Chapter 101

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Chapter 101: Not Quite Pleasant

If not for the batch of pills requiring his full attention, Minister Professor Zhou would have chased after Yi Qianmo. At the moment, though, he had no choice but to remain.

“Can this kid really make elixirs?”

Minister Professor Zhou found the situation baffling. Su Muyu had once mentioned that Yi Qianmo might surprise him, but he hadn’t expected this.

Still, Minister Professor Zhou couldn’t deny that Yi Qianmo was exceptionally talented. Yet even with such talent, Minister Professor Zhou had only regarded him with mild interest. After all, Tianyuan Academy boasted many geniuses, and most of them treated him with the utmost respect—Yi Qianmo included.

Today, however, Yi Qianmo’s demeanor left a sour impression. From the start, Minister Professor Zhou had assumed he only wanted to stand out.

And Zhou did not appreciate show-offs.

It wasn’t until the Pill Furnace began to stabilize, thanks to Yi Qianmo’s intervention, that Minister Professor Zhou’s perception shifted. Even then, Yi Qianmo’s earlier tone had irked him, leaving him uncomfortable.

Still, what truly caught him off guard was how Yi Qianmo didn’t linger to bask in his accomplishment. Instead, he left quietly.

“It actually worked!”

Feeling the change within the Pill Furnace, Minister Professor Zhou’s excitement grew. “Who on earth is this guy?”

After leaving the Pill Pavilion, Yi Qianmo encountered a young boy accompanied by Su Muyu. Her worried expression immediately drew his attention.

“Why are you here?” Yi Qianmo asked.

“Have you seen Minister Professor Zhou?” she replied, motioning to the young boy. The boy bowed and quickly left.

“I have,” Yi Qianmo said, nodding. “Is that boy one of yours?”

“I suppose you could say that,” Su Muyu answered. “How did the conversation go?”

“Not very pleasant,” Yi Qianmo replied with a wry smile. “Minister Professor Zhou has quite the temper.”

Su Muyu looked puzzled. What exactly did he mean by not very pleasant?

“He’s the top figure at Tianyuan Academy’s Foundation Establishment stage,” she explained. “And a third-grade Pill Master, no less. It’s natural for someone like him to have a temper. Without his dedication to alchemy, he might have reached the Golden Core stage by now.”

“Oh, so he’s the Lord of the Pill Pavilion?” Yi Qianmo asked.

“No,” Su Muyu corrected. “There’s another Pill Master at the third-grade upper level who surpasses him. Minister Professor Zhou is still at the lower level and hasn’t yet reached the middle.”

“He’ll likely reach middle level soon,” Yi Qianmo remarked, recalling the refined batch of pills.

“With his talent, it’s only a matter of time,” Su Muyu agreed, unaware of Yi Qianmo’s role in Zhou’s progress. “In Tianyuan Academy, he’s one of the few impartial figures. If the Old Pavilion Lord passes away, he might become the next Pavilion Lord. Both the Mansion Master faction and we are eager to win his favor.”

“Are you worried I might have upset him?” Yi Qianmo asked.

“You need to work on your temper,” Su Muyu chided gently. “This is Tianyuan Academy’s inner mansion. Even if it’s not brimming with geniuses, there are plenty of people here stronger than you.”

Yi Qianmo interrupted, his voice firm. “That’s just how I am. I repay kindness with kindness—and revenge with revenge.”

Seeing his mood shift, Su Muyu quickly changed the subject. “Did you talk to Minister Professor Zhou about joining the Pill Pavilion?”

“No,” Yi Qianmo replied.

“So when do you plan to join?” Su Muyu pressed.

“I’m not in a hurry,” Yi Qianmo said. “First, I need to deal with the issues at Tao School.”

“You know about it?” Su Muyu asked.

“Know about what?” Yi Qianmo countered.

“They moved the cave,” Su Muyu said, her tone curious. “Didn’t Little Fish tell you?”

Yi Qianmo’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You’re saying they moved from the upper level to the lower level?”

Su Muyu nodded. “Exactly. They want to show you who’s in charge.”

“Can they kill?” Yi Qianmo asked, unfazed.

“…It’s best not to kill,” Su Muyu replied, her tone exasperated. “But if they don’t hold back, you don’t need to, either.”

“Got it,” Yi Qianmo said, turning away. “You can leave now.”

Su Muyu watched his retreating figure, stomping her foot in frustration. If anyone had seen her, they would have been shocked. The Grand Princess of Yan Kingdom, losing her composure? Unthinkable.

Yi Qianmo arrived at Tao School as the sun dipped below the horizon, leaving the sky bathed in fading light.

At the base of the mountain, a square with a raised platform marked the location where Tao School held its matches. Nearby stood an archway bearing the inscription Tao School.

Two Black Armored Guards flanked the archway. They stopped Yi Qianmo briefly but let him pass after he presented his badge, though he noticed their curious, slightly surprised expressions.

Inside, tents dotted the area at the mountain’s base. Yi Qianmo recalled what Little Fish had said—those who failed challenges were forced to stay at the foot of the mountain.

The murmurs from the tent dwellers began as soon as Yi Qianmo appeared.

“Is that Yi Qianmo? He’s so young! I heard he’s only eighteen.”

“He showed up late—this won’t end well for him.”

“Instead of visiting the sect master, he went straight to the Treasure Pavilion. How careless!”

“Relying on the Grand Princess’s backing, huh? What does she even see in him?”

Ignoring their chatter, Yi Qianmo observed the Qi Refining cultivators. Many were at the fourth or fifth level, with the strongest among them at the seventh. Yet their auras were surprisingly formidable, surpassing those of other Qi Refining cultivators he’d encountered.

Without pausing, Yi Qianmo climbed the steps toward the first level of the mountain, where over thirty caves bore various names.

The murmuring crowd followed him, pretending to stroll nonchalantly whenever he turned to glance their way.

He ignored them and headed for the second level.

“Where are you going?” a voice called from behind.

“To the top of the mountain,” Yi Qianmo replied without stopping.

“You’re only now thinking of visiting the sect master? Isn’t it a bit late?” asked a young man dressed in green.

“Who said I want to visit the sect master?” Yi Qianmo shot back.

“Then what are you planning to do?” the man asked, incredulous.

“I’m going to knock on the second cave’s door,” Yi Qianmo replied.

“…”

The crowd erupted in shock.