Realm-Hopping Martial Master

Inside the room, flames blazed fiercely under a simple Pill Furnace. Jiang Shu placed medicinal herbs into the Pill Furnace with one hand, while the other pressed close to it, his True Strength circulating, constantly maintaining the fire at an optimal level.

Only half an hour had passed when a fragrance of elixirs permeated the air.

Indeed, the prescription isn't fixed; I've made another successful batch. The Da Jing Dynasty's territory is indeed vast, but when it comes to the variety of medicinal herbs and Mutant Beast materials, how can a single province or commandery compare to Xuanxing? A new Heaven and Earth Secret Realm appears every few days, and the Martial Artist Alliance constantly updates the Exotic Species Beast List. Alchemy is, in fact, about mastering the changes of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements. It's not to say that the main ingredient, auxiliary ingredients, and catalyst must always be set in stone. Take this batch of Blood Strengthening Pills I just refined: in the prescription Wang Jingxing provided, the catalyst required is the First Rank Heaven and Earth Treasure Medicine, Ling Blood Grass. But I've perfectly replaced it with Lizard Blood Flower from Xuanxing. Though both seem to be First Rank Heaven and Earth Treasure Medicines, their significance is entirely different. The Heaven and Earth Treasure Medicines from the Da Jing Dynasty are quite scarce, which results in Alchemists holding a higher status. However, it's different in the Xia Country. More and more Heaven and Earth Secret Realms are emerging, and cultivated Heaven and Earth Treasure Medicines retain over half of their medicinal properties. Compared to Ling Blood Grass, the supply of which is tightly controlled by the major clan's Chamber of Commerce, Lizard Blood Flower is truly available in large and satisfying quantities.

Jiang Shu swallowed the Blood Strengthening Pill and sensed the changes brought about by its power. Murmuring to himself, his face showed an undeniable surge of delight.

If low-grade elixirs are like this, then middle-grade elixirs must be too! Once I become a Middle Grade Alchemist, I can certainly consider altering the recipes for elixirs like the Inner Strength Pill and the Marrow Cleansing Pill. The Chambers of Commerce will definitely satisfy the need for Body Refinement elixirs. But once it comes to Qi Refinement, or even Spirit Refinement, such elixirs will inevitably be monopolized by noble families, even by powers within the Royal City. Only by complete allegiance can one hope to obtain them.

Having lived in the Da Jing Dynasty for so many years, Jiang Shu understood the situation very well. Therefore, though it seemed that in the past month he had only successfully refined a few batches of low-grade elixirs—which, for someone already in the Refining Internal Realm, were useless—the actual significance was tremendous.

This means that from now on, I'll no longer be restricted by others for resources! My Martial Arts progress will only be faster, never slower, than those geniuses from the noble families and the Royal City! Considering the time, Wan Jingxing should have just gone to the outer city to be with his wife and child. It's about time I made my move.

A thought flashed through his mind. Jiang Shu returned to Xuanxing to place the Pill Furnace properly. Once the cooling time had passed, he traveled back. He cultivated in secret for about ten hours, then, with an alloy broadsword on his back, he left the house.

「The outer city.」

Wan Jingxing watched his son, who was laughing heartily as he swung on the swing in the courtyard, an anxious fire burning inside him. His wife sat to one side. Seemingly aware of his emotions, she softly asked, "Have you not rested well lately? You're finally home; just take a good rest and sleep a bit more. Back when you practiced Alchemy, you would always sleep for a long time to recover after refining a batch."

"Let those outside keep watching. My son and I rarely go out anyway; there's nothing to worry about. Don't pay attention to them."

Having been under house arrest and surveillance for so long, Wan Jingxing's wife had naturally noticed something amiss. However, her martial skills were inferior to her husband's. Only through the continuous consumption of low-grade elixirs had she barely managed to reach the Skin Grinding Realm. Faced with the Qin Family's surveillance, what could she do? Her best option was to go out less and stay at home more; that was where she felt most at ease.

"Hmm." Grasping his wife's hand, Wan Jingxing let out a sigh.

If I had known things would turn out this way, I would never have left. I originally thought that since Heishan County was surrounded by mountains, making the journey arduous, it would be very inconvenient to bring my wife and child. Therefore, I had hoped the Qin Family, considering my years of service, would take care of them. Once I became a full-fledged Middle Grade Alchemist, I would naturally return to the County City. But unexpectedly, I had merely mentioned it casually. What I received wasn't the Qin Family's support and assistance, but house arrest and threats! Noble families... so this is what noble families are truly like!

Wan Jingxing couldn't help but clench his teeth in frustration.

A month had passed. He still didn't know if that young man would act. He had already done his utmost, telling him everything he knew. He had even secretly demonstrated Alchemy several times in his room. If the young man still couldn't learn, it shouldn't be his fault, right?

He inhaled deeply, his palms sweating without him noticing.

「Meanwhile, outside the courtyard.」

In a small courtyard diagonally opposite, Zuo Dechun, reeking of alcohol, had just woken up and emerged from his room yawning. He addressed the Silver Token Official standing on the wall, "We've been watching for so long, what's there to see? Isn't it enough that Wan hasn't run away?"

"Ah, Senior Zuo has awakened." Hearing Zuo Dechun's voice, the Silver Token Official turned, a flattering smile on his face. "Wasn't it Senior Zuo who said that Wan's Alchemy skills are mediocre, but his taste in women is quite good? I'm just helping you keep an eye out. If Wan really tries to flee, we'll capture him immediately. Then, that little wench will be yours to command, Senior Zuo."

"You certainly have a way with words. In a few days, I'm going to collect a bottle of Inner Strength Pills. When the time comes, I'll give you one. Stick with me, and I won't let you lose out."

An image of that voluptuous figure flashed through Zuo Dechun's mind, and a smile spread across his face.

Within the Qin Family of the County City, among the Jade Token Officials, he indeed ranked at the bottom. But a Refining Internal Realm expert was, after all, a Refining Internal Realm expert! How could he possibly lack for women? However, when he thought back to his days in the Bone Forging Realm, when elixirs were scarce... He then thought of the low-grade Alchemists whose status once surpassed his own, who had never lacked for elixirs. Now, the roles were reversed. He was a Refining Internal Realm Jade Token Official. And Wan Jingxing? Reduced to a low-grade Alchemist under house arrest by the Qin Family. Even his wife and child were under Zuo Dechun's surveillance. With a single thought, he could do as he pleased. An indescribable thrill surged through his heart, churning endlessly.

He sat on a stone bench, put the wine jug to his lips, and gulped.

No rush. The Qin Family still had use for this Wan. Only when Wan brought about his own doom could he, Zuo Dechun, make his move. What a pity.

"Thank you, Senior Zuo. Actually, I recently acquired a potent drug. They say even the most chaste and virtuous woman, after taking it, will become an unrestrained seductress. Once Wan is gone, would Senior like to try it? If things go smoothly, that little wench wouldn't dare run crying to Wan. After all, with matters like these... hehe..."

"You've got some nerve!"

"If that doesn't work, we can take it slow. The first time, just drug her unconscious, Senior. You can then have your way with her. As long as you don't cross that final line, leaving some leeway, the little wench definitely won't dare make a big fuss. Senior Zuo can then console her, say some sweet things. A few days later, visit her to apologize, and then give her a little more of the drug..."

"Rest assured, Senior, I've used these methods many times; they work like a charm. Women always find ways to convince themselves. As long as you don't scare her off immediately, a gradual approach will make her succumb. Besides, Wan isn't by her side, and she must be lonely, right?"

The Silver Token Official chuckled. Zuo Dechun's eyes narrowed in response.

His heart fluttered with excitement. He lost himself in fantasies.

And at that moment, a soft noise suddenly erupted. BANG.

Zuo Dechun swiftly opened his eyes, only to see that the Silver Token Official, who had just been squatting on the wall joking with him, had collapsed to the ground in a pool of blood. Simultaneously, a flash of blade light streaked before his eyes.

Azure Dragon True Strength.

Four Seasons Blade Technique: Spring Rain.

Spring Rain is silent. So too is killing. The blade draws blood instantly.

Before Zuo Dechun could react, the blade's edge sliced through his throat. He tried to make a sound, but his opponent had apparently anticipated it, flicking a pebble that struck him squarely in the throat.

BANG!

Another familiar soft noise, and the body fell to the ground.

He routinely searched the corpses and found some silver notes, which Jiang Shu tucked into his robes.

Although he had only tempered his spleen and reached the entry-level of the Vermilion Bird True Strength and Azure Dragon True Strength, his current strength was already no less than that of an average Refining Internal Realm expert who had tempered three organs. Dealing with a Bone Forging Realm cultivator and an old Refining Internal Realm martial artist who had only tempered a single organ... it was truly like slaughtering chickens.

Having wiped the alloy broadsword clean, he returned it to its sheath. Jiang Shu opened the courtyard door and headed directly for the small courtyard diagonally opposite. He knocked softly.

With his hearing, he could detect that the faint conversation between the couple inside abruptly ceased. Only the soft whisper of the wind and the child's carefree laughter persisted.

After a good while, the door finally opened. Watching Wan Jingxing's face shift from feigned composure to an instant daze, Jiang Shu spoke indifferently,

"They've been dealt with. Prepare yourself; it's time to leave."