Chapter 92: You Shall Become a Personal Disciple

This voice came suddenly, as if echoing from the depths of Zhao Fan’s heart, compelling him to act before he could even think. He swiftly snatched up the yellow gourd from the ground, yanked off its stopper, and poured all the spirit water inside through the Wind position of the alchemy furnace.

A sizzling sound erupted, like cold water splashed upon red-hot iron.

The lid of the furnace shot off and crashed nearby, as a dense white mist surged forth, enveloping the entire alchemy chamber. The vapor twisted and lingered, suffused with an intoxicating medicinal fragrance that filled the room.

Zhao Fan, delighted, looked up to see a small cloud of medicine suspended above the furnace, shimmering with five-colored radiance, as if about to dissipate into the void.

“If you swallow that cloud of medicine from the void, it will be enough for you to forge true magical power!” The voice echoed again in Zhao Fan’s heart.

Without hesitation, Zhao Fan opened his mouth and drew the medicinal cloud into his core, then staggered back a few steps and collapsed onto the ground.

Outside the alchemy chamber, Master Hu Sheng waited at a distance with a gloomy expression, quietly anticipating the sounds of an explosion.

He waited and waited, but only heard the muffled thud of the furnace lid flying off—nothing else.

He was somewhat dumbfounded. Had he miscalculated?

He had clearly sensed that the properties of the medicine inside the furnace should have at least blown the chamber apart!

Puzzled, Hu Sheng shielded himself with true energy, then cautiously approached and opened the sealed stone door of the chamber.

As soon as the door opened, a rush of white mist and rich medicinal aroma greeted him, making his eyes brighten.

No longer hesitating, he stepped into the chamber.

At the center of the stone room stood a bronze furnace with three legs and a rounded belly, its lid displaced, releasing a steady stream of potent medicinal vapor.

Hu Sheng hurried forward and peered inside.

There, five round spirit pills lay quietly at the bottom of the furnace. Their bodies glowed like yellow jade, each marked with three purple inscriptions, exuding a thick fragrance.

At this sight, the gloom vanished from his face, replaced by ecstatic joy. Not only had the furnace not exploded, but five pills had formed at once!

Yet he knew there must be a reason for this anomaly; something else had influenced the outcome.

Hu Sheng glanced around and spotted the two servant disciples in the chamber.

One, who had tried to escape and had been kicked back by him, now lay lifeless on the floor.

---

The other young servant lay on the ground as well, clutching tightly the gourd that had held the spirit water, his face tinged with fear.

Hu Sheng’s mind stirred. He questioned, “What is your name? What did you do to the furnace just now? Speak quickly!”

Zhao Fan had anticipated this, and feigned timidity as he carefully replied, “Disciple Zhao Fan. Seeing the flames in the furnace burn too fiercely, I panicked and poured the water from the gourd into it, hoping to extinguish the fire. I didn’t expect the lid to fly off. Please punish me, Master!”

Hu Sheng’s gaze grew strange as he stared intently at the furnace.

After a moment, something clicked in his mind, and he burst out laughing:

“Wonderful! Wonderful! Water and fire in harmony nurture the pill! So there is this technique!”

Looking down at Zhao Fan, his eyes brimmed with admiration.

He nodded and said, “Rise! It seems fortune truly favors you. From now on, you shall be my personal disciple! You will serve at my side, assisting me in pill refinement!”

In Danding Mountain, Hu Sheng had inherited a legacy from an ancient alchemist’s disciple. Though it included some pill-making arts, none were true secrets—just marginally superior to the methods found elsewhere.

Even so, his status was greatly respected, and even the powerful Wusheng Sect approached him for pill refining in a spirit of cooperation.

His alchemy relied on two things: the pill formula, and luck!

Hu Sheng believed that sometimes luck surpassed skill—and today’s events proved his point.

Elated, he prepared to follow the instructions of a certain notable figure, planning to make a name for himself at the pill contest in four days, and to seize the mysterious bitter apricot on Chisong Mountain.

As for the Jade Morning Daoist, he need not concern himself; a stronger hand would deal with him in due time!

Zhao Fan, observing Hu Sheng’s triumphant mood, could not help but inwardly lament.

To be a so-called personal disciple—he had no desire for such a role. Had it been a few days earlier, he might have been thrilled.

But now, as the sole legitimate heir of the Pill Sect, registered disciple of the ancient Golden Toad Daoist, how could he accept becoming the disciple of Hu Sheng, who had only inherited a fraction of the outer teachings?

As he struggled for a way to refuse, troubled at heart, the chamber door swung open again, and a proud-faced young man rushed in.

“Master, something has happened!”

Before Hu Sheng could scold him, the young Daoist quickly reported.

Hu Sheng did not rebuke him for barging in, but instead frowned. “What happened? Why such haste?”

This youth was Hu Sheng’s personal disciple, Li Xian, of notable talent and cultivation, soon to reach the master’s realm.

Seeing his panic now, there must have been trouble outside.

Li Xian hurriedly said, “News has just come from Chisong Dao Palace—they are convening a Pill Origin Congress tomorrow, inviting all cultivators to attend! They say that if Master wishes to compete, you are welcome to challenge them on Chisong Mountain tomorrow!”

---

“Arrogant brat!”

Hu Sheng’s good mood vanished instantly, and he cursed in anger.

He had already announced his intention to compete in four days at the great gathering, but now this person had upended his plans with a Pill Origin Congress, humiliating him!

Now he was forced to play by someone else’s rules, becoming the challenger rather than the host—a clown, thanks to the Jade Morning Daoist’s audacity!

“Master, Senior Lingxu is aware of this matter. He asked me to invite you to discuss countermeasures—he’s waiting in the Pill Hall now!” Li Xian said respectfully.

“Very well. I’ll go at once. You arrange for someone to tidy up the chamber!” Hu Sheng hurriedly collected the pills and issued instructions.

At that moment, Zhao Fan was all but forgotten.

“Yes, Master!” Li Xian replied.

Once Hu Sheng departed, Li Xian’s demeanor changed; he looked at Zhao Fan with a sinister expression.

He sneered, “Well, aren’t you lucky? But a personal disciple’s position—is that something you should covet? You’re nothing but a country bumpkin! Take my advice and don’t get ideas above your station.”

He had long considered the Pill Sect his future domain and would not allow others to interfere.

“Senior, you jest. I never had any intention of becoming a personal disciple. There’s no need to worry,” Zhao Fan replied with a hint of disdain.

This fellow was merely a frog in a well, unaware of Zhao Fan’s ambitions.

If Zhao Fan were to serve, it would be as disciple to a master like Golden Toad, not to tie himself to the sinking ship that was the Pill Sect.

These people did not understand the origins of Chisong Dao Palace, but Zhao Fan certainly did.

The Jade Morning Daoist was someone even his own teacher, the ancient Golden Toad True Lord, held in awe—most likely an immortal who had attained longevity.

How could someone like Hu Sheng, who hadn’t even established his Dao foundation, dare to offend him?

Li Xian, seeing Zhao Fan’s sincerity, assumed he had been cowed, and nodded with satisfaction. “That’s best.”

Without another word, he hurried after Hu Sheng.

There will be another chapter at noon.