Chapter 82 Do You Still Remember That Married Couple?

Over the past few days, Li Guanzhuan steadily improved his alchemical skills through continuous dual cultivation with Qin Jiyue. With just another half month of this regimen, he would reach the rank of a mid-grade Tier Two alchemist, making the task of refining a Foundation Establishment Pill with a thirty-five percent success rate much more attainable.

Of course, Li Guanzhuan also attempted to elevate the grade of his demon core, just as he had previously hastened the maturation of spiritual herbs. Yet he quickly realized that the sheer amount of celestial energy required for this was staggering, prompting him to stop immediately lest he be forced to spend more time on physical training.

No sooner had he handed over all his gold to Qin Jiyue than he sensed a communication talisman drifting outside.

“Come to the Pavilion of Myriad Phenomena; Ge Wen has arrived.”

The voice of Liu Xiaoxian reached his ears.

So he has come after all… Li Guanzhuan was hardly surprised. If Ge Wen did not come, that would indeed be troublesome. The fact that the man was willing to visit meant they could at least talk and clarify matters. Had he not come, who knew what mischief the Lord of Shanggu City might be plotting?

Li Guanzhuan left his quarters and made his way to the Pavilion of Myriad Phenomena.

Guided by Fugui, he entered a reception room with classical elegance and a faint spiritual fragrance lingering in the air, soothing and calming the mind.

Within sat Liu Xiaoxian and Ge Wen.

“Master Li,”

Ge Wen, the aged scholar in scholar’s robes and ceremonial headpiece, rose and bowed respectfully. “I have long heard of your illustrious name.”

This old man is trying to fish for information, to probe me, to see if I betray anything with my words or actions… Li Guanzhuan, no longer the naïve youth he once was, instantly saw through Ge Wen’s intentions and returned the courtesy with a smile.

“I greet you, Elder Ge, but I am merely a nameless junior—what fame could I possibly have?”

“Master Li, I believe you possess another identity as an alchemist, is that not so?” Ge Wen inquired with a smile.

Li Guanzhuan did not deny it, simply nodding. “That is correct.”

Such matters were easily discovered; there was no need for secrecy.

Upon hearing this, Ge Wen stroked his white beard, his eyes—though aged and clouded—flashed with clarity as he scrutinized Li Guanzhuan, as if trying to peer into his very soul.

“Knock, knock.”

Liu Xiaoxian rapped the table, her tone cold. “Am I invisible to you both?”

Li Guanzhuan let out a quiet breath. After all, Ge Wen was a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, and Li himself was still some distance from the peak of Qi Refining. Under such scrutiny, he could feel a pressure that seemed to press upon his soul. Had his master not intervened in time, he might not have lasted much longer.

“My apologies, I was impertinent and offended you, Master Li. I beg your pardon,” Ge Wen said, bowing once more, before turning to Liu Xiaoxian with a soft sigh. “Manager Liu, to be frank, the city lord seeks out the mysterious alchemist not out of malice but because he has a request.”

The other alchemists in the Pavilion, such as Master Diao, were not much different. They all knew Zheng Huangjin and had cordial relations with him, and on his behalf, Liu Xiaoxian had offered them some assistance. Thus, no matter how Ge Wen investigated these past days, he could not discover the true identity of the alchemist who could refine the Foundation Establishment Pill with a thirty percent success rate.

With no other option, Ge Wen had to come clean with Liu Xiaoxian.

“If it is merely a request, why arrange such an elaborate ambush?” Liu Xiaoxian narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced by his explanation.

Previously, Ge Wen had come in person, confidently declaring his desire to meet the mysterious alchemist behind the Foundation Establishment Pill, asking that Manager Liu make the introduction. He had been calm and self-assured, as if his words would naturally be obeyed.

Now he claimed to have a request—who could believe that?

“I am truly sorry; it was a matter of necessity.”

Ge Wen heaved a deep sigh and bowed low. “Manager Liu, could you isolate the room from the outside? What I am about to say must be kept in strictest confidence.”

With a wave of her hand, Liu Xiaoxian cast a spell, encircling the room with power to ensure privacy. She smiled, “Go ahead.”

Ge Wen remained bowing in silence.

“Manager Liu, I have other matters—”

Before Li Guanzhuan could finish, Liu Xiaoxian waved him off. “Since Master Ge already suspects you of being the mysterious alchemist, just play the part and listen. There’s no harm in it… But keep your mouth shut; if anything goes wrong, I can’t protect you.”

Li Guanzhuan offered a wry smile, bowed, and stood quietly to the side.

Liu Xiaoxian crossed her legs and smiled. “Go on, Master Ge, Master Li can be trusted.”

“Very well,” Ge Wen nodded, no longer delaying. He spoke gravely, “The city lord has only about ten years of life remaining.”

Liu Xiaoxian’s eyes narrowed as her smile faded, confusion flickering across her face. “If I recall correctly, the city lord should have about fifty years left, no?”

Li Guanzhuan’s heart skipped a beat. Was Shanggu City’s lord finished?

Ge Wen replied with a bitter smile, “The city lord suffered a life-threatening ordeal in the Scarlet Training Mountains, escaping only by burning his own lifespan. On top of that, he carries a hidden ailment, making his chances of forming a Golden Core slim. That is why he wishes to see the mysterious alchemist of your pavilion.”

“But hasn’t the city lord taken a Longevity Pill?” Liu Xiaoxian frowned. Why seek out an alchemist then? How could an alchemist who could refine a Foundation Establishment Pill with a thirty percent success rate possibly help a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator?

“Yes,” Ge Wen nodded, his expression grave. “But the city lord has never taken a Golden Essence Pill.”

Liu Xiaoxian was briefly stunned, then the situation became clear. She asked, astonished, “You mean… he intends to make one last attempt at forming a Golden Core?”

“It is not a reckless gamble, but a carefully laid plan,” Ge Wen explained. “He has amassed many rare resources and healing pills, but a Golden Essence Pill with a thirty percent success rate is exceedingly rare. When we learned that your pavilion had an alchemist capable of refining a thirty percent Foundation Establishment Pill, we saw hope. That is why we wish to meet this alchemist.”

He bowed deeply again, his face full of regret. “If I have been rude or presumptuous before, please accept these rare materials as a token of apology.”

With that, he presented a storage pouch to Liu Xiaoxian.

She did not accept it, but instead fixed him with her golden eyes.

Ge Wen set the pouch on the table and sighed. “I have examined the Foundation Establishment Pills—they are richly fragrant, clear in color and exceptionally refined. Such a master is certainly beyond a mere high-grade Tier Two alchemist. Should they ever attempt the Golden Essence Pill, I am certain they could achieve a thirty percent success rate. As for resources, if there is anything you need, Shanggu City will provide it. All we ask is that within eight years, the mysterious alchemist attempts to refine a thirty percent Golden Essence Pill…”

Hearing this, Li Guanzhuan could not help but inwardly scoff. He wasn’t even at the peak of Qi Refining—who in their right mind would expect him to refine a thirty percent Golden Essence Pill? Were they dreaming?

And he had no intention of accepting such pressure.

If he failed, the lord of Shanggu City would surely drag him down with him.

Thank goodness his identity had not been revealed.

Liu Xiaoxian understood his thoughts. No wonder Shanggu City had orchestrated the auction…

Ten years—or possibly less—to refine a thirty percent Golden Essence Pill… What alchemist could guarantee such a feat?

“I cannot promise you this. As I understand it, only a top-tier Tier Three alchemist, or perhaps a Tier Four, could achieve a thirty percent Golden Essence Pill. To expect a Tier Two alchemist to accomplish such a task…” Liu Xiaoxian shook her head. “Master Ge, I hope you understand.”

Ge Wen managed a weak smile. “Even a twenty-five percent chance would do.”

As a merchant in the city, Liu Xiaoxian could not be too blunt. “I will pass on your request to the alchemist, but whether he can fulfill it in eight years… I can make no promises, nor can he. All we can do is our best. But rest assured, the Pavilion of Myriad Phenomena has extensive connections. If the opportunity arises, I will request a thirty percent Golden Essence Pill from headquarters to help the city lord through his crisis.”

If the opportunity arises? Who knew when that might be. And if Liu Xiaoxian could actually obtain such a pill, she would surely use it for herself to step into the Golden Core realm—why would she care about the fate of Shanggu City’s lord?

Before he formed a Golden Core, the city lord was a person of consequence.

Afterward…

Sorry, I could crush you with a single slap.

Knowing further discussion was pointless, Ge Wen sighed. “So be it…”

He then took his leave.

Watching him depart, Li Guanzhuan frowned. “This adviser from Shanggu City is not one to give up easily.”

“For the next decade, stay away from Shanggu City,” Liu Xiaoxian said gravely. “Ge Wen’s cunning runs far deeper than you realize. The man is like a viper—you never know when he’ll strike, and when he does, it could leave you gravely wounded, or even dead.”

“If we agreed and failed to deliver, the city lord might very well drag me down as he dies,” Li Guanzhuan sighed.

The cultivation world was rife with peril and hidden daggers. Cultivators would stop at nothing to survive.

Liu Xiaoxian warned, “Once you return to Silver Maple City, speak of this to no one. If word reaches the city lord, your life will be forfeit.”

“I understand. I didn’t even want to listen; I wanted to leave right then,” Li Guanzhuan replied helplessly.

“Alas, I must take the blame for this miscalculation,” Liu Xiaoxian massaged her brow. “I never imagined the city lord had only ten years left. If he truly dies…”

She left the rest unsaid.

If the city lord died, chaos would erupt. The powers of the three great immortal dynasties—Da Heng, Da Xuan, and Da Zhou—would surely covet this prize.

Or perhaps…

The brutal demonic cultivators would strike even faster.

“What’s the point of such talk? Without your help, master, I might have been forced to accept the city lord’s request long ago,” Li Guanzhuan said with a smile, unconcerned. “I’m used to lying low. If need be, I’ll simply remain in Silver Maple City for the next decade. That’s no hardship.”

Liu Xiaoxian nodded and changed the subject. “The ancestor of the Yu Family of Beast Tamers is about to return and make arrangements for his affairs. He has just left the city. I’ve set an ambush along his path. But because of the situation with the city lord, I cannot go myself. Instead, I’ll give you three late-stage Foundation Establishment puppets to delay the ancestor and elders. As for the peak Qi Refining cultivators, let Jiyue handle them. You will personally kill You Shaoneng and resolve your inner conflict. Is that acceptable?”

“No problem.” Li Guanzhuan’s eyes narrowed, murderous intent blazing within.

Liu Xiaoxian knew that this resolve had taken root in Li Guanzhuan’s heart back when he was mid-stage Qi Refining. If he could not resolve this knot, it would trouble him in Foundation Establishment, hindering his success.

Thus, to ensure her disciple’s breakthrough, she, as master, had to help him slay You Shaoneng.

…

City Lord’s Mansion.

“They refused?”

The city lord in his green robes, seeing the look on Ge Wen’s face, guessed the answer.

“They did not agree, but neither did they refuse. Merchants are always so slippery,” Ge Wen sighed, bowing. “My advice is, for the next six years, avoid making trouble for the Pavilion. If the mysterious alchemist does nothing, then we can…”

The city lord nodded slightly, his gaze cold.

Before my end, all debts will be settled.

…

Five hundred miles west of Shanggu City.

The Yu Family of Beast Tamers traveled in somber silence, none daring to utter a word lest they provoke the ancestor’s wrath.

They had failed to obtain the Heavenly Origin Pill, the Yellow Court Pill—nothing at the auction. Their trip to Shanggu City had been for nothing.

“Ah, such is fate…” the old ancestor suddenly sighed, as if resigned.

He looked up at the sky, marveling at its beauty as if seeing it for the first time.

Suddenly, the black serpent spirit pet behind him hissed urgently, warning of danger ahead.

The old ancestor noticed too.

But as he sensed three late-stage Foundation Establishment auras ahead, his pupils contracted sharply. “Senior—”

Before he could finish, one of the “people” unfurled a formation diagram, blotting out the sky. A massive formation descended, trapping everyone within.

With a crash, only one person was hurled out of the formation.

You Shaoneng looked around, finding himself alone, the surroundings unchanged. He rejoiced—had he escaped?

But as he tried to flee, he realized there was a formation outside the formation as well.

Whoosh!

A flying sword tore through the air.

You Shaoneng, already on high alert, instantly parried with a magical artifact.

“Who are you? How has the Yu Family of Beast Tamers from Huajing Immortal City offended you, might I—”

Before he could finish, five more flying swords burst from the void, their sword energy rending the air.

He barely blocked them when four more flew in, piercing his chest in an instant.

A portrait appeared before his eyes, and a cold voice echoed.

“Do you still remember that married couple?”

(End of chapter)