Chapter 539: The Angry Zhu Ming Gong Palace Lord

Chapter 539: The Angry Zhu Ming Gong Palace Lord

January 1st, 2025

Zhu Ming Gong Palace.

This morning, the Palace Lord and several Elders had just emerged from the Alchemy Workshop.

The core members had been in the workshop for nearly half a month.

For an alchemy sect, many of their core alchemy skills were only known to the inner circle.

Both the sect's management and pill crafting tasks fell upon the shoulders of the core members.

This often led to conflicts, as managing the sect and refining their skills often clashed.

There was no immediate solution to this dilemma.

These skills could not be casually passed down to others.

Especially the Jade Essence Pill Technique, which many sought to secretly learn.

Even without considering passing it down, the Palace Lord, Yao Wen, had to remain vigilant against those who might try to steal the technique.

During this period of secluded cultivation, Yao Wen and the Elders aimed to break through and create a new pill.

Currently, Zhu Ming Gong could only produce a limited variety of pills using the Jade Essence Pill Technique.

Outside, more and more people were ridiculing Zhu Ming Gong for this limitation.

After the alliance between the Odd Tower and Crystal Pavilion, the quality of their pills had been steadily rising.

Zhu Ming Gong had received this news long before the Heavenly Alchemy Expo.

Upon learning this, they knew they had to find a solution and prepare a response.

Only the higher-ups like them could conduct such research.

This was why they had secluded themselves for so long.

Even after the Second Elder returned from the Expo, he didn't immediately meet with them.

In fact, their seclusion should have lasted even longer.

But during this half-month, Yao Wen and the three Elders meticulously studied.

Yet, they made no progress whatsoever.

All their previous ideas were overturned.

Either the theories were flawed, or the concepts were simply impractical.

For over half a month, their research was at a standstill.

Continuing to stay in the workshop would be pointless.

Under normal circumstances, Yao Wen and the others would have remained in the workshop for a while longer.

During this waiting period, the Second Elder of Zhu Ming Gong frowned every day.

He had been pondering for a long time, trying to figure out how to explain this situation.

What had transpired at the Expo was truly unexpected.

Even Su Chen's appearance didn't surprise them.

The people of Zhu Ming Gong had already assumed that Su Chen's alchemy skills were stolen.

If they were stolen, how could he possibly miss such a grand event as the Expo?

Su Chen had shown up, but the outcome was beyond their imagination.

He had challenged the people from the Odd Tower and Crystal Pavilion and successfully crafted the Cicada Pupa Pill.

Moreover, he had incorporated the Jade Essence Pill Technique into the pill.

To be honest, this turn of events was genuinely surprising.

In the current situation, the Second Elder of Zhu Ming Gong was uncertain.

It was unclear whether Su Chen had stolen the Jade Essence Pill Technique or not.

The fact that he could use the technique to craft the Cicada Pupa Pill didn't prove that the skill wasn't stolen.

After all, one could further refine a stolen technique.

But if they tried to forcefully argue this point, anything was possible.

In fact, when this situation occurred, public opinion generally sided with Su Chen, believing that his alchemy skills were not stolen.

Crafting the Cicada Pupa Pill was not easy.

Su Chen had used the Jade Essence Pill Technique to create it.

Furthermore, he had done so in significantly less time than the people from the Odd Tower.

The quality of the pill he produced was several times better than those crafted by the Odd Tower and Crystal Pavilion.

Remembering the Jade Essence Pill displayed by the Odd Tower and Crystal Pavilion, one could easily discern the quality of the pills.

The pill's outer skin, with its grayish-brown spots, clearly indicated its inferior quality.

Anyone who wasn't a fool could tell the difference in pill quality.

The Jade Essence Pill was renowned for its ability to eliminate impurities, and the more impurities removed, the better the quality.

Of course, there were those who argued that retaining some impurities could enhance the medicinal properties, but they were generally regarded as a joke.

It was incredibly easy for the Jade Essence Pill to retain impurities.

If Su Chen could craft a pill with a jade-like exterior, it wouldn't be difficult for him to leave some impurities behind.

After over half a month of public discussion, the general consensus was that Su Chen's alchemy skills were not stolen.

It was absurd to think that someone who stole skills could be several times more skilled than the original owner.

This was indeed a bit far-fetched, and it was challenging for people to believe.

Just after noon, the Second Elder of Zhu Ming Gong received a notification, asking him to immediately go to Palace Lord Yao Wen's courtyard.

As expected, after the Palace Lord emerged from his seclusion and took a short rest, he would have heard this news.

Yao Wen had disciples dedicated to report such news promptly.

Whenever he emerged from his secluded cultivation, he would call upon several disciples.

They would report separately, presenting the major events and important matters that had occurred recently.

The happenings at the Heavenly Alchemy Expo were undoubtedly the most significant and widely discussed events of late.

Even if the Second Elder didn't bring it up, the magnitude of the incident was such that the news would eventually reach Zhu Ming Gong.

The lower-ranking members of the sect would surely be aware of it.

As the Palace Lord, Yao Wen, was well aware of this situation, it came as no surprise to him.

Before long, Yao Wen's courtyard was filled with high-ranking members of Zhu Ming Gong.

The other members of the inner core probably had their suspicions as well.

After their Palace Lord emerged from seclusion, he would undoubtedly seek them out to discuss this matter.

If they were to leave temporarily, they might be called back halfway to attend to urgent matters.

During this time, everyone was mindful and had declined all other engagements.

The powers that had dealings with Zhu Ming Gong were also aware that the sect would be extremely busy recently.

Numerous significant events had transpired at the Heavenly Alchemy Expo, and Zhu Ming Gong was deeply implicated.

Zhu Ming Gong would undoubtedly need to discuss and analyze the recent developments.

The number of people seeking medicinal pills had noticeably decreased.

After the events at the Heavenly Alchemy Expo, Zhu Ming Gong had many internal issues to address.

They had no time to spare for those seeking pills.

In the courtyard, after the servants served tea to the assembled group, they promptly left.

They knew that today's discussion involved important matters, and they were not qualified to listen in.

Upon hearing the courtyard gate close, Yao Wen finally spoke.

"Regarding the news from the Heavenly Alchemy Expo, Second Elder, please elaborate on the details."

Yao Wen's expression was unreadable, making it difficult to discern his thoughts at that moment.

However, everyone had an expectation in their hearts, anticipating that their Palace Lord's mood would not be pleasant.

"The Odd Tower and the Crystal Pavilion have been accusing us of stealing their alchemy techniques.

Considering our status, they only mentioned the name of Elder Su Xing.

Then, Elder Su Xing proceeded to refine the Cicada Pupa Pill in front of everyone."

The Second Elder's explanation was concise, but the key points were clearly emphasized.

These circumstances were almost identical to the rumors they had heard.

This indicated that the information they had received previously was largely accurate and true.

Upon hearing these words, Yao Wen and the other secluded Elders revealed expressions of discomfort.

Although they had mentally prepared themselves, hearing it confirmed was still somewhat startling.

"Did Elder Su Xing truly refine the Cicada Pupa Pill on the spot?"

After a moment of hesitation, Yao Wen turned to the Second Elder and asked for confirmation.

The others in the courtyard also turned their attention towards the Second Elder.

The Second Elder wanted to deny it, but he had witnessed it with his own eyes, and there were at least a thousand people present.

Hearing this, everyone understood that it was a confirmed fact.

Yao Wen slowly rose from his seat and took a few steps in the courtyard.

His gaze fell upon the verdant plants by his side.

The Elders exchanged glances, all of them aware of their Palace Lord's temperament.

In such a situation, he was likely to start scolding someone.

The next moment, Yao Wen reached out, snapped a branch from a nearby plant, and crumpled it into a ball.

"Previously, when I spoke with the Elders, I emphasized this matter numerous times.

In life and in our actions, we should be grateful for the help we receive.

We should at least be worthy of our own conscience.

If we betray our conscience, even Heaven will make us suffer."

Yao Wen's eyes revealed his growing anger, no longer able to contain it.

"Have I not told you all before that Elder Su Xing has been of great help to us, immense help!

Regardless of whether he stole the technique or not, he has assisted us. Should we not do our utmost to protect him with all our might!"

As Yao Wen spoke, he almost seemed to be shouting.

Regarding Su Chen, Yao Wen already felt a sense of guilt in his heart.

However, due to the pressure they faced, most of the inner core members of Zhu Ming Gong believed that they shouldn't support Su Chen.

Now, with the current situation unfolding, everything became crystal clear.

If they hadn't been so cold-hearted, Zhu Ming Gong might have obtained even greater opportunities from Su Chen.

"First Elder, Second Elder, Third Elder, you have been suggesting that we cease our support for Elder Su Xing.

In light of the current situation, tell me, how much have we gained and how much have we lost this time?"

The three Elders, singled out by Yao Wen's questioning, wore embarrassed expressions on their faces.

This question, in a way, had left them speechless.

It wasn't that they didn't know how to respond; they simply didn't know what to say.

"Why are you all silent? During the meeting, didn't you have a lot of reasons to discuss? And now, you're all quiet, as if you've forgotten everything!"

Yao Wen berated them, and the Elders remained silent, not daring to utter a word.

Su Chen had greatly benefited Zhu Ming Gong, but they were now seeking more advantages, wanting Zhu Ming Gong to stop protecting Su Chen.

They were ungrateful, taking advantage of the situation.

At the Grand Exhibition, Su Chen demonstrated his boundless potential.

He could even craft the Cicada Pupa Pill using the Jade Essence Alchemy Technique, proving that Su Chen's alchemy skills far surpassed Zhu Ming Gong's current capabilities.

If they treated Su Chen well, they might still gain some benefits.

But now, they not only acted unreasonably but also failed to gain any advantages.

It could be said that they made an extremely poor decision.

In truth, the three Elders wanted to refute, to argue against their Palace Lord.

If they didn't agree, why didn't they persist? They disagreed but still followed through with their proposal.

In fact, this was a tactic used by those in power to manipulate the situation.

I'll point out all the issues with your decision.

If you insist, then the higher-ups will agree to your proposal.

In the end, the result was good, and everyone was happy.

But if the outcome was unfavorable, then you'd have to take responsibility.

"Without Su Xing's help, our Zhu Ming Gong should still be struggling to compete for ordinary elixir shares.

Exhausting all your energy, you still wouldn't achieve today's goal.

Look at how quickly you've forgotten others' kindness.

See, this is heaven's revenge, making us regret!"

Yao Wen finished speaking and looked at everyone present.

"Also, did Elder Su Xing make a promise at the end?"

The other Elders, after being stared down by Yao Wen, quickly turned their attention to the Second Elder.

The Second Elder had been at the Grand Exhibition, so he should be the one to answer these questions.

"He did say something, but Elder Su Xing might have been angry at the time."

"No need for explanations, just tell everyone directly."

The Second Elder should repeat what Elder Su Xing said at the end.

Yao Wen had already received the message, so he wanted the Second Elder to repeat it.

He was essentially asking the Second Elder to curse them.

"Elder Su said that he wouldn't provide any guidance to Zhu Ming Gong," the Second Elder replied, knowing he'd be scolded.

Hearing this, Yao Wen let out a cold laugh.

In the past, Elder Su had not made many promises to him, Yao Wen.

Yet, he trusted me.

Now, he was openly declaring before everyone that he had no connection with me.

Look at what we've done!"

Yao Wen finished his tirade, seemingly exhausted from his own words.

He sat to the side, his gaze fixed on the Elders.

But the Elders remained silent, maintaining their silence.

After a while, Yao Wen seemed to have released most of his inner resentment.

His tone gradually calmed down.

"Second Elder, did you have any conflicts with Elder Su Xing during your interactions?"

Hearing the Palace Lord's inquiry, the Second Elder quickly waved his hands.

He was relieved that he had maintained restraint during his conversations with Su Chen.

If he hadn't, he would have faced great trouble.

"Palace Lord, rest assured, I've always kept your instructions in mind.

My attitude towards Elder Su Xing has always been positive.

This time, Elder Su Xing is so angry mainly because of an incident."

"What incident?"

Yao Wen furrowed his brows, asking with concern.

"Elder Su Xing's side, we promised to regularly send him intelligence reports.

But in the past few months, the people below stopped sending them.

Elder Su hasn't received any reports recently, which is probably why he's so angry."

Hearing this, Yao Wen turned to look at the Fourth Elder.

"Fourth Elder, you're in charge of managing the intelligence channels, explain."

The Fourth Elder was now in the hot seat, the blame directly shifted to him.

The Second Elder naturally knew the Fourth Elder would resent him, but in such a situation, it was better to look out for himself first.

Additionally, this was their own fault.

For no apparent reason, they stopped sending the intelligence reports they were supposed to send.

Normally, others wouldn't think too much about it, but encountering such a situation, they'd definitely overthink.

"I've already investigated this matter. It was an oversight by the people below, not intentional.

I've already punished them."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end