The Life-Devouring Pill

Half a quarter of an hour later, Ning Chen looked at the jade slip in his hand, which contained the method for condensing Poison Pills, and felt quite satisfied.

Yao Chen was probably secretly wondering if he was some Dou Sheng Expert who had spent years hidden away from the world... Ning Chen thought to himself, struggling to keep the grin off his face.

Dealing with clever people like Yao Chen and Xiao Xun'er was simple.

He just had to appear stronger, more mysterious, and more knowledgeable than they imagined.

That way, he could reap a wealth of "surprise points" while keeping the initiative in every conversation and transaction firmly in his hands.

With the original story and the "Wu Wu Kai" system as his two cheat codes, he was confident he could baffle even Hun Tiandi if the man showed up today.

When you were out in the world, you decided who you were.

If he said he was a Dou Sheng, then he was one. So what? Got a problem with that?

"All right, you two can carry on."

With that, Ning Chen put away the jade slip and left without looking back, leaving Yao Chen and Xiao Yan staring at each other.

Only after Ning Chen's figure had vanished at the end of the path down the mountain did silence return to the cliff top, broken only by the mournful wind.

After a moment, Xiao Yan scratched his head and looked at the odd old man in front of him.

"Hey, old man... what you said just now, about taking me as your disciple... were you serious?"

"Cough, cough... This old man always keeps his word. Of course I was serious." Yao Chen put on the airs of a Dou Zun expert once more.

"Kid, you may have wasted three years, but you've tempered your character well, and your aptitude is decent. Especially that stubborn refusal to give up... You're very much to this old man's liking. So, what do you say? Become my disciple, and I guarantee you won't regret it."

Xiao Yan rolled his eyes and snapped, "So I'm to your liking? Is that why you drained my Dou Qi for three years? Three years! Do you have any idea what I've been through?"

"Tch, enough talk. Are you going to learn from me or not?"

"Yes, yes!"

After returning to his lodgings, Ning Chen didn't immediately examine the Poison Pill condensation method Yao Chen had given him. He'd only asked for it today to prepare for Xiao Yi Xian's situation later on. There was no need to rush.

"System, open the panel."

With a thought, the system panel appeared before him.

Ning Chen opened the shop and scrolled down through the pills. Before long, a top-grade seventh-tier pill came into view.

"The Life-Devouring Pill."

The Life-Devouring Pill was a top-grade seventh-tier pill that had shocked the entire Dou Qi Continent many years ago. Anyone who took it could rise from Da Dou Shi to Dou Wang.

But every gain came at a cost. The consequence of such a heaven-defying ability was that the user had only three years left to live.

There were only two ways to survive.

First, break through to the Dou Emperor Realm within three years and elevate one's life level.

Second, take a pill that could extend one's lifespan.

This was the better pill Ning Chen had prepared, better even than the Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill.

With the system at his disposal, even if he couldn't break through to Dou Emperor within three years, he could simply exchange for a life-extending pill and keep himself alive.

"Fifteen thousand surprise points. Not expensive at all."

A top-grade seventh-tier pill sold for just fifteen thousand surprise points. Ning Chen wasn't surprised. Its side effects were simply too severe: the strong had no use for it, and the weak wouldn't live long even after taking it.

"System, exchange for one Life-Devouring Pill," Ning Chen said to himself.

As fifteen thousand surprise points were deducted, a blood-red pill slowly emerged from the system panel.

The pill looked exceedingly strange. At a glance, it resembled a transparent bead filled with blood.

After steadying himself, Ning Chen's gaze sharpened. He pinched the Life-Devouring Pill between his fingers and swallowed it without hesitation.

Two and a half days later.

"Hah..."

Ning Chen let out a long breath of hot air and slowly opened his eyes.

A flash of crimson-gold light flickered in his pupils and vanished. His incredibly powerful aura swept out uncontrollably, making the doors and windows bang.

One-Star Dou Wang!

"So this is the power of a Dou Wang..."

Feeling the fresh power surging ceaselessly through his body, Ning Chen's lips curved with satisfaction.

When he'd been a Da Dou Shi, sensing the energy of heaven and earth had been like peering through frosted glass: blurry and difficult.

Now, that barrier seemed to have shattered completely. Everything was crystal clear, giving him the sense that all things in heaven and earth were within his grasp.

Of course, that was only an illusion caused by his major breakthrough.

"Dou Qi Wings..."

At a thought, crimson light welled behind Ning Chen and gathered into a pair of magnificent wings, each about a zhang wide, formed entirely from flaming Dou Qi.

The wings flapped lightly, lifting him off the ground and suspending him in the air. A feeling of freedom, as if he'd escaped the bonds of the earth, rose within him.

"Now that I've reached Dou Wang, I don't have to worry about getting around anymore."

"Otherwise, no matter how well I put on an act, people might still wonder. Fine, maybe I don't travel through the air, but how could I not even use Dou Qi Wings and instead trudge along on foot?"

Ning Chen folded away his Dou Qi Wings and landed steadily. After checking that he hadn't left anything behind, he opened the door and went out.

There was nothing left in Wutan City that required his involvement. It was time to leave.

When Xiao Zhan learned that Ning Chen was about to depart, he personally saw him off. His expression was complicated, but he made no real attempt to persuade him to stay.

He knew that the Xiao Clan, with its current standing, could not contain a figure as unfathomable as Ning Chen.

There was no point in trying to hold him back. Better to establish a good relationship; perhaps they would meet again someday.

The two exchanged brief farewells at the Xiao Clan's entrance. Ning Chen then turned away without hesitation and headed for the Mittel Auction House.

As he reached the grand entrance to the auction house, a sweet, alluring voice tinged with delight rang out.

"Mr. Ning, what an honor to have you visit. Ya Fei should have welcomed you sooner. Please forgive me."

Ya Fei, dressed in a red gown, was waiting just inside.

Her makeup was even more exquisite than usual. Her eyes shimmered as she looked around, and she blended allure with poise to perfection. She hurried over, trailing a captivating fragrance.

"Miss Ya Fei, you certainly get news quickly." Ning Chen gave a slight nod.

"Sir, you're the most esteemed guest of our auction house. Naturally, Ya Fei keeps a close eye on your whereabouts."

Ya Fei smiled sweetly and turned to lead the way.

"This isn't the place to talk. Please come with Ya Fei. There's news about the matter you entrusted to us."

She led Ning Chen into a quiet, luxurious room on the top floor, poured him tea herself, and sent the others away.

"Judging by the look of things, are you leaving Wutan City?"

Ya Fei asked as if in passing, but her beautiful eyes quietly watched Ning Chen's reaction.

"Yes. My business here is finished. It's time to see what else is out there." Ning Chen took a sip of tea and replied calmly.

Ya Fei's heart stirred.

So he really was leaving! A figure like him would only ever stay briefly in a place like Wutan City.

Her thoughts raced. How could she establish a firmer connection with this mysterious expert?

Even aside from the benefits this would bring the Mittel Family, just a slight connection to such a powerful and mysterious figure could change her own standing completely.

The chance would be fleeting—perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Ya Fei's smile remained unchanged as she smoothly continued the conversation.

"With your abilities, sir, the world is yours to roam. First, let me congratulate you: the Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill and the top-grade Qi Recovery Pill you entrusted to us have fetched sky-high prices at our branches in Jia Ma Holy City and the Chu Yun Empire. As you requested, we took no gold coins and exchanged everything for goods instead."

She clapped her hands lightly, and a maid entered carrying a silver tray lined with brocade. Two items rested on it.

One was a pale-purple scroll, and the other was a jade slip containing information.

"After searching and carefully selecting from many possibilities, we believe these two items may be worthy of your attention."