary. This is a rule by the headquarters. If you truly wish to find out how you can utilize pills to awaken unique constitutions, you should first think of a way how you can become an official apothecary!"

Ouyang Cheng said.

In his opinion, the only way one could become an apothecary quickly was to learn behind a true apothecary. He was the best apothecary in the entire Tianxuan Kingdom, who else could Zhang Xuan choose if not him?

Just when he was about to offer an apprenticeship to Zhang Xuan, he heard the other party speaking up.

"Since... only an apothecary can read books from the advanced tier book collection vault, then... how does the examination an apothecary work?" Zhang Xuan pondered for a moment. "Let me give it a try!"

"Un, that decision is a wise one. As long as you follow me, I will expend all my effort in grooming you... What?"

Halfway through his words, Ouyang Cheng realized what Zhang Xuan had just said. His voice choked in his throat and his eyes, which were fixated on the young man before him, widened as though they were about to pop out from their sockets. "What... What did you just say?"