Returning Laden with Spoils

Wang Ding and Huang Tutian left the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion and went straight into the Pill Cauldron Pavilion. Under a servant's guidance, they arrived in the reception hall. Before long, a deacon came in and said to the two of them, "You two may call me Deacon Fang. May I ask what pills you require?"

After sizing up this Deacon Fang, Wang Ding said, "The two of us want pills that can increase the chance of breaking through the Innate Realm and advancing to the Qi Gathering Stage. Do you have any here?"

"Of course we do, but none of them are cheap. Are you sure you want them?"

"Of course. Tell us the prices in detail."

Deacon Fang acknowledged him, then took a sheet of platinum paper from his robes and handed it to Wang Ding.

Wang Ding and Huang Tutian took the platinum paper and looked at what was written on it. There were only ten sparse lines, each representing a type of pill. The two of them examined it carefully, and immediately sucked in a breath of cold air. "Boundary Breaking Pill: can increase the chance of entering the Qi Gathering Realm by fifty percent, one thousand mid-grade spirit stones; Heaven-Reaching Pill: can increase the chance of entering the Qi Gathering Realm by fifty percent, one thousand mid-grade spirit stones; Heaven-Defying Pill: one-hundred-percent chance of entering the Qi Gathering Realm, five thousand mid-grade spirit stones..."

When Huang Tutian saw those prices, his heart thumped wildly, and he cried out on the spot, "Good heavens, this is slaughtering fat sheep! Isn't this way too outrageous?"

Deacon Fang smiled and said, "That is not so. Pills that increase the chance of entering the Qi Gathering Stage are extremely rare. Most of their raw materials are very rare medicinal herbs, controlled by the major sects. Add to that the matter of success rate, and this price is not expensive at all. Well then, will you two be buying?"

Wang Ding returned the platinum paper in his hand to Deacon Fang and said, "I want one Boundary Breaking Pill. Also, do you have pills here that can increase physical strength?"

Deacon Fang glanced at Wang Ding and said, "We do, but they are very expensive. This kind of pill is the most expensive type. Are you sure you want one?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Wang Ding said, "I do. Bring it out."

Deacon Fang took out another sheet of platinum paper and handed it to Wang Ding. Holding the platinum paper, Wang Ding looked it over carefully. The pills written on it were even more outrageous. "Divine Dragon Pill, forged from true dragon blood, can increase strength by the power of one flying dragon, three thousand mid-grade spirit stones; Marrow-Cleansing Pill, refined from immortal grass, three thousand mid-grade spirit stones; Pure Yang Creation Pill, refined from Pure Yang Creation Fruit, can ** the physical body's limit, increase strength by the power of two flying dragons, six thousand mid-grade spirit stones; Imperial Heaven Infinite Pill, refined from Infinite Sarira Flower, can ** the physical body's limit, increase strength by the power of two flying dragons, six thousand mid-grade spirit stones..."

When Wang Ding saw the Pure Yang Creation Pill again, his heart shook fiercely, but his face remained calm. Setting down the platinum paper, Wang Ding said crisply, "Give me one Imperial Heaven Infinite Pill as well."

Seeing Wang Ding spend seven thousand mid-grade spirit stones without his expression changing, Huang Tutian immediately cried out exaggeratedly, "Senior Brother Wang really is a fierce man. Seven thousand spirit stones and you don't even blink. I truly admire you endlessly."

Wang Ding rolled his eyes at him and said, "Stop talking about things that do or don't matter. Hurry up and say what you want."

Huang Tutian immediately said to Deacon Fang, "Right, right. I only need one Boundary Breaking Pill."

The two paid the spirit stones, took the pills Deacon Fang brought over, carefully inspected them, and then left the Pill Cauldron Pavilion.

Wang Ding said to Huang Tutian, "There's nothing else we need now. Let's return to the sect. The next time we meet, I hope everyone will be a true disciple."

Huang Tutian also said, "Exactly. The next time we meet, you and I will surely both be among the true disciples."

Then the two came to the teleportation array in the city, each paid spirit stones, and teleported together, returning to the Wongchuan Sect's Welcoming Island. After that, the two used the teleportation array again, and a moment later, they returned to Crouching Dragon Island.

After the two of them exited the teleportation array, Wang Ding said to Huang Tutian, "Junior Brother Huang, we part here. You must remember the principle that wealth should not be shown. Advancing to true disciple as soon as possible is the proper path for us. When that time comes, all threats will no longer be threats."

"Your junior brother understands. I also wish Senior Brother Wang Ding a smooth advancement. Farewell."

With that said, the two each raised their Magic Tools and flew toward their own courtyards.

When Wang Ding returned to his Spring Thunder Courtyard, he saw a figure hovering around the entrance. Looking carefully, it was his follower Zhang Hua, whose expression seemed anxious.

Wang Ding frowned, controlled his Magic Tool, and landed behind him. He reached out and patted Zhang Hua on the back, saying, "Zhang Hua, what is it? Why are you in such a panic?"

Zhang Hua was startled, but after hearing that it was Wang Ding's voice, he quickly turned and saluted Wang Ding. "Greetings, Senior Brother Wang Ding. Senior Brother, something major has happened in the inner sect."

Wang Ding raised a hand to stop him and said, "No need to salute. Go in first, then talk about everything else."

The two entered Spring Thunder Courtyard. Wang Ding sat upright at the head seat, and Zhang Hua sat below. Wang Ding quietly looked at him and said, "Speak. What happened?"

After gathering his emotions, Zhang Hua said, "Senior Brother Wang Ding, you don't know, but something major happened on Crouching Dragon Island. This time, the opening of Heavenly Void caused an uproar. Who knows how many inner disciples secretly went there, and quite a few died. Now, rumors have even spread inside the sect that Ice Prince is dead. True disciple Wei Jingchi is extremely furious and says he will use the Divination Technique to calculate who killed Ice Prince. However, it seems there is some vast unseen power within Heavenly Void, and Wei Jingchi's calculation failed. He couldn't find the murderer."

When Wang Ding heard that Wei Jingchi actually knew Ice Prince was already dead, he was immediately shocked in his heart. However, in front of Zhang Hua, his expression did not change, and he said, "How did Wei Jingchi know that Ice Prince was dead?"

Zhang Hua immediately replied, "I heard that Wei Jingchi specifically refined a Soul Lamp for every inner disciple he valued. Whose Soul Lamp goes out, that means that person is dead."

Wang Ding pondered inwardly, Now that Ice Prince's death has alarmed Wei Jingchi, Li Yiqi will probably stir up trouble in front of him. And I also went to Heavenly Void during this period, which just happens to give Li Yiqi a pretext. If that Wei Jingchi is the sort who would rather kill the wrong person than let anyone slip by, then whether I killed him or not, a true disciple who wants an inner disciple dead has far too many methods.

Thinking up to this point, Wang Ding immediately knew the situation was now critical. He looked up at Zhang Hua and said, "You did very well. Here is a bottle of Vitality Pills. Take it. Also, you must carefully gather information. If there is the slightest rustle of wind or stir of grass, report to me immediately."

Zhang Hua excitedly accepted the pills Wang Ding handed over. His heart thrilled at Wang Ding's generosity, and his mouth almost stammered as he said, "Senior Brother, please rest assured. I know what to do. I will certainly be cautious and careful, and report the latest situation to you at any time."

Wang Ding nodded and said, "Mm. Go on, then. Be careful."

Watching Zhang Hua leave, Wang Ding's expression gradually darkened. "Looks like I have to assault the Qi Gathering Stage immediately. Right now, Li Yiqi probably still hasn't had the chance to meet Wei Jingchi, but Heavenly Void has already ended. Who knows when Wei Jingchi might call him in for questioning? Better to meet the day than choose one. Today, I'll assault Qi Gathering."

A cold light flashed in Wang Ding's eyes, and he made up his mind. Wang Ding knew that news of his return to the island had surely already been told to Li Yiqi. He did not have much time left.