Chapter 653: Who Gives Her the Confidence? (5K4)

Chapter 653: Who Gives Her the Confidence? (5K4)



Ye Lan turned her gaze towards the nearby desk.

Although she had been constantly working at the furnace, she was well aware of the total amount of medicinal ingredients prepared and how many portions she had used.

At this moment, apart from the ones she had consumed, these ingredients were only missing a single portion.

This indicated that after Shen Yi picked up the thin booklet and casually flipped through a few formulas, he successfully refined such flawless pills on his first attempt.

This was not something that could be achieved with just a basic understanding.

The pills intended for a Seventh Rank Celestial Immortal were not considered high-grade on the Fifth Peak, which was why they were recorded in the introductory section.

However, the issue was that Shen Yi was not a disciple of the Alchemy Peak. He had not studied the precious legacies left by their Master, so it was inappropriate to evaluate him by the standards of the peak.

This single bottle of pills was enough to earn him the praise of having exceptional talent in alchemy!

At this moment, Ye Lan saw Shen Yi reach out towards the second thin booklet, which was the lower volume of the Four Elements Alchemy Manual.

For some reason, her usually calm and composed heart suddenly felt a twinge of anxiety.

"No."

Instinctively, Ye Lan reached out her palm and firmly pressed down on Shen Yi's hand. Under his puzzled gaze, she bit her lip and eventually shook her head, "If you're interested, I can help you copy it down after we return. Don't learn it on the mountain."

With such remarkable talent in the path of alchemy, she naturally didn't want to see it go to waste.

But the timing was not right!

Her act of taking on a disciple on behalf of her Master was already prone to misunderstandings from the Sixth Peak, making them think that she intended to seize power.

If this new disciple happened to excel in alchemy, even if she tried to explain, it would be futile, as others would never believe her.

Nominally, Ye Lan was still the Peak Master and possessed Fifth Rank cultivation, so she wasn't afraid of any petty schemes in the dark.

However, Shen Yi was different. Setting aside whether the Dragon Tiger Fruit could protect him, if his identity as a Bodhimanda Arhat who wanted to join the Divine Void Mountain was exposed, the situation would become complicated.

Thinking negatively, those senior disciples and uncles likely had connections with the Bodhimanda Sect. With a little investigation, they might end up spreading news about Shen Yi to the Bodhimanda Sect, causing more trouble than it was worth!

After all, each peak had its corresponding resources, and these resources were abundant enough to support an entire lineage.

Wealth could sway people's hearts, and it wasn't easy for them to give up such wealth.

"..."

Shen Yi's expression remained calm as he looked into the eyes of the girl in front of him. At such a close distance, he could see the worry in her eyes.

After a moment, he smiled.

Although Ye Lan had repeatedly expressed her reluctance to compete or seize anything, if it were truly as she said, why would she have bothered to look through the introductory section when she knew she lacked talent in alchemy?

"..."

Shen Yi's expression remained calm as he looked into the eyes of the girl in front of him. At such a close distance, he could see the worry in her eyes.

After a moment, he smiled.

Although Ye Lan had repeatedly expressed her reluctance to compete or seize anything, if it were truly as she said, why would she have bothered to look through the introductory section when she knew she lacked talent in alchemy?

The two of them had the same goal: she wanted to protect that small courtyard, and Shen Yi wanted the Great Dharmic Fruit.

To achieve this goal, there was only one condition.

That was for Ye Lan's Master to become the true Master of the Ancestral Peak, not just an empty title.

During this trip to Divine Void Mountain, the thing Shen Yi feared the most was the calamity that Ye Lan had mentioned.

But now, after witnessing the current situation of the Fifth Peak, he had a rough guess.

All the peaks were thriving except for the Alchemy Peak, which was in decline.

What kind of situation would require a group of alchemists to be at the forefront while the other disciples remained unharmed?

If it were an external enemy, wouldn't a Great Dharmaraja fearlessly seek revenge?

There were only two possible outcomes: either the enemy had already been dealt with, or the enemy was someone even a Great Dharmaraja couldn't afford to offend.

If it were the latter, how could the Alchemy Peak dare to keep the statue of Ye Lan's Master, and how could Ye Lan have the courage to travel the world?

The Eight Peaks didn't seem to be united against a common enemy.

When all these factors were considered, the answer became quite obvious.

Compared to an external enemy, it was more likely to be an internal crisis.

"What's there to be afraid of?"

Shen Yi broke free from Ye Lan's palm, picked up the thin booklet, and turned to leave the alchemy workshop.

"..."

Ye Lan stared at the young man's departing figure, her mind going blank.

This young cultivator, who had emerged from a remote village and gained the recognition of Land God, Meng Xiuwen, and others, was decisive in his actions and remained unperturbed even when facing significant challenges.

A person like him was certainly not a fool.

He must have known the implications of this situation, yet he still casually took the alchemy book.

After her sect nearly faced extinction due to a certain incident, Ye Lan hadn't experienced this feeling of having someone stand by her side in a long time.

Yes, what was there to be afraid of?

It was Divine Void Mountain that owed the Fifth Peak, not the other way around! Even without seizing the position of Peak Master, the alchemy books in the Treasury Pavilion were left by her Master and fellow disciples. Shen Yi was her own disciple, so why shouldn't he be allowed to read them?

"Why shouldn't I?"

Ye Lan suddenly clenched her palm and glanced back at the medicine shelves. In a fit of pique, she waved her hand, collecting all the celestial materials into her storage treasure, before finally leaving the alchemy workshop.

The two of them left the alchemy workshop one after the other.

The disciples who had been dozing off a moment ago quickly gathered around and took out jade slips to send messages.

Soon, the young man from the small courtyard on the Alchemy Peak hurried over.

"Senior Liu!"

The disciples guarding the entrance welcomed the young man into the alchemy workshop.

"Did she refine pills?"

"Send someone to ask what pills this Ye Ancestor needs. Provide her with whatever she wants and quickly send this plague away. It's irritating just looking at her."

Liu Ruifeng let out a snort. If Ye Lan had such abilities, the Fifth Peak wouldn't have needed him to take over its management.

Oh, that's not right.

If Ye Lan knew how to refine pills, she would have likely died along with her unlucky Master, saving a lot of trouble.

"Disciples obey," the guarding disciples bowed.

Currently, the entire Fifth Peak was under Liu Ruifeng's management, making him the actual Peak Master of the Alchemy Peak.

If it weren't for his cultivation being stuck at the Sixth Rank Celestial Immortal stage, unable to pluck the Dharmic Fruit, Master Muchang would have already put this matter on the agenda.

The crowd surged into the Alchemy Workshop.

Upon seeing the black furnace, even the ordinary disciples couldn't help but laugh.

"Hmph."

Liu Ruifeng wiped his finger along the furnace rim, examining the black soot on his fingertip. Disdain filled his eyes, and the worry in his heart finally lessened.

With such skills, anyone with a shred of self-respect wouldn't return to the Fifth Peak to embarrass themselves.

"Alright..."

Liu Ruifeng waved his hand, about to dismiss the group, but his peripheral vision caught sight of another furnace.

He furrowed his brows, took a few steps forward, and peered inside.

The furnace was spotless, as if it had never been used. Not even a trace of medicinal mist or residue remained, but when he noticed the lingering spiritual mist, Liu Ruifeng's eyelids twitched violently.

He sniffed the faint pill fragrance, and in the next moment, his entire face darkened.

To refine a Seventh Rank Immortal Pill to such a state... The newcomer's intentions were not good.

That despicable woman, she did have ill intentions after all.

She wants to stir up trouble with a mere pill master? Ye, you're dreaming!

"Go, keep an eye on that new young man. Report everything, no matter how trivial!"

Liu Ruifeng clenched his teeth in anger, quickly turning around, and headed towards the Sixth Peak.

This matter must be reported to his father immediately!

...

Divine Void Mountain, Pill Peak.

Inside the Treasure Law Pavilion.

A group of disciples appeared to be reading pill books, but their gazes were fixed on the figure in the corner.

A handsome young man in an ink-colored shirt leaned against the wall, his long fingers flipping through the pages rapidly. After finishing a book, he would close his eyes and ponder for a long while his expression slightly changed.

When he opened his eyes, he would return to the bookshelf and take another pill book.

"What is he doing?"

Several disciples on duty exchanged glances, unsure of the situation. Although Elder Liu had instructed them to report everything, they couldn't quite understand what was happening.

This new "Elder," didn't seem to be studying alchemy at all. The pill books, filled with the essence of his predecessors' knowledge and incomprehensible to most, were replaced within a quarter of an hour in his hands.

It seemed like he was just flipping through them for fun, but his pensive expression made it seem like he was genuinely studying.

"Maybe he's searching for something."

One disciple had a sudden realization. After all, the Fifth Peak was once Master Ye Lan's sect. Perhaps there was a valuable pill formula left behind, known only to Master Ye Lan.

This person was feigning this behavior to conceal his true purpose.

With this thought, the disciple hurried over and collected all the pill books that Shen Yi had read, intending to report to Elder Liu.

However, as time passed, he noticed something amiss.

The young man's actions were not secretive at all; he was simply taking one book after another. If they followed him to collect the books... they might as well move the entire Treasure Law Pavilion to the Sixth Peak.

"Pretentious," the on-duty disciple muttered through gritted teeth, writing four words on the booklet.

"..."

In a corner of the Treasure Law Pavilion, two figures stood side by side.

One was the Third Peak Master, known as Elder Qianfeng, and the other was the beautiful woman from earlier.

They stood there as if invisible, unnoticed by those around them.

"Elder Jinxue, what do you think she's up to this time?"

Elder Qianfeng silently observed the young man in the ink-colored shirt, his thoughts elsewhere.

"I don't know, but I'm certain that if he keeps flipping through those books, Junior Apprentice Muchang won't be able to sit still."

Elder Jinxue sighed helplessly. This young man, with his True Immortal cultivation, was most likely acting under Ye Lan's instructions.

His actions were more like a provocation than studying alchemy.

This was what puzzled her.

What was Lan'er's intention in provoking Junior Apprentice Muchang? Could it be that her cultivation had improved, and she wanted to anger Muchang into a duel, not just in alchemy but in a battle of spells?

Not to mention that Junior Apprentice Muchang had been in charge of two peaks for many years; it was unlikely he'd fall for such a simple provocation.

The gap between an ordinary Dao Fruit and a Great Dao Fruit was not something that could be easily bridged.

Unless Lan'er had already comprehended the Void Sword Dao Fruit and reached the Fourth Rank, she wouldn't have the capital to challenge Junior Apprentice Muchang.

"Regardless, the Pill Peak must continue its operations."

"Not a single pill can be missing from what Master Shen Xu wants."

Elder Qianfeng exhaled softly. Among the eight peaks, only the Pill Peak couldn't afford any problems.

If something went wrong, the unlucky ones would be his disciples who inherited the Void Dao Fruit.

Divine Void, the most terrifying aspect was the word 'void.'

It could mean soaring through the void, seeking the Great Dao, or it could mean sinking into delusion, unable to transcend.

The next moment, Elder Qianfeng took out a jade slip and raised his eyebrows: "Tsk, the Eight Peaks Assembly, I can't stay seated any longer."

As his words fell, the two exchanged a glance, and their figures slowly dissipated from their original spots.

...

Meanwhile, Shen Yi, in the corner, finally lifted his gaze to glance at the empty space.

He didn't care about the affairs of Divine Void Mountain; he only sought the Void Dao Fruit.

What's so difficult about refining pills?

【Remaining Demonic Lifespan: Two Tribulations】

Shen Yi retracted his gaze, looking at the remaining demonic lifespan on the panel and rubbing his temples.

Tsk, this is really tough...

After mastering the introductory volume of the Four Elements Alchemy Manual, the ancient books in the Treasure Law Pavilion were no longer incomprehensible.

But understanding them and mastering the entire collection were two different matters for Shen Yi.

Facing these abstruse texts, his claim of understanding a bit became a reality.

However, the benefit was learning a bunch of miscellaneous pill formulas.

Not to mention, with enough celestial materials, he could at least help the Eastern Dragon King reconstruct a physical body and possibly break through to the True Immortal realm.

As for Elder Xuan Qing, it would be more challenging. After all, the Blood Rebirth technique required a drop of blood, and he had none left, only a wooden corpse.

"More."

Helpless, Shen Yi could only urge Qing Hua to speed up her progress.

...

Apart from Divine Void Mountain, at the summit of the highest peak.

No longer was it a dilapidated courtyard like that of Dan Peak, but instead, a grand hall stood tall.

The dimly lit interior held only eight chairs, each occupied by a solemn figure.

Among them was a young and charming girl who seemed too youthful, appearing out of place among the others.

Aside from her appearance, the aura she exuded was the weakest among the eight.

However, setting aside their differences in alchemy, even those who disliked this girl couldn't underestimate her cultivation realm and strength.

The fact that she, as a third-generation disciple, was sitting among these seven venerable ancestors spoke volumes.

If she hadn't obtained the Dao Fruit, let alone being a disciple of Dan Peak's ancestor, even if she were his own daughter, she wouldn't have been allowed to sit in that position.

"Muchang, everyone is here. You may speak now."

In the main seat, an elderly man with a decaying face, barely alive, slowly opened his eyes.

Despite his frail appearance, the moment he opened his eyes, almost everyone felt a thick wave of pressure.

"..."

Upon hearing this, a middle-aged man with a long beard and a dignified face, exuding a scholarly aura, slowly raised his gaze and looked at the girl across from him.

"Senior Brother, Muchang is just considering the friendship among the eight peaks and doesn't want to make a scene."

"Therefore, I've gathered you all here today to sit together and ask some questions with the doors closed."

Hearing this, the other peak masters averted their gazes, not wanting to get involved in this mess.

"I have a question."

Daoist Muchang slowly stood up, shifting his gaze from staring at the girl to looking down at her: "Since you left, why did you return? You've caused panic and rumors to spread, making it seem like the ancestors are in conflict, like wild dogs fighting over food, leaving Shenxu Mountain without any face. Is this what you seek?"

His voice grew more stern and resonant: "Is this what you desire?"

Under this questioning, Ye Lan fell into deep thought, and after a moment, she slightly raised her head: "What rumor?"

Upon hearing this, Daoist Muchang's face turned cold: "Playing dumb, in just two days, everyone on the eight peaks, including the third-generation disciples, is talking about how you're returning to retake control of the Fifth Peak."

"Do you dare say this isn't your doing?"

Ye Lan listened quietly, her voice still calm: "Retake control? So, I've already been expelled from Shenxu Mountain?"

"You..." Daoist Muchang paused, then furrowed his brows: "Don't be sharp-tongued. It was your own incompetence in managing Dan Peak; you can't blame others."

With these words, the other peak masters slowly turned their gazes towards Ye Lan.

The closest to her, Daoist Jinxue, gently patted her shoulder: "Lan'er, you know the importance of Dan Peak."

"So..."

Finally, Ye Lan stood up, her gaze meeting Muchang's: "What did I do wrong? I can't return to my sect because I can't refine pills. I can't even keep the courtyard left by my master, and now even his statue is to be replaced by yours, Senior Uncle Muchang."

"So, can you refine pills?"

Ye Lan's voice was calm, as if asking a simple question, but her last sentence caused Daoist Muchang's lips to twitch twice.

She quietly took a step forward, moving closer to the center of the hall and Muchang: "After that incident, did anyone consider my feelings or offer me comfort? Was I given time to recruit disciples and revive Dan Peak?"

"No, you all wanted to seal the mountain gate and hide the scandal within the family."

Before she finished, the half-dead old man's eyes suddenly turned sharp: "Enough!"

"Hmm."

Ye Lan took a step forward, stopping just over ten feet away from Muchang: "You can't refine pills either. What you did, I can do too. In just three days, you took control of the entire Dan Peak, and my fellow disciples all perished. I didn't even have three days to mourn."

"..."

Daoist Muchang forcibly averted his gaze, looking at the old man in the main seat, and coldly said: "Lan'er has grown bold, even disregarding her senior brother's words."

"I indeed can't refine pills, but my son, Ruifeng, is the only one on the entire Fifth Peak who can refine Tribulation Pills."

"I'd like to ask, he took on the responsibilities of the peak master, but you enjoy the title and now want to reclaim the authority. Is this fair?"

Upon hearing this, the other peak masters fell silent.

Ye Lan closed her eyes and exhaled softly: "You're wrong. I don't want those things. I only wanted the courtyard and my master's ancestor statue. He is the true ancestor of Dan Peak, and his lifelong efforts are embodied in the countless alchemy books in the Treasure Law Pavilion. It's not excessive for disciples to worship and pay respects."

Hearing this, Daoist Muchang's face lit up with joy.

He never expected this junior to yield so easily, seemingly ready to give up the position of peak master. But soon, he sensed something amiss: "Earlier? What do you mean now? I can agree to most of your conditions. Others won't disturb that courtyard, and your senior brother's ancestor statue can stay there, but disciples can't worship it. You're old enough to understand that Shenxu Mountain can't remember your master..."

"..."

Ye Lan shook her head, interrupting him.

A smile appeared on her charming face for the first time since entering the hall: "I want to say that the rumor you mentioned isn't a rumor; it's true."

Ye Lan's smile faded as she spoke each word, her gaze sweeping across the crowd before leaving the hall without a backward glance.

It wasn't a rumor; she was indeed going to reclaim the authority of the peak and retake control of the Fifth Peak!

The crowd stared at her departing figure, their faces suddenly looking strange.

The Ye Lan who faced Muchang's actions in the past was like an inexperienced child, leaving Shenxu Mountain with a heavy heart.

But now, upon her return, she seemed so much more confident. Who gave her this newfound courage?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end