Nine Heavens Vein, Zhong Yu's residence, reception hall.
Zhong Yu sat upright, chatting with an elderly man dressed in the robes of a Law Enforcement Peak elder.
This man possessed an imposing authority even without anger. He was Peak Master Xing Han of Law Enforcement Peak, from the Nine Heavens Vein, a Diheng Seat figure who held real power within Tianshu Pavilion.
Facing a true upper-echelon decision-maker of the sect, even Zhong Yu—third among the True Disciples and proud by nature—had reined in all his sharp edges, speaking with respect.
Those of the Diheng Seat had long surpassed the rank of ordinary elders. Even the foremost among the True Disciples had to treat them with utmost courtesy and dared not show the slightest neglect.
Peak Master Xing Han took a sip of tea and looked calmly at Zhong Yu. Without giving anything away, he said, "I heard that the furnace of Xuan Yang Spirit Merging Pills at Danxia Peak has reached the proper heat and will soon be opened."
Here came the real subject!
Zhong Yu's thoughts raced, but his expression remained unchanged. "Martial Uncle Xing is indeed well informed. That is correct. According to Elder Wu, the Pill Qi has condensed. Barring any mishap, the pills should be completed in less than a month."
Xing Han said slowly, "This pill... is of great use to me."
"You also know that in my early years of cultivation, I was too eager for quick success. Under the backlash of Killing Intent, I injured part of my meridian foundation. Though I later forcibly suppressed it with my cultivation, a trace of cold hidden affliction remained, difficult to eradicate. It causes no trouble ordinarily, but whenever I attempt to break through to a higher realm at a crucial moment, it flares up like