One day later, Qin Chuan and Jin Pang finished healing at the same time.
“Senior Brother Jin, thank you for saving my life this time. If you ever need anything in the future, just say the word and I’ll help however I can.” Qin Chuan expressed his gratitude first.
“Junior Brother Qin saved me too. Let’s call it even.” Jin Pang exhaled a long breath and sprawled out on the ground like a starfish.
“It was my fault you were dragged into this, Senior Brother Jin. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been hunted by those wolf demons. I owe you. Here’s payment for the pills and talismans I used. I don’t know if it’s enough, but I’ll make up the rest once we get out.”
Qin Chuan handed over a storage pouch filled with all the spirit stones he had. He didn’t have much—they were all contributions from those ‘warmhearted’ cultivators he’d met during his training outside.
Shen Qingyuan provided him with cultivation resources, but like most male novel protagonists, he was something of a gold-devouring beast. The resources weren’t enough, so he had to venture out, and conveniently ‘accept help’ from generous passersby.
Of course, after taking so many resources, he had to repay with results—so like every male protagonist, fighting those of the same Realm or killing above his level became routine.
Jin Pang waved away the pouch and tossed out the two wolf demon corpses. “Forget the spirit stones. If you want to make it up to me, just let me have one of these Pseudo-Nascent Soul Realm wolf corpses.”
“When I was collecting them, I noticed they had a trace of Silver Moon White Wolf bloodline—that’s precious. It can be used to refine Bone Tempering Pills.”
“These demons were taken down by the both of us. Senior Brother should definitely have one,” Qin Chuan replied without hesitation.
“Aiya, then I won’t hold back. Junior Brother, you want to pick first?” Jin Pang’s eyes had been locked on the one that chased them originally.
“Then I won’t be polite.” Qin Chuan smiled and looked at the exact same wolf demon.
Jin Pang saw Qin Chuan had chosen the one he wanted and reluctantly looked away. Just as he turned to give it up, Qin Chuan nudged the corpse toward him. “Senior Brother Jin, this one’s yours. I’ll take the other.”
Jin Pang blinked in surprise, then happily packed the wolf demon into his storage pouch. “Thanks, Junior Brother Qin.”
He asked Qin Chuan again, “These Pseudo-Nascent Soul Realm wolf demons already have condensed beast cores. With the trace of Silver Moon White Wolf bloodline, they’re incredibly valuable.”
“I’m going to use its beast core to refine Body Tempering Pills. Taken at night, it can draw on the Silver Moon White Wolf’s bloodline to absorb starlight for tempering the body—expanding meridians, strengthening physique, and maybe even improving talent.” Read the latest chapters at novelping.com.
“I can’t refine those pills myself—I’ll have to ask my grandfather. But if Junior Brother also wants one made, just give the materials to me. No charge!”
“Thanks, Senior Brother Jin! What about the other medicinal ingredients? I’ll pay you the cost in spirit stones,” Qin Chuan said eagerly, handing over the wolf demon corpse.
He knew the kind of pill Jin Pang was talking about—extremely hard to make. Even among all the alchemists on Pill Peak, few could manage it. Of course, he had to shamelessly accept the offer.
“Hehe, then I’ll squeeze a bit more out of you. How about using the corpse of this wolf demon to offset the cost of the other ingredients?” Jin Pang put the corpse away without waiting for a reply.
“Sure. I’m the one taking advantage here,” Qin Chuan laughed. He felt his decision to ally with Jin Pang had been absolutely right. Jin Pang was so loyal—there was no way he could make him take the fall. He would have to find another way.
While Qin Chuan was still thinking, Jin Pang nudged him with his shoulder and whispered, “Junior Brother Qin, do you have a major grudge with the Sect Master’s faction?”
“What makes you say that?” Qin Chuan kept a calm face, but inwardly he wondered if he had left a clue somewhere.
“No need to hide it from me. When I was chasing after you, I saw the Sect Master’s little disciple, Gu Xiran. She was injured, and I could tell the wounds were caused by your sword qi.”
“Junior Brother Qin disguised himself before attacking her, and you didn’t hold back. Plus, you’re working with me to kill Xie An. You must hate everyone from the Sect Master’s side.”
“I only risked my life to save you from the Pseudo-Nascent Soul Realm wolf demon because I saw you trying to kill that white lotus Gu Xiran.”
“Hmph! No one from the Sect Master’s line is a decent person. It’s no surprise you’ve got a grudge.”
“And to be honest, I’ve got a death feud with Xie An. If I ever get the chance to kill anyone from the Sect Master’s faction, I’m not passing it up.”
“Hehe, I’ll admit it—I’ve got a selfish reason for telling you all this. I’m an alchemy cultivator, my combat power is low, so I want to team up with Junior Brother Qin to take those bastards out.”
Under Jin Pang’s gaze, Qin Chuan said, “I do have a grudge against the Sect Master’s faction—one that won’t end until one of us is dead. But I can’t talk about the details with you, Senior Brother.”
He knew whether he admitted it or not didn’t matter. It was better to be honest and open about it.
Besides, he realized he had underestimated Jin Pang. Despite his rough exterior, he was sharp and principled. He could be calculating, but not in an off-putting way. He had rules, he was loyal, and definitely worth befriending.
“Then let’s just kill Xie An and that white lotus Gu Xiran while we’re still in here,” Jin Pang said, his eyes flashing with hatred at the mention of Xie An.
“I wonder what kind of grudge Senior Brother Jin has with Xie An,” Qin Chuan turned and looked at him.
Jin Pang leaned back against the stone wall, lowered his head, and slowly spoke, “My feud with Xie An is no secret. Anyone who asks around a little will hear it. No point hiding it from Junior Brother Qin.”
“Do you know of the four major cultivation clans outside the three great sects?” Instead of answering directly, Jin Pang threw a question back.
In Qin Chuan’s mind, information about the four great clans surfaced. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Yes, the four cultivation clans may not compare to the Tranquil Void Sect, but they each dominate an entire province.”
“Bai Clan is known for formations, Lin Clan for forging, Gu Clan for sword cultivation, and Xiao Clan for alchemy. Is Xie An from the Xiao Clan?”
“Exactly. Xie An is the illegitimate son of the current Xiao Clan head, abandoned outside the clan. His real name should be Xiao An.” Jin Pang gritted his teeth as he said this, his hatred clear.
Xiao? Qin Chuan blinked when he heard that name. There truly was a difference between alchemists of the same surname.
Xiao Huohuo, though he liked to appear at the last moment to save people and always dropped a pretentious “just lucky” after winning a match, had solid character. He repaid every kindness, never killed innocents even when facing enemies.
Then there was Xie An. In the plot Qin Chuan had seen, the things he did were disgusting—like refining humans into pills under the guise of ‘love’ to save the female lead. He even claimed it was all for love. That wasn’t love, it was a mockery.
Xie An had done far worse things. No matter how the novel tried to whitewash him, anyone with a conscience could see he was a hypocrite through and through.
As Qin Chuan brooded over these things, Jin Pang stared straight ahead with a complicated look—there was hatred, sorrow… and a mixture of other emotions in his eyes.