Inner Growth Pill

"Brother Wu, you came too!"

On the platform.

Meng Hai greeted everyone with a smile, as if the previous conflict had never happened.

Wu Feng narrowed his eyes. "Today is Fangcheng's grand festival, held once a year. As the Wu Family Patriarch, I had to come, no matter how busy I was."

"But what about you, Brother Meng? I heard that Xu Town was hit by river bandits a while back, and your family's businesses suffered heavy losses."

"How are things now?"

"No need to worry, Brother Wu. We only lost a few good men. It's all been dealt with now; 'heavy losses' is putting it too strongly," Meng Hai replied with a false smile.

"Then that's good."

Wu Feng smiled faintly.

Before long.

The sun climbed to its zenith.

Golden sunlight spilled down, falling just right upon the altar beside the riverbank.

The County Governor rose to his feet, his expression solemn. His clear voice needed no amplification to carry across the entire area around the altar.

"Everyone, the auspicious hour has arrived."

"Let the ceremony begin!"

The drums thundered.

In an instant, the River Sacrifice Festival reached its climax.

All of Fangcheng erupted in excitement, and countless prayer lanterns drifted across the river.

He raised a hand to quiet the crowd. When the noise died down, he said in a deep voice, "The River God's protection brings us bountiful harvests. Today, we have prepared a prize for the First Incense."

"Whoever wins the First Incense and offers it to the River God may claim this prize!"

Everyone held their breath.

Eyes wide, they stared fixedly at the Jade Bottle in the County Governor's hand.

Reflected in the sunlight, a flawless white Medicinal Pill came into view.

"An Inner Growth Pill."

The crowd erupted.

"An Inner Growth Pill? They're actually giving away a Medicinal Pill this time."

"An Eighth Rank Medicinal Pill! After all these years, this is the first time they've offered one as a prize, isn't it?"

"What's gotten into them this year? The prize is so generous!"

Everyone's enthusiasm was instantly set ablaze.

Those who hadn't signed up were filled with regret as soon as they saw the prize.

Those who had signed up all rubbed their hands together, eager to compete.

The Inner Growth Pill was simply too tempting for anyone to react otherwise.

As a healing pill, its effects went far beyond making new limbs grow.

For Martial Artists, it could mean the difference between life and death.

"Brother Meng, why is the prize an Inner Growth Pill this time? Is the County Governor really so generous that he'd offer a Medicinal Pill of this rank?" Master Li asked in shock.

Meng Cao shook his head. "I don't know either. By rights, the prize shouldn't be a Medicinal Pill of this grade. In previous years, the most valuable prize was only a Blood-Connecting Pill."

"Exactly!"

Master Li nodded.

"In any case, the County Governor has offered an Inner Growth Pill as the prize. With everyone watching, he won't go back on his word."

Meng Cao instructed them, "When you take the stage later, you must win the First Incense."

At that moment.

A young man who had been standing beside Meng Cao all along.

The young man named Li Si cupped his fists. "Lord Meng, rest assured. I won't let you down."

Ning Yuan, standing beside Master Li, spoke up as well. "Master, Lord Meng, don't worry. No matter what, this prize will be ours."

Meng Cao nodded with a smile. "I believe in you both. You're each just half a step away from the Muscle Condensing Realm. In past years, you would both have been contenders for the First Incense."

"I believe this year will be no different."

"If you two face each other later, don't fight to the death. Just stop once one of you has the upper hand."

"I'll be heartbroken if either of you gets hurt."

"Understood."

The two answered in unison.

"With you two here, Lord Meng and I can rest easy," Master Li said with a hearty laugh. Then his smile faded. "One thing to remember: if you run into that brat, don't hold back."

"Kill him. Even the Wu Family and the County Governor won't have anything to say about it."

"Do whatever you need to do. Brother Meng and I will take responsibility if anything happens."

"Whoever kills that brat, Brother Meng and I will reward him."

The two men brightened at his words.

"Understood!"

Master Li's expression turned vicious. "He talked back to me and offended Brother Meng. At last, I've found a chance to kill him in broad daylight."

"If he gets away, I won't be able to sleep easy!"

Elsewhere.

A young woman gazed ahead, eyes burning with determination.

"Lord Wei, I'm determined to win the First Incense this time!"

Wei Yangyun chuckled. "Ying Er, you're skilled, but with your current strength, winning the First Incense will be difficult."

"With an Inner Growth Pill at stake, those people won't hold back. They won't keep their hidden geniuses under wraps anymore; they'll send them all up to compete for the First Incense."

"So the competition will be fierce this time."

"Compared to them, you don't have the advantage in strength."

"Why not leave it this year? You're only sixteen. You can compete again next year. Let's skip it this time. I'm worried you'll get hurt up there."

Zuo Ying bit her lower lip, indignant. "Lord Wei, why are you saying things that undermine my confidence? They may be strong, but I'm not someone they can push around."

"No matter what, I'm competing this year, even if I don't win the First Incense."

"I want everyone to see that women shouldn't be underestimated either!"

Wei Yangyun shook his head with a sigh. "Fine, fine. Do what you want. But if someone tries to kill you onstage, there won't be anything I can do."

A triumphant smile appeared on Zuo Ying's face. "Uncle, you're the best! Don't worry. When I get home, I'll tell Mother all about how wonderful you are."

"Besides, I'm sure you won't just stand by if my life is in danger. After all, I'm your only niece!"

"I must've owed you a debt in a past life."

Wei Yangyun pursed his lips and reminded her, "Call me Lord when we're outside!"

"Of course, Lord Wei!"

Like Wei Yangyun, Meng Cao, and Master Li, many others had talented young disciples with them.

At first, they hadn't planned to compete for the First Incense at all.

After all, revealing their talent and strength could very well invite a deadly disaster.

It simply wasn't worth it for prizes of ordinary value.

But now.

With the Inner Growth Pill on offer.

Everyone made up their minds at once.

No matter what, they had to win that pill.

After all, the Inner Growth Pill was more precious to them than anything else. It could save a life.

They wouldn't think twice about revealing their talent or strength.

They'd even send the young disciples they'd brought to their deaths.

As long as they could get their hands on that Inner Growth Pill.

It would be worth it!

And so.

After the County Governor announced the Inner Growth Pill as the prize for the First Incense.

In no time, countless young disciples were brought out from their homes and rushed to the registration booth to sign up. The sight left the registration clerk stunned.

In principle, registration couldn't continue once the deadline had passed.

But there was no helping it. Those people were the principle.

Without exception, everyone who registered late had been introduced by one of Fangcheng's most renowned bigwigs.

Did a lowly clerk handling registrations dare refuse to sign them up?

As if.

They'd kick his ass in an instant!