Chapter 463: Qianyuan Bone Changing Pill
The strange alchemical fragrance grew even stronger here.
Shen Xiao was certain this scent came from a newly concocted Divine Pill, and that pill was definitely inside Duan Qiong's shop! At this thought, a contemptuous sneer touched Shen Xiao's lips as she provoked him.
"Heh, Duan Qiong, do you really think you're still the Pill Demon? You're nothing but a common old man now, one who only knows how to throw his weight around because of his age."
"The Pill Demon? What a joke. In my opinion, even in your prime, you would have been no match for me, let alone now that you've lost your cultivation."
"Are you so eager to get rid of me because you're afraid your skills can't compare and you'll become a laughingstock?"
"Impudent!" As expected, Duan Qiong flew into a rage. "Who do you think you are, trying to boss me around?"
"When I made my name known throughout the world, you were still wet behind the ears!"
"Forget you—even the master of your Heavenly Pill Pavilion wouldn't dare act so presumptuously before me!"
"Is that so?" Shen Xiao sneered. "What's the point of saying all that? I never saw how impressive you supposedly were."
"If you ask me, it sounds like nothing more than an undeserved reputation."
"Ridiculous!" Duan Qiong retorted angrily. "I can still perform alchemy, even without my cultivation!"
"And what proof do you have?" Shen Xiao arched an eyebrow, her posture flippant.
Goaded into a fury, Duan Qiong shouted coldly, "Just you wait!"
With that, he turned and strode back into the house. Seeing this, Shen Xiao's heart leaped with joy. Her goal had been to enrage the old man and force him to reveal the Divine Pill, and her objective now seemed to be achieved.
Sure enough, a few minutes later, the old man emerged holding a jade-glazed bottle. The bottle was still sealed, but a rich medicinal fragrance already assailed the senses.
"Open your eyes and look closely! This is a pill you could never hope to refine in a hundred lifetimes!"
His face filled with triumph, Duan Qiong opened the bottle, and a dazzling golden light shot toward the heavens.
The pill was gilded all over, with three distinct alchemical patterns swirling on its surface. The dense Spiritual Energy it contained was so thick it had almost liquefied, forming a misty vapor within the bottle.
The fragrance alone caused the Dantians of everyone nearby to churn, their cultivation realms advancing slightly. One could only imagine how terrifying the effects would be if someone actually ingested it!
"This... could this be the Qianyuan Bone Changing Pill!?" Shen Xiao's eyes narrowed as she stared, letting out a cry of shock.
"So you have some knowledge after all," Duan Qiong said proudly. "This is indeed the Qianyuan Bone Changing Pill. Taking it doesn't just significantly enhance one's cultivation and strengthen their Divine Sense. It also cleanses the body's essence and marrow, enhancing one's constitution for cultivation."
"An ordinary person who takes this pill can instantly become a cultivator. A cultivator at the Great Grandmaster realm who consumes it can immediately advance by an entire minor realm!"
"Furthermore, after this cleansing of essence and marrow, one's future cultivation will become much smoother, allowing them to progress by leaps and bounds!"
As he finished speaking, Zhao Dong, who had been silent all this time, widened his eyes, an intense look of longing in their depths.
The fervor in Shen Xiao's eyes was impossible to hide. She stepped forward and pleaded, "I was rude and offended you just now, Senior. Please forgive me!"
"I admit that your strength is far superior to mine. As long as you give me this pill, I will agree to any condition you name!"
Shen Xiao's hands trembled with excitement, her previous arrogance nowhere to be seen.
Duan Qiong shook his head, looking smug. "Sorry, this pill is not for sale."
Shen Xiao pressed, unwilling to give up. "But your cultivation is gone! This pill would be of little use to you, so why won't you sell it?"
Duan Qiong replied calmly, "This pill is an initiation gift for my disciple. Naturally, it cannot be sold."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiao was overjoyed. She immediately knelt on one knee and declared, "Shen Xiao wishes to take Senior Duan as her master! I will serve you for the rest of your life!"
"You?" Duan Qiong shot her a sideways glance and snorted. "You're not qualified."
Ignoring Shen Xiao's bewildered expression, Duan Qiong turned to the stunned Zhao Dong. With a faint, unreadable smile, he said, "Kid, I'll give you one more chance. Are you willing to become my disciple?"
Zhao Dong shuddered. He had refused to become a disciple earlier because he felt this old man had nothing to teach him. But after the old man's introduction of the pill, Zhao Dong now understood his terrifying capabilities. With that, and the Qianyuan Bone Changing Pill in the old man's hand, an opportunity had fallen right into his lap. How could he possibly refuse?
Zhao Dong immediately picked up the old man's teacup, knelt on one knee, and said, "This junior is willing to take you as my master! Master, please accept this tea!"
"Hahahaha! Good! Excellent!" Duan Qiong roared with laughter, taking the teacup and draining it in one go.
After drinking, Duan Qiong pulled Zhao Dong to his feet. He placed the pill in Zhao Dong's hand, his gaze filled with satisfaction as he looked his new disciple up and down.
"Wonderful! Truly wonderful! My legacy finally has an heir!"
"Rest assured, Master. I will not tarnish your name!" Zhao Dong nodded firmly, showing his resolve.
Seeing this, Duan Qiong felt even more gratified.
Nearby, a resentful Shen Xiao struggled to her feet. She walked up to Zhao Dong and said, "Zhao Dong, that pill is incredibly important to me."
"If you give me the pill, I, Shen Xiao, will owe you a massive favor. How about it?"
"Not a chance." Zhao Dong shook his head without a moment's hesitation.
What a joke. He was reluctant to part with even a Spirit Pill, let alone a Divine Pill like this! Besides, this was his master's initiation gift. If he just turned around and gave it away, what would that say about him?
Seeing that Zhao Dong was immovable, Shen Xiao's expression grew conflicted. She touched the black ring on her right hand, which was radiating Spiritual Energy, and stepped in front of Zhao Dong once more.
"Fine, I'll trade you for it. Just a moment."
With that, Shen Xiao channeled Spiritual Energy into the ring. As the energy flowed in, streams of light shot out, materializing on the ground as dozens of Magic Artifacts, Cultivation Techniques, and Spirit Pills.
Is that a Spirit Ring? Zhao Dong wondered, looking curiously at the ring on Shen Xiao's hand.
He recalled the Mystic Sky Technique mentioning such things. A Spirit Ring was a type of Magic Artifact containing a pocket of its own space, capable of storing nearly anything. The size of this internal space varied depending on the ring's quality.
This was the first time Zhao Dong had ever seen a Spirit Ring in person. He felt a stir of curiosity and desire. While it wasn't a combat-oriented Magic Artifact, having one would certainly be convenient.
I'll have to find a way to get one of these for myself, he thought.
Just then, Shen Xiao withdrew her Spiritual Energy. She pointed to the dozens of treasures on the ground—Magic Artifacts, Cultivation Techniques, and rare medicinal pills of all kinds. "These are treasures I've collected over many years. If you give me that pill, you can take your pick from any of these. What do you say?"
It was undeniable that Shen Xiao was making a huge sacrifice to get her hands on the Qianyuan Bone Changing Pill. The items on the ground were all extraordinary. Each Magic Artifact and Cultivation Technique pulsed with dense Spiritual Energy and formidable power.