(1 week later...)

Roughly 14 days had passed since he was made a Head Monk and began practicing alchemy.

Huizhen had checked in on him very little as he was too busy with the other monks, but that just made Xuan even more powerful.

And by now... His Qi Type mastery was looking pretty impressive.

Name: Xiao Xuan

Cultivation: Sixth → Ninth Level Spirit Warrior

Qi: 6.553 / 6.553 Billion [Spiritual Qi (Purity: 5% → 11%)]

<Void Qi | 6,122,955,110 / 10,000,000,000>

|

Legacy: None

Bloodline: None

Physique: Boundless Void Physique (Mastery Level: 3)

Physical Strength: 850,900 → 890,200

Mental Strength: 158,900 → 328,900

Physical Defense: 990,000 → 1,080,000

Mental Defense: 125,000 → 555,700

↳ Qi Type Comprehension:

[Time Qi - Beginner - 0.15%]

[Space Qi - Beginner - 19.29%]

[Death Qi - Beginner - 4.84%]

[Demonic Qi - Beginner - 9.88%]

[Poison Qi - Beginner → Intermediate - 1.01%]

<★ Xiao Yuelan - Fourth → Fifth Level Spirit Master>

It became a little difficult to raise Poison Qi after he reached the Intermediate level. He was sure it was because these pills were nothing special, only Mortal Ranked.

Aside from that, he had reached the peak of his realm, and now all he needed to do was fulfill the requirements to reach the First Level Spirit Master.

—

<Requirements to break through into the Spirit Master realm>

—

1. Unlock Elemental Qi. (Complete)

2. Reach Mastery Level 10 in the following techniques: Void Qi Body Reinforcement, Basic Qi Fist, Void Step (Incomplete)

3. Brew an Advanced Level Alchemy Pill. Must be Mortal ranked or higher (Incomplete)

—

These ones are a little difficult... The second one might take a week, as for the third... It might be doable if I have a recipe. At least

Today was the day. He was sure of it. Definitely not because Huizhen had been leaving behind subtle clues on when the higher-ups would arrive.

He also mentioned that there would be two coming, and with Chen Shun, it would be four in total, which was why he had thoroughly prepared for that as well.

Well... I’m as ready as I can be. There’s just two more things left to do...

<Xiao Xuan: How’s it going?>

<Xiao Yuelan: We’re all in position just outside of the array. 4 Spirit Grandmasters, 50 Spirit Masters, and a shitload of Spirit Warriors. Oh yeah, I brought a lot of Spirit Apprentice cannon fodder to sacrifice just in case.>

Xuan rolled his eyes.

<Xiao Xuan: Alright, we’re all set then. I’ll tell you when to breach the array. And remember... rescue the woman I told you about. I owe her an apology.>

<Xiao Yuelan: Another woman? You’re such a womanizer. But okay, as your trustworthy sister, I’ll kill all the corrupt monks and rescue your friends. Oh right, you told me to spare two? A healer and someone going by the name of Huizhen?>

<Xiao Xuan: Yep. Tell that to the others as well.>

After a brief pause, she replied.

<Xiao Yuelan: I just did. Anyhow, I’ll wait patiently until you call me, and be careful, what you’re going to do is dangerous.>

Xuan smiled, brushing it off.

<Xiao Xuan: See you in a bit.>

Closing the chatroom, he took a deep breath and checked his pockets, pulling out three glowing white pills.

<Abyssal Heart Pill>

<Rank: Mortal>

<Pill Purity: 100%>

<Description: A pitch-black pill that releases a fast-acting toxin in the chest, producing violent spasms and instant lung and kidney collapse. Due to the highest possible Pill Purity, the consumption of this pill will forcefully create a Qi blockage inside the consumer. Special effect when crushed into powder.>

This was something he had made by mixing several of the poisonous ingredients, and safe to say, he was satisfied, especially with the Pill Purity.

I guess as long as I innovate, I can reach 100%. Aside from that, the pill’s effects definitely won’t work, but the Qi blockage might slow them down.

After all, a pill that directly attacked the Dantian was overpowered. The powerful cultivators could obviously resist it, but they would need to forcefully expel it, which would give Xuan the time necessary to pull some big moves.

So with everything set into motion, Xuan hummed as he approached the doors of the alchemy pavilion, swinging them open.

The eight monks guarding the alchemy pavilion immediately sprang into action, arriving in front of him with frowns on their faces.

"The Head Monks instructed you to stay inside and wait for them... You’re not allowed to leave the pavilion without them."

"’That so?" Xuan smiled. "I don’t exactly remember them instructing me about that, though. But oh well, everyone makes mistakes, right? Could you let me by so I can talk to them about it?"

The monks stared even more fearsomely as they entered combat stances.

"Go back inside!"

Hearing that, Xuan’s smile only grew wider.

"If that’s the case, then I’ll have to refuse."

Without a moment of hesitation, Xuan blinked in front of the eight monks and sent a fierce Void Qi-covered slap across each one of their faces before they could even react.

Their heads bent at odd angles, but none of them died. They only hurtled far away off the mountain.

But Xuan was generous. He spared one from the beating.

However, that monk’s willpower seemed to disappear within the blink of an eye after what had just happened.

Xuan approached, placing a hand on the monk’s shoulder.

"What’s your name?"

"H-Haoyu Kai! Please spare my life!" The monk abruptly bowed.

"Don’t worry, I’m not killing anyone just yet," Xuan replied as his arm began emanating a purple glow.

Haoyu Kai’s face turned pale in an instant. Then, a second later, his eyes lost focus, and after exactly five seconds, he slumped to the ground, foaming at the mouth and unconscious.

"Hmm... My Void Qi needs to be in contact with a Spirit Warrior for five seconds to knock them out, huh? That’s not bad at all, and I have Poison Qi to thank for that," Xuan thought out loud.

Just then, he turned in the direction of the cafeteria. After all, if he wanted to give the higher-ups a pleasant welcome, the least he could do was make some warm tea.