NOVEL WEB Chapter 685: Chapter 686: The Sensation Caused by the Pills
Chapter 686: The Sensation Caused by the Pills
In the Daluo Heavenly Territory, Mandala concluded her assessment of Xiao Ze's alchemy skills, feeling a mix of surprise and admiration.
Despite Xiao Ze's modest claim that his alchemy was not particularly remarkable, Mandala discovered otherwise. His skill was far more advanced than he let on, capable of producing high grade pills that could match or exceed the standards of esteemed alchemists in the Great Thousand World.
"You've hidden this talent well," Mandala remarked, her golden eyes gleaming with curiosity. After a brief pause, she continued, "Perhaps the power of your heavenly flame explains your proficiency."
She mulled over the matter for a moment before making a decision.
"Since you've proven yourself capable, you'll serve as an Alchemist Guest Official during your stay here in the Daluo Heavenly Territory. Your annual salary will be set at one million drops of Sovereign Spiritual Liquid. However, each year, you'll need to refine at least fifty thousand drops' worth of pills. Anything beyond that quota is yours to keep."
Her offer was exceedingly generous, considering the resources and freedom granted to an Alchemist Guest Official.
Xiao Ze cupped his fists respectfully.
"Thank you, Senior Mandala."
He then borrowed some Sovereign Spiritual Liquid from her to purchase materials for refining pills. Mandala, without hesitation, handed him a jade bottle shimmering with spiritual light.
"This bottle contains five hundred thousand drops of Sovereign Spiritual Liquid. It should suffice for now."
Xiao Ze nodded in gratitude, but Mandala wasn't done.
"Additionally, the Daluo Heavenly Territory has collected various ancient texts and pill formulas over the years. Take this token."
She handed him a purple gold token adorned with the motif of a flower on one side and intricate engravings of the words "Daluo Heavenly Territory" on the other.
"With this, you can access the Repository Pavilion to study these texts and formulas."
"Many thanks!" Xiao Ze replied, accepting the token with both hands.
Mandala watched as Xiao Ze left the grand hall, her golden eyes lingering on his retreating figure.
Once Xiao Ze had vanished from sight, she clenched and released her hand, marveling at the restored power coursing through her body. The once unrelenting torment of the curse had finally subsided, replaced by a newfound vitality.
"Xiao Ze… Thank you," she whispered.
With the token in hand, Xiao Ze found a guard to escort him to the Repository Pavilion. The journey was smooth, as the token granted him unrestricted access. Along the way, any who questioned him immediately stepped aside and saluted upon seeing the token.
Half a day later, Xiao Ze exited the pavilion, his arms filled with ancient texts and pill formulas. Standing outside the entrance, he realized Mandala hadn't arranged specific accommodations or duties for him beyond his title.
With a shrug, he decided to return to the grand hall. Upon arrival, he found the hall empty and unoccupied. Seizing the opportunity, he sat cross legged on the floor, delving into the alchemical knowledge he had just acquired.
Elsewhere in the Daluo Heavenly Territory, in the Tribute Hall, a figure draped in a gray robe entered. This man was the Gray Bear King, one of the prominent kings under Mandala's rule. He commanded the powerful Gray Bear Hall, which ranked among the top forces within the territory.
Today, he had come to collect the annual tribute allotted to his hall and scout for any rare resources that could aid in his cultivation.
The kings of the Daluo Heavenly Territory had two main sources of income during peacetime:
Tribute from Mandala herself.
Offerings from the cities under their rule.
Weaker forces often claimed their tribute early, but for someone of the Gray Bear King's standing, the offerings from his cities alone were sufficient to sustain his hall. As such, he rarely bothered with Mandala's contributions.
Upon entering the Tribute Hall, the Gray Bear King's gaze instinctively swept across the jade plaques displaying available treasures and resources. Suddenly, his eyes locked onto one particular plaque.
This plaque was enormous, spanning several dozen feet, and listed numerous pills alongside their effects. What drew his attention was the pill at the very top:
Fifth Tier Barrier Breaking Spirit Pill
Increases the chance of advancing from Fifth Tier Sovereign to Sixth Tier Sovereign by 30%.
The Gray Bear King's heart raced. He had been stuck at Fifth Tier Sovereign for many years. Despite his standing among the kings, others had begun to catch up, threatening his dominance. The opportunity to increase his breakthrough chances by 30% was irresistible.
Scanning the plaque further, he noticed that all the pills listed were focused on cultivation enhancement highly sought after and notoriously difficult to refine.
He also spotted pills designed to help cultivators advance to Sovereign status, though these weren't as enticing to him. What he needed was personal growth, and the Barrier Breaking Spirit Pill offered exactly that.
Determined, he strode to the exchange counter.
"Elder Lin, I wish to exchange for the Fifth Tier Barrier Breaking Spirit Pill!"
Behind the counter sat a black robed elder whose cloudy eyes betrayed his immense cultivation. He glanced at the Gray Bear King before responding indifferently.
"You're not the first to request it. Stand over there and wait. Whoever bids the highest price will get the pill."
The Gray Bear King froze momentarily before turning to see several other kings already gathered in a corner, their gazes locked on him with open hostility. It was clear they, too, were vying for the pill.
Word of the Tribute Hall's new offerings spread rapidly, drawing an increasing number of figures to the hall.
Many wondered if the Daluo Heavenly Territory had spent vast resources to purchase these pills from external sources. Few considered the possibility of the territory enlisting a new alchemist, as such talents were often sought after by top tier factions.
Excitement surged throughout the territory as the crowd grew. All eyes turned to the kings as their bidding war began.
The Barrier Breaking Spirit Pill had already created a sensation, and its ultimate recipient would undoubtedly cement their place in the Daluo Heavenly Territory's power hierarchy.
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