In the end, Daoist Yuan Yi, Chairman of Tiandang Peak, saved Ye Chen and had a conversation with him, seeming very interested in him.
Lin Xiao watched on, flooded with mixed feelings.
He never would have expected these two to intersect in any way. One was a major boss from the early stages, and the other was the main protagonist!
The plot had deviated, but not entirely!
After all, as long as Ye Chen stayed, the story could continue!
After a lengthy and tedious Immortal Sect's initiation ceremony, the ceremony to accept disciples officially began.
In his free time, Lin Xiao looked around but surprisingly did not find Third Junior Sister Chu Youwei and Fourth Junior Sister Lu Yingying!
That's really strange.
In the original plot, Master Xiao Hongling indeed made her appearance last, but these three junior sisters should have been present as witnesses to his impending disgraceful failure!
Lin Xiao gazed into the distance. Forget it, I'll stick to the original plot!
He saw Ye Chen seated cross-legged, motionless, much like a monk in deep meditation, completely ignoring the murmuring and gazes of the people around him.
"Eldest Senior Brother, I'm here!"
At this moment, a simple-looking young man stepped forward.
"Oh, Huaizhen, I've been waiting for you," Lin Xiao said, waving his hand.
"Eldest Senior Brother, what can I do for you?" the young man asked, cheerfully stepping forward.
This junior brother, though a little dim-witted, was Lin Xiao's most devout follower and errand boy in the original story. He had taken the blame for Lin Xiao many times.
Even in the middle of the story, after Lin Xiao ended his own life at Fairy Cliff, this junior brother tried to ambush Ye Chen to avenge him. Predictably, he was crushed by a single palm strike from the protagonist and died.
"Huaizhen, see that teenager in black at the back of the crowd?" Lin Xiao asked, pointing to the meditating Ye Chen in the distance. "He's a distant cousin of mine. He's about to undergo an aptitude test, and I plan to help him out, as family should."
As he spoke, he took out a purple-black pill.
That's right, it was none other than the Seven Absolute Pill, a staple in the Cultivation World for travel, murder, and plunder!
"Here, this is called the 'Nine Refinement Golden Elixir,' a major tonic! It can temporarily enhance one's constitution!"
"Give this pill to my cousin. But don't tell him it's from me; say it's from the Elders, a benefit for everyone. I'm afraid my cousin might get too emotional and perform poorly if he knew."
"Understand?"
Hearing this, Huaizhen was moved to tears. "Eldest Senior Brother, you truly are the kindest senior in the world!"
"Alright, go on then. Get him to take it while it's still potent," Lin Xiao waved him off.
"Yes!"
After Huaizhen left, Lin Xiao let out a long sigh of relief. Luckily, Junior Brother Huaizhen's character hasn't deviated. Ever the reliable scapegoat. Excellent.
However, according to the novel's plot, Ye Chen, being a sixth-grade Elixir Master, would easily notice something amiss with the pill. Then, he would turn the tables, presenting the poison pill to confront Sect Leader, True Master Ziyun. After that, the Second Junior Sister, who detested evil, would jump out and accuse Lin Xiao, causing an uproar in the crowd! The second round of humiliation would then be complete!
Lin Xiao looked at the pensive Second Junior Sister in the distance, a sigh escaping him inwardly. Yurong, please don't let your Eldest Senior Brother down again... So big~
「...」
Meanwhile, Huaizhen, holding the Seven Absolute Pill, excitedly approached the black-clothed boy.
"My cousin—oh, no... Young Hero, this is a nourishing pill prepared by our Elixir Refinery's Elders for the young talents attending today, to help everyone perform at their best potential."
"This pill is called the 'Nine Refinement Golden Elixir.' It enhances one's constitution. Please accept it and take it while it's still potent!"
After Huaizhen blurted this out, he forcibly stuffed the Seven Absolute Pill into the teenager's hand.
"Hm?" Ye Chen raised an eyebrow, as if he had discovered something.
"Alright, thank you for your sect's Elders' kindness. I accept it," he said calmly.
"Great! Good luck!" Huaizhen gave a friendly smile, then ran back to report.
"Little rascal, you've noticed too, haven't you? There's something unusual about this pill~"
The young man was staring at the pill in his hand when a voice came from his ring again.
"Yes. If this Princely Heir is not mistaken, this pill is called the Seven Absolute Pill. It specifically targets martial artists who have entered the Path, agitating the Astral Energy in their bodies and destroying their meridians," Ye Chen said calmly.
"Tsk, tsk, such promising young talent. This old man indeed didn't misjudge you. So, what are you going to do next?" Old Shi asked from the ring, extremely interested.
"You should be asking who gave this poison and for what purpose," Ye Chen said coldly.
"Ah... Could it be you already know who it is?" Old Shi asked, surprised.
"Isn't it obvious?" Ye Chen gave a cold laugh and looked up. Sure enough, the Eldest Senior Brother of Divine Phoenix Peak was staring right at him, a sinister smile, completely out of place on his handsome face, tugging at the corners of his lips.
Heh, ridiculous. With such poor scheming, you still want to harm this Princely Heir? You might as well hang a sign on your face saying 'I am the mastermind'!
Ye Chen's heart filled with even more disdain. Suddenly, an idea flashed in his mind! He had a plan!
"Yes! Old Shi! Why don't we turn the tables on them!" Ye Chen suddenly exclaimed excitedly.
"Young friend, what do you mean?"
"Old Shi, didn't you say before that the 'Purple Rosy-clouds Elixir Art' you taught me can neutralize all poison pills below Fifth Grade in this world, right?"
"Mm, of course!"
"Then what grade is this Seven Absolute Pill?"
"'Barely Fifth Grade,' Old Shi said. Then, seemingly realizing something, he added, 'Could you be planning to...'"
"Exactly! No pain, no gain! The Qinglan Sect has always had strict rules. Today, this Princely Heir will play the victim to attract the attention of the several Chairmen, and then make that disgusting Immortal Stick pay the price!"
A winner's smile spread over Ye Chen's face.
"Wait a moment, young friend! This isn't an ordinary Seven Absolute Pill!" Old Shi suddenly exclaimed in alarm, seeming to have sensed something.
However, it was too late.
Ye Chen decisively swallowed the Seven Absolute Pill.
"Lin Xiao, prepare to die! Hahahaha..." His laughter echoed.
GULP.
The pill slid down his throat and into his stomach.
Ye Chen felt a violent churning in his stomach, and then his limbs began to convulse uncontrollably!
With this thought, he hurriedly circulated his internal energy using the "Purple Rosy-clouds Elixir Art," intending to suppress the pill's poison. Then he planned to go to the high platform and report to the several Chairmen, using them to eliminate his enemy!
WHOOSH!
A purple elixir-light emanated from his body!
However, just a second later, the purple elixir-light around him completely dissipated!
He could no longer withstand the backlash and burning of the Astral Energy within him, and his face became horribly contorted!
The next moment, blood seeped simultaneously from his eyes, ears, mouth, and nose!
"This poison pill... there's something wrong with it!" Ye Chen tore at his throat, forcing out a low roar.
"Of course, there's a problem. This... this is a Seven Absolute Pill refined by a Third Grade Elixir Master. Its grade is likely Third Grade as well. Ai..." A sigh from Old Shi emanated from the ring.
Ye Chen was utterly furious! "You... why didn't you tell me sooner?! I don't even want this stupid ring!"
With that, he ripped off the ring and smashed it on the ground.
"Eldest Senior Brother, we've succeeded! You don't have to worry about being harmed by this guy anymore!" Under a distant Chinese parasol tree, a beautiful girl in a red dress revealed a satisfied smile.
「...」
Meanwhile, on the other side, in the seating area for high-ranking disciples, a certain handsome young man's composure completely shattered!
Oh my God! What on earth is he doing? Did something go wrong with his brain? According to the original plot, shouldn't he have discovered that this was the Seven Absolute Pill? He just swallowed it?
Lin Xiao watched with eyes wide in disbelief, chills running down his spine!
It's tough being a villain these days!