"Yes, that's truly cause for celebration!"
As soon as Zhao Sheng finished speaking, Ge Chen's eyes instantly turned sinister, and his face turned icy cold.
"This is all thanks to you! I will never forget Fellow Daoist Zhao's great kindness!"
"Hmph, I'll repay your 'great favor' later!"
Upon hearing this, the noise in the Condensing Pill Hall immediately decreased by more than half, leaving only whispers.
At this moment, everyone's attention was focused on the two Foundation Establishment alchemists.
There are nearly a hundred alchemists in the Alchemist Guild, but only eleven or twelve of them have advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage.
It can be said that any Foundation Establishment alchemist is a backbone of the guild, and holds a very high position on Jiuzhen Island, making them someone that is best avoided if possible.
The atmosphere in the hall instantly became strange upon seeing the two prominent Foundation Establishment alchemists clashing head-on.
Hearing Ge Chen's sarcastic words, Zhao Sheng didn't care at all and chuckled, "Fellow Daoist Ge, you're too kind! The alliance has already reached a consensus on what happened last time, so there's no need to bring it up again."
snort!
Ge Chen snorted coldly, suppressing his resentment for the time being. He turned to look at the Golden Core cultivator beside Zhao Sheng and asked with a forced smile, "This person looks unfamiliar. Is he a junior of Fellow Daoist Zhao? I have a deep friendship with your elders. We should get to know each other better in the future."
By the way, what's your name?
Sensing the sinister look in the other person's eyes, Jin Dancheng felt his scalp tingle and his heart pound.
Being targeted by a Foundation Establishment stage alchemist for no reason is no laughing matter, especially since this person's master is the alchemy master Xu Chong.
Moreover, Xu Chong was also a fake alchemist.
Therefore, this person not only held an extraordinary position in the Alchemist Association, but was also renowned throughout the entire Nine Truths Island, holding an incomparably high status.
To avoid trouble, Jin Dancheng had no choice but to bow respectfully and say, "Junior Jin Dancheng greets Senior Ge!"
At this moment, Zhao Sheng simply watched calmly from the side, without making any unnecessary moves.
He knew that any words or actions he took at this moment would be tantamount to adding fuel to the fire.
He was all alone and unafraid of Ge Chen. However, the Jin family, after he achieved the Golden Core stage, still had tens of thousands of members to support, and he dared not provoke Ge Chen.
Having lived for so many years, Zhao Sheng had long seen through the ways of the world and possessed a profound understanding of human nature.
If he is still preoccupied with saving face in this life, then all his previous lives have been for naught.
Ge Chen turned to Zhao Sheng and said with ill intent, "Fellow Daoist Zhao, I see that this young friend Jin has decent aptitude and would like to take him as a disciple. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng finally frowned slowly, his tone becoming indifferent, "No!"
Ge Chen thought the other party would say something harsh, but all they said was "no." This was absolutely amazing!
"Hmph, you think you can just say no? I'm determined to take this disciple!"
After making his threat, Ge Chen turned and stared intently at Jin Dancheng, coldly asking, "Become my disciple, and I'll guarantee your advancement to Foundation Establishment!"
These words caused an uproar among the crowd.
At this moment, most of the alchemists in the hall looked at the Golden Core cultivator with envious, jealous, and hateful eyes.
Everyone knew that Ge Chen's words were no exaggeration, because there were only six people on Jiuzhen Island who could refine Foundation Establishment Pills, and he and his master were two of them.
"This...this..."
It has to be said that he was tempted by the prospect of achieving the Golden Core, but due to his personality, he still had some concerns.
Looking at Jin Dancheng, who had been secretly glancing at him a few times, Zhao Sheng sighed inwardly.
No matter what decision Jin Dancheng ultimately makes, he will not be angry at all.
Because his relationship with the Kim family was merely a transaction, and no deep friendship was formed.
After hesitating for a long time, Jin Dancheng suddenly shook his head and said tactfully, "Thank you for your kindness, Senior Ge! I am unworthy of such a favor. I am of poor talent and dare not presume to study under you. I beg you to rescind your order!"
Before Jin Dancheng could finish speaking, the same thought suddenly flashed through everyone's minds: "Is this person an idiot?!"
At that moment, Ge Chen's confident expression froze on the spot, and he instantly became furious.
After hearing this, Zhao Sheng was also taken aback. Then he looked at Jin Dancheng with a meaningful gaze.
At this moment, no one understood why Jin Dan would refuse Ge Chen's offer to recruit him, including Zhao Sheng.
"Boy, say it again!" Ge Chen looked at the timid Golden Core cultivator in disbelief and said sternly.
"I'm sorry! I am grateful for your kindness, senior, but please forgive me for not being able to follow your advice!" This time, Jin Dancheng's attitude was even more resolute than before.
"Hehe! Fellow Daoist Ge, please forgive me. Dan Cheng has already become a disciple. Although his master has just passed away, as the saying goes, 'A teacher for a day is a father for life!' He... is ultimately too filial. This child is too stubborn, which is not good!" Zhao Sheng said with great emotion.
Before Ge Chen could vent his anger, Zhao Sheng beckoned to Jin Dancheng and said affectionately, "Dancheng, let's go!"
Then, he clasped his hands in a fist salute, looked around, and said loudly, "Fellow practitioners, take care! I, Zhao, have to take my leave now."
After saying that, Zhao Sheng pulled Jin Dancheng and turned to leave, completely ignoring Ge Chen, who was filled with resentment behind him.
On the way back, Zhao Sheng couldn't help but ask Jin Dancheng, "Why did you refuse just now?"
Jin Dancheng smiled and shook his head, saying, "I don't know what grudge you have against that person, but if I were to become that person's disciple, I'm afraid I wouldn't live to reach the Foundation Establishment stage."
Zhao Sheng was taken aback upon hearing this, then remained silent and did not ask any further questions.
Jin Dancheng's words were loaded with meaning, and their implications were quite subtle.
Based on this single sentence, Zhao Sheng looked at him with new respect, thinking that this man had a simple face but a bright heart and was quite intelligent.
...
After this incident, Zhao Sheng knew that Ge Chen would definitely retaliate, but he did not expect the retaliation to come so quickly and so ruthlessly.
The next day, Jin Dancheng rushed to his residence in a panic and immediately began to complain to him as soon as he sat down.
It turned out that early this morning, the manager of Zhenyao Pavilion reported to Jin Dancheng that most of their medicine purchasing channels had been cut off, and three main channels had notified them that they would no longer sell them elixirs starting immediately.
At the same time, as many as eight long-time alchemist customers announced that they would no longer purchase medicinal materials from Zhenyao Pavilion, nor would they sell pills through his store.
Both the entrance and exit routes have been largely blocked, which is going to be the death of Zhenyao Pavilion!
As the saying goes, good fortune never comes in pairs, but misfortunes never come singly.
Just as Jin Dancheng was complaining, a messenger crane suddenly found him.
Upon opening the talisman, his hands trembled, and his face contorted with worry.
"show me!"
Seeing this situation, Zhao Sheng could not choose to stand idly by; the Jin family had clearly been caught in the crossfire this time.
"Senior, what should we do now?" Jin Dancheng handed over the note with a wronged expression.
Zhao Sheng took it, read it once, and understood. Ge Chen was indeed ruthless.
It turns out that the Jin family's ancestral home was on Fufeng Island, 500 miles west of Jiuzhen Island.
Fufeng Island is a medium-sized island with a first-grade mid-level spiritual vein, which is divided into eight branches. The Jin family rented one of them.
The island lord of Fufeng Island is a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator named Liu He.
Today, Liu He suddenly issued a decree, forcibly ordering the Jin family to move out of the branch spiritual vein within one month without any reason.
After reading it, Zhao Sheng put away the note and said to Jin Dancheng, "Go back to the Treasure Medicine Pavilion first and calm everyone down. I will definitely give you an explanation for this matter!"
"Senior, I'm entrusting this matter entirely to you!"
"rest assured!"
After seeing off Jin Dancheng, Zhao Sheng's eyes turned cold. After a few flashes of light, he kicked off the ground and a golden light shot out from his sleeve.
Surrounded by golden light, he instantly transformed into a sword rainbow, soaring into the sky and heading straight for the Alliance Peak.
A moment later, in the True Man's cave, Zhao Sheng successfully met the old Taoist Qi Feng.
After several years of getting to know each other, Zhao Sheng knew the other party's personality well, so he didn't bother with formalities and directly stated his purpose after a simple greeting.
When he heard that Ge Chen's resentment had not diminished after he came out of seclusion, and that he was even taking his anger out on the Jin family in order to vent his anger, Old Daoist Qi Feng did not do anything, and only said "I know".
Then he stopped mentioning the Jin family and instead asked Zhao Sheng with great interest if he had any plans to get married. He mentioned that there were many talented and beautiful young people in his family, and suggested that they could find an opportunity to meet them.
With the old Taoist's astonishing eyesight at the Golden Core stage, even if he couldn't fully see through Zhao Sheng's true realm, he could sense that his cultivation was improving rapidly, and crucially, he was still very young.
Being young means having great potential, and perhaps even the chance to advance to the Golden Core stage.
Therefore, the old Taoist priest Qi Feng valued Zhao Sheng even more and wanted to bring him to his own side.
Old Taoist Qi Feng spoke very frankly, and of course, he had the right to say so.
He believed the other person wouldn't refuse his kindness unless they were a fool.
Zhao Sheng wasn't stupid, but he still politely declined.
It wasn't that he was unaware of the importance of promotion, but rather that his identity was sensitive and his bloodline special, and he absolutely could not reveal it.
Upon hearing Zhao Sheng's refusal, the old Taoist Qi Feng frowned, and the atmosphere quickly turned cold.
A moment later, Zhao Sheng walked out of the cave with a somber expression. With a flick of his wrist, his flying sword transformed into a rainbow and disappeared into the distance.
That day, Liu He, who was far away on Fufeng Island, suddenly received a talisman message from Qifeng Zhenren, the vice leader of the Spring and Autumn Alliance.
After reading it, Liu He's expression changed, and he glared fiercely at his nephew Liu Yu.
This kid was the one who instigated him to drive away the Jin family. His original intention was to curry favor with Ge Chen, but who knew that Ge Chen had a powerful backer? Even the vice leader of the alliance was alarmed, and now he's in a bind.
That afternoon, the current head of the Liu family on Fufeng Island took the initiative to visit the Jin family and had a pleasant conversation with Jin Jiang. Naturally, the so-called relocation order was no longer mentioned.
This problem is solved, but the matter of the Zhenyao Pavilion is not so easy to handle.
Although Master Qifeng had a great deal of influence, Master Xu Chong also had considerable influence.
The truth can be revealed in a single sentence: Xu Chong was personally invited by Changkong Zhenren, the leader of the Spring and Autumn Alliance, to come out of seclusion specifically to suppress the two leaders of the Alchemist Association, in order to prevent the Alchemist Association, which was colluding with Chi Yuan, from becoming too powerful to control.
To be fair, Xu Chong has done a good job these past few years, having already won over nearly a third of the alchemists.
On Jiuzhen Island, in matters related to alchemy, Qi Feng was far less influential than Xu Chong.
Therefore, as soon as Ge Chen made his statement, Zhenyao Pavilion immediately faced the threat of having its supply and sales cut off.
Zhao Sheng already had a rough plan for how to solve the problem of the Zhenyao Pavilion.
...
Just as Zhao Sheng was carrying out his plan, a conspiracy that would affect the entire Shattered Star Sea was taking shape.
Hundreds of millions of nautical miles away from Jiuzhen Island, on a high reef jutting out of the sea, sits a thin old man with white hair and a youthful face.
At this moment, the lean old Zhang held a fishing rod about two fingers thick, seemingly made of wood but not quite, and entirely emerald green. A thin, transparent thread, as fine as a hair, hung from the top of the two-zhang-long fishing rod.
The portion of the transparent thread submerged in the sea is constantly moving in the water.
In no time, a large whirlpool, four or five zhang in diameter, was created. A muffled, panting sound came from the whirlpool, as if a giant beast was struggling desperately.
Just then, a clear child's voice suddenly floated down from the night sky: "Brother Lingyuan, if you don't lift the rod soon, the prey will escape."
The Sea Demon Ancestor, Lingyuan, stroked his three-foot-long beard with his right hand and easily held the dragon-fishing rod in his left, smiling slightly as he said, "Little Zhang, you're still as impatient as ever. You should know that mastering the timing is the most important thing in doing anything."
"I spent three days and three nights just to catch this fool. Look how exhausted it is now!"
"Brother Dao, you said it's been three days. Why hasn't the old dragon king of the dragon clan arrived yet? I'm going to starve if he doesn't come soon."
A one-eyed child with an enormous head and a height of only three feet lightly landed behind the Spirit Abyss Ancestor, his mouth drooping, playing with the tentacles that had sprouted from his ribs in a very depressed manner.
While playing, it also put it in its mouth and bit it hard.
"Hey, all done!"
As he spoke, Ancestor Lingyuan placed both hands on the fishing rod with great interest and pulled it upwards with force.
With a loud "boom," a seven-zhang-long, enormous, elephant-like long-bearded monster fish suddenly burst out of the whirlpool from the end of the silk thread.
At the same time, a huge column of water, several dozen feet thick, followed behind it, shooting upwards and crashing down on the two old ancestors on the reef as if the sky had collapsed.
Faced with the dragon-whiskered fish's desperate attack, Zhang Tongzi's eyes darted around, and suddenly he roared fiercely, "You little golden core beast dares to act so arrogantly! Behold the power of Zhang Tongzi!"
Before Lingyuan Ancestor could stop him, he suddenly vanished from the spot like a phantom.
The next instant, Zhang Tongzi lay on the dragon whisker fish's head, his pink little hand clenched into a fist, and then slammed it hard onto the dragon whisker fish's head, which was more than two zhang wide.
"Chirp"
The dragon whisker fish looked as if it had been hit by a meteorite; a large hole was immediately torn in its head, leaving a deep dent.
With a "whoosh," a torrent of demon blood mixed with pinkish brain matter cascaded into the river, which was dozens of feet below.
On the sea, a large area of water was dyed red in the blink of an eye, and countless fish, shrimp, snakes and crabs floated to the surface, fighting each other to the death for the blood and brains of the dragon whisker fish.
Seeing this, Ancestor Lingyuan quickly flicked his fishing rod upwards, throwing the half-dead dragon whisker fish onto the reef.
At the same time, he shook his head and said with great regret, "What a waste, what a waste! It's just a fifth-tier sea beast after all. We could have subdued it and used it as cannon fodder!"
Zhang Tongzi climbed off the dragon whisker fish and walked towards Lingyuan Ancestor, licking the blood off her little hands with her pink tongue.