Chapter 184: Chapter 184: The Struggle for Celestial Essence Hall

In the days that followed, Shui Ruolan led the members of the Yao Sect to take over the Chen Alliance’s alchemy channels. The Chen Alliance tried countless excuses to stall for time, but after Shui Ruolan brought in an Elder from the Sect’s Law Enforcement Hall, they had no choice but to obediently hand them over.

「Meanwhile, in Ouyang Chen’s Sword Forest...」

Guan Zhi lay on the ground, his face drained of blood. Between his legs was a bloody, mangled mess—Ouyang Chen had actually destroyed his manhood! But for Guan Zhi, this was a blessing in disguise. He had lost so many of the Chen Alliance’s resources; if Ouyang Chen hadn’t kept him alive for some other purpose, he would have never seen the light of day again.

"Young Master Chen, the Yao Sect has seized most of the Chen Alliance’s revenue streams! That Shen Haoran is a cunning one. He only picked the most profitable locations, not even giving the others a second glance!" Gou Shi said resentfully, holding his fingers in an effeminate pose.

Ouyang Chen glanced coldly at Guan Zhi on the ground. "What is the Chen Alliance’s situation now?" he asked.

"The Yao Sect has devoured nearly half of our main alchemy channels. All that’s left untouched is the one at Celestial Essence Hall," Xue Gong replied from the side. "But knowing Shen Haoran, he’ll make a move on it soon enough."

Hearing this, Ouyang Chen’s eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing within them. "Celestial Essence Hall, you say? Let’s go. I’ll deal with this Shen Haoran myself!"

...

In the Yao Sect’s Alchemy Room, Shen Haoran slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of impure air.

Over the past few days, Shen Haoran had finally recovered from his injuries and had taken the time to familiarize himself with his new realm as a Fifth Grade Alchemist.

Having advanced to a Fifth Grade Alchemist, Shen Haoran’s Spiritual Thought had grown much stronger, and his perception of his surroundings was far clearer. From within the Alchemy Room, he could release his Spiritual Thought and sense the movements of everyone in the Yao Sect. He was overjoyed by such powerful Spiritual Thought.

’Where’s that girl Ruolan?’ Shen Haoran realized Shui Ruolan hadn’t been in the Yao Sect for the past few days. ’Did something go wrong with the Chen Alliance business?’

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK... 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Just as Shen Haoran was wondering, a knock sounded at the door.

"Brother Shen, are you in there?" Long Zhen called from outside.

Shen Haoran got up and opened the door to find a breathless Long Zhen.

"What’s wrong?" Shen Haoran asked, his brow furrowed.

"It’s about the Chen Alliance’s alchemy channels," Long Zhen said, his face etched with frustration. "Sister Ruolan has been running herself ragged taking them over. There were a few small hiccups, but the Chen Alliance mostly cooperated after we brought in an Elder from the Sect’s Law Enforcement Hall. But now we’re down to the last location, and they’re refusing to cooperate, no matter what. Even getting the Law Enforcement Hall Elder involved again was no use. We’re out of options. We had to ask you to come and resolve it!"

"Which one?" Shen Haoran asked.

"Celestial Essence Hall!"

"Celestial Essence Hall?" Shen Haoran repeated, his brow furrowed and his voice turning grim.

Celestial Essence Hall was arguably the busiest place in the entire Five Elements Sect. Nearly every disciple, and even the Elders, frequented it. It was the Five Elements Sect’s Cultivation Sacred Land. A disciple might skip a meal, a night’s sleep, or even a trip to the latrine, but they would never, ever skip their Cultivation! As a result, Celestial Essence Hall was undoubtedly the most lucrative spot in the entire Sect for selling elixirs. Disciples heading into the Cultivation Rooms could take an elixir to speed up the circulation of their Spiritual Power, which would make their training sessions twice as effective.

It was a location Shen Haoran had specifically marked as a key target, so it was no surprise the Chen Alliance was unwilling to let it go.

"Let’s go take a look," Shen Haoran said, and the two of them hurried toward Celestial Essence Hall.

...

「Meanwhile, outside Celestial Essence Hall.」

Two factions stood in a tense standoff. The air was thick with hostility, causing passing disciples to quicken their pace, afraid of being caught in the middle.

Between the two factions, two fat men were pointing and screaming insults at each other.

"You damn effeminate freak! You’re a disgrace to all of us fat guys!" Zi Mo shouted, pointing at Gou Shi. "Why can’t you be a proper fatty? You doll yourself up like some kind of ghoul. Have you no shame?"

"Y-You... Who are you calling a fatty? You’re the fatty! Your whole family is fat!" Gou Shi shrieked, trembling with rage as he pointed a finger at Zi Mo with an effeminate flourish.

"No shit, can’t you tell I’m fat?" Zi Mo said with a sneer. "I’m just wondering how a joke like you managed to get second place on the Dragon and Tiger List."

"Hmph. This goddess is as beautiful as an immortal. Naturally, I relied on my beauty and my strength," Gou Shi said in a snide, androgynous tone, stroking his greasy hair. "Someone like you who can’t see past his nose is destined to be nothing more than a fatty!"

At his words, members of both factions nearly gagged. Zi Mo went one step further and spat out his dinner right then and there.

"You’re just trying to make us all puke! Believe it or not, I’ll beat you so badly your own mother won’t recognize you!" Zi Mo roared, unable to stand the sight of Gou Shi any longer.

"Bring it on! You think I’m afraid of you?" Gou Shi roared. He took a step forward, his massive body releasing a faint aura of power.

Seeing the two fat men were about to start fighting, Shui Ruolan quickly stopped Zi Mo.

"Zi Mo, business first!" Shui Ruolan said, her gaze fixed on the Chen Alliance members.

"Hmph. You’re lucky. I’ll let you off this time," Zi Mo snorted, retreating back into the Yao Sect’s ranks.

Shui Ruolan looked at Xue Gong, who stood opposite her dressed in white, and felt a headache coming on. Xue Gong was notoriously cunning; today’s negotiations would not be easy. ’But there’s no way the Yao Sect will give up the alchemy channel at Celestial Essence Hall!’

"Xue Gong," Shui Ruolan demanded sharply, "according to the wager between Guan Zhi and Shen Haoran, the Chen Alliance must hand over half of its alchemy channels to the Yao Sect. Celestial Essence Hall is the last location. What is the meaning of this, backing out now?"

At her words, Xue Gong chuckled softly. "You’re right, Guan Zhi did lose the Chen Alliance’s alchemy channels to the Yao Sect," he said. "However, the wager never specified *which* channels. You can forget about the one at Celestial Essence Hall. The Chen Alliance will not let it go."

"Hmph, you’re just twisting words! Guan Zhi never said the channel at Celestial Essence Hall *couldn’t* be given to the Yao Sect, either!" Shui Ruolan retorted with a cold snort. ’He’s just playing word games!’

"Exactly. Since this is a point of contention, neither of us can be the one to decide. So what’s the use of arguing with me here?" Xue Gong said, shaking his head lightly.

"Then what are you suggesting?" Shui Ruolan frowned.

"We should all go our separate ways. We can resume this discussion once we’ve figured things out," Xue Gong said.

The members of the Yao Sect were furious. ’Is this Xue Gong playing us for fools? If the Chen Alliance keeps insisting the location is ’in dispute,’ does that mean the Yao Sect will never get the alchemy channel at Celestial Essence Hall?’

"Hmph, do you really take us for fools?" Zi Mo snorted. "Let me be clear: we are here today to take over the alchemy channel at Celestial Essence Hall. If you don’t hand it over, don’t blame us for getting rough!" With that, the aura of a Tier Eight Spirit General erupted from him.

The Yao Sect members behind him roared in agreement, their collective aura turning sharp and menacing.

Seeing the Yao Sect members eager for a fight, a cruel smile touched Xue Gong’s lips. "Then bring it on," he said. "Let’s see just how capable the Yao Sect really is!"

As he spoke, the Chen Alliance members behind him glared menacingly at the Yao Sect. The tension in the air grew even thicker; it seemed a full-blown brawl could erupt at any second.

"Stop!"

Just as the two factions were about to clash, a thunderous shout echoed from the distance, stopping everyone in their tracks.