Chapter 150: Chapter 147: Arriving at Pill King Valley

Tan Jinglin bowed respectfully to Ning Jiang, his face filled with reverence.

"Tan Jinglin," Ning Jiang acknowledged with a nod. "It’s you."

"Just a short while ago, I was thinking of you, Mr. Ning. I never expected to see you here. It must be fate," Tan Jinglin said with a smile.

"Grandmaster Tan, what are you doing?" Watching Tan Jinglin acting so deferential before Ning Jiang, Liang Xiyue’s voice was filled with shock.

This Grandmaster was old enough to be Ning Jiang’s grandfather, and even she had to address him as senior.

Tan Jinglin was a Grandmaster, after all!

There were no more than ten Alchemy Grandmasters like him in all of Cyan Cloud Country, and every single one of them was on equal footing with those on the Innate List.

In the entire circle of alchemists in Cyan Cloud Country, the only person who could make a Grandmaster like Tan Jinglin bow was her master, Pill King Lu Changsheng.

Yet now, Tan Jinglin was actually bowing to Ning Jiang. This shocked her even more than when Ning Jiang had defeated Nie Zhou with a single punch.

She wasn’t the only one confused; Li Shiyu also found it strange.

Tan Jinglin was an Alchemist, a part of the alchemy circle. Not even someone in the top ten of the Innate List could make him bow.

It was only possible for someone who could completely overwhelm him in the Dao of Alchemy.

’Could it be that Ning Jiang is also an Alchemist? And one even greater than Tan Jinglin?’

"Liang Xiyue, do not be impudent in Mr. Ning’s presence."

Hearing Liang Xiyue’s words, Tan Jinglin’s brow furrowed. He said sternly, "Mr. Ning is the Pill King I mentioned to you not long ago. He once refined a Supreme Grade Elixir and can stand on equal footing with your master!"

His words struck like a bolt from the blue.

Liang Xiyue trembled violently, finding it impossible to accept. "Absolutely impossible!" she cried out. "He’s so young! How could he possibly be a Pill King?"

Even her senior brother, Wei Tianchen, whose talent for alchemy was astonishing and rivaled that of a young Lu Changsheng, had only just entered the ranks of Grandmasters.

Tan Jinglin shook his head. He knew he couldn’t convince Liang Xiyue unless she saw it with her own eyes.

Li Shiyu, on the other hand, believed Tan Jinglin’s words.

After witnessing Ning Jiang’s terrifying strength, she understood clearly that this young man could not be judged by common sense.

Anything that seemed impossible was no longer strange when it involved him!

For example, no one would likely believe that Ning Jiang had recently tamed an Ice Python at the Innate Limit.

"Enough. I’ll say it one more time: take me to Pill King Valley."

Ning Jiang flicked his fingernails and got down to business.

"And if I don’t take you, what can you do about it?" Liang Xiyue huffed.

"Then you’ll die."

"Then kill me," Liang Xiyue said, craning her neck defiantly, looking as if she were prepared to meet her end.

Li Shiyu, standing nearby, couldn’t bear to watch. She knew that Ning Jiang was not one to show pity to a beautiful woman. Once he turned vicious, he would strike without the slightest hesitation or mercy.

Tan Jinglin stood by in silence, not saying a word.

From the looks of it, it was clear that there was some grudge or conflict between Ning Jiang and Pill King Valley. This was not something he could get involved in.

"You think I don’t dare to kill you?" Ning Jiang said indifferently. "I’m sure there are plenty of others besides you who know where Pill King Valley is. After I kill you, I’ll find Pill King Valley and slaughter your fellow disciples as the price for your refusal."

"You!"

Liang Xiyue’s eyes widened, and she glared daggers at Ning Jiang, her fists clenched tightly.

Ning Jiang stood there, his eyes as calm as a lake, but within that lake were a thousand swords, ready to unleash a sharp killing intent at any moment.

He was a Venerable; his word was law. Whatever he said, he would accomplish.

"Fine, I’ll take you."

Faced with Ning Jiang’s pressure, Liang Xiyue finally gave in.

In any case, it wasn’t worth losing her life here.

’Besides, even if he really gets to Pill King Valley, what can Ning Jiang possibly do?’

’Their Pill King Valley has more than ten masters at the Innate Limit standing guard. Many of them are on the Innate List, and some are even top-tier figures from the Innate List’s top ten.’

’With such a terrifying lineup, why should they fear Ning Jiang?’

’As soon as Ning Jiang arrives, he’ll surely be suppressed by their many experts.’

Liang Xiyue glared angrily at Ning Jiang, secretly grinding her teeth. ’Hmph, just wait until we get to Pill King Valley. I’ll deal with you then.’

"Let’s go."

Ning Jiang’s gaze drifted toward the distant horizon.

...

Pill King Valley was located within the Hundred Thousand Mountains north of Dan City, a vast mountain range spanning hundreds of li.

In such a vast mountain range, finding the location of Pill King Valley was no easy task. Therefore, to save Time, Ning Jiang had to find someone to lead the way.

"This is the Hundred Thousand Mountains."

Night had fallen when Liang Xiyue led Ning Jiang and the others to the edge of the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

As far as the eye could see, the mountain range rose and fell in countless overlapping layers, with no end in sight. The darkening sky added a terrifying aura to the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

’If my Cultivation reached the Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm, I could use Primordial Spirit Power to search. Even without Liang Xiyue, I could easily find Pill King Valley,’ Ning Jiang thought.

"Hey, are you really going to Pill King Valley? It’s not too late to change your mind. Otherwise, if you go to Pill King Valley, I guarantee it’ll be a one-way trip."

Liang Xiyue said, full of confidence. As a disciple of the Pill King, only she truly knew how powerful Pill King Valley really was.

Pill King Lu Changsheng’s own strength might not be top-tier, but his alchemy skills allowed him to recruit a large number of powerful experts willing to serve him.

It was no exaggeration to say that Pill King Valley was a lion’s den. Anyone who dared to intrude would certainly pay the price.

"A mere Pill King Valley? I can suppress it with a wave of my hand. How could you possibly comprehend my strength?" Ning Jiang said faintly.

"Arrogant fool."

Liang Xiyue pouted, full of defiance. "Once we’re at Pill King Valley and you’ve been suppressed, don’t you dare beg for mercy."

"Suppress Mr. Ning? You’re being too naive," Li Shiyu said, shaking her head.

"Li Shiyu, what do you mean by that? Are you saying my Pill King Valley’s strength is less than his alone?"

Liang Xiyue said unhappily, "I see you’re staying by his side. Have you become his lover? Has the famously proud and aloof number one beauty of the Golden Cauldron fallen so low?"

"Nonsense. I think you’re the one who could be Mr. Ning’s Little Maid, serving him tea and water," Li Shiyu retorted.

"Enough, stop arguing." Ning Jiang waved his hand dismissively. He had no interest in listening to two women bicker. "Lead the way."

Liang Xiyue shut her mouth and reluctantly walked into the mountains.

"Tan Jinglin, why are you going to Pill King Valley?" Ning Jiang asked casually.

"Ahem, I was invited by Pill King Valley."

Knowing about the conflict between Ning Jiang and Pill King Valley, Tan Jinglin said awkwardly, "This time, the Dan King Disciple, Wei Tianchen, has broken through to become an Alchemy Grandmaster. It’s a major event, so Pill King Valley has invited many people."

"That’s right. Several Alchemy Grandmasters have already arrived at Pill King Valley. Grandmaster Tan is the last one to arrive."

Liang Xiyue chimed in, looking at Ning Jiang with a proud expression that seemed to ask, ’See how powerful our Pill King Valley’s connections are?’

"Oh, right. There’s another important matter. The Pill King Conference is about to begin," said Tan Jinglin.

"Oh? What Pill King Conference?"

"The Pill King Conference is a grand assembly held by Pill King Valley every three years. Countless Alchemists rush to attend each conference. It’s a time to exchange alchemy experience, trade Pill Formulas and Treasure Medicines, and also observe Pill King Lu Changsheng’s alchemy and receive his teachings."

From Tan Jinglin’s words, Ning Jiang understood that this was a massive event, almost comparable to the Feast of Geniuses held every four years.

However, the minimum requirement to participate in this grand event was to be an Alchemy Master. Anyone below that level didn’t even have the right to enter.

"In that case, Pill King Valley should be quite crowded right now?"

Ning Jiang glanced over and saw Liang Xiyue lift her chin smugly and huff, "Scared now? If you cause trouble there, the Alchemists from all over the country will be the first to come after you."

"No matter how many ants there are, what does it matter? Even if I have to make an enemy of every Alchemist in the country, I can suppress them all with my power alone!" Ning Jiang’s tone carried an air of someone who could swallow the sun and moon.

"Conceited." Liang Xiyue pursed her lips, then voiced her question, "How exactly did our Pill King Valley provoke you to make you so hostile?"

"Wei Tianchen is your senior brother, isn’t he? Half a year ago, he went to Luoyang City and took someone who belongs to me!" A cold glint flashed in Ning Jiang’s eyes.

Liang Xiyue paused, suddenly remembering something. "You mean that Iceberg Beauty named Wei Yanran?"

"So you do know."

"Isn’t it just a woman? Worst case, we’ll just give her back to you," said Liang Xiyue.

"Give her back? You think this matter can be resolved so easily? For daring to take my person, your Pill King Valley must pay the price. Even your master, the Pill King, must give me an explanation. If I’m not satisfied, I will annihilate your Pill King Valley and turn it into a burial ground."

"You..."

Liang Xiyue was choked with anger, but as she met Ning Jiang’s indifferent gaze, she shivered, feeling a primal fear.

Ning Jiang was not joking!

They traveled the rest of the way in silence.

The mountain path was rugged and difficult to travel. The terrain was complex, full of cliffs and precipices, with the danger of falling to one’s death at any moment. However, for agile Martial Artists, it was of no concern.

In addition, the great mountains were home to many venomous insects and ferocious beasts. Some of these insects were so poisonous that even an Innate Realm expert would collapse and die within minutes of being poisoned, which was quite terrifying.

Fortunately, the group was composed of powerful experts. With their formidable strength, they proceeded without encountering any danger.

After a night of trekking, they had traveled over a hundred li of mountain paths, crossed one great mountain after another, and finally arrived at their destination.

Ahead of them was a layer of faint gray mist.

"Poisonous miasma."

Ning Jiang recognized the gray mist at a glance. This poisonous miasma was Pill King Valley’s outermost layer of protection, capable of preventing venomous insects, ferocious beasts, and ordinary Martial Artists from intruding.

"This miasma will poison anyone the moment it touches their skin and enters through the pores. It can even corrode Innate Gang Qi. Only those at the Innate Late Stage or above are unafraid of it."

Liang Xiyue explained. Disciples of Pill King Valley, however, had a special Antitoxic Pill. Even with a low Cultivation, they had no need to fear the poisonous miasma.

"Let’s go in."

Ning Jiang had cultivated the Great Sun Glazed Golden Body and didn’t even need to use his Protective Gang Qi. He walked straight in.

The other three circulated their Gang Qi, enveloping their bodies before they dared to enter.