Su Qian's Astonishment

Lu Heng lifted his teacup and took a sip, gathering his thoughts.

"Great Elder, I brought two people back with me this time."

"Oh?"

"One has the Woe Poison Physique."

Su Qian's hand froze around his teacup.

"The other has the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils."

Clack.

His teacup struck the table, splashing a few drops of tea.

Su Qian stared at Lu Heng, speechless for a long moment.

The Woe Poison Physique. The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils.

Either one alone would drive any faction wild. And Lu Heng said he had brought back two people?

"Are you certain?" Su Qian asked, stunned.

"Certain. I already have the one with the Woe Poison Physique under control."

Su Qian shot to his feet, sending his chair sliding back half a foot.

"You've brought the Woe Poison Physique under control?"

Lu Heng nodded.

Su Qian stood there for a while, paced a couple of steps, then sat down again. Shock, doubt, and excitement warred across his face.

"The Woe Poison Physique—the infamous Woe Poison Physique. How did you do it?"

"I'm a Peak Seventh-Grade Alchemist."

Su Qian set down the teacup he had just picked up.

"Peak Seventh-Grade?"

Lu Heng did not repeat himself.

Su Qian fell silent for more than a dozen breaths.

He took another look at the eighteen-year-old young man before him.

A Five-Star Dou Emperor, a Peak Seventh-Grade Alchemist, someone who had brought the Innate Woe Poison Physique under control—and he had someone with the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils at his side.

Jia Nan Academy had produced countless geniuses over the years.

But Su Qian had to admit that not one of them had achieved all this at eighteen.

"I refined a pill."

Lu Heng offered that brief explanation and left out the details.

"The Woe