Hundred Herbs Scripture, Alchemy

Devil Master?

Seeing the information before him,

Ren Xiaoyao frowned as well.

According to the information Ying Huai had brought him, the Devil Master should currently have been in Youzhou, wielding overwhelming power and able to contend against the Imperial Court, with faint signs of overthrowing the Empress.

Yet the man before him

was severely wounded, nearly reduced to a cripple.

What was going on?

Ren Xiaoyao instinctively suspected that Ying Huai's intelligence had been wrong.

After all, his system could not be wrong. Since the system identified the man before him as the Devil Master, then no matter how illogical it seemed, this man was the Devil Master.

"What karma exists between me and the Devil Master?"

Regarding this,

Ren Xiaoyao was naturally quite curious.

He had never interacted with the Devil Master. He had only met Liu Ruyan, and Liu Ruyan was the Devil Master's daughter. Could their karma lie there?

Though his heart was full of doubts,

Ren Xiaoyao still chose the second option.

Though Ren Xiaoyao also understood that sheltering the Devil Master would likely be quite troublesome, whoever had wounded the Devil Master so badly was at least in the Heavenly Human Realm, perhaps even stronger.

But Ren Xiaoyao was not afraid.

When it came to his own strength,

Ren Xiaoyao possessed ample confidence.

After Ren Xiaoyao made his choice,

the corresponding information naturally appeared before his eyes.

[You made a choice and received a reward—Medicine Book: Hundred Herbs Scripture.]

While the Devil Master was still climbing the mountain, Ren Xiaoyao also received the inheritance of the Hundred Herbs Scripture.

Hundred Herbs Scripture.

This was a medicine scripture containing all manner of medicine arts formulas from throughout the world.

After receiving the inheritance of the Hundred Herbs Scripture, countless pieces of medicine arts knowledge instantly appeared in Ren Xiaoyao's mind. This knowledge was enough to help Ren Xiaoyao become a master physician.

However,

Ren Xiaoyao did not care much for medical skill. What he cultivated was the immortal path; after attaining even minor success, he had already become immune to a hundred poisons, untouched by calamity and pestilence.

What Ren Xiaoyao truly cared about

was what he could comprehend from this Hundred Herbs Scripture.

Very soon,

another line of information appeared before Ren Xiaoyao.

[Your comprehension is heaven-defying. By studying the Hundred Herbs Scripture, you have comprehended Alchemy.]

Alchemy?

Seeing this line of information,

delight appeared on Ren Xiaoyao's face as well.

To Ren Xiaoyao,

this alchemy was simply too practical.

Just as mortals could not do without medical skill,

alchemy was likewise an indispensable skill for Cultivators.

After all, once cultivation reached a certain realm, continuing to draw spiritual energy from the void became far too slow, and the speed at which one could advance one's realm would naturally become drawn out.

At such times,

one had to rely on external objects rich in spiritual energy.

Just like the spiritual energy contained within the Ten-thousand-year Ginseng spiritual medicine Ren Xiaoyao had absorbed before.

Yet simply absorbing the spiritual energy within spiritual medicine was not particularly efficient and was somewhat wasteful.

But if spiritual medicine could be refined into pills,

then the efficiency of absorbing its spiritual energy could be greatly increased.

Therefore,

alchemy was a true cultivation method.

Ren Xiaoyao did not hesitate.

He began receiving the inheritance of alchemy.

Very soon,

vast and mighty knowledge flooded into Ren Xiaoyao's mind.

However, regarding the alchemy he had comprehended on his own,

Ren Xiaoyao could not directly master it either.

He still needed to cultivate it himself.

And at this time,

the Devil Master had already reached the summit of Fulong Mountain.

The Devil Master did not go elsewhere, instead heading straight into the Night Observation Department.

Ren Xiaoyao understood in his heart

that the Devil Master should have been looking for Li Chunfeng.

However,

Li Chunfeng had not been at the Imperial Observatory these past few days.

The turmoil surrounding the Ten Thousand Year Great Medicine had completely drawn to a close.

Bai Su and Yao Luochen were no longer targets of public criticism.

Thus, Li Chunfeng personally escorted Bai Su and Yao Luochen out of Great Gan and into another nation.

From then on, the two of them would live under assumed names.

However,

at this time,

Ren Xiaoyao discovered that besides the Devil Master's figure,

there was another figure

quietly infiltrating the Imperial Observatory as well.

Though this figure was well concealed

and traveled by forest paths,

he could not hide from Ren Xiaoyao's Spiritual Sense.

"Interesting!"

Ren Xiaoyao carefully examined that figure with his Spiritual Sense.

After confirming the man's identity,

a teasing expression appeared on his face as well.

Ren Xiaoyao had not expected

that it was actually this man hunting down the Devil Master.

Ren Xiaoyao left his room and came to the steps leading upward. Upon seeing the Devil Master's figure, Ren Xiaoyao said with a smile, "Devil Master, you've finally come."

Seeing that Ren Xiaoyao recognized him,

the Devil Master's eyes widened, his expression full of surprise.

But the churning of his Qi and Blood made the Devil Master cough up two mouthfuls of blood. After wiping them away with a handkerchief, he stared at Ren Xiaoyao and said, "I know you. You are Ren Xiaoyao. Bai Su mentioned you to me. But why do you recognize me? Why did you know I would come to the Imperial Observatory?"

What surprised the Devil Master was that he had clearly disguised himself using the Art of Disguise. Even his daughter Liu Ruyan would not recognize him.

It was precisely because of this that the Devil Master had escaped one hunt after another and ultimately reached the Imperial Observatory.

Even if Ren Xiaoyao had seen his portrait before,

he should not have recognized him.

But the Devil Master did not receive Ren Xiaoyao's answer.

At this time,

a chuckle sounded from behind the Devil Master.

The Devil Master turned around.

His expression instantly became incomparably ugly.

"Devil Master, you truly can run. You actually fled all the way from Bingzhou to this Fulong Mountain in the Capital City. Do you know how hard I had to work tracking you all this way?"

The man laughed viciously.

The True Essence upon his body was vast and terrifying.

He had clearly reached the level of the Heavenly Human Realm as well.

However,

the sleeve on his right hand hung empty.

He had only one left hand.

Ren Xiaoyao was also very familiar with this man.

Because this man was Yuan Tiangang, the previous Director of the Imperial Observatory. Yuan Tiangang had once come to the Imperial Observatory because he wanted to obtain the Great Evolution Tome, and Ren Xiaoyao had cut off his right hand then.

Later, it was said that Yuan Tiangang had broken through into the Heavenly Human Realm

and died at Xiao Qingfeng's hands.

But this had been proven to be a feigned death.

Later still,

word spread outside that Yuan Tiangang had died at the Devil Master's hands.

Now, it seemed

that was not the case.

Upon seeing Yuan Tiangang, the Devil Master naturally shifted his attention away from Ren Xiaoyao. He looked at Yuan Tiangang, took a deep breath, and said, "Yuan Tiangang, I never expected that after being imprisoned by the Empress for nearly twenty years, you would still remain the Empress's running dog!"

"Running dog?"

Yuan Tiangang chuckled and said,

"That is still better than being a Lost Dog like you!"

"Everyone outside thinks the one raising the banner against the Empress in Youzhou is the Devil Master. Little did they know that man is merely one of the Empress's chess pieces. The true Devil Master will soon meet King Yama and die with hatred in his heart!"

After hearing this,

Ren Xiaoyao understood.

In Youzhou now,

the one who had united the Demonic Sect and the Dragon Capturing Organization

was not the true Devil Master.

He was the Empress's puppet.

After hearing Yuan Tiangang's words, hatred appeared in the Devil Master's eyes as he said,

"If not for you, you despicable little man, setting a trap to ambush me, how could I have ended up in such a wretched state? You dog thief, after I planned your rescue from the Capital City, you had been the Empress's undercover agent all along, hadn't you?"

"That's right!"

Yuan Tiangang admitted it openly and said with a smile,

"Is this not repaying someone in their own coin? The Devil Master is best at going undercover and lying low. How did you fail to discover my true face all this time?"

At this point,

Yuan Tiangang's expression became exceedingly proud as he said,

"In truth, my relationship with the Empress was not as hostile as it appeared. Otherwise, given the Empress's ruthlessness, she would have long since extinguished me. Why would she have imprisoned me for so many years?"

"Of course, I also knew you had always been wary of me. If I had not assassinated the Empress back then, you would never have truly lowered your guard against me, would you?"

"In truth, that was merely a martyrdom tactic staged by the Empress and me, all to completely earn your trust!"

Hearing this, the Devil Master took a deep breath and said, "You and the Empress went to such painstaking lengths to have a puppet replace me. What exactly are you plotting?"

"Want to know?"

Yuan Tiangang gave a sinister smile and said, "But I will not let you die as an enlightened ghost. Take that question with you to see King Yama!"

As his words fell,

True Essence surged across Yuan Tiangang's body.

Killing intent ran rampant.

Seeing this, the Devil Master wore a grave expression, then gave a Cold Laugh and said,

"Yuan Tiangang, this is the Imperial Observatory. Have you forgotten that my junior brother in the Imperial Observatory is suspected of being in the Martial Saint Realm? Do you think you can still leave alive if you make a move here?"

"Hahaha!"

After hearing the Devil Master's words, Yuan Tiangang wore an utterly mocking expression as he said,

"Devil Master, you probably do not know that Li Chunfeng descended the mountain from the Imperial Observatory several days ago. Otherwise, why do you think I dared come to Fulong Mountain?"

Hearing this,

the Devil Master's expression abruptly changed.

The reason he had come to the Imperial Observatory

was because of Li Chunfeng.

He believed that no matter what happened,

Li Chunfeng would be able to shelter him.

But Li Chunfeng was not at the Imperial Observatory.

This was bad!

He was afraid he was about to bring a disaster upon the Imperial Observatory!

At that moment, Yuan Tiangang's gaze fell upon Ren Xiaoyao, and he said sinisterly, "You kid, I remember you. You are Li Chunfeng's disciple. Your Master cut off one of my arms. You will repay that debt for him!"

After hearing Yuan Tiangang's words,

Ren Xiaoyao merely shook his head.

No magnanimity at all!

If Yuan Tiangang wanted revenge against Li Chunfeng,

Ren Xiaoyao would still have felt

that Yuan Tiangang was someone of consequence.

But now, Yuan Tiangang believed himself no match for Li Chunfeng, so he intended to vent his resentment on an ordinary person like him. Ren Xiaoyao felt that Yuan Tiangang was nothing but trash.

Seeing this, the Devil Master's expression grew even uglier. He stepped in front of Ren Xiaoyao, wanting to protect him.

But the Devil Master's condition had already deteriorated to the extreme, leaving him on the verge of collapse. The moment he sensed Yuan Tiangang's True Essence, before he could even make a move, that aura sent him coughing up mouthful after mouthful of blood.

Yuan Tiangang had no interest in the Devil Master.

The Devil Master was already ruined.

He was more interested in Ren Xiaoyao.

Seeing this, the Devil Master said angrily, "Yuan Tiangang, what kind of hero attacks a child? You may kill or carve me up as you please, but spare this child!"

"Ha ha ha!"

Hearing the Devil Master's words, Yuan Tiangang revealed a mocking expression and said,

"You are the Devil Master, the Sect Master of the Demonic Sect. You should slaughter the innocent and be cold and heartless. Yet you insist on being loyal and righteous. No wonder you have fallen to such a state!"

Then Yuan Tiangang's gaze fell upon Ren Xiaoyao. A cruel smile appeared at the corner of his lips as he said,

"Let me recall exactly how Li Chunfeng cut off my arm back then. I will do the same to you. I will tear off your hands, your arms, and your head."

Having said that,

Yuan Tiangang even licked his lips excitedly.

"Then let me help you remember."

Ren Xiaoyao spoke blandly.

He casually pointed a finger.

A fierce Gang Sword spilled from his fingertip.

In that instant,

Yuan Tiangang sensed an incomparably terrifying threat.

But Yuan Tiangang had no time to make any response.

Crack!

By the time Yuan Tiangang came back to his senses,

he only felt a heart-piercing agony from his Left Shoulder.

His only remaining left arm had fallen to the ground.

Blood splattered everywhere.

By Yuan Tiangang's ear,

Ren Xiaoyao's calm voice rang out once more.

"Now, do you remember?"