The Pill Room

Lu Yan was reminded of the "scattering beans to form an army" technique from Chinese mythology; the methods of this Guanshan Taibao were somewhat similar, using sorcery to refine ghosts into talisman beans, then controlling them with paper effigies when needed.

However, this Guanshan Taibao lacked the skill, and an accident during the casting caused the ghosts to backfire, resulting in his death.

The stone door was sturdy and difficult to breach. Chen Yulou searched the surrounding corridor for a mechanism but found none, so he walked over and said with a sheepish smile, "Master, why don't you show us a trick?"

Lu Yan curled his lip, stored the paper effigies and talisman beans into the Kamui Dimension, and pulled out the Ivory to fire a single shot at the stone door.

In an instant, the once-hard stone door turned into a liquid, spilling onto the ground like mercury.

"Divine methods!"

"I think Master Lu is already close to becoming an immortal."

"Bullshit, he's clearly already an immortal!"

The Xieling men had never seen such a display; they were all struck with awe, looking at Lu Yan as if he were a living deity.

"Ahem."

Chen Yulou coughed twice and raised his hand to press it downward, signaling everyone not to make such a fuss.

"My master's methods are naturally heaven-defying. Everyone, follow me inside."

With that, Chen Yulou gripped his Little Divine Blade and led the way through the stone door.

The interior was clearly an alchemy chamber arranged according to the Eight Trigrams. An alchemy furnace sat in the center, its cloud and beast patterns arranged in a mysterious and profound order.

The surrounding area was lined with large black shelves holding jade bottles and alchemy ingredients, though they were covered in thick dust and cobwebs from long neglect.

"Master, is there anything useful here?"

Chen Yulou followed by Lu Yan's side, watching him scan the room, and asked respectfully.

Lu Yan swept his Sharingan across the shelves, frowning as he said, "It's been too long; the energy has dissipated. That alchemy furnace looks like a magical artifact, though. I'll study it."

"Did you hear that? Move this furnace out, and be careful."

After becoming a disciple, Chen Yulou was quite diligent in his duties, busily directing the Xieling men to move the furnace.

"No need, I'll do it myself."

Lu Yan shook his head, the tomoe in his eyes spinning rapidly into a black pinwheel, and the furnace was instantly tossed into the Kamui Dimension.

Chen Yulou had long been curious about the Kamui Dimension, but it hadn't been appropriate to ask before. Now that he was a disciple, he had no such reservations and asked, "Master, this technique of yours that can store anything—what is its origin?"

"Just storage. It's a dojutsu inherent to my eyes; you can't learn it."

Seeing nothing of value, Lu Yan turned and walked out without looking back.

"Master, wait for me!"

Chen Yulou hurried to catch up, losing all interest in browsing further, intent only on staying by Lu Yan's side to learn a few powerful spells.

Outside the stone bridge, the Xieling men were taking ancient artifacts from the alchemy chamber and side halls, placing them in categorized piles.

Lu Yan stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the magnificent "Immeasurable Hall" plaque, and asked calmly, "What are your plans for the future?"

A sharp glint flashed in Chen Yulou's eyes as he cupped his hands and said, "I await your instruction, Master."

"Luo Laowai is not destined for greatness; supporting him won't lead to anything significant."

"Furthermore, I have already told you about the domestic and international situation. You have no opportunity there; it would be better to do something else."

Chen Yulou was a proud man who had always held himself in high regard, and he was quite unconvinced, yet he still asked in a deep voice, "Do what?"

Lu Yan turned around, staring into Chen Yulou's ambitious eyes, and said, "Do something earth-shattering that benefits both the country and the people."

On the cliff, Luo Laowai was growing impatient, pacing back and forth and glancing repeatedly at the Centipede Mountain-Hanging Ladder in the mountain ravine.

"I say, Commander Luo, don't be so anxious. The Chief and Mr. Lu will be fine."

Red Maiden had been watching Luo Laowai pace for a while and, having lost her patience, said, "I can't stand it anymore."

"Damn it, I'm just worried! You said the Chief has been gone for so long—what if something happened?"

Luo Laowai stopped and scratched his head, his expression agitated.

With Chen Yulou gone, Hua Maguai was the one in charge, and he could only offer gentle advice: "Commander Luo, the situation at Bottle Mountain is complex. It's normal for them to be gone a while. Chief Chen and Mr. Lu are both men of great ability; they will surely be blessed with good fortune."

Just then, the Xieling brothers in front shouted, "There's something in the clouds!"

Luo Laowai, Red Maiden, and the others hurried forward, seeing the clouds and mist in the ravine suddenly churning as if something were about to break through.

"Aim for me!"

Luo Laowai gritted his teeth, staring at the churning mist, and shouted fiercely.

Behind him, two rows of the Pistol Company raised their German-made pistols, aiming at the swirling clouds.

Suddenly, the white mist parted. Just as Luo Laowai was about to order fire, two figures flew rapidly from below, landing in front of the crowd. It was Lu Yan and Chen Yulou.

"My goodness, Chief, you're finally up!"

"I almost blew you to bits!"

Luo Laowai was overjoyed to see Chen Yulou, rushing forward to grab him and ask, "Are there many treasures down there?"

Chen Yulou rolled his eyes in exasperation, broke free from Luo Laowai's grip, and brushed the rain and dew off his clothes. "It is an Immortal Palace, filled with countless gold and silver. Congratulations, Commander Luo."

Luo Laowai's mouth stretched wide in a grin as he cupped his hands. "Haha, congratulations to us both."

He then looked at Lu Yan, who possessed the seemingly supernatural ability to fly and burrow, and offered a fake smile. "Brother Lu has quite the talent; you're just like the immortals in the plays. We shall split the treasure three ways."

Lu Yan could hear the insincerity in Luo Laowai's words, but he replied intentionally, "Commander Luo is truly generous. I thank you, Commander."

"Haha, we're all brothers. It's only right."

Luo Laowai's face twitched with hidden pain, but he forced a smile.

Chen Yulou watched from the side, smiling without a word, before turning to instruct Hua Maguai, "Send men down to assist the brothers who stayed below."

"The centipedes down there are highly venomous. Tell everyone to stay close to the brothers carrying the Antidote Pills and not to wander off."

"Those up here, set up the pulleys to haul the goods up."

Hua Maguai bowed to accept the order and began organizing the men. A group of nimble Xieling brothers and Luo Laowai's men sprang into action.

"I didn't expect things to go so smoothly this time."

Red Maiden watched the busy crowd, feeling a sense of relief.

"This time, it is all thanks to Master. You have no idea how dangerous it was down there."

Chen Yulou opened his folding fan and gave it a wave, preparing to launch into a long-winded tale.

"Master?"

Luo Laowai and Red Maiden spoke in unison, exchanging confused glances.

"Master's abilities reach the heavens. I have already taken him as my master while we were below."

Chen Yulou bowed toward Lu Yan, speaking with great respect.

"Congratulations, Chief."

"Congratulations, Boss."

Having witnessed Lu Yan's ability to fly, Luo Laowai and Red Maiden both cupped their hands in congratulations.

"Congratulations to us all. Now, listen closely as I recount the details of what happened below."

Chen Yulou snapped his fan shut against his palm, ready to perform the skill he was best at.

Lu Yan smiled, having no interest in listening to Chen Yulou's upcoming bragging. He walked to a bluestone in the distance, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes to meditate.