Realm of Myths and Legends

Chapter 1152 A Different View

Iron Cauldron understood where his current skill level was as an Apothecary. Compared to Pill Master and Blue Quill, Iron Cauldron knew that he was a step or two behind. This was precisely the reason why Iron Cauldron could also grasp the wide gap that existed between him and Izroth.

If he were only a step or two behind Pill Master and Blue Quill, then he would be an entire world apart from Izroth.

”Iʼve never been at the top of anything in my life. Everything I have, Iʼve had to put in ten times the effort as everyone else just to end up with less than half the results..! These two bastards have a bit of talent, but gets jealous when they see someone else who has more talent than them? I thought someone like Elder Pill Master would be different, but...” Iron Cauldron thought to himself as he clenched his fists.

In the beginning, Iron Cauldron was excited to learn from Pill Master. He even stepped forward when he thought Izroth was being too dismissive of the grade three Apothecary. Who would have thought that he would end up seeing such a miserable sight taking place?

Pill Master and Blue Quill might have dismissed Izroth as cheating or employing some secret method to overcome the trials; however, Iron Cauldron thought differently. There was no great secret or hidden method in play here. He believed that Izroth was just that far ahead of even someone like Pill Master, a grade three Apothecary.

As Iron Cauldron sorted through these thoughts in his mind, for some reason, a wave of clarity washed over him. Furthermore, the dizziness that had been going on nonstop since earlier suddenly stopped.

”This is... I feel so clear-headed now.” Iron Cauldron said to himself as he looked toward the ridge.

”How could we have missed something that was right in front of us all along?” Iron Cauldron reflected inwardly.

A little more than five minutes had passed since the start of the second and third trials. The dizziness itself seemed to become weaker the more time passed. However, as Iron Cauldron observed Pill Master and Blue Quill, he saw that the two were still displaying signs of dizziness.

”Elder Pill Master, Blue Quill, I think I found a way to-” Iron Cauldron started; however, he was quickly cut off.

”Iron brat, this old man is thinking of a solution right now. Can you afford to distract me and end up failing?” Pill Master said dismissively.

”But-” Iron Cauldron began before once again being interrupted.

”You still want to say something after Pill Master has spoken! If you donʼt want help, donʼt drag me down with you and just go fail on your own!” Blue Quill scowled as he clicked his tongue in annoyance.

Iron Cauldron fell silent. Then, a few seconds later, he walked toward the first lightning bolt on the ridge. And, without hesitation, he stepped into it.

Bzzzt! Craaaackle!

Just like Izroth, Iron Cauldron appeared to be in multiple places at once not long after he stepped into the lightning strike. And, in just a few breaths, Iron Cauldron managed to make it to the other side of the ridge.

Right as he reached the end of the ridge, Iron Cauldron received an alert from the system as well as an evaluation before being transported off the ridge.

[Passed]

[Evaluation:

Time Elapsed: 5 minutes 39 seconds - 25 points

Points Earned: 25

Total Accumulated Points: 30]

Meanwhile, Pill Master and Blue Quill stood there dumbfounded. There minds were still attempting to process what just happened.

”That... That bastard! He must have been secretly colluding with Palace Master Izroth to make fools out of us all along! How else could that third rate finish the trial before us?!” Blue Quill erupted.

Veins could be seen bulging from Pill Masterʼs neck and parts of his head as his face turned red in anger.

”Good! Very good! Just wait and see how this old man deals with them once we leave this place! If that little guy can do it, then there must not be much of a special trick to this! Weʼll just go straight through!” Pill Master stated confidently.

”That makes sense! Otherwise, how can those two use the same trick to pass? This lightning must be here to intimidate us!” Blue Quill chimed in.

He then stepped forward and said, ”Elder Pill Master, we should hurry up and pass the challenge. We might not be able to get a perfect score, but weʼll still get the same amount of points as that traitor who left us behind. Iʼll go ahead first!”

Blue Quill said as he rushed forward onto the ridge. There was less than ten seconds remaining before the time passed by six-minute mark.

”How dare that guy make me look like a fool in front of Elder Pill Master! When we get out of here-” As Blue Quill was in the middle of speaking, a terrifying bolt of lightning struck down at his location not even three steps onto the ridge.

BOOM!

[Failed]

In the blink of an eye, Blue Quill vanished without a trace, only leaving behind the golden text that displayed his failure.

Pill Master looked on in disbelief. Could he have been wrong? Was there something more to these two trials, after all? Blue Quill had done the same thing as Izroth and Iron Cauldron, so why were the results so different?

8 minutes...

9 minutes...

As the time approached the ten-minute mark, Pill Master grit his teeth and decided to finally make his move. No matter how much he tried, he was unable to see any tricks to the ridge or the lightning. In the end, he had no choice but to make an attempt.

Pill Master hesitantly stepped into the first lightning bolt and braced himself for the strike. However, there was no discomfort whatsoever. Realizing this, an expression of relief appeared on his face.

”I see. As long I donʼt rush in, itʼs fine. The secret must be to walk normally.” Pill Master said to himself as he started to walk forward one step at a time.

Bzzzt! BOOM!

[Failed]

...

Meanwhile, in the isolated area...

Zeeeut!

Out of nowhere, Pill Master appeared in the isolated area along with the rest of the party. On his face was an expression of shock. He, a grade three Apothecary, actually failed while some brat who only made a grade one pill and the other who could barely form a grade two pill passed?

Everyoneʼs gaze was on Pill Master after he had been transported into the room. There were some gazes of pity, while others were cold and distant.

The system alerts sounded as the environment around them began to disappear. At the same time, the party arrived back in the area with a garden and platform.

〈System Alert: Congratulations, you have passed the second trial «Lightning Ridge» and third trial «Mind of Solitude»!〉

〈System Alert: The fourth trial «Essence of the Pinnacle» will start in 15 minutes!〉

”Haishe, do you remember my words from earlier?” Izroth said.

Hearing Izrothʼs words, Pill Master seemed to realize what was going on.

”Brat, donʼt go too far! Iʼve entertained your nonsense long enough! You want to silence me? You arenʼt worthy! With one word from this old man, I can make it so that you no longer have a place in this world!” Pill Master erupted, letting out all he had been holding back this whole time.

Haishe let out a small sigh. Pill Master was a skilled grade three Apothecary; however, Izroth was still the owner of the Mystical Realm Palace. He had already heard about how the members of Blue Oasis had been banned from entering the Mystical Realm Palace not long ago. If Fatal Touch followed in their footsteps, it would undoubtedly hurt his position as the recently appointed leader.

”Itʼs a shame to lose the connections Iʼve made with a grade three Apothecary, but as he is now, itʼs not worth offending Palace Master Izroth and the Mystical Realm Palace on his behalf.” Haishe thought to himself.

”How do you wish to deal with it, Palace Master Izroth?” Haishe inquired firmly.

”Haishe brat, are you really taking his side?! Donʼt forget that you practically begged me to come along! If you do this, your Fatal Touch can forget about receiving any pills from me in the future!” Pill Master scoffed.

”I requested for you to come along because I thought that you would add some value. Begging? Iʼm willing to do it if youʼre that useful to me and the situation calls for it. But... Youʼve lost all your value in my eyes, old man.” Haishe said with a cold gaze and a haunting grin.

”You!” Pill Masterʼs body shook in anger as he pointed at Haishe.

ʼHeʼs a lot more dangerous than Silent Steps.ʼ

Haishe possessed a cold and calculative mind that immediately weighed his benefits and losses. He was someone who was not afraid to lower himself into the mud and go through shame as long as the goal he had in mind could be achieved.

These types were much more dangerous than someone who like Silent Steps, who only knew how to flaunt their power and status aggressively.

”You made a good suggestion just now. Since thatʼs case the case, I will make it so that you no longer have a place in this world. From now on, anyone that does business with you, whether itʼs providing you with materials, protection, or purchasing pills from you—they will no longer be welcomed at my Mystical Realm Palace.” Izroth stated indifferently.