A Demon's Path Chapter 69

"This guy is really a monster!" Shen Nanfeng wasn't the only person who knew what was going on. There were plenty of knowledgeable Sect Masters present.

Ling Xiao's background was clear as day. He'd won the newcomers tournament as a disciple from the Northern Jade Sect, a small countryside sect even amongst the other branch sects. Now, he displayed a tour-de-force of concocting medicine in front of everyone. The Sect Masters who understood what was happening didn't only admire him, they were jealous too! Why didn't Shen Nanfeng throw this boy to our sect?!

They actually didn't want to think too much about it either. Had Ling Xiao really been handed to them back then, would they've been willing to part with their hard-earned capital to nurture him? They didn't know if they could do what Cheng Qiantai did, nor did they want to think of it. Of course, Ling Xiao didn't need any kind of nurturing, but they didn't know that.

They didn't think on it any longer. Ling Xiao had grabbed their full attention once more. He ground the portion of medicinal ingredients he retrieved from the pill cauldron into fine powder before sprinkling it back in. What a good boy! He actually fully utilises the dregs like this! Their admiration for Ling Xiao reached such heights that they prostrated themselves out of admiration at him in their minds.

It was common knowledge that there was serious wastage in the process of concocting medicine. There were times when they spent a large amount of raw medicinal ingredients in the process, but could only concoct a few measly pills. The dregs comprised a large majority of the wastage.

Pill cultivators universally believed that medicinal ingredients didn't have much recycling value after a round of simmering. But Ling Xiao taught everyone a lesson today. The way of the pill cultivator was such that being frugal brought about glory, whereas there was only shame in wastage.

Even though time passed excruciatingly slowly, everyone's attention was wholly focused on Ling Xiao. Another hour passed like that. Ling Xiao used his mental strength and took out another portion of medicinal ingredients, repeating the follow-up actions of the hour prior. Even though his every move looked full of confidence, his face started to turn a little pale.

Those with sharp eyes could immediately tell that Ling Xiao had expended a large amount of energy. They couldn't help but worry. This boy is only a red ranked Celestial Soul Master, after all. Even if he's simultaneously cultivating seven souls, he's not stronger than a yellow ranked Celestial Soul Master at his strongest. Will he die of overexertion if he torments himself like this much longer?

Their questions were soon answered. Ling Xiao put all their worries to rest. After sprinkling the dregs over the pill cauldron, he sat down next to the pill cauldron, swallowed a pill, and started regulating his breathing.

Everyone was amazed. They'd never heard of a pill cultivator overdrawing their energy to the extent they were forced to replenish it mid-concocting.

Ling Xiao couldn't be bothered with the many pairs of eyes focused on him. He slowly recuperated his soulforce and mental strength. When the next hour struck, he got up revitalized and threw the lid open for the third time.

The same process repeated itself every hour until the final hour concluded. Everyone held their breath as they watched Ling Xiao collect the pills with their full attention. It really was an unforgettable experience.

"You five buffoons, stop!" Ling Xiao shouted. The moment the five green ranked Celestial Soul Masters extinguished their flames, Ling Xiao brandished his hand and splashed the bile from the Thousand-Year Green Snake's gall over the pill cauldron. With his broom in the other hand, he waved it and smashed it against the side of the pill cauldron.

Clank! The pills in the cauldron flew up into the air. The instant they shot up, every single pill managed to get a hint of bile on them.

Everyone gasped in amazement at the control Ling Xiao displayed.

In the next moment, the pills rained on the ground, forming a large pile around the pill cauldron. The scent of medicine rapidly filled the air and penetrated everyone's noses.

What a heavy fragrance! The scent was so pure, no one could detect a shred of impurity in them. On top of that, he'd actually concocted over 1,500 pills in one sitting!

"He's really impressive!" Everyone swallowed a mouthful of saliva in disbelievement, a complex look in their eyes.

Shen Nanfeng walked to Ling Xiao's side and chuckled. "Elder Ling, this token is yours from today onwards. The medicinal ingredients in the Sunken Wind Valley's Medicine Warehouse are at your disposal, too. All you need to do is ask Elder Chen to buy any medicinal ingredients you need. You don't need to ask me."

Ling Xiao snickered mischievously. "Valley Master, aren't you afraid these pills can't dispel the poison?"

"I trust in my own judgement. Elder Ling, how should these pills be administered?" Shen Nanfeng magnanimously spoke.

Ling Xiao kept the Elder token like a miser before explaining, "Take one pill a day. The poison will be completely eradicated in half a month. During this period of time, nothing is off limits except for sexual intercourse. Valley Master, you can keep the remaining pills as a reserve."

"What's the name of this pill?" Shen Nanfeng quickly asked.

"The Green Constituent Pill," Ling Xiao responded instantly.

"What? This is the Green Constituent Pill?" Ling Xiao's nonchalant answer shocked the spectators speechless.

The Green Constituent Pill could dispel 100 types of poison. And each pill cost hundreds of yellow gems. Ling Xiao actually concocted 1,500 of them in just a single breath, like he was throwing rubbish?

Other than the Thousand-Year Green Snake's gall, the total value of the medicinal ingredients the Sunken Wind Valley provided was not more than 100 orange gems! This was a huge profit from such a small capital!

Even if Shen Nanfeng was shrewd, he couldn't stop his hands from trembling. His pottery would be filled to the brim if he just let Ling Xiao concoct medicine as he pleased! However, all of them seemed to have forgotten something. Shen Mingfang had to pay the price of her sight in order to procure the Thousand-Year Green Snake's gall.

There were some who felt it wasn't worth it for Shen Nanfeng to give Ling Xiao the Elder's token at first. But now, they understood Shen Nanfeng had made a huge profit.

Shen Nanfeng involuntarily laughed out loud. "I never thought our Sunken Wind Valley would profit from disaster. The heavens are really looking after us with the addition of a genius like Elder Ling Xiao to our midsts!"

Although he was over the moon, Shen Nanfeng wasn't so pleased with himself that he let his appearance down. "From today onwards, everyone should come and find Elder Ling Xiao to help concoct any pills you might need. We will only take a tenth of the pills from the sects that provide the raw materials. To those who don't even have the raw materials, we will sell it to you at a tenth of the market price! Remember, this is the benefit only we Celestial Soul Masters from the Sunken Wind Valley can enjoy!"

It seemed that the Sunken Wind Valley was benefitting from the way Shen Nanfeng put things, but everyone knew they were all winners in this transaction.

When the Sunken Wind Valley had dealings with the Blue Moon District in the past, they demanded three fifths of the concocted pills from those who provided the raw materials. Nothing needed to be said about purchasing the pills from Glorious Star or the Blue Moon District. It was absurdly expensive!

When they heard Shen Nanfeng's proposal, everyone shouted out in chorus, "Valley Master is wise!"

"Elder Ling Xiao is grand!"

Ling Xiao rolled his eyes when he heard the tide of praises. Please, Boss Shen Nanfeng. You could've asked me if I even know how to concoct other medicine first before saying that, right? Do you really believe I can concoct any medicine under the sun? Plus, there's only me. Are you really prepared to treat me like a cow tilling the fields?

Shen Nanfeng seemed to have considered this point as well. He indicated for everyone to quiet down. "Naturally, we have Elder Ling Xiao's well being to consider. As such, I have decided that any disciple with the aspiration to become a pill cultivator can report to Elder Ling Xiao and pay their respects to him as their Master. It doesn't matter which sect you're from. All that matters is that you have interest in concocting medicine."

Ling Xiao reeled in shock. That's enough! I'm not only a cow tilling the fields, but you're also treating me as a cow feeding her calves milk! Are you really ordering me about like a cow just because I accepted an Elder token from your Sunken Wind Valley? Ling Xiao was fuming with rage. He shouted out through gritted teeth, "Wait! I have something to say!"

"Elder Ling Xiao, please speak your mind," Shen Nanfeng said with a smile on his face.

Ling Xiao quickly revealed a bright smile too. "I can obey all of Valley Master's wishes, but there is just this one thing I need you to promise me."

"Please, speak your mind."

"I want to reside in the Northern Jade Sect."

Shen Nanfeng was startled for only but a short instant before resuming that fake smile of his. "That's not a problem at all. If you need any medicinal ingredients, let me know and I'll immediately get someone to send them over to the Northern Jade Sect."

Ling Xiao feigned tears of gratitude. "Valley Master is wise. Alright, I want to return with my Master now."

Shen Xuan had been silent this whole time, but he suddenly spoke up now, "Father, you seem to have forgotten the most crucial matter with regards to the newcomers tournament."

Shen Nanfeng frowned. "Let the others go. Elder Ling Xiao will be excused."

Shen Xuan chuckled and said, "Dad, weren't you the one who said that anyone who wishes to achieve great things must overcome countless trials and tribulations? If you only let Elder Ling Xiao concoct medicine all his life, wouldn't it be mindlessly dull?"

Fuck your younger sister! What the fuck's it got to do with you how interesting I, your father, live my life? Ling Xiao cursed Shen Xuan in his mind. He had a hunch this guy wanted to play a trick to deal with him, but he didn't know what despicable, shameless, treacherous, and deceitful way he would go about doing it.

Li Yuanchong's Master, Elder Ma quickly interjected seeing Shen Nanfeng waver. "This matter isn't too dangerous. With Elder Ling's quick-wittedness, it shouldn't be a problem at all. I'm afraid Li Yuanchong and the rest aren't as experienced and won't be able to fight off the Demonic Beasts without Elder Ling leading them."

Ling Xiao's heart shuddered. Fuck you too! So you're sending us off to face the Demonic Clan! Shen Xuan, oh Shen Xuan! Are you trying to kill me just because I know who you share your bed with? And you're even going to borrow the Demonic Clan's power to do so?

Chapter end