"White Owl, why did you… spend so much?"
"A lot? It's just a few million credits. The organization doesn't balk at such pocket change, right?"
Leon feigned surprise, his eyes tinged with faint disdain, then suspicion.
"If the organization's funds are tight, whatever I spent just now, I'll double it back later."
Under Leon's flawless face-changing act, Green Hibiscus and the others' faces darkened.
Especially seeing his disdainful and suspicious expression, their faces grew uglier.
Anyone but a fool could see what it meant.
He was doubting the Medicine King's Secret Transmission's strength!
"Don't worry, we're not holding you accountable…"
Green Hibiscus wanted to scowl but didn't dare, forcing a calm demeanor despite their emotions.
"It's just that spending such a large sum without prior notice could attract unwanted attention."
"What's the big deal?"
Leon smirked.
"The more brazen I act, the less likely the Cloud Knights will suspect I'm with the organization. I bet not many in the organization dare show their faces openly, right?"
Green Hibiscus: "…"
Leon: "Am I wrong?"
Learned it from you guys—don't like it?
Heh.
"Going against the grain is indeed a bold way to divert attention."
A stranger's voice spoke up.
Green Hibiscus hurriedly turned and saluted.
"Lord Purple Moonseason!"
"Hm."
Purple Moonseason nodded faintly, looking at Leon with appreciation.
"You're an outsider and a newcomer to the Medicine King's Secret Transmission. The more high-profile you are, the less likely the hounds will come after you."
"A mere few million credits is nothing to the Medicine King's Secret Transmission."
Is that so? Leon curled his lips inwardly.
Just waiting for you to say that.
Don't give me an opening, or I'll show you what it means to eat and take.
"You've tested me long enough. Is it over? I may chase power, but I'm not someone who'll be easily played like a monkey."
"Don't underestimate or toy with me just because I'm a short-lived species."
At that, Green Hibiscus frowned.
"Calm down, White Owl. With our great cause at hand, the organization is just being cautious. No one's underestimating or toying with you."
"Lord Purple Moonseason, this is White Owl, the reliable Sower I mentioned."
"White Owl, Lord Purple Moonseason is the head of the Exalting Sanctum region. He'll give you what you want."
Leon sized up Purple Moonseason a few times.
Purple Moonseason didn't mind his scrutinizing gaze. "I can tell you're indeed exceptional."
Leon: "But you look weak to me. One punch, and you'd be down for days."
Green Hibiscus's face changed. "How dare you!"
Leon immediately swung a fist at a nearby rock.
With an explosive force, the rock shattered, kicking up a cloud of dust.
The sudden move made the Sowers' eyes nearly pop out.
What terrifying brute strength.
That rock was tough—even Sowers who could manifest the Medicine King's visage would struggle to shatter it with a weapon in one blow.
If he developed quickly and reached the Medicine King's visage…
His potential was limitless!
Green Hibiscus shrank back, silent.
He'd only mildly appreciated Leon before, not taking him too seriously.
Just some short-lived outsider.
Now, Green Hibiscus realized he'd underestimated him by a lot.
Purple Moonseason clapped.
"Impressive strength, but I like your personality even more. Confident. Only the truly confident can achieve their ambitions."
"So, I have a question for you—"
"Why does a strong person like you want to become a Sower of the Medicine King's Secret Transmission?"
Leon pointed at Green Hibiscus.
"He said gaining immortality would let me pursue greater, stronger power. And it makes sense."
"But honestly, I'm starting to doubt if I've been scammed, because… you all seem weak."
This time, Green Hibiscus and the others wisely kept quiet.
They couldn't argue.
This guy was unbelievably strong.
Green Hibiscus finally realized White Owl wasn't just a simple martial fanatic.
That was just a facade—he was quite calculating.
But the more cautious White Owl was, the less they suspected him.
Only hounds trying to infiltrate the Medicine King's Secret Transmission would eagerly join and obey every order.
White Owl was different.
Though arrogant, he had the skills to back it up.
If tamed properly, he'd be a huge asset to the organization's growth.
What luck—striking gold with White Owl.
Green Hibiscus could tell from Purple Moonseason's lack of anger that he wasn't the only one thinking this.
Purple Moonseason spoke calmly: "Some things come down to talent."
"I once thought that with enough training, anyone could become strong. But that's not the case."
"During my long career as a Cloud Knight, I realized one thing—"
"Humans, as a species, have limits to their strength!"
"In the face of talent, even long-lived human species aren't much different from short-lived ones."
"The world's never fair. I once believed my efforts were second to none."
"But after nearly a century of hard training and countless battles, I still couldn't defeat Youshan…"
Leon's expression was odd: "So?"
Purple Moonseason's voice suddenly rose.
"So you need to become something beyond human!"
"Joining the Medicine King's Secret Transmission and becoming a Sower gave me the chance to surpass humanity!"
"Abandon your mortal body, become a follower of the Merciful Medicine King, and you'll gain unimaginable power!"
Purple Moonseason took out a prescription and handed it to Leon.
"Here, what you've been seeking."
"Take this medicine, and like me, you'll transcend your mortal body, gaining ultimate life and power… freedom…"
"The Sower in charge of elixirs heard you're an exceptional warrior and prepared this formula for you."
Leon glanced at it and countered, "Why not just give me the medicine?"
Purple Moonseason: "It's still a sensitive time; it's easy to get targeted. You're different."
"With your brains and skills, getting these ingredients should be a piece of cake."
"Besides, the organization has another critical task for you."
Leon pocketed the prescription, dodging the question.
"What's in it for me?"
"If you complete the task, you'll get personal guidance from the Leader, skyrocketing your progress."
Leon grinned. "Such a great opportunity for me? Don't you want it?"
Purple Moonseason shook his head. "My past identity is sensitive; I can't carry out this task."
"Murder and arson, or 'turning to the light'?"
"The latter."
"Spill. You know I'm paranoid. I don't want to be used as a pawn."
Purple Moonseason showed no impatience and explained.
"Remember Youshan I mentioned? That guy's a Vidyadhara, barely chest-high to me, only sixty years old…"
"Vidyadhara are born strong. I couldn't beat him—not because I didn't master my techniques or slacked in training."
"It's purely because of different muscle structures. Vidyadhara, born in the ancient seas of Scalegorge Waterscape, thrive under immense water pressure."
"So their strength naturally surpasses us Xianzhou folk who only tread on land!"
"Even if I live a few more centuries, I'll never bridge the genetic gap to surpass Youshan."
"That's the tragic fate of humans—never able to become the strongest."
"I'm ashamed to admit, I was once one of the hounds, nearly promoted to Cloud Knight Instructor."
"But so what? I could never break through the barrier between me and those with innate talent."
"So I joined the Medicine King's Secret Transmission, took the Dragon's Coil elixir you're holding, and finally became a powerhouse beyond mortal reach."
At this, Purple Moonseason's face showed a touch of emotion.
"Everything got better. The pathetic sharpshooter Zhi Xin is gone, leaving only the loyal Sower of the Merciful Medicine King, Purple Moonseason."
A ripple stirred in Leon's heart.
So he's Zhi Xin…?
His appearance didn't match the photo Jing Yuan sent. Observing his face closely without showing it, Leon realized.
Nice disguise—no wonder I didn't catch it at first.
But, well, his luck was something else.
Or rather, you could say—
He was truly Jing Yuan's lucky star.