A god-level alchemist, starting by manually crafting forbidden pills.

Deacon Square.

Gao Yi stood on the high platform, his face solemn, while his many disciples stood in neat rows below.

Bai Jie stood beside Gao Yi, dressed in white, looking aloof and stunningly beautiful.

Ji Kun was in the front row, his face pale and his breathing weak.

He lowered his head and clenched his fists, as if he was thinking about what was about to happen.

"I have summoned you all today to announce three things."

Gao Yi spoke in a loud voice, looking around, "Firstly, from today onwards, Bai Jie is promoted to chief disciple of the Hall of Affairs, in charge of all daily affairs and scheduling."

Secondly, the Demonic Sect has resurfaced, and I need to focus on my cultivation. From now on, Bai Jie will handle all matters, large and small, of the Hall of Affairs.

Thirdly, from this day forward, your Senior Sister Bai is my personal successor, and she will be in charge of the Hall of Affairs from now on!

After the words were spoken, the square fell into a deathly silence. After a few breaths, a low murmur of discussion broke out.

"Senior Sister Bai has indeed become the eldest senior sister!"

"It seems the sect leader is grooming Senior Sister Bai to take over the Hall of Affairs!"

"Where's Senior Brother Ji Kun? He was..."

"Shh, don't say anything. Senior Brother Ji has caused a huge disaster in the Sword Tomb Secret Realm this time."

The whispers were low, but everyone knew that the Hall of Deacons was about to change.

Ji Kun lowered his head, his fingernails digging into his palms until they bled.

He gritted his teeth, his eyes reddening.

It's not hatred.

It was resentment, regret, and a profound sense of powerlessness.

He was once the senior disciple of the Hall of Deacons, full of vigor and glory.

He once thought that Bai Jie would eventually become his Daoist partner, and that he should inherit the future of the Hall of Affairs.

But everything changed starting with that good-for-nothing named Luo Fan.

No, it wasn't Luo Fan's fault.

It was his own arrogance, his own lack of moral character, and his own being exploited by the demonic forces.

Ji Kun raised his head and looked at Bai Jie on the stage.

Clad in white, as pure as snow, aloof and ethereal.

She stood there, radiant, as if she was born to stand in that position.

And what about him?

A sinner who was manipulated by the demonic path and nearly killed his fellow disciples, only to be saved by his master's desperate efforts.

What right do we have to compete or fight?

Ji Kun took a deep breath, loosened his fist, and stepped forward.

"Congratulations to Junior Sister Bai on your promotion to Chief."

His voice was hoarse but clear: "Junior sister is exceptionally talented and has a strong will."

"It is only right that I assume the position of chief. I was confused in the past and offended you in many ways. I hope you will forgive me, junior sister."

After he finished speaking, he bowed respectfully.

Bai Jie looked at him, her cool eyes flickering slightly.

"Senior brother, you flatter me."

Her voice was calm, "I was forced to injure my senior brother at the Sword Stele Tower, I hope you won't blame me."

"It was because my senior brother's character was not up to par that the demonic path took advantage of his weakness; it has nothing to do with my junior sister."

Ji Kun shook his head and said with a wry smile, "If it weren't for my junior sister's rescue, I would have already died. I will remember this life-saving grace."

"Of course, there's also... Junior Brother Luo."

He paused, then looked at Bai Jie, "Junior Sister...please convey my gratitude to him on behalf of your senior brother."

"I'm glad you don't blame me, senior brother. As for junior brother Luo, I will pass on the message."

Bai Jie added, "Senior brother's injuries have not yet healed, and he still needs to rest and recuperate."

The Zhengyang Sect martial arts competition is imminent. I hope you recover soon, senior brother, and don't let it interfere with your cultivation.

Ji Kun bowed again and returned to the queue.

"Master, I still need to go into seclusion to prepare for the Zhengyang Sect Martial Arts Tournament."

Bai Jie looked at Gao Yi and said, "If anything important happens during this time, please take care of it on my behalf, Master."

"Go."

Gao Yi nodded, "This martial arts competition concerns the reputation of our sect. Don't let your master down."

"This disciple will certainly do his utmost."

Bai Jie bowed, turned and left, her white-clad figure gradually disappearing into the distance.

Ji Kun stared in the direction she had left, remaining motionless for a long time, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

There was relief, there was resentment, but more than anything, there was a rekindled flame.

After everyone left, Ji Kun returned to his room, with Gao Yi with him.

Gao Yi stood with his hands behind his back by the window, his back to Ji Kun who was kneeling on the ground.

"Master, I know I was wrong. I have disgraced you again. I have troubled you to expend your cultivation to save my life."

Ji Kun touched the ground with his forehead and kowtowed three times to Gao Yi.

Gao Yi turned around, looked at him, and sighed deeply, "Get up."

"Your disciple wouldn't dare."

"Get up when I tell you to."

Gao Yi's voice carried an air of authority.

Ji Kun then stood up, still standing with his head bowed, not daring to raise his head.

"The changes in this secret realm were due to our carelessness."

Gao Yi looked at him and said, "The methods of the demonic path are unpredictable and impossible to guard against."

Your unstable temperament gave them an opportunity to take advantage of you, which is a mistake.

But if you can hold onto your true self at the last moment and not be completely possessed, that is meritorious.

"The merits and demerits cancel each other out; let's leave it at that."

Gao Yi said solemnly, "But Kun'er, you must remember, from now on, never make things difficult for Luo Fan again."

Ji Kun's body trembled.

"He is now the sect's undisputed number one prodigy. He won the inner sect competition, turned the tide in the Sword Tomb Secret Realm, and even the sect leader looks at him with new respect."

Gao Yi said in a deep voice, "Perhaps she had already seen that this boy was no ordinary person, and this trip to the secret realm was probably a test."

"As you've seen, that's the result."

"Luo Fan is an unfathomable man. Making an enemy of him is definitely not a wise move."

Ji Kun remained silent for a long time before slowly raising his head. "Master, I understand."

His eyes were clear, devoid of the previous obsession and resentment.

"Having gone through this ordeal, I have come to understand many things. Some things cannot be forced, and some people are destined to be extraordinary."

"I am destined to be with Junior Sister Bai but we are not meant to be. It is my bad luck that I am with her. Junior Brother Luo is worthy of Junior Sister Bai."

"Now I only want to focus on my cultivation and no longer be troubled by personal feelings. The greater good of the sect is the most important thing."

Gao Yi looked at him, a hint of relief in his eyes, "I am very pleased that you think this way."

"Master, I want to redeem myself after losing face."

Ji Kun knelt down again, clasped his hands in a fist and pleaded, "Master, please allow me to participate in the Zhengyang Sect Martial Arts Tournament!"

He raised his head, his eyes burning with fire, "Disciple does not seek to win the championship, but only to fight!"

Even if I die in battle, I want the world to know that I, Ji Kun, am a disciple of Peach Blossom Temple!

He is the master's disciple!

I will never bring shame to the sect or to you!

Gao Yi remained silent, simply looking at him for a long time before finally nodding.

"it is good."

"I will go and ask the sect leader."

"This is your last chance. If you mess up again, even I can't protect you."

"Disciple understands!"

Ji Kun kowtowed and stood up, only to see Gao Yi take out a jade bottle from his sleeve and hand it to him.

Upon opening it, a fragrant elixir lay inside the jade bottle.

Flame patterns flowed across the surface of the pill, clearly indicating that it was a Breakthrough Pill.

A mid-grade Xuan-level item that can help cultivators break through bottlenecks, especially effective for Foundation Establishment stage cultivators.

It is extremely difficult to refine, and the materials are precious. There are only a few in the entire sect.

Ji Kun never expected that his master would give such a treasure to a sinner like him.

"My disciple Gaoyi is no less than anyone else."

Gao Yi spoke again, "If you cannot break through to the third level of Foundation Establishment within three days, then you don't need to come see me."

The door closed gently.

Only Ji Kun remained in the room, his knuckles white as he held the jade bottle in his hand.

Yaofeng, the boudoir.

Liu Linglong, dressed in a purple dress, leaned against the soft couch, her fingertips holding a five-colored, shimmering pill.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating her stunning profile, and her red lips curved into a captivating smile.

"This is a closely guarded secret of the Five Elements Alchemy Sect, and that little brat just gave it to you like that?"

She squinted at Lu Qingdai, the amusement in her eyes growing stronger.

"Not only me, Junior Sister Xiong has one too."

Lu Qingdai stood to the side, a rare hint of helplessness showing on her usually aloof face.

"Before I came back, Junior Brother Luo went to see Senior Brother Xie and the others, presumably to give them some pills."

Looking at Liu Linglong who smiled without saying a word, Lu Qingdai frowned and asked.

"Did you already know he could refine pills? And that the pills in the Sword Tomb Secret Realm were made by him?"

She doubted at the time how there could be naturally occurring elixirs in the world.

As a disciple of Medicine Peak, I have never heard of such an outrageous thing.

Now it seems that Luo Fan's request for himself and Xiong Chumo to protect him was...

They were clearly taking the opportunity to refine pills to help them pass through the Sword Intent Corridor.

In other words, at that time, while in the secret realm, there was no time to think about many things in detail.

Now that I think about it carefully, I realize that Luo Fan is extraordinary.

Furthermore, that little girl named Midozhi from the outer sect clearly knows Luo Fan's secret.

Otherwise, why would my junior brother have given that little girl one as well, and why would she have fallen for him?

Liu Linglong remained silent, but her smile became even more playful.

She looked Lu Qingdai up and down, her gaze sweeping over her curvaceous figure.

Then he slowly opened his mouth.

"What I want to ask is... he just gave it to you like that, without mentioning any requirements or anything?"

"For example... offering yourself in return?"

Liu Linglong's red lips gleamed with an alluring luster, resembling ripe cherries.

Lu Qingdai blushed, stomped her foot playfully, and said, "I'm not in the business of prostitution..."

"Then how about I act as a pimp for you?"

"..."

Listen to this!

Whose legitimate master speaks like that?

Looking at Lu Qingdai's blushing face, Liu Linglong sighed inwardly.

Even if this girl had ideas, it was too late.

Who told that Luo Fan, that little rascal, to be Liu Linglong's man?

"Good disciple, do you have any stock left?"

Lu Qingdai was taken aback. "This is the only one I have. If Master wants it, you may take it."

"No need. That little rascal gave these away as candy, so he must have a lot in stock."

Liu Linglong smiled slyly, "Tonight, I'll go to his place and rob him."

"..."

Cracks appeared on Lu Qingdai's face once again.

The dignified head of Medicine Peak, a Golden Core elder, went to plunder the disciples of the sect.

Does this sound like a word?

and…

With your personality, Master, if you fail to steal the core, wouldn't you at least steal some of my body along the way?

Lu Qingdai dared not think too deeply about it.

Never mind, I'll pretend I didn't hear it.

Liu Linglong laughed heartily at her awkward expression.