Gongyi Tianheng had a clear understanding in his mind.
Gu Zuo also understood that it was still a matter of a struggle for power. But no matter how one competed for power, it was all related to their strength. If one’s strength wasn’t enough, then they could only be trampled upon by others.
However, at this time, Tianheng still opened his mouth in amazement: “As far as I know, the Sect Regulations don’t allow Sect disciples to massacre one another…”
Hai Tian shook his head: “It’s naturally no good in the Outer and Inner Sect, but if it’s just ‘comparing notes’, it won’t be a problem. If robbed, my Hundred Rivers League disciples will certainly be disgraced, but they won’t drop dead inside of the Sect. However, once they leave the Sect to go adventuring, then it’s different.”
Speaking up to here, he looked at Tianheng and warned: “Although the rules within the Sect are thorough, they definitely aren’t without any loopholes. Junior Sect Brother Gongyi, you need to be more mindful in the future.”
When Gu Zuo heard Hai Tian speak like this, he actually had a bit of a favorable impression of him.
On the contrary, this person was very good-hearted.
But at the next moment, a voice arose within his mind.
[It’s possibly to arouse feelings of a good impression. Was Ah Zuo fooled?]
Gu Zuo was silent.
[Yes, I was fooled.]
[Then, in the future, don’t be deceived so easily.]
[…Yes, big brother.]
Soon after, Gu Zuo’s Tianfu Acupoint echoed with Gongyi Tianheng’s low, magnetic, and cheerful laughter.
Gu Zuo was exasperated.
Actually, he also understood that Hai Tian might’ve had the intentions of winning a favorable impression, but the guy wasn’t the least bit insincere. His big brother clearly saw this, but still kept playing with him for some reason.
He simply delighted in evil!
The longer he interacted with this big brother of his, the more Gu Zuo felt that Tianheng’s nature was a bit mischievous.
Off to the side, Tianheng was still listening to Hai Tian’s grievances. In addition, he also put out timely expressions of deep concern: “Many thanks for the pointers, Senior Sect Brother Hai. But why didn’t that third place Senior Sect Brother take his fellow disciples’ feelings into consideration that day? Since they’re all fellow disciples, why be so overbearing? Wouldn’t it have been more righteous to wait until after Senior Sect Brother Xiao’s injuries recovered to battle? Taking advantage of another’s difficulties really isn’t straightforward and upright.”
Hai Tian sighed heavily: “It really is just too tyrannical!” He looked at Tianheng with a distressed expression, “That third ranked disciple is a member of a first-class empire’s aristocratic family, which is on almost equal ground with the empire’s royal family. He’s also the same as those younger generations of the royal family, attaching importance to a monarch’s schemes. Since he has a monarch’s intentions for domination, how could he value a fair fight? He only needs to get the biggest benefits and lay the foundations for his sovereignty, regardless of the methods on his path of tyranny. Thus, that person doesn’t care whether he takes advantage of another’s difficulties.”
Tianheng’s gaze faintly moved: “So it’s like this.” Then, he seemed to carelessly ask, “Who might this tyrannical Senior Sect Brother be? The Sky Leaderboard is aloof and remote, and us Inner Sect disciples have no way to get in contact with it. As a businessman, it wouldn’t be good if I accidentally offend that tyrannical disciple in the future.”
Hai Tian heard this, and suddenly hesitated.
Just as Tianheng said, ordinary Inner Sect disciples could only know of the Earth Leaderboard. Only by reaching the Immortal Realm and entering the Core Sect would one be able to see the Sky Leaderboard. For everyone else, it was only if they knew someone on the Sky Leaderboard, would they know something about it. If one’s strength was low and they’d just entered the Inner Sect, even if they made discreet inquiries, those who didn’t know naturally wouldn’t know and those who did know wouldn’t breathe a word of it to anyone.
— Granted that Tianheng had the Tianlong Guards investigate a long time ago, they were able to scout out information on the Earth Leaderboard and many other matters of the Sect, but they had no success with matters about the Sky Leaderboard and other things one would know after reaching the Immortal Realm.
At this time, Hai Tian also wasn’t unwilling to give Tianheng a favor. Only, he was worried that Tianheng wouldn’t dare sell the league any medicinal pills after learning about the foundations of the person who ranked third. Instead, wouldn’t this make it impossible to reach the goal of this trip? He was thinking that, even if he couldn’t obtain the large amount of pills previously mentioned, it was still feasible if a few less were secured. No matter how small a mosquito was, it still had meat.
After contemplating for a good while, Hai Tian decided to speak. He directly answered: “That Sky Leaderboard third place Senior Sect Brother is called He Chenghong, a descendant of the Qingcang Empire’s He Clan. In our Qingyun Sect, there are many people from first-class empires. Although the He Clan isn’t one of the ten bloodlines, it’s also considered a sizable power with many Elders who’ve taken root within the Sect.
He continued: “He Chenghong is the strongest individual in his generation and has received the consideration of the He Clan’s many Elders. After arriving in the Sect, it was smooth sailing and he established a rather large base.”
A martial artist’s lifespan was extremely long. Consequently, one generation here would refer to fifty years, which was the period of time for the Hundred Countries Tournament’s assembly. Also, the Earth Leaderboard only recorded martial artists under the age of fifty, and the Sky Leaderboard only recorded martial artists under the age of one hundred. Not all high-level Xiantians could enter the Earth Leaderboard, and not all Immortal Realms could enter the Sky Leaderboard. Whether it was the Sky Leaderboard or Earth Leaderboard, there could only be one hundred people.
As a result, the Sky Leaderboard only included two generations at most, and the Earth Leaderboard had only one generation. But more often than not, most of the Sky Leaderboard’s top ten were less than fifty years old. In fact, it was only a single generation of people — Because only exceptional geniuses could easily rush to the peak. On the contrary, for those who relied on age and experience, even though they entrenched themselves on the Sky Leaderboard, very few could reach the top.
Gongyi Tianheng sighed: “Sure enough, this Senior Sect Brother He has a robust background. His strength is also extraordinary…”
Hai Tian said: “This year, He Chenghong is only twenty-eight years old. He was sent to the Qingyun Sect by the Qingcang Empire ten years ago and directly entered the Inner Sect through a priority selection. Then, he was accepted as a disciple by a He Clan Elder and was carefully nurtured. When he arrived, he was just Xiantian stage three, but he only spent five years to break through to the Immortal Realm. His realm stabilized now that five years had passed, and he made another breakthrough, becoming a mid Immortal Realm powerhouse.
He continued: “The scary thing about him is that he can skip ranks when challenging others. If it wasn’t for Senior Sect Brother Xiao being infinitesimally close to the high Immortal Realm, it would’ve been hard to suppress him. But Senior Sect Brother Xiao had received a grievous injury and his strength dropped. Although he didn’t immediately degrade to the low Immortal Realm, he didn’t have any superiority over He Chenghong.”
The people of the Qingyun Continent weren’t like the people of other continents. If it wasn’t by chance, then one could only come through the Hundred Countries Tournament. Every year when the Qingyun Sect recruited disciples, they could send people over. As a result, the people of the Qingyun Continent made up over seventy percent of those within the Qingyun Sect.
Tianheng heard this, and seemed to be even more worried about the Hundred Rivers League’s bitter experience.
As for Gu Zuo, when he heard the name He Chenghong, he felt a bolt of lightning strike down in his mind, which shocked him a little.
In this Qingyun Sect, if they really had any foes, it wouldn’t have been that overrated Sun Lang and it also wouldn’t have been that secretly scheming Lu Jiusi. It was the people of the He Clan!
After all, the first two were, at most, unsuccessful. The He Clan’s He Chengfeng had been dealt a hidden hand by his big brother. He Qianqian and her hired thugs had been directly slain by them, and not even ashes remained! This was classified as an arch-nemesis!
Originally, Gu Zuo felt that they had acted flawlessly. However, now that selling medicinal pills had let them encounter a person who was an enemy of that side, it was inevitable that he felt that this matter was too coincidental.
It felt as if that secret wasn’t so firm and solid anymore.
There was a mysterious pair of hands at work…
Thinking up to here, Gu Zuo composed himself.
He didn’t want to think about whether there was foul play or not. It was fortunate that his big brother had set up a chess piece within He Chenghong’s forces early on. Merely, although Bai Qingyi had a Life Extension Pill in his possession, the right opportunity still needed to be chosen. As a result, although he’d already smoothly entered that power, he hadn’t officially entered a core position. To say nothing of becoming a trusted aide of the He Clan Brothers. In order to prevent him from being discovered, they usually made fewer contacts, and the information passed along from over there was also not much. This only let them have an understanding of some of the matters on the periphery.
But, this chess piece had its uses.
Off to the side, Hai Tian played several cards describing his plight. Tianheng both listened and expressed his sympathy. In addition, he replenished Hai Tian’s tea while listening to his continued grievances.
Gu Zuo couldn’t bear it, but still chatted with Tianheng.
[Big brother, do you think we should sell the medicinal pills or not?]
[What does Ah Zuo think?]
[The enemy of an enemy is a friend. I think it’s better to sell, which means I’ll refine a few more cauldrons… At worst, let’s just say that there’s a previous stock.]
[This still needs considering. In my opinion, the quantities of Qi Linking Pills and Revitalization Pills need to be reduced to the lowest amounts.]
Gu Zuo thought about it, and felt that a quantity that was too few wouldn’t be useful.
[Big brother’s idea is?]
[It would be better to sell a different type of medicinal pill.]
After that, Tianheng continuing talking with Hai Tian with a face full of difficulties. What’s more, Hai Tian had been speaking with him for so long and had mentioned the predicament of his own Hundred Rivers League. Wasn’t this to purchase a few more medicinal pills? If Tianheng listened to so many of that guy’s words and didn’t sell a bit more, then that would be a huge joke — It would be tantamount to starting a feud!
Only, in order to hide Gu Zuo’s true medicine refining level as well as maintain the business so it would last for a long time, the Qi Linking Pills and Revitalization Pills couldn’t really be sold according to the other party’s requests.
Tianheng’s face showed some hesitation: “Senior Sect Brother Hai, each month I can only give two hundred Qi Linking Pills, twenty Revitalization Pills, and twenty Qi Accumulating Pills. If it was any more, my medicinal pill store wouldn’t be able to operate. My pharmacists also wouldn’t be able to squeeze out any more.”
Hai Tian’s feelings of disappointment practically bled into his speech. However, he quickly discovered a turn in the conversation.
Tianheng said: “But…”
Hai Tian’s expression shifted: “But what?”
Tianheng became resolute: “But, I actually have another type of medicinal pill here. There’s some stored up in Medicine of Life, and the pills haven’t been launched yet. Senior Sect Brother Hai has treated me with such sincerity, so I’ll work to resolve this desperate situation. If worst comes to worst, I’ll just delay the launch for a period of time. For now, I’ll sell them to Senior Sect Brother Hai. How does that sound?”
Hai Tian heard about another type of medicinal pill and was still slightly disappointed, but since it was recommended by the owner of Medicine of Life, it surely wasn’t lacking. He carried a lucky and hopeful mindset, and asked: “What would this medicinal pill be?”
In fact, he also knew that Tianheng was giving him face by being able to take out that amount of medicinal pills. As for that recommendation afterwards, the other side could’ve said nothing. However, saying something was a form of kindness.
Tianheng firmly said: “This pill is called the Jinyuan Pill. It’s a medicinal pill that will briefly upgrade one’s rank in the middle of combat…”
After that, he gave a full recounting about that pill’s benefits, capabilities, and the effects of the different product grades. Of course, top grade pills were still concealed.
In the wake of Tianheng’s words, Hai Tian’s eyes grew brighter and brighter. At first, he felt that it could be a bit useful. However, he never anticipated that it would be far more than a bit useful. It was practically a godsend! It could be compared to a magical tool! If one had this kind of medicinal pill in hand, what would they still fear?! At the very least, all of the disciples would be able to save their own lives! If the opponent lowered their guard or if they themselves used the strategy of disguising as a pig to eat the tiger, it was instead possible to inflict heavy losses on the opponent!
— So long as they endured this period of time and Senior Sect Brother Xiao recovered from his injuries, they wouldn’t need to be afraid anymore!
Hai Tian’s voice immediately became eager: “Junior Sect Brother Gongyi, are these words true? That medicinal pill really has such godly effects?!”
Tianheng was resolute and decisive: “Every word is true!” Soon after, he brought another turn to the conversation, “But…”
Hai Tian’s heart thumped loudly and his frame of mind was in a mess. He was afraid of hearing any words that would shatter his joy. Having one’s hopes dashed again, this flavor was just too bitter.
Tianheng didn’t keep him in suspense: “But, it’s very difficult to refine these medicinal pills. Right now, my subordinate pharmacists have been working tirelessly day after day, and most of it has been to refine this pill. While we’ve stocked up some numbers, I’m afraid that the amount is still insufficient. If Senior Sect Brother Hai is interested, would it be possible to come back in five days to fetch the pills? I’ll get the pharmacists to work together and do their best to refine these pills.”
Hai Tian set aside his worries immediately upon hearing this reason. It was only natural that he didn’t object. Wasn’t it just waiting five days? They would wait! Moreover, that He Chenghong also needed to make more preparations to challenge Senior Sect Brother Xiao. Only, they felt a sense of urgency and had gone everywhere to collect medicinal pills.
Hence, he showed a sincere smile: “Five days is just five days. This won’t cause any harm.”
Tianheng also seemed to rest assured, and showed a smiling expression: “However…”
The corner of Hai Tian’s smile stiffened: “However?”
Tianheng said: “However, this medicinal pill is somewhat expensive. I’m afraid there’s no way to cut the price.”
Hai Tian heaved another sigh of relief. So it turned out to be a question of money. This also wasn’t a problem. If it wasn’t for them having a large foundation and earning countless golden banknotes, how could they be worried about others robbing them? It needed to be known that one wouldn’t be able to provide for a martial artist’s cultivation without a big handful of golden banknotes. Each Sky Leaderboard powerhouse had properties. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to exchange for enough resources.
As a result, he said: “Junior Sect Brother Gongyi, please quote a price.”
Tianheng seemed to ponder for a bit: “Low grade pills are a hundred gold, mid grade is five hundred gold, and high grade is a thousand gold.”
To speak frankly, this was the price for Revitalization Pills.
Hai Tian thought it over, and felt that this price was very fair. Revitalization Pills could treat a Xiantian martial artist’s injuries and was classified as an exceptional healing pill that could save a person’s life. The Jinyuan Pill allowed a person to briefly break through realms to either kill or flee from an enemy. Likewise, it was also an exceptional medicinal pill that could save a person’s life. Both had their uses. It was truly a case of different methods leading to the same result.
At once, he sealed the deal: “No problem! An exchange of golden banknotes for medicinal pills. I’ll see my Junior Sect Brother again in five days!”
Gongyi Tianheng naturally use the tea to substitute for wine, and said: “Sure enough, Senior Sect Brother Hai is refreshingly straightforward.”
Hai Tian’s face reddened and similarly drank a mouthful of tea. Soon after, he finally remembered: “How many Jinyuan Pills can Junior Sect Brother Gongyi give me at that time? I’ll also prepare the golden banknotes.”
Many thoughts flashed through Tianheng’s mind. Finally, he said with some ambiguity: “I’ll need to go back to tally up the specific amounts, but we have several hundred pills. However, the product grades can’t be ensured for now. Senior Sect Brother Hai can bring some more golden banknotes and we’ll do a proper accounting then.”
Hai Tian heard this and didn’t continue to ramble: “Then, many thanks, Junior Sect Brother Gongyi!”
After he finished speaking, he didn’t stay here for long and hurried back to report this good news to his superior. He also needed to carefully figure out who could obtain the Jinyuan Pills in the Hundred Rivers League…
Once Hai Tian left, Gu Zuo, who’d been holding himself back, took this opportunity to say: “Big brother, I still haven’t refined the Jinyuan Pills, yet you dared to agree to him…”
Gongyi Tianheng had a smile on his face, and pinched Gu Zuo’s cheek: “What? Ah Zuo’s not confident in himself?”
Gu Zuo shook his head: “Actually, it’s not…”
Tianheng smiled and said: “I have the utmost faith in Ah Zuo. Besides, five hundred is a couple hundred, and two hundred…is also a couple hundred. It was never a definite matter, and there’ll always be some leeway for mediation.”
Gu Zuo thought about it, and realized that the matter was like this. What’s more, he himself also recalled something. He didn’t feel that the Jinyuan Pill was difficult to the degree that he couldn’t refine two hundred pills.
After receiving the transaction, the two stood up and prepared to go back.
Tianheng leisurely led Gu Zuo onward, but his mind plotted the matter of He Chenghong.
What his little pharmacist said was correct. The enemy’s enemy was a friend. If it was only a simple scramble for power, he would’ve devised different ways to make discreet inquiries about the temperament, behavior, and style of the Sky Leaderboard’s rank two and rank three powerhouses before judging who to work with. However, since one of the parties was an enemy, then he’d help the other side. This was a matter of course.
Additionally, they were providing help to the Hundred Rivers League in their hour of need. Not only could a bond of good karma with the league restrict He Chenghong, it would also be a huge benefit to them.
Five days later.
The large doors of a medicine refining room burst open with a loud bang. A delicate teenager with messy hair and a dirty face immediately came out. His facial expression was a bit gloomy and his figure was somewhat wretched. That completely disheartened appearance was like as if one opened their mouth and spewed out a cloud of black smoke.
When he came out, his body suddenly swayed.
A person’s figure flashed. And a pair of arms was already supporting him.
Gongyi Tianheng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “Ah Zuo, what did you do to yourself to become like this?”
Gu Zuo slumped bonelessly in the crooks of his dear big brother’s arms. His eyes were slightly dull: “Ah, I refined pills…”
No matter how cool-headed Tianheng was normally, he was at a loss for words.
He certainly knew that his little pharmacist was refining pills, but every time he finished refining before, he’d never turned out looking so ragged. In the end, what happened? It was just refining the Jinyuan Pill; it shouldn’t have gotten to this point.
As a result, Tianheng stopped: “…Refining pills?”
Gu Zuo was still sluggish, but his dull eyes became bright for a split second. He raised a finger: “I refined…a thousand pills!”
At this time, even Tianheng was startled: “Ah Zuo, you… Didn’t you just learn how to refine this medicinal pill?”
Gu Zuo swept aside his languor just now, and his expression immediately became proud: “One hundred low grade pills, five hundred mid grade pills, and four hundred high grade pills. I counted each and every pill, and there definitely isn’t one less!”
Tianheng slowly sighed, and lightly flicked Gu Zuo: “How were you refining?”
A person would understand how one became like this after refining a thousand pills day and night. Speaking of which, his little pharmacist really hadn’t taken a single step outside of the medicine refining room within these five days.
As such, he half carried Gu Zuo to the side while talking, wanting to find a place for Gu Zuo to sit down.
Gu Zuo also stuck close as he followed him, and explained: “I was so upset… Big brother, you didn’t know that I was very bothered in the beginning…”
As it turned out, Gu Zuo went into the medicine refining room with the mindset that the Jinyuan Pill wouldn’t be difficult for him. When he was greeted with a room full of medicinal herbs, his mood was also very excited. However, when Gu Zuo was prepared to show his skills, the first cauldron of pills exploded! It unexpectedly exploded so easily! Gu Zuo’s mood suddenly wasn’t so wonderful.
After calming down, Gu Zuo continued. The result was that the second cauldron of Jinyuan Pills also exploded. One after another, at least five or six cauldrons exploded before Gu Zuo finally refined three low grade Jinyuan Pills!
Basically, this was a disgrace to Gu Zuo.
With such a miserable outcome, Gu Zuo naturally couldn’t bear it. Afterwards, he was even more focused and careful when he refined again. Under such concentration, he discovered that there were three medicinal herbs which didn’t look any special when examined by themselves, but when combined, would easily cause a conflict. So long as one wasn’t careful when sorting out the medicinal properties, there would be a high probability for the cauldron to explode!
It was no wonder why such a medicinal pill that could briefly upgrade one’s realm would be so difficult to refine.
After this, Gu Zuo was careful, cautious, and prudent. However, his rate for successful pills and the product grades of those pills still wasn’t high. Gu Zuo was in a bad mood, and drilled into the bull’s horn as he worked tirelessly on the Jinyuan Pills.
And after that, he didn’t come out of the medicine refining room…
Tianheng said helplessly: “So, Ah Zuo used enough strength to refine them?”
Gu Zuo repeatedly nodded his head: “At the beginning, I wasn’t any good at it, and they were all low grade. Later, I took my time and gradually had mid grade and high grade pills. Following which, I was even more meticulous and refined them faster and faster. After that, I could handle two and then three cauldrons at the same time! And after that, I finally refined a thousand pills.”
Gongyi Tianheng put a hand to his forehead.
Gu Zuo’s mind had already recovered: “In addition, I also produced twenty top grade pills. These really can’t be compared to the ones I made previously. However, so long as I can refine top grade pills, I’ll definitely be able to keep refining top grade pills in the future!”
Tianheng saw him like this, and reached out a hand to pat his head: “I believe in Ah Zuo.”
Gu Zuo felt that his face must’ve certainly been glowing.
Just as they were talking, a Tianlong Guard came in to report.
There was a visitor outside.
T/N: Thanks for the corrections, Charysa.
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