Chapter 22: Tit for tat
Family Head Shang Li, despite voicing his question, could never believe the implications in his heart, for as the overseer of the Commerce Medicine Pavilion, he knew all too well the arduous path to becoming a Meridian Refining Master.
One of the prerequisites—possessing a Fire Attribute Ancestor Vein—already barred the vast majority of cultivators on the continent from entry. Within the entire Shang Family, the only one to have activated an Ancestor Vein was the Family Head Shang Yan, yet the vein he activated was not of the Fire Attribute.
Three days ago, Shang Li had seen Yun Xiao in the Righteous Hall. At that time, Yun Xiao was merely at the late stage of the Qi Gathering. He absolutely couldn’t believe that in a mere three days, Yun Xiao had not only advanced to the Meridian Introduction Realm but had also acquired a Fire Attribute Ancestor Vein.
Thus, as Shang Li asked his question, he didn’t wait for an answer from Xue Shou. He proceeded directly into the inner hall, treading lightly whenever he passed by the doors of an Alchemy Room, as if fearing he might disturb some presence within.
Xue Shou, following behind, dared not even let out a breath, seeing how cautious the second master of the Shang Family, a practitioner of Qi Gathering strength, was behaving. How could he afford to make the slightest noise now, lest he find himself in deep trouble?
After slowly passing several Alchemy Rooms, Shang Li turned his head and saw Xue Shou’s expression. He immediately knew that Yun Xiao was in this most secluded Alchemy Room and let out a sigh of relief.
It seemed Xue Shou was not incompetent, having arranged for Yun Xiao to stay in the innermost Alchemy Room. Theoretically, as long as nothing disastrous like a Destruction of the cauldron event occurred, Yun Xiao’s actions shouldn’t affect the distinguished guests in the preceding room.
Yet as Shang Li glanced back at the not-too-distant Alchemy Room, an unusual notion sprang to mind. Recalling the humiliation that Yun Xiao had brought upon the Shang Family in the Righteous Hall, that notion became even more irrepressible.
Even though Yin Huan of the Jade Pot Sect had left a harsh warning to protect Yun Xiao before her departure, Shang Li was aware that the one performing Alchemy within the Commerce Medicine Pavilion was someone even harder to offend. Perhaps this was an opportunity to suppress Yun Xiao.
As the thought crossed his mind, Shang Li resolved to act. He stepped forward, lifted the curtain before the room door, and then raised his right leg to kick the Alchemy Room door wide open.