Passing the Torch / Poaching

Outside Alchemy Hall

The Elders dropped the act, each checking which medicinal ingredients their own family had. They wanted to get their hands on pills as soon as possible—they were desperate to break through.

After all, their families had been passed down for many years and had deep foundations. They each had a dedicated storehouse for rare medicinal ingredients.

Whale Rubber in particular, the sacred medicine for men, could be found in almost every Elder's home.

But they couldn't remember what else they had, so they would need to check the inventories in their family storehouses.

If they were missing anything, they would offer a hefty price to buy it.

Before long, quite a few Soul Masters who had these rare medicinal ingredients in storage were tempted. And with Spirit Hall's good reputation, some were willing to sell.

Word spread quickly, and the major powers across the Douluo Continent received the news. Connecting it with Spirit Hall's recently established Alchemy Hall, they began to form a vague guess.

Were they going to start researching medicine?

Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City, Moonlight Pavilion

A graceful, elegant woman sat in a luxurious, refined room. At first glance, she seemed to be twenty-seven or twenty-eight, but her eyes appeared to have seen through everything in the world. They were beyond what a woman of that age could possess.

Her silver palace gown fit her perfectly. In terms of bearing alone, she could rival Bibi Dong, who had once been Spirit Hall's Saintess.

The difference was that she lacked the confidence and resilience of a powerhouse that Bibi Dong possessed.

Moonlight Pavilion was the Heaven Dou Empire's court school of etiquette, specializing in teaching various noble manners.

This graceful woman was Lady Yue, the head of Moonlight Pavilion.

Her real name was Tang Yuehua, the biological younger sister of the Clear Sky Sect's leader, who had once headed the greatest sect under heaven.

But ever since that incident seven years ago, the Clear Sky Sect's reputation had been ruined. The sect had sealed itself off, and their father's health had deteriorated day by day. He passed away not long afterward.

Her eldest brother inherited the position of sect leader. But to maintain contact with the outside world and gather intelligence, he deliberately sent Tang Yuehua out of the sect. She had little renown, and her Martial Soul wasn't the Clear Sky Hammer. She stayed outside to gather information and deliver supplies. After all, the Clear Sky Sect disciples on the mountain still needed food and daily necessities, and they needed to keep abreast of the situation.

However, Tang Yuehua had a special Martial Soul and was a weakling who could never break through to level nine. In a world dominated by the strong and the nobility, she had to give up certain things to gather information and earn money—things like her dignity and her body.

Relying on her beauty and the Clear Sky Sect's formidable strength, she had formed a special intimate relationship with Emperor Xue Ye. With him as her backing, she established Moonlight Pavilion, a court school of etiquette, and built an extensive network of connections.

Her philosophy was that strength wasn't everything. One had to learn to protect oneself without relying on strength, master the art of language, know how to navigate among the various powers, and understand how to wield authority.

Chapter 54: Passing the Torch

Tang Yuehua could move among the many powerful nobles and maintain friendly relations with them thanks not only to Emperor Xue Ye's support, but also to her own intelligence and emotional savvy.

After reading about Spirit Hall's recent activity, she too thought that Spirit Hall wanted to research medicine. But her thoughts went further and ran deeper.

She knew that helping commoner Soul Masters was central to Spirit Hall's mission, and it had already shown this in many ways.

For example, Spirit Hall offered free Martial Soul awakenings. Its Soul Masters would even travel to remote mountain villages to help the residents awaken their Martial Souls, despite such villages producing a Soul Master only once every few decades, if that. It had established Soul Beast Forests, given subsidies to Soul Masters, and supported Work-Study Students so children from poor families could attend school.

Spirit Hall had even helped the Heaven Dou Empire repel an invasion from the Star Luo Empire. It had gone to all that trouble for no benefit at all. If war had broken out between the two empires, Spirit Hall could easily have let them fight and then reaped the rewards. But instead, it had openly displayed its strength and helped the Heaven Dou Empire prevent war.

As a shrewd woman who looked out for her own interests, Tang Yuehua mocked Spirit Hall's foolishness in her heart, yet couldn't help admiring its greatness.

In her view, the establishment of Alchemy Hall was likely connected to Spirit Hall's plans for the future.

Knowing Spirit Hall's ways, she figured that all these pills would eventually enter the market and benefit commoners and commoner Soul Masters.

Although Spirit Hall had refused to help the Clear Sky Sect because of the earlier incident involving a man and a beast, breaking off relations between the two sides, that didn't stop Tang Yuehua from planning to take advantage of Spirit Hall.

There were no computers or mobile phones in this era, communication was underdeveloped, and information traveled slowly. To receive their subsidies, Soul Masters only had to bring proof to Spirit Hall and display their Martial Souls and Soul Rings.

The Clear Sky Hammer was a distinctive Martial Soul in the eyes of some major powers, but few people in remote towns knew about it. It wouldn't be difficult to claim the benefits.

Besides, Spirit Hall had a large number of people, and some of them were bound to be corrupt. With Tang Yuehua's connections, it wouldn't be difficult to help the Clear Sky Sect obtain those pills.

This was, in fact, how many powers operated. They feared and resisted Spirit Hall, but that didn't stop them from taking advantage of it.

The various nobles and major powers made plenty of use of those Soul Beast Forests, and they collected the subsidies Spirit Hall distributed without hesitation.

After enjoying so many benefits, the first thing they wondered was what they could gain from Alchemy Hall.

But they were disappointed. Alchemy Hall was a department established by Qian Xunji himself, and for now, it was only open to Spirit Hall members. What's more, with too few alchemists, there was only one branch in Spirit City, and it couldn't keep up with demand.

Applications to exchange for pills had piled up into one stack after another, forming what looked like a small mountain from a distance. The greatest demand was for healing pills and pills that replenished Soul Power and stamina. These were mainly needed by the combat-focused members of Spirit Hall who went on missions. Most of them were responsible for hunting Evil Soul Masters, killing powerful Soul Beasts that had escaped the forests, and capturing wanted criminals who had committed murder and other crimes.

Bibi Dong had done this kind of work before. It was the most dangerous, and the casualties were highest. Spirit Hall didn't force anyone to take these dangerous missions; they volunteered, driven by their convictions and perseverance.

Bibi Dong, for example, had seen her hometown slaughtered by Evil Soul Masters. She hated them with all her heart and wanted to kill them whenever she saw them.

The others were much the same. Because of what they had suffered, they wanted to save more people.

They were almost all completely loyal to Spirit Hall, which had saved them. And they passed this way of thinking on to the next victim Spirit Hall rescued.

The torch passed from hand to hand, its flame never dying!

As long as the gods didn't descend, it would be difficult to defeat Spirit Hall. Even if it truly fell, its legacy would never be extinguished.

It might take on a different name and continue passing on its ideals.

The pills the Alchemy Hall apprentices learned to make in their first stage were also the ones mentioned above.

At the same time, because of the demand for supplies, the affiliated departments and families had cultivated many medicinal fields and organized teams of herb gatherers to collect rare herbs from the dangerous Soul Beast Forests.

After absorbing the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum Douluo had successfully broken through. His Martial Soul had grown stronger, and the upper limit of his talent had increased.

True to their agreement, Chrysanthemum Douluo had readily joined Alchemy Hall.

He wasn't a fool. As someone who loved power, he had immediately recognized Alchemy Hall's value and the worth of these pills. If the pills became widespread, they could completely replace the role of low-level, ordinary support-type Soul Masters.

The rare, high-grade pills were even more valuable resources. Even the Elders in the Worship Hall might come knocking to ask for some.

Besides, he was a pharmacist well-versed in medicine himself. By joining Alchemy Hall, he could gain valuable alchemy skills and, with his status as a Super Douluo Elder, secure a position where his word was practically law.

He even wanted to bring his old partner, Ghost Douluo, into the fold. But Ghost Douluo was still considering it.

Of course, Bian Que didn't care about any of that.

He only wanted to teach Chrysanthemum Douluo how to make the pills with the highest demand, then hand the apprentices over to him so he could sleep soundly in peace.

Chapter 55: Poaching

With Chrysanthemum Douluo's addition, the Alchemy Hall gained a Titled Douluo. A Titled Douluo's constitution meant he could go a month without sleep and still survive, so he worked overtime making pills and teaching the apprentices.

He had indeed gained a say in Alchemy Hall—but he had also lost his right to rest.

When Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo met again, Ghost Douluo nearly thought his old friend had awakened a Ghostly Martial Soul.

When Yue Guan saw his old partner, Gui Mei, his eyes lit up. Even his normally pale face gained a little color.

"Brother, you finally came! I've already negotiated the terms for you. If you join Alchemy Hall, you can choose any three Immortal Pills."

Yue Guan used himself as an example. "You watched me break through, so you should know how good these Immortal Herbs and Immortal Pills are. With the right combination, three Immortal Pills can definitely help you break through."

Ghost Douluo had been somewhat put off by Chrysanthemum Douluo's ghostly appearance, but he couldn't help feeling tempted again.

Breaking through level ninety-five was too difficult!

"Are you telling the truth? Three Immortal Pills?"

"Of course. I'm in charge of all the big and small matters at Alchemy Hall now." Chrysanthemum Douluo put an arm around his good friend and thumped his chest as he promised.

Besides, when Bian Que learned that two Immortal Pills were being used to recruit Ghost Douluo, he had agreed without hesitation.

"Look!"

As he spoke, Chrysanthemum Douluo took out two pills that gave off a faint medicinal fragrance.

One was crystalline white, refined from the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid. Its medicinal properties were mild and rich; it could strengthen the body and dispel impurities.

The second Immortal Pill was even more marvelous. Its rich aroma gave off an air of wealth and grandeur. It had been refined from the Aromatic Silk Beauty, which was a pair of lovebirds with the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid and had complementary effects.

The final Immortal Pill looked ordinary, but its green surface seemed to bear three dewdrops. This pill had been refined from the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew. It could train the eyes to see through all manner of wondrous things.

Chrysanthemum Douluo introduced the effects of the Immortal Pills one by one.

He even cited the examples of the recent Martial Soul Evolutions: Golden Crocodile Douluo's grandson, Azure Luan Douluo's grandson, and his own Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.

Could Ghost Douluo resist such a temptation?

Of course not. Alchemy Hall had gained another powerful Titled Douluo.

Watching Bian Que leave with Ghost Douluo, Qian Xunji felt a little sad. He had lost another capable subordinate. Hmm...

He wanted to poach one of the Elders from his dad's Worship Hall!

If he wanted to, he should just do it. He had to be confident and not lose face. He was the Pope, after all. No one would dare hit him...

Except his dad.

Thinking this, the handsome blond man stood and straightened his papal robes. He walked out of the main hall, intending to head to the Worship Hall.

Then Qian Xunji had another flash of brilliance. He turned and headed for the side hall instead. Well, he hadn't seen Xiao Xue in a while. He missed her.

He only missed her, nothing else. Everyone, don't get the wrong idea!

But then—no one was there?

Qian Xunji frowned and looked at the maid beside him. "Where did Miss go?"

"Your Holiness the Pope, Miss Qian Renxue and Miss Jing have all gone to Spirit Hall Academy," the gentle-looking maid replied respectfully.

"Right! They have school!" Qian Xunji suddenly realized. He was the Pope, and he set his own working hours. He never kept track of the school calendar.

He calculated the time. It should be almost time for school to let out.

Qian Xunji decided to be a devoted father and pick up the children after school.

Then he hurried off again.

Well, tomorrow was a day off. He'd take Xiao Xue and the others to the Worship Hall. That way, the old man probably wouldn't hit him for poaching.