Chapter 113: This Damn Truth, No One Believes It

The two of them were putting great effort into their propaganda, and Zhang Ergou was even using all his skills, employing the highest art of boasting. Although it attracted many disciples to gather around, these disciples only took one look before leaving with expressions of disdain.

This left Zhang Ergou and his companion feeling helpless. Could it be that these outer disciples really didn't trust Wuming Peak?

The Sect Leader possessed supreme alchemy skills, and now he was willing to refine pills for these minor outer disciples—what an honor! Yet now they were all reluctant, which made Zhang Ergou's face turn red with anger.

"I know about Wuming Peak, but what's this about three sets of materials for one furnace of pills?"

"It must be bragging. The Supreme Elder of Danding Peak once said that getting one furnace of pills from three sets of materials was already incredibly lucky. Judging by the banner they're carrying, they seem to be guaranteeing it."

"I'd better gather more materials first. I don't want to waste the materials I've painstakingly accumulated."

"Only charging a ten percent labor fee sounds good, but who knows if it's a scam."

"Nowadays, anyone dares to call themselves an alchemy master. I think I'll go find Senior Brother Li from Danding Peak to refine my pills."

...

Seeing that these outer disciples didn't believe in his sect leader, Zhang Ergou grew anxious. "Hey, hey, don't talk nonsense! Our sect leader's alchemy skills are top-notch. He came out of seclusion to refine pills for you out of consideration for how hard it is for you to gather materials. You should seize this opportunity!"

"Ha, stop trying to fool us. Every outer disciple knows about Wuming Peak. It's just a peak granted by the Sect Leader. When it comes to alchemy, can it compare to the senior brothers on Danding Peak?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"Going to Danding Peak to refine pills, though costly, at least guarantees a success rate. Can Wuming Peak guarantee that?" said an outer disciple with a smile.

On Danding Peak, although sometimes ten sets of materials yielded one furnace of pills, they could truly guarantee that a furnace would be produced.

But they weren't familiar with Wuming Peak. If they gave their materials and no pills came out, what then? Could they storm Wuming Peak?

Zhang Ergou and Feng Jue were now angered by these outer disciples who didn't believe in their sect leader's alchemy.

The Sect Leader was so kind as to refine pills for them, yet not one of them believed.

"Senior Brother, forget it. The Sect Leader deigning to refine pills for them is already a great grace. Since they don't believe, let the Sect Leader rest well. One day, they'll regret it," said Feng Jue.

"Hmm." Though Zhang Ergou was unconvinced, he didn't want to say more. He ignored the gossip of these outer disciples and continued his propaganda.

...

At this time, on Danding Peak.

Li Shun had been very busy lately. Those disciples had finally come back to him for pill refining, and they had honestly brought their materials.

One batch in particular was a huge profit for Li Shun.

Twenty sets of materials to refine one furnace of Suyuan Pills. When he got to the seventh set, his luck struck—he actually succeeded in one furnace. What a huge profit!

Then, with the remaining thirteen sets, Li Shun succeeded once more. Not only did this extra furnace of Suyuan Pills belong entirely to him, but he also took a cut from the first furnace.

In short, it was a huge profit.

After finishing a furnace, Li Shun rested a bit. The flute-playing boy beside him served tea and massaged his shoulders and back.

"Senior Brother, I just heard some disciples say that someone is also setting up a stall at the foot of Wuming Peak to refine pills, claiming they can produce one furnace from three sets of materials and only charge a ten percent labor fee," said the flute-playing boy as he gently massaged his senior brother's shoulders.

Having been with his senior brother for years, he knew exactly what gossip his brother liked to hear.

Sure enough, a faint smile of disdain appeared on Li Shun's lips as he rested.

"Sensationalism."

"Senior Brother, I think it's just sensationalism too. Alchemy isn't like other things; it's not that easy. Even the old ancestor said that getting one furnace from three sets of materials is already incredibly lucky."

"Although herbs have the same properties, their potency varies, the furnace temperature differs greatly, and the moisture content of each herb is different. To refine a furnace of pills, one must observe carefully," said the flute-playing boy softly.

"Hmm." Li Shun nodded with his eyes slightly closed.

He was very satisfied with his flute-playing boy. Once, when he went out to search for rare herbs for months, the journey was not only arduous and lonely but also involved heavy labor, so having a boy by his side was essential.

"Senior Brother, should we go to Wuming Peak and give them a warning?" asked the flute-playing boy.

"No need. Let them be. If any disciples are cheated, they won't need our warning. Someone will make them understand that without real skill, one shouldn't dare to refine pills."

...

The sun set in the west.

Zhang Ergou and Feng Jue had no gains all day. Not a single disciple believed them; most just watched the spectacle.

But later, Zhang Ergou came to understand them. After all, Wuming Peak was unknown. To suddenly claim they could refine pills, and with such a high success rate promised by the Sect Leader, it scared off the disciples from trying.

Seeing the sky darken, Zhang Ergou prepared to carry the banner back to report with his junior brother.

The day had been a waste.

He didn't know if they should come back tomorrow to continue the propaganda.

"Sigh..."

Zhang Ergou and Feng Jue sighed, expressing deep helplessness.

"Two senior brothers, can three sets of materials really yield one furnace of pills?" Just as they were about to leave, a faint, timid voice came through.

Zhang Ergou and Feng Jue immediately stopped what they were doing and looked up with joy.

"Of course."

Mao Xiaoxiao was a menial disciple. That morning, while delivering something to an outer disciple senior brother, he had seen the alchemy setup here.

Seeing the favorable conditions, Mao Xiaoxiao was tempted, but the temptation lasted only a few seconds. He then hid aside, not daring to come forward, because the pills he needed were too embarrassing to mention.

He saw that the outer senior brothers didn't trust Wuming Peak, and he hesitated.

But the hesitation lasted only a short while before disappearing, because if he wanted pills, this was his only option.

"Junior Brother, what pills do you want to refine?" asked Zhang Ergou with a smile.

Mao Xiaoxiao looked at Zhang Ergou, a bit nervous. "Senior Brother, I'm just a menial disciple. I haven't been in the Holy Sect long, and the materials I've prepared aren't valuable. I want to refine a furnace of Blood Qi Pills. Here are three sets of materials. Senior Brother, is that okay?"

Mao Xiaoxiao took out three herbs from his inner clothing. These herbs he had obtained by chance and always kept close to his body. To him, these three herbs were his most precious possessions.

Blood Qi Pills were relatively low-grade pills, but very important for menial disciples.

Before entering the Houtian realm, one could take Blood Qi Pills to enhance one's blood and qi. Even after entering the Houtian realm, the pills were still useful.

For menial disciples, although the sect provided some pill subsidies, they were scarce. Menial disciples were external disciples of the sect, responsible for taking care of the daily needs of the regular disciples. Among them, very few could break through to the Xiantian realm. Once they did, they could truly become outer disciples.

Every year, the Holy Sect recruited disciples. Those with poor aptitude were usually assigned to menial duties, while those with good aptitude could be accepted as outer disciples or be taken into a peak by one of the nine Supreme Elders.

Zhang Ergou and Feng Jue showed slight disappointment in their eyes. They hadn't expected such low-grade pills to be needed.

But never mind, this was the first order—how could they turn it away?

"Deal. Don't worry, junior brother. We'll take the materials. Tomorrow morning, we'll be here again. Come and collect your pills then," said Zhang Ergou.

"Thank you, senior brothers!" Mao Xiaoxiao's face immediately lit up with a smile.

He didn't know how to refine pills, and the senior brothers on Danding Peak would never refine Blood Qi Pills for him. In their eyes, Blood Qi Pills were low-grade, and refining them would be a waste of time.

"Don't mention it. Go back now. We need to return to the peak to report," said Zhang Ergou, waving his hand.

"Yes, senior brothers, goodbye." Mao Xiaoxiao felt relieved. He never doubted that the senior brothers would steal his materials, because while the materials might be important to him, they were useless to them.