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The scene fell into an eerie silence.

Everyone stared in disbelief at the scene before them.

Wang Long, who had been so fierce just moments before, now lay on the ground, his body now a cold corpse.

Even his head was chopped off.

"How is this possible..." someone groaned.

Bang!

Huang Yaoshi suddenly stood up on the stage, which also caused his chair to slam shut.

Huang Yaoshi's face, unusually, lacked its usual composure.

He glared intently at Shen You, who remained in a sword-wielding stance, and gritted his teeth as he uttered two words—

"Blade...momentum!"

"It's a sword technique!"

Pharmacist Hong also stood up, his eyes filled with amazement and admiration.

Unlike "internal strength," which is a product of martial arts skills reaching their peak, "internal strength" is different.

"Momentum" is the product of the ultimate concentration of spiritual will.

Take "sword skills" for example. It is absolutely impossible to develop them unless you have used a sword for decades and devoted almost all your time to it.

But the boy in front of me, at such a young age, had already unleashed a "sword strike".

This is simply an incredible miracle!

Pharmacist Hong couldn't help but shake his head.

This young man named Shen You may have average natural talent, but his skill with a knife is truly unparalleled in the world, and no one can surpass him!

"That's amazing!"

Pharmacist Hong sighed.

"Another prodigy has emerged from the medicine hall!"

Wow!

The apprentices in hemp clothing below only remembered to cheer at this moment.

The apprentices in hemp clothing looked at each other, their faces beaming with joy, even more so than if they had defeated their opponents in battle.

They looked at Shen You with admiring and ardent eyes.

They felt that the resentment they had sensed from Wang Long, the feeling of being looked down upon as a hemp-clad person, was now being released.

They celebrated loudly.

As for Wang Long, who was lying in the dust with his head rolled into a mud ball, it seemed that no one cared anymore.

"call--"

Shen You exhaled, but staggered as she walked towards Wang Long.

Shen You and Wang Long faced off directly, so Shen You felt it most deeply. Just now, in his last moments, Wang Long, knowing he was going to die, seemed to want to say something.

Shen You approached Wang Long's body and, sure enough, saw one of Wang Long's hands already inside his robes.

Shen You pulled Wang Long's hand out, only to see that Wang Long was holding a pill that emitted demonic energy.

"Foundation Building Pill!" someone nearby exclaimed.

Shen You took the Foundation Establishment Pill from Wang Long's hand and held it in his hand.

He went to Wang Long's head, squatted down, and stared into Wang Long's unseeing eyes.

"For...Wang Hu..."

Shen You recalled carefully that in the last moment of his life, Wang Long's lips parted, and these were the very words he wanted to say.

Shen You remained silent for a moment, then reached out and closed Wang Long's eyes.

After doing all this, he was exhausted and collapsed to the ground.

He felt completely exhausted, and his shoulders ached terribly. For a moment, he didn't want to stand up anymore.

"You brat!"

Guard Xue walked to Shen You's side and looked down at her.

"What kind of knife is that?!"

Shen You grinned, revealing a smile.

"A murderous...knife!"

Shen You looked up at the blue sky above, which was so blue and clear.

An indescribable joy slowly welled up from his heart at this moment.

It turns out that being alive is so wonderful!

Footsteps sounded.

Pharmacist Hong walked over.

He looked at Shen You with kind eyes.

"Shen You, you defeated Wang Long in the challenge."

Pharmacist Hong asked in a gentle voice, "Would you be willing to become my apprentice, a young woman in blue robes, in my courtyard?"

Shen You looked at Pharmacist Hong.

Although in Shen You's heart, she felt that this kind-faced old man was already a bit too old.

Just now, Wang Long and Huang Yaoshi were about to kill him, and the old man couldn't do anything about it.

But Shen You also remembered that it was Pharmacist Hong who bestowed the precious medicine, which allowed Aunt Dou to survive.

This great kindness is worth more than anything else.

Besides, at this moment, I have no other choice...

"I wish..."

Shen You opened his mouth, about to agree.

Just then, a cold voice rang out:

"Wait!"

Huang Yaoshi, who exuded a cold aura, suddenly strode over.

He seemed to exude a murderous aura as he coldly stared at Shen You, who was lying on the ground.

Everyone fell silent, looking at Huang Yaoshi with unease, wondering what this sinister and ruthless man was planning to do now.

Shen You didn't seem to have any particular emotion. He had already killed Wang Long and felt that he had done enough. If Huang Yaoshi still wanted to cause trouble for him, then so be it.

"But if I can get back alive today..."

Shen You stared intently at Huang Yaoshi without fear, her eyes also filled with coldness.

"...What happened today will surely be repaid!"

Shen You thought viciously to himself.

Huang Yaoshi kept his eyes fixed on Shen You.

Suddenly, a chilling smile spread across his face.

Shen You felt a chill run down her spine when he smiled at her.

He had no idea what kind of wicked scheme the deep-thinking Huang Yaoshi was plotting.

Huang Yaoshi's smile widened, and he suddenly exclaimed in praise:

"Excellent! As expected of a young talent from our Renxin Hall! With a cultivation level of first rank, he actually managed to defeat a second rank cultivator! Such talent, comprehension, and temperament are unmatched!"

When everyone heard Huang Yaoshi praising Shen You like this, they all looked at each other, completely baffled.

Hong Yaoshi's expression changed, as if he had thought of something.

Huang Yaoshi's gaze grew colder, but his smile became increasingly friendly.

He said softly to Shen You:

"Such a promising young talent, I certainly can't let him go."

"Young Shen You, would you be willing... to join my household?"

At that moment, everyone fell silent.

Shen You trembled all over, feeling as if she had fallen into an ice cave.

He finally understood what Huang Yaoshi was up to.

"Since Huang Yaoshi can't kill me, he wants to possess me!"

"No, he actually wanted to take me to his courtyard...and then ruin me!"

Shen You clenched his fist tightly and said without hesitation at this moment:

"I appreciate your kindness... but Elder Hong has done me a great favor, and I have already decided to follow him to the death!"

Huang Yaoshi's face immediately darkened.

The apothecary Hong stepped forward, forcing a smile, and said, "Since Shen You wants to become my disciple, I should naturally grant his wish. It seems I can only express my regret to Elder Huang..."

"Oh!"

Huang Yaoshi sneered, his icy gaze falling on Hong Yaoshi, and said in a sinister tone:

"Although he wants to become Master Hong's disciple, Master Hong already has two disciples. Would adding one more be too many?"

Pharmacist Hong's expression changed slightly: "Although there are only two spots available this time for those in blue robes, I'm willing to risk my reputation and ask the Grand Steward for a favor. I'm sure I can get an extra spot..."

Huang Yaoshi interrupted Hong Yaoshi, coldly saying, "But I am different from you!"

He turned around and looked coldly at Zhu Xiaobao, who had followed him: "Xiaobao, your strength is insufficient. Don't come into my courtyard this time. Stay in the inner courtyard and work as a menial servant for a while!"

Zhu Xiaobao's expression changed, and he stammered, "But Elder Huang, my family sent you several thousand taels..."

A cold glint flashed in Huang Yaoshi's eyes. "What did you say?!"

Zhu Xiaobao stammered, his face covered in sweat, "No, I just..."

"In any case, this matter is settled!" Huang Yaoshi sneered. "Next time there's a chance, I'll invite you to my courtyard again!"

"Yes..." Zhu Xiaobao lowered his head helplessly. He gritted his teeth and stole a glance at Shen You lying on the ground, his eyes filled with resentment.