Chapter 162: The Pill Peddler

Lian Yue Gorge, a vast canyon, lay over a thousand li beyond the Boundless Forest.

The thousand-li range was the limit for Liquid Realm martial artists; farther north, danger increased greatly.

Within a thousand li of the Boundless Forest, most areas were territories of second-rank demon beasts, with only a few places like Chifeng Ridge hosting third-rank beasts.

However, beyond a thousand li, the number of third-rank demon beasts increased significantly.

Under normal circumstances, Liquid Realm martial artists were absolutely unwilling to cross the thousand-li line.

Ordinarily, Lian Yue Gorge was a place rarely visited by humans.

Yet in recent days, more and more human martial artists had gathered in Lian Yue Gorge, and their strength was growing.

From the initial first- or second-layer Liquid Realm martial artists, now even eighth- and ninth-layer ones were abundant. Among them were some human martial artists who, like Su Yubai, were half-step Condensation Realm!

Deep within the gorge, unusual fluctuations faintly emanated. Everyone knew that an extremely rare heavenly treasure was about to appear.

On the other side of the gorge, a large number of second-rank demon beasts had also gathered, facing the human camp from afar.

Both sides maintained considerable restraint and did not engage in all-out battle.

In fact, when the beast riot in Lian Yue Gorge first began, there had been considerable friction between humans and beasts.

But as more human martial artists and demon beasts accumulated, and their cultivation levels rose, the two sides instead fell into a stalemate.

Because stronger individuals had appeared on both sides, they became more restrained.

Among the human martial artists, Condensation Realm martial artists had appeared, and among the demon beasts, third-rank beasts had emerged.

Although third-rank demon beasts could not communicate with humans, their intelligence was already considerable, and they naturally did not want to lose too much strength before the treasure appeared.

The same was true for the human martial artists.

Ye Yuan and Nanfeng Zhirou were now mingling among those low-level human martial artists.

At this moment, both Ye Yuan and Nanfeng Zhirou had changed into ordinary beast-hunter attire, and Nanfeng Zhirou's face had been slightly altered; otherwise, her beauty would easily cause unnecessary trouble.

There were too many experts here; attracting attention was obviously unwise.

In fact, Ye Yuan had originally planned to let Nanfeng Zhirou go back first and come alone. But when he suggested she return, Nanfeng Zhirou flew into a rage, drew her sword, and fought him.

The result, naturally, was Ye Yuan's defeat, and he had no choice but to bring her along.

However, Ye Yuan made one request: no matter what happened, she had to listen to him.

This was Ye Yuan's bottom line!

Lian Yue Gorge was different from before; the two of them were too weak. The only way was to fish in troubled waters. If they weren't low-key, they would be devoured by others, bones and all.

Even with Yuan Fei around, they might not necessarily come out well.

At this moment, the human side in the gorge was basically grouped into small teams of three to five.

And the team formed by Ye Yuan and Nanfeng Zhirou was probably among the lowest of these groups, naturally not attracting attention.

"Ye Yuan, did you find out any news when you went out just now?" Nanfeng Zhirou transmitted her voice.

"Mm, I learned a few things, but most are just hearsay. However, it's now basically certain that the treasure emerging this time is a fire-attributed treasure! Judging by the fluctuations from deep in the gorge, it should happen within a day or two," Ye Yuan replied.

"But with so many people, and so strong, even Condensation Realm martial artists have appeared, do we have a chance?"

Nanfeng Zhirou had not expected so many people to gather here; she had thought it was just an ordinary treasure.

Who knew that upon arriving and seeing so many Liquid Realm martial artists, she immediately felt deflated.

With so many experts, how could it be their turn?

She admitted Ye Yuan was very strong, but his cultivation level was too low. Dealing with one or two was not a problem, but with so many people, how could they make a move?

Moreover, the current distribution in the gorge was entirely based on strength.

Those half-step Condensation and eighth- or ninth-layer Liquid Realm martial artists were mostly at the innermost area. Once the treasure appeared, they would surely be the first to rush in. How could it be the turn of those on the periphery like them?

Ye Yuan just smiled and said, "Heavenly treasures are for the fated, not necessarily for the strongest. With me, Ye Yuan, here, what business is there for others?"

"Tsk, all bragging! How do you know you're the fated one?" Nanfeng Zhirou looked disdainful.

"I told you, a born king, who else but me?" Ye Yuan said shamelessly.

"Enough nonsense! Let's talk business. What exactly should we do?" Nanfeng Zhirou was completely defeated.

"What else? Conserve our strength and wait for the right moment! Once the treasure appears, there will surely be a fierce fight between humans and beasts. You just need to keep yourself safe; I'll handle the rest," Ye Yuan said.

"..."

Nanfeng Zhirou instantly felt like a burden.

Aunt had clearly told her to protect him, hadn't she? But so far, Nanfeng Zhirou felt that Ye Yuan was protecting her.

Moreover, Ye Yuan's strength was now no less than hers; he didn't need her protection at all.

The world changed too fast...

Just as Nanfeng Zhirou was secretly feeling sorry for herself, a commotion arose.

"Fine pills! Fine pills! Drunken Star Pavilion products, guaranteed quality! Second-rank Qi Recovery Pills, second-rank Heart Protection Pills, second-rank Healing Pills, second-rank Antidote Pills—all kinds of pills available!" a martial artist in gray cloth shouted at the top of his lungs.

His shout immediately attracted the attention of many martial artists.

Most of these martial artists were beast hunters who had been wandering in the Boundless Forest for a long time, and their stock of essential pills was running low.

Suddenly, a pill merchant appeared, causing quite a stir.

Hearing someone selling pills, Ye Yuan also glanced over. Many people had already surrounded him.

At a time like this, a single pill might save a life.

But Ye Yuan's nose twitched slightly, and he could already tell that those pills were fakes. Although they looked almost identical to some Drunken Star Pavilion pills, their efficacy was probably less than half.

Ye Yuan just smiled faintly and stopped paying attention. What he needed now was to keep a low profile, not to show off.

Nanfeng Zhirou seemed to notice something and couldn't help asking, "What are you smiling at? Is there something wrong with that man?"

"There's nothing wrong with the man, but there is with the pills. Still, they won't kill anyone, so let him be," Ye Yuan said indifferently.

"No way? How can you tell?" Nanfeng Zhirou was at least a pill master herself, but she couldn't see any problem.

"The pill ingredients themselves are fine, but during refining, Lanyuan Water was added. The amount that should have made one pill, he stretched into four or five, so the efficacy is naturally much worse," Ye Yuan explained.

"You could tell just by looking?" Nanfeng Zhirou asked in surprise.