Chapter 127: Revenge

Elder He and the other elder went to consult with the Head of the Main Hall, but the outcome of their discussion remained unknown. The Head of the Main Hall did not appear either, casting a veil of mystery over the entire affair.

After obtaining the pill fire, Luo Xiong did not leave Yan City immediately. Instead, he sought out the Fatty. Hoping to leverage the Fatty’s close relationship with Qin Feiyang, he asked for help in lobbying on his behalf. Upon hearing the full story, the Fatty agreed with great enthusiasm, promising to help. However, no sooner had Luo Xiong left than the Fatty slipped out of the Pill King Hall and encouraged Lu Hong to help spread the news.

There was no suspense; the matter immediately went viral throughout Yan City, sparking a massive uproar.

Inside the reception hall, Lu Hong frowned and asked, "If we do this, won't we be harming Jiang Haotian?"

"Not at all," the Fatty replied, waving his hand and grinning mischievously. "We are helping him become famous."

Lu Hong countered, "But..."

"Enough with the 'buts.' You're already on this ship; it’s too late to get off now," the Fatty chuckled cunningly.

"You bastard, I knew you were up to no good!" Lu Hong flared up in anger and swiped at him. The Fatty dodged nimbly.

"Hey, don't be like that!" the Fatty said, turning serious. "You don't understand Boss Jiang. He will never let this go. Once he emerges, he’s bound to make a grand move that will slap the Pill King Hall in the face. We’re just paving the way for him."

"Paving the way?" Lu Hong asked, looking puzzled.

"Once this spreads and everyone knows about it, wouldn't the slap to their faces be even more explosive and effective?" the Fatty sneered.

Lu Hong’s face twitched as she looked at the Fatty strangely. "Don't forget, you are also a disciple of the Pill King Hall."

"Pfft!" The Fatty looked disdainful. "If the Pill King Hall is full of such shameless people, I’d rather go wander the world with Boss Jiang."

"You have the courage for that, but I don't," Lu Hong shook her head.

The Fatty scoffed, "No ambition. Let me tell you this: following Boss Jiang has a much brighter future than sticking with the Pill King Hall."

"Stop bragging!" Lu Hong rolled her eyes.

"Bragging?" The Fatty paused, then shook his head. "You women really have no eye for talent. That dagger of Boss Jiang’s and that treasure that allows him to hide anywhere—do you think those are ordinary items?"

Lu Hong’s pupils constricted. Reminded of this, she recalled something crucial. Back at Eagle Claw Peak, when they were hiding inside that treasure, Zuo An, who was right outside, had not noticed them at all. This was proof enough that the treasure was more powerful than an eight-star Battle Emperor. How could someone who possessed such a treasure be ordinary?

"I’ve said what I needed to say. How you proceed is up to you," the Fatty added. "But I sincerely advise you: never betray Boss Jiang. You know his methods, and if you do, the consequences... well, I don't need to spell them out for you to know." He grinned and walked away.

Lu Hong returned to her seat, lost in deep thought.

At dawn, Ling Yunfei received the news and was instantly enraged. *Those bastards!* The Nether Ghost Flame was something Qin Feiyang had risked his life to obtain. By what right did those old fools at the Pill King Hall demand he hand it over? How could the world be so unfair?

"No, I have to go help Qin Feiyang seek justice." He rushed out of his cultivation chamber, only to be stopped by Feng Ling'er, who had just arrived. After closing the stone door, Feng Ling'er said in a low voice, "You cannot get involved in this."

"Why?" Ling Yunfei demanded.

"Because these are the rules. The internal affairs of the four major powers are off-limits to others. If you rush in now, the Pill King Hall has every reason to kill you," Feng Ling'er explained.

"So I’m just supposed to sit here and worry?" Ling Yunfei shouted.

"You’ve known Qin Feiyang for so long; don’t you understand him by now?" Feng Ling'er asked. "He never does anything without a plan. Since he has decided to burn bridges, he must have already thought of an exit strategy. All you need to do now is cultivate quietly and stop causing trouble for him."

...

Inside the ancient castle, Qin Feiyang was feeling frustrated. The further he progressed with the 'Return' character technique, the more time it required. He estimated that the fifth stroke would take at least three months. With his talent, prior foundation, and the potential mark, he would normally have broken through to a new minor realm in less than three months. In other words, the 'Return' technique was currently dragging his progress down rather than accelerating it.

However, thinking of the immense power of the technique, he felt a desperate desire to master it. So, despite his frustration, he gritted his teeth and continued to trace the character.

Sure enough, three months later, the fifth stroke was successfully mastered, and his cultivation rose to the six-star Martial Master realm. His physical strength reached that of six savage elephants, and when combined with his perfect martial arts techniques, it totaled the power of ten. In other words, his strength now surpassed that of a nine-star Martial Master. If he faced a nine-star Martial Master who hadn't mastered such techniques, he could kill them in a single blow.

"In about five months, I'll be sixteen," Qin Feiyang muttered to himself. "A sixteen-year-old six-star Martial Master is considered a genius in Yan City, but in the Imperial Capital, it is far from enough." He felt no joy in the breakthrough, as this strength seemed insignificant to him. He had to keep getting stronger, and fast.

He began tracing the sixth stroke. Once he successfully mastered the 'Return' technique, he could focus entirely on cultivation, and his progress would surely advance by leaps and bounds.

On this day, the Fatty sneaked into the council hall with a suspicious look. Seeing no one around, he whispered, "Boss Jiang, I know you're hiding in here. Come out if you can hear me."

"What is it?" A moment later, Qin Feiyang appeared in the hall, looking at him with confusion.

The Fatty’s eyes lit up as he hurried over. "Three months have passed, why haven't you taken action yet?"

"Action?" Qin Feiyang was surprised.

"Don't you plan to retaliate against the Pill King Hall?" the Fatty asked.

"You know about it?"

"Yeah," the Fatty nodded, grinning. "Luo Xiong told me that very day and even asked me to help lobby for him. He didn't stop to think—do I look like the kind of person who lacks loyalty?"

Qin Feiyang shook his head and laughed. Truth be told, the Fatty didn't have many virtues, but loyalty was definitely one of them. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him. "I need you to do me a favor."

The Fatty looked displeased. "Why be so polite? Just say it."

Qin Feiyang took out the formula for the Red Fire Glazed Pill and handed it to the Fatty. "Help me find these medicinal ingredients."

The Fatty looked it over carefully and chuckled. "Aside from the Red Fire Glazed Tree and the Fire Ginseng, all these ingredients are in the herb garden. How many portions do you need?"

"There’s no Fire Ginseng?" Qin Feiyang raised an eyebrow.

"The Fire Ginseng isn't as rare as the Red Fire Glazed Tree, but it’s still uncommon. I’m afraid only the Treasure Pavilion would have it," the Fatty said.

Qin Feiyang pondered for a moment and nodded. "Fine, I’ll figure out a way to get the Fire Ginseng. Get me three portions of everything else." Since there were only three leaves on the Red Fire Glazed Tree, he could only refine three pills.

The Fatty agreed without hesitation. "Done, but I’ll have to find an opportunity. The herb garden isn't just guarded by me; there’s an executive elder overseeing it, and he watches it like a hawk." The Fatty suddenly froze, his eyes widening in shock. "Wait! Do you actually have the leaves of the Red Fire Glazed Tree?"

"Yes," Qin Feiyang nodded. "Does Ling Yunfei know about my current situation?"

The Fatty looked at him with disbelief. "I spread the news everywhere, so of course he knows. More than two months ago, he sent a letter saying he couldn't intervene and hoped you’d understand."

"Where is the letter?" Qin Feiyang asked.

"I destroyed it," the Fatty replied.

Qin Feiyang smiled. "Well done. Any movement from Jia Hei, Elder He, or the Head of the Main Hall?"

The Fatty shook his head. "None. It’s as if they don't care at all."

"They don't care—they're just trying to outwait me," Qin Feiyang sneered.

*Thump, thump.*

Footsteps echoed. Someone was coming! The Fatty’s expression shifted wildly. "What do we do? If they catch me sneaking into the council hall, they won't go easy on me!"

"What are you panicking about?" Qin Feiyang rolled his eyes, grabbed the Fatty, and whisked them both away into the ancient castle.

No sooner had they vanished than two elders, Elder He and Jia Hei, walked into the council hall. Jia Hei sat down heavily, fuming. "How long is that little brat going to keep hiding?"

Elder He smiled confidently. "Don't worry. He’ll come out sooner or later to apologize to us, offer up the Nether Ghost Flame with both hands, and beg us to take him in."

Jia Hei sneered, "Even if he begs, I won't forgive him. I’ll throw him into a pig cage for ten or fifteen days."

Elder He nodded. "He needs to be taught a lesson. He needs to know that even a genius in the world of alchemy must behave himself before the Pill King Hall."

After discussing a few more trivial matters, the two left.

*Whoosh!*

Shortly after, Qin Feiyang and the Fatty reappeared out of thin air.

"They really are just waiting you out," the Fatty said.

Qin Feiyang asked, "Does the Pill King Hall actually have a pig cage?"

"The pill halls imitate the Pill King Hall. What do you think?" the Fatty replied.

Qin Feiyang’s hands clenched into fists. They actually wanted to throw him into a pig cage? Jia Hei’s heart was darker than his name. He turned to the Fatty. "Go back now."

"What about you?" the Fatty asked.

Qin Feiyang sneered, "You’ve been looking forward to this for so long; I certainly can’t let you down."

The Fatty’s eyes lit up. "What are you going to do?"

"You'll know soon enough." A chilling light flickered in Qin Feiyang’s eyes.

"Then I’ll wait for your good news," the Fatty grinned and turned to leave, his face filled with anticipation.

"I didn't plan to act so soon, but you were too full of yourselves. Now, prepare to regret it!" Qin Feiyang muttered. He then stepped out of the council hall with a calm, deliberate stride, heading straight for the main gate of the Pill King Hall.