Beyond the Pill Tower, a vast square paved with smooth granite normally bustled with people, almost never empty. This place was one of the most popular spots in Holy Pill City. However, at this moment, instead of the usual bustling crowd, a massive throng had gathered. In the center of this crowd, nearly a hundred figures stood straight as arrows, exuding a cold, malevolent aura that made many onlookers grow pale. These were clearly no ordinary people, and their conspicuous arrival was a clear sign of ill intent.
“Is it the Profound Dark Sect?”
“Is that grey-clothed elder leading them the Profound Dark Sect’s Sect Master, Chen Tian Nan? I never expected that even this old monster would personally come. What do they want to do?”
“It seems they are here for Xiao Yan. Rumor has it that within the Pill Realm, Xiao Yan killed the Profound Dark Sect’s Young Sect Master, Chen Xian. This old monster is probably here for revenge.”
“No wonder they have such a belligerent air. It looks like today is going to be far from peaceful.”
As these whispered conversations circulated, the eyes of the leading grey-clothed elder turned icy cold, slowly scanning the crowd. Wherever his gaze fell, everyone felt a chill and immediately fell silent. The Profound Dark Sect was not an easy group to deal with. Disagreements often led to violence, and their vindictive nature meant that anyone who crossed them faced a grim fate.
“Chen Sect Master, this is the Pill Tower. Why have you brought so many people here with such malice? What exactly do you want?”
Just as the crowd was being intimidated by Chen Tian Nan’s glare, a cold voice rang out from the Pill Tower. A figure, accompanied by many Pill Tower experts, quickly emerged and stood in the square. It was Qiuling, the Grand Elder of the Pill Tower.
“Elder Qiuling, don’t use the name of the Pill Tower to intimidate me. While others may fear it, I do not.”
Chen Tian Nan glared coldly at Qiuling. “My son was killed by Xiao Yan. Today, I’m here to make him pay with his life!”
Qiuling frowned, “I’ve already told you that you should take this up with Mougu of the Hall of Souls.”
“Mougu is responsible, but Xiao Yan is also a killer. Hand him over, and I’ll leave immediately,” Chen Tian Nan said coldly.
“Do you think the Pill Tower can be coerced? Who do you think you are, Chen Tian Nan, to speak so arrogantly?”
Seeing the old man’s stubbornness, Qiuling grew angry and shouted.
“Quite the bravado, Elder Qiuling. Regardless, the Profound Dark Sect is one of the lower sects under my Heavenly Darkness Sect. If we cannot avenge the death of a sect master’s son, who will respect us in the future?”
As Qiuling’s rebuke fell, a figure slowly stepped out from behind Chen Tian Nan, speaking calmly.
“And who might you be?” Qiuling squinted at the newcomer, who seemed young, tall, and strikingly handsome, almost feminine. Yet, there was a hint of ruthlessness in his features that gave him an ominous air.
“Heavenly Darkness Sect, Yi Chen.”
Yi Chen smiled mildly, his demeanor distinguished, but the simple utterance of his name sent a chill down everyone’s spine.
“Yi Chen of the Heavenly Darkness Sect? Isn’t he the one known as Asura Yi Chen?”
At the name, Qiuling paused, then his brows furrowed deeply. Among the crowd, murmurs of shock and fear spread. Yi Chen was like a primordial beast in their eyes.
The name Asura Yi Chen was well-known across the Central Plains for its cruelty. His reputation was earned through countless bloody battles, and his name alone was enough to strike fear into the hearts of many. Compared to Xiao Yan’s reputation before winning the Pill Gathering, Asura Yi Chen’s was far more terrifying.
Yi Chen was renowned as the Heavenly Darkness Sect’s most outstanding disciple in a century. His status and ruthless methods made him a prime candidate for the next sect master. He was a formidable character, capable of making the current sect master shiver.
His strength was equally fearful. The Heavenly Darkness Sect’s training methods were brutal; every generation of true disciples, after reaching a certain level, would enter the sect’s forbidden grounds. There, the normally friendly disciples would have to fight to the death. Only those who survived would become core disciples. The sect’s cultivation techniques were also cruel, allowing practitioners to forcibly devour others’ qi, along with their flesh and blood.
Those who emerged from the forbidden grounds were invariably steeped in blood. The qi of fallen companions, devoured with their flesh, became nourishment for the victors. Yi Chen was the sole survivor of this trial, and his strength had grown immensely from all the battles and killings. He was now one of the few in the sect’s history to reach the peak of the Battle Sect realm by age thirty, and even showed signs of entering the Dou Zun realm.
“Yi Chen, what you’re saying is a family matter for Chen Bo. Revenge for a son’s murder cannot go unavenged. It would be unwise for the Pill Tower to get involved.”
“I’ve already explained that it was Mougu who killed Chen Xian, not Xiao Yan. You’re looking for the wrong person.”
“If not for Xiao Yan severely injuring my son, they might have escaped Mougu’s grasp. Regardless, he’s not innocent. If there’s no resolution today, the Profound Dark Sect will not stand idly by.”
“Are you threatening the Pill Tower?”
“The Pill Tower has long been at odds with the Hall of Souls. We, the Heavenly Darkness Sect, have remained neutral. If things aren’t resolved well, some of our covert allies might turn against you. That wouldn’t be in the Pill Tower’s best interest.”
Qiuling’s expression changed slightly. Words like these, from someone else, might be ignored, but coming from the likely next sect master, they carried weight.
“Such words are best left unsaid. Moreover, for a sect master to attack a junior, it reflects poorly.”
“Seniority doesn’t concern me,” Chen Tian Nan sneered. But before he could finish, Yi Chen interrupted, smiling, “Since Elder Qiuling insists, let’s honor the Pill Tower’s face and not force the issue today. Instead, I shall set up a challenge here, inviting Champion Xiao Yan to a duel. I wonder if the famous champion has the courage to accept?”
Qiuling’s face darkened, knowing that if Xiao Yan accepted, the outcome would be uncertain. Before he could react, the space in front of him twisted, and a slender figure slowly materialized amidst astonished gazes.
“Seeing as you insist, if Xiao Yan avoids this, it would tarnish the Pill Tower’s name. Since that’s the case, I, Xiao Yan, will accept the challenge…”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage