406: Saints blocking the road

"Valley Master, I've brought Zi Chen, my young friend, to you!"

Peng Yang said, leading Zi Chen into the reception hall.

Hearing this, Peng Yue immediately stood up from his chair and waved at Zi Chen.

"Young friend Zi Chen, I've finally waited for you!"

Zi Chen bowed to Peng Yue and said softly, "Junior Zi Chen greets the Valley Master! May I know why the Valley Master specifically sought me out? Is there something important?"

Peng Yue waved his hand and chuckled, "First, sit down, have a cup of tea and a bun, and then we can talk slowly."

After some polite exchanges, Peng Yue finally stated his purpose.

"Young friend Zi Chen, your Alchemy skills are truly exceptional throughout Kyushu, absolutely stunning. I would like to invite you to join our Medicine King Valley."

"You should know, our Medicine King Valley is the only Ninth-Rank Sect in Kyushu that cultivates Alchemists, and our Alchemy resources are the most abundant. If you can join Medicine King Valley, I will immediately grant you the status of a Saint, and we will spare no resource from the entire Medicine King Valley to cultivate you, helping you Breakthrough to Ninth-Rank. What do you think?"

Hearing this, Zi Chen was startled, and his hand holding the teacup trembled.

He had largely guessed Peng Yue's purpose in seeking him out, but he hadn't expected Peng Yue to offer such generous terms.

He, an outsider with no qualifications, would be granted the status of a Saint immediately upon joining Medicine King Valley!

One must know that a Saint is the most prominent status among a Sect's Disciples, leading all Disciples within the Sect, and even participating in the decision-making of important Sect matters.

This Peng Yue truly spared no expense to win him over!

But Zi Chen didn't hesitate at all, shaking his head gently and saying directly, "I'm sorry, Valley Master. Thank you for your kindness, but unfortunately, I cannot join Medicine King Valley!"

Hearing this, Peng Yue was slightly stunned, then smiled bitterly and said, "I thought my conditions were incredibly generous, that no one could refuse, so I didn't prepare any extra chips."

"Young friend Zi Chen, can you tell me why? I want to know where I lost."

Zi Chen put down his teacup, also with a bitter expression.

"Because you came too late. I've already lost myself to Lu Dazhuang. We made a pact: if I could win the title of Pill King, he would give me all the Spirit Medicine in his Spirit Herb Space. If he won, I would have to join Lingyun Sect and serve as an Elder."

"I was so confident I would win, I didn't even put Peng Yu in my eyes, but I never expected to lose to him. A gentleman's word is as good as gold; since the wager has been made, I must honor the agreement."

Hearing this, both Peng Yue and Peng Yang were greatly surprised. They had calculated everything, but they hadn't expected such a dramatic turn of events.

Peng Yue frowned, pondered for a moment, then said softly, "It's just a verbal agreement. Even if you break it, with our Medicine King Valley backing you, Lu Dazhuang can't do anything to you. Young friend Zi Chen, please reconsider!"

Zi Chen immediately shook his head vigorously and said in a deep voice, "I'm sorry, Valley Master, the words 'breach of contract' are not in my dictionary, Zi Chen's."

"I am indeed tempted by your conditions, and I understand the strength of Medicine King Valley. But I will absolutely not break my agreement! Valley Master, this Junior will take his leave now!"

With that, Zi Chen swiftly stood up and walked towards the door.

The reason he left so quickly was that he was afraid Peng Yue would continue to pester him, and also afraid that his own resolve might falter, and he would truly succumb to his gentle persuasion.

Peng Yue sighed softly, not stopping him.

Qingyang Kingdom also had a Saint guarding it, so he couldn't force Zi Chen.

After Zi Chen left, Peng Yang finally dared to speak.

"It's Lu Dazhuang again! Dad, this Lu Dazhuang is too much, constantly spoiling our good plans!"

In front of outsiders, Peng Yang called him "Valley Master" to maintain his dignity.

When they were alone, Peng Yang's address changed to "Dad."

Peng Yue sighed again, smiling bitterly, "This Lu Dazhuang is truly a character, able to stir up so much trouble. With him, Jiang Taishen can certainly enjoy himself."

"Damn it, if it weren't for Jiang Taishen, I'd tie Lu Dazhuang up and bring him back to Medicine King Valley, even if I had to! His value is far greater than one Zi Chen!"

Peng Yang nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "Dad, Lu Dazhuang is too good at making trouble. The plan to recruit Zi Chen fell through. Will the matter of getting back the Spirit Medicine also be abandoned halfway?"

Peng Yue shook his head slightly and chuckled, "Don't worry, the person I sent is a Saint. Even if Lu Dazhuang is exceptionally talented, he absolutely cannot contend with him at present."

"If he still manages to escape, I'll eat this teapot!"

Lu Xingchen and the other three arrived at the Mountain Gate of Medicine King Valley, accompanied by Peng Ling.

Peng Ling said with a smile, "Young friends, I'll see you off here. I wish you a smooth journey, and if there's a chance in the future, you're welcome to visit Medicine King Valley."

Lu Xingchen cupped his hands in a salute and chuckled, "Thank you, Elder Peng Ling, for your escort. If there's an opportunity in the future, I will definitely come to visit."

With that, Lu Xingchen flew towards the Royal City of Qingyang Kingdom.

Zuoqiu Qingluo, Xu Qing, and Lin Xu also followed closely.

Just then, a cold System notification sounded in Lu Xingchen's ear.

"Congratulations, host, for completing the mission: Title of Pill King. You have received a reward of 500 million experience points, and shadow sword and 'Shadow Sword Art' have been upgraded to low-grade heaven rank!"

"Congratulations, host, your Realm has advanced to Four-star Martial Venerable, and you have received 74 exchange points!"

Lu Xingchen was overjoyed.

Hadn't he fought so hard for so long precisely for these System rewards?

Now they were finally in his hands!

However, being in a hurry, he didn't immediately check the System panel.

Zuoqiu Qingluo said softly, "Strange, we've taken so many benefits from Medicine King Valley, almost draining them dry, yet this Peng Ling is still so polite?"

Lu Xingchen chuckled, "Escorting us out of the Sect is an order from above; he's just the executor. We're fleecing Medicine King Valley's wool, not his, Peng Ling's, so why would he be angry with us? If you had snatched his Storage Ring, do you think he wouldn't fight you to the death?"

Hearing this, Zuoqiu Qingluo nodded slightly.

"So that's how it is! Lu Xingchen, you really are experienced; you can even see that."

Lu Xingchen chuckled, "It would be a problem if I couldn't, right? Let's hurry back to Lingyun Sect, the sooner the better. I hope we don't get intercepted by Medicine King Valley."

However, this was unrealistic.

Just as the four of them flew past the border of Qingyang Kingdom, a man in brocade clothes appeared before them.

"Four young friends, please stop for a moment!"

Lu Xingchen looked at the top of his head; it clearly read "One-Star Martial Saint."

As expected, Medicine King Valley still couldn't resist making a move, and they even sent a Saint.

This Medicine King Valley really thought highly of him, calling out a Martial Saint just to deal with a Three-Star Martial Venerable!

And at this moment, this powerful Saint had his face covered with a silk scarf, concealing his features.

Lu Xingchen tried to probe with his Soul Power, but he was blocked by an even stronger Soul Power.

Needless to say, this mysterious Saint definitely had Early Heaven Realm Soul Power, stronger than his own.

Lu Xingchen cupped his hands in a salute to the mysterious Saint and said in a deep voice, "Junior Lu Dazhuang greets Saint Lord! May I know why Lord has stopped us?"

The masked Saint snorted coldly and said loudly, "Lu Dazhuang, there's no need to pretend ignorance when you know perfectly well. Hand over the things you obtained from the Spirit Herb Space!"