Chao Shiyi’s chest rose and fell sharply with anger before he finally forced out a single sentence between clenched teeth. “Then it must be that the test stone from my family was defective.”
Turning his gaze toward Chao Chen, his tone softened into something almost fatherly. “Since all of this turned out to be a misunderstanding, come back with me. Let us put this behind us.”
Chao Chen laughed coldly, his voice clear and cutting. “Chao Shiyi, a wise man should know his limits. You want me to return to the Chao family? You? Are you even worthy of making that request?”
He continued, his words ringing through the crowd like a whip. “At my age, I have already reached the Foundation Establishment stage. Do you really think I care for your pitiful little Chao family, no larger than a speck of dust in this town?”
Chao Shiyi’s face flushed with humiliation.
Chao Lingyue stepped forward, her expression both indignant and pained. “Brother, even if Father is not your blood, he raised you all these years. He gave you everything, so many cultivation resources, so much support. How could you turn around and repay him with such heartless words?”
Chao Chen’s face turned cold. “Chao Shiyi, do you dare swear to the heavens that those resources you speak of were truly given to me by your Chao family?”
The onlookers exchanged subtle looks. The air grew tense.
Chao Shiyi’s jaw tightened, his expression turning a sickly shade of green.
Chao Chen pressed on relentlessly, each word falling like a hammer. “Do you dare swear that for the past twenty years you have cared for me with genuine affection? That in all that time you have not taken even a single resource that rightfully belonged to me? My father entrusted me to your care, left you treasures, spirit pearls, and enough resources to lift your insignificant Chao family from obscurity to stand among the three great houses of Xichuan Town and how did you repay him? By trying to murder me for what was mine! Tell me, Chao Shiyi, do you not fear heavenly retribution?”
The heavens bore witness to every oath. To lie under such a vow was to invite divine punishment.
Chao Shiyi did not swear. His silence was all the answer anyone needed.
Gasps spread through the crowd.
Members of the Wu and Ning families exchanged thoughtful glances, a glimmer of realization dawning in their eyes. So that was how it had been. The Chao family truly had been nothing two decades ago.
“Silence!” Chao Shiyi roared, his eyes bloodshot, his composure crumbling.
Chao Chen smiled faintly. “What’s the matter? Struck a nerve?”
He turned his gaze on Chao Lingyue, whose face had gone pale. “The Chao family earned one slot to enter the Dragon Fish Sect only because it was ranked among the top three houses and that privilege came from me. You hold that quota because of me. So tell me, with what right do you bark at me like a dog?”
Chao Lingyue’s eyes reddened, fury and shame warring across her face.
Before she could speak, Wu Tianyang descended from the platform, his expression grim. “Wu Bufan, you stole the Balance Pills. You will return with me to face punishment!”
Before he could approach, Chao Chen flicked his wrist, his whip snapping through the air with a resounding crack. “Get lost!”
Wu Tianyang’s expression darkened. “This is a matter of my Wu family.”
Chao Chen’s voice cut through him like a blade. “What’s wrong, old man? Have you lost your memory or do you think everyone else has? You were the one who threw Wu Bufan out of your house and now that you see he’s stronger than you imagined, you come crawling back with that shameless face of yours. Disgusting.”
The sharp, ringing words carried through the square and instead of finding offense, the crowd felt a refreshing satisfaction. Many had suspected as much already, no one had ever heard of the Wu family possessing a so-called Balance Pill, nor any report of it being stolen.
Clearly, this was nothing more than a greedy ploy to claim what did not belong to them.
So this was how the great families behaved, faces thick as city walls and appetites bottomless.
Wu Tianyang’s face twitched with suppressed rage. He cast a look toward Chao Shiyi.
Chao Chen’s cultivation had already reached the Foundation Establishment. To deal with Wu Bufan, he would need someone to restrain Chao Chen and Chao Shiyi was clearly just as eager to capture him.
Their eyes met and in silent agreement, Chao Shiyi moved to stand beside Wu Tianyang.
Another figure appeared in the air, landing lightly between them. “Allow me to assist the Patriarch,” said Wu Yu, his voice carrying across the field.
Wu Bufan’s eyes narrowed, a sharp glint flashing within them as battle intent surged like a storm.
Three Foundation Establishment cultivators. So be it. He had fought against worse odds.
Just as the tension reached its breaking point, Bo Yinran’s calm voice cut through the air. “Since he is not a demonic cultivator, may I ask why the three of you are acting so aggressively?”
The invisible weight of his Golden Core stage aura pressed down upon the square like a mountain.
The faces of the three Foundation cultivators paled instantly.
Ji Yingyi’s cold snort followed. “We haven’t even left yet and you’re already so eager to make a scene?”
The crowd stirred again.
Chao Shiyi’s forehead beaded with sweat. He bowed stiffly, forcing a strained smile. “This is… all a misunderstanding, Senior. A mere misunderstanding!”
No matter how unwilling they were, Wu Tianyang and Wu Yu dared not act out of turn before two Golden Core experts. Grinding their teeth, they stepped back.
Wu Bufan turned toward Bo Yinran and cupped his hands in gratitude. “Many thanks for your intervention.”
Bo Yinran waved him off lightly. “No need. Consider it a small favor.”
Wu Bufan took the hint. Without another word, he gestured to Chao Chen, signaling that it was time to leave.
The mentors from the Dragon Fish Sect could only shield them for so long. Once the two families had a chance to recover and retaliate, they would send their full might and between them, the Chao and Wu clans had no fewer than six Foundation Establishment cultivators. That would be a battle they could not afford.
“Wait!” Chao Lingyue called out, stepping into their path. Her beautiful eyes shimmered with emotion as she gazed at Wu Bufan. “Where are you going?”
No matter how he had advanced, she was certain of one thing, Wu Bufan must possess a treasure. She would have everything that belonged to him.
Chao Chen frowned and raised a hand to shield Wu Bufan behind him. “And what business is that of yours? The engagement is already dissolved. Don’t you know how to avoid impropriety?”
Wu Bufan’s lips curved slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes.
Chao Lingyue’s cheeks flushed with anger. “I was talking to him, not you. Why are you interfering?”
Chao Chen faltered for half a heartbeat.
“There is a connection,” Wu Bufan said calmly, his voice carrying clearly across the gathering. “Miss Chao, please conduct yourself with dignity.”
The words hit her like a slap. Chao Lingyue froze, her teeth sinking into her lower lip until blood welled up.
How dare he? Had he not once been hopelessly infatuated with her? Was he still angry? But she had already lowered herself to speak softly to him, what more did he want from her?
Ignoring her stunned expression, Wu Bufan took Chao Chen’s hand and walked steadily through the crowd.
They did not leave Xichuan Town immediately. Instead, they changed into plain traveling clothes, covering their faces and hair before heading straight to the Ning Trading House.
The young attendant at the counter looked up as they entered, her eyes widening. She froze for a heartbeat before blurting out, “Young Master Wu?”
Wu Bufan’s expression turned icy. “Who?”
The girl startled, realizing her mistake and quickly lowered her voice. “Forgive me… are you perhaps the master alchemist who came last time to sell the high grade pills?”
“Mm.” Wu Bufan answered casually. He untied the pouch at his waist and, with a careless motion, poured out twenty perfect Qi Replenishing Pills onto the counter as though he were dumping a handful of pebbles.
The sight of the gleaming pills made the attendant’s knees nearly give way. Waves of shock rolled through her chest.
So it was true, Wu Youfeng was no alchemist at all. He had stolen Wu Bufan’s achievements and passed them off as his own. The sheer audacity of it!
She hurriedly called for the appraiser, her hands trembling as she gathered the precious pills with utmost care.
The appraiser took one look and felt his vision blur. Twenty flawless Qi Replenishing Pills. Each one is worth a hundred and ten gold coins. Together, they totaled two thousand two hundred gold.
When the transaction was completed, he even pressed a gift into Wu Bufan’s hands, one hundred fine jade bottles, his expression anxious, as though terrified that Wu Bufan might refuse them.
Wu Bufan’s lips twitched faintly in reluctant amusement.
He did not have any strange habit of refusing to store his pills in jade bottles. The truth was much simpler, he had never had the chance to buy any.
Fortunately, keeping the pills inside his spatial storage didn’t cause any loss of potency or medicinal energy, so he had never cared much about it.
After collecting the money and leaving, the attendant at the Ning Trading House immediately pulled out an expensive sound transmission talisman and sent a message to her family’s patriarch.
At that moment, the head of the Ning family was still chatting idly with Bo Yinran. When the glowing talisman flew into his hands, he frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment and finally chose to open it.
No one in the trading house would ever use a transmission talisman unless something truly urgent had happened.
The next second, a trembling but excited voice burst from the talisman, echoing through the entire street.
“Patriarch! Come back quickly! The top grade alchemist has appeared again! He’s not Wu Youfeng! He’s not Wu Youfeng!”
The Ning family head’s face froze.
Across the way, Wu Youfeng’s expression was drained of all colours. Beside him, Wu Yu’s face changed completely.
Wu Tianyang at first found it absurd, even ridiculous but when he saw the grim expression twisting Wu Yu’s features, his heart sank. He suddenly understood everything.
The three instructors from the Dragonfish Sect, who had been watching the situation in mild amusement before, instantly grew cold and serious.
Far in the crowd, Chao Lingyue’s gaze lingered on the direction in which Wu Bufan and Chao Chen had disappeared. A terrible thought flashed through her mind, her whole body trembling involuntarily.
No! Impossible! They had no innate alchemical talent, no spiritual flame, no foundation in the art of refining pills. How could they possibly be alchemists? This had to be a coincidence, that was all!
Wu Xutian’s face darkened as he felt the gazes of the onlookers fall on the Wu family, each whisper and murmur stabbing at his pride like a blade.
Wu Youfeng, that useless fool! He had dared to commit such a blunder and now he had exposed everything so blatantly!
He had shamed the entire Wu family and dragged even him into this mess, making the Dragonfish Sect’s instructors look down on them all.
Unforgivable!
Meanwhile, countless cultivators and powerful figures were already speeding toward the Ning Trading House. Even the three instructors were among them.
If they could win the favor of a top grade alchemist and bring him back to the sect, their future promotions and wealth would be guaranteed!
Bo Yinran was the first to arrive at the trading house, his voice sharp as he strode inside. “Where is he?”
The female attendant was startled at first but she quickly realized who the man was referring to. Trembling, she answered, “He left… toward the north gate.”
Bo Yinran’s face turned grim. He turned to Ji Yingyi, who had just rushed in behind him. “Buy the top grade pills.”
Ji Yingyi gave a curt nod. Bo Yinran wasted no time and dashed out of the shop toward the north gate.
Wu Tianyang and Chao Shiyi exchanged a single look, both reading the same intent in each other’s eyes and followed close behind.
By the time the Ning family patriarch finally reached the trading house, the place was already packed. As soon as he stepped through the doorway, dozens of burning gazes fell on him, so intense they seemed ready to devour him alive.
Ni Lisi couldn’t hold back her impatience. “Patriarch Ning, bring out the pills. Let us have a look.”
Patriarch Ning’s face darkened slightly.
Although his cultivation level was indeed lower than Ni Lisi’s, this was still his domain, the Ning Trading House. She had come here seeking his cooperation yet she spoke to him with such a commanding tone. It was insulting.
Ji Yingyi frowned, sensing the awkward tension. He took a step forward and spoke gently, “Patriarch Ning, we appreciate your help.”
Patriarch Ning forced a thin smile. “Instructor Ji is too polite.” He turned to the attendant. “Bring out the pills.”
Under the suffocating pressure of so many high ranking cultivators, the attendant’s hands shook as she placed the jade bottles on the counter.
The moment the stoppers were lifted, a rich and pure medicinal fragrance filled the air, washing over everyone present like a warm wave.
The hearts of every cultivator there quivered.
As expected, these were top grade pills!
Ni Lisi could barely suppress the thrill rising in her chest. “I’ll take all of them,” she declared firmly.
The crowd immediately bristled.
Wu Yu’s voice cut through the tension like ice. “The Wu family will take half.”
He knew full well that trying to claim all of them was unrealistic but half, half was still worth a fortune.
The elder of the Chao family frowned deeply. “The Chao family will take half as well.”
Ni Lisi’s expression darkened. “Are you two trying to go against the Dragonfish Sect?”
She might be a low ranked instructor within the sect but outside its walls, that title carried immense weight. Wherever she went, people treated her with deference.
Wu Yu gave a slow, mocking smile. “Are you sure you’re qualified to represent the Dragonfish Sect?”
Ni Lisi’s face stiffened, her lips pressed tightly together.
Patriarch Ning’s heart ached at the sight of all these hungry wolves surrounding him. “Everyone, please, there’s no need to fight. Our Ning family will not be selling all of these pills anyway.”
He regretted it bitterly now. If he had known this would happen, he never would have opened that transmission talisman in front of so many people!
Top grade pills were priceless treasures, especially top grade Qi Replenishing Pills, something every cultivator could use, from novice to elder. Why should he sell them all? Wouldn’t it be better to keep them for his own clan’s use?
But it was too late. The crowd would never let him withdraw now.
After a round of fierce bargaining and argument, they finally reached a compromise. The Ning family kept five of the top grade Qi Replenishing Pills, while the remaining fifteen were sold, split evenly between the three families at the price of two hundred gold each.
When Chao Lingyue and Wu Xutian finally arrived, the last pill had already been distributed.
The Ning patriarch’s expression was ugly as he reluctantly took out a recording stone and projected the stored image above the counter.
When Chao Lingyue saw the two figures captured in the image, her eyes widened and her hand clenched into a trembling fist.
Wu Yu and the Chao family elder both darkened, their expressions turning thunderous.
The silhouettes were far too similar, almost identical to Wu Bufan and Chao Chen.
And the direction those two had taken earlier had been precisely toward the Ning Trading House. Coincidence? No one believed that anymore.
Ni Lisi frowned, uncertainty flickering across her eyes.
She could not bring herself to believe that either Wu Bufan or Chao Chen could be the mysterious top grade alchemist. They were far too young!
Just as the crowd fell into heavy silence, Bo Yinran and the other two instructors returned.
Their grim expressions told everyone everything, they hadn’t caught up.
Wu Yu turned to his patriarch. “Did you see Wu Bufan?”
Wu Tianyang’s face was even colder now. “No.”
Wu Xutian ground his teeth. “Father! Wu Bufan deceived us! Those top grade pills were his doing!”
Wu Tianyang’s expression shifted drastically but before he could speak, Wu Yu barked, “Enough! Don’t talk nonsense without proof!”
If those pills had simply been found or acquired by chance, that would be fine. But if they had truly been refined by Wu Bufan or Chao Chen, then their family had just offended a top grade alchemist.
For a small clan like the Wu family, that would be a disaster they could never afford. He would rather believe it was a coincidence.
“How is it nonsense!” Wu Xutian shouted, pointing at the image frozen in the recording stone. “They left and those two appeared right after! Who else could it be?”
His breathing grew ragged, eyes shining with greed. “Father, he must have more! He definitely has more pills!”
Top grade pills, things he had only ever heard of but never even smelled before. And that useless Wu Bufan possessed them? How could that be!
He was nothing but a cast off from the Wu family! How could he have what they did not? It was intolerable!
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[Translator]
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Dream to RealityChapter 2 · Those who survive a great calamity are destined for good fortuneChapter 3 · Retrieve the tokenChapter 4 · Top-tier alchemistChapter 5 · A cooperative treasure hunt?Chapter 6 · Thousand mile Thundercloud LeopardChapter 7 · Chaotic Strange EntityChapter 8 · Back to Xichuan TownChapter 9 · How could Wu Bufan be stronger than him!Chapter 10 · Wu Bufan possess so many top-grade pills?Chapter 11 · This time, she will not let anyone take what is hers away againChapter 12 · Seize the luckChapter 13 · Mutant Purple Thunder BeastChapter 14 · I’m afraid he’ll get angryChapter 15 · PumiceChapter 16 · Enemies meet on a narrow roadChapter 17 · Becoming Daoist CouplesChapter 18 · Top-grade Calamity-Breaking PillChapter 19 · The amazing effects of top-grade pillsChapter 20 · Basic Body ForgingChapter 21 · One world cannot contain two chosen ones.Chapter 22 · PuppetChapter 23 · AuctionChapter 24 · Space FoundationChapter 25 · Top-grade Foundation Building PillChapter 26 · Increased space areaChapter 27 · The competition BeginChapter 28 · RobbedChapter 29 · Turn Defeat into Victory!Chapter 30 · The Death of Wu KeyuanChapter 31 · BetChapter 32 · Even the way Chao Chen talks is so cuteChapter 33 · Avenge Wu KeyuanChapter 34 · Finding Bodhi Wood at a BargainChapter 35 · Little PuppetChapter 36 · Explosive PillsChapter 37 · I’ll concedeChapter 38 · You are a genius, so your Daoist partner must also be a genius.Chapter 39 · The Third Elder was refused a disciple.Chapter 40 · Has the floating marrow stone secret been exposed?Chapter 41 · How Could There Be Such a Sinister Human!Chapter 42 · The Mutated Mugwort FoxChapter 43 · Wandering the JianghuChapter 44 · Ancient ElixirChapter 45 · I feel like I’m about to be struck by lightning!Chapter 46 · Earth-level Secret RealmChapter 47 · The spot is practically yours.Chapter 48 · His Daoist partner is truly amazing!Chapter 49 · The legacy in the libraryChapter 50 · Dual cultivation techniquesChapter 51 · First genius Ji Pu RanChapter 52 · Shifting the blame eastwardChapter 53 · The little puppet went to run errandsChapter 54 · The Explosive Pill once again demonstrated its power.Chapter 55 · Chao Lingyue’s cultivation levelChapter 56 · Little Money-GrubberChapter 57 · What a venomous mouth!Chapter 58 · Enter the secret realmChapter 59 · A huge windfall fell from the sky.Chapter 60 · The birth of a rare treasureChapter 61 · This alchemy furnace is quite uniqueChapter 62 · The alchemy furnace that walked right into the trapChapter 63 · Xiao Zi’s Self-Rescue GuideChapter 64 · Spirit Field Micro RealmChapter 65 · Someone Planning to Reap the Benefits?Chapter 66 · Are You Lost?Chapter 67 · Chao Chen, Corrupted by the Big Handsome PotChapter 68 · Is Your phoenix Fish Sect Collecting Trash?Chapter 69 · The Death of Hui SipingChapter 70 · No, Junior Brother Chao, Where’s Your Backbone…Chapter 71 · Has His Identity Been Exposed?Chapter 72 · This Child Is Far Too ShrewdChapter 73 · Young people are wonderful. They fall asleep the moment they lie downChapter 74 · Sparrow Alchemist Chao Lingyue?Chapter 75 · The Silver Tongued Chao ChenChapter 76 · What’s the rush? I have moreChapter 77 · Leave the sectChapter 78 · Showing Off on a Grand ScaleChapter 79 · The Sparrow Alchemist Returns to the Martial WorldChapter 80 · Does Junior Brother Chao know about this?Chapter 81 · The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole BehindChapter 82 · So FierceChapter 83 · They’ve been targeted by the local bulliesChapter 84 · The Kid Is Missing?Chapter 85 · A Thing from the Void: SilkChapter 86 · Chao Chen became famousChapter 87 · The Devil MentorChapter 88 · The four little ones went out to gain experienceChapter 89 · The Students Who Were Truly ConvincedChapter 90 · What a Bountiful Harvest!Chapter 91 · No Random KissingChapter 92 · Detoxification PillChapter 93 · Master Wu, your Daoist partner has disappearedChapter 94 · The Demonic ThiefChapter 95 · Fellow Daoist, are you selling this sparrow?Chapter 96 · Unexpected disaster, nothing moreChapter 97 · My Daoist partner was born in the Year of the PigChapter 98 · The Undying Devil ChildChapter 99 · Exotic Treasure! Buddha Flame Glazed Light!Chapter 100 · We stole the Beast Taming Sect’s treasure vaultChapter 101 · Waaaaah… Why is this strange fire so gay?Chapter 102 · The Mysterious Pill – Flower in the MirrorChapter 103 Part 1 · As Expected, You Can’t Produce Different Dreams from the Same Bed…Chapter 103 Part 2 · As Expected, You Can’t Produce Different Dreams from the Same Bed…Chapter 104 Part 1 · Separation and ReunionChapter 104 Part 2 · Separation and ReunionChapter 105 Part 1 · Renowned throughout the continent!Chapter 105 Part 2 · Renowned throughout the continent!Chapter 106 · Chao Chen’s RevengeChapter 107 · The Death of Chao LingyueChapter 108 · A Narcissistic Man or a Great Beauty?Chapter 109 · This Person Has No MannersChapter 110 · The Ancient Spirit Botanical GardenChapter 111 · Thousand-Thread Poison WomanChapter 112 · I am not kindChapter 113 · Are you the most handsome man here?Chapter 114 Part 1 · ReunionChapter 114 Part 2 · ReunionChapter 115 Part 1 · Diandian said that you got it into someone’s stomach yourselfChapter 115 Part 2 · Diandian said that you got it into someone’s stomach yourselfChapter 116 · Central ContinentChapter 116 Part 1 · Central ContinentChapter 117 Part 1 · The Ancient Dao Companion ContractChapter 117 Part 2 · The Ancient Dao Companion ContractChapter 118 · Heaven Above, Dust BelowChapter 118 Part 1 · Heaven Above, Dust BelowChapter 119 · Xiao Chen will also be embarrassedChapter 120 · The moon is so bright tonightChapter 121 Part 1 · Treasure ArrayChapter 121 Part 2 · Treasure ArrayChapter 122 Part 1 · Poisonous MushroomChapter 122 Part 2 · Poisonous MushroomChapter 123 Part 1 · Turmoil at the AuctionChapter 123 Part 2 · Turmoil at the AuctionChapter 124 Part 1 · Advancement! A Nascent Soul Cultivator Reaches the Divine Transformation Realm!…Chapter 124 Part 2 · Advancement! A Nascent Soul Cultivator Reaches the Divine Transformation Realm!…Chapter 125 Part 1 · Xiao Chen Displays His Great Divine Might: Wu Bufan…Chapter 125 Part 2 · Xiao Chen Displays His Great Divine Might: Wu Bufan…Chapter 126 · Ice spirit tower has explodedChapter 127 Part 1 · Meeting an Old Acquaintance AgainChapter 127 Part 2 · Meeting an Old Acquaintance AgainChapter 127 Part 3 · Meeting an Old Acquaintance AgainChapter 128 Part 1 · Being Followed?Chapter 128 Part 2 · Being Followed?Chapter 129 · Magical ArtifactChapter 131 · A Declaration of WarChapter 132 · A chaotic war of words: Friend or foe indistinguishable…Chapter 133 Part 1 · The Royal Grand CompetitionChapter 133 Part 2 · The Royal Grand CompetitionChapter 134 Part 1 · Adults Don’t Make Choices, I’ll Take Them All…Chapter 134 Part 2 · Adults Don’t Make Choices, I’ll Take Them All…Chapter 135 Part 1 · Little Daddy Takes a Bite, Big Daddy’s Form…Chapter 135 Part 2 · Little Daddy Takes a Bite, Big Daddy’s Form…Chapter 136 Part 1 · Where the Wild Geese Fly, Not a Single Feather Left BehindChapter 136 Part 2 · Where the Wild Geese Fly, Not a Single Feather Left BehindChapter 136 Part 3 · Where the Wild Geese Fly, Not a Single Feather Left Behind