Chapter 55: The Legend of the Little Alchemy King

On the very day Li Jian San departed, the illustrious Wang family of Blazing Fire City, once at the height of its power, vanished overnight in a manner most mysterious, as if it had never existed at all. Everything related to the Wang family was wiped clean, leaving not a trace behind.

The following morning, after the Wang family's annihilation, the city was abuzz with rumors:

"The Wang family, which once dominated Blazing Fire City, was destroyed so suddenly, without any apparent reason."

"That's right. Not only the Wang family, but even several factions closely connected to them have disappeared. It seems anyone associated with the Wang family has been erased. Who could they have offended?"

"I heard the mysterious force that brought down the Wang family came from the highest ranks of the Alchemists' Guild."

"And apparently, they did all this merely to amuse the Young Pill King."

"Young Pill King? Who is that?"

"You don't know? He’s the most celebrated genius these past few days. This 'Young Pill King' broke every record during the Alchemists' Guild apprentice trials, renowned for his unparalleled soul power and alchemy skills. The three great masters of the guild are begging him to be their disciple!"

"What? The three masters of the Alchemists' Guild want him as their disciple? Are you mistaken, or did I mishear?"

"It's absolutely true. They nearly offered him everything they had, yet he still refused."

"Incredible! That's real audacity."

"Exactly. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be called the 'Young Pill King.'"

"After he toyed with the Wang family and swindled them out of thousands of spirit stones, the three masters personally stepped in and punished the Wang family. But I never expected they'd go so far for him, uprooting the entire Wang family!"

"Isn’t that too much? The Wang family lost thousands of spirit stones—practically ruined—yet the Alchemists' Guild turned the tables for the 'Young Pill King.' It's simply incomprehensible."

"I heard it was merely because someone from the Wang family spoke disrespectfully to the young lady beside the 'Young Pill King,' which displeased him, and so the guild acted to please him by exterminating the Wang family."

"To wipe out an entire clan for a single disrespectful remark—this treatment rivals that of royalty. The woman beside the 'Young Pill King' is truly fortunate."

"If you marry, marry the 'Young Pill King'..."

Meanwhile, at Shengjing Gate.

The elder who had previously been tasked with protecting Li Jian San reported, "Gate Master, this time the Young Gate Master only spent some time with Chu Xi'er at an inn, then entered the Alchemists' Guild. It doesn’t seem like he was out for pleasure."

Upon hearing this, Li Qingming smiled faintly. "Good lad, already charming the young ladies—just like I was in my youth."

He paused, then asked, "What was he doing at the Alchemists' Guild?"

"Gate Master, it appeared they were holding an apprentice trial at the time."

Li Qingming’s expression changed. "Oh? What rank did he achieve?"

"Gate Master, I couldn’t enter the Alchemists' Guild, so I know nothing of what happened inside."

Li Qingming didn’t mind. "That boy has no talent for alchemy; he surely didn't place high."

"By the way, Gate Master, a genius known as the 'Young Pill King' appeared in Blazing Fire City this time..."

Hearing this, Li Qingming was suddenly stunned. "What!"

"He was recognized by the three masters of the Alchemists' Guild, who personally sought to take him as their disciple!"

Li Qingming was well aware of the reputation of those three—their status as third-rank alchemists, famed and proud, with standards sky-high. They never accepted any prodigy recommended by the great powers. Yet now, all three wanted this 'Young Pill Lord' as their disciple!

What extraordinary power did this 'Young Pill Lord' possess?

Li Qingming finally calmed himself. "Do you know the origins of this 'Young Pill Lord'?"

"I do not, Gate Master."

He paused, then continued, "But I heard his soul power is exceptional, and his alchemical knowledge rivals the three masters. During the trial, he refined a perfect-grade pill—the terrifying thing is, it was his first attempt at pill-making. He broke record after record, and in the end, spoke profound truths that enabled Master Mo to achieve a breakthrough."

Hearing all this, Li Qingming was already deeply shocked. "What? Such a prodigy exists in this world!"

The elder went on, "Not only that, the 'Young Pill Lord' angered the Wang family of Blazing Fire City, and in the end, they vanished overnight. It’s said the Alchemists' Guild was behind it..."

When the elder finished, Li Qingming was dumbfounded, staring blankly as his pupils involuntarily contracted.

The Alchemists' Guild destroyed an entire power for him!

Li Qingming was utterly stunned, his heart filled with awe.

This completely overturned his understanding...

He was shocked for a long time, but after regaining his composure, Li Qingming’s gaze burned with determination:

"A genius like this—we must find a way to win him over."

Hearing this, the elder replied with disappointment, "Gate Master, you may be disappointed. That 'Young Pill Lord' refused even the three masters—how could he possibly regard us?"

After hearing this, Li Qingming was once more astounded:

He even refused the three masters!

How could he possibly win him over?

Thinking this, Li Qingming grew more disheartened.

After a pause, Li Qingming’s expression grew resolute. "No matter the cost, we must win over this 'Young Pill Lord'!"

"Gate Master, the Alchemists' Guild has already sealed all information on the 'Young Pill Lord.' Even those who met him have been placed under guild control, likely to prevent other factions from poaching him."

The elder hesitated, then said, "Gate Master, the Alchemists' Guild values him so highly—won’t our efforts provoke their displeasure? Besides, if they went to such lengths and still couldn’t win him over, what hope do we have?"

Li Qingming remained steadfast. "The more they value him, the greater his potential. No matter what, we must try."

After a moment, Li Qingming’s gaze grew complex.

"Now, Azure Dragon Stronghold is eyeing us hungrily. It won’t be long before they make their move. If we win over this 'Young Pill Lord,' perhaps we can avert this crisis..."

Elsewhere, after a day of leisure, Li Jian San returned to Shengjing Gate with Chu Xi'er.

Back at Shengjing Gate, Chu Xi'er suddenly remembered something, her expression growing complicated.

Seeing her change, Li Jian San asked, "Xi'er, what’s wrong?"

After a pause, Chu Xi'er said, "Brother Li, I feel my cultivation is progressing too slowly. Do you have any way to help me?"

Li Jian San leaned in with a mischievous grin, "Are you sure you want my help?"

Chu Xi'er blushed and quickly pushed him away. "I truly want to improve my cultivation."

"How about going to the Sutra Hall to choose some techniques to study?"

Chu Xi'er hesitated, "Wouldn’t that be slow? Are there other ways?"

Li Jian San produced the gift sent by the old fellow earlier. "Look, there are plenty of rare pills here to boost your cultivation. Take your pick."

Seeing her still hesitant, Li Jian San added, "Or shall I take you to the Treasure Vault for a look?"

At this, Chu Xi'er finally smiled. "Alright."

Ah, maybe the items there aren’t as valuable as what I already have. Is this girl trying to save me money?

With this thought, Li Jian San took Chu Xi'er off to the Treasure Vault.

But he failed to notice that Chu Xi'er’s expression still held a trace of complexity...