Chapter 507: Demanding Elixirs

Chapter 507: Demanding Elixirs

December 1, 2024

The knocking continued for a while before someone finally came to open the door.

The person who opened the door was likely an attendant that Elder Wang Shanlin had brought from the Tahe Sect.

Seeing Su Chen, the attendant's face showed a hint of confusion.

"You've come at night, is there an urgent matter with our elders?" The attendant asked, "Elder Wang and Elder Qin are currently receiving guests. If it's not urgent, please come back tomorrow."

"Please inform them that I indeed have an urgent matter to discuss with the two elders." Su Chen replied politely, not wishing to offend.

Hearing Su Chen's words, the attendant nodded and quickly turned to go back inside.

After a moment, he hurried back to the door and informed Su Chen, "There are other elders from the Tahe Sect in the courtyard. If you don't mind, you can come in and discuss together. If you only wish to speak with Elder Wang and Elder Qin, please come back tomorrow."

It seemed that the people sent by the Tahe Sect were quite assertive.

Without hesitation, Su Chen nodded and followed the attendant into the courtyard.

He knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Hearing the response, the attendant opened the door.

Inside the room, there were a total of four people.

Besides Wang Shanlin and Qin Wei, Su Chen also recognized the other two.

Jiang Zhu and Yan You.

Upon seeing Su Chen, all four of them were taken aback for a moment.

They never expected Su Chen to suddenly appear here.

When Wulan Manor came to cause trouble, they all thought Su Chen wouldn't show up.

They even believed he would hide to avoid Wulan Manor's people.

But not only did Su Chen come, he proactively revealed himself to them.

After a while, Wang Shanlin finally snapped out of his daze and quickly stood up.

With a smile, he invited Su Chen into the room.

Su Chen didn't hesitate and entered the room.

After sitting down, Su Chen greeted all four of them.

Wang Shanlin and Qin Wei nodded and smiled.

However, Jiang Zhu and Yan You, who were sitting beside them, responded with a light snort.

In the past, when they were in the Tahe Sect, they had both been punished by the sect because of Su Chen.

This time, they had come to put pressure on Wang Shanlin and Qin Wei.

They hadn't expected to run into Su Chen as well.

"Wulan Manor has laid out an elaborate plan to deal with you, using many tricks, and it seems they are quite sincere.

But you really shouldn't have come.

Fan Chengyan is still in the Jin State, and the other Transcendent Realm experts from Wulan Manor aren't here either.

However, this doesn't mean you're not in danger."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Elder Wang Shanlin directly brought up the information Su Chen wanted to know.

He also suggested that Su Chen go into hiding.

Clearly, Elder Wang Shanlin hadn't expected the visitor to be Su Chen.

With Jiang Zhu and Yan You here, it might directly cause trouble for Su Chen.

"Let's go back first. After this matter blows over, we can talk face-to-face again." Elder Wang Shanlin wanted to send Su Chen away.

But at this moment, Jiang Zhu, who was standing nearby, interrupted.

"Since you're already here, let's not leave just yet.

With this opportunity today, we can discuss some matters properly.

If it weren't for this stroke of luck, it would have been quite difficult to find such an opportunity."

Jiang Zhu's tone carried a hint of arrogance.

In the past, Su Chen had been closely associated with the Zhu Ming Palace.

Externally, he was an elder appointed by the Zhu Ming Palace.

With the influence of the Zhu Ming Palace at that time, more than half of the Jin State's powers sought to curry favor with them.

Back then, being able to associate with Su Chen was considered a great opportunity.

But now, times have changed.

The alliance between the Strange Tower and the Crystal Pavilion has weakened the influence of the Zhu Ming Palace.

Nowadays, the Zhu Ming Palace doesn't have complete control over the refinement of many elixirs.

The Jade Essence Pills produced by the Zhu Ming Palace are temporarily better than those of the Strange Tower and the Crystal Pavilion.

However, the other two can refine some types of pills that the Zhu Ming Palace cannot.

The Zhu Ming Palace just can't do it.

For various reasons, the Zhu Ming Palace's influence isn't what it used to be.

On one hand, the Zhu Ming Palace is declining, and on the other, Su Chen is no longer as valued by the Zhu Ming Palace.

So, Jiang Zhu naturally didn't need to be as polite to Su Chen.

Su Chen didn't argue and sat quietly, listening to Jiang Zhu continue.

"In these past two years, the support our Tahe Sect has given you should add up to quite a lot, right?

We sent two Transcendent Realm experts to protect a small sect like yours.

This favor is quite significant."

As Jiang Zhu spoke, he unconsciously stood up and started pacing.

He continued talking as he walked.

"We've given you a favor, but our Tahe Sect hasn't gained any benefits from it at all.

Do you agree with this, Su Xiaoyou?"

As soon as Jiang Zhu finished speaking, Qin Wei immediately stepped forward to refute him.

"What do you mean by saying we didn't gain any benefits?

Just last year, our sect obtained four to five Jade Essence Pills through our priority alchemy rights in Jade Ming Palace.

Isn't that a benefit? And wasn't it obtained through the privileges you provided?"

Qin Wei's continuous rebuttal was directed at Jiang Zhu.

Before Qin Wei could finish, Yan You, who was standing nearby, spoke up in disagreement.

"Elder Qin, are those few ordinary Jade Essence Pills also considered a benefit he brought?

The pills we requested last year were all the most common type.

Even without his help in obtaining priority rights, our Tahe Sect could have acquired them.

Even if we were to give him credit, we should at least say something reasonable."

Upon hearing Yan You's words, Wang Shanlin seemed ready to refute him.

However, before he could speak, Jiang Zhu took over the conversation.

"The sect's intention is quite clear.

We've helped you so much, and we're not taking advantage of you.

All we ask is that you don't let us lose too much. Go to Jade Ming Palace and have them refine a White Jade Jadehua Pill for us.

Don't worry about the materials; our Tahe Sect will provide them.

We won't ask anything more of you.

Given your current status and situation, it seems you can't do much anyway."

"Alright, I'll take care of the matters at Wulan Mountain Villa first, and then we can go together," Su Chen replied decisively.

The White Jade Jadehua Pill was a relatively complex tonic pill.

In Jade Ming Palace, this should be the most challenging Jade Essence Pill they could refine.

For more complex pills, Jade Ming Palace lacked the capability to incorporate Jade Essence techniques.

Hearing Su Chen's response, Yan You shook his head.

"We can't wait for you to resolve the issues at Wulan Mountain Villa.

If we let you handle these matters, and you end up lying dead on the spot, then we would have wasted our time.

Let's leave now.

Help us get this White Jade Jadehua Pill, and we'll call it even.

You don't owe us, and we won't ask for anything else from you."

Yan You's words were somewhat forceful, and Su Chen even detected a hidden meaning in his tone.

It seemed that if Su Chen didn't follow their arrangement and tried to leave, they were prepared to threaten him.

"Are we settling debts and calling it even with the White Jade Jadehua Pill?

That's fine. Are you two ready with the ingredients for refining the pill?"

Hearing Su Chen's words, Jiang Zhu stepped out of the house and brought in a pile of medicinal materials.

The ingredients required for the White Jade Jadehua Pill were indeed quite precious, but not to the extent of causing a scramble.

They were simply valuable.

"The ingredients have been prepared long ago and were originally kept with Elder Wang Shanlin.

He was supposed to give them to you when he met you.

The correct version is available at 69 Book Bar! 6=9+Book_Bar, the first to publish this novel.

Since we've come at the right time, there's no need to wait for another opportunity.

We won't try our luck at a different time either."

Jiang Zhu pushed the ingredients towards Su Chen, allowing him to examine them.

As Su Chen looked at the ingredients, Jiang Zhu continued to speak in a casual tone.

The Tahe Sect's arrangement was based on the assumption that Su Chen wouldn't be able to establish a good relationship with Jade Ming Palace.

They also didn't believe Su Chen had any other potential.

Even this White Jade Jadehua Pill was just a gamble on luck.

The higher-ups of the Tahe Sect no longer believed Su Chen had the ability to request Jade Ming Palace to refine such a pill.

Inside the house, Su Chen stepped forward and picked up the basket of ingredients.

"Let's go then. Since you two elders are in such a hurry, we'll refine the pill now.

I can't leave just yet; I still need to deal with the matters at Wulan Mountain Villa.

I'll finish it all in Heaven's Pivot City tonight."

Su Chen picked up the basket of ingredients and prepared to leave the house.

In Heaven's Pivot City, there were naturally pill refining shops.

However, the pills refined there were all extremely common.

Pills like the Rejuvenation Pill and Vitality Pill were the ones produced there.

At this time, the pill refining shop should be empty.

Even if there were others, Su Chen could ask the Great Elder for permission to use a refining spot.

Seeing Su Chen's action, the four people in the room were taken aback.

"What do you mean?

Do you intend to refine the White Jade Jadehua Pill yourself? Do you know the quality of this pill? Even if we don't consider whether you can use the Jade Essence technique, successfully refining this pill is a significant challenge."

"Yan You wore a look of disdain on his face.

Jiang Zhu, standing beside him, also smiled.

'If you're going to make excuses, at least find a more reasonable one. Don't assume that just because you have some connection with the Jade Ming Palace, you can automatically learn the art of pill refinement. That skill requires talent and insight. If you truly possess such ability, the Jade Ming Palace would have directly recruited you as a core disciple.'

Hearing these doubts, Su Chen remained unperturbed.

'Seeing is believing. I'll know the real situation once I give it a try.'

Su Chen continued walking out, holding the medicine basket.

Jiang Zhu's expression turned stern.

'You refuse to listen to reason, and you only understand when I scold you. We've already given you enough face, and by letting you attempt to refine the White Jade Jadehua Pill with these materials, we're essentially wasting precious resources.'

Jiang Zhu's words regarding Su Chen's plan were harsh and almost reproachful.

Even Wang Shanlin, who was usually supportive of Su Chen, remained silent this time.

Instead, he also spoke up to advise Su Chen, but his intention differed from Jiang Zhu's.

'Refining the White Jade Jadehua Pill is not an easy task. Even the core members of the Jade Ming Palace may not succeed. Don't be stubborn. I understand that this is a difficult task for you. I'll make things clear with the sect. When they sent us to find you, the elders spoke highly of you. Now, they shouldn't go back on their word.'

As Wang Shanlin spoke, he positioned himself behind Su Chen, seemingly ready to back him up.

Qin Wei, standing nearby, also faced pressure, but on this matter, he agreed with Wang Shanlin.

'Don't feel too pressured. If we can't get the White Jade Jadehua Pill, then we can't. The Tahe Sect invests a lot of resources each year, but how many disciples can produce impressive results? The sect's investments always have successes and failures. If you force yourself to refine this pill, it might cause more trouble. Wasting these precious medicinal ingredients prepared by the Tahe Sect will only make it harder to explain to the sect.'

Qin Wei's words were straightforward and direct, intending to relieve Su Chen's worries and reduce his pressure.

However, he didn't believe that Su Chen could successfully refine the pill and thought Su Chen was being stubborn and acting out.

Hearing this, Su Chen remained steadfast.

'Elder Wang, Elder Qin, I believe I have some understanding of pill refinement. Let me give it a try. If I fail, I'll keep my promise and go to the Jade Ming Palace to obtain a White Jade Jadehua Pill.'

Su Chen's words were a challenge, as he insisted on trying to refine the White Jade Jadehua Pill himself.

Upon hearing this, Yan You scoffed and smiled.

'Good, since you insist, let me be straightforward. What you're attempting to refine is not just the White Jade Jadehua Pill but the Jade Essence Pill using the refinement technique. If you succeed, not only will we acknowledge what we said earlier, but Elder Jiang Zhu and I will come here to assist you in guarding the sect.'

Yan You looked at Su Chen, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.

'But if you fail, you'll return with us tonight and go to the Jade Ming Palace to compensate us. Also, in the future, whether you have business or not, stay away from the Tahe Sect. Let's consider our relationship as non-existent.'

Su Chen nodded, not engaging in any argument with them.

Elder Wang Shanlin and Elder Qin Wei, who were standing nearby, waved their hands repeatedly, indicating their support for Su Chen.

'Su, don't be foolish! Your relationship with the Jade Ming Palace isn't as close as before. Things have changed. Many things that were said in the past may no longer apply. Even if the Jade Ming Palace agrees, it might be the last favor you can ask of them. There's no need to ask for a White Jade Jadehua Pill as a favor.'

Elder Wang Shanlin tried to dissuade Su Chen, but Su Chen remained calm and assured him not to worry.

As they conversed, Su Chen picked up the medicine basket again.

The group of five headed towards the pill refinement workshop in Heaven's Pivot City.

Compared to other sects, the pill refinement workshop in Heaven's Pivot City wasn't a place with strict surveillance.

In fact, it had less supervision than other areas.

There was no choice; the products refined in Heaven's Pivot City's workshop had such low value that many ordinary martial artists wouldn't even bother stealing them.

The low value meant that getting caught would damage one's reputation.

Over the years, the pill refinement workshop in Heaven's Pivot City had been largely neglected, with supervision on par with the kitchen staff.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end