Ancient Gods - V1C13
Prologue: Farewell, Fourth Elder
1: A remaining mark
2: The Star Emperor Tower
3: Lingxu's Hostage
4: A Bunch of Hypocrites
5: Su Fei
6: The Duel
7: Dao of Divine Pills
8: Beauty Pill
9: Mastering Alchemy
10: Xu Xin and Su Fei Are Denied
11: No Meat, No Soup, No Cooking
12: The Extraordinary Tianxuan Realm
13: A Salted Fish Turns over
14: Those Elders Have No Shame
15: The Yangchun Pill
Chapter 13
Mo Yang was oblivious to the number of people who had gathered in his small courtyard over the past few days. Su Fei had made an extraordinary breakthrough overnight, advancing from the peak of the second level to the peak of the third level in the Spirit Communication Realm—an impressive leap of three stages at once. This achievement seemed almost unbelievable.
Such news wasn't easy to keep quiet, and rumors began circulating that it was all tied to a special medicine from Mo Yang. As word spread, many disciples, especially those from the Sect who had been struggling to break through, rushed to Wood Peak, eager to gain access to Mo Yang's medicine for their own breakthroughs. Many of them were the same disciples who had belittled, mocked, and bullied him for more than a decade, yet in this moment, they seemed to have completely forgotten their shameful behavior.
However, Mo Yang was nowhere to be found, and no one in the Lingxu Sect had any clue about his whereabouts.
This incident left the Elders astonished. After numerous inquiries from the Grand Elder and the Sect Master, Su Fei reluctantly admitted that Mo Yang was skilled in Alchemy and that the medicinal herbs she had previously taken from the Apothecary were intended for him.
For the Elders, this revelation was nothing short of shocking. They were filled with confusion, struggling to understand it. Although Mo Yang had always been under the watchful eye of the Fourth Elder at Wood Peak, he had grown up right in front of them, making it hard to believe that he could be knowledgeable in Alchemy.
To add to the mystery, even the Fourth Elder was entirely ignorant of Alchemy, raising the question of how Mo Yang acquired this skill. One Elder after another pondered deeply, their brows furrowed. It was a daunting realization—the Lingxu Sect had never had an Alchemist since its founding.
“This boy must be harboring unknown secrets!” Grand Elder had been keeping a close watch on Mo Yang lately. Ever since his cultivation was revealed, his rapid breakthroughs completely shattered the Elders’ previous perceptions.
“It’s clear why he has such a high demand for medicinal herbs; he truly is a treasure,” the Grand Elder mused, his expression darkening as he pondered something. With a hint of resentment in his voice, he remarked, “He seems to reject the opportunities given to him without a second thought. What other secrets could he be hiding?”
The dynamics between Mo Yang and Su Fei turned into the Grand Elder’s biggest unresolved dilemma. Despite his intentions to bring them together, Mo Yang’s nonconformity and aloofness were significant obstacles.
Recently, Mo Yang had undergone remarkable and rapid development, leaving the Elders of the Lingxu Sect increasingly perplexed. This was particularly evident to the Grand Elder, who had become especially anxious during this time. The more he concentrated on Mo Yang, the more he realized how little he understood about the young man, further deepening the enigma surrounding him. He remembered that Mo Yang was only five or six years old when the Fourth Elder discovered him, at which point he showed significant potential in cultivation, although no one, including Mo Yang himself, knew his origins. However, for the next ten years, his cultivation stagnated.
Having lived for many years, he was convinced that Mo Yang's recent transformations must stem from a specific cause. This was especially true concerning Mo Yang's Alchemy skills, which led him to conclude that the young man had likely encountered a master. The extraordinary advancements he exhibited could not be accounted for without such guidance.
In the days that followed, the disciples of the Lingxu Sect became unusually active, with many engaging in discussions about Mo Yang. A number even speculated that his impressive cultivation was due to the effects of a particular Medicinal Pill.
However, Mo Yang found himself in a dilemma. The tranquility of Wood Peak had been disrupted as various disciples flocked there to request Medicinal Pills. This was further complicated by the presence of several female disciples, whose interest stemmed largely from Su Fei.
Su Fei had recently undergone a remarkable transformation. Her cultivation had surged, allowing her to radiate a distinct spiritual aura. She had become even more slender, curvy, and graceful, and her skin was now as delicate and fair as that of a newborn. While she was beautiful before, she was now truly stunning. This newfound beauty sparked jealousy among the other females in the sect, each of whom desired the coveted Beauty Pill.
Such news wasn't easy to keep quiet, and rumors began circulating that it was all tied to a special medicine from Mo Yang. As word spread, many disciples, especially those from the Sect who had been struggling to break through, rushed to Wood Peak, eager to gain access to Mo Yang's medicine for their own breakthroughs. Many of them were the same disciples who had belittled, mocked, and bullied him for more than a decade, yet in this moment, they seemed to have completely forgotten their shameful behavior.
However, Mo Yang was nowhere to be found, and no one in the Lingxu Sect had any clue about his whereabouts.
This incident left the Elders astonished. After numerous inquiries from the Grand Elder and the Sect Master, Su Fei reluctantly admitted that Mo Yang was skilled in Alchemy and that the medicinal herbs she had previously taken from the Apothecary were intended for him.
For the Elders, this revelation was nothing short of shocking. They were filled with confusion, struggling to understand it. Although Mo Yang had always been under the watchful eye of the Fourth Elder at Wood Peak, he had grown up right in front of them, making it hard to believe that he could be knowledgeable in Alchemy.
To add to the mystery, even the Fourth Elder was entirely ignorant of Alchemy, raising the question of how Mo Yang acquired this skill. One Elder after another pondered deeply, their brows furrowed. It was a daunting realization—the Lingxu Sect had never had an Alchemist since its founding.
“This boy must be harboring unknown secrets!” Grand Elder had been keeping a close watch on Mo Yang lately. Ever since his cultivation was revealed, his rapid breakthroughs completely shattered the Elders’ previous perceptions.
“It’s clear why he has such a high demand for medicinal herbs; he truly is a treasure,” the Grand Elder mused, his expression darkening as he pondered something. With a hint of resentment in his voice, he remarked, “He seems to reject the opportunities given to him without a second thought. What other secrets could he be hiding?”
The dynamics between Mo Yang and Su Fei turned into the Grand Elder’s biggest unresolved dilemma. Despite his intentions to bring them together, Mo Yang’s nonconformity and aloofness were significant obstacles.
Recently, Mo Yang had undergone remarkable and rapid development, leaving the Elders of the Lingxu Sect increasingly perplexed. This was particularly evident to the Grand Elder, who had become especially anxious during this time. The more he concentrated on Mo Yang, the more he realized how little he understood about the young man, further deepening the enigma surrounding him. He remembered that Mo Yang was only five or six years old when the Fourth Elder discovered him, at which point he showed significant potential in cultivation, although no one, including Mo Yang himself, knew his origins. However, for the next ten years, his cultivation stagnated.
Having lived for many years, he was convinced that Mo Yang's recent transformations must stem from a specific cause. This was especially true concerning Mo Yang's Alchemy skills, which led him to conclude that the young man had likely encountered a master. The extraordinary advancements he exhibited could not be accounted for without such guidance.
In the days that followed, the disciples of the Lingxu Sect became unusually active, with many engaging in discussions about Mo Yang. A number even speculated that his impressive cultivation was due to the effects of a particular Medicinal Pill.
However, Mo Yang found himself in a dilemma. The tranquility of Wood Peak had been disrupted as various disciples flocked there to request Medicinal Pills. This was further complicated by the presence of several female disciples, whose interest stemmed largely from Su Fei.
Su Fei had recently undergone a remarkable transformation. Her cultivation had surged, allowing her to radiate a distinct spiritual aura. She had become even more slender, curvy, and graceful, and her skin was now as delicate and fair as that of a newborn. While she was beautiful before, she was now truly stunning. This newfound beauty sparked jealousy among the other females in the sect, each of whom desired the coveted Beauty Pill.
▪──── ⚔ ────▪
On the second floor of the Star Emperor Tower, Mo Yang sat cross-legged in front of the Creation Pill Furnace, staring into its dark recesses. After a prolonged silence, he softly said, "It appears the secret of the Medicinal Pills can’t remain hidden. If that's the case, I might as well take advantage!"
As the saying goes, "every man for himself [ii]," and Mo Yang had no intention of giving away Medicinal Pills without compensation. With his heightened Alchemy skills, demand for medicinal raw ingredients would rise. Exchanging Medicinal Pills for these raw ingredients seemed like the perfect approach.
On the Xuantian Continent, Medicinal Pills were generally very expensive, but common medicinal raw ingredients were accessible to most disciples. Mo Yang believed that if he didn’t find a way to benefit from the Elders of the Lingxu Sect, he would be falling short of his own expectations.
After all those years, it felt only right to seek some form of compensation. Given that, apart from his master, none of them had stood up for him—some even belittled him—it seemed fair to respond in this manner. He felt no guilt in using this situation to gain from the disciples who had tormented him for over a decade. He planned to leverage this opportunity to personally acquire the raw materials he needed, in exchange for easy-to-make pills that required minimal raw materials. He knew he was being deceitful, but in his mind, it was a justified retribution.
"My cultivation has just advanced to the Tianxuan Realm, so it's time to take a moment to stabilize my progress. Chasing after rapid cultivation might result in more harm than good!"
▪──── ⚔ ────▪
That day, a significant announcement reverberated throughout the Lingxu Sect. Mo Yang declared that any disciple of the Sect could bring medicinal raw ingredients to Wood Peak in exchange for Medicinal Pills. A list detailing the specific types of Medicinal Pills began circulating among the disciples.
This list highlighted three types of Medicinal Pills: Juyuan Pill, Marrow Cleansing Pill, and Youth Preservation Pill. It clearly outlined the effects of each, along with the required types and quantities of medicinal raw ingredients necessary for the exchange.
The Lingxu Sect buzzed with excitement, as before this announcement, many disciples had only known that Mo Yang had some kind of "medicine," without realizing it was actually “Medicinal Pills”. Once the news spread, it caused quite a commotion.
"Is Mo Yang an Alchemist? Exchanging medicinal raw ingredients for Medicinal Pills?"
"A Marrow Cleansing Pill is incredibly valuable. How did he acquire so many? Did he stumble upon a remarkable opportunity?"
"Forget that, we need to gather medicinal raw ingredients quickly to exchange for some. If we wait too long, there might be nothing left for us!"
As a result, numerous disciples hurriedly left the Lingxu Sect.
Unlike Mo Yang, the disciples were hesitant to target the Lingxu Sect’s Apothecary. Instead, they had to purchase medicinal raw ingredients from apothecaries in the nearby cities.
After the raw materials began to arrive, Mo Yang devoted his nights to crafting the pills. His shelves beside the furnace soon became stocked, and he felt a great sense of satisfaction. When he selected the three medicinal pills, he chose ingredients that were easy to source while also incorporating a few rare and costly ones he could save.
Soon, Mo Yang opened the gate at Wood Peak to his courtyard and set up a table and chair in the small yard, and covered the table with bottles of medicinal pills. He looked just like a doctor ready to see patients.
Wood Peak became a hive of activity. Many disciples, armed with medicinal raw ingredients they purchased from apothecaries, flocked to Wood Peak. Even late at night, the stone path was alive with disciples coming and going.
Numerous female disciples were even selling jade hairpins and jewelry just to exchange for medicinal raw ingredients to obtain Medicinal Pills.
Meanwhile, in the grand hall of the Main Peak, a group of Elders exchanged glances, looking quite displeased. What was going on? Mo Yang had actually set up a shop on Wood Peak. In just a single day, his business was thriving. The entire Sect had turned into a bustling marketplace.
"This is unacceptable! How can the Lingxu Sect allow him to act without restraint?" the Second Elder exclaimed angrily, breaking the tense silence in the hall.
The Grand Elder responded solemnly, "Our Lingxu Sect is meant for cultivation, not as a shop or a marketplace. With all this commotion, how can the disciples focus on their training?"
He continued, "He has taken so many medicinal raw ingredients from the local apothecaries and is now turning them into Medicinal Pills to give within the Sect. I believe the Lingxu Sect should confiscate those Pills!"
The Third Elder, who had been quietly observing, then snickered and replied, "If you two Old Fellows want to get your hands on some Medicinal Pills, just go ahead. No need for all these excuses!"
He added, "Even if the raw ingredients came from our apothecary, that’s not the main issue. The real point is his ability to refine them into Medicinal Pills, which benefits all the disciples of the Lingxu Sect. I find this kid, Mo Yang, quite intriguing!"
The Grand Elder paused for a moment, stroking his beard thoughtfully before speaking. "With the annual martial arts competition among the four Sects coming up, if our disciples can enhance their skills, the Lingxu Sect might avoid the embarrassment we've faced in the past."
"It's been five long years, and we've placed last every single time. Winning this year would mean a great deal for our entire Sect."
As the Grand Elder's words echoed in the hall, the Elders fell into a contemplative silence. They knew there was only a month left until the grand martial arts event involving the four Sects.
Mentioning the competition made the Elders bow their heads in disappointment. The Lingxu Sect had seemingly been cursed for the past five years; the younger generation struggled to excel, inevitably finishing at the bottom each time.
"If Mo Yang takes part, we might truly have a shot at winning this year," the Sect Master added after a moment of consideration.
Within just a few weeks, Mo Yang emerged as the most powerful disciple of the Lingxu Sect. His remarkable combat skills positioned him as a formidable opponent against the leading disciples of the other three sects, making victory likely. Consequently, the focus shifted away from discussions about pills to leveraging Mo Yang's abilities to secure a win in the upcoming competition. The elders' behavior mirrored that of their counterparts in other sects: the strongest disciples received attention and support, while the weaker ones were overlooked and left behind.
They no longer felt embarrassed about appearing small-minded and envious of his success in creating medicinal pills. Of course, the Grand Elder was unaware that Mo Yang had already ascended to the mysterious Tianxuan Realm, a level that had never been seen in this mortal world.
[i] This is a popular Chinese idiom for someone who was previously in a desperate situation (like a "beggar" or someone with zero social standing) who suddenly reverses their fortune to become successful and powerful.
[ii] "Every man for himself" is an idiomatic phrase denoting a desperate situation where individuals abandon cooperation to prioritize their own survival or self-interest. Often signifying a lack of rules or trust, this mindset prioritizes self-preservation and personal gain, especially in competitive or chaotic environments.
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