Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Willing to Serve Ning Jiang
Pill King.
It was a title of incomparable honor.
Throughout the entire Cyan Cloud Country, only Lu Changsheng was worthy of this title.
But now, a mere sixteen-year-old boy had refined a Supreme Grade Elixir, becoming a Pill King of his generation!
Nothing of the sort had ever happened in the history of the Cyan Cloud Country.
Perhaps in the long river of history, some peerless genius had become a Grandmaster at Ning Jiang’s age, but none had ever become a Pill King.
From ancient times to the present, Ning Jiang was the first!
And Tan Jinglin and the others believed he would also be the last!
At this moment, whether it was Fei Yanqing, Fei Hai, or Liu Zhengkun—all those who had previously been dissatisfied with Ning Jiang—not a single one of them dared to show any disrespect.
Ning Jiang had become a divine dragon in the heavens. How could they dare harbor any jealousy toward such a figure?
People were like that. They might be jealous of someone slightly stronger than them, but if someone was overwhelmingly superior—like the sun and moon in the sky, completely out of reach—then all that remained was reverence.
If the Ning Jiang of today wished it, with a single call, countless people in the Cyan Cloud Country would be willing to serve him.
To be even safer, if Ning Jiang were to join Pill King Valley and team up with Lu Changsheng, the Valley’s power would multiply several times over.
"Let no one speak of what happened today."
Ning Jiang showed neither joy nor sorrow. His eyes were half-closed, and his voice was ethereal, as if descending from the heavens.
Faced with the reverence of everyone present, he displayed none of the smug arrogance of a successful youth. Not a trace of pride could be felt from him. This demeanor only deepened the respect Tan Jinglin and the others felt for him.
’This boy... he’s terrifying!’
"Yes."
Everyone replied.
"Liu Yuanlong, as we agreed, I have finished refining the elixir for you."
This elixir, which others saw as a priceless treasure, Ning Jiang simply tossed over to Liu Yuanlong.
"A Supreme Grade Elixir... I suddenly don’t want to heal my injuries anymore. I’d rather just keep it," Liu Yuanlong lamented. The only other known Supreme Grade Elixirs in Cyan Cloud Country were the five refined by Lu Changsheng, all of which were collected and treasured with utmost care.
"Ahem, Brother Liu, why don’t you sell this Supreme Grade Elixir to me? The Treasure Elixir I refined should be able to heal your injuries as well."
Tan Jinglin’s eyes burned with desire as he stared at the Supreme Grade Elixir, looking as if he wanted to snatch it away.
For any alchemist, the allure of a Supreme Grade Elixir was no less than that of a peerless beauty.
"No. I wouldn’t sell it for any amount of Primordial Stones," Liu Yuanlong refused flatly.
"Brother Liu, don’t be so unreasonable."
"I said no, and I mean it."
The two influential, heavyweight figures suddenly began to argue over the Supreme Grade Elixir. After just a few sentences, they were red in the face, looking like they were about to come to blows.
"An elixir is, after all, just an external object. You can’t bring it with you at birth, nor take it with you in death. It’s insignificant. An elixir that can be consumed and used is a true elixir. What’s the difference between one that can’t be eaten and a rock?" Ning Jiang spoke, his words as thought-provoking as a Zen koan. "You two are becoming too attached."
"Your lesson is well-received, Senior."
Tan Jinglin said respectfully. Although he was much older than Ning Jiang, he only dared to call himself a junior in front of him.
Age doesn’t matter in learning; the accomplished one comes first.
"I have some things I need you all to find for me. Of course, I won’t have you work for free. I will exchange Pill Formulas of equivalent value. What do you all think?"
Despite being a Pill King, Ning Jiang showed no arrogance. His tone was calm and approachable.
"Please give us your orders, Pill King."
The Alchemy Masters nodded eagerly. Even if they had to work for free, they would do so gladly. This was a golden opportunity to build a connection with Ning Jiang.
What’s more, Ning Jiang was willing to offer Pill Formulas. Given his status, anything he provided would surely be a treasure.
Afterward, Ning Jiang rattled off a list of various materials.
These were all items needed to cultivate the Great Sun Glazed Golden Body. Each of the Alchemy Masters was a person of high status and possessed many precious Treasure Medicines. Between the eight of them and the Alchemy Grandmaster Tan Jinglin, they managed to gather everything Ning Jiang needed on the spot.
Ning Jiang, true to his word, exchanged Pill Formulas for the materials.
"Thank you, Senior Pill King."
Joy was written all over their faces. Even Tan Jinglin looked pleasantly surprised, showing just how satisfied they were with Ning Jiang’s Pill Formulas.
"It’s nothing. Also, when we are outside, don’t call me Pill King."
Ning Jiang waved his hand dismissively. To his vast repository of knowledge, those Pill Formulas were a mere drop in the ocean, things he didn’t even care about.
What he valued most was still increasing his own strength.
Everything else was just an external possession.
"If you are willing, Senior, I propose that from this day forward, all alchemists in Luoyang City will honor you as our leader. I wonder, Senior, what are your thoughts?" Gao Yuan stepped forward and said.
"That’s right. If you are willing, Senior, we are all ready to serve you. The major powers in Luoyang City have been divided and disorganized for too long," Fu Shan quickly added.
"We will follow your lead, Senior," Fei Yanqing also chimed in to state his position.
"In the past, no matter who it was, no one had the qualifications to lead us. But with your power, Senior, we will all submit willingly to your command," said Du Wanqing.
After that, all eight Alchemy Masters expressed the same sentiment.
They were willing to serve Ning Jiang!
They were doing this for their own benefit, of course. If they could follow a Pill King, the advantages would be immeasurable, and their futures would surely be bright.
For example, the current Pill King Valley could, with a single command, call upon countless Innate Limit Strong People across the Cyan Cloud Country to serve it.
It was a vast and terrifying power. Even a First-Class Noble House seemed insignificant in comparison to Pill King Valley.
The surrounding members of the Liu Family were shocked to hear the words of these Alchemy Masters.
Once these Alchemy Masters united to serve Ning Jiang, their faction would instantly become the third-largest power in Luoyang City.
Compared to First-Class Noble Houses like the Liu Family and the Wang Family, its only weakness would be the lack of an Innate Limit Strong Person at its helm.
How would Ning Jiang respond to such a proposal?
"Ahem, well, this junior is all alone in the world too." At this point, Tan Jinglin also shuffled forward. Although he wasn’t from Luoyang, his meaning was crystal clear.
This scene left everyone even more stunned.
A Grandmaster also wanted to serve Ning Jiang!
Beside them, Ning Yu’an’s face was filled with pride. This was her little brother—a Pill King of his generation, who had won over every Alchemy Master in Luoyang City and even made a Grandmaster bow his head.
And the influence of every single Alchemy Master here surpassed that of the Ning Family in Baiquan Town.
If the Ning Family knew about all this, wouldn’t they be kicking themselves with regret?
"Establish a faction?" Ning Jiang murmured, his gaze distant.
’In my eyes, all factions are illusions in the face of absolute power. No matter how overwhelming your authority, I can shatter it with strength alone.’
’One technique to break the Myriad Techniques, one power to Subdue Heaven and Earth.’
But right now, he didn’t have that kind of all-shattering power.
"The rest of you, leave."
At that, Liu Yuanlong dismissed the other members of the Liu Family, leaving only a few people behind, including Liu Xianyu.
In addition, the eight Alchemy Masters and Grandmaster Tan Jinglin all remained.
...
「Half an hour later.」
Ning Jiang and the others emerged from the rear courtyard. Aside from those who had stayed behind, none of the other Liu Family members knew what they had discussed.
However, everyone understood one thing.
From this day forward, they would have to look up to this white-haired boy.
Just as they were leaving the courtyard, a pair of sisters walked toward them. It was Zhou Lingwei and Zhou Chuchu.
"Brother Ning."
Zhou Chuchu wasn’t shy at all. As soon as she saw Ning Jiang, she waved, called out, and came running and skipping over.
"What brings you here to see me?" Ning Jiang smiled faintly. This innocent and cheerful little girl was quite likable.
"Brother Ning, can you help my sister? Our family is being suppressed by a nasty guy named Master Lü Dong. Now Father is forcing my sister to marry into the Zhao Family so they’ll put in a good word for us. My sister even cried today," Zhou Chuchu said pitifully.
"Master Lü Dong!"
At that moment, Zhou Lingwei, who was standing to the side, let out a gasp of surprise.
She saw Lü Dong walking just behind them.
What shocked her even more was that it wasn’t just Lü Dong. The other Alchemy Masters were all there as well.
"Is that the nasty Master Lü Dong?" Zhou Chuchu muttered, her gaze filled with displeasure.
"Chuchu, don’t talk nonsense."
Zhou Lingwei was startled. She saw Lü Dong striding over and thought he had overheard Zhou Chuchu and was coming to make trouble.
"Master Lü Dong, Chuchu is still young, her words are meant without malice. Please don’t be angry, Master Lü Dong. I’ll have her apologize to you right now."
Seeing Lü Dong hurry up to them, Zhou Lingwei grew even more nervous and was about to make Zhou Chuchu apologize.
However, what happened next was far beyond her expectations.
The very same Master Lü Dong, the alchemist who had made the Zhou Family’s life so miserable, bowed respectfully to Ning Jiang, his face a mask of terror. "Mr. Ning, I didn’t know the Zhou Family was acquainted with you! Please, forgive me, Mr. Ning!"
In that instant, Zhou Lingwei was completely stunned.
This was Master Lü Dong, an alchemist who could shake countless factions with a stomp of his foot. Because the Zhou Family had offended him, he had suppressed them until they had nowhere else to turn, forcing her to be sacrificed in a marriage to the Zhao Family.
And yet, such an important figure was being so respectful to Ning Jiang?
’Just who in the world is this young man?’
"I have a bit of a connection with this little girl," Ning Jiang said casually, gesturing toward Zhou Chuchu.
"Understood."
Lü Dong breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Ning Jiang had no intention of holding it against him.
After Ning Jiang and Zhou Chuchu had walked some distance away, Zhou Lingwei could no longer hold back. "Master Lü Dong, who exactly is he? Why are you so respectful toward him?"
"Him?"
Lü Dong’s expression was reverent. "I can’t tell you much. But if you could form a connection with him, even just by becoming one of his Maids, then no one in this entire Luoyang City would dare to provoke you."
After he said this, Zhou Lingwei was left completely dumbfounded.
’Even just as one of Ning Jiang’s Maids, no one in Luoyang City would dare provoke me?’
Suddenly, an overwhelming wave of regret burst forth from the depths of her heart.
She couldn’t guess Ning Jiang’s true identity.
But she knew one thing: her scorn toward Ning Jiang back in the Demon Mist Mountain Range had caused her to lose him forever!
Just now, Ning Jiang had only mentioned having a connection with Zhou Chuchu, but not her.
’I’m probably just a stranger in his eyes, aren’t I?’
"Is there any way for me to fix this?"
Zhou Lingwei clutched her chest, her face pale and her spirit crushed.
For the first time, she truly understood what a painful feeling regret was.
It was a suffocating feeling!
