47: Chapter 47: Just Hiding a Little Bit

Xuan Yangzi also beamed with joy, patting Shi Wanshan’s shoulder and saying, “Congratulations, Junior Brother Shi. Our Azure Profound Sect has gained another source of strength.”

Shi Wanshan tightly clasped Xuan Yangzi’s hand, expressing his gratitude.

“Senior Brother, I will remember this kindness! If you ever need me, Shi Wanshan, just say the word! I’ll go through mountains of daggers and seas of fire without hesitation!”

Seeing Shi Wanshan pat his chest to show his loyalty, Xuan Yangzi felt smug.

Done!

Heh heh, this move really works. You were so arrogant when you snatched my thousand-year snow lotus back then, but now you have to be grateful to me, don’t you?

Next time we discuss Sect matters, I’d like to see if you still dare to contradict me.

Xuan Yangzi saw Shi Wanshan off, then turned and crushed a transmission Jade Slip.

Shi Wanshan is settled; next is Li Muran. That old fellow always argues with me over the Pill Furnace usage rights. This time, he’ll have to owe me a favor too.

Half an hour later, Dan Ding Peak Lord Li Muran walked into Qingyun Hall, accompanied by the scent of medicinal herbs.

As soon as he sat down, he saw Xuan Yangzi set up a barrier, holding a pristine white Jade Bottle in his hand, his expression more solemn than when his Alchemy furnace exploded years ago.

“Senior Brother Li, do you know what this is?”

Xuan Yangzi uncorked the bottle, and a clear, refreshing Medicinal Pill fragrance instantly diffused.

Li Muran’s hand, stroking his beard, paused. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Xuan Yangzi say in a deep voice.

“This is a Marrow Cleansing Pill I obtained from Junior Brother Gu. It can change one’s Aptitude against the heavens. There are only two in the entire Azure Profound Sect; I used one myself, and this last one—”

He pushed the Jade Bottle towards Li Muran, his eyes sincere, “I thought of you first.”

Li Muran’s hand, gripping the Pill Furnace, tightened sharply, his knuckles turning white. Could this treasure truly have such an effect?

In the entire Xuanhuang Great World, there had never been a Medicinal Pill known to improve Aptitude.

Looking at the spiritual light flowing within the bottle, his Adam’s apple bobbed, and he was momentarily speechless.

“You are the pillar of Dan Ding Peak; half of Azure Profound Sect’s Medicinal Pills depend on you.”

Xuan Yangzi patted his shoulder, his tone earnest, “You deserve this medicine more than anyone.”

Xuan Yangzi secretly gloated: Looking at your expression, you must be deeply moved.

Indeed, there are only two in the entire Sect; I used one myself, and the remaining one is solely for you. This friendship is enough for you to remember for a lifetime.

Li Muran suddenly looked up, his eyes red-rimmed, and grabbed the Medicinal Pill, putting it into his mouth.

He mumbled, “I will remember this kindness! In the future, Senior Brother, whatever Medicinal Pills you need, just ask! Dan Ding Peak will support you with all its might!”

Watching Li Muran’s incoherent excitement, the smile on Xuan Yangzi’s lips deepened.

Alright, Dan Ding Peak is also taken care of.

From now on, there’s no need to worry about the Sect’s Medicinal Pill supply. This favor was well worth it!

As the Medicinal Pill entered his stomach, Li Muran’s body was instantly engulfed in green flames.

A violent spiritual energy storm instantly swept through the hall, and nine fiery Dragons of green Pill fire spiraled upwards.

Xuan Yangzi hastily formed a hand seal to stabilize the barrier, but then saw Li Muran’s spiritual energy rapidly ascending—

His disguise as a Middle Stage Cave Heaven Realm cultivator tore like paper, and his true cultivation of Early Stage King Realm was fully revealed.

With the boost from the Marrow Cleansing Pill, he actually broke through to Middle Stage King Realm in one go, and his Aptitude also reached Low Grade Saint-Grade.

“You rascal!”

Xuan Yangzi’s whisk almost fell from his hand, and he muttered to himself.

“He usually pretends to be in the Cave Heaven Realm, but it turns out they were all in the King Realm long ago!”

He suddenly remembered the phenomenon when Shi Wanshan broke through, and his beard immediately bristled with anger.

“Junior Brother Shi was the same! These scoundrels, every single one of them pretends to be a junior in front of their Senior Brother, and they all hid two major Realms!”

He completely forgot that he himself had also hidden two major Realms.

Li Muran slowly opened his eyes, Medicinal Pill fire flowing within them.

Xuan Yangzi’s mouth twitched, and he barely managed not to roll his eyes: “Congratulations on your Breakthrough, Junior Brother.”

But in his heart, he cursed: You Li Muran, you usually act so honest, you even dare to deceive your Senior Brother!

“Senior Brother’s great kindness, Junior Brother will never forget.”

Li Muran suddenly bowed deeply, presenting a purple-gold Pill token with both hands.

“From now on, Senior Brother may take any Medicinal Pills from Dan Ding Peak as he wishes.”

As Xuan Yangzi took the Pill token, he suddenly glimpsed a faint Pill pattern under Li Muran’s collar—it was clearly the “Nine Revolutions Golden Pill pattern”!

This only appears when one has achieved Major Achievement in the “Taiqing Pill Scripture.”

His eyelids twitched wildly. How many more tricks was this brat hiding?

Xuan Yangzi’s fingertips rubbed the token twice, then he suddenly narrowed his eyes.

“Junior Brother Li, ah...”

He drew out his tone, looking at this “honest man” with a half-smile.

Li Muran’s body stiffened, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead: “S-Senior Brother?”

“You’ve hidden it quite well, haven’t you~”

Xuan Yangzi slung an arm around Li Muran’s shoulder, with such force that the latter winced.

“I didn’t expect my Junior Brother of Dan Ding Peak to already be in the King Realm? From now on, the Sect will have to rely on Junior Brother Li!”

The last few words were almost gritted out.

Li Muran chuckled awkwardly, shrinking back slightly.

“Senior Brother, please understand, Junior Brother... Junior Brother only hid a tiny bit...”

“A tiny bit?”

Xuan Yangzi raised his eyebrows high, pointing at the nine giant Pill fire Dragons still circling in the hall.

“Is this a tiny bit?”

He then pulled open Li Muran’s collar, revealing the Nine Revolutions Golden Pill pattern inside.

“Is this also a tiny bit?”

Li Muran suddenly straightened his back and said seriously, “To Senior Brother, it is indeed ‘a billion’ tiny bits.”

As he spoke, he even held up his pinky to demonstrate, his eyes blinking with an air of utter innocence.

“You, Li Muran!”

Xuan Yangzi stamped his foot in anger.

“You usually act like a quail, and when I ask you to refine a Medicinal Pill, you always say your skills aren’t good enough, making excuses. Was it all an act for Senior Brother?”

“Junior Brother wouldn’t dare, it’s just that Junior Brother’s energy was all focused on refining the Soul Condensing Pill...”

Li Muran rubbed his hands, then suddenly lowered his voice, pulling out a Jade Box from his sleeve.

“Senior Brother, would you like to try some? I specially saved them for you.”

Xuan Yangzi opened the Jade Box, and inside lay three Medicinal Pills, shimmering with golden light, each entwined with nine cloud patterns.

His hand trembled, almost dropping the box: “At least you’re a good kid with a conscience!”

After Li Muran left, Xuan Yangzi pulled out another identical Jade Bottle from his sleeve.

He gently twirled it between his fingers, a cunning smile playing on his lips: “Who should I find next?”

For the next three days, the barrier around Qingyun Hall was never removed.

Xuan Yangzi, like a generous child of wealth, held the “last” Marrow Cleansing Pill and summoned the Peak Lords one by one.

After meeting the last Peak Lord, Xuan Yangzi took out his storage ring, looked at the four bottles of Marrow Cleansing Pills remaining inside, and chuckled.

He triumphantly shook his storage ring, thinking to himself: A bunch of old foxes, trying to contend with me?

Weren’t they all bought off with a few Medicinal Pills?

Now it’s good, all of you owe me a favor. From now on, when the Sect discusses matters, let’s see who still dares to contradict me.

On Zizhu Peak, Gu Changge leaned back in a bamboo chair, twirling a purple crystal grape between his fingers, his Divine Sense like an invisible net, taking in all the activity in Qingyun Hall.

When he saw Xuan Yangzi holding the “last” Marrow Cleansing Pill, recounting his “exclusive kindness” to the sixth Peak Lord, he was truly enlightened and called him an expert.

He finally couldn’t help but let out a low laugh.

“Heh, that old fox’s methods are becoming more and more skilled.”

Gu Changge picked up a ginseng fruit and popped it into his mouth. As the sweet juice spread over his tongue, he couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.

“Indeed, no one who can firmly sit in the position of Sect Master is a simple character.”

He had only casually given a few bottles of Medicinal Pills, but he never expected Xuan Yangzi to use this pretext to win over all the Peak Lords of Azure Profound Sect, making them completely compliant. This level of cunning was truly eye-opening.

Not far away, Xiao Ruobai was Cultivating. Hearing his Master’s laughter, his movements suddenly paused.

He looked up and saw Gu Changge leaning back in the bamboo chair, smiling with eyes curved at the Void Realm, still playing with a spiritual fruit in his hand. He looked exactly like a bear who had found honey in the mountains.

The young man frowned slightly and quietly sighed.

“Master’s condition seems to have worsened again.”

After winning the top spot in this Sect Grand Competition, he must go to Dan Ding Peak to ask for a Tranquilizing Pill. Perhaps it could make Master feel a little better...