“What? That Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment Pill is…”
“Junior Brother Yun!”
A chorus of exclamations erupted all around.
Huo Tian Tian’s gaze toward the boy now held a trace of fear.
She’d thought it was Senior Sister secretly guiding her little lover, but to think the truly hidden expert was Yun Liu?
The two were about the same age, yet Yun Liu, at just sixteen, was already a second-grade Heaven Dao pill cultivator.
Was he even human!
He was neither arrogant in victory nor dejected in defeat, displaying the demeanor of a true prodigy.
No wonder the crippling of his Qi Sea had not affected his state of mind in the slightest.
Mr. Kuai greatly admired the boy’s temperament and got straight to the point: “I won’t waste words. The reason I invited you here is that I want you, Mr. Yun, to serve as the Great Offering of the Medicine Hut. As long as you agree, I’ll handle communication with Aunt Master and Head Lan myself.”
“Eh?”
“Rest assured, this matter has already been reported to the Sect Leader Immortal Master. I’m not just making empty promises. If you accept, you’ll become the Pharmacy Hall Master from now on. Qin Yao and I will assist you, supporting you in all sect affairs. The entire resources of Clear Mist Peak, even the Sect, will be at your disposal. Everything I’ve accumulated over the years, my insights and treasures, I’ll share them all with you.”
“Whoa!”
The women of the Medicine Hut whispered among themselves, each wave of shock greater than the last.
By the teacher’s tone, was he stepping back to nurture Junior Brother Xiao Yun as his successor?
A change of hands at the Medicine Hut was no trivial matter—the Shopkeeper was to be replaced by a greenhorn, and the Sect Leader had even approved it.
Mr. Kuai had never regarded Senior Sister Qin so highly!
One step to the heavens, taking charge of the Shenhua core; who could refuse?
The Pharmacy Hall Master, as the Sect’s Great Offering, held true power, second only to one, above all others.
This was far beyond the empty title of Chief Disciple.
There was no need to handle matters personally; the Five Peaks Elders and Inner Disciples would serve at his command.
For a youth whose Qi Sea was ruined, this was the best way to remain in the Shenhua Sect.
Yun Liu didn’t even hesitate before replying, “Thank you for your kindness, sir, but I’m here to apply for the Rosy Fragrance Pavilion’s nominal Alchemist position. I have no interest in sect affairs.”
You want me to act as a madam, letting me order around the top beauties and stay at Clear Mist Peak to be waited on by Senior Sisters? Sounds pretty nice, actually.
But I refuse!
Yun Liu had better options—definitely more comfortable than lying in debt-evader Qin Yao’s arms.
“He… refused? Did I hear that right!”
Huo Tian Tian’s mouth fell open in disbelief.
“…Why?”
The Granny shook her head in confusion. He had the talent and the ability, yet he only wanted to work in a branch store of the Shenhua Pavilion.
Not striving for fame in the Medicine Hut, not helping the Sect achieve glory, but hiding in the Outer Sect as a mere errand boy?
Even if Yun Liu refused to give up the sword way and wanted to repair his Qi Sea, he could still comprehend the mysteries of the Reversion Pill in the years to come.
Or perhaps, after his grievous injury and seeing the coldness of human nature, he had grown disheartened—not only holding a grudge against the heartless Xiao family, but also resenting the Shenhua Sect for abandoning him?
It wasn’t that they ignored him, but that they were powerless.
If Mr. Kuai had even a thirty percent chance of refining the Reversion Pill, he would never have refused Ge Lan.
Yet the boy’s eyes were clear and untroubled, his resolve firm, impossible for others to fathom.
“Forgive me for being blunt, but this is a private matter. I’d rather not say.”
“All right, I won’t force you. But remember, my offer stands at all times. If you change your mind, you can come find me at any moment. Clear Mist Peak will always welcome you!”
An unlimited… term?
The Medicine Hut disciples stared blankly, suspecting they were dreaming.
Today’s events were simply too surreal—no one would believe it if they told the story.
Not only did Senior Sister treat Junior Brother Xiao Yun with special affection, even Elder Kuai regarded him differently.
Normally, he was so proud—even when speaking to Head Lan, he wasn’t this polite!
“Thank you for your generosity, sir. Yun Liu is unworthy of such favor.”
Yun Liu bowed again, unmoved.
It wasn’t about being ungrateful—after all, Yunhai was still his home.
Xiao Yun’s Aunt and Second Mother were still family.
He just didn’t need to remain in the Sect to secretly protect them as a free man.
Mr. Kuai waved, and a clever young woman immediately brought two items before the boy.
The first was the exclusive Tree Sea Sword Badge of Clear Mist Peak.
From now on, he could come and go freely without Qin Yao’s guidance, passing through the Medicine Hut at will—a privilege countless Shenhua disciples dreamed of.
The second was the Rosy Fragrance Pavilion’s Second Grade Apothecary Emblem, granting him all benefits at every Royal Branch Store.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
Yun Liu turned and left without hesitation, his mind still preoccupied with that mission reward.
Just because the quest giver isn’t the Protagonist, does that mean they can skip out on paying?
Utterly unreasonable!
“Teacher, isn’t this a bit hasty? Mr. Yun is wonderful, but he’s so young and lacks seniority. The disciples of the other four peaks might not accept him.”
Huo Tian Tian whispered her concerns, and the others were equally puzzled.
“Hasty? He can already glimpse the Dao of pill cauldrons. What about the future?”
The Granny rubbed her temples.
Even if Yun Liu’s crippled Qi Sea meant he’d never surpass fourth-grade as a pill cultivator, a single Heaven-rank Infant Transformation Pill could still create a Heaven Dao Nascent Soul for the Sect.
If these silly girls knew the Sect Leader had suggested this first, they’d be even more shocked.
Thinking back, Mr. Kuai found it all quite marvelous, sighing at the Sect Leader’s foresight.
Yun Liu’s parents were both members of the Divine Radiance Sect.
He was also the Chief Disciple of Celestial Phenomena Peak, Aunt Master’s nominal adopted son, half a family member of Clear Mist Peak—his loyalty and trustworthiness were beyond reproach.
What’s more, with no path left in the sword way, he could devote himself to alchemy, free of distractions.
Talents with compatible divine souls were rare to begin with—there was simply no better candidate to take over the Medicine Hut.
The young women of the Medicine Hut couldn’t comprehend the Immortal’s painstaking intentions.
They just thought it would be fine if Senior Sister and her husband ran the place together.
“I have a bold idea, hmph hmph, we can use a beauty trap to capture the wild Junior Brother Yun!”
“Beauty?”
Huo Tian Tian’s eyes sparkled as she whispered her analysis into Mr. Kuai’s ear, recounting the latest gossip as if it were absolute truth.
“Is that so? How foolish of me! I should have made better use of the Qingxia Lineage’s advantages. When Yao’er returns, I’ll speak to her myself. Honestly, men should marry and women should wed—what’s the point of hiding it!”
The Granny’s eyes lit up, her smile stretching from ear to ear.
Who would’ve thought the boy liked older sister types?
The two of them taking over the Medicine Hut together would be perfect—a match made in heaven.
Perfect, absolutely perfect!
They were all family. Head Ge Lan shouldn’t have any objections, either.
***
Speaking of the Female Lead, she was on fire lately—every day brimming with (furious) Yuan Qi.
If she was in a good mood, she’d give Huangmao two punches; if not, she’d give her a few more.
The Heaven Courtyard had been repaired, but Xiao Xinran only spent two or three hours sleeping each day—her diligence was truly terrifying.
Head Ge Lan had specially allowed the two frightened new students to rest for a few days, but as a female lead of the “broken engagement” type, Xiao Xinran didn’t need rest at all.
She was up before dawn practicing swordplay, full of energy.
Xiao Xinran was always the first to arrive at the training grounds and the last to leave the academy classroom.
Whenever she had free time, she’d immerse herself in the Illusion Pavilion library, all to draw closer to Yun Liu, to chase after the footsteps of her beloved, to walk the same path he had.
More importantly, she wanted to defeat the Green Tea Bitch fair and square and reclaim her husband!
These were all Xiao Yun’s Early Homework, personal cultivation insights he’d taught her.
Xiao Xinran wasn’t stupid—she remembered them all.
She’d just never cared about his feelings, only regretting it after losing him.
Now, having learned the address of Celestial Phenomena Peak, her obsession grew out of control.
At noon, taking advantage of her lunch break, Xiao Xinran sneaked up to Celestial Phenomena Peak again. But today, she found nothing—the deserted village was completely empty.
No matter. If you ignore me today, I’ll come looking for you again tomorrow!
Just as she was about to leave in disappointment, Xiao Xinran suddenly spotted a sneaky figure in the corner of the hut.
That eye-catching Huangmao was sprawled on someone’s bed, rummaging through boxes and chests—just like a thieving weasel!
Does Xiao Yun’s scent really smell that good!?