Chapter Forty-Six: Preparations in Perfect Order

Leaving the Transmission Hall of Danling City, one would step directly onto its most bustling street. Most of the shops lining the avenue specialized in selling various spiritual elixirs; even the rare general store only offered items related to alchemy. The magic artifact shops, for the most part, were devoted to selling alchemical furnaces.

Xu Chen reached into his robes and took out the token with teleportation and storage functions, retrieving the list inside. “Flood Dragon Blood Pill, Essence Cultivation Pill, Minor Spirit Essence Pill, Azure Spirit Pill, Enlightenment Pill, Elephant Power Pill...” Scratching his head as he read the long string of names, Xu Chen was momentarily perplexed.

Just then, a wiry, small-built man sidled up to Xu Chen. “Young master, if you’re here to buy single-ingredient elixirs, I know a place that’s cheap and good,” the man said, giving Xu Chen a discreet nudge. “The kickbacks are generous, too,” he whispered directly into Xu Chen’s ear, transmitting his voice with a subtle force.

“No need, thank you. I have a regular supplier,” Xu Chen replied with a wave of his hand. He had seen this kind of trickery plenty of times in his past life.

“Think about it—thirty percent commission,” the man pressed, but Xu Chen strode forward purposefully. The task had specified he only had two days for procurement, so he intended to buy everything in one go before seeking out any alchemical recipes. Still, his brief encounter with the man had stirred other thoughts.

He soon stood before Danling City’s largest and finest elixir shop. “Essence of Alchemy Fragrance,” he read the sign. “What an arrogant name.” Gazing up at the nine-story palace-like building, he couldn’t help but marvel. “No wonder it’s the biggest elixir shop in Danling City.”

As soon as he entered, an attendant hurried to his side. “Honored guest, what kind of elixirs are you seeking?” Xu Chen produced his list and handed it over. “Ah, a distinguished guest from Great Creek Sect. Please, come to a private room,” the attendant said warmly, leading Xu Chen into a refined tea chamber and deftly preparing tea.

“These elixirs, at market price, total one million spirit coins. We can offer you a five percent discount, as well as a discount card,” the attendant explained. “You may purchase up to thirty thousand spirit coins’ worth of elixirs at ten percent of the price. Does this meet your satisfaction?” he inquired with enthusiasm.

“That’s fine, but may I ask, do you also stock alchemy recipes?” Xu Chen asked. “Indeed, what type do you require?” “Ones that can boost strength instantly, no matter the side effects. Also, poisons useful in combat, preferably those that can disperse through the air,” Xu Chen replied after a moment’s thought.

“Of course. I’ll gather your elixirs and bring those recipes as well.” The attendant smiled professionally and withdrew. Before long, he returned with a storage pouch and a pile of alchemy recipes.

Xu Chen first checked the elixirs in the storage pouch—finding everything in order—then examined the recipes. To his delight, the selection here was far richer than any within his sect, and he even found recipes for the Sevenfold Injury Balm and the Blood-Burning Pill.

“Demon-Resolving Pill, Miasma Powder, Yin-Dissolving Powder, Five-Poison Sand, Bone-Melting Juice,” Xu Chen muttered, weighing his choices before selecting these.

“The total for these recipes is three thousand spirit coins, and the recipes too are eligible for the ninety percent discount,” the attendant informed him. “The sect’s own shop is a real rip-off,” Xu Chen thought with some irritation at the price difference.

He then selected another twenty-seven thousand spirit stones’ worth of common cultivation elixirs. With the attendant’s courteous send-off, Xu Chen left the shop.

“That went smoother than expected. With a full day left, where else should I go?” Xu Chen strolled along the vibrant street, glancing around but seeing nothing of interest. He looked up—the sun was past its zenith. “If I head back now, I’ll have an afternoon to cultivate. Time to buy all the medicinal ingredients for these recipes and return to the sect!”

Back at Great Creek Sect’s Administrative Hall, Chief Steward Bai regarded Xu Chen in surprise as he returned to report. “You finished so quickly?”

“I was able to buy everything in one place,” Xu Chen replied, handing over the token and the discounted elixirs he’d acquired.

“Keep those for yourself—I have no need of them,” Steward Bai said, not even glancing at the elixirs.

Xu Chen nodded, storing the elixirs in his pouch. “Thank you, Chief Steward Bai.” “When my nephew enters the sect, I hope you’ll look after him,” Bai said kindly. “Certainly,” Xu Chen replied, bowing his head.

Xu Chen landed atop the grassy lawn near his home, riding his Wind Spirit Bird. Not far away, Niu Dali was brandishing two massive dumbbells with impressive vigor. “Brother Xu, you’re back! Care to train together?” Niu Dali called.

“Gladly,” Xu Chen agreed. In that moment, he felt a surge of energy, like a liver grown anew.

That night, in the alchemy chamber, Xu Chen carefully began crafting the recipes. “Let’s start with Five-Poison Sand—the most potent of the lot. Then Yin-Dissolving Powder—perfect for covert poisoning.” As he worked, Xu Chen couldn’t help but imagine the sight of his doppelgänger succumbing to the toxins.

“It’s really not fair—after being tormented a thousand times, I can only kill you once.” Before long, the Five-Poison Sand was complete. He promptly started on the Yin-Dissolving Powder.

Deep in the night, within the Sacred White Space, Xu Chen pushed open the gates to alchemical mastery. “Please choose.”

Two glowing screens appeared before him: one for the Five-Poison Sand, the other for the Yin-Dissolving Powder. “Five-Poison Sand,” he declared.

“Please produce ten batches of Five-Poison Sand, each of at least eighty percent quality.”

Three hours later, after being struck by six bolts of lightning, he finally completed both poisons.

“Thousand-Forge Blade, Sevenfold Injury Balm, Blood-Burning Pill, Blood-Corrosion Juice, Five-Poison Sand and its antidote, Yin-Dissolving Powder and its antidote.” With everything assembled, Xu Chen, brimming with excitement, pushed open the doors to the Six Sacred Ape Styles.

Upon entering, his doppelgänger did not greet him with the usual taunts, but instead regarded him warily. “That look is much better,” Xu Chen said. “I never liked the way you used to look at me, as if I were trash.”

With that, Xu Chen swallowed the Sevenfold Injury Balm and the Blood-Burning Pill, coated the Thousand-Forge Blade with Blood-Corrosion Juice, and tucked the two main antidotes into his mouth.

“Your grandpa’s coming for you!”

Xu Chen felt his entire body ignited, a force surging from his innards and meridians, filling him with power. “Today, you must die!”

Blade flashing, Xu Chen launched a barrage of attacks, forcing his doppelgänger to retreat step by step. “Taunt me! Mock me! Weren’t you so formidable before?” Xu Chen shouted, his eyes fixed on the sacred ape’s shadow looming behind his doppelgänger, relishing the thrill of vengeance.

The doppelgänger remained silent, retreating steadily. Sensing the moment, Xu Chen hurled the Five-Poison Sand and Yin-Dissolving Powder at him.

With a bang, the powders exploded, enveloping the area in a toxic haze. The doppelgänger immediately held his breath.

“You think holding your breath will help?” Xu Chen pressed the attack, his blade relentless, but the doppelgänger continued backing away.

“Did you take me for a mindless puppet?” the doppelgänger finally spoke, watching the poison burn his skin. “Let’s see who succumbs first.”

Even as he finished speaking, Xu Chen felt a wave of agony erupt within him. “So be it—if I die, I’ll just start over!”