Chapter 489

Chapter 489: Wood Thunder Pill

Hearing this, Immortal Qingning froze momentarily before frowning. "Could he be a fraud?"

He immediately produced the newly acquired Spirit Nourishing Pill and handed it to Li Wan. "Master Li, could you examine this spirit pill for any issues?"

As an elite disciple of West Kunlun, a future Thunder Tribulation Immortal, and ruler of a city, Qingning maintained extreme caution regarding this mysterious pill’s origins.

Li Wan accepted it, extracting a flawless white pill for inspection. His divine sense swept across it, causing his expression to shift dramatically.

Seeing this reaction, Qingning’s heart clenched. "Is there truly a problem?"

"A problem? This is extraordinary!" Li Wan exclaimed, awestruck. "Though I can’t craft Spirit Nourishing Pills myself, I’ve seen many specimens – all faintly yellow with impurities and pill toxin. But this… utterly pristine! Perfectly balanced medicinal properties with negligible toxicity. Even among Alchemist Grandmasters, few could produce such perfection!"

The pill twirled between Li Wan’s fingers, his reluctance to part with it evident.

Qingning’s eyes lit up. "Then Master Yuan’s claims about nearing Alchemist Grandmaster status hold merit?"

"On the contrary!" Li Wan shook his head vehemently. "This very perfection betrays deception. No Great Pill Master could achieve this. Even Grandmasters capable of such work maintain entourages of hundreds! This must be stolen from some reclusive master."

Proposing eagerly, Li Wan suggested, "Let me study this pill. Each Grandmaster leaves distinctive marks. I’ll trace its origin within days."

"Absolutely not!" Qingning snatched the pill back. "I require this for divine sense enhancement. We’ll verify his identity through other means."

The city lord stored the precious pill in his Sumeru Bag under multiple envious gazes. Top-grade Spirit Nourishing Pills remained beyond even Fire Tribulation Immortals’ regular reach.

"Ahem!" Qingning cleared his throat. "Given these doubts, shouldn’t we test Master Yuan? Being fooled by an impostor would bring eternal shame."

Deputy City Lord Flower Sword nodded. "His requested materials – seventh-rank items and entire tribes of metal-eating demons? Claiming it’s for family needs? Highly suspicious."

"True Alchemist Grandmasters deserve our utmost hospitality," Five Lotus Immortal added. "But supplying a Demonic Path impostor? That’s treason punishable by demotion at best."

"Hence the dilemma," Qingning sighed. "Direct confrontation risks offending a genuine master. Yet inaction courts disaster."

Li Wan interjected, "Your Yi-wood Divine Lightning breakthrough requires Wood Thunder Pills. Have him craft those! No one stocks such obscure pills. Refusal would confirm fraud."

Qingning blanched. "Three sets of materials took me a century to gather! If wasted…"

"With respect," Li Wan countered, "three attempts give even Alchemist Grandmasters mere 30% success. Great Pill Masters manage 10% at best. Could you even secure a Grandmaster’s services?"

The truth stung. West Kunlun’s five Alchemist Grandmasters served higher priorities. Wind Tribulation Immortals like Qingning languished at the queue’s end.

"Time favors neither of us," Li Wan pressed. "This ‘Master Yuan’ needs your goodwill. He’ll act immediately without extravagant fees."

"Agree!" Five Lotus Immortal urged.

"Or let me take the opportunity," Flower Sword suggested slyly. "I’ve pending alchemical needs myself."

Qingning’s resolve hardened. "I’ll proceed. We visit his Flying Boat tomorrow."

Dawn found Qingning boarding Fang Lie’s vessel. Disguised as maid Mi Qing, the attendant led him to a parlor serving top-grade spiritual tea – a luxury even Qingning’s master rationed.

"Forgive my bluntness," Qingning began after the first fragrant sip. "My Yi-wood Divine Lightning requires Wood Thunder Pills for completion. Might Master Yuan assist?"

Mi Qing accepted the recipe-bearing Jade Slip. "Allow me to consult my master."

During her absence, Qingning marveled at the exquisite tea service. Such opulence suggested formidable backing.

Returning swiftly, Mi Qing announced, "Master accepts. Provide materials, and success is guaranteed."

"Guaranteed?" Qingning sputtered. "Three sets took me a hundred years! Even Grandmasters claim only 30% success!"

Mi Qing’s smile turned razor-sharp. "My master transcends ordinary measures. The Spirit Nourishing Pill demonstrated this. Cultivation limits alone delay his Grandmaster ascension. Seventh-rank pills await only sufficient power."