Chapter Thirty-Two: You Want to Get Rid of the Poison Quickly, Too, Don't You?

Looking at the grinning Chu Tianchen, Li Wenqing was already cursing inwardly.

It was true that he had wanted to acquire that Tier 5 Fudan Cauldron; he believed that by utilizing it, he could break through to the ranks of a Tier 6 alchemist and thus resolve the medicinal toxins within his own body. Of course, this was not to say that a Tier 5 Fudan Cauldron was not good—even for a Tier 6 alchemist, such a cauldron could serve as an excellent auxiliary tool for alchemy. However, while the cauldron was fine, paying five hundred thousand superior origin stones for it was an excessive markup. Under normal circumstances, a Tier 5 alchemical cauldron would be worth at most one hundred to two hundred thousand superior origin stones. While this particular cauldron’s quality might justify a price of three hundred thousand, it was certainly not worth five hundred thousand. Chu Tianchen was simply robbing him in broad daylight.

"Young Master Tianchen, now that I have this Tier 5 Fudan Cauldron, and it cannot resolve the medicinal toxins in my body, I think I will forgo the purchase." Li Wenqing said, looking slightly embarrassed.

He dared not spend so many origin stones recklessly now. After he cleared the toxins, he did not know when he would be able to refine Tier 5 pills, and by then, the Li family would require significant resources. Where would he find so many origin stones?

"Master Li the Third, that is where you are wrong. Your medicinal toxins have already reached your heart and penetrated deep into your bone marrow and blood," Chu Tianchen continued. "Relying solely on my current ability to completely detoxify you is quite thorny. With this Tier 5 Fudan Cauldron, your daily cultivation will accelerate the speed at which you purge these toxins. Without the aid of this cauldron, I can hardly guarantee that I will be able to fully detoxify you. Master Li the Third, I believe you are very eager to be cured quickly, aren't you?"

Hearing this, Li Wenqing clicked his tongue. Suppressing the urge to erupt, he picked up a pen and signed the IOU.

"Master Li the Third is decisive," Chu Tianchen said with a smile.

The next moment, Chu Tianchen moved his palm, and a silver needle appeared in his hand. He grabbed Li Wenqing’s hand and pierced the thumb with the needle. One by one, he inserted ten silver needles into all ten of Li Wenqing’s fingers.

Chu Tianchen focused his mind, unleashing his soul power. It flowed along the needles, slowly probing into his fingers and arms. His soul power captured the toxins, and then he began to circulate the "Nine Dragons Swallowing Heaven Art." As the technique ran, the toxins were meticulously refined, finally transforming into pure origin energy that flowed out through the needles and into his own meridians.

Half an hour later, Chu Tianchen exhaled a breath of stale air and retracted the needles. Li Wenqing also let out a long sigh, feeling that both of his arms were much more comfortable.

"What technique did Young Master Tianchen just use?" Li Wenqing asked, clearly excited.

"You wouldn't be able to learn it," Chu Tianchen replied bluntly.

Li Wenqing immediately offered a few more awkward laughs.

"At this time next month, bring thirty thousand origin stones to find me here. If I am not around, tell Master Mu Ran to find me at the Yunhai Academy. Once the origin stones arrive, I will perform the second cleansing of your toxins," Chu Tianchen added. "If I do not see the origin stones, then Master Li the Third, do not blame me for being heartless."

"Understood. I shall take my leave now, and I will see you next month," Li Wenqing said.

He grabbed the Tier 5 Fudan Cauldron and turned to walk out the door. The moment he turned around, the smile vanished from his face; in that instant, Chu Tianchen even caught a glimpse of the killing intent in his eyes. However, Chu Tianchen remained indifferent.

He knew Li Wenqing very well. Or rather, he knew his older brother, Li Wendong—the father of Li Zifeng and the future General of the Kingdom—quite deeply. For a long time, his grandfather, Chu Qingcang, had suppressed Li Wendong, preventing this martial arts grandmaster from ever having the chance to rise to the position of General for six consecutive terms. Now that Chu Qingcang was about to step down, and with Chu Tianchen’s uncle and father having made names for themselves, Li Wendong had frequently visited the Chu family, attempting to join the Chu army, only to be rejected by Chu Qingcang every time. This was because Li Wendong was extreme in temperament and petty-minded. Relying on his formidable strength, he had often bullied the common people. Several times, Chu Qingcang had intended to take action against him, but the Emperor, considering Li Wendong’s high cultivation level, had secretly let him off.

It was unexpected that as soon as the Chu family fell, the Emperor would move to support this man. After the battle at the Burial Demon Abyss, Chu Tianchen could not help but suspect that Li Wendong had been involved.

As for Li Wenqing, he was just a source of easy money. The toxins in Li Wenqing’s body were not actually that deep; in truth, if he sought out a Tier 6 alchemist, a single Tier 6 Heart-Clearing Pill would have sufficed. For Chu Tianchen, it would have been entirely possible to cure him in one go. But then, how would he have managed to squeeze out this million superior origin stones? The Li family’s wealth was there to be taken—wouldn't he be a fool not to take it?

After Li Wenqing left, Mu Ran entered the alchemy room, his face full of concern. "Young Master Tianchen, did he give you any trouble?" Mu Ran hurriedly looked him over, fearing that Chu Tianchen might have been injured.

Chu Tianchen smiled. "It’s fine. I just sold the Fudan Cauldron to him; it seems Master Mu Ran will have to do without it now," he said.

"How many origin stones did you sell it for?" Mu Ran asked with a gossipy look.

"Five hundred thousand."

"Hahaha! No wonder that old guy had sparks of fury in his eyes when he walked out. That Tier 5 Fudan Cauldron is indeed a rare and excellent vessel. However, with Young Master Tianchen here, whether or not we have that cauldron makes no difference; I can still step into the ranks of a Tier 5 alchemist," Mu Ran laughed heartily.

"Just focus on cultivating the Fire Control Art I gave you. Don't be too aggressive in attempting Tier 5 pills. I am heading to Yunhai Academy next week; if you need anything, just go there to find me," Chu Tianchen instructed. "Oh, and remember to sell my spirit liquid. Also, take these three inferior Tier 5 pills and dispose of them as well; convert them into origin stones and send them to me."

Mu Ran nodded heavily. What Chu Tianchen had given him was an Emperor-grade Fire Control Art. He didn't need anything else; as long as he mastered eighty or ninety percent of that technique, becoming a Tier 5 alchemist would be as natural as water flowing into a channel.

...

He returned to the Yuelai Inn, feeling quite content with his two thousand superior origin stones. For the next few days, aside from changing the medicinal liquid for Tang Shisan, he remained in his room to cultivate or refine spirit liquid, which he had Ling Ying deliver to the Alchemical Hall for Mu Ran to sell.

In just a few days, Chu Tianchen's spirit liquid had become a highly sought-after item at the Alchemical Hall. Being cheaper than Tier 1 healing pills and having better efficacy, it was a massive boon for the mercenary group members who traveled to the Demon Beast Mountains to hunt beasts.

About seven days later, Tang Shisan’s complexion finally returned to normal.

"In one month, you will be able to cultivate normally," Chu Tianchen said.

"Thank you, Brother Tianchen, for saving me," Tang Shisan said gratefully.

Chu Tianchen looked at him. There were many things he wanted to ask, but seeing how weak he still was, he kept his words to himself.

"Alright, I am going to report to Yunhai Academy shortly. Once you have recovered and can cultivate again, we shall meet at the academy," Chu Tianchen said. He then left the inn and headed in the direction of Yunhai Academy.

Standing before the gates of Yunhai Academy, Chu Tianchen took a deep breath. From this day forward, he would officially begin a new chapter. What exactly was hidden within Yunhai Academy that could attract so many people from the Great World? Moreover, inside the academy, he always felt his bloodline faintly boiling, and the ancient ring on his finger would tremble from time to time.

The truth could only be discovered by stepping into the academy and exploring it slowly!