Chapter 47: The Scarlet Robe and Veil

The Reversal Life Pill is a first-grade elixir, and among first-grade pills, it is forbidden. Once ingested, it can extend one’s life by seven days, but after seven days, if the Deathless Pill is not taken, death is inevitable.

The Deathless Pill is a second-grade elixir; only a second-grade pill’s properties can counteract those of the first-grade Reversal Life Pill.

Under normal circumstances, alchemists would never willingly concoct the Reversal Life Pill.

This time, the Xuan Yin Sect offered Mo Xiaochi an exorbitant price to refine the Reversal Life Pill, and he reluctantly agreed.

But no one expected that as soon as the pill was completed, the Xuan Yin Sect grew restless, revealing their murderous intent, and launched an attack on Mo Xiaochi, intending to silence him.

However, they underestimated the alchemist’s resolve, and in the end, Mo Xiaochi managed to escape.

After taking the pill, Mo Xiaochi continued his flight, heading toward Liucheng.

With cultivation at the Condensed Yuan Stage, his speed was swift; he arrived before sunrise and made his way straight to the auction house.

“Master Mo?”

Qian Youcai was shocked to see Mo Xiaochi and hurriedly helped him into a quiet room, serving him some clear tea.

“Little Tian Cheng, you’ve wronged me greatly.”

Mo Xiaochi muttered angrily, his resentment lingering as he drank several cups of tea to soothe his temper.

He recounted the incident with the Xuan Yin Sect in detail, his expression dark the entire time. As the only first-grade alchemist in Liucheng, even the city lord treated him with utmost respect, yet today he faced such calamity.

“Reversal Life Pill? This…”

Upon learning that Mo Xiaochi had taken the Reversal Life Pill, Qian Youcai’s heart skipped a beat. If that was truly the case, his death was imminent.

Yet soon after, a gleam of hope flashed in his eyes. “It’s not without hope.”

“Heh!”

Mo Xiaochi gave a bitter laugh. “I am an alchemist; you need not console me. The Deathless Pill is a second-grade elixir, and Liucheng currently has no second-grade alchemists. After seven days, my soul will return to dust.”

“Master Mo, you’re mistaken. Liucheng... actually does have a second-grade alchemist.”

Qian Youcai lowered his voice, wary of eavesdroppers, lest the other alchemist take offense.

“What?”

Mo Xiaochi sprang to his feet, utterly astonished. For years, he had been the sole alchemist of Liucheng, and now there was another — and a second-grade one at that?

“Who is it? Where is he now?”

Mo Xiaochi’s excitement was palpable; this meant he might not have to die after all.

“Master Mo, please calm down. That master...”

Qian Youcai began to explain the matter of the Spirit-Transforming Pill briefly and informed Mo Xiaochi that in two days, Qin Liang’s wedding would take place. There might be an opportunity then to gain favor and contact that second-grade alchemist through Qin Liang.

“Qin Liang? Isn’t he unable to cultivate?”

Mo Xiaochi’s knowledge of Qin Liang was from months ago, and he found it hard to believe that Qin Liang would know a second-grade alchemist.

“Times change,” Qian Youcai stroked his beard, a sly smile on his face.

“Very well, I shall pay the Jiang family a visit,” Mo Xiaochi said, half believing it. With seven days remaining, he had to quickly gather the second-grade spirit herbs necessary to refine the Deathless Pill.

...

Far on the horizon, two figures swiftly traversed the clouds.

Both were stunningly beautiful, radiating brilliance. Their flowing garments fluttered like ethereal beings, seemingly otherworldly immortals.

“Master, what if the other party is a man? Wouldn’t we have come all this way for nothing?” the young girl asked, frowning. Her demeanor was refined, as if constantly drawing in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth; even her frown seemed to dim the sun and moon.

The woman she addressed as “Master” was middle-aged, more mature, with a well-proportioned figure. She moved like a floating cloud veiling the moon; any man who saw her would surely be lost in fantasies.

“Even if he is a man, we will bring him back for the sect leader to decide. After all, a ninth-grade Dao Root appearing once in a millennium must not be missed.”

“But the Qingxia Sect only accepts female disciples!” the girl exclaimed in surprise. “If this gets out, it could harm our reputation!”

The mature woman frowned. “Given the circumstances, we can only hope he is female.”

...

Deep within the Jiang family estate.

Li Hongcai had been in seclusion these past days, consuming many spiritual materials, but his cultivation remained stagnant.

With the wedding date drawing near, he finally took out the purchased Spirit-Transforming Pill.

“Qin Liang, it’s all your fault. If not for you, I wouldn’t be in such a hurry to cultivate.”

Normally, one could not cultivate multiple times in quick succession; at a regular pace, Li Hongcai would need two more months.

But he could not wait. Although he knew Qin Liang had only been on the path for a month and might have cultivated fewer than five times, he was uneasy. Taking the Spirit-Transforming Pill was the safest bet.

“At worst, I’ll do the ninth cultivation a year from now.”

Li Hongcai gritted his teeth, swallowed the pill, and began his eighth cultivation.

Diligence paid off. After one day, he fully absorbed the pill’s properties and took a significant step forward. A cold smile appeared on his lips. “Qin Liang, I will kill you.”

Qin Liang set off from the Hongxia Mountain mine, accompanied by forty to fifty comrades, heading toward Liucheng.

...

Lying atop the beast-drawn carriage, Qin Liang gazed at the shifting clouds, his heart restless, eager and faintly exhilarated.

He and Jiang Xuehan were deeply connected; he could feel her excitement and anticipation.

After two days, the group finally reached Liucheng.

The Jiang family, under Jiang Hai’s arrangements, was resplendent with flowers and lanterns, a joyous scene everywhere, vibrant decorations adorning every corner.

“This is the eldest young lady’s wedding; everyone must be careful. Don’t break the vases,” an elder admonished the servants.

“The groom is back! Hurry and change into a new outfit!”

Qin Liang and his group had just arrived at the entrance when Jiang Chang ran over excitedly to welcome them.

Li Qiumei smiled gently; no matter which side she stood on, a daughter was being married, so one must show happiness, at least symbolically.

Today, Jiang Yutong had stayed in her chamber all day, inexplicably unable to feel joy. If she had not refused before, she would have been the bride today; instead, it was her elder sister.

Watching Qin Liang’s retreating figure, Jiang Hai’s eyes gleamed. He sensed the intensified spiritual aura surrounding Qin Liang.

Soon, Qin Liang and Jiang Xuehan met; both were momentarily lost in each other’s eyes.

Qin Liang sincerely praised, “Xue’er, you are truly beautiful.”

Jiang Xuehan blushed like rosy clouds, her skin as white and smooth as jade, her black hair cascading like a waterfall. Her tall, well-proportioned figure was clad in a red gown, ethereal as a celestial being, as if the brilliant red could not conceal her beauty.

Hand in hand, they walked toward the square at the entrance, ready to welcome guests from all directions.

Seeing the perfect couple approaching, many clan elders admired them aloud, “Truly a match made in heaven, a perfect pair!”

Young Jiang Chang eagerly followed, holding up the bride’s dress, his face full of joy.

Yet, as they reached the square, they saw Li Hongcai standing silently with a sword in hand.

His presence was imposing, spiritual radiance shimmering about him. He stared quietly at the distant horizon like a solitary master, causing many young Jiang family members to feel uneasy, secretly sweating for Qin Liang.

“Qin Liang, do you still remember our agreement?”

Li Hongcai did not turn around, his hands clasped behind his back, exuding the aura of a youthful sect master.

Jiang Xuehan looked at Qin Liang worriedly. “He has cultivated eight times already, you…”

“Don’t worry. You go wait aside for now. Watch how I send him out of the Jiang family,” Qin Liang smiled reassuringly.

Both sides had been preparing for this battle for a long time. Today, it would finally come—a fight that would capture the attention of the entire clan.