Invincible Soul Emperor

At this time in the hall, various Pill Kings were gathered in groups of twos and threes, discussing the illness of the Thunder Valley Sect Master’s wife. Just then, with an announcement, Thunder Valley’s Sect Master, Liang Xiong, appeared personally to receive the assembled Pill Kings.

Liang Xiong’s complexion looked somewhat haggard, but he still spoke with a voice as resonant as a great bell. ”I thank you all for taking the trouble to come to our Thunder Valley. However, my wife is afflicted with a rare disease and cannot often meet with others. We can only inconvenience you by gathering you all to see her at the same time. I ask for your generous understanding.”

The Pill Kings all returned the courtesy. Xi Jianwei, in particular, laughed heartily and said, ”Sect Master Liang, you’re being too formal. Thunder Valley and our Huanyue Sect are both top powers in Chaoyun Country. When Thunder Valley is in need, the Huanyue Sect will naturally lend a hand.”

Liang Xiong also smiled and returned the greeting. Xi Jianwei’s alchemy and medical skills were renowned, and his personal attendance gave Liang Xiong hope that his wife could be saved.

Liang Xiong continued to address the group of Pill Kings. ”Since you all have generously offered assistance, Thunder Valley will not let you go unrewarded. Whoever successfully cures my wife will be rewarded with an opportunity to observe the Wordless Jade Tablet in Thunder Valley.”

”The Wordless Jade Tablet?” Upon hearing Liang Xiong’s words, a series of astonished gasps echoed through the hall.

Ye Qingchen looked at Qin Yue with a puzzled expression. Qin Yue shook her head, signaling for him to keep listening.

Liang Xiong did not keep everyone in suspense and continued to explain, ”The Wordless Jade Tablet is an invaluable treasure of our Thunder Valley. It is by relying on the Wordless Jade Tablet that Thunder Valley was founded and flourished. Observing it can rapidly enhance one’s martial arts, Alchemy Dao, Artefact Path, and so on. It’s truly miraculous!”

”Sect Master Liang, there’s a rumor that someone broke through to the Martial King Realm after just one look at the Wordless Jade Tablet. Is this true?” one of the Pill Kings asked, unable to hide the burning excitement in his heart.

Liang Xiong smiled and nodded. This was no secret to the outside world, and he believed that with the temptation of the Wordless Jade Tablet, these Pill Kings would surely use every skill at their disposal.

Ye Qingchen was equally astonished. Advancing to the Martial King Realm just by observing a jade tablet? That’s too incredible to believe. However, seeing the unwavering belief on the faces of the Pill Kings in the hall, he knew there must be some truth to the rumors.

Afterward, Liang Xiong arranged for an elder from Thunder Valley to register each of the arriving Pill Kings. Cataloging the identities and Alchemy Dao ranks of all present would also help in arranging the order of treatment.

The Pill Kings announced their names one by one. Some who were long-famous even elicited gasps of admiration from the crowd.

Finally, when it was Ye Qingchen’s turn, he spoke to the Thunder Valley elder with a calm and composed air, ”Chen Qingye, fifth-rank Pill King.”

”A fifth-rank Pill King? And he has the nerve to come here?” Upon hearing Ye Qingchen announce his title, the hall erupted in derisive laughter. Those who received an invitation from Thunder Valley were at least sixth-rank Pill Kings. Although a fifth-rank Pill King was respected in the outside world, in a gathering teeming with high-level Pill Kings, they were at the bottom of the hierarchy.

”Kid, you’d better not be here just to fill a spot. The Sect Master’s wife’s illness has stumped many sixth-rank Pill Kings. What are you, a fifth-rank Pill King, doing here stirring up trouble?” Derisive sneers echoed through the hall as everyone assumed Ye Qingchen was just an impostor trying to pad the numbers.

Xi Jianwei’s gaze also turned to Ye Qingchen. He recalled a recent report from his sect members. They said that a branch of the Rising Sun Pavilion has opened in Illusory Moon City, daring to challenge the Huanyue Sect’s elixir market. And the alchemist of that establishment is named Chen Qingye! Thinking of this, he spoke out directly, ”A fifth-grade Alchemist? If you’re here to observe and learn, then please stand at the back. For you to treat patients with your level of medical skill can only be described as one thing: murder for profit!”

Ye Qingchen sneered and replied, ”An alchemist’s rank doesn’t reflect their medical skill. Who knows? Perhaps an illness you can’t cure will be healed by me, a ’minor’ fifth-grade alchemist.”

”You arrogant brat! How dare you try to pass yourself off as an expert here in Thunder Valley? If you anger them, you won’t leave here alive today. I’ll give you one piece of advice: get the hell out now, before you’re exposed as a fraud.” No longer bothering to waste words on Ye Qingchen, Xi Jianwei resorted to direct personal attacks.

Liang Fei could not stand it any longer and spoke up. ”Chen Qingye was invited by me. I have personally witnessed Mr. Chen’s medical skills. Pill King Xi, you should not underestimate him.”

Xi Jianwei’s face turned ugly, but Liang Fei was the Young Sect Master of Thunder Valley, an existence he could not afford to offend.

Seeing the awkwardness of the situation, Liang Xiong quickly stepped in to mediate. ”Anyone who comes to my Thunder Valley is a guest. Since Mr. Chen is here, let him try as well. One more person means one more chance, after all.”

After Liang Xiong spoke, the others said no more, but they all shot Ye Qingchen hostile looks.

Subsequently, Liang Xiong personally arranged the order of treatment based on the registration list, and Ye Qingchen’s name was placed at the very end.

Ye Qingchen understood. Liang Xiong still doesn’t trust me. If Liang Fei hadn’t spoken up for me, I probably wouldn’t even have been given a chance to try. But it doesn’t matter. I came here precisely to make a name for myself.

Then, under Liang Xiong’s leadership, all the Pill Kings were invited into the inner courtyard of Thunder Valley and led into a sealed room. The doors and windows were shut tight. Although it was the height of summer, several stoves were lit inside the room.

The maids serving inside were sweating profusely from the heat, but the Sect Master’s wife, Xiao Ruoli, who lay on the bed, was still covered with thick quilts, shuddering uncontrollably.

Liang Xiong looked at Xiao Ruoli on the bed with a pained expression. He then cupped his fists toward the group of Pill Kings and said, ”You have only four hours. Please, esteemed Pill Kings, proceed.”

As soon as Liang Xiong finished speaking, a sixth-rank Pill King who was first in line approached the bed to take Xiao Ruoli’s pulse. However, the moment his hand touched Xiao Ruoli, he was caught off guard by the intense cold, and his hand was immediately frostbitten. He was forced to stop, stepping aside for the next Pill King.

The second was also a sixth-rank Pill King. Having learned from his predecessor’s mistake, this Pill King was very cautious. After taking Xiao Ruoli’s pulse, he spoke to Liang Xiong. ”Sect Master Liang, your wife is afflicted with cold poison. To treat her, she must be given an intensely hot elixir to neutralize it.”

Liang Fei sighed helplessly. This method had already been tried before. Although it could alleviate the symptoms for a day or two, the next time the illness flared up, her condition would be even worse.