Heavens' Laughter

"Speak. Who are you?" Feng Shen asked, cautious not to jump the gun. He could tell the man before him was a high-ranking alchemist, judging by his robe.

When he wasn't slaughtering everything in sight, he treated people as mere puppets and toys. Though he was utterly insane, he wasn't foolish enough to waste useful people.

Those who proved useful were spared—until they outlived their usefulness, at which point they were killed.

Without looking up, Chang Tao replied, "Oh~ supreme one! I'm a B-class Alchemist! The leader of this Alchemy Pavilion, serving under the Cai family!"

He flaunted his current status, eager to demonstrate how much he could provide, and also he was an extreme dog licker.

"I would be blessed by the skies if I could become your disciple!"

Chang Tao showed no shame on his face. After all, the young man before him had created the Meridian Pill, something that no one in the history of the Upper Realm or the realms below had ever achieved.

"You have revealed to me the vastness between heaven and earth!"

Chang Tao would do anything to become his disciple!

Would you like him to lick your feet? He would! Massage your back? He would! He would do anything, knowing this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

"I'll do anything!" Chang Tao exclaimed, pressing his face deeper into the floor, leaving an imprint. "I beg you!"

"Hmm…" Feng Shen took out his black fan, giving himself a light breeze as he pondered for a few moments, weighing the pros and cons of becoming the master of this old man, who seemed almost desperate.

"Let's see…" He could gain a lot of free resources for growth, though as the Second Young Master of the Feng family, he had plenty of Spirit Stones to spare, so wealth wasn't the issue.

Besides, Feng Shen was certain his father wouldn't mind spoiling him now.

Although he could have access to plenty of resources, becoming this old man's master would grant him access to rarer items.

Feng Shen could also gain strategic influence by controlling an important alchemist tied to the Cai family—one of the top Four Families—allowing him to exert pressure or leverage within their political circle and expand his influence.

And, of course, he would gain a network of connections, as this old man was the leader of an Alchemist Pavilion. However, he couldn't care less about that; he preferred to be alone.

But then, Feng Shen considered the old man's loyalty. It could be questionable. He might be self-serving or more loyal to the Cai family, potentially betraying him if a better opportunity arose.

Moreover, the responsibility of being a master was no joke. He was currently at the lowest level of cultivation and hadn't even begun to advance; he needed to focus on himself for now, not on helping others, which would be dumb.

After all, Feng Shen understood that one must prioritize oneself above all; otherwise, they risk being trampled by others.

Overall, there were countless pros and cons to consider, and he didn't have the time to go over all of them, so he chose the best option:

"I'll get back to you later," Feng Shen said as he left the room, sliding the door shut behind him and leaving the old man in silence.

Chang Tao slowly lifted his head from the floor and rose to his feet, a wider smile spreading across his face:

"He didn't say no!"

▬▬ι═══════ﺤ

As Feng Shen walked down the hallway, he saw ahead many people trying to peer past all the men and women who worked in the Alchemy Pavilion, who were blocking everyone from entering this area.

These people were clearly drawn by the explosion and the beam of darkness that had shot upward toward the sky.

"Let us in, damn it!"

"Move aside!"

"Get out of the way!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, please calm down! We were ordered not to allow anyone in!"

Walking closer, Feng Shen gathered a lot of attention, even from the staff, who glanced back.

"…"

Nobody said a word as everyone quieted down. The news of the incident in the small tea shop had spread quickly.

Someone from that crowd had recorded it on a Spirit Recorder and spread it about.

They no longer viewed the Second Young Master of the Feng family as a coward. They even sensed a distinct shift in the air around him; everything about him felt different.

Strangely enough, they now viewed him with a sense of pride, as he had taken down three demi-humans, saving a father and daughter in the process.

Human cultivators still harbored deep resentment toward the demi-human cultivators; after all, peace does not erase the memories of countless years of war.

Of course, nobody witnessed what happened afterward, as the person recording had stopped before it went that far.

Everyone began to move out of the way for the Second Young Master of the Feng family; no one dared to block his path.

He was a hero who stood up for what was right!

He deserved respect!

Feng Shen couldn't care less if they viewed him as a hero; all he wanted now was to focus on his cultivation.

Nonetheless, he found it quite amusing to imagine how these people would react if the "hero" they saw him as were to turn on them, killing everyone without mercy.

'Ah~ that would be too pleasurable~.'

The thought made Feng Shen want to go on a killing rampage right then and there, but he stopped himself, knowing he was too weak.

'Curse the Heavenly Dao! If he hadn't killed me in my past life, I could have tormented existence for eternity!'

Feng Shen felt a little salty for a moment, but he shook his head internally and made his way toward the exit of the Alchemy Pavilion.

He was filled with hatred and determination not to be subdued by the Heavenly Dao again, feeling enough shame from having been easily killed once.

'If the Heavenly Dao dares to stand in my way again, I will make sure to destroy it this time. I vow this upon my own soul!