Moonview Pavilion was one of the most extravagant money pits within the prefectural capital.
With its carved beams and painted rafters, upturned eaves and soaring corners, one could lean on the railing and gaze far out to the vast Yunmeng Lake, its endless waves shimmering under the sun, with painted boats weaving through, occasionally accompanied by the gentle sounds of silk and bamboo instruments, bringing a refreshing peace to the mind.
At night, thousands of red lanterns adorned with gold patterns were all lit simultaneously. From afar, it looked like a splendid celestial palace suspended in the night sky.
Only the rich or the noble could hold banquets here.
Below Moonview Pavilion.
Shopkeeper Qian was rubbing his hands anxiously, pacing at the entrance, occasionally glancing up toward the street corner.
“Ah, my little ancestor, you’ve finally arrived!”
As soon as he saw Li Mengze’s unhurried figure, Shopkeeper Qian hurried over, pulling him aside and lowering his voice. “Alchemist Li, you must be extremely careful at tonight’s dinner!”
Li Mengze calmly glanced at the faint yellow aura of “anxiety” surrounding Shopkeeper Qian and asked evenly, “Shopkeeper Qian, whose honor is this banquet tonight?”
“It’s the young master of the Huang family.”Shopkeeper Qian leaned close to his ear, lowering his voice. For the first time, his usually shrewd face revealed a trace of difficulty and caution. “The Huang family has held official positions for two generations and is very well connected in the prefecture. We can’t afford to offend them. This young master Huang specifically requested to meet you by name tonight. He says he’s admired your Pure Source Pill for a long time.”
He paused, then leaned in a bit closer, lowering his voice almost to a whisper. “There’s also a rumor outside that this young master Huang... favors men.”
“Favors men?”
Li Mengze’s brows immediately furrowed tightly, a wave of indescribable disgust welling up from his heart.
Seeing his expression change, Shopkeeper Qian quickly waved his hand. “Don’t misunderstand. The invitation isn’t about that. It’s just that this young master Huang is very calculating and skilled. You must be extremely careful with your words later. Don’t fall into his trap.”
“Thank you for the warning, Shopkeeper. I’m well aware.”
Li Mengze nodded, a cold sharpness flickering deep in his eyes.
Following Shopkeeper Qian, he stepped into Moonview Pavilion.
Inside, soft music floated gently through the air, mingling with a fragrant aroma. The two were led by a seductive maid to the top floor’s private chamber, “Moon Embrace Pavilion.”
The room’s decoration was the height of luxury: the floor was covered with a full snow wolf king’s pelt, famous calligraphy and paintings hung on the walls, and even the table and chairs were crafted from “Calming Wood,” known for its ability to soothe the mind and focus the spirit.
Within the private chamber, a lavish feast had already been prepared.
Dragon Well Shrimp, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, Steamed Jiangtuan Fish... dishes that were rare and costly outside were now spread across the table like ordinary fare.
Seated in the main seat was a young man dressed in a moon-white brocade robe.
He looked to be just over twenty, with a face as flawless as carved jade—a truly elegant and handsome young gentleman. Seeing Li Mengze enter, he immediately stood up, his face carrying a warm smile like spring breeze.
“You must be the famous Alchemist Li!”
Li Mengze sneered coldly in his heart. Handsome on the outside, but inside nothing but a rotten embroidered pillow.
His “Insight into Good and Evil” had already seen through the man completely.
Beneath that warm smile lurked a scrutinizing gaze that made people strangely uncomfortable.
With a polite smile, the young man cupped his hands and said, “You flatter me, Shi Yu.”
The two took their seats as host and guest. Huang Teng coldly arranged the dishes around the Pure Source Pill, seating Shopkeeper Qian to the side. His conversation ranged from strange tales of the prefecture to anecdotes from the academy, humorously and subtly steering the topic toward Li Mengze’s family.
“Speaking of which, your parents have truly raised you well!”
Huang Teng praised, “Your uncle, County Captain Li, is renowned and mighty; your other uncle, Bureau Chief Li, is exceptionally talented. Now you, Alchemist Li, are showing promise in the alchemy path—a family of three heroes, truly the envy of others.”
Then his tone shifted casually, “However, I hear you are still young, and these business matters are ultimately mundane, consuming much of your focus. You seem wholly devoted to the Dao and shouldn’t be distracted by such affairs. Your Pure Source Pill, though a miraculous medicine, still has limited sales channels and immature marketing methods, wasting such a fine product.”
“What suggestions does young master Huang have?” Li Mengze asked calmly.
“Not suggestions so much as some immature advice.”
Huang Teng took a sip of wine and smiled. “In my opinion, you should focus solely on refining pills. Leave the business accounts to Shopkeeper Qian, and my family’s accountant can help review them. The Huang family has some influence in the prefecture; we can surely help your Pure Source Pill fetch an unprecedented price. As for the profits... we can discuss a split—seventy to you, thirty to me. How about that?”
He looked at Li Mengze with a tone that was hard to refuse. “Of course, if you don’t trust me, you can often visit my estate and check the accounts yourself. We have a quiet courtyard with abundant spiritual energy, perfect for cultivation. I can also have my father assist you with any difficulties in your training.”
His words were heartfelt, as if genuinely concerned for a naïve friend.
Shopkeeper Qian’s expression changed and he was about to speak, but was warned by a sharp look from young master Huang.
If it were anyone else, they might have been dazzled and gratefully accepted this sugar-coated offer.
But Li Mengze merely set down his chopsticks.
He quietly studied Huang Teng, causing Huang Teng’s smile to stiffen slightly.
“Thank you for your kindness, young master Huang.”
Li Mengze spoke slowly, his voice low but clear. “However, refining pills and handling business are tests set by my father. My father said that cultivators must cultivate not only the law but also the heart. Social relationships, daily chores, and worldly matters are also parts of cultivation. If one cannot handle even these small matters well, how can they speak of the great Dao? As for cultivation, there are teachers within the academy who instruct me. I dare not trouble uncle Huang any further.”
By invoking “father” and “teachers,” he firmly but politely pushed away the hand extended toward him.
Huang Teng’s smile finally faded.
He looked deeply at Li Mengze, evidently surprised that this seemingly harmless boy was a tough nut to crack.
He had assumed the Li family were just rustic bumpkins from Yunshui County, and although related by marriage to the Mu family, Mu Wanqiu was merely a concubine’s daughter, so the connection was distant.
He had never expected Li Mengze to reject him outright.
“In that case, so be it.”
Huang Teng withdrew his false smile, raised his wine cup, and drained it with a cold edge to his voice. “My apologies for the intrusion.”
He stood slowly, straightened his robe, and sneered, “Alchemist Li, a young talent with a boundless future. I hope your pills continue to sell well.”
His words were a clear threat.
After speaking, he no longer looked at Li Mengze, brushed past, and left, leaving behind a table of delicacies and an awkward Shopkeeper Qian.
Shopkeeper Qian wanted to cry but had no tears, feeling that this meal had been a nerve-wracking ordeal.
“My little ancestor,” he leaned close to Li Mengze and lowered his voice, “why make things so difficult? The Huang family has been officials for two generations and are notorious bullies. You embarrassed them today; they will surely cause trouble for you later!”
“Shopkeeper Qian,” Li Mengze picked up his chopsticks and calmly picked up a translucent shrimp, “if I step back today, he will advance ten steps tomorrow. Negotiating with a tiger to skin it alive never ends well.”
He raised his head. “Don’t worry, shopkeeper. If he makes a move, I will be ready. But I fear you might get dragged into this. Please be careful.”
Shopkeeper Qian felt warmth in his heart and finally sighed deeply, cupping his hands. “Don’t worry. Although Hundred Herbs Hall is small, it’s not a soft target anyone can easily squeeze!”
His fate was already tied with Li Mengze’s.
They would rise or fall together.
...
Huang Mansion, study room.
Huang Teng returned home, growing angrier the more he thought about it.
A young master of the Huang family had been publicly humiliated by an inexperienced country bumpkin—how could he swallow such humiliation?
“Bang!”
A fine celadon tea cup was smashed violently on the ground, shattering into pieces.
Huang Teng’s handsome face darkened with fierce anger, no trace of the refined manner he had shown at Moonview Pavilion.
“A shameless wretch!”
He snarled through clenched teeth, “A bumpkin from the countryside who thinks just because he brewed some lousy pill he can swagger through the prefecture? He only relies on the favoritism of that woman Su Qingxue!”
A servant standing nearby hurriedly stepped forward, carefully picking up the shards while flatteringly speaking, “Young master, why waste your anger on such a lowlife? In my opinion, that boy is a frog who’s never seen the world, knowing neither his place nor the depths of this prefecture’s waters. He needs a lesson to make him understand.”
“A lesson?” Huang Teng snorted coldly, kicking over a nearby stool. “How do you suggest we teach him? He’s Su Qingxue’s precious darling now, staying in the pill hall all day. Our men can’t even get close!”
“Don’t worry, young master, I have an idea.”
The servant’s eyes gleamed with a sinister smile. “We can’t attack him openly, so why not scare him in secret? He’s only a half-grown kid—how brave can he be? No need to send cultivators, so we don’t leave evidence. Just send someone to sneak into his residence at night. Don’t harm him, just hang two bloody sheep heads in his courtyard. That’ll scare him so badly he’ll soil himself and lose his wits! Then he’ll know who he can’t afford to offend in this prefecture!”
Huang Teng’s anger gradually turned into amusement.
He pondered for a moment, then curled his lips into a cruel smirk.
“Not a bad idea.” He nodded. “Since he’s an alchemist, just scare him a little. Don’t actually kill him, or we’ll bring unnecessary trouble.”
“Rest assured, young master!” The servant bowed quickly. “I handle things so well you won’t even know it happened. Just a few nights of nightmares, guaranteed!”
Night fell, and the world was silent.
The academy’s dormitory area was quiet, only the occasional footsteps of night patrol disciples echoing.
Li Mengze sat cross-legged on his bed, still awake.
He had already practiced Breath of the Tree to the third layer. His refining qi cultivation was now at the peak of the second layer. His spiritual power was far greater than ordinary people, allowing him to meditate two hours daily, equivalent to a full night's sleep for others.
He was calmly guiding the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to flow slowly through his meridians when suddenly, his sharp senses caught a faint abnormal movement.
Someone had broken into the courtyard!
The footsteps were light, clearly deliberate, but to Li Mengze’s ears they sounded like clear drumbeats.
He didn’t rise immediately, instead silently attaching a sliver of divine consciousness to a falling leaf outside the window. The courtyard scene quickly became vivid in his mind.
A black figure was stealthily climbing over the courtyard wall, carrying a bloodstained burlap sack.
“A mortal?”
Li Mengze frowned slightly, a trace of doubt rising in his heart.
The person gave off no spiritual energy waves—clearly a mortal ignorant of cultivation.
What was the intention of sneaking in at this late hour carrying such a bloody object?
Though puzzled, he remained calm and waited for the intruder’s next move.
The shadow was clearly familiar with the terrain, moving easily to the window below Li Mengze’s bed. Squatting down, he prepared to hang two sheep heads under the windowsill when suddenly, a cold chill ran down his neck, raising every hair on his body with a terrifying aura that enveloped him completely.
“Who!?”
He whipped around sharply but saw only deep darkness.
Just as he relaxed and was about to resume hanging the sheep heads, a sharp whooshing sound suddenly came from inside the room!
“Pfft!”
The shadow felt a sudden pain in his wrist. A finely crafted iron feather arrow had pierced his wrist, pinning the hand holding the sheep heads firmly to the window frame!
“Ah!”
He let out a stifled scream from the intense pain. Without thinking, his other hand immediately drew a poisoned dagger from his bosom, spinning around to wildly stab at the air.
But the moment he turned, he met a pair of cold eyes devoid of any emotion.
Li Mengze had appeared silently in front of him.
Without using any magic, he delivered a precise hand strike, a chopping motion to the man’s neck.
“Crack!”
A crisp sound rang out as the man’s body went limp and collapsed, his eyes still wide with disbelief and horror.
Li Mengze released his grip and looked down at the corpse, frowning slightly.
He recognized the man as a lowly servant from the academy. They had no grievance. The man would not have come here without reason.
The only explanation was that he had been sent.
“Huang Teng...”
A flash of killing intent crossed Li Mengze’s eyes.
He had thought Huang Teng would at most interfere in business, but now the man was so impatient that he resorted to such low, despicable tactics.
Though it was only intimidation, it had crossed Li Mengze’s bottom line.
If not for the fact that he lacked Su Qingxue, his alchemy teacher, and the Li family had no real backing, today’s intimidation would not have been with sheep heads—but human heads!
He dragged the body inside, then carefully wiped away all traces in the courtyard. From his storage pouch, he took out a pill and stuffed it into the corpse’s mouth.
The pill melted upon contact with flesh. In moments, the body turned into a puddle of yellow liquid, and even the two sheep heads vanished without a trace, leaving only faint water stains on the bluestone slabs.
Having finished all this, Li Mengze’s sense of crisis only deepened.
This matter would not end so easily.
He had to raise his strength quickly. Only with absolute power could he crush all threats in their cradle!
“Looks like it’s time to refine that pill.”
He took a deep breath, a resolute gleam in his eyes as he turned and entered his exclusive alchemy room.
He took out all the precious herbs he had painstakingly saved, as well as the formula bestowed by Su Qingxue.
After tonight, there would be no more slackening of his resolve.
He was going to refine the pill that would help him break through the bottleneck and enter Refining Qi Stage Three—the Breaking Boundary Pill!
Refining the Breaking Boundary Pill was at least ten times harder than the Pure Source Pill.
It not only required top-grade herbs of specific ages and quality but also demanded the alchemist have nearly ruthless control over timing and temperature.
The most critical step was forcibly fusing wildly opposing medicinal energies at the instant the pill formed.
This process was extremely dangerous—any mistake could cause the pill to shatter, the furnace to explode, or even backfire on the alchemist.
Li Mengze took a deep breath, cleared all distractions, and fully immersed his mind in the alchemy.
Within the pill furnace, the fire blazed fiercely.
Under his control, precious herbs transformed into droplets of pure medicinal liquid, each a different color, emitting a strange fragrant aroma.
Time passed slowly in his focused concentration.
When all the medicinal liquids had been extracted, the most crucial moment arrived.
Li Mengze’s face became extremely solemn, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
He pushed his divine consciousness to the limit, carefully guiding several differently colored medicinal liquids to slowly merge.
“Zzzz...”
The moment the liquids touched, a violent repulsion reaction erupted, making the entire furnace hum as if about to explode at any second.
Li Mengze’s gaze sharpened. He remained calm, transforming his wood-type spiritual energy into gentle threads, forcibly calming and guiding the raging medicinal powers.
This consumed a tremendous amount of divine consciousness.
One hour, two hours...
Li Mengze felt as if his head was about to split apart, his spirit nearly exhausted, and darkness flickering before his eyes.
“Just a little more, just a little more!”
He bit his tongue and forced himself to stay alert.
At the moment he was about to collapse, the once mutually hostile medicinal energies finally reached a subtle balance, slowly fusing into a pill the size of a longan, perfectly round, emitting a faint rosy glow.
On the pill’s surface, seven splendid pill patterns shimmered faintly.
“It’s done!”
Li Mengze sighed with relief and collapsed to the ground, gasping heavily.
Though utterly exhausted, when he looked at the pill that contained all his painstaking effort, his face broke into an incredibly radiant smile.
With this, breaking into Refining Qi Stage Three would be just around the corner!