Chapter 32

This thing was the foundation for Wang Yu to maneuver—an additional sect credential brought countless advantages. Especially when cooperating with those in power within the system, it could exert even greater influence.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Tao shook his head.

"I have a first-rank high-grade alchemist certification."

"Then let Huang Kai and Luo Pinghu take it down. Three days from now, at the hour of Si, we’ll meet here again. By then, I’ll bring the items you want."

"It’s a deal."

"Naturally."

None of the three asked how much benefit Wang Yu would get from this operation. After all, no one in a demonic sect is a selfless saint. As long as he delivered the promised profit, how much Wang Yu earned was his own ability and had nothing to do with the others.

After parting ways, Wang Yu headed to another shop, Proud Snow Pill Pavilion. It was the same store he had seen the "Cold Blood Pill" in earlier. Now with money in hand, it was the perfect time to buy a high-grade Cold Blood Pill.

The idea of forming a small four-person alchemist alliance was actually a spur-of-the-moment decision. He had realized that relying on alchemy alone to earn money wouldn’t work. His cultivation time was too short—barely a year.

Moreover, being born a Spirit Slave with Wasted Spiritual Roots, it was impossible to expect masterful alchemy skills. Even his current cultivation was unnatural.

If someone looked too deeply into him, it might bring about unexpected trouble. So he decided to shift direction. There were other ways to make money.

The idea of the alchemist association came from that train of thought. As for the promised benefits, that came to him the moment he obtained the law enforcement token.

That was: the Ice and Snow Pavilion.

Pills didn’t necessarily have to be sold to alchemy shops. Selling to the Ice and Snow Pavilion was actually more suitable. Zhao Shang was a greedy and daring man. Daring enough to go against the will of True Disciple Su, in secret. But that didn’t mean he was fearless.

The Law Enforcement Token would be Wang Yu’s ultimate card to turn things around. Even if Zhao wasn’t afraid, he’d have to be.

The Ice and Snow Pavilion was a personal faction under a True Disciple. It wasn’t just ordinary disciples like Wang Yu involved. There were also sect-affiliated backers supporting him.

Thus, it attracted many junior disciples from various sides.

From that, it could expand into a substantial power base—more than enough to absorb the output of three first-rank alchemists with ease.

After buying the much-coveted high-grade Cold Blood Pill from the Proud Snow Pill Pavilion, Wang Yu went straight to the Ice and Snow Pavilion. Since he hadn’t been gone long, when he pushed the door open again—

Zhao Shang spoke in a surprised and slightly mocking tone.

"Look who it is, Junior Brother Wang, the one favored by the True Disciple. What’s the matter… reported me already and came back?"

If there was any hint of concern earlier, seeing Wang Yu return instantly gave Zhao Shang a sense of confidence.

"I think you’ve misunderstood, Brother Zhao."

Wang Yu glanced around. A few inner sect disciples were currently seated behind a screen in the side hall on the first floor, likely drinking tea. When they heard the commotion, they looked over.

"I think we need a private space. Let’s have a good talk."

"Talk? You?!!

"Filthy beggar. I don’t care how you tricked the True Disciple. Say one more arrogant word, and the Ice and Snow Pavilion will become your grave."

Seeing Zhao Shang rush to frame him, trying to define the situation and even preparing to strike, Wang Yu instantly understood his plan.

It was nothing more than a preemptive move to eliminate a potential threat.

What a lunatic.

Clang—

A gold-engraved token with the words "Law Enforcement" slammed into the counter.

Wang Yu spoke calmly.

"Harming fellow disciples, embezzling sect resources, manipulating a True Disciple—how about these three crimes? Do you think they’ll help you rise in the ranks? Like… ascend, permanently?"

Zhao Shang’s expression changed. He knew Wang Yu’s background. Was it given by True Disciple Su? No—if it was, he’d already be dead, not here talking.

In other words, another powerful figure had taken a liking to Wang Yu.

Damn lucky bastard.

Zhao Shang had never been this jealous of a Spirit Slave before.

Cold sweat trickled down his forehead. He had dared to bully the weak and flatter the strong because he was certain that True Disciple Su was entangled in trouble and had no time to manage the Ice and Snow Pavilion. As long as the benefits being funneled upward remained unchanged, he wouldn’t get into trouble.

The ones he oppressed were mostly ordinary disciples like Wang Yu and Su Qingshan, who had no background or connections. As for those from formal lineages within the Ice and Snow Pavilion, he acted like a dog before them.

Take Duan Ping for example, that fatty Duan. His Duan clan was Su’s maternal family and held a high status within the Blood Reversal Sect. Even as a collateral descendant, he could order Zhao Shang around.

If the Law Enforcement Hall got involved and the matter blew up, no matter the reason, Zhao Shang would be completely done for.

Realizing this quickly, Zhao Shang immediately changed his expression.

“Junior Brother Wang, come now, Senior Brother was just teasing you.”

“I’ll have that guy vacate the room for you right away. Just a moment.”

“No need. Let’s talk in private.”

“Of course, anything Junior Brother says.”

This time, things went much more smoothly. They moved to a private room on the third floor named “Lofty Mountains and Flowing Water.” Wang Yu dropped all pretense.

“Zhao Shang, you bullied me before. I have a solution in mind. Listen carefully.”

Zhao Shang still kept a smiling face.

“Speak freely.”

“I need a batch of low-cost spirit herbs for alchemy. The resulting pills will be purchased by the Ice and Snow Pavilion, using the public fund. The price just needs to be higher than the market rate.”

Zhao Shang could be made to compensate with a personal sum of spirit stones, but that would be unstable and might provoke revenge afterward.

It was better to call it a “cooperation” and invite Zhao Shang to embezzle the Ice and Snow Pavilion’s spirit stones together. That way, both of them would have dirt on each other. If either one leaked it, they would both be dead. It would tie them together like grasshoppers on the same rope.

Though Wang Yu hated Zhao Shang to the bone, he didn’t yet have the strength to remove him. He would have to wait.

Hearing the demand, Zhao Shang instinctively refused.

“Impossible. I may be managing the Ice and Snow Pavilion, but I’m only in charge of the Essence Qi Chamber and internal tasks. The pills, spirit stones, and other resources given to others are not within my authority.

“Besides, your asking price is too high. Market prices are already inflated. You want even more. That’s suicide when we reconcile the accounts later.”

Wang Yu shook his head.

“I’m selling to you at market price. What price the Pavilion pays is up to you.”

The implication was clear. Any amount above the market rate would be Zhao Shang’s cut. How much he earned would depend on his own skills.

Zhao Shang immediately went silent, calculating rapidly in his mind.

Anyone who had reached the late stage of Qi Refining and had any ambition would be preparing to break through to Foundation Establishment. Accumulating spirit stones was absolutely essential.

With the Blood Reversal Sect as his backing, common Foundation Establishment Pills, such as the “Blood Reversal Pill,” could be bought for about four thousand spirit stones. But if he wanted a superior-grade pill, the pill alone would cost ten thousand spirit stones, not to mention the additional favors and connections required. It was no small expense.

His greed had a lot to do with this.

Through the internal channels of the Ice and Snow Pavilion provided by True Disciple Su, three Foundation Establishment Pills were available each year, at a marked price of thirty thousand spirit stones.

That price was so high even dogs would be speechless.

It was absurd, so absurd that even Zhao Shang couldn’t save up enough. Hence, bullying the weak and currying favor with the strong became his fast track to success.

After a long silence,

Zhao Shang gritted his teeth and said,

“I agree, but you must have a certificate from the Alchemy Hall. Otherwise, I won’t be able to justify it to the fellow Daoists managing the Pavilion’s welfare.”