In the month following the establishment of the Sect, everything proceeded in an orderly fashion, with no unexpected incidents.
Linno and Zhang Yin… as well as the third and fourth disciples, gradually settled down on the mountain, getting used to the tranquil life there.
“Today’s lesson is alchemy… to be precise, it’s a poison class.”
I stood before the two of them, cradling the alchemy furnace, feeling a bit dazed.
Just a few months ago, I was still attending Shi Tian’s classes, learning how to refine Potions.
In the blink of an eye, I’ve founded my own Sect and taken on disciples.
But I know full well, this Sect won’t last long.
The fundamental purpose of founding this Sect is to train employees, to equip them with the ability to refine artifacts, and then to completely destroy the Mu Family.
To bring this whole farce of revenge to a thorough end.
But nurturing the staff takes time.
The establishment of the Sect is merely a pastime during this period, and a way to fulfill the Bet between Cluru and me.
The Bet—
If Cluru hasn’t given up on her disciples after three months, I’ll help her realize her dream.
If Cluru gives up on her disciples within three months, then she must forever give up on this idea, and focus on finding another way with me to resolve her inner fire problem.
“Poison is your best weapon when facing powerful enemies.” I lifted the lid off the alchemy furnace. “For enemies you can’t defeat in a direct fight, you can use poison to kill above your level. Even if the poison doesn’t kill them, it’ll easily drag them down to your level.”
“I’m teaching you poison now so you’ll have a way to save yourselves in a crisis. So… I won’t teach you any petty or trivial poisons, but the deadliest poisons—even ones I can’t withstand myself.”
Having said that, I started to share the poison formulas and the refining process.
Both of them listened intently, and before long, they successfully produced a “Judu Pill” based on the formula.
“The Judu Pill can seal the Cultivation of any practitioner, altering their spiritual energy at its root, making it impossible to use any immortal techniques, stripping away their immortal constitution, and rendering them as powerless as ordinary people—completely at your mercy… The Judu Pill: vicious, simple, direct, and effective.”
I checked the work they had done.
“Hm… The quality is quite good. With your constitutions and Cultivation, it would be hard not to succeed.”
Satisfied, I nodded. “That concludes today’s lesson.”
At the Sect of Immortal Dew, there’s only one class per day. After all, disciples need time for their own training.
For a cultivator, Cultivation is still the most important thing.
However… Cluru clearly doesn’t agree.
“Class is over, class is over! Come play games with your Master Sister!”
As soon as class ended, Cluru dragged the two of them into her little room.
I simply couldn’t understand Cluru’s passion for games…
“Haven’t you played enough games after all these years?”
“You don’t get it.” Cluru shook her head. “My gaming setup used to be terrible.”
“I thought the computer in your basement was pretty good…”
“The ultimate gaming setup isn’t about computers.” Cluru declared.
Not computers? Then what is it?
I didn’t understand.
Watching the three of them enthusiastically team up for a match, I suddenly felt a bit left out.
Strange, why do I feel so upset inside?
The stupid grass carp has found new playmates and doesn’t cling to me anymore—shouldn’t that be a good thing…
My lips puffed up unconsciously as I poked my head behind the three of them.
As expected, the third and fourth disciples immediately tensed up, turning nervous.
Alright, alright, I get it. With me here, it’s like the homeroom teacher lurking outside the classroom door. As long as I’m around, you can’t possibly relax.
It’s a natural wariness and fear the disciple generation has toward the Master generation.
Not to mention, I’m usually pretty strict with these two.
“Tch, a bunch of little game addicts—what’s so fun about that.”
I made a show of looking disdainful, striding out of the room with hands behind my back, deliberately stomping my feet loudly so they could hear.
The third and fourth exchanged embarrassed looks. “Uh, Master, do you want to join us too? This game supports four-player squads, and we’re one short.”
“What?! Four-player squads? Ahem, so what, your childish games are beneath me as your Master!”
The three glanced at my not-even-half-doorframe height.
Childish? Emm.
“Come on, Master, we’re one short and it’s kind of a hassle. Just help your disciples out this once,” Linno said timidly.
“Go ask the Grand Elder. I won’t waste my time like you lot, neglecting Cultivation.”
“But our Cultivation is automatic…” Zhang Huang muttered softly, only to be glared at by me. He immediately ducked his head.
“Hmph, playing leads to ruin.”
I strutted away like a crab, chin held high, taking big steps.
Returning to the Sect Master’s chamber, I slammed the door shut with a bang.
Flopping onto the bed, I wrapped my slender legs around the pillow, hugged it tight, and twisted it viciously out of shape.
“Stupid Cluru! Stupid Cluru! Idiot! Naive big fool! How can she believe there’s such a thing as a perfect master-disciple relationship?”
I gnawed furiously at the pillow’s pristine corner.
“When those two brats show their rebellious sides, she’ll be the first they poison! Idiot! Idiot!”
After tearing at the pillow like mad, I kicked it aside, sprawled out, and glared at the ceiling, panting.
“But Cluru really has seemed sunnier these past few days.”
“An illusion! It must be an illusion! How could an evil god possibly have anything to do with sunshine?”
“Hmph. This fool, she’s even forgotten about revenge—she hasn’t mentioned the Mu Family once in days.”
Cluru wastes her time on games, but I can’t.
With nothing better to do, I opened the news and searched for information on the Mu Family.
Huh?
I actually found something!
The former Mu Family Pharmacy has already been renamed “Potion Alliance.”
The Potion Alliance is formed by unemployed Potion Masters from around the world, aiming to bring a ray of hope to the Potion industry in its darkest hour.
Thanks to the combined efforts of Potion Masters everywhere, with knowledge exchanged and barriers broken, the Mu Family Pharmacy’s technology has made rapid progress.
At today’s noon ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Potion Alliance, Alliance Leader “Musicheng” announced:
“Through the concerted efforts of all parties, the Potion Alliance has developed a Potion with five times the effect, capable of rivaling Xianlu Magic Potion Shop. Although the R&D costs are high… as long as the Potion industry can recover and escape Xianlu’s clutches, we’ll eventually recoup the costs.”
According to reliable sources, by the time of reporting, the Mu Family has invested $4.6 billion in pharmaceutical R&D projects, most of which has gone toward the purchase of new equipment and materials.
The Mu Family hasn’t given up yet?
I can’t help but feel respect.
Musicheng, this old fox, truly undefeated after a hundred battles—a model for us all.
[Latest update: The Potion Alliance will hold a Press Conference at 3 PM today, when the purchase link for the fivefold-effect Potion will officially open.]
A Press Conference?
That reminds me of the time when Xianlu Magic Potion Shop was forced to “bare its belly” at a Press Conference.
Heh…
It’s only fair to return the favor.