The Imperial Martial Pill Venerable

Chapter 281: Chapter 280: The Only Pill King

"Tower Master Lin, a rare guest indeed."

Just then, an elder with a gentle smile on his face slowly descended the stairs. He was dressed in a white long-sleeved shirt, over which he wore a white robe. Everywhere he went, Alchemists would greet him, a testament to his immense prestige.

This was none other than Bai Haocheng, the chairman of the Lieyang City branch of the World Medicine Association.

"So, you finally decided to emerge from that messy Alchemy Room of yours," Lin Liyu chuckled, then added, "Come, let me introduce you to a distinguished guest."

"Oh? And who might that be?"

Bai Haocheng was slightly surprised. His gaze casually fell upon Qin Ya, and for a fleeting moment, he felt a sense of familiarity. But that feeling was quickly replaced by utter shock, and he hurried over to stand before Qin Ya.

"I am Bai Haocheng, chairman of the World Medicine Association here in Lieyang City. It is an honor to meet Young Master Qin Ya." Bai Haocheng’s voice held a rare note of reverence.

Such a deferential attitude left everyone aghast.

The surrounding Alchemists were stupefied.

Bai Haocheng was a powerhouse on par with the likes of Lin Liyu and Shangguan Bei. Yet here he was, showing deference to a mere teenager. It was utterly unthinkable. If they weren’t seeing it with their own eyes, they would never have believed it. ’Just who *is* this young man?’

Dozens of theories about Qin Ya’s identity instantly flashed through their minds: the scion of a great power, some reclusive old master in disguise, the son of the Worldwide Business Association’s chairman...

’It’s true!’

Seeing Bai Haocheng’s reaction, Master Tang, who stood to one side, knew his earlier suspicion had been correct. Yet, now that it was actually happening before him, he still found it hard to believe his own eyes.

"Elder Bai, you know Young Friend Qin?"

Now it was Lin Liyu’s turn to be surprised. He didn’t recognize the boy, yet Bai Haocheng did? Bai Haocheng simply nodded. "Tower Master Lin, it seems you’ve paid little attention to the outside world recently. Have you not heard of the peerless prodigy who recently appeared in the Celestial Dragon Sea Region?"

"Er..." Lin Liyu was at a loss for words. He had been in seclusion lately and was truly out of touch with recent events. "Are you saying Young Friend Qin is this prodigy?"

’Given Young Friend Qin’s capabilities, the title "peerless prodigy" certainly fits.’

"The peerless prodigy of the Celestial Dragon Sea Region?! Qin Ya!"

Suddenly, a sharp glint flashed in Master Tang’s eyes. He stared at Qin Ya, his voice trembling slightly. "Could it be? The rumored young Extraordinary who escaped unscathed from six Celestial Humans outside Liubo Island... that’s Young Friend Qin?"

Bai Haocheng nodded. "The very same."

Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted in an uproar.

Lieyang City had close ties to the Celestial Dragon Sea Region, so they were privy to some of the news from that area. A shocking story had recently emerged from there: a peerless prodigy had appeared outside Liubo Island. Not only had he reached the Extraordinary realm at a tender age, but he had also escaped unharmed from the clutches of six Celestial Humans.

The news was as shocking as it was unbelievable. After causing an initial stir, most had dismissed it as a rumor fabricated by someone seeking fame. Before long, it was largely forgotten, relegated to the status of idle gossip.

But who could have expected that today, they would meet the protagonist of that very rumor?

Moreover, judging by Chairman Bai’s attitude, the story seemed highly credible. This sent them into a frenzy once more. ’Could such a peerless prodigy really exist in this world?’

"So that’s the peerless prodigy from the rumors. He’s so young."

"He doesn’t look all that different, but Chairman Bai’s attitude doesn’t seem feigned. Could the rumors actually be true? Is he really an Extraordinary?"

"It seems unlikely. Remember, Lieyang City’s own number one genius, Young Master Shangguan Feng of the Shangguan Family, only broke through to the Extraordinary realm after his thirtieth year."

"It’s not impossible. Lieyang City is only so big, but the world is vast. Perhaps there really are geniuses out there who defy all common sense."

............

’Something’s not right,’ Master Tang thought, frowning slightly. ’Even if Qin Ya is the rumored prodigy, that shouldn’t warrant this level of reverence from Bai Haocheng. After all, Chairman Bai is a Celestial Human. His strength must be immeasurably greater than Qin Ya’s.’

’There must be another secret here, something I don’t know,’ he mused.

Bai Haocheng glanced respectfully at Qin Ya, then said, "Young Master Qin, this isn’t the place to talk. Shall we move upstairs to the Elegant Pavilion?"

"Alright." Qin Ya nodded.

"Rong, go prepare a pot of Nine Lotus Celestial Heart Tea and bring it to the Elegant Pavilion."

"Yes, sir," Steward Rong replied respectfully.

’Good heavens! Nine Lotus Celestial Heart Tea! That’s Chairman Bai’s most prized possession. He wouldn’t even bring it out to entertain Shangguan Bei!’

’To think he’d offer it to a young man without a moment’s hesitation.’

If Chairman Bai knew what Steward Rong was thinking, he would surely have berated him on the spot. ’Shangguan Bei? Who the hell is he? How could he possibly compare to a Pill King?’

Lin Liyu, Bai Haocheng, and Qin Ya went upstairs and entered one of the Elegant Pavilions.

Qin Ya glanced at Bai Haocheng and was the first to speak. "Alright, Chairman Bai. Tell me, just how much do you know about me, and how did you find out?"

Lin Liyu, who was beside them, also looked at Bai Haocheng curiously. "Elder Bai, it seems you already knew about Young Friend Qin being a Three-Star Level guest. But I get the feeling you know much more than I do."

Bai Haocheng smiled and nodded. "I do."

"For instance... that Young Friend Qin is the only known Pill King in the entire Southern Domain."

At these words, Lin Liyu’s body jolted. His gaze went unfocused, and his lips trembled. "A... a Pill King!"

Seeing Lin Liyu’s state, Bai Haocheng offered a small smile. He didn’t take the opportunity to mock him; on the contrary, he empathized. After all, when he himself had learned that Qin Ya was a Pill King, his own reaction hadn’t been much better.

An image of a red-bearded elder surfaced in Qin Ya’s mind. The corner of his mouth curled into a slight smile as he said coolly, "Heh. Vice President Lin told you, I presume."

"It was indeed Vice President Lin."

Not long ago, Vice President Lin Yuan of the Worldwide Business Association had come to Lieyang City. He had sought out Bai Haocheng, shared Qin Ya’s information, and then departed immediately.

"Chairman Lin said you might come this way, so he specially instructed me to host you with the utmost care," Bai Haocheng said with a smile. "He has also already ordered all the medicinal herb associations under the Worldwide Business Association across the entire Southern Domain to grant you unrestricted access to all their ingredients, provided you honor your agreement with him."

"I understand."

Just then, Steward Rong personally entered with a pot of tea. A rich, pure fragrance instantly filled the Elegant Pavilion. He bowed respectfully to the three men, set down the tea, and departed immediately, showing no intention of lingering.

"The fragrance of lotus, a refreshing aroma... this is Nine Lotus Celestial Heart Tea."

Qin Ya remarked with a faint smile. Bai Haocheng was somewhat taken aback. This tea was no simple matter; calling it a treasure of heaven and earth would be no exaggeration. An ordinary Martial Artist might never have even heard of it, yet Qin Ya had identified it by its aroma alone.

"Young Master Qin has a discerning eye indeed. This is the Nine Lotus Celestial Heart Tea," Bai Haocheng said with a light smile. He picked up the teapot and began to pour with practiced ease. The moment the pale-yellow liquid left the spout, wisps of white mist rose, carrying waves of fragrant aroma.

Merely inhaling the fragrance, both Qin Ya and Lin Liyu felt a refreshing energy instantly seep through their pores and into their bodies, where it transformed into a warm current. The two slowly exhaled a puff of white vapor, as if expelling all the impurities from their bodies, and couldn’t help but marvel in silence.