One had to say that Ouyang De was certainly one to take advantage of his high position to flaunt his seniority. But of course, he came up empty handed when Elder Yun Nie accompanied his investigation. Jiang Chen and Mu Gaoqi had made it to their places with true talent. There wasnât any cheating at all.
Ouyang Deâs actions merely made himself a laughingstock, nothing else. He rigorously looked over things a few times but found nothing. Palace Head Dan Chi had heard that the pill dao competition had run its course at this point, and hurried over to take stock of the results. After he checked through things, he finally confirmed that there were no doubts about the results of the competition and once again announced the ownership of the residences.
Mu Gaoqi could no longer control himself. He wept with joy, jumping up and down in his excitement.
Ouyang Chaoâs face was dark as his heart bled, but he didnât say anything. He still wanted to hold onto some shreds of his dignity, such as it was.
Ling Huiâer was deep in thought. She blinked her large eyes, staring at Jiang Chen and Mu Gaoqi, seemingly baffled at the turn of events. Her fatally alluring chest heaved slightly, providing quite a pleasing sight.
âJiang Chen, Mu Gaoqi, I congratulate you on behalf of the Regal Pill Palace.â Palace Head Dan Chi smiled, bestowing the medallions to the Sovereign Area residences on the two. When he handed the medallions over, his smile disappeared and his tone turned grave. âThe two of you should remember this well. The Sovereign Area means that one is sovereign. You will enjoy extraordinary treatment in your residences, but also remember that you shoulder a responsibility greater than anyone else. Your every word and action, move and gesture will represent the younger generation of the Regal Pill Palace as well as the sect as a whole.â
With great power comes great responsibility.
Jiang Chen took the medallion. âJiang Chen will remember the Palace Headâs words well.â
Mu Gaoqi was at a loss of what to do and kept nodding. âIâll remember to not lose face for the Regal Pill Palace!â After all, he was born of humble beginnings. He hadnât developed the glacial composure that Jiang Chen displayed by virtue of his experience. It was impossible for him not to be nervous under these circumstances.
The elders all laughed loudly, both amused by and contemptuous of Mu Gaoqiâs clumsy performance. It was certainly quite a sight to have such a bumpkin take up residence in the Sovereign Area. Although no one quite understood how Mu Gaoqi had risen so strongly, they were still more or less prejudiced against him. Ouyang De was even more derisive, feeling some hatred and contempt writhe in his heart.
It was rather Elder Yun Nie who suddenly smiled. âMu Gaoqi, I am the Hallmaster of the Herbal Hall, yet I hadnât discovered a hidden gem like you, leaving you to shine with glory only today. Iâm of a mind to make this up to you; are you willing to become one of my disciples?â
At his point of his life, Elder Yun Nie only had followers, and no personal disciples. Who wouldâve thought that heâd personally speak up to take Mu Gaoqi as his disciple at this time? The young folk present all looked at Mu Gaoqi with exceedingly envious eyes.
Elder Yun Nie was one of the top five authorities in the Regal Pill Palace, and stood at the peak of power as the Hallmaster of the Herbal Hall. He had no heirs, but now wanted to bring in Mu Gaoqi. If Mu Gaoqi could take Elder Yun Nie as his master, that would be akin to a carp leaping over the dragonâs gate and turning into a dragon in a brilliant exhibit of glory. His value would instantly shoot through the roof, quickly becoming one of the hottest people amongst the youngest generation. Once he was one of Elder Yun Nieâs disciples, who would dare laugh at him for being an unorthodox, self-taught disciple who wasnât fit for public occasions? Mu Gaoqi was so agitated that he couldnât speak.
Jiang Chen hastily sent him a silent message. âGaoqi, this is a rare opportunity. What are you still hesitating for?â
Mu Gaoqiâs brain was nearing a complete shutdown. He only came to his senses when Jiang Chen nudged him, and he hastily walked up to perform the ceremony of taking another as his master.
âThis disciple is willing, absolutely willing, a thousand and ten thousand times willing!â His voice was tight with unshed tears as memories surged through him. Fellow disciples rolling their eyes at him, grievance upon grievance piling atop each other, shame, humiliation, how heâd struggled in the cracks of the sect to eke out a path to the future, how he could only hide behind a smile as others suppressed him or play along as others exploited him... All of that pain, all of that dishonor, they would never come back! Not from this moment!
Elder Yun Nie chuckled. âGood, it seems that I now have a disciple. Mu Gaoqi, youâre not bad. There are so very few who can still maintain the heart of a child when theyâve climbed to the height of a core disciple. Your past experiences will become the wealth that paves your future.â
Mu Gaoqi could only nod, his eyes red as he tried his best to keep himself from breaking down.
Jiang Chen also smiled. âCongratulations to Elder Yun Nie gaining a good disciple! An innate wood constitution is truly rare.â
âWhat?!â Elder Yun Nie was taken aback, and Palace Head Dan Chiâs attention snapped to him, also immensely astonished. An innate constitution?
Jiang Chen had purposefully said this because he wanted to build a name for Mu Gaoqi and force the others to swallow their contemptuous attitudes. The skeptical attitudes of those that looked to Ouyang De as their leader really pissed Jiang Chen off. What foreign monk? What self-taught disciple? Although Ouyang De had a high position, Jiang Chen wasnât some soft persimmon. He wasnât the sort to not strike back when someone struck out at him. His words were absolutely a blow aimed at Ouyang De.
However, his words were also a bolt of thunder in the ears of those present, making their eardrums hum with the impact.
Innate wood constitution?
An innate constitution was already uncommon enough, but an innate wood constitution was even rarer. Such a constitution meant that a future grand pill master stood in front of them.
Dan Chi also asked, âJiang Chen, are you sure that heâs an innate wood constitution and not just a regular wood constitution?â
Jiang Chen smiled. âIf the honored Palace Head and Elder Yun Nie will test him, all will be immediately revealed.â
Many knew that Mu Gaoqi had a wood constitution, but knowledge of an innate wood constitution was news!
Ouyang De was first startled, but then immediately smirked coldly. He wouldnât believe Jiang Chenâs bullshit! If Mu Gaoqi really did possess an innate wood constitution, he wouldâve been tested when he first entered the sect. It wasnât the sort of thing that would be revealed now.
Elder Yun Nie knew that Jiang Chen wasnât the sort to speak carelessly. He immediately took out a testing crystal ball. âGaoqi, come here.â
Mu Gaoqi walked over docilely. âHonored master.â
âInfuse the ball with your wood spirit energy so that I can see your potential.â Elder Yun Nieâs tone was solemn. This was a matter of great importance. If Mu Gaoqi really did have an innate wood constitution, then he wouldâve struck gold, and so wouldâve the Regal Pill Palace!
Mu Gaoqi took a deep breath in before placing his palm on the ball. He circulated his wood spirit energy and fed a steady stream into the ball. A beam of pure and clear green light instantly grew inside the ball, growing to the thickness of a pinky and rapidly cycling inside the ball.
One ring, two rings, three rings...
Elder Yun Nie and Palace Head Dan Chiâs face grew graver with every additional circle of the green light. Their expressions changed to slight surprise after twelve rings. The elders whoâd suspected that Jiang Chen had been running his mouth squashed their dismissive thoughts as they began to pay rapt attention, faces growing solemn. An ordinary wood constitution would be quite amazing if they could produce twelve rings. More than twelve rings meant extreme potential, and judging from the speed of Mu Gaoqiâs green light, it showed no signs of slowing down.
It whipped past eighteen rings without a momentâs pause and quickly crept to twenty four rings.
Elder Yun Nie and Palace Head Dan Chi looked at each other, delight suffusing their eyes. Having passed eighteen rings, they could be certain that this was an innate constitution. If it went past twenty four rings, then it would be a constitution of high order. Mu Gaoqiâs spirit force still saw no signs of pausing.
Thirty rings...
It finally slowed down after thirty rings before slowly puttering to a stop at thirty six rings.
âThirty six rings!â Elder Yun Nieâs face was full of shock and joy. âGood, good, good! Not only are you an innate wood constitution, itâs one of high order!â
Palace Head Dan Chi also began laughing loudly. âThis is truly a genius bestowed from heaven. In the history of my Regal Pill Palace, weâve at most had an innate wood constitution of mid order, never one of high order!â
âElder Yun Nie, I must congratulate you on picking up a treasure!â Palace Head Dan Chi was genuinely happy for Elder Yun Nie. The relationship between the two was now quite harmonious because of Jiang Chen.
Elder Yun Nie also smiled. âThis isnât just a delight for me, but one for the entire sect. An innate wood constitution of high order is a blessing bestowed upon us by the spirits of our ancestors, so that our Regal Pill Palace heritage can continue! An innate wood constitution of high order can bring good fortune to the sect for three hundred years!â
Palace Head Dan Chi also nodded. âIndeed, and thatâs just a conservative estimate. When our sect had an innate wood constitution of mid order, that conferred hundreds of years of good fortune upon the sect and enabled us to vault up into the ranks of the first rate sects in the Myriad Domain. In my eyes, if Mu Gaoqi develops well, we stand a great chance of joining the numbers of the third rank sects!â Both heavyweights were unceasingly praising Mu Gaoqi.
In that moment, those who had denounced Mu Gaoqi as self-taught or as a bumpkin all felt their faces burn. This was absolutely a stunning slap to their faces. They, to a man, had looked down on Mu Gaoqi, but heâd actually hid such stunning, frightening potential!
Elder Yun Nie also sighed. âIt was my negligence to have allowed such a pearl as Mu Gaoqi be covered in dust until now. This discovery is all thanks to Jiang Chen.â
Palace Head Dan Chi also smiled. âJiang Chen, you are truly broad hearted in recommending sage talent. You and Mu Gaoqi well deserve the Sovereign Area residences!â These words set everything in stone.
As jealous as Ouyang De might be, he could do nothing now. His grandson was a fine man, but how could he measure up to an innate wood constitution? Although Ouyang Chao had lost, he had won glory in being defeated by such a genius. It was rather Ouyang De whoâd displayed unbecoming behavior.
Ouyang Chao thought deeply for a moment and walked up to speak to Mu Gaoqi. âGaoqi, I dismissed you before and thought my victory was guaranteed. Iâve learned of your potential only today. I wholeheartedly accept my defeat at your hands.â
Ling Huiâer curled her lip, forced to accept the results as well.