The Imperial Martial Pill Venerable

Suddenly, Chu Lingfeng spotted several figures approaching from a distance. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

As the figures drew closer, he could see their faces clearly. A look of surprise crossed his own as he said, "It’s the Liujie! Why have they come here?"

The other disciples also noticed the Liujie’s arrival, and a series of excited cries erupted, as if they were welcoming their most admired idols.

Seeing this, Chu Lingfeng couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy.

’Sigh... If only I could be like that one day.’

"Heh. The Liujie have graced us with your presence. To what do we owe the pleasure?" Chu Lingfeng straightened his clothes, forcing a smile. He tried his best not to seem too inferior to them, but the crowd only had eyes for the Liujie.

The Liujie saw at a glance that among everyone present, Chu Lingfeng’s cultivation was the highest. Bai Yuyu smiled. "You must be Junior Brother Chu Lingfeng?"

"Indeed I am," Chu Lingfeng said with a faint smile.

’See that? Even the Liujie know who I am. It seems my reputation in the Vast Sea Divine Palace is pretty high after all.’

At this thought, the smile on Chu Lingfeng’s face grew wider.

"Hmm, it seems that junior sister was right. You really were sent to confinement." Bai Yuyu smiled faintly. "We came to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"Do you know someone named Qin Ya?"

Qin Ya?!

The moment he heard the name, Chu Lingfeng’s brow twitched.

’Dammit, not this guy again.’

"I do. Why are you looking for him?" Chu Lingfeng asked.

"We heard he’s from the Hidden Dragon Valley Secret Realm. Could you tell us a bit about him? For instance, his strength, what kind of weapons he uses, that sort of thing."

Hearing this, Chu Lingfeng’s eyes shifted, and a resentful look crossed his face.

"That man is from the Yunxiao Empire. He’s arrogant, conceited, and looks down on everyone. He uses his immense strength to hoard valuable treasures for himself. He even has a Defensive Profound Soldier that allowed him to face the attacks of several hundred people without taking a single scratch..." Chu Lingfeng proceeded to give a heavily embellished account of everything Qin Ya had done in the Hidden Dragon Valley Secret Realm.

The Liujie frowned slightly after hearing his story.

’Why is his account so different from what the Palace Master and the others said?’

’Is Qin Ya’s conduct really that deplorable?’

A cold glint flashed through Lin Hongyu’s eyes as she said coolly, "Chu Lingfeng, do you really think we’re that easy to deceive? Spout any more nonsense, and don’t blame me for being merciless."

"I wouldn’t dare," Chu Lingfeng said, a little panicked.

Lin Hongyu snorted and left. The other five members of the Liujie gave Chu Lingfeng an indifferent glance. Feng Langyun was even more disdainful, sneering, "Did you really think we couldn’t see through that pathetic little scheme of yours? Trying to use us to kill your enemy for you? In your dreams. Hmph. This batch of disciples from Guhong Island is a real disappointment."

"Heh, I wouldn’t go that far. I hear that a junior sister named Lii Yunge is quite impressive, but she’s in seclusion. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have had to find him," Bai Yuyu said with a faint smile, gently waving the Jade Fan in his hand.

"Let’s go," Leng Rulie said flatly, then turned to leave.

As he watched the Liujie’s departing figures, Chu Lingfeng’s face flushed with anger and humiliation.

.........

"Skilled with a spear, cultivation at Celestial Essence Realm Perfection, a powerful Defensive Profound Soldier, and a special purple flame... All things considered, this Qin Ya’s combat strength far surpasses the Celestial Essence Realm Perfection stage. He’s quite impressive," Bai Yushan commented.

Lin Hongyu said flatly, "Then let’s go see for ourselves."

"Alright."

As the Liujie made their way to Luoyun Island...

Meanwhile, on Luoyun Island, a cave suddenly exploded with a loud BOOM, sending sand and rock tumbling down.

A young man in white slowly emerged from the dust and smoke.

He had ink-black hair that reached his waist and wore white robes embroidered with a landscape scene. His eyes shone brightly, and his sharp, sword-like eyebrows hinted at his delight. This was none other than Qin Ya, who had been in seclusion comprehending the Great Trend.

"After more than a month, with the help of the Primordial Treasure Bead, I’ve finally fused the two Momentums of Ice and Fire. Not only that, but the fusion also contains a trace of the essence of Yin and Yang. In the future, it might even allow me to comprehend the Yin Yang Dao."

Qin Ya smiled faintly and slowly extended his right hand. Two streams of energy, one cold and one hot, swirled in his palm. The two energies, which should have been in conflict, now possessed a harmonious aura. Then, Qin Ya tossed the ball of ice and fire in his hand.

The energy ball formed from the Ice and Fire Momentum hit the ground. With a BOOM, dust flew up, and a crater ten zhang wide appeared. Qin Ya smiled in satisfaction and muttered to himself, "Just True Essence infused with a mere trace of the Ice and Fire Momentum has this much power. The Ice and Fire Momentum is even stronger than I imagined."

"And the Ice and Fire Momentum isn’t even considered Top Level among the many Momentums. It’s hard to imagine just how powerful the profound secrets of the very best Momentums must be."

.........

"Master Yun, is Qin Ya in seclusion?"

After arriving at Luoyun Island, the Liujie went straight to visit Yun Loxi.

The status of the Island Masters of the Thirty-Six Islands of the Vast Sea varied. For example, Mui Qiuhong, the Island Master of Guhong Island, was considered to be at the very bottom of the hierarchy. In contrast, Yun Loxi, the Island Master of Luoyun Island, held a pivotal position in the Vast Sea Divine Palace. Although his personal strength wasn’t the highest, he was an Eighth-Grade Alchemist.

"Yes, Master Qin went into seclusion over a month ago."

The Liujie frowned, not only because Qin Ya was in seclusion, but also because of the title Yun Loxi used for him. ’Master Qin?’ Previously, Shangguan Feiying and several other Island Masters had also called him that, but they hadn’t thought much of it at the time.

But Yun Loxi was different.

An Eighth-Grade Alchemist would not use the title "Master" lightly.

With this in mind, Lin Hongyu cupped her hands and asked, "Master Yun, why do you refer to Qin Ya as ’Master Qin’? Is he... also an Alchemist?"

Yun Loxi frowned slightly. "The Palace Master didn’t tell you?"

The Liujie exchanged a look, then shook their heads.

Shangguan Feiying and the other Island Masters had done nothing but praise Qin Ya, revealing no concrete information about him. Meanwhile, Chu Lingfeng—whether intentionally or not—had also concealed the fact that Qin Ya was an Alchemist, only disclosing details about his combat strength.

"This applies to you all as well. In the future, when you see Master Qin, you are not to address him by his name. You must call him Master. Do not, under any circumstances, be impolite. Do you understand?"

"Huh?!" The Liujie were a bit stunned.

"What do you mean, ’huh’?"

Yun Loxi was clearly displeased. To him, addressing Qin Ya as Master was the most natural thing in the world. Even he, a dignified Eighth-Grade Alchemist, had to be reverent. Yet these juniors dared to use his given name. They were outrageously audacious, had no respect for their betters, and were completely devoid of manners.

Lin Hongyu gave a wry smile. "Master Yun, we aren’t that concerned about a mere title. We were just hoping you could tell us the reason why."

"The reason? You call me, an Eighth-Grade Alchemist, ’Master.’ So what do you think you should call an Alchemist who is above the Eighth Grade?" Yun Loxi said flatly.

"Of course, you should..."

Before the words were even out, the Liujie’s bodies trembled.

’It can’t be... Could Qin Ya be an Alchemist of a grade higher than Eighth Grade?’

’That can’t be what Master Yun is implying, can it?’

Bai Yuyu licked his somewhat dry lips and said, "Master Yun, are you saying... that Qin Ya—no, Master Qin—is an Eighth-Grade Alchemist?"

He had quickly corrected himself, prompted by a glare from Yun Loxi.

"Wrong! He’s *above* the Eighth Grade!"