Starting with warding off evil and disaster, one can ascend to immortality after countless tribulati

Located on Furnace Peak, the alchemy workshop is only one hill away from the blacksmith's workshop.

Jiang Ming arrived in just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Unlike the sweltering and dilapidated blacksmith's workshop, the alchemy disciples had a much better working environment, sitting indoors where they were sheltered from the wind and rain.

He kicked the wooden door open, meeting the astonished gazes of the crowd.

Jiang Ming showed no politeness, coldly and indifferently saying, "Who is Zhao Yongkang? Tell him to come out and see me!"

A loud bang was heard, and the disciples of the alchemy room rushed over in an instant, their faces grim and their faces full of anger.

"Isn't your arrogance a bit too much? We have no past grievances or recent enemies, so why are you suddenly causing trouble at the alchemy workshop?"

"You've really got too big for your britches! Do you think no one in my alchemy workshop can subdue you?"

"Even if Manager Wu is away on duty, it's not your place to act arrogantly here."

……

He raised his hand to silence the murmurs of the crowd.

Upstairs, a stout, bald man glanced sideways at Jiang Ming, a sinister glint in his eyes. "You are also at the fifth level of the Qi Refining Realm, so you must not be an unknown person."

Could it be Jiang Ming, who rose to fame at the blacksmith's workshop?

"Are you Zhao Yongkang? Hand over the pills and apologize to Wang Yousheng, and I might spare you today."

Ignoring the other party's pleasantries, Jiang Ming calmly stated his purpose, then silently gathered spiritual power in his palm, ready to strike at any moment.

"Let's talk outside. Even if we fight here and win, we won't be able to afford the losses." With a sinister smile, Zhao Yongkang was clearly not afraid of Jiang Ming.

Surrounded by disciples from the alchemy room, he slowly walked over, stared straight at Jiang Ming, and said with a malicious look, "I have the pills, but do you think you, a weakling with connections, have the ability to take them?"

Kneel down and apologize, call me "Master," and I won't pursue your crime of breaking and entering. Otherwise, I'll make you crawl back home!

"A relative? You refuse to sell the pills, even at the cost of making an enemy of me, is it because of this?" He looked at Zhao Yongkang with sudden realization.

Jiang Ming instantly understood that everything the other party had done was for the inner sect reserve position.

"How dare you ask? Destroying someone's opportunity is like killing their parents!"

There is only one chance for an inner gate candidate every five years. Logically speaking, the most capable person should be chosen!

Since there's no one in your blacksmith shop, I should fill the vacancy.

Who would have thought that a bastard like you would show up out of nowhere and ruin my plans!

"You idiot, there are three spots in total. Each manager can recommend one person. If you don't get the training, it means you're not as skilled as others. What does that have to do with me?"

"Since you're still resentful, why don't we have a contest and see who's truly better?" Jiang Ming retorted mercilessly, giving him a pitying glare.

Lies never hurt anyone; the truth is the sharpest knife.

In the alchemy room, Zhao Yongkang's strength was indeed not the strongest; from the moment he joined, he had always been second in command.

To this end, he spared no expense, spending most of his fortune to ask Manager Wu to help him buy a nomination slot.

Everything had been agreed upon, but just a few days ago, he suddenly learned that the matter had fallen through. After making many inquiries, he discovered that it was Jiang Ming who had ruined his dream of becoming an inner disciple.

Already harboring resentment, these words completely ignited the anger that had been building up inside Zhao Yongkang.

His gaze turned cold and indifferent. After a moment's thought, he revealed a fierce expression and readily agreed, "Alright, but during the competition, I might not be able to stop at a crucial moment."

Do you have the guts to sign a verbal agreement with me, even if it means we'll die together?

With the disaster warning delayed, Jiang Ming felt much more at ease. Following Zhao Yongkang's suggestion, he patiently persuaded him, "Granted. Since you want to sign a life-or-death agreement, why not set a stake?"

"Let's stake everything we have, winner takes all, how about it?"

The other party wanted to kill him to secure a reserve spot, while he wanted to eliminate any future troubles and have some peace and quiet. The two hit it off immediately.

"You idiot, you're completely clueless. Since you're so eager to die, I'll grant your wish!"

"If you win, everything in the attic is yours!" With a look of disdain, Zhao Yongkang instructed his underlings to bring a long knife.

Looking at Jiang Ming's bare hands, his eyes were full of confidence. In the mid-stage of the comeback against the early stage, with a long sword against bare hands, the advantage was in his hands!

"Okay, me too." She nodded calmly in agreement.

The disciples in the alchemy room immediately dispersed, leaving the two enough space to compete.

"Become the dead under my blade!" He suddenly leaped up and swung his sword, unleashing a torrent of unrestrained spiritual power that created a terrifying sonic boom.

Zhao Yongkang may seem carefree, but he is extremely cunning when he takes action. His sudden attack put a lot of pressure on Jiang Ming.

However, that's all.

By erecting a spiritual energy barrier, Jiang Ming blocked most of the power and managed to withstand the attack with his physical body.

As everyone was shocked, a warm yellow flame began to emanate from his palm.

At this moment, the disciples watching, unaware of Zhao Yongkang's true intentions, continued to cheer him on, oblivious to the fact that a layer of oil had already formed on Zhao Yongkang's forehead.

Sweating profusely, he roared, "Impossible! We're complete strangers, how could this seventh-grade cultivation technique be passed on to you!"

"Further words are useless. You brought this on yourself. Die." Mo Ran shot out the fireball from the furnace in his palm. Jiang Ming narrowed his eyes, his anticipation for the power of the Furnace Spell growing stronger.

Feeling intensely threatened, Zhao Yongkang disregarded his dignity, hurriedly threw his longsword aside, retreated behind the alchemy room disciple, and roared tremblingly, "Come on, I don't believe you dare to go on a killing spree here."

"If you've got the guts, then walk past these people and kill me! Do you dare?"

"Get out of here, Zhao Yongkang, you son of a bitch!"

"Let me go right now, you bastard! You signed a death pact and you're going back on your word!"

……

Seeing his beloved senior brother Zhao grab his neck and shield him in front of him, he realized that Zhao was protecting him.

The faces of the several henchmen in the alchemy room changed drastically in an instant, and they cursed Zhao Yongkang in shock and anger.

At this moment, Zhao Yongkang no longer cared about what others thought. Staring at the fire in the furnace that was suspended in mid-air, he raised the corners of his mouth and revealed a triumphant smirk.

The next second, however, I felt a burning pain in my abdomen.

His whole body was boiling with heat, his fat face was shiny with oil, he clutched his stomach and let out a wail before sliding to his knees on the ground.

Realizing what had happened, Zhao Yongkang suppressed his pain and looked at him like a stray dog, pleading softly, "What incredible power! Please spare me..."

"The furnace is for all living beings in the world who have not yet been forged. You are just the right amount of fat and oil, so go to your death in peace!" Jiang Ming sneered indifferently, and with a gentle clench of his hand, the warm light of the furnace fire instantly burst forth from Zhao Yongkang's body.

Under Jiang Ming's deliberate urging, Zhao Yongkang's entire being seemed to burst into flames.

The fat on the flesh crackled and popped under the blazing fire, and the rich aroma of meat gradually turned charred. No matter how hard he struggled with all his spiritual power, he could only roll around in place once.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a large, fat man was completely engulfed in flames and vanished without a trace.

Upon witnessing this bizarre scene, the disciples of the alchemy room were filled with fear and dared not linger there. They scattered and fled like birds and beasts.

They were afraid that Jiang Ming might accidentally set them on fire as well.

With a furrowed brow and listening to the panicked cries around him, Jiang Ming coughed lightly, blocking their path, and said calmly, "Don't panic, I am not someone who indiscriminately kills innocent people."

If anyone wants to avenge him, they can come to me anytime.

"Now, go and get the elixir to strengthen your body and replenish your vital energy. Also, take me to Zhao Yongkang's room. I need to pack up my spoils..."