Opening the door, Shen Haoran found Luo Tian waiting outside. He took the Storage Ring from Luo Tian’s hand and nodded his thanks. After all, Luo Tian was a Spirit Aspect Powerhouse. The fact that he would go to such lengths for a mere Spirit Pupil like himself, all on the strength of Luo Xiaowen’s Token, left Shen Haoran unsure of how to properly thank him.

Luo Tian chuckled softly, then led Shen Haoran to the main hall of the Celestial Martial Auction House, where Yang Yu was waiting anxiously.

The moment he saw Shen Haoran, Yang Yu rushed over. "Brother Shen, are you ready?"

"Yes, just about. But you look... has something happened?" Shen Haoran asked, seeing the anxious look on Yang Yu’s face.

Just as he’d suspected. Yang Yu’s face fell. "The Nether Poison in my father’s body flared up ahead of schedule," he said urgently. "The situation isn’t looking good. The Alchemists I summoned are all powerless. Brother Shen, please, save my father!" As he spoke, this man of iron will actually fell to his knees before Shen Haoran in front of everyone.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Seeing this, Shen Haoran quickly sidestepped and reached out to pull Yang Yu to his feet.

"Brother Yang, don’t be so anxious. I will do everything in my power to save your father!" Shen Haoran said, looking at Yang Yu with sincerity.

Initially, Shen Haoran had only agreed to brave the dangers of Black Wind Stronghold and treat Yang Zhentian’s Nether Poison to obtain the Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion and the Secret Realm Map. But seeing Yang Yu now, his resolve had shifted.

Yang Yu was a man of iron will; of that, there was no doubt. Not even the threat of death could likely make him kneel in submission. And yet, for his father’s sake, he was now kneeling before an unknown upstart—and he was doing so knowing this kid only had a two-in-ten chance of success. Such devotion was truly moving. It made Shen Haoran think of his own mother. ’If my mother were ever sick, I would do the same, wouldn’t I?’ It was a resonance between filial sons. For Yang Yu’s heart of pure, selfless devotion alone, Shen Haoran would give his all to save Yang Zhentian.

"Thank you, Brother Shen!" Yang Yu stood up. Not wanting to waste another second, he immediately set off with Shen Haoran for Black Wind Stronghold.

Understanding the urgency, Shen Haoran didn’t linger either. He simply had Long Mo remain at the Celestial Martial Auction House, instructing him, "Senior Brother Long, if I have not returned in five days, take this Bodhi Pill back to Elder Huo. He will know what to do." Long Mo nodded in agreement.

Shen Haoran and Yang Yu rushed toward Black Wind Stronghold without a moment’s rest. Within half a day, they arrived at the stronghold’s gate.

Black Wind Stronghold was built into the side of a mountain. Standing at its base, one could feel its imposing might. The surrounding Spiritual Power was rich and abundant—an excellent place for cultivation.

But Shen Haoran had no time to admire Black Wind Stronghold. The moment he passed through the gates, Taotie Changmao’s voice rang in his mind. "Ugh... what a stench. I can already smell that little doggy!"

’Little doggy? Only you would dare call a Three-headed Hellhound a "little doggy"!’ Shen Haoran grumbled to himself. Still, the comment made him realize the gravity of the situation. It seemed the Nether Poison in Yang Zhentian’s body was far more terrifying than he had imagined.

"Brother Shen, quickly, this way!" Yang Yu led the way, and soon they arrived before a Palace. In front of it stood a crowd of Martial Artists dressed in black.

"Young Master, what’s the news? Did you manage to bring the expert?" An old man rushed forward as soon as he saw Yang Yu.

"Second Uncle, calm down. I’ve brought him!" Yang Yu said, gesturing toward Shen Haoran.

The old man, Yang Yu’s Second Uncle, Yang Zhenlan, looked Shen Haoran over, his brow furrowing.

"Young Master, this is a matter of the Village Chief’s life and death! How can you make such a joke by bringing back some wet-behind-the-ears brat?" Yang Zhenlan said, staring at Shen Haoran.

"Second Uncle, Brother Shen may look young, but he was able to describe Father’s symptoms and predict the timing of the Nether Poison’s eruption without even knowing he was poisoned! I believe he has a way to save Father’s life!" Yang Yu insisted.

"You..." Yang Zhenlan started to say more, but Shen Haoran cut him off.

"Instead of wasting time complaining, you’d be better off explaining the situation so I can get to work saving him," Shen Haoran said coldly, his eyes fixed on the black mist drifting from the Palace.

"Hmph. Just some brat. Does he really think he has the right to be so arrogant here?"

"Hmph. If several Alchemists like us couldn’t solve this problem, what can a mere Spirit Pupil possibly do?"

"He’s probably just here to scam a reward from Black Wind Stronghold. So opportunistic at such a young age. You really can’t fathom the hearts of men these days."

The moment Shen Haoran finished speaking, several old men standing nearby began to mock him, their disdain completely unconcealed.

Hearing this, Shen Haoran showed no trace of anger. On the contrary, he smiled cheerfully at the four old men.

"You’re Alchemists?" Shen Haoran asked.

"Hmph, that’s right. We three are Fifth Grade Alchemists, and this man beside me, Master Wu, is a Sixth Grade Alchemy Grandmaster!" one of the long-bearded elders declared proudly. From the start, the aforementioned Master Wu hadn’t even deigned to look Shen Haoran in the eye.

"Ohhh, Fifth Grade Alchemists and a Sixth Grade Alchemy Grandmaster!" Shen Haoran said, his face a mask of dawning comprehension.

Seeing the look of "admiration" on Shen Haoran’s face, the four old men immediately puffed out their chests and lifted their chins, practically preening. But his next words made their faces instantly turn black. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"Incompetent! Useless! A bunch of absolute hacks! You can’t even deal with a simple poison like this, yet you have the nerve to call yourselves Alchemists? And an Alchemy Grandmaster? You’ve brought shame upon the entire Alchemy Realm!" Shen Haoran pointed at the four elders and tore into them.

Everyone watching was stunned. Those were three Fifth Grade Alchemists and a Sixth Grade Alchemy Grandmaster, figures who were revered and worshipped wherever they went. Who would ever dare point a finger in their faces and curse them? This kid had some serious nerve!

The four elders were dumbfounded as well. For revered Alchemy Masters to be cursed out by a junior, right to their faces... they had never suffered such an indignity!

"Kid, do you have any idea who you’re talking to?" Master Wu stepped forward, his voice cold as he glared at Shen Haoran.

"I’m talking to whoever’s incompetent, of course," Shen Haoran said with a casual shrug.

"You... Fine! You’re so capable, kid! If you’ve got the guts, go in there and suppress Old Village Chief Yang’s Nether Poison! Standing out here trading barbs with us, aren’t you afraid you’ll sprain your tongue!" Master Wu was so furious his face turned beet-red and his beard practically bristled.

"Hmph!" Shen Haoran snorted, ignoring Master Wu. He turned to Yang Yu and asked, "What’s the situation inside?"

"Hmph, don’t bother asking him. He wouldn’t know," Master Wu interjected with a sneer. "When we arrived, Old Village Chief Yang’s Palace was already shrouded in this Nether Poison. Not even a Spirit Aspect Powerhouse dares to take a single step inside!"

"Oh?" Shen Haoran’s brow furrowed. He walked to the entrance of the Palace and peered inside.

"Hmph! Just a brat who’s all talk. If you can actually go in there and get Old Village Chief Yang’s Nether Poison under control, I’ll call you ’Grandpa’!" Master Wu sneered at Shen Haoran’s back.

But Shen Haoran paid him no mind. Instead, he asked inwardly, ’Changmao, can you deal with this Nether Poison?’

"A piece of cake. Leave it to me!" Changmao’s confident voice replied.

’Good enough for me!’ Shen Haoran turned back, a wide grin splitting his face as he looked at Master Wu. "Don’t you forget what you said!" With that, he plunged headfirst into the black, poisonous mist...