Rewards: Samadhi True Fire?

[დინ! Main quest issued: Legend of the Medicine God!

Stage Quest One: Make a name in Wu Tan City! Refine first-grade pills and conquer Wu Tan City. Completion reward: Samadhi True Fire.

Current Progress: 0%]

Bang!

The instant Wang Teng saw the quest reward, he forgot he was still inside the carriage and shot to his feet in excitement, smashing his head against the roof.

The sharp pain did nothing to dampen his exhilaration.

Samadhi True Fire? Is it the Samadhi True Fire I know?

Good heavens, that was a flame from the world of myth!

"Sir, are you all right?" the coachman outside asked with concern after hearing the commotion.

Wang Teng calmed himself and said evenly, "I'm fine. Take me to the Jia Lie Clan."

"Yes!" the coachman replied, urging the carriage onward.

Before long, the carriage slowed.

Without waiting for the coachman to speak, Wang Teng lifted the curtain and stepped out.

The gates of a manor stood clearly ahead, with a plaque bearing the words "Jia Lie" hanging above them.

Before the carriage had even come to a complete stop, the Jia Lie Clan guards approached with wary expressions.

As guards, they did not know exactly what had happened within the clan, but they could sense that the atmosphere was off.

Under such circumstances, the sudden arrival of a luxurious carriage naturally put them on high alert.

Just as a young guard was about to question him, an older guard beside him noticed the badge on Wang Teng's chest and hurriedly pulled him back.

"Honored alchemist, may I ask what brings you here?" the older guard asked respectfully.

The young guard looked at Wang Teng's chest upon hearing this and promptly lowered his head in respect as well.

Wang Teng jumped down from the carriage. "My name is Wang Teng. Please inform Clan Head Jia Lie Bi that I have come under my master's orders to investigate the truth behind my senior brother Liu Xi's disappearance."

"Please wait a moment, sir." After bowing, the older guard turned and ran into the manor.

Inside the Jia Lie Clan's main hall.

Jia Lie Bi sat in the seat of honor with a worried look on his face. Several Jia Lie Clan elders sat beside him.

"Clan Head." A fat man looked toward Jia Lie Bi. "The healing medicines in our storehouse are nearly sold out. If we cannot replenish them, the market will run out of stock."

This man was Jia Lie Ku, a core member of the Jia Lie Clan who managed their market.

There had once been a time when he felt immensely satisfied seeing their market thrive and steal away the Xiao Clan's customers.

But now, business at the Jia Lie Clan's market had plummeted.

Jia Lie Bi let out a long sigh. "Once they're sold out, issue a notice saying that our stock is temporarily insufficient."

"Clan Head, can't we ask Master Gu Ni for help?" Jia Lie Ku asked unwillingly.

The Jia Lie Clan and the Xiao Clan were competing. If they backed down now, both their market's reputation and business would collapse.

A flash of anger appeared on Jia Lie Bi's face. "The Mittel Auction House refuses to even sell us medicinal herbs. Why would they allow their alchemists to help us?"

"Clan Head, let's fight the Xiao Clan to the bitter end!"

"That's right, let's bleed them dry!"

The Jia Lie Clan's core members present were filled with righteous indignation.

"Silence!" Jia Lie Bi slammed the table and shouted.

His gaze swept over every face. Seeing the anger and unwillingness on their faces, he felt both pained and helpless.

"Do you think I don't want to fight the Xiao Clan until one side is destroyed?" Jia Lie Bi said bitterly. "But have you considered this? The Xiao Clan was able to kill Liu Xi and Jia Lie Nu without anyone noticing. What terrifying strength does that represent?"

At the mention of the two major incidents that had recently befallen the Jia Lie Clan, the anger on the elders' faces faded, and they regained their composure.

"Listen to me. Our war with the Xiao Clan is not over. I have already sent word to Master Liu Jiang. Until he replies, the clan must lie low. The Jia Lie Clan cannot afford any more sacrifices," Jia Lie Bi said gravely.

Upon hearing this, the previously despondent crowd raised their heads, and a trace of hope appeared in their eyes.

Jia Lie Bi took in the changes in everyone's expressions and sighed inwardly.

I can only hope Liu Xi held some place in his teacher's heart.

In truth, Jia Lie Bi was not certain whether Liu Jiang, a third-grade alchemist, would come in person.

But as clan head, he could not simply watch his clansmen become discouraged and sink into despair.

Suddenly, a burst of hurried footsteps echoed into the hall.

Jia Lie Bi sprang to his feet, his expression turning grim. Could those medicinal herb merchants from Telan City have come to demand payment?

Under everyone's gaze, the older guard rushed into the hall.

The moment he found himself stared at by the clan head and elders, he was startled and froze in place, too frightened to move.

Jia Lie Bi asked expressionlessly, "What has you so flustered?"

The older guard came to his senses and hurriedly said, "Clan Head, an alchemist has arrived outside. He..."

"What? An alchemist?!" Jia Lie Bi was overjoyed.

Could Master Liu Jiang have come in person? Wonderful, the clan is saved!

He was a third-grade alchemist, even more capable than Master Gu Ni. If he learned the truth that his disciple had been killed by the Xiao Clan, he might stand up for his disciple.

When that happened, with the strength of the Xiao Clan's alchemist, he would surely be beaten by Master Liu Jiang until he was utterly defeated.

Jia Lie Bi did not wait for the guard to continue. He rushed out of the hall like a gust of wind.

The other elders followed close behind, each wearing an excited smile.

At the entrance of the Jia Lie Clan.

While waiting, Wang Teng considered the requirements of the main quest to make a name in Wu Tan City.

Refining first-grade pills to conquer Wu Tan City meant he would need to refine a large number of pills.

Everyone knew that alchemy required medicinal herbs. To conquer Wu Tan City, the amount of herbs needed would not be small.

That would require an enormous sum of money!

I made some money following my master over the years, but I spent more than half of it. It would be best if the Jia Lie Clan could provide the funds.

That shouldn't be a problem.

Wang Teng believed that given the Jia Lie Clan's current circumstances, if an alchemist were willing to help them refine pills, they would surely mobilize the entire clan to cooperate.

Business was a war without bloodshed!

Footsteps sounded out. Wang Teng stopped thinking and looked toward the gates. A figure appeared first like a streak of green lightning, followed by a large group of people dressed in magnificent robes.

"Master Liu Jiang, I did not know you were coming. Jia Lie Bi was late in welcoming you." Ignoring Wang Teng sitting on the carriage shaft, Jia Lie Bi respectfully bowed toward the carriage compartment.

The group that had come with Jia Lie Bi bowed as well.

The scene fell silent for several seconds.

Wang Teng coughed twice, jumped down from the carriage, and walked up to Jia Lie Bi. "Clan Head Jia Lie, my master was occupied and could not come himself, so he sent me in his place."

"You are?" Jia Lie Bi looked at Wang Teng. His gaze swept over Wang Teng's youthful face, and an almost imperceptible trace of disappointment flashed through his eyes.

"My name is Wang Teng. Liu Xi was my senior brother," Wang Teng replied.

Liu Xi's junior brother? We're finished. The Return Spring Powder Liu Xi refined was inferior to the Xiao Clan's Blood-Clotting Powder.

As Liu Xi's junior brother, Wang Teng's alchemy must be even worse than Liu Xi's.

Heaven truly wants the Jia Lie Clan dead.

After such a huge emotional swing, Jia Lie Bi could not control himself at all, and disappointment showed on his face.

"Clan Head, this is not the place to talk," Jia Lie Ku reminded him.

Jia Lie Bi nodded lightly and forced a bitter smile at Wang Teng. "Mr. Wang Teng, please come inside."

Jia Lie Bi walked alongside Wang Teng.

By the time they reached the main hall, the other elders had already dispersed, leaving Jia Lie Bi to receive him personally.

A servant brought tea and placed it on the table.

Wang Teng picked up a cup and took a sip. Looking at Jia Lie Bi seated in the place of honor, he said, "Clan Head Jia Lie, I came this time under my master's orders to investigate the truth behind my senior brother's disappearance."