Chapter 246: If Someone Wants to Die, You Can't Stop Them
Everyone in the Thousand Medicine Pavilion was well aware of Elder Yan's discerning eye. Even Qi Shan—famous for being picky about pills—was visibly shaken by his praise. If this seasoned elder lauded the pill so highly, then it had to be truly extraordinary.
As murmurs of awe rippled through the hall, all eyes turned toward the mysterious sixth-tier alchemist, their gazes increasingly filled with reverence and shock.
Xiao Yan also looked surprised. His gaze fell on the Dou Spirit Pill resting in Elder Yan's palm, and a flicker of amazement crossed his face.
So in the time I've been cultivating, Third Brother has already refined his alchemy to such a terrifying level?
And that fiery essence within the pill... Was his Heavenly Flame evolving again?
"This is impossible!"
Qi Shan, face full of disbelief, gritted his teeth and snapped.
Even with his current alchemy skills, he didn't have a 50% success rate of refining a Dou Spirit Pill. As the chief alchemist of the Black Emperor Sect, any such pill he created was required to be submitted to the sect. His personal stash wasn't as abundant as people assumed.
He did have one Dou Spirit Pill on him—but the thought of exchanging it for a few herbs? He'd never bring himself to do it.
Unfortunately, no one bought his protests. Elder Yan's words carried far more weight than his indignation.
"Impossible?" Elder Yan narrowed his eyes. "With my experience, even most sixth-tier alchemists couldn't produce a pill of this quality without the aid of a Heavenly Flame."
This statement was a veiled nod to the legendary Han Feng—once famed for refining with the Ocean Heart Flame.
Qi Shan's face turned ugly. "Yan, I know your success rate with Dou Spirit Pills is awful, but now you're just exaggerating!"
Unfazed, Elder Yan snorted coldly. "Perhaps your alchemy surpasses mine. But when it comes to judging pill quality—I fear you're not even in my league."
Stung by the jab, Qi Shan turned even gloomier. He had to admit that Yan's discerning eye was keener.
"Esteemed guest, do you really wish to exchange this Dou Spirit Pill for those herbs?" Pavilion Mistress Yao asked Xiao Yuan carefully, her voice tinged with nervous anticipation. The pill far exceeded the value of the requested herbs, and since Xiao Yan hadn't objected, this could be a windfall for her.
Xiao Yuan understood her hesitation. Indeed, the pill's worth was much greater. But this was the only fifth-tier pill he had on hand that fit the need—others were either too weak or far too precious to trade for mere herbs.
And one of the herbs was a main ingredient for the Bone-Fusing Blood-Melting Pill. He had to get it.
"Yes. If Pavilion Mistress has no objections, then these herbs are mine," he said calmly.
Just as she was about to happily agree—
"Hold it!" Qi Shan slammed the table with a roar.
Yao's gaze turned icy. "Qi Shan, I've respected you as a prominent figure in Black Emperor City—but don't force our Thousand Medicine Pavilion to bar you."
Though the pavilion respected his standing, they weren't about to let him stomp all over them. They had their own pride.
Qi Shan scowled, then suddenly gritted his teeth and laughed darkly.
"You think I can't bring out a Dou Spirit Pill of my own?"
Bang!
He slapped down a jade bottle. Though protected by Dou Qi, the sheer force nearly shattered it.
Gasps erupted across the room.
Was this old man insane? Instead of saving his precious pill, he was bidding with it?
The reality: Qi Shan was desperate. He needed the Jade Bone Fruit among the herbs—essential for a sixth-tier pill he was working on. Plus, Xiao Yuan had provoked his pride. He couldn't let it be said that he lost a bid to a "little girl."
Yao and Elder Yan exchanged glances. Even they hadn't expected this.
After a pause, Elder Yan took both pills—Xiao Yuan's and Qi Shan's—and held them up.
"Fellow alchemists, you're all esteemed experts here. You tell me—which one is better?"
Murmurs spread as alchemists inspected the pills. Their expressions grew complicated.
Xiao Yuan's pill was clearly superior.
Both had strong effects—but his had a purer essence, stronger medicinal aura, and much higher success rate. Any Dou King with one shot to boost their power would pick his pill every time.
But no one dared say it aloud. Qi Shan wasn't someone you casually offended.
Still, nearly all eyes lingered on Xiao Yuan's pill.
Qi Shan noticed. His face flushed with humiliation, and his eyes turned venomous.
Elder Yan silently returned the pill to Qi Shan.
"These herbs belong to this honored guest," Pavilion Mistress Yao announced cheerfully, visibly relieved.
"Store the herbs," Xiao Yuan said to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan nodded, inwardly relieved. One of the herbs was needed to revive his teacher—he couldn't risk losing it.
Now that his third brother had shown up, he felt a wave of security. Even if they flipped the whole Black Emperor Sect upside down, there'd be no consequences.
Everyone thought Xiao Yuan had spoken to Xiao Yixian. But to their shock, Xiao Yan stepped forward and swept the herbs into his ring.
"Huh?" The pavilion mistress blinked.
"D-did he just—?" she asked.
"Don't worry," Xiao Yuan said with a lazy wave, then tugged Xiao Yixian's hand and turned back. "Come on."
"Coming, Third Sis," Xiao Yan said with a grin, giving Yao and Elder Yan a polite nod.
"Third… sister?" the crowd echoed in stunned realization.
So they were family all along?
As they turned to leave, Qi Shan's face darkened—and he suddenly launched a sneak attack at Xiao Yuan!
Sensing the incoming Dou Qi, Xiao Yuan's eyes narrowed.
Some people want to die so badly, you just can't stop them.
Xiao Yixian and Xiao Yan's expressions instantly darkened.
With a flick of her hand, Xiao Yixian shattered the attack—then flung a toxic arrow at Qi Shan.
Xiao Yan activated Three Thousand Lightning Movement, flashing behind Qi Shan in a blink.
Boom!
His Eight Extreme Collapse Fist smashed into Qi Shan's back with explosive force.
The man was sent flying—then crashed directly into Xiao Yixian's poison, melting into a puddle of black ooze.
Xiao Yuan casually flicked a blue-brown flame, incinerating the sludge. The ground was etched with scorch marks from the venom.
The crowd recoiled in shock.
Such deadly poison!
"My apologies, Pavilion Mistress. Here's a fourth-tier healing pill—should cover the cleanup. If Black Emperor Sect has a problem, they can find me—Xuan Bing. If they want revenge for this old fool, I'll send them after him."
With that, he placed the pill on the counter using spiritual force and left with his companions.
"Three… Dou Emperor–level powerhouses?" someone murmured in awe.
"No. That alchemist is also a Dou Emperor—and a master of flame manipulation!" Elder Yan said, voice filled with reverence.
He'd seen it clearly: that blue-brown flame wasn't ordinary—it had to be a Heavenly Flame.
All three were monsters.
That alchemist alone could summon an army with a word. No wonder they didn't fear Black Emperor Sect.
Just then, Xuan Bing returned.
Elder Yan froze. Had they come back to kill more?
"Almost forgot," Xiao Yuan said. "Mistress Yao, any news about the Bodhi Transformation Saliva?"
Hearing this, Elder Yan finally exhaled in relief.
Just asking about herbs, thank the heavens.
(END CHAPTER)
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