Pill Valley

"Do you know why Wei Cang and I are like fire and water?"

Long Chen's heart trembled. He also wanted to know, but it was too awkward to ask such a thing. Now that Master Yun Qi brought it up, his curiosity was naturally piqued.

Through Master Yun Qi's explanation, Long Chen was surprised to learn that Yun Qi and Wei Cang were actually fellow disciples. Their master had only taken in three disciples in his lifetime.

Besides Yun Qi and Wei Cang, there was also a female disciple. That female disciple, who was Yun Qi's wife, was the person in the portrait Yun Qi had shown Long Chen, and she bore a ninety percent resemblance to Xia Baichi.

Yun Qi and Wei Cang's master was a reclusive master who, in his twilight years, finally accepted the three of them as disciples and taught them the art of alchemy.

All three of them possessed exceptional talent in alchemy, especially Yun Qi, who was the best among them and was deeply favored by his master, who imparted his knowledge to him with utmost dedication.

However, jealousy is a human trait, especially for Wei Cang, who came from humble beginnings and was cynical since childhood, making him particularly prone to it.

But he suppressed it and didn't show it until one day, when their master, advanced in age and nearing the end of his lifespan, summoned Yun Qi and handed him a nameplate.

"Heh heh, the feud between Wei Cang and me began with this nameplate."

Master Yun Qi sighed, and a bronze nameplate appeared in his hand. As soon as the nameplate materialized, the entire room instantly heated up, as if it were a red-hot piece of iron.

Long Chen looked at the nameplate. The front was engraved with an exquisite pill cauldron, radiating myriad rays of light, appearing incredibly lifelike.

The back of the nameplate depicted a landscape painting of mountains and water. Amidst the scenery, there was a valley shrouded in ethereal mist, giving it a hazy appearance. Looking at the painting, Long Chen felt his mind become exceptionally clear.

"This is the heirloom my late master left me. For this, my fellow disciple and I turned against each other, and my beloved wife was implicated and perished. Alas..."

Master Yun Qi caressed the nameplate in his hand, his expression complex, tinged with resentment and desolation.

Long Chen didn't know what to say. Master Yun Qi composed himself and continued his story.

When his master gave the nameplate to Yun Qi, it was a private affair between the two of them. However, Yun Qi didn't know how Wei Cang later found out about the nameplate's existence and began demanding it from Yun Qi.

Yun Qi refused. After Wei Cang's persistent pestering yielded no results, and seeing that he was no match for Yun Qi, he finally extended his wicked hand towards their junior sister.

Master Yun Qi and his junior sister had long harbored feelings for each other. Wei Cang ambushed her and used her life to threaten Yun Qi.

However, to everyone's surprise, the junior sister, usually gentle and demure, possessed a fierce spirit and, in a fit of rage, took her own life.

This panicked Wei Cang. Yun Qi, his murderous intent surging, finally erupted, wanting to tear Wei Cang to shreds to avenge his junior sister.

Although Wei Cang's alchemy skills were far inferior to Yun Qi's, his combat prowess was only slightly less than Yun Qi's.

Knowing he was outmatched, Wei Cang fled, with Yun Qi pursuing him for thousands of miles. However, Wei Cang still managed to escape. For the next thirty years, Yun Qi relentlessly searched for news of Wei Cang, seeking revenge for his junior sister.

But Wei Cang was extremely cunning and refused to reveal himself, frequently hiring experts to assassinate Yun Qi. During that period, Yun Qi was ambushed several times and nearly died.

Later, Yun Qi emerged from his hatred. He realized that if he continued like this, not only would he fail to get revenge, but he would also lose his own life.

Thus, relying on his formidable alchemy skills, he joined the Alchemist Guild and became its president, temporarily setting his hatred aside.

However, just a few years ago, Wei Cang suddenly reappeared, and his identity turned out to be the president of the Alchemist Guild as well.

Despite the thirty-year gap, their hatred had not diminished in the slightest, and the two had clashed fiercely several times.

Over the years, Wei Cang had diligently practiced the Yin Sha Poison Palm. In their several fierce battles, Yun Qi, though slightly superior, could not defeat him, and Wei Cang always managed to escape.

In the last two years, their confrontations had become less frequent, mainly because they both understood each other's strengths and weaknesses, making it pointless to waste energy unless they could find a way to deliver a fatal blow. Neither was willing to make the first move.

"You're very curious, aren't you, about what this nameplate is, worth us fighting so fiercely over?" Master Yun Qi asked, reaching this point in his story.

Long Chen nodded. He was indeed very curious about the origin of this nameplate that drove Wei Cang to such madness.

A mocking smile appeared on Master Yun Qi's face. "Wei Cang doesn't actually know what it is. He originally thought it was a secret technique my master favored me with. In reality, it's just an ordinary nameplate."

"An ordinary nameplate?" Long Chen exclaimed in surprise. He had caused the death of his beloved for just an ordinary nameplate?

"Yes, it's an ordinary nameplate, completely useless. But it was my master's heirloom, and he entrusted me with its safekeeping, so I had no choice.

I was already starting to waver under Wei Cang's relentless pressure and was preparing to hand it over to him for safekeeping. Who knew he would extend his wicked hand to our junior sister..." Yun Qi's face was filled with anger and killing intent.

At the same time, Long Chen saw regret and self-blame on Yun Qi's face. For a useless piece of junk, he had implicated his beloved. If it were Long Chen, he probably would have gone mad.

"This nameplate is actually a token for seeking apprenticeship," Master Yun Qi took a deep breath, calming himself, and continued.

"A token?" Long Chen was stunned.

"Yes, it's a proof of apprenticeship for the holy land of alchemy cultivation—Pill Valley. As for Pill Valley... forget it, it's too far away.

You just need to know that it is the highest belief for alchemists. In our desolate lands, no one even knows of that place.

I've carried this item for decades. Now, I'll give it to you." With that, he handed the nameplate to Long Chen.

"Master, I absolutely cannot accept this. This is something your master left you. I absolutely dare not accept it," Long Chen quickly waved his hands.

"This wasn't left to me by my master. He wanted it to be passed down. Besides, even if I give it to you, you might not be able to use it," Master Yun Qi said with a smile.

"How so?"

"This nameplate, while a stepping stone, is useless without the strength to even find the door, let alone knock on it," Master Yun Qi said with a wry smile.

"As I told you earlier, Pill Valley is the holy land in the hearts of all alchemists. How could it be so easy to enter?

With this nameplate, you also need to possess matching strength to use it, otherwise, it remains useless."

"What kind of strength is required?" Long Chen asked.

"Achieve the rank of Pill King before the age of twenty, and you can use this nameplate to register," Master Yun Qi sighed.

Upon hearing this, Long Chen's jaw dropped. Pill King? Before the age of twenty? Was he telling a fairy tale?

Master Yun Qi, a figure who had cultivated for nearly a hundred years, was only at the peak of being a Pill Master. A Pill King at twenty? That was no joke!

No wonder Master Yun Qi had that kind of expression. To risk his wife's life for such a thing, anyone would go mad.

Long Chen suddenly understood. Ever since his junior sister died, Master Yun Qi had guarded this secret tightly, all for the sake of retaliating against Wei Cang.

He made Wei Cang constantly covet the "supreme treasure" in Yun Qi's possession, making him unable to sleep and plotting against him incessantly.

Xia Baichi's appearance was likely aimed at this supreme treasure. When Long Chen appeared and considering Master Yun Qi's attitude towards him, they became vigilant.

Therefore, they wanted to kill Long Chen, leaving Master Yun Qi without a successor. If Wei Cang couldn't have it, he would let that "treasure" rot completely in Master Yun Qi's hands.

Thinking of this, Long Chen couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and exasperation. What was all this for? It was truly fate playing tricks on people.

"Although your talent is extremely high, it's a pity you were born in this remote barren land without the inheritance of a major sect. The chances of you using this nameplate are slim to none.

However, any chance is better than none. When my master gave me this nameplate, he instructed me to find someone to pass it down to.

Someone from his ancestors once entered Pill Valley, and this nameplate is their honor. Therefore, he hoped that one day, a genius would carry this nameplate and enter Pill Valley again.

For my master's promise, I've paid too great a price. Now that I'm passing it to you, I can finally let go of this burden," Master Yun Qi said with a complex expression.

It could be said that this nameplate had changed his entire life, but that change was a complete tragedy.

He even felt a trace of resentment, unsure of who to direct it towards: his master? Wei Cang? Himself? Or heaven?

Destiny was like a bored overseer, playing a huge joke on him, but the outcome was far from laughable.

He reached out and took the nameplate. Achieving Pill King at twenty—if others had no hope, it didn't mean Long Chen didn't.

"Thank you, Master," Long Chen said respectfully.

"It is I who should be thanking you. By handing over this nameplate, I have also fulfilled my master's task. I can now set my mind to doing some things," Master Yun Qi said with a smile.

Long Chen was startled: "Master... you..."

As if seeing through Long Chen's thoughts, Master Yun Qi smiled and said, "Don't worry, it's not as bad as you imagine. I won't perish together with Wei Cang. Wouldn't that be equivalent to me losing?"

Hearing Master Yun Qi say this, Long Chen felt much relieved. If he took the nameplate and Master Yun Qi went all out against Wei Cang, resulting in mutual destruction, Long Chen would feel uneasy about it.

To sacrifice a figure like Master Yun Qi for that old lecher was truly like smashing a mouse with a priceless piece of porcelain.

"Child, there isn't much I can teach you, but you are the person I've seen in many years with the greatest hope of using this nameplate. You must work hard," Master Yun Qi said, unable to resist nagging a bit despite not wanting to say more.

If Long Chen could enter Pill Valley, for a Pill Cultivator, it would be like ascending to immortality. What could be more anticipated than that?

"Master, rest assured, your disciple will continue to work hard."

Although Master Yun Qi had not taken Long Chen as a disciple before, it was to prevent Long Chen from facing a deadly threat, as Wei Cang was watching him covetously.

Now that Long Chen's relationship with Wei Cang was known to all, Long Chen simply addressed him as a disciple to express his respect for the elder.

Before leaving, Master Yun Qi cautioned Long Chen to be constantly vigilant and prevent the other party from resorting to desperate measures. Long Chen nodded in agreement.

Emerging from the Alchemist Guild, he headed straight home. His body had fully recovered and he could safely return.

As he rounded the corner and looked towards his own doorstep, Long Chen's eyes widened.

"What's going on?"