Kent’s cauldron puffed, sending out dark smoke as yet another pill successfully formed—the 30th in the last three days.
He retrieved it and carefully placed it in a jade pill bottle. He planned to save them until his next visit to Manager Alina to hand them over.
He had already concluded that pills below the Tier 3 stage were no longer worthy in his eyes. His focus was now firmly set on Tier 3 and above.
That was the threshold where he would finally step into the realm of true pill-making. It would mark the stage where he could be called a Pill Grandmaster, someone with the power to suppress even a Merchant Family and become untouchable.
He had already concocted all 60 Tier 1 pills, and now, he was left with 30 more to complete the second requirement that required him to concoct another 60 Tier 2 pills.
“Tower, how much time remains before the requirements are due?” Kent asked. The tower had set a time limit for him to complete four requirements before earning the title of Pill Grandmaster.
[You still have five months and two weeks,] the tower responded.
“Good. At least I have more time before the Pill Master competition in three months,” Kent sighed. He stored away the cauldron.
He then went to wash his hands, scrubbing away the lingering smell of pills, before returning to focus on his main agenda.
The tower informed him an hour ago that it was done rendering the video of what truly happened during his rescue mission in Makosa Mine.
Since he somehow managed to kill a Root Sage, he wanted to know how that was possible. Luckily, his reason for recording and playing his battle for his master to show how awesome he is has captured something rather intriguing.
“Tower, play the video,” Kent said. Suddenly, like a Virtual Reality headset, the video appeared; however, the most intriguing thing was that he had a third-person view of the situation.
“Tower, play from where the lady appeared,” Kent said, and like it was instructed, the video fast forward to the scene when Lady Sandra appeared.
She attacked, and Kent defended.
“Who are you?” Kent asked
“The question should be, who are you, young man? I’ve encountered many humans with great potential, but none quite like you,” the masked woman said coldly. She then moved closer to Kent.
Kent instinctively took a few steps back.
“Tell me, young man, what is your name?” the woman asked.
“I asked the question first,” Kent replied, his gaze steady on the woman. He knew he couldn’t defeat her but refused to cower before her.
“A bold one, huh? I like that,” she said. “Initially, I planned to kill you since I can’t leave any witnesses when I claim the Atomic Divine Body. But I’ve changed my mind.
“With your potential, having you as my slave would be far more advantageous. So, human, will you become my slave willingly, or do you prefer the hard way?”
The moment Kent heard her question, something shifted within him. “What did you just say?” he asked, his voice chilling as the temperature around them dropped.
Suddenly, Kent’s eyes darkened, and his aura surged wildly. The dark-robed lady, Lady Sandra, immediately became alarmed and moved to knock him out.
However, as she came within range, Kent swung his sword precisely, forcing her to jump back in fright.
“You dare threaten to enslave me? Do you even know who I am?” Kent roared, his voice filled with unrestrained fury. He sent Lady Sandra hurtling several meters through the air with a powerful punch.
Before she could hit the ground, Kent teleported, immediately appearing behind her.
“Do you have any idea who you are threatening?” he shouted again, his voice thunderous as he landed another punch, this time on her stomach.
“I am the Chaos Lord, the bringer of chaos, and you dare threaten to enslave me?” he bellowed, his rage palpable. A third punch smashed into her ribcage, forcing her to cough up a mouthful of blood.
“How bold. To think a mere mortal would threaten to enslave me, the Dragon King.” This time, his hand transformed into a dragon claw and swiped at her chest, sending her flying back once more.
He moved again, but this time, a dense sword intent, having transcended the 9th stage and finally stepping into Sword Will, burst out of his body as he gazed coldly at the lady coughing up blood on the ground.
“In all my existence as the first-ever Sword Sage, this is the first time I’ve encountered a mortal who thinks she has what it takes to enslave me. How bold.”
He moved forward and thrust his sword through her chest.
“In your next life, learn never to threaten anyone with slavery. Not even gods would dare to threaten me with such, let alone a mortal like you. How bold.”
Kent formed a seal, and runic strings attached themselves to Lady Sandra’s soul. Soon, a soul bead formed, and he used a secret technique to enhance its power.
A few seconds later, his eyes returned to their usual purple hue.
The video ended there, and Kent was brought back to his senses. He gasped for breath the moment he came out.
“That was intense,” Kent commented, feeling his brain numb momentarily. He sat down and took the next few minutes to recollect his thoughts.
“The Chaos Lord, the Dragon King, and the Sword Sage. Was I really that awesome in my past life?” Kent wondered, recalling how domineering, arrogant, and powerful he had felt while watching the video.
“Was I truly that awesome?” Kent’s excitement was palpable, the memories sparking a joy he’d never experienced before. Now that he had seen what happened, something shifted within him.
It was as if he had suddenly become fearless, brimming with energy. At that moment, he felt like the domineering Dragon King, the immensely powerful and wrathful Chaos Lord, and the elegant yet sinister Sword Sage all at once.
“Tower, what’s your take on this?” Kent asked.
[Master, you have indeed assumed three past incarnations when triggered back then.]
“You think being threatened with slavery was the trigger, huh?” Kent asked.
[Indeed. I tracked the master’s pulses throughout the fight. Just when the lady threatened to make you her slave, your pulse dropped before suddenly spiking.
I believe the trigger is closely tied to being threatened with slavery.]
“I see. In that case, I need to find a way to remember more of my past. I want to feel like that again,” Kent said, determination flashing in his eyes.
Kent was beyond happy. For reasons unknown, he felt as though his life had been far more extraordinary than the one he lived back on Earth—or even the one he was living now.
It felt as if he was destined for something greater, and having just witnessed his domineering past self, Kent was more than ready to uncover more about who he had been and how to reclaim the immense power he had once demonstrated.
“Tower, keep tracking my pulse. Whenever I go dark, record everything. I want to know more,” Kent declared, his resolve solidifying.
He wanted to remember. Of course, the cost of uncovering his past would reveal itself soon enough.