The Sword God of the Universe
Chapter 697: Threat

Chapter 697: Chapter 697: Threat

In the ingredients for the Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pill, Jing Yan valued the Soul Containing Grass the most.

If the Seventh Hall Master had wanted Hu Donghe to help refine a batch of Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pills, Jing Yan had planned to tell Hu Donghe about the replacement in the formula and have him quietly set aside the Soul Containing Grass. Now, it seemed there was no need for such complications.

At this moment, the Seventh Hall Master became increasingly grateful towards Jing Yan.

To tell the truth, the outcome was entirely beyond the Seventh Hall Master’s expectations. Initially, she had thought that obtaining two to four elixirs would have been good enough. Now, not only had she received four first-class elixirs, but it was essentially without any compensation. Aside from the materials for the two batches of Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pills, she had not provided Jing Yan with any other resources as a reward.

Imperceptibly, the Seventh Hall Master developed a respect for Jing Yan from the bottom of her heart, not just because of Jing Yan’s immense capabilities as a Great Alchemist King, but also for Jing Yan’s character.

"Alright, now let’s continue discussing the matter of the Ten Hall Masters," Shen Chong redirected everyone’s attention back to the topic at hand.

The issue of Jing Yan assuming the role of Ten Hall Masters had not yet been resolved and discussions needed to continue.

Hearing the Holy Master’s words, what was on the minds of the Hall Masters clearly differed from the beginning.

If Jing Yan were to become the master of the Ten Halls, although it would mean a slight loss of their private interests, if Jing Yan could help refine some elixirs, it would more than compensate for the loss.

Moreover, even though Jing Yan was only in the early stages of the Dao Emperor Realm, he was still young. Becoming a Dao Emperor in his thirties—how about by three hundred years old? A thousand years old?

The lifespan of a Dao Emperor Realm Practitioner can extend up to two thousand years. Not to mention Jing Yan’s talent, considering just his identity as a Great Alchemist King, Jing Yan would need all kinds of ninth-level elixirs for his cultivation. As long as the materials were available, they could easily be refined. Wouldn’t his martial arts cultivation advance rapidly?

"I think that Jing Yan, the Great Alchemist King, is perfectly suited to be the Ten Halls Master," Min Huo was the first to speak up.

"I believe there is no issue with Jing Yan, the Great Alchemist King, becoming the Ten Halls Master," the Seventh Hall Master Leng Hongying also said.

"I agree as well!"

"I have no objections. Although Jing Yan is a bit young, the path of martial arts values the accomplished, not age." The Great Hall Master also spoke up.

At the start of the meeting of Hall Masters, the Great Hall Master had clearly expressed disagreement with Jing Yan becoming the Ten Halls Master, but now his stance had changed.

One by one, the Hall Masters expressed their views.

Kui Long, the Third Hall Master, was the last to speak.

"Great Alchemist King Jing Yan, could you refine a batch of Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pill for me?" Kui Long looked at Jing Yan, his tone actually quite polite and cordial.

Jing Yan glanced at Kui Long, his thoughts swiftly turning.

He had already planned to refine a batch of elixirs for each hall master. Although there had been some conflict with the Third Hall Master, it was not irreconcilable—they were not mortal enemies.

Therefore, Jing Yan was also inclined to help the Third Hall Master refine a batch of elixirs. Doing so would serve two benefits: one was to resolve the conflict, and the other was to let others see that Jing Yan was not a petty person.

After thinking for a moment, Jing Yan said, "Third Hall Master, prepare a set of ingredients for the Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pill. After the meeting concludes, I will help you refine it as soon as possible."

Jing Yan spoke in an amiable tone, showing no sign of resentment toward the Third Hall Master for the previous unpleasantness.

However, what came next from the Third Hall Master took Jing Yan by surprise.

"Don’t you have a set of ingredients?"

"Didn’t the Seventh Hall Master just give you a set of ingredients for the Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pill? Use that set to refine a batch of elixirs for me now. I don’t currently have the ingredients on me. Once I find them later, I will repay you," the Third Hall Master said with brazen entitlement.

Jing Yan was stunned.

The others also frowned.

"Third Hall Master, are you suggesting that I should refine the elixir for you, fronting the materials first, and that you will repay me when you have them—and if you don’t, there’s no need to repay?" Jing Yan asked, his voice laced with sarcastic laughter.

He had encountered shameless people before, and many at that. But someone this shameless was a first for Jing Yan.

"That’s right, you front the materials first. What’s the matter, are you afraid I won’t repay you? If you become Ten Halls Master, then we’ll be colleagues and see each other often. I will definitely try my best to gather the materials and repay you," the Third Hall Master said as if it were a matter of course.

But his words seemed to carry an unspoken message.

That was, if Jing Yan fronted the materials to refine the elixir, he would agree to Jing Yan becoming the Ten Halls Master. If Jing Yan refused, then he might also refuse to agree to Jing Yan’s appointment.

"Third Hall Master, don’t you think that’s a bit much?" the Seventh Hall Master looked at the Third Hall Master, a tone of anger in her voice.

"Yes, even if Jing Yan, the Great Alchemist King, is to help you, the Third Hall Master, refine the elixirs, shouldn’t you at least prepare the materials and corresponding compensation?" The Eight Hall Master also interjected with a frown.

"To be honest, Third Hall Master, you’ve clearly targeted Jing Yan, the Great Alchemist King, from the beginning. If I were him, I might even be angry with you. Yet Jing Yan, the Great Alchemist King, is still willing to help you refine the elixirs, which I find quite admirable. But you, Third Hall Master, really are going too far!" The Second Hall Master also spoke out.

The other Hall Masters also silently shook their heads.

"Hahaha..." Amid the angry questioning from the crowd, the Third Hall Master actually burst out laughing.

His eyes slightly reddened, he glanced at the other Hall Masters, "You people, really... Isn’t it just because Jing Yan is skilled in the Alchemy Dao that you want to please him? Didn’t you all oppose it just like me at the start? How laughable! I, for one, don’t like this at all! If Jing Yan helps me refine the elixir, that’s great. If he doesn’t, then I certainly won’t force him!"

"Third Hall Master!" Jing Yan called out.

"You surely don’t need to deliberately use a Defensive Spiritual Artifact when fighting others, do you?" Jing Yan asked seriously.

"What do you mean by that, Great Alchemist King Jing Yan?" The Third Hall Master hadn’t grasped the implication.

"The thickness of your skin has broken through the heavens! What Defensive Spiritual Artifact can match the defense provided by the thickness of your skin?" Jing Yan said earnestly.

Upon hearing this, everyone was momentarily taken aback.

Jing Yan’s first remark didn’t immediately ring clear to the Third Hall Master, nor did the others catch on. But listening to Jing Yan’s second sentence, everyone paused, and then snickers filled the room.

As for the Third Hall Master, his face instantly turned the color of pig liver, and a flare of anger ignited in his eyes.

"Jing Yan, are you insulting me?" The Third Hall Master’s killing intent surged viciously. He harbored thoughts of attacking, but within the Holy Hall, he truly dared not make a move. Thus, while the killing intent swirled around him, he kept it under control, avoiding a direct assault on Jing Yan.