Refining the Mountains and Rivers

“Yao Bin?” The Chief Elder frowned, a bit of unease in his eyes. He had previously heard that several disciples had died at his hands. Thinking of the Sect Master’s reminder, he hesitated for a moment and asked, “What is the cause of all this?”

The Elder who brought up the topic didn’t conceal anything. He honestly dictated his full knowledge of events based on the results of an investigation. To them, this matter wasn’t much of a secret. Jiang Taishou and Yao Bin’s struggle was only one related to the benefits from spirit plant materials.

The Chief Elder’s face darkened. He coldly coughed, “The sect does have a need for the spirit plant pills refined by Jiang Taishou. Yao Bin’s actions have gone a bit overboard this time.”

With a single sentence, all of the other Elders could understand the meaning in his words. It seemed that even the Chief Elder was feeling a bit impatient towards this Yao Bin who had yet to show any promising results.

After that, there was no need to discuss anything further. The meeting ending and the Elders scattered.

The Elder who raised this matter returned to his dwelling and smiled. He took out his handphone and pressed some numbers. After the connection was made, he said, “It’s fine.”

On the other end, Grandmaster Jiang smiled as he heard this. Since the chief wasn’t tolerating that person anymore, there was no need to have any scruples. He called for a disciple and passed out some orders. The disciple nodded repeatedly before hurrying away.

Soon, rumors of Grandmaster Yao fearing a fight spread throughout the Black Demon Sect. And as more and more time passed, these rumors grew increasingly loud.

Although one could choose not to accept the challenge, amongst demonic path cultivators who lived freely to their emotions and killed and slaughtered as they pleased, to avoid a challenge was an extremely great loss of face. Unless there was a massive disparity in strength where victory was almost impossible, no one would flinch in facing a challenge.

Grandmaster Yao didn’t respond on the first day; this caused the Black Demon Sect cultivators to frown. Then, the second, third, and fourth days passed in silence, and a bit of contempt began to appear in the eyes of the Black Demon Sect cultivators. In fact, even the number of people who came over to exchange spirit plant materials declined by 70-80%. As for those who still visited, they didn’t display the respect and awe from before. While they didn’t dare to act recklessly, their eyes and faces revealed their disdain.

This caused Tutou who was responsible for receiving to be secretly enraged. His complexion grew increasingly ugly. If it weren’t for Qin Yu’s strict orders to not do anything unseemly or dangerous, he would have already erupted.

Although Tuba’s face darkened, he was for better or worse able to maintain a calm demeanor. With his understanding of His Highness, he knew Qin Yu wasn’t someone to shy away from trouble. He and Tutou had already reported this matter to His Highness. Moreover, with His Highness’s strength, there was no reason for him to avoid this fight!

This was the Ninerealm Holy Land’s Saint Son! Just how honored was that status? To be able to obtain that status, that sufficiently proved how powerful His Highness was.

“Tuba, hasn’t the grandmaster come out yet?” Tutuo tilted his head with an anxious expression.

Tuba said in a deep voice. “Others might not know, but how can we not? The grandmaster is in seclusion cultivating right now; he simply doesn’t know what is happening outside. Once the grandmaster leaves seclusion, he will naturally show all these people that are hopping around just why he is so amazing!”

Tutou said aggrievedly, “I know, but I just cannot bear it. Who does that Jiang person think he is? Does he think he is worthy of challenging our grandmaster!? If it weren’t for fear that I would cause trouble for the grandmaster, I would have already run over and wrung his neck!”

“Calm down…” Tuba began. Then, a happy expression lit up his face. “The grandmaster has come out!”

He let out a breath of relief. Most of the stuffy feeling in his chest immediately disappeared.

Although he displayed a calm demeanor, he was just like Tutou, angry about how the outsiders looked at His Highness.

Tutou was ecstatic. “Come, let us go and inform the grandmaster! These people’s happy days are about to come to an end!”

At this time, a figure walked out from the main hall, a black robe covering his entire body. This was Qin Yu who was borrowing the name of Grandmaster Yao. “There is no need for you to inform me. I have already seen the notice from the Internal Affairs Division.”

He looked up at the beautiful sun in the skies and his lips curved in a smile. “I didn’t think that some people would be so impatient. I was in seclusion for a short several days and yet they stirred up such a great mess.”

After cultivating the Five Element Mountain for over two years, Qin Yu’s path of metal had reached the small success stage, and his cultivation had risen to the eighth level of Divine Soul. With the joy of making a boundary breakthrough still lingering in his mind, he was completely unaffected by this matter. However, since some people were loudly offering up precious spirit plant seeds to him, how could he not accept them? That would be completely unfair to their regards.

And to fight it out using one’s alchemy skills…Qin Yu’s smile widened. It had to be known that in this world, the thing he feared the least was refining pills! This Grandmaster Jiang had even chosen his greatest dependence to challenge him with; his luck was just too good.

He stepped outside. Though he didn’t turn around, he could see the hesitant expressions of Tuba and Tutou. He said, “In these sorts of storylines where the plot is reversed, every moment is interesting. Do you want to miss out?”

“No way!” The two were overjoyed. Their long legs started to move and they rumbled to catch up.

Tuba hesitated for a moment. Then, he took out two pairs of giant glasses formed from black crystals. He gave one to Tutou and they both put them on. Instantly, their slaughter energy rose to the peak and their aura almost doubled. Following behind Qin Yu, they were like twin dark stars.

The group walked towards the Internal Affairs Division. As they did, they attracted the stunned gazes of countless Black Demon Sect cultivators, almost forming an endless line behind them.

Grandmaster Yao had appeared and was headed straight to the Internal Affairs Division!

This news instantly blew up the moods of the people within the Black Demon Sect. They all sucked in deep breaths, excitement on their faces. After hiding like a turtle for so long, he finally couldn’t withstand it. This was how it should be! A man should accept all gambling fights tossed his way! Even if he lost, the worst outcome was that he would have nothing left in this world and be up to his chest in debt. It was still better than being looked down upon and despised for the rest of his life.

Of course, within these thoughts, there was also a thick sense of gloating.

Purple Spring had an excited expression. “Honorable master, that surname Yao has finally appeared and he’s going straight to the Internal Affairs Division!”

Grandmaster Jiang’s eyebrows rose with a bit of surprise. “I thought that Grandmaster Yao was prepared to endure some shame for a while, but I didn’t think he would be so hot-blooded and brave. I actually feel a bit sorry for him.”

The flattery from numerous disciples immediately came rushing in like a tide. Such as, “Master is so magnanimous and kind, that fool is simply seeking his own demise!”, “That surname Yao is being punished by his own self-inflicted sins,” “Teacher is benevolent, but if someone offends your dignity you cannot be softhearted,” and other such unbearably flatulent words.

Grandmaster Jiang sighed. “Whatever. The gambling bet has already been decided. At most, I will just let him lose a bit more beautifully in the competition. After all, both Grandmaster Yao and I are alchemists and we should support each other in the Black Demon Sect!” As he spoke, he had a fully compassionate expression.

Internal Affairs Division.

Grandmaster Yao might have a horrid reputation and his situation was not good, but he was still an infamously ominous individual. The cultivators here did not dare to neglect him.

An Internal Affairs Division Elder appeared. He invited Qin Yu in for some snacks and drinks, and then said with a worried expression, “Grandmaster Yao, perhaps you have been a bit too reckless in this situation. Grandmaster Jiang is not someone easy to provoke.”

Qin Yu laid down the teacup. He lightly said, “I understand. But since things have gotten to this point, what is the point of saying any of this? Elder, please pass on a message that I will accept the gambling bet.”

The Internal Affairs Division Elder shook his head, “Aiya. Alright. We will immediately inform Grandmaster Jiang. Does Grandmaster Yao have a preference for what day you would prefer the gambling fight to be on?” He hesitated for a moment and added, “According to custom, you must carry out the competition with Grandmaster Jiang within a month of the day you accept the bet.”

Qin Yu’s eyes flashed. “Then let’s do it today.”

The Internal Affairs Division Elder was surprised. “Isn’t…isn’t that a bit too hasty?”

Qin Yu said, “I’ve already caused everyone to wait for so long. Now that I have some free time, it’s best to finish it as soon as possible. What, can I not?”

The Internal Affairs Division Elder dryly laughed. “You can. Grandmaster Yao, please wait a moment, I will immediately ask.” He quickly stood up and left.

Grandmaster Jiang laid down his handphone, a thoughtful expression on his face. This Grandmaster Yao seemed confident in himself; perhaps he had obtained some harvests in seclusion. Then, let this old man step on you and all your newfound confidence until it becomes nothing but dregs!

The Internal Affairs Division Elder returned with a smile on his face. “Grandmaster Jiang has agreed. The Internal Affairs Division will immediately begin preparations for the competition to be held in two hours. I wish Grandmaster Yao victory in advance.”

Qin Yu cupped his hands together, “Thank you for the support.” Without further pause he stood up and bid his farewells, leaving the Internal Affairs Division. Outside, the iron tower-like Tuba and Tutou attracted the gaze of many surrounding cultivators. As soon as Qin Yu appeared, their eyes brightened.

“Let’s go.” Qin Yu immediately left. Tuba and Tutou followed respectfully behind. The crowd drew back like a tide, opening a channel for them to pass.

It was unknown why, but many Black Demon Sect cultivators who previously looked down at Grandmaster Yao in disdain for not accepting the challenge discovered that they simply couldn’t find the least bit of contempt for this person. There was like some faint and indiscernible atmosphere around Grandmaster Yao that made them feel awed.

The Internal Affairs Division Elder watched Qin Yu leave. He suddenly frowned, a bit of hesitation in his heart. He could feel that Grandmaster Yao didn’t seem to have any fear at all. But at this time, to have no fear meant that he was fully confident in himself! Did he have the confidence he could win this gambling fight?

The frown deepened, becoming increasingly tight and worried. It had to be known that he had also put down a considerable amount of money in the sect betting ring. He originally thought of gaining a small amount, but if something happened…no, no, it was impossible. The reason he had made such a large bet was because he had obtained some tips from some higher ups.

Grandmaster Jiang’s alchemy skills were far stronger than what he displayed now! Humph! Even if you have some cards hidden up your sleeves, once Grandmaster Jiang uses his full strength, there is no way you can succeed!

Thinking this, the Internal Affairs Division Elder dispelled all of his doubts and hesitations. He didn’t know, but he had already missed the last chance to avoid any losses. As for what happened after today, would this Internal Affairs Division Elder ruthlessly slap himself in the face several times and cry out his heart in anger and sorrow? Well, that wasn’t something to worry about.

Jiang VS Yao. The gambling bet between two alchemy grandmasters would happen today in two hours!

The Internal Affairs Division spread out the news as the quickest speed possible. The Black Demon Sect cultivators were shocked, then…some people rapidly finished up what they were doing, some people pushed their work to the side, and some people simply rushed over with complete disregard!

What nonsense, who had the free time to do nothing all day but to wait? But, this was a battle that involved two alchemy grandmasters and massive stakes. As long as there was a chance, no one wanted to miss out.

Cough cough…of course, there were other reasons. This was a good chance to gain spirit stones. Everyone here was a smart person, so who wanted to miss out on such a chance? More or less, most people had thrown down a bet. When it concerned their own purses, it was hard not to care.

Two hours later the competition would begin. Qin Yu decided not to waste his time moving around. He found a pavilion to rest at and appreciate the scenery.

Tuba hesitated for a moment. Then he respectfully said, “Grandmaster, there is a matter that this subordinate doesn’t know whether to speak of or not.”

Qin Yu smiled. “You’ve already spoken up. Do you want to leave the other half unsaid to ruin my appetite?"

Tuba awkwardly smiled, “Ah…in the Black Demon Sect, some people have opened up a betting ring related to the result between you and that surname Jiang. Your compensation rate is 1:5.”

Qin Yu’s eyes brightened. He flipped his hand and took out a storage ring. “What are you standing here for then? Change your appearance and immediately go make a bet with all the spirit stones in here. As for who to bet on, do I need to say it?”

Tuba grinned. “This subordinate understands!” He received the storage ring with both hands and speedily ran away, killing intent in his eyes.

Hum hum! You dare to belittle His Highness? This time I’ll make you all vomit blood!

With a flip of his hand, Tuba took out another storage ring. The titan tribe didn’t cultivate magic power, but through the countless years they existed they had constantly collected treasures from outsiders and had amassed an incredible amount of wealth. This was originally prepared to be offered to His Highness, but now it seemed he could increase it several times over before doing so.

An hour later, Tuba came back with a jade pendant and returned it along with the storage ring. “Grandmaster, the gambling stake has been placed. After the result emerges, you can use this to draw out the amount.”

Qin Yu flicked his sleeves and received it, smiling. Betting rings were what he loved the most. Now that he had to raise the Purpleback Bluewing Ants, he would require a massive amount of high level monster beast souls and blood. Hunting them down by himself would be far too slow and arduous. The fastest and most efficient way was to simply buy them up.

So when it came to spirit stones, the more the better!

This was a completely accidental harvest.

Thinking of this, Qin Yu nodded to Tuba in praise, as if saying in gratification, ‘Thank you for understanding me’.

Soon, another hour passed. The handphone placed on the table began to vibrate. Qin Yu lightly tapped the screen and a piece of information appeared, ‘Grandmaster Yao, the preparations have been completed. Please arrive at Heavenwait Temple as soon as possible.’