The Old Lord's Pill Shocks the World

After two successive groups of "experts" came calling, both visits ended in a sorry spectacle: their instruments were ruined, and their convictions shattered. The danger rating and mystery level assigned to Lin Fan's tiny rented apartment in the official surveillance files had quietly risen by several levels. Chen Jing read the report her subordinate had submitted, which meticulously recorded both "debunking" attempts and their utterly baffling test results. She remained silent for a long time before issuing a single order: "Maintain the highest level of surveillance. Avoid all forms of contact or provocation unless absolutely necessary." She understood better than those experts that what the "special beings" in that room had displayed was no "high technology" or "trickery." It was a power that truly surpassed the limits of current knowledge. Before they understood the situation and their intentions, any rash action could bring disastrous consequences.

Online, scattered discussions about the "clay statue incident" and the "smoking instruments incident" were deliberately suppressed, more or less, and never grew into a major media storm. Still, in certain small circles interested in the supernatural and the occult, Lin Fan's name and the Residential Complex where he lived had already become an alluring and dangerous legend, drawing the attention of some reckless thrill-seekers and fanatical enthusiasts. But after seeing the experts' miserable fate, no one dared to show up and "explore" just yet.

Compared with the turmoil outside, the apartment entered a relatively peaceful spell. Perhaps the last trace of pressure Tong Tian had inadvertently let slip had served as a warning. Even the constant feeling of being watched from outside the windows seemed to grow more cautious and restrained.

Lin Fan was glad to have some peace and quiet, and devoted himself even more to cultivation. Nourished by the Breath Soil and the many creations infused with Dao rhythm, he grew increasingly adept at practicing the Supreme Clarity Heart-Cleansing Mantra. Though he still found it difficult to deliberately draw out that wondrous Innate Qi, his spirit grew stronger and his mind clearer by the day. He could even vaguely sense blockages in some of his meridians when he looked inward, as if the mantra were gradually clearing and regulating them. The discovery delighted him. It was as if he had glimpsed a faint but steadfast dawn in the darkness.

Tong Tian continued his silent struggle against the suppression of the laws of heaven and earth, tempering his sword intent and refining his sword heart. His aura grew ever deeper and more restrained. Whenever he opened his eyes, the depths in his gaze seemed to hold an entire universe of swords, making Lin Fan afraid to meet his eyes.

Nüwa's "creation" game had entered a new phase. Static sculptures and paintings no longer satisfied her; she began arranging different "scenes" according to some mysterious pattern, as if simulating and deducing a miniature "cosmic layout" or "formation." Lin Fan had bought a half-dead pothos at the flower market and placed it between one of her newly finished paintings, Sweet Rain Descends, and a clay statue of a jade maiden holding a dew bottle. In less than a night, the pothos miraculously sprouted tender green leaves. Its foliage turned lush and vibrant, brimming with life! The astonishing change left Lin Fan dumbfounded and gave him a more direct appreciation of Goddess Nüwa's creative power. It also made him guard the "secrets" in the apartment even more carefully, afraid that even the slightest detail might leak out.

Taishang Laojun, meanwhile, seemed to have developed a keen interest in "dimensionality-reduced alchemy." Using ordinary medicinal ingredients Lin Fan had bought, such as goji berries, astragalus, angelica, and licorice, he followed some mysterious principles of combining the chief, deputy, assistant, and envoy ingredients, as well as controlling the heat and timing. He used an induction cooker and a clay pot, claiming that this was "following the way of this realm." To everyone's surprise, he actually managed to brew some medicinal liquid. It had no spiritual glow or rich fragrance, but after Lin Fan tried a sip, a gentle warmth spread through his limbs and body. His fatigue vanished, and his spirits lifted. Its effects far surpassed any health supplement on the market. Laojun seemed reasonably satisfied. Stroking his beard with a smile, he said, "Though it falls far short of the Dao of alchemy, it makes use of the nature of this realm's ordinary materials and accords with the principles of growth in heaven and earth. It offers a modest benefit, at least."

Beneath this seemingly peaceful daily routine, another thread was brewing into a new storm, all because of Taishang Laojun's "budget version" of the Yangyuan Pill.

At Black Tiger Gang headquarters, in a lavishly decorated but tacky office.

The gang leader, Zhao Black Tiger, was a bald man around fifty, tall and heavily jowled, with a vicious glint in his eyes. He sat in a wide leather executive chair. Standing before him was Wang Meng, whose twisted facial scar and respectful expression were tinged with excitement.

"Meng, are you sure that pill... is really that miraculous?" Zhao Black Tiger toyed with the antique-looking jade bottle in his hand. It was the bottle of Yangyuan Pills Lin Fan had given Wang Meng. The stopper had been removed, and only one pill remained inside, about the size of a longan. It had a smooth, warm hue and gave off a faint medicinal fragrance.

"Absolutely, Brother Tiger!" Wang Meng replied excitedly. "I had three brothers I trust try it! One's an old hand who's been with me for years. He'd suffered an old injury from his younger days as a fighter, and it always hurt badly on rainy days. After he took the pill, he said his whole body felt warm the next day, and the old injury felt as comfortable as if it had a hot towel pressed against it. He hasn't complained of pain once these past few days!"

He swallowed and continued, "Another one's the best fighter at the club. He took an internal injury during a clash a few days ago and kept coughing up blood. After taking the pill, he stopped coughing that very night, and his complexion improved a lot! The most important one was the third guy, a new recruit with a clean bill of health. I had him take the pill and then put his fitness to the test! His grip strength, endurance, and reaction speed all improved by nearly ten percent! And his energy was terrifying—he stayed sharp all night without sleeping!"

As Zhao Black Tiger listened to Wang Meng's report, a frightening gleam blazed in his vicious eyes. At his level, money and women were no longer his greatest ambitions. What mattered most was holding on to his position, expanding his influence, and living longer and more comfortably. This little pill had demonstrated that it could heal old injuries, speed recovery, and even improve physical fitness! Every one of those effects struck at the heart of what he wanted.

"Is this the only one left?" Zhao Black Tiger asked, rubbing the jade bottle with a hint of greed in his voice.

"That kid said there was only one 'life-saving pill,' and he wanted a hundred million for it. This Yangyuan Pill isn't nearly as effective, but it's still a good thing." Wang Meng hurriedly added, "Brother Tiger, that kid seemed pretty strange. He didn't seem like an ordinary person. The last time we met at the teahouse, he wasn't scared of me or my brothers at all. He was steady as a mountain. And I had people look into him for a long time. His record was as clean as a blank sheet of paper—just an ordinary wage worker. But lately, he's somehow gotten mixed up in all sorts of strange incidents, and it seems like a few even stranger people are living with him..."

A trace of wariness flashed through Zhao Black Tiger's eyes. He had made it to the top of Jiangcheng's underworld through more than just ruthlessness. He also knew how to read a situation and proceed cautiously. Lin Fan's strangeness, along with pills that defied common sense, made him reluctant to use force.

"A hundred million... for a life, or for a chance to turn things around at a critical moment, isn't expensive." Zhao Black Tiger pondered, his eyes gleaming with calculation. "But we don't want just one 'life-saving pill'! If we can get our hands on a large supply of these Yangyuan Pills, we could train a group of elite fighters, or use them to build connections with people higher up..."

The more he thought about it, the more he sensed the immense profit and value hidden in these pills.

"Meng, go see that kid again!" Zhao Black Tiger made up his mind. "I can give him a hundred million! But I want to negotiate a long-term arrangement. I want more Yangyuan Pills! We can discuss the price! Also, find a way to probe into his background and see who's really standing behind him!"

"Yes, Brother Tiger!" Excitement flashed through Wang Meng's eyes, and he hurriedly agreed.

But before Wang Meng could contact Lin Fan again, an unexpected confrontation brought "Laojun's pills" to the attention of even more forces in a far more shocking way.

It began with a minor leader in the Black Tiger Gang named A Biao, who was a direct subordinate of the fighter who had tested the pill. He'd seen with his own eyes how his boss's injuries had quickly improved after taking the Yangyuan Pill, leaving him full of energy and vigor. His heart filled with longing and greed for the miraculous medicine. He knew that Brother Meng still had one pill, saved for Brother Tiger, and he didn't dare touch it. But from a few drunken remarks his boss had let slip, he'd gathered that the medicine had come from a young man named Lin Fan who lived in an old Residential Complex on the west side of the city.

Blinded by greed, A Biao started plotting. He gathered a few equally reckless thugs and decided to go behind his superiors' backs and "get" some medicine for themselves. Even if they couldn't get the medicine, kidnapping the kid and forcing him to reveal the recipe or its source would still earn them a major reward!

So, on a dark and windy night, A Biao and five thugs armed with clubs and knives quietly crept up to the entrance of the building where Lin Fan lived.

They thought they were being discreet, but every move they made had already fallen under the watchful eye of the official surveillance team.

"Team Leader, we have a situation! Six unidentified suspects carrying weapons are approaching the target's building entrance! They're suspected members of an underground organization!" The surveillance team immediately reported to Chen Jing.

Chen Jing watched the live feed from the command center, her brow furrowing. She recognized A Biao, the leader of the group. He was a minor figure in the Black Tiger Gang. "The Black Tiger Gang? What are they planning? A direct assault?" She quickly gave the order. "Teams One and Two, keep a close watch! If they attempt a violent entry, you may intervene as circumstances require, provided the target, Lin Fan, and the people inside remain safe! Remember, our priority is collecting data on the reactions of those two 'special beings'!"

She wanted to know how the two would react to the most direct kind of violent threat.

Downstairs, A Biao and the others used their tools to skillfully pick the old building's lock. They filed inside and crept toward the floor where Lin Fan lived.

Inside the apartment, the instant the building's entrance lock was picked, Master Tongtian opened his eyes. His gaze brimmed with icy intent. This time, he clearly had no intention of tolerating them.

Lin Fan had also sensed the commotion downstairs and the malice that came with it. His heart tightened, and he looked toward Tong Tian.

"Senior..."

"Wretches seeking death." Tong Tian's voice was cold. He brought two fingers together like a sword, about to strike from afar. To him, killing these few mortals was no different from crushing a few insects.

"Senior Brother, wait." Nüwa spoke up suddenly and glanced at Taishang Laojun.

Taishang Laojun chuckled and set down the medicine pestle in his hand. He had been grinding some ordinary herbs. "Junior Brother Tongtian, why use a butcher's knife to kill a chicken? These petty rogues are just right for testing a little trick I've recently devised."

As he spoke, he calmly reached into his sleeve and took out another small jade bottle. Lin Fan had never figured out just how much that sleeve could hold. This bottle was even smaller than the last, and its color was more lustrous. Laojun poured out a tiny pill, no bigger than a soybean. It was dark purple and unremarkable. He said to Lin Fan, "Young friend, simply place this pill outside the door."

Lin Fan froze for a moment. Though he didn't understand, he did as instructed and took the little pill. It felt cool to the touch and gave off no medicinal scent. He went to the door and carefully nudged it through the gap underneath. It landed right in the middle of the hallway.

The instant the pill hit the floor, something strange happened!

The tiny dark-purple pill seemed to be activated by an invisible force. It suddenly emitted an extremely faint but peculiar pulse that seemed to affect the soul directly. The pulse spread rapidly like ripples on water, enveloping the entire hallway in an instant!

A Biao and the other five thugs had just reached the stairwell landing and were about to charge up. As the invisible pulse washed over them, they froze in place!

Their eyes went blank. The ferocity and greed on their faces gave way at once to utter terror, as if they'd witnessed the most horrifying sight in the world!

"Ghosts! There are ghosts!"

"Stay back! Don't kill me!"

"Mom! Help me!"

"My money! Why has it turned to stone?!"

The six men seemed to have fallen into the most terrifying nightmare. They let out shrill screams and babbled incoherently. Some clutched their heads and ran around blindly; others swung their clubs wildly at the air. Some were so terrified that they wet themselves and collapsed to the floor in a heap, utterly humiliated. They had lost all reason, trapped in hallucinations brought on by the pill that struck at the weakest places in their hearts!

The hallway descended into chaos, filled with endless wails and howls.

Inside the apartment, Lin Fan saw the bizarre scene through the peephole and was too shocked to speak. A tiny pill, without even making contact, had left there and done nothing more—and yet it had driven six vicious thugs to the brink of a mental breakdown in an instant?! What kind of unfathomable technique was this?

Tong Tian glanced outside and gave a cold snort. "A petty trick to beguile the heart." He didn't seem particularly impressed by Laojun's method, but at least he withdrew the sword fingers he'd been about to thrust out.

Nüwa gave a slight nod. "Senior Brother Taishang's pill strikes directly at the mind and draws out inner demons. It doesn't incur the sin of killing, and it shows considerable ingenuity."

Taishang Laojun stroked his beard and smiled. "This pill is called the Soul-Startling Pill. Its main ingredient is the essence of the datura flower found in this realm, supplemented with Tranquility Grass, whose medicinal properties work in the opposite direction. It is refined with the fire of the heart and specifically targets those with weak spirits and corrupt hearts. The hallucinations they see are all born of their own evil thoughts and fears. They brought this upon themselves."

Lin Fan listened, enthralled, but also felt a chill. This pill was terrifying—like a "revealer" and "punisher" tailor-made for scum!

The commotion downstairs naturally alerted Chen Jing's team at the surveillance post. The hidden cameras installed in the hallway had captured the entire sequence clearly. They couldn't hear Laojun's explanation, but the sight of six thugs suddenly going insane after encountering some unknown force—which their instruments detected as a faint but peculiar energy pulse emanating from Lin Fan's door—sent chills down everyone's spines!

"Report, Team Leader! An unknown energy reaction appeared at the target's door! All six intruders have... lost their minds! Cause unknown!" The technician's voice trembled with disbelief.

Chen Jing watched the thugs' frenzied, grotesque behavior on the screen, her expression grim. No physical contact, no sound or light effects—just a faint energy pulse, and six grown men had fallen into the deepest horrors of their own minds! This method was beyond the scope of supernatural abilities, psychological suggestion, or any known technology. It was more like... a spell from legend! Or perhaps some incomprehensible weapon that operated on the level of the mind!

"That pill... it's the key!" Chen Jing immediately caught the detail. "Analyze the energy pulse data at once! Try to build a model! Also, notify the outer team to secretly take the thugs into custody once they can no longer move, then carry out a full medical and psychological assessment!"

She realized that the terrifying effects of the pill Taishang Laojun had casually taken out—and what they represented—were far more direct and shocking than Nüwa's artworks imbued with Dao rhythm. They were also... far more dangerous!

"One pill from the Old Lord, and the world is shaken..." Chen Jing murmured. She knew how great a shock this latest surveillance report and its data would cause among the higher-ups once submitted. This was no longer just a matter of "observing the target." It concerned an unknown and powerful technology—or power—that might overturn the existing social order and system of power.

Yet Taishang Laojun, the one behind it all, acted as if he'd done nothing more than some trivial task. He went back to fiddling with his ordinary medicinal ingredients and studying his "dimensionality-reduced Dao of alchemy." To him, that Soul-Startling Pill might truly have been nothing more than a "little trick" for testing the properties of this realm's herbs.

But when that little trick was put into play, it sent shock waves through the underworld. Zhao Black Tiger soon learned that A Biao and the others had met with a strange failure and all gone insane. Far from making him retreat, the news brought his wariness and greed toward Lin Fan—or, more accurately, the alchemist behind him—to their peak!

A Yangyuan Pill that could restore someone in an instant, a Soul-Startling Pill that could shatter someone's mind in an instant... How could those be mere ancestral recipes? They were divine powers that held life and death in the palm of one's hand!

He had to get them, whatever the cost!

At the official level, an emergency meeting among the top brass about how to redefine and handle the "Containment Center" project and its three "special beings" had also quietly begun, all because of the Old Lord's pill.

Lin Fan's peaceful days looked to be over. The storm had arrived.