Chen Xiao’s small display of skill immediately drew gasps of astonishment.
Zhu Xuanqing, however, crossed his arms and said with disdain, "Hmph, a mere trick, hardly how one refines pills."
Chu Qingbai remained impassive, but his brow furrowed as he watched Chen Xiao’s pill-refining movements.
This was because Chen Xiao’s pill-refining techniques were vastly different from any he had witnessed before.
They appeared incredibly simple, devoid of any superfluous steps, embodying a profound simplification of complexity.
He asked, "Xiao Luo, based on your understanding of Mr. Chen, what are his pill-refining skills like?"
Chu Luo shook his head directly, looking bewildered. "Father, I’ve never seen Brother Chen refine pills… I didn’t even know he could refine pills."
Chu Qingbai was now perplexed, as he couldn't be sure if Chen Xiao had achieved a state of returning to simplicity or if he was completely incompetent.
"Father, I don't know why Brother Chen is doing this, but you should know that this wasn't my intention, right?" Chu Luo asked softly.
He was referring to the matter of 'seizing power.'
"You are my son, of course, your father understands you."
As he spoke, Chu Qingbai, in a rare gesture, patted Chu Luo's head.
Chu Luo was stunned, as his father had never shown him such affectionate behavior.
"My Luo, you've grown up," Chu Qingbai said out of the blue, leaving Chu Luo even more bewildered.
Chen Xiao had already placed all the medicinal ingredients into the pill-refining furnace. The next step was to wait for the pill to form.
"This is called pill refining? It’s not even as meticulous as how we prepare pig feed in Medicine King Valley!"
"Valley Master, I think this farce can end now. Xiao Luo, I will personally escort him out of the valley later. I hope you won't blame me!"
Although Zhu Xuanqing couldn't refine pills, he had spent decades in Medicine King Valley and had naturally witnessed others refining them.
As Chen Xiao’s methods were unlike anything he had seen before, he naturally assumed Chen Xiao was just messing around.
Chu Qingbai ignored Zhu Xuanqing, his gaze fixed on the pill-refining furnace before Chen Xiao, his eyes widening in shock. "This, this is impossible…"
"What is it, Valley Master? What's impossible?" Zhu Xuanqing asked, puzzled.
As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Luo also murmured in disbelief.
"It's just a Foundation Pill, how can it have such dense spiritual energy?"
"What are you two talking about? Can you tell me? You're killing me with curiosity!" Zhu Xuanqing was practically jumping with impatience, but the Chu father and son were too engrossed to explain.
They were completely engulfed in shock.
"Alright, the pill is done," Chen Xiao said, a slight smile gracing his lips.
At that moment, the night sky, which had been clear and starry just a moment before, suddenly became overcast with dark clouds.
Because it was night, few people noticed this miraculous sight. However, just as Chen Xiao was about to lift the lid of the pill-refining furnace, a bolt of lightning descended from the sky, striking the furnace directly.
Fortunately, Chen Xiao was no ordinary person. With quick reflexes, he snatched the furnace away, thus avoiding being struck by the lightning!
Witnessing this, the surrounding servants and workers were all dumbfounded, and discussions erupted.
"Is this… a pill tribulation?"
"A mere Foundation Pill actually attracted a pill tribulation?"
"Can someone tell me what's going on?"
…
"Valley Master, this, this, is this truly a pill tribulation?" Zhu Xuanqing asked, his face full of astonishment.
After all, this was Medicine King Valley, and even the servants could recognize a pill tribulation. How could Zhu Xuanqing, a Golden Core realm cultivator, not?
He simply refused to believe it.
"Xuanqing, you should just call me Qingbai from now on. It seems Medicine King Valley already has a new Valley Master." Chu Qingbai said with a bitter smile.
"A mere Foundation Pill actually attracting a pill tribulation? I am far inferior to him!"
Only now did he understand why the usually arrogant Chu Luo held Chen Xiao in such high regard.
A pill tribulation refers to the heavenly lightning tribulation attracted during the formation of a pill due to its extraordinarily potent medicinal power.
However, according to common sense, pill tribulations were only attracted when refining extremely high-grade pills, as only such pills possessed heaven-defying medicinal power.
The fact that a simple Foundation Pill could attract a pill tribulation was something that, if not witnessed firsthand, these people would never believe even if beaten to death.
At this moment, Chen Xiao walked over with the Foundation Pill.
"Valley Master, please appraise it. Let's compare our Foundation Pills, and I believe you will give a fair and just judgment."
"Mr. Chen, it turns out you are a hidden master. There’s no need to examine your refined Foundation Pill, as your pill-refining mastery far surpasses mine. I concede defeat wholeheartedly." Chu Qingbai said with a wry smile and a sincere expression.
The surrounding servants and workers were all stunned. In their eyes, the Valley Master was the pinnacle of the pill-refining world.
Yet, the Valley Master himself admitted that this young man's pill-refining skills were far superior to his. Just how formidable must this person be?
Zhu Xuanqing’s face turned completely red, looking utterly ashamed.
He was speechless now. What else could he say? Chen Xiao's combat prowess far surpassed his, and his pill-refining skills completely overshadowed Chu Qingbai.
Such an extraordinary individual could only be described as a 'monster'!
"My apologies!" Chen Xiao said humbly.
His small display had completely subdued Chu Qingbai and Zhu Xuanqing, and his objective was achieved, so he didn't wish to engage in further banter.
"Mr. Chen, could you please accompany me for a moment? I have something I wish to discuss with you." Chu Qingbai asked respectfully.
"Of course." Chen Xiao nodded.
Chu Qingbai then led him into a private room.
"Mr. Chen, I want to ask you, if I were to pass the position of Valley Master to Chu Luo, can you guarantee that he will win in the life-and-death challenge the day after tomorrow?" Chu Qingbai asked directly.
Chen Xiao replied without hesitation, "I can guarantee it."
Chu Qingbai's eyes narrowed.
"Mr. Chen, forgive my presumption, but may I ask your purpose for coming to Medicine King Valley?"
Chen Xiao stated calmly, "Outside, Chu Luo was a doctor under my employ. I admire him greatly, and we are like mentor and friend. Therefore, when he encounters danger, I naturally will not stand idly by."
"Mr. Chen, I believe you when you say that." Chu Qingbai nodded seriously. "However, you seem to have overlooked something."
Chen Xiao remained silent, having already guessed what Chu Qingbai was about to say.
"I believe with your abilities, you could easily help us resolve this trouble. So, by supporting Chu Luo to ascend now, isn't it a bit hasty?"
"Therefore, I surmise that it doesn't matter to you who becomes the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley. Your true objective is to enter the blessed land of Medicine King Valley!"
"Mr. Chen, am I correct in my guess?" Chu Qingbai said slowly, his eyes gleaming with shrewdness.
He was a completely different person from his previous indecisive and timid demeanor.