Chapter 145: Chapter 116 Full Qi
In the Pill-Refining Room, the once blazing fire in the Pill Furnace had already gone out.
Several people stood before the Pill Furnace.
Nong Baosen immediately looked at the ten pills on the ice tray; all had formed successfully.
Among them, there were seven Top Grade Seven-Blood Pills with an elite "black-golden" hue on the ice tray...
Seven Top Grade!
Seven Top Grade, two mid-grade, one low-grade.
Nong Baosen saw this terrifying success rate of Top Grade pills.
He then turned to look at Chen Ku.
His gaze was fiery.
His breathing became rapid.
"Chen Ku, do you remember me?"
The elder tried to suppress his emotions. Facing Chen Ku, he forced a smile onto his old face and said, "It was I who approved your entry into Medicine King Hall."
Listening to this phrase—akin to "I held you when you were a baby"—Chen Ku couldn’t help but cough inwardly. He immediately bowed respectfully. "Chen Ku pays respects to Elder Nong. How could this disciple forget?"
Speaking of which, he had only met this elder twice. The first time was the day he, as Ghost-Faced Lotus, sought admittance to Medicine King Hall; this master from the Hundred Herbs Courtyard was the one who had accepted him. The second time was when he and his mentor, Yang Luochen, fought against a group from the Peace Path and the Xu Family on Drum Tower Street in the outer city.
Unexpectedly, this master from the Hundred Herbs Courtyard was actually one of the Pill Masters in the Pill-Refining Room.
Hmm? Something seems off with this old fellow...
Shang Yunfang subconsciously felt a sense of crisis.
Nong Baosen’s eyes narrowed slightly as he saw Shang Yunfang step forward slightly, shielding Chen Ku behind him, yet he remained silent. "Weren’t you the one who asked me to guide your disciple? I’ve observed him; he’s good, very talented. However, I’m very busy each day and can’t offer much guidance. So, how about this? Our Xia has been learning alchemy with me for a long time. Let the two young ones interact more; she can give some tips to her junior brother."
"Xia."
"Master."
Huo Xiaoxia walked in from outside, her face blushing.
She was practically sweating bullets.
Master! What were you saying just now? What’s this about ’interacting more’? Why did she feel as if she were the bait being dangled to catch a wolf—that she was the child being thrown out?
However, it was clear that when Shang Yunfang heard this, a smile appeared on his face, and his guard dropped significantly.
"Good, then let Xia teach Chen Ku more here. She currently holds seventeen Pill Prescriptions and has experience comparable to an ordinary Pill Master. I must leave now," Nong Baosen said. Without giving Huo Xiaoxia a chance to speak, he clasped his hands behind his back, turned, and left.
Huo Xiaoxia stood there, somewhat awkwardly.
Shang Yunfang then turned to Chen Ku and asked, "How is your Spirit?"
Chen Ku wasn’t paying attention to Huo Xiaoxia. He was slightly excited as he looked at the seven Top Grade Seven-Blood Pills he had refined and said, "This disciple’s Spirit is fine. I’d like to try refining other pills."
"Good. Then let your Senior Sister Huo guide you more."
Shang Yunfang looked somewhat tired and said, "Your master needs to go rest for a while."
Huo Xiaoxia’s face flushed an even deeper red.
But after watching Shang Yunfang leave, she met Chen Ku’s curious gaze. Drawing on her upbringing as a lady from a prominent family, which gave her a dignified air, she managed to maintain her composure. She cleared her throat softly and said, "Junior Brother Chen Ku, hello. I’m Huo Xiaoxia. Since Master has said so, I’ll share some of my experience in alchemy with you. I hope it can help you, Junior Brother."
"I would be grateful for your guidance, Senior Sister," Chen Ku replied solemnly, clasping his hands in a salute.
Sensing the atmosphere ease slightly, Huo Xiaoxia proactively walked over to the Pill Furnace, turned her head, and asked Chen Ku, "Junior Brother, what pill do you plan to refine next?"
"Senior Sister, do you have a Second Realm Pill Prescription? I’d like to try it," Chen Ku stated honestly.
"Second? Second Realm?" Huo Xiaoxia’s mouth fell slightly agape.
「 」
Yang Luochen lay on a recliner in the courtyard, basking in the sun and yawning.
Suddenly, he heard Yang Shaoqi at the entrance respectfully saluting and saying, "Elder Nong, you’re here! Oh my, it’s not a festival or holiday, why have you brought gifts?"
Hearing this, Yang Luochen shot up from the recliner. Though he didn’t know why, a sense of crisis instinctively washed over him like a tide.
Nong Baosen, his face wreathed in smiles, first handed the gifts to Yang Shaoqi. Then, looking at Yang Luochen who had sprung up from the recliner, he chuckled and said, "Elder Yang, you’ve taken on a good disciple, that Chen Ku..."
At this moment, Shang Yunfang was just coming out of the Pill-Refining Room. He was about to return to the Butcher Court to rest when he suddenly heard an earth-shattering roar from the direction of Jinshi Academy:
"GET OUT!!!"
Shang Yunfang froze.
What’s wrong with Master Yang? Such immense anger! How could his shout even carry the aura of the Furious Ape Mighty Staff’s mental method?
The entire Medicine King Hall complex seemed to shake and tremble for a moment under this powerful, resonant roar.
Even the three Shopkeepers were startled. They simultaneously stepped out of their courtyard doors.
Only to see Elder Nong from the Hundred Herbs Courtyard, his body drifting like a kite, fly out from over the walls of Jinshi Academy. He flipped three times in midair before landing on the roof of the Hundred Herbs Courtyard.
He looked utterly embarrassed.
Cao Shouxiong, curious, wanted to go to Jinshi Academy to ask what had caused this conflict between Master Yang and Elder Nong.
However, just as he reached the entrance of Yang Luochen’s small courtyard, he saw Yang Shaoqi with a large lump on his head, one hand rubbing it. Then, Yang Shaoqi tossed Elder Nong’s gifts onto the doorstep.
He’d only accepted the gifts! Elder Nong had given them; how could he refuse?
Then, he squatted down with an aggrieved expression, picked up a writing brush, and positioned himself before the wooden sign at the doorway.