Vicious

Vicious

Having spent five years in Mexico, the things Lu Li had seen most were firearms and drugs.

Tijuana High School, where Lu Li studied, was already the best school in the entire region. He had only been admitted as an exception because of his outstanding grades.

But even so, selling and using opium at school was far from uncommon. Some classmates had even maliciously tried to trick Lu Li into using it!

So he recognized it at a glance—the thing inside the brocade box was Ice Crystal Opium!

That devilish stuff caused irreversible damage to the brain and Central Nervous System.

And its most vicious aspect was—its addictiveness was extremely difficult to detect!

This was a "mental addiction," a spiritual dependence. By the time one realized something was wrong, the whole person would already be ruined!

But why... had it appeared more than half a century early!?

At that moment, Wang Siqi said smugly:

"Ice Soul Powder was personally developed by Emperor of Izumo!"

Xiao Cha was utterly astonished. "Emperor of Izumo actually knows alchemy too?"

"That's right! Anything this man produces is bound to be good stuff. This medicine has received unanimous praise from many major figures in the cultivation world!"

Wang Siqi said proudly:

"You're merely a Rogue Cultivator in the Spirit Refining Realm. Being able to buy such divine medicine is a tremendous stroke of fortune. Two hundred Ocean Dollars isn't expensive, is it?"

Of course, that price was not expensive. Anyone else would surely have happily pulled out their money.

But Lu Li said quietly, "It's my first time here, so I didn't know the price. I only brought one hundred Ocean Dollars..."

The moment he said this, the two girls' expressions shifted slightly, but they clamped their mouths shut and said not one extra word.

Wang Siqi frowned.

It was normal enough for a mere Rogue Cultivator to have no money, but if he made things any easier, it would seem far too deliberate and arouse suspicion.

So Wang Siqi barked, "Kid, on the path of cultivation, every moment counts. Do not miss this opportunity!"

Lu Li quickly said, "I'll go back and get the money right now. I'll be back immediately!"

With that, he clutched the Pine Stillness Samadhi Method, pulled the two girls along, and hurried away, looking extremely anxious.

A mocking smile appeared on Wang Siqi's face.

With Lord Fan's Magic Sword Telepathy, coupled with a legendary figure like Emperor of Izumo lending his name, Rogue Cultivators simply could not resist the temptation.

They would wail and cry as they crawled into the trap themselves. Once they used the medicine, they would no longer be masters of their own fate!

What Wang Siqi did not know was that Lu Li had never planned to return.

Once they were far from the Divine Heart Society, he let out a long breath, though his expression remained incomparably grave.

That Emperor of Izumo was truly vicious beyond measure, actually resorting to such a scheme that would wipe out entire family lines.

The Divine Heart Society, along with those so-called "major figures," were so foolish it was unbelievable! They even wanted to promote it...

"No! They aren't foolish. They're... evil!!"

Lu Li suddenly realized—this thing was profit piled atop profit, and it could even control other people.

Before profit, never underestimate the depths to which people would sink!

"This world is becoming more and more wrong. I need strength!"

Seeing Lu Li's face grow increasingly grim, Xiao Cha could not help asking, "Hey~ What happened? Why did you run away?"

Wan Qing could not see, but she understood perfectly well. "Is there something wrong with that Ice Soul Powder?"

Lu Li nodded. "That's right. This is equivalent to highly purified opium, perhaps even more vicious. It must never be touched!"

"Impossible!"

Xiao Cha's eyes widened as she shouted:

"The Divine Heart Society is the government office that manages all Cultivators under heaven. It is even responsible for selecting worthy talents from among the common people. If it sells something like this, isn't it afraid of having nine generations of its family executed..."

The louder she began, the quieter her voice became. Her face also grew paler and paler, clearly having thought through the crux of it.

Wan Qing said in a trembling voice, "What the Divine Heart Society is doing will only harm those Rogue Cultivators with no backing. It is simply devoid of all conscience!"

Disciples of famous sects and great schools had no need to buy cultivation resources outside, so those independent Rogue Cultivators became the victims.

The three fell silent, and the atmosphere became somewhat oppressive.

Forcing a smile, Xiao Cha broke the deadlock:

"Ah~ Let's not borrow trouble from the future. Those lords possess heaven-reaching cultivation and see every detail clearly. They surely won't let the Divine Heart Society act recklessly."

It was barely an excuse for self-consolation, but the atmosphere eased somewhat.

Lu Li took out the book from his clothes and said, "We got a cultivation method for free, but where should we buy Calming Incense?"

Xiao Cha leaned over for a look and said:

"Pine Stillness Samadhi Method, not bad. The National Martial Arts Association sells this same book. We might as well buy the Calming Incense from the National Martial Arts Association too."

Lu Li asked curiously, "National Martial Arts means Martial Arts, right? They sell Spirit Refinement items as well?"

Xiao Cha explained:

"Martial Arts and Spirit Refinement complement one another. Those who practice martial arts must have Spirit Refinement cultivation to protect themselves before they can be called martial artists. Otherwise, they are merely 'Strongmen' with brute force."

Lu Li nodded repeatedly. If martial artists also possessed Bullet Time, their combat power would indeed multiply.

"Then let's go take a look at the National Martial Arts Association."

Next, the three young people hurried without pause to the front of an imposing dark-brown Western-style building.

This was the National Martial Arts Association's headquarters, located on East Horse Road. Lu Li and Wan Qing had also met on this very street.

As a martial artist, Xiao Cha was naturally familiar with the place. She took the lead and brought the two inside.

The moment they entered, they saw a pair of plaques hanging by the entrance, bearing eight vigorous, forceful characters—Promote Martial Arts, Strengthen the People, Defend the Nation.

The first floor of the National Martial Arts Association was also a main hall. It was far less luxurious than the Divine Heart Society's, but much livelier, with formidable men and women constantly coming and going.

"Spirit Refinement cultivation depends too much on talent, so there are few Cultivators. It is less flourishing than Martial Arts instead."

Xiao Cha casually remarked before walking to a counter in the northwest corner.

Behind the counter stood a slightly plump middle-aged man with a kind smile on his round face.

Several stacks of prepared Chinese medicinal packets sat beside him, along with swords, knives, bracers, boots, and other items. It looked exactly like a general store.

Xiao Cha took the lead, stepped forward, and called out:

"Jin Chaofeng, we have three wristwatches to pawn, valued at three hundred Ocean Dollars~"

"It's Xiao Cha. Let me see the watches."

Lu Li handed over the three watches. Jin Chaofeng put on a monocle and inspected them carefully, then said readily:

"The condition is average, but the workmanship is exquisite. They're worth that price. Does this Young Master want cash, or...?"

Lu Li said, "I want to buy Calming Incense."

At this, Jin Chaofeng looked troubled:

"I should let you all know that Calming Incense costs one hundred and fifty Ocean Dollars per box now."

"One hundred and fifty Ocean Dollars!" Xiao Cha cried. "Why has it gone up so much!"

Jin Chaofeng removed his glasses and gave a bitter smile:

"The alchemists of the Divine Heart Society suddenly cut off supply, so we can only get stock from Rogue Cultivators. Calming Incense is also a necessary item during the Spirit Concentration and Meditative Entry stages, and demand is quite high. In my view... the price will keep rising!"

Lu Li's heart stirred. In other words, although the National Martial Arts Association sold Spirit Refinement items, it did not itself possess large-scale production capabilities.

And the Divine Heart Society was certainly trying to promote that "Ice Soul Powder." At this rate, the price of Calming Incense really would rise further!

Xiao Cha happened to be unable to make the decision, so she signaled for Lu Li to decide with her eyes.

Lu Li said decisively, "Jin Chaofeng, at this price, I'll buy two boxes!"

Only then did Jin Chaofeng take a careful look at him. Cupping his hands, he said, "Young Master is generous. Please wait a moment."

He turned and entered the back hall, opened a safe, and returned with two wooden boxes a foot long.

"Your Calming Incense. Please take it."

Xiao Cha stepped forward to inspect the goods herself. She opened a box, looked and sniffed, then said with satisfaction:

"Elegant and mellow. It must be the work of a renowned master, no worse than the Divine Heart Society's!"

Jin Chaofeng smiled. "Naturally. We can't stop eating pork with hair on it just because Zhang the Butcher is gone. The association has a few old connections too."

"Alright, get back to work. We'll be leaving first~"

Xiao Cha tucked the boxes into her clothes and guarded them tightly as she and the other two hurried home.