The Imperial Martial Pill Venerable

BOOM...

It was as if a hundred thousand bolts of lightning had exploded in the minds of the Liujie, the thunderous roar leaving them dizzy. ’An Alchemist of Eighth Grade or higher? H-How is that possible?’

Even Extraordinary Strong Persons like Shangguan Feiying had been shocked beyond measure by the news, let alone the Liujie. Right now, they were utterly dumbfounded. The revelation was simply too incredible.

"No wonder the Palace Master and the others value him so highly. So this is the reason," Lin Hongyu said with a wry smile. "We’re talking about an Alchemist of Eighth Grade or higher. He would be treated as a guest of honor in any sect!"

Compared to that, they truly did pale in comparison.

"As far as I know, before Master Qin entered seclusion, he refined nearly twenty bottles of elixirs, all Seventh Grade or higher, for the Divine Palace. None of you knew that, did you?"

The Liujie exchanged glances and shook their heads. "We did not."

Yun Loxi stroked his beard and spoke slowly. "If I’m not mistaken, you’ve come here because you were provoked by the Palace Master and the others. You feel indignant and want to sound out Master Qin, is that right?"

"Master Yun, your insight is truly sharp. We did come here with the intention of testing ourselves against... Master Qin." Bai Yuyu shook his head, a faint smile on his face. "Although Master Qin’s talent in the Alchemy Dao is peerless, we are all Martial Artists. For us, what matters most is our Martial Arts cultivation. We came here to spar with him."

At these words, the eyes of the other Five Heroes lit up.

’That’s right. We’re Martial Artists; there’s no need to compare our alchemy skills with his.’

"Then you’re bound to be disappointed. Master Qin is still in seclu—"

BOOM...

Just as Yun Loxi was about to send the Liujie away, a sudden rumble echoed from the distance.

"That’s... the place where Master Qin is in seclusion?"

"Could it be that Master Qin has emerged from seclusion?" The eyes of the Liujie lit up at the sight. It seemed their trip wouldn’t be in vain after all. Lin Hongyu said, "Since Master Qin has emerged, we’ll have to ask Master Yun to introduce us."

"Then let’s go. But whether or not Master Qin agrees to spar with you is his decision. You cannot force the issue. Also, do not forget your manners."

"Yes."

The Liujie exchanged glances. ’This Master Qin really is something else,’ they thought, ’to have an Eighth-Grade Alchemist so thoroughly convinced of his worth.’

The group traveled swiftly, crossing mountains and great rivers.

Soon, they arrived before a cave. Looking ahead, they saw a handsome, white-robed youth standing not far away. He had a gentle, almost frail, appearance.

"This is Master Qin?"

The Liujie looked from one to another, their expressions full of astonishment.

They had expected the Master Qin who had so impressed everyone to be young, but they never imagined he would be *this* young. He looked no older than sixteen or seventeen. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"He’s absurdly young."

"Indeed. I thought he’d be our age, at least," Bai Yuyu said with a sigh, holding his Jade Fan as he gazed at Qin Ya in the distance.

Seeing their reactions, Yun Loxi also felt a surge of emotion.

’When he first met him, he’d been far more shocked than these Liujie were now.’

He couldn’t comprehend how such a monstrous talent could exist in this world.

"Master Qin, you’ve finally emerged from seclusion."

Qin Ya was a little surprised to see Yun Loxi approaching with six young men and women in tow.

Each of these youths had reached the Celestial Essence Realm Perfection or higher. They were, without a doubt, the strongest members of the younger generation he had ever seen. "Cloud Island Master," he began, "and who might these be?"

Yun Loxi said to the Liujie behind him, "Why don’t you introduce yourselves."

Lin Hongyu, the only woman among the Liujie, stepped forward and said, "We are the Liujie of the Vast Sea Divine Palace. Greetings, Master Qin."

All six bowed slightly to Qin Ya.

"Liujie? What does that mean?" Qin Ya asked with a frown.

Lin Hongyu spoke again. "It means we are the six most outstanding young disciples of the Vast Sea Divine Palace." ’Ugh, it’s so awkward to praise myself like this.’

"I was asking what you want with me," Qin Ya said.

"..."

"We have heard that Master Qin’s strength is outstanding, and have come to ask for guidance."

"Not interested," Qin Ya refused flatly.

"Huh?"

The Liujie were taken aback. ’He refused?’

’Generally speaking, any Martial Artist with an ounce of pride would never refuse a direct challenge like this, so long as the power gap isn’t too great. But Qin Ya didn’t even hesitate to refuse. This... this is a little unexpected.’

"Haha, surely Master Qin isn’t afraid, is he?"

The corners of Feng Langyun’s mouth curled into a disdainful smirk as he shouldered his pitch-black giant axe. ’Surely any true Martial Artist wouldn’t be able to resist a taunt like that.’

"Is there any point to such a cheap taunt?"

Qin Ya gave an indifferent smile.

"Do not be rude," Yun Loxi, who was standing to the side, snapped.

The Liujie felt helpless. ’With Yun Loxi here, they really couldn’t act out of line.’

’He’s an Extraordinary Strong Person; he could deal with all six of them with one hand.’

’Judging by his attitude toward Qin Ya, he clearly defers to him. If Qin Ya was unwilling to fight, they couldn’t do anything about it.’

’Looks like there won’t be a match today.’

"I accept."

At that moment, Qin Ya’s indifferent words fell upon the ears of the Liujie.

’Huh? He accepted?’

’What’s he playing at? Why the sudden change of heart?’

The Liujie were baffled, but regardless, Qin Ya agreeing to fight them was exactly what they had been hoping for.

"Haha, Master Qin is straightforward after all!" Feng Langyun laughed heartily. "Name the time and place, Master Qin. We, the Liujie, accept the challenge."

"No need. Right here, right now, will be fine."

The reason Qin Ya had suddenly agreed to fight the Liujie was that he had just emerged from seclusion and needed to solidify his grasp on the Ice and Fire Momentum. Combat was the best way to do so, as it would allow him to quickly master its control and application.

Especially a battle between equals.

While the Liujie had yet to reach the Extraordinary realm, their strength far surpassed others of their rank, bordering on the level of the Heaven-Reaching Pass. From any angle, they were the perfect sparring partners.

"Good!!"

The Liujie didn’t hesitate in the slightest, immediately agreeing.

They couldn’t wait to see if this youth before them was truly as stunningly talented as Shangguan Feiying and Yun Loxi claimed.

...

In a wide, open clearing, Qin Ya and the Liujie stood facing each other from a distance. Meanwhile, Yun Loxi sat cross-legged atop a nearby mountain peak, acting as the duel’s referee.

"This is just a spar. Stop when a winner is clear. Begin."

Lin Hongyu took a step forward. "For today’s match, let’s have..."

"Hehe, let me go first today."

Before Lin Hongyu could finish, Feng Langyun’s figure blurred. He shot past the others and landed on the clearing less than fifty feet from Qin Ya. Lin Hongyu’s brow twitched, and she said coldly, "When we get back, I’m going to skin Feng Langyun alive."

Hearing this, the other members of the Liujie exchanged smiles.

Their gazes toward Feng Langyun held a hint of amusement at his misfortune to come.

’Heh, it’s not so easy to steal the spotlight.’

"I am Feng Langyun. I ask for Master Qin’s guidance."

Qin Ya looked at the young man shouldering the giant axe. "Come on."

"Watch out!"

With a great shout, Feng Langyun abruptly raised his giant axe and swung it toward Qin Ya from afar. A massive, pale blue Light Blade materialized in the air, faint arcs of lightning crackling across its surface as it radiated an overwhelmingly tyrannical aura.