Yun Shan's Choice: On a Dark and Windy Night, Kill Pill King Gu He

A major incident occurred at the Misty Cloud Sect.

Pill King Gu He had clashed with Sect Leader Yun Yun and asked Old Sect Leader Yun Shan to uphold justice.

The conference hall.

Only a scant few people were present.

Yet every one of them was among the Misty Cloud Sect's most prominent figures.

"Old Sect Leader, please uphold justice for Gu He."

Gu He cupped his hands toward Yun Shan, who sat in the seat of honor.

Yun Shan had his eyes closed, one hand supporting his face as his fingers lightly tapped against the chair's armrest.

Once after another.

The sound echoed through the conference hall.

Though Yun Shan appeared quite composed at the moment.

He was deeply conflicted inside.

Gu He was a Sixth-grade Alchemist, capable of quickly rallying a group of powerful experts. Even Yun Shan had to treat him cautiously.

If it had been anyone else, this matter would not have been so complicated.

The Heavenly Flames could simply have gone to Gu He.

But the other party happened to be Ji Changqing.

Ji Changqing was the Yunlan Saint Son and was regarded by Yun Yun as her own child.

Not long ago, he had also revealed exceptional talent in alchemy. Given time, his future would be limitless.

What was more...

Not long ago, Yun Shan had promised to help him find Heavenly Flames.

Difficult, difficult, difficult!

It truly was hard to decide!

"Yun Leng, what do you think?"

With his eyes still closed, Yun Shan asked Great Elder Yun Leng, who stood below.

Yun Leng stepped forward. After giving the matter serious thought, he cupped his hands and said:

"I believe these Heavenly Flames should belong to Gu—"

Clang—!

Before he could even finish.

The longsword in Yun Yun's hand gave a clear ring.

She stared at Yun Leng without the slightest concealment, signaling for him to try finishing his sentence.

In truth, her personality was somewhat indecisive.

But as the saying went, a mother became strong for her child.

Though she and Ji Changqing were not truly mother and son, their bond was no less deep.

Yun Leng opened his mouth, yet he could not force out another word.

Cold sweat streamed down his wrinkled old face.

"Yun Yun, you've gone too far!"

Gu He slammed his palm onto the table and glared furiously at Yun Yun. Beyond his anger, his eyes were filled with intense resentment.

If Yun Yun treated him even one ten-thousandth as well as she treated Ji Changqing, he would have been satisfied.

"Enough."

Yun Shan spoke lightly, but his voice rang in everyone's ears like a great bell.

When did Yun Yun's aura become so powerful?!

Unlike his outward calm, Yun Shan was filled with shock and suspicion.

But this was clearly not the time to investigate it.

"Changqing, what do you have to say?"

Facing the gazes fixed on him, Ji Changqing fell silent for several seconds before speaking.

"These Heavenly Flames were found for me by my teacher."

"Heavenly Flames are the aspiration of every alchemist. Changqing will not hand them over to someone else."

Upon hearing Ji Changqing's words.

A trace of gratification flashed through Yun Yun's beautiful eyes.

Compared to retreating, she preferred hearing these words from Ji Changqing. They had not disappointed her expectations.

Nalan Yanran's little face filled with astonishment.

Eh, Senior Brother changed today.

She had thought that, given her senior brother's temperament.

He would surely refrain from competing for the Heavenly Flames and simply hand them over to Gu He.

Yet unexpectedly, Senior Brother seemed to have made an "uncompromising" decision.

"Ji Changqing, know your place. Do you think you're worthy of coveting the Heavenly Flames?!"

Gu He looked at Ji Changqing expressionlessly, a chilling killing intent flashing deep within his eyes.

Before this, if not for Yun Yun, he would not even have spared Ji Changqing a second glance.

He had even felt that Ji Changqing was not qualified to be compared with his disciple.

Yet Ji Changqing actually dared to contend with him for the Heavenly Flames today.

To Gu He, this was simply an insult.

Ji Changqing did not need to answer.

Because Yun Yun had already drawn her sword and struck.

Gu He's expression changed drastically. He had not expected Yun Yun to act so recklessly even before Yun Shan.

"Yun Yun, you've crossed the line."

Yun Shan swept his sleeve, intending to dispel the sword light Yun Yun had unleashed.

But awkwardly, that strike failed to stop it completely.

He had to make two more moves before finally neutralizing the sword light.

"Elder Gu He, this one's disciple and granddisciple have been disrespectful."

"Your name as the Pill King resounds throughout the Jia Ma Empire. Why lower yourself to their level?"

"How about this? If news emerges of Heavenly Flames appearing elsewhere, this one is willing to accompany you there and will certainly help you seize them."

Upon hearing Yun Shan's words, delight flashed across Yun Yun's pretty face.

Though his words seemed to favor Gu He, he was in fact tacitly allowing the Heavenly Flames to belong to Ji Changqing.

Even Ji Changqing's eyes flickered with surprise.

Gu He, on the other hand, had a livid face. His hands clenched tightly, his body seeming to tremble faintly.

"Old Sect Leader Yun Shan, is this... your choice?"

Gu He's tone was far from pleasant.

Yun Shan frowned slightly and said:

"This one has already promised to help you find new Heavenly Flames..."

"Hahahahaha!"

Gu He's unrestrained laughter interrupted Yun Shan.

Bang—!

His Dou Qi burst from his body.

Under several shocked gazes, the pale blue-white robes symbolizing his status as a Misty Cloud Sect elder were shattered apart.

Revealing the alchemist's robes that represented a Sixth-grade Alchemist.

A cold smile hung at Gu He's lips as he swept his gaze across the conference hall.

His gloomy eyes lingered especially on Yun Yun and Ji Changqing's faces for a moment.

"The Northwest corner of the Dou Qi Continent does not contain only the Jia Ma Empire!"

"Heh, among the three nations of the Northwest, the Jia Ma Empire is the weakest. Wherever I, Gu He, go, I am treated as an honored guest!"

"You... just wait."

"I, Gu He, will make you pay the price."

With that, Gu He turned and left.

"Stop."

Yun Shan's icy voice halted Gu He.

"What do you take the Misty Cloud Sect for? Do you think you can leave whenever you please?"

"Oh?"

Gu He turned back, met Yun Shan's gaze without fear, and shook his head with a smile.

"Could it be that the Misty Cloud Sect intends to forcibly keep me here?"

"Heh, if someone wishes to leave the Misty Cloud Sect only to be killed, then let's see who will dare join the Misty Cloud Sect in the future!"

Those words truly struck at the heart of the matter.

Once such a reputation spread.

It would become an indelible stain upon any sect.

"Hmph."

Gu He turned and walked away.

Just as he was about to step out of the conference hall, he slightly turned his head again, looked at Ji Changqing, and sneered.

"I've heard your talent in alchemy is exceptional?"

"Heh, then I'll see whether you can shoulder the Misty Cloud Sect's Medicine Hall, and how long it takes you to catch up to me!"

After Gu He left.

The conference hall fell silent.

"Do not betray this one's trust in you."

After saying that to Ji Changqing, Yun Shan left with an unpleasant expression.

Upon returning to the courtyard.

Yun Yun went to prepare the heavenly treasures Ji Changqing would need to absorb the Heavenly Flames.

Watching Yun Yun's departing figure, Ji Changqing saw Nalan Yanran off after nightfall drew near, then returned to his room.

He shut the doors and windows, set up an array, and used energy to form a decoy body.

Ji Changqing put on a black robe and flashed into the night.

Beneath the quiet moon, a dark shadow vanished in a flash.

Its destination was Gu He's residence.

"Since you said something about making me pay in the future."

"Then I'll make sure you... have no future."