Please, Young Master, Slay the Demon!
Chapter 344 - 28: Dan Lingzi [Asking for monthly votes!]_1

Chapter 344: Chapter 28: Dan Lingzi [Asking for monthly votes!]_1

Chu Liang walked out of the Unbounded Palace with a smile on his face.

Master Wen Yuan had just informed him that the Shu Mountain upper echelons had ultimately chosen the second plan, renting Red Cotton Peak to Chu Liang.

Ten years were not a problem, at least not for cultivators of their level. However, during this period, if Chu Liang committed any acts that violated the sect’s laws or tarnished the sect’s reputation, the Shu Mountain Sect would reserve the right to terminate the agreement at any time.

Chu Liang was not surprised that the elders had agreed to this outcome.

The first loan plan he suggested was plain and unextraordinary. Although it did not lead to a loss on his part, the Shu Mountain sect didn’t profit either. While this was the easiest plan, as all he needed to do was pay back the loan, the Shu Mountain Sect was currently short of funds and did not want additional burdens.

When the second plan was proposed, almost all of the four great elders rejected it.

No one knew what Chu Liang would come up with. However, seeing the current state of Berry Playground on Silver Sword Peak, he might create something big on Red Cotton Peak. After all, the Shu Mountain Sect was a traditional Immortal Sect. It would be normal for disciples to organize small markets, but anything too grand would be hard to accept.

The elders unanimously agreed that the image of the sect was more important than anything else!

But then... upon hearing the third plan, which involved lending a divine artifact to Empress Feng,

The elders fell silent.

Empress Feng was currently unmatched among the Thirty-Six Peak Masters. Even the four Zhenshan elders might not be able to suppress her. If she were to acquire two divine artifacts, no one in the Shu Mountain Sect, except Master Wen Yuan, would be able to match her.

At that moment, all the elderly figures in the Shu Mountain Sect were reminded of the fear of being dominated by Empress Feng...

What if she caused trouble outside the sect?

Even now, Empress Feng was so arrogant and domineering, causing a lot of trouble for the sect. If she were truly invincible below the Eighth Realm, it would be absolutely unbearable...

The elders unanimously believed that, compared to this, the image of the sect was perhaps not that important.

The second plan could be discussed.

Compared to his master, Chu Liang, the child, probably understood priorities and was less likely to do anything extreme... Even if he did, didn’t the Shu Mountain Sect retain the right to take back the peak at any time?

So eventually, the elders decided to meet Chu Liang’s proposal of leasing Red Cotton Peak.

That was what Chu Liang desired most.

Among the three options, the first one was his least preferred.

After all, having spent so much money and then getting it back over the course of several years, even with a bit of interest, was still meaningless.

Although the third option could strengthen his master’s power, there was still a certain risk. So even he, himself, was a bit uneasy.

The second plan offered the most flexibility and freedom.

Thinking about how he went from being the second-in-command on Silver Sword Peak to the master of Red Cotton Peak filled Chu Liang’s heart with pride.

...

The next day, Chu Liang went to Taotie City again.

Last time, after he purchased the fruit-flavored Spirit Gathering Pills at a high price, he had asked Xianyuan Pavilion to put him in contact with the seller. Xianyuan Pavilion told him that they could make the request, and if the seller agreed, a meeting could be arranged.

The seller was a man named Dan Lingzi, an alchemist residing in Taotie City from the North Region.

Nowadays, many alchemists and artifact refiners were attracted to settle in Taotie City because it was the most convenient place to do business. Therefore, Chu Liang’s meeting with him was also scheduled in Taotie City. However, upon visiting the agreed-upon address, it didn’t seem like Dan Lingzi was living a very good life.

It was a small residence, with various items scattered around the courtyard, mostly damaged elixirs, discarded materials, and other cultivation trash.

The main house only consisted of a small hall where Dan Lingzi was waiting.

Clad in a long gown, he was middle-aged and didn’t appear to have high cultivation. He was likely at the Third Realm or the Fourth Realm, with plentiful wrinkles on his face.

"Senior Dan Lingzi," Chu Liang greeted when he stepped forward. "I have long admired your name and specially came today to meet you. I hope I’m not being a nuisance."

"No disturbance at all," Dan Lingzi also chuckled, "I heard that Warrior Chu is a brilliant disciple of the Shu Mountain. I saw an article in the newspaper about a Shu Mountain disciple who vanquished Tao Wu with a sword. Surely that wasn’t you?"

When the Xianyuan Pavilion contacted the seller, they would naturally disclose the buyer’s identity to dispel any doubts.

"Indeed, it’s me," Chu Liang smiled.

"Who would’ve thought! One of the Nine States’ heaven’s chosen bought my elixir!" Dan Lingzi suddenly seemed very pleased.

"In regard to Senior Dan Lingzi’s Spirit Gathering Pill, all I can say is that it’s a work of genius!" Chu Liang exclaimed. "The senior is undoubtedly the most talented alchemist I’ve ever seen."

Dan Lingzi looked as if he had met a kindred spirit, but his elation immediately faded with a touch of melancholy. "Ah, it’s a pity that except for you, others don’t understand my masterpiece. They all say I’m making child’s play with my hybrid elixirs, merely adding flavor to sell at a higher cost. They call it sheer folly..."

"Senior, do not pay attention to idle chatter," Chu Liang waved a hand dismissively. "This is an innovative method that can change the alchemy world! Geniuses are often misunderstood at first, but people will eventually recognize your brilliance. As for me, I’m only the first one. Definitely not the last one!"

Upon hearing this, Dan Lingzi was encouraged. He asked, excited. "Warrior Chu, did you come to see me today because you want more of my hybrid elixirs?"

His so-called "hybrid elixirs" were naturally the elixirs seasoned with fruit flavors.

"Do you have any other hybrid elixirs aside from the Spirit Gathering Pill?" Chu Liang asked.

"And Spirit Gathering Pills," replied Dan Lingzi.

"Only these two?" Chu Liang probed further.

"Uh..." Dan Lingzi scratched his head in embarrassment. "Other elixirs could surely be blended as well, but I can only make these two types of elixirs. I’ve never tried to blend other elixirs."

"....." Chu Liang was temporarily left speechless.

It turned out that this alchemist’s skills were even inferior to his own, yet he had become a full-time alchemist.

It’s a clear indication of how low the cost of living in Taotie City really is, considering he hasn’t starved to death by now.

But he continued to flatter verbally: "Senior, even with these two types of hybrid elixirs alone, you can leave your marks in the alchemy history of the Nine States!"

"Not at all," Dan Lingzi was somewhat dazed from the praise, and he quickly denied it humbly.

Chu Liang continued, "Instead of buying elixirs, I’m more interested in learning this method of blending elixirs with flavors. Can you teach me, senior?"

Dan Lingzi looked troubled, "This unique skill I established with half a lifetime’s hardship is my exclusive secret. Unless you are my direct disciple, it’s not appropriate to..."

"I’m willing to offer five thousand Vermilion Bird Coins," Chu Liang said. "Although this skill is worth much more, this is all I own at the moment."

"As expected, Warrior Chu, you definitely have the exceptional talent to further develop my method," Dan Lingzi said seriously. "Since you seek this skill sincerely, how could I selfishly refuse?"

"Thank you, Senior Dan Lingzi!" Chu Liang exclaimed.

"However..." Dan Lingzi hesitated, "Even if you learn it, you might not be capable of implementing it. My method is entirely dependent on a fortuitous encounter I had years ago, which allowed me to produce Profound Yang Divine Fire at the Fourth Realm. If you can’t manipulate sufficiently hot Divine Fire, you won’t be able to..."

Whoosh—

Before he could finish his sentence, Chu Liang’s palm conjured a surging wave of red golden flames, flickering and carrying a dangerous aura.

"Senior, is this Divine Fire hot enough?" he asked.

"Is this..." Dan Lingzi widened his eyes in astonishment, "Phoenix Spirit Divine Fire!"