Chapter 34 Dealing with He Jiang

After defeating a minor boss, Wu Tian gained twenty thousand experience points. However, to advance from level 20 (Martial Master, tenth rank) to level 21 (Martial Spirit, first rank), he needed three hundred thousand experience points. At present, Wu Tian still needed over a hundred thousand experience to reach level 20.

That said, items dropped by bosses killed with his instant kill skill were excellent. Just the earth-grade forging material, Blacksteel Essence, was exceedingly valuable—each piece fetched at least a hundred thousand silver on the market. Wu Tian possessed the auxiliary skill of Forging; in the future, Blacksteel Essence would certainly be useful to him, at the very least for crafting equipment. Equipment forged with earth-grade materials would, unsurprisingly, be earth-grade or higher.

Of course, Blacksteel Essence wasn't even the best among what Wu Tian had obtained. The real prizes were the Asura Token and the title, Nemesis of Asura.

But Wu Tian didn’t check the descriptions on his attribute panel immediately. Killing these men had caused quite a commotion, and several experts were already converging on this location. After dispatching the level eight Martial Master boss, Wu Tian left the Joyous Inn without delay.

Once he was certain he hadn’t been followed, Wu Tian checked the descriptions for the Asura Token and the title Nemesis of Asura.

“Asura Token: A single-use consumable. Can command an assassin from the Asura Sect to assassinate one target. No level restrictions on the target.”

“Nemesis of Asura: Title. Whenever the player Wu Tian encounters a member of the Asura Sect, he gains a bonus to damage and defense, equal to fifty percent of base attributes.”

“These are incredible!” Wu Tian exulted to himself. “The Asura Token is like a talisman—I can command an Asura Sect assassin to kill anyone I can't handle myself. I'm keeping this for sure! And this Nemesis of Asura title—ha! I don’t need to worry about Asura Sect assassins anymore. I’m their nemesis now—let’s see how they plan to kill me!”

He Jiang had placed a bounty on Wu Tian’s head, hiring the Asura Sect for an assassination. But he never imagined Wu Tian would obtain the title Nemesis of Asura. Now, even if Wu Tian faced the Asura Sect’s experts, his combat power would be more than quadrupled. Besides, He Jiang hadn’t offered much for the job, so the Asura Sect wouldn’t send their top assassins.

Naturally, Wu Tian had no intention of letting He Jiang’s schemes slide. He Jiang was a third-rank Martial Spirit, and Wu Tian’s current cultivation wasn’t enough to kill him outright. But Wu Tian was more than happy to cause He Jiang some trouble.

“Damn it, how can I mess with that scumbag? I can’t kill him yet…” Wu Tian pondered ways to upset He Jiang, when suddenly an idea flashed in his mind.

“That’s it! I know alchemy, don’t I? I’ll make him a special pill! With his cultivation, ordinary poison would be easy to detect—so I won’t use poison. Heh heh!”

For martial artists, especially those with advanced cultivation, regular poisons were easily discovered. Wu Tian needed to craft something undetectable.

“Let’s see what recipes the system has for this…”

Wu Tian browsed the system’s marketplace, which offered all kinds of goods. Having recently auctioned off two pills for one million five hundred thousand silver and, after expenses, still retaining one million three hundred thousand, he had one hundred thirty exchange points—enough to buy some decent items.

“Found it! The Yin-Yang Harmony Pill—this is perfect for He Jiang. I’ll buy this recipe!”

“Yin-Yang Harmony Pill: Profound-grade pill, colorless and tasteless, possesses a potent aphrodisiac effect. Undetectable to anyone below Martial King level!”

Wu Tian purchased the recipe for two exchange points, a sly grin spreading across his face.

In reality, poisoning He Jiang wasn’t simple, but Wu Tian already had a puppet, Qin Long, by He Jiang’s side. Qin Long was an important disciple to He Jiang now, so getting him to administer the pill would be easy.

Later, Wu Tian went to a pharmacy to buy ingredients. The materials needed for the Yin-Yang Harmony Pill were all common and could be found in any herbal shop. Returning home, he found the old thatched cottage still lit by the faint glow of an oil lamp. As he pushed open the door, he saw Xiao Hui nodding off at the table, her head propped on her hand. She woke with a start as Wu Tian entered.

“Young Master, you’re back.”

“It’s so late—why aren’t you asleep? It’s well past midnight! Go rest now,” Wu Tian said, warmth blooming in his heart at the sight.

“I only feel at ease once you’re home, Young Master. You should rest soon too,” Xiao Hui replied with a gentle smile.

“I have a few things to take care of. You go on ahead—I’ll rest as soon as I’m done.”

“All right, I understand.”

“Oh, right, Xiao Hui, come here. I have another technique and skill to teach you.”

As he spoke, Wu Tian placed his forefinger on Xiao Hui’s forehead, transmitting a flood of information into her mind.

Xiao Hui clapped a hand over her mouth in astonishment. “Young Master, this technique is incredible! Why don’t you learn it yourself?”

“It’s a stealth technique—only suitable for women. I’m a man, after all.”

“Oh, I see! Don’t worry, Young Master. I’ll practice diligently and become strong enough to protect you!” she declared with determination.

“Good, I’ll be waiting for you to grow strong! Now, off to bed with you,” Wu Tian said, ruffling her hair.

Xiao Hui returned to her room to rest, while Wu Tian began his alchemy in his own quarters.

As before, Wu Tian set up protective measures around the large iron pot, then started crafting the Yin-Yang Harmony Pills. Following the recipe, he added the ingredients and activated his alchemy skill. The contents of the pot began to boil.

Ding!

“Player Wu Tian failed to craft the Yin-Yang Harmony Pill. Proficiency +1!”

Ding!

“Player Wu Tian failed to craft the Yin-Yang Harmony Pill. Proficiency +1!”

…

After dozens of failed attempts, Wu Tian was unfazed. He continued to add ingredients, undeterred. Even failed attempts increased his proficiency, and he never wasted an opportunity to improve.

Ding!

“Congratulations! Player Wu Tian has successfully crafted the Profound-grade Yin-Yang Harmony Pill, producing ten pills of superior quality. Proficiency +2.”

At last, after another notification, Wu Tian’s Yin-Yang Harmony Pills were successfully crafted—and of the highest quality, meaning their effects would be even stronger.

“Heh heh, top quality! The aphrodisiac effects will be even more potent—this will be more than He Jiang can handle. I’ll give him one… no, I’ll mix in three!” Wu Tian chuckled wickedly to himself, holding the pills.

“Xiao Jin, do you want to try one?” he teased, waving a pill in front of Xiao Jin.

Xiao Jin immediately backed away, shaking its head in abject terror.

“Such a coward. Fine, let’s test them on He Jiang instead!” Wu Tian waved dismissively, feigning disinterest.