Chapter 25: A Casual Killing!

"Foundation Establishment Pill? A quota?"

Xu Chengwei, who was half-reclined, instantly felt that something was wrong. Disregarding his pride, he was just about to grab the small bars on the cell window to look outside.

The next second, he stopped his movement, a sneer appearing on his face. "Hah, you think you can make me submit with such a trick?"

This was undoubtedly a trap set specifically for him by Liang Chuan, all to force him into obedient submission.

He had to admit, when he first heard the voices of the disciples outside, he had indeed panicked. But after thinking it over, how could the White Sword Sect possibly afford that many spirit stones to purchase Foundation Establishment Pills?

"Giving out quotas for Foundation Establishment Pills? You're still too young to try and swindle me."

With that thought, Xu Chengwei lay back down on the wooden bed in his cell. Even though it was uncomfortable, the prospect of watching Liang Chuan eventually having to humble himself and apologize made it bearable.

"Besides, this guy must be insane. Daring to use our Blood Moon Sect's resources to buy Foundation Establishment Pills? Once the Sect Leader returns, he will surely make these madmen wish for death!"

Just thinking about it made him feel a sense of pleasure. "As expected, the status of an alchemist is supreme!"

"What are you blabbering about? Can’t you be a little quiet even when you're about to die?"

The disciple guarding the cell frowned in annoyance, telling Xu Chengwei to shut up.

"Who the hell are you cursing!" Xu Chengwei lunged toward the door, spitting insults. "Just wait until I get out; I’ll make you kneel and kowtow to apologize to me!"

Back at the Blood Moon Sect, he had been respected by everyone. To come to this godforsaken place and have a common disciple bossing him around was intolerable!

"Hah." The guard let out a cold laugh. "Do you still think you're as high and mighty as before? You must be unaware that our White Sword Sect has found a way to obtain Foundation Establishment Pills!"

"Who would ever come to a garbage sect like yours? Keep trying to fool me so I’ll waste another few decades!"

Xu Chengwei scoffed at the guard’s words. He knew better than anyone how precious alchemists were. Even he had only managed to become an alchemist after burning through a massive amount of spirit stones. Had it not been for the good treatment provided by the Blood Moon Sect, he wouldn't have even considered a place like this.

"Believe it or not, it doesn't matter. The truth is that a powerful, mysterious alchemist has arrived at our sect. It is said that this person has a past connection with our sect, which is why they came to the White Sword Sect."

After saying this, the guard shot a glance at Xu Chengwei as if looking at a dead man. Even though Xu Chengwei was locked inside, his self-satisfied demeanor still made the guard feel sick.

"Still trying to lie to me." Xu Chengwei lay back down on the wooden bed. Though he didn't believe it, the voices from outside still made him feel a slight twinge of panic.

Even so, the excited chatter of the disciples continued to reach his ears.

"I have no idea where the Sect Leader found this mysterious alchemist, but they are truly incredible!"

"I heard they can stably refine Foundation Establishment Pills, and the success rate is shockingly high!"

"And it seems they can supply our entire sect! This is so much better than that idiot Xu Chengwei!"

Every word made Xu Chengwei more flustered, but upon hearing the last sentence, his heart settled down again.

"Did you really think I wouldn't know? Supplying an entire sect? Stably refining Foundation Establishment Pills? That’s just a pipe dream!"

If there were truly such a formidable alchemist, why would they ever stay in a place like the White Sword Sect? Even the major sects would spare no effort to recruit them! With this thought, his heart finally calmed.

***

The next day, Xu Chengwei was still dozing when the noisy cheers outside jolted him awake.

"Oh my god! I got it! I can advance to the Foundation Establishment stage!"

"Look, everyone, that’s my name up there!"

"Why wasn't I drawn? Brother, could you let me have yours?"

"Get lost! This is mine; go draw your own!"

For the disciples of the White Sword Sect, today was undoubtedly the happiest day of their lives, for three quotas had been given out. In previous years, the White Sword Sect was lucky to get even one quota; now, not only were there three, but there would be more draws for Foundation Establishment Pills in the future. They were ecstatic.

However, Xu Chengwei in his cell felt that something was wrong. They hadn't even brought him his meal last night, yet the excitement outside was still going strong today. His intuition told him that this might actually be real.

He slowly climbed up, took a deep breath, and peered through the small window. He saw Liang Chuan standing before a group of disciples, holding three slips of paper in his hand.

"Quiet down! Those whose names were called, come up to collect your pills!"

As soon as Liang Chuan finished speaking, the disciples erupted into cheers. Just as one of them prepared to step forward to receive the pill, a sharp, piercing voice echoed from afar.

"Liang Chuan, don't you dare try to lie to me! I’ve already seen through all your tricks!"

Following the sound, one could see a pair of eyes staring intensely at him from the small window of the distant prison cell.

Wasn't that Xu Chengwei?

Looking at the frantically shouting man, the disciples of the White Sword Sect cast looks of disgust in his direction.

"You really think too highly of yourself. Do you really think you're worth me lying to?" Liang Chuan had almost forgotten about this minor character; he hadn't expected him to jump out and provoke him at this moment.

"I never thought the White Sword Sect would be more cunning than our Blood Moon Sect. I have to say, I almost believed you for a second there." Xu Chengwei’s eyes were bloodshot, his voice sounding hoarse and desperate.

Even though he kept telling himself that this was impossible, as an alchemist, he had already keenly caught the unique fragrance of the Foundation Establishment Pills. Even from such a distance, the scent was heavy—which meant these were truly Foundation Establishment Pills.

But this shouldn't be! How could such a powerful alchemist be willing to come to a hellhole like the White Sword Sect? What terrified him even more was the realization that if such a person truly existed, he had become completely useless. Anyone capable of refining Foundation Establishment Pills would surely find refining Spirit-Rhyme Pills effortless.

Yet, he couldn't reconcile his disbelief without seeing it for himself.

Liang Chuan scanned him with impatience and walked toward the cell. Once he reached the door, he opened the bottle in his hand in a leisurely manner and poured out three Foundation Establishment Pills.

When Xu Chengwei saw the perfect pill patterns on the surface of the medicine, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning. His body went limp, and he collapsed onto the floor.

"Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills... he wasn't lying to me!" Xu Chengwei shook his head incessantly. Seemingly remembering something, he crawled to the cell door on his knees. "Sect Leader, I know I was wrong! Please don't kill me; I am willing to go through fire and water for the White Sword Sect!"

Liang Chuan’s eyes were cold. The man didn't know he was wrong; he was simply afraid of death. "We have no need for someone who bites the hand that feeds them."

"No, I can still make money!" Xu Chengwei cried out, his expression full of pleading.

Liang Chuan said calmly, "Kill him."

Xu Chengwei felt as if he had been struck by a thunderbolt, his entire body trembling uncontrollably. In this moment, he finally felt regret.