Chapter 481: Chapter 125: Did You Think My Elixirs Come Free?

“You don’t want to know, but I insist on telling you!”

Wei Guanguan’s furious expression made Mu Qingge couldn’t help but smile.

She didn’t speak, waiting for Wei Guanguan to continue.

Sure enough, seeing Mu Qingge unresponsive, Wei Guanguan couldn’t hold back her words any longer and spilled everything: “Mu Ge, do you know you’re quite popular now? Your fame almost rivals Brother Mei! The senior sisters in the Medicine Tower have even started something called the Love Song Association.”

“Love Song Association? What’s that?” Mu Qingge asked with a strange expression.

Wei Guanguan eagerly explained: “Oh, it’s a group that supports you, like an organization. Brother Mei seems to have one too, called the Qing Mei Association.”

Mu Qingge felt her mouth twitch, overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the female disciples in the Medicine Tower.

How dull must the life in the Medicine Tower be for these female disciples to indulge in such frivolous activities!

“What have they done?” Mu Qingge asked, feeling a headache coming on.

Wei Guanguan covered her mouth with a laugh, proudly saying, “You’ll know once you step outside. Oh, I forgot to tell you, I joined the Love Song Association too!”

“Guanguan, you’re here in the Medicine Tower to learn,” Mu Qingge said, feeling helpless.

She couldn’t care about others, but Wei Guanguan needed a reminder.

“Don’t worry, I won’t delay my alchemy lessons. Besides, by joining the Love Song Association, if I have any questions about alchemy, I can ask the senior sisters in the association, which is much more convenient than before,” Wei Guanguan dismissively replied.

Mu Qingge slowly shook her head, “Do as you please.”

Finished speaking, she walked towards the treehouse exit.

Wei Guanguan called from behind, “Mu Ge, where are you going?”

Mu Qingge initially wanted to say she was going to the Pill Recipe Hall. But thinking of Wei Guanguan as a member of the Love Song Association, she kept silent, waved behind, and quickened her steps to leave.

When Mu Qingge left the treehouse, she finally understood Wei Guanguan’s ’You’ll know once you step outside’!

Mu Qingge stood dumbfounded, stunned by a group of waiting female disciples rushing towards her. Shocked, she ran off immediately, disappearing from their view.

The disappointed female disciples felt quite let down.

Their gifts remained undelivered.

“What should we do? Brother Mu ran upon seeing us,” a female disciple said.

Another said, “We must have scared him by appearing like this.”

“We haven’t given our gifts yet,” another regretfully looked at the gifts in her hands.

Just then, Wei Guanguan walked out of the treehouse.

“Oh? It’s Sister Wei!” someone recognized Wei Guanguan with sharp eyes.

Instantly, the group of female disciples ’heartbroken’ by Mu Qingge surrounded Wei Guanguan.

Wei Guanguan was startled, nervously saying, “Senior sisters… what’s happening?”

The female disciples gently asked Wei Guanguan: “Sister Wei, you live in the same treehouse as Brother Mu, right?”

Wei Guanguan nodded.

Immediately, her hands were filled with gifts she couldn’t hold, with many others appearing before her.

Wei Guanguan laughed helplessly and told the female disciples: “Sisters, Mu Ge is not in the treehouse, giving these to me is useless!”

A female disciple squeezed out and said, “No worries, we already knew Brother Mu wasn’t here. Since you can’t carry so much, why don’t you lead us to Brother Mu’s door, and we’ll just leave the gifts there?”

“This…” Wei Guanguan hesitated. She knew Mu Ge’s temper somewhat, and without her permission, bringing people in might annoy her.

Thinking of Mu Qingge’s wrath made Wei Guanguan release her hands, dropping all the gifts to the ground. “Seniors, you better find Mu Ge yourselves!”

She quickly turned and ran back to the treehouse.

“Hey! Sister Wei, don’t leave!”

“Sister Wei, why are you running!”

The voices behind echoed as Wei Guanguan covered her ears, mumbling: “Too crazy! It’s too crazy! Aren’t these women concerned about propriety between men and women? Chasing a man so openly!”

“Guanguan, what are you doing?” As Wei Guanguan nearly collided with someone in her flustered run, she was stopped just in time.

Wei Guanguan abruptly stopped, looking up only to see a face similar to hers by seven or eight degrees, looking curiously at her.

“What’s wrong? Are you being chased?” Wei Qi looked behind Wei Guanguan but saw no one.

Wei Guanguan shook her head and told Wei Qi about the encounter outside the treehouse.

After hearing her out, Wei Qi praised: “You did well. If you know Mu Ge wouldn’t like it and still rely on being friends to act, it might jeopardize the friendship.”

Wei Guanguan sighed in relief: “You haven’t seen it, swarmed by dozens of women chirping around you, it makes one’s head spin.”

Wei Qi glanced at her and sneered: “You’re one of them.”

“I!” Wei Guanguan was speechless. Shortly, she felt deflated and said: “I joined thinking everyone liked Mu Ge. Who knew they’d be so crazy.”

“Alright. Learn a lesson from this and don’t join them again.” Wei Qi suddenly patted Wei Guanguan’s head, nodding like a brother.

Wei Guanguan covered her head, blocking Wei Qi’s action, curiously asking: “Why do you seem different today?”

“What’s different?” Wei Qi asked, puzzled after looking at himself.

Wei Guanguan bit her lip, pondered for a while, then said: “You suddenly feel much more mature.”

Unexpectedly, Wei Qi bristled at her words: “I’ve always been mature, just you never considered me your brother!”

…

Mu Qingge reappeared outside the Pill Recipe Hall.

She brushed off nonexistent dust from her clothes and walked toward the Pill Recipe Hall.

Upon entering, she felt a force from the forbidden technique scanning her. Then, the imposing voice in the Pill Recipe Hall spoke again—

’Ranked eighth in the Medicine Tower Popularity Chart, Advanced Alchemist, granted access to all layers, unlimited time each entrance.’

Mu Qingge felt a twinge. She hadn’t expected the Medicine Tower to operate so efficiently. She hadn’t even updated her identity waist tag, yet the Pill Recipe Hall recognized her status change.

To her surprise, once she replaced Song Yu as the eighth rank, she could enjoy those ranking benefits. However, because she refined an Advanced Elixir, becoming an Advanced Alchemist, far surpassing Song Yu in capability, additional perks were unlocked.

For example, she could freely enter any tower layer without restrictions.

Also, she could stay at the Pill Recipe Hall indefinitely without a time limit.

This means she could choose to remain inside the Pill Recipe Hall indefinitely.

’This sounds like a good option!’ Remembering the earlier scene at the treehouse, Mu Qingge was inclined to retreat into the Pill Recipe Hall.

Inside the Pill Recipe Hall, Mu Qingge headed directly to the third and fourth layers.

She stayed in the Pill Recipe Hall for a day, arriving at the fourth layer where, besides Shang Zisu, it was empty.

Seeing Shang Zisu quietly reading under the lamp, Mu Qingge paused.

She wasn’t sure when Shang Zisu entered the Pill Recipe Hall, but was certain it was after her. Since Shang Zisu didn’t have the same unrestricted privileges to stay as she did.

The Pill Recipe Hall has seven layers in total.

Low-level Alchemists can enter the first two layers.

Intermediate Alchemists can enter the third and fourth layers.

Advanced Alchemists can access the fifth and sixth layers.

The seventh layer possesses more rare pill recipes and Advanced Alchemists can enter, but supposedly the seventh-layer entrance has a powerful restriction to automatically select entrants.

Previously, Song Yu said that as long as you beat him and replace his ranking, you can earn a privilege to access the top layer once a month. It’s not just empty words. It’s a privilege deliberately created by the Medicine Tower to stimulate healthy competition within the tower.

Every month, the seventh layer will unconditionally open once to those on the popularity list.

Mu Qingge quickly scanned around and discovered that there were fewer people on the fourth layer than on the third layer. It seemed that only she and Shang Zisu were present.

And on the layer above…

Mu Qingge looked up at the entrance of the fifth layer. Before her arrival, there were only three advanced alchemists in the Medicine Tower Branch, and two of them were teachers.

I suppose the two layers above are covered in dust!

Grumbling in her heart, Mu Qingge didn’t disturb Shang Zisu, but walked to the other side and casually pulled out an ancient text to read.

The third and fourth layers mostly had intermediate pill recipes and introductions to exotic treasures, including the differences among alchemists in countries of different levels in the Linchuan Realm.

Mu Qingge was engrossed, standing there, nearly going through all the books on the shelves around her.

Her astonishing reading speed was terrifying, like a giant whale swallowing the sea.

Only when her neck started to ache did she lift her head, prepared to stretch a bit.

Just as she looked up, she saw Shang Zisu standing silently in front of her, quiet as a statue.

“Sister Shang?” Mu Qingge was somewhat surprised.

Shang Zisu nodded lightly and spoke, “Junior Mu, there’s something I’d like your help with.”

Shang Zisu’s voice was like the wind from a snowy mountain—cold and clear. Instantly, it dispelled Mu Qingge’s brain fog from excessive reading.

“Why don’t you tell me what it is first, Sister Shang,” Mu Qingge said.

Shang Zisu pressed her lips, seeming to hesitate internally, but then made up her mind to say, “I want you to help me find a pill recipe on the fifth layer.”

“A pill recipe?” Mu Qingge’s eyes flickered as she asked, “If I remember correctly, the recipes above the fifth layer are advanced recipes, right?”

“Correct.” Shang Zisu nodded, without hiding anything: “Among the fifth layer’s recipes, one is considered an entry into advanced elixirs. Using it to refine elixirs is a shortcut to entering the realm of advanced alchemists. This pill isn’t too difficult to refine but provides a clear sensation of creating advanced elixirs.”

I see.

Mu Qingge understood.

Yet, she was still puzzled: “Since there’s such a recipe, why would Sister Shang come to me? Brother Mei and Master Lou, who are advanced alchemists, should know about such a recipe, right?”

Shang Zisu shook her head and replied, “Master believes in going with the flow and doesn’t support us focusing too much on level improvement. Plus, he’s often traveling and not in the tower, making it hard to consult him. As for Brother Mei, he spends most of his time refining pills, sometimes closing himself off for over a month, or even half a year. It’s hard to ask him for help as well…”

By the end, Shang Zisu showed a faint bitter smile.

Her brother was raised by the master, and his character is quite obedient to him. Since the master doesn’t approve of seeking shortcuts for advancement, how would the brother help?

“So, Sister Shang can only place her hope in me.” Mu Qingge said.

Shang Zisu bit her lip, her expression cold and calm: “I wasn’t supposed to trouble you, but I’ve been stuck as an intermediate alchemist for too long and urgently need a breakthrough. If you help me just this once, I’ll accept any cost.”

“Isn’t Sister Shang afraid I’ll ask for something embarrassing?” Mu Qingge curved her lips in a playful manner.

Shang Zisu smiled warmly and gracefully: “I trust Junior Mu’s character. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have asked.”

Mu Qingge smiled, “Since Sister Shang trusts me so much, I’ll lend a hand. No payment is needed, consider it as compensation for me sneaking a glance at the Guiyuan Beauty Pill recipe.”

Shang Zisu was startled and said, “But you’ve already given me the refined Guiyuan Beauty Pill as compensation. Since I’m asking for help this time, how can it be counted like that?” Mentioning the Guiyuan Beauty Pill, Shang Zisu recalled the pill still in her Qiankun Bag. Although the Guiyuan Beauty Pill is an advanced elixir, its recipe is available within the intermediate alchemist’s range due to its usage.

If only the pill recipe she sought was placed on the third or fourth layers, she wouldn’t need to ask anyone for help.

Thinking of this, she shook her head resolutely and said: “If Junior Mu doesn’t want to propose a reward, I’ll just seek help from someone else.”

Mu Qingge chuckled.

She hadn’t expected the normally aloof Shang Zisu to be so principled.

Most people would happily take advantage, but she wants everything accounted for.

“Senior Sister, there is no need to be like this. It’s not a difficult matter,” Mu Qingge advised.

However, Shang Zisu earnestly replied, “To you, Junior Brother, it may be just a small favor, but to me, it’s a great kindness.” After she spoke, she actually turned around to leave.

Mu Qingge had rarely seen someone like this.

She stopped Shang Zisu and asked, “In Senior Sister’s heart, what kind of price would you consider a fair trade between the two of us?”

Shang Zisu turned around, lowered her eyes and thought for a while: “I can refine pills for the Mu Family without charge for three years and promise one request. But this request must not go against my will.”

Mu Qingge was silent for a moment, and after a while, she sighed and said, “Senior Sister Shang, your return is too high, which makes me feel unworthy. How about changing our stakes?”

Shang Zisu looked up at Mu Qingge, thought for a moment, and said, “Please speak, Junior Brother Mu.”

Mu Qingge said, “I can help Senior Sister get the pill recipe you want, and the price doesn’t need to be so troublesome. You just need to answer a few questions for me when you get the recipe.”

Shang Zisu seriously looked at Mu Qingge for a while before saying, “Are you looking down on me, Junior Brother Mu? Fine, I promise you. However, my promise to refine pills for your family for three years won’t change; I just cancel the promise agreement.”

Mu Qingge chuckled.

Shang Zisu’s personality was quite endearing.

A principled beauty always earns more respect from people. This respect transcends her appearance.

“Alright. Please tell me the name of the pill. I will go to the fifth layer to search,” Mu Qingge said.

Shang Zisu slowly said, “This pill is called the Earth Essence Pill. Today’s time for me to enter the Pill Recipe Hall is up, and I can’t wait for you. Tomorrow I will come again and wait here for your good news.” After she finished speaking, she nodded towards Mu Qingge and turned to leave the Pill Recipe Hall.

“Earth Essence Pill,” Mu Qingge murmured once. She then turned and walked towards the fifth layer.

That night, Mu Qingge spent in the Pill Recipe Hall.

Originally, she also wanted to check on Fu Tianlong. But thinking he was probably still recovering and not in much danger, she decided to stay in the Pill Recipe Hall.

The next day, she was so immersed in the fifth layer’s books that she almost forgot about her promise to Shang Zisu.

Until she heard Shang Zisu’s calling from downstairs, she remembered the matter.

“Junior Brother Mu, are you still here?” Shang Zisu came as promised, standing on the fourth layer, softly calling.

Mu Qingge walked downstairs and saw Shang Zisu’s elegant back.

“Senior Sister Shang.”

Hearing the voice, Shang Zisu turned around, and upon seeing Mu Qingge, she showed a faint smile.

Mu Qingge approached Shang Zisu and handed her the transcribed Earth Essence Pill recipe. Shang Zisu took it, quickly scanned it, and a captivating smile emerged at the corners of her mouth.

It was like the warmth felt when a thousand-year frozen snow mountain melts.

Carefully placing the pill recipe away, Shang Zisu said to Mu Qingge, “Thank you, Junior Brother Mu. Whatever questions you have, please ask.”

Mu Qingge, knowing her nature, didn’t engage in pleasantries. She directly said, “Senior Sister Shang, do you know what’s on the top floor of the Spiritual Consciousness Tower?” She hadn’t forgotten Diao Yuan’s trouble-seeking was all for that item.

But that ’Light Ball’ had already been absorbed by her body; how could she bring it out?

“The top floor of the Spiritual Consciousness Tower?” Shang Zisu appeared somewhat puzzled, pondered for a moment before uncertainly saying, “I wasn’t aware of this matter before. However, after Master returned this time, Senior Brother mentioned your performance in the Spiritual Consciousness Tower to Master, and Master commented with a sigh, ’That treasure unexpectedly fell into this young man’s hands, a stroke of great fortune indeed!’ Senior Brother asked Master what it was, but Master evasively said it was a treasure coveted by even Director Hua yet unattainable by him, and it is very beneficial to Spiritual Consciousness.”

After speaking, she hesitated briefly before cautiously continuing, “Junior Brother Mu, are you saying that you obtained something from the Spiritual Consciousness Tower?”

Mu Qingge smiled and shook her head, “I don’t know what I got; Diao Yuan just made me curious.” Although she still didn’t know what the ’Light Ball’ was from Shang Zisu’s words, knowing it benefited Spiritual Consciousness, she decided to keep quiet about it and avoid drawing trouble.

As for now, it was just Diao Yuan making things difficult for her.

As for Director Hua and Master Lou, they might know what it is, but they should know since it’s absorbed, it can’t be expelled, and killing her would be useless.

“Diao Yuan came looking for you?” Shang Zisu knew that Diao Yuan had sent Song Yu to trouble Mu Qingge but didn’t know that Diao Yuan had personally sought out Mu Qingge before.

Mu Qingge nodded.

Shang Zisu frowned and said, “Diao Yuan’s temperament is strange, his moods unpredictable, and he harbors no tolerance. Junior Brother Mu must not be careless; I think you should find a sect offering protection quickly.” Moreover, this sect should ideally be able to contend with Diao Yuan’s sect. This part, Shang Zisu kept to herself, not wanting Mu Qingge to feel she was acting as a mouthpiece for her sect.

After all, within the Medicine Tower, the only ones capable of challenging Dean Hua’s faction are theirs.

“I understand. Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. I have another question I need your help with.” Mu Qingge wasn’t concerned about Diao Yuan; rather, she raised another matter that was on her mind. “I’ve heard that every few years, the Medicine Tower Branch sends some medicinal materials to the Main Courtyard. The people who escort these materials are selected from the Medicine Tower Disciples.”

“That’s true. And this year is the time for sending the materials.” Shang Zisu’s answer matched the intelligence provided by Mr. Monster.

“Then what are the criteria for being selected?” Mu Qingge asked again.

“Does Junior Brother Mu want to escort the materials?” Shang Zisu’s expression suddenly became peculiar.

Mu Qingge nodded.

Shang Zisu suddenly laughed softly, “It seems Junior Brother Mu truly wants to find himself a master.”

“What do you mean?” Mu Qingge’s gaze sharpened.

Shang Zisu explained, “The quota for escorting the materials is always very limited. To maintain fairness and to avoid unnecessary internal strife, the Medicine Tower will hold a martial competition before departure. Those qualified to enter the competition must be disciples of masters within the tower. Those who haven’t apprenticed with a master are not eligible for selection.”

“So there are such rules?” Mu Qingge murmured to herself.

Shang Zisu said, “Actually, it’s not hard to understand. Every year, the disciples chosen for the Medicine Tower, if talented, are absorbed into various households, leaving only the mediocre ones. Talented individuals, with famous mentors guiding them, naturally advance rapidly. The disciples with less talent, without any master’s guidance, can only fend for themselves. The disparities emerge from this, and those sent to the Main Courtyard represent the face of the Branch, so naturally, the quota will not be wasted on this kind of disciple. It may sound cruel, but that’s just how the world works. Survival of the fittest, the law of the jungle is the law of survival.”

Mu Qingge found herself unable to refute. She couldn’t represent the interests of mediocre disciples to challenge the rules of the Medicine Tower.

All she wanted was a quota to escort the medicines, to enter the Holy Yuan Empire, from there to Rong Country’s Endless Swamp to find the Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame and subdue it!

Thinking it over, she said, “I will consider Senior Sister’s words carefully, and thank you for clarifying them for me.”

“No need to thank me, I’m just fulfilling my promise.” Shang Zisu said indifferently, “Junior Brother Mu can provide your family’s address so that after I leave the Medicine Tower, I can fulfill my other promise.”

Mu Qingge laughed, “Senior Sister is truly willing to waste three years of youth in my family?” She wanted a Pill Master to permanently reside in the Mu Family Army, to provide them with a large quantity of elixirs. But she desired permanence, and three years seemed too short to her, so she preferred not to be greedy at all.

“Fulfilling my promises frees my heart, keeping it free from the troubles of a Heart Demon.” Shang Zisu said earnestly.

“In that case…” Mu Qingge hesitated for a moment before saying, “Senior Sister need not stay at my family for three years; just send me all the elixirs you refine in the next three years.”

Shang Zisu thought it over and accepted this compromise.

Eventually, concluding the conversation with Mu Qingge, she turned and left.

After Shang Zisu left, Mu Qingge stayed in the Pill Recipe Hall for three more days, before leaving. During these three days, she went through the collections in the Fifth and Sixth Layers; she didn’t go to the Seventh Layer.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to, but she remembered that today was the Medicine Tower’s rest day. She could leave the Medicine Tower to return to Sangzhi City, visit her two little girls, and see if Mo Yang had sent any news.

…

Returning to her place of residence, Mu Qingge saw from afar those female disciples blocking the doorway.

With a flicker, she drifted through like a breeze, without alerting anyone.

’Looks like once the inspection period is over, I’ll have to find a Feng Shui treasure land to live peacefully.’ Mu Qingge told herself as she walked on the clearing under the treehouse.

She did not return to her treehouse but headed towards Fu Tianlong’s room.

She knocked on the door, and it was Shui Ling who answered.

“Mu Ge, you’re here.” Shui Ling’s cheeks were slightly flushed, and she opened the door for Mu Qingge to enter.

Mu Qingge glanced at her and entered the room.

At once, she saw Fu Tianlong sitting on the bed. He appeared fine, but the disorder of the blanket and the lingering ambiguous scent in the room made Mu Qingge cough lightly, feeling she came at an inappropriate time.

“Mu Ge, you’re here, sit wherever you like.” Fu Tianlong said in a muffled voice. His expression even showed some shyness.

Mu Qingge didn’t sit; she merely asked, “I came to see how you were doing.”

Fu Tianlong immediately puffed out his chest and thumped his chest twice with his fist, “I’ve been fine for a while now. It’s just that Shui Ling doesn’t feel assured and insists I stay more days in bed.”

Mu Qingge laughed lightly, “If Shui Ling isn’t assured, you should rest a few more days.”

Shui Ling was just about to serve tea when, hearing their conversation, her cheeks turned even redder, and she swiftly fled.

“What’s wrong with her?” Mu Qingge asked, a bit puzzled.

Fu Tianlong smiled awkwardly, “It’s nothing. By the way, I heard from Wei Qi that Feng Yugui, that little villain, was put in the Water Prison.”

Mu Qingge nodded her head.

Fu Tianlong instantly relaxed his tense nerves. “That’s great, that scoundrel deserves punishment.”

Mu Qingge shook her head, “Do you think, the enemy is only Feng Yugui?”

Fu Tianlong suddenly looked at her.

Mu Qingge reminded, “Have you forgotten the other name Feng Yugui shouted at that time?”

Fu Tianlong recalled the scene carefully, suddenly his eyes narrowed sharply, “He mentioned Diao Yuan!”

Mu Qingge nodded, “In recent days, Diao Yuan’s side has been very quiet. First, because Feng Yugui was captured, forcing him to remain inactive. Second, because you and Shui Ling have been staying in the treehouse here, he can’t make a move.”

Fu Tianlong’s brows furrowed, “Then what should we do? I’ll go tell the Dean everything and let him take charge.”

“Naive. Hua Cangzhu is Diao Yuan’s mentor; do you think he’s on your side or Diao Yuan’s side?” Mu Qingge harshly shattered his fantasy.

“So, are we to just let him run rampant?” Fu Tianlong said in discontent.

Mu Qingge sneered, “Of course not. You just rest these few days, don’t move around recklessly. I need to leave the Tower for a while, wait until I return to talk.”

With that said, Mu Qingge turned to leave.

Before leaving during this rest day, she reminded the Wei siblings not to stir trouble, then boarded the Medicine Tower’s flying beast and left.

The flying beast landed in the suburbs of Sangzhi City, as the Medicine Tower’s rest period lasts three days, many Medicine Tower disciples would choose this time to leave the tower and relax in Sangzhi City.

Those whose homes are nearby would even take this opportunity to visit home.

Mu Qingge was experiencing the rest day for the first time.

However, as soon as she left the flying beast, she sensed something was wrong.

Though there were quite a few Medicine Tower disciples initially, they all vanished within a short amount of time, leaving just her at the forest’s edge.

Mu Qingge stood in place, her clear eyes scanning calmly.

The surroundings were so quiet that not even insects chirped; the wind rustled tree leaves, lifting sand and rocks as if stirring up a sharp killing intent.

’Looks like someone has set up an ambush here.’ Mu Qingge raised an eyebrow, her eyes revealing a faintly amused expression.

The person who would ambush her on a rest day—other than Diao Yuan—she couldn’t think of anyone else.

Unexpectedly, Diao Yuan showed no patience, unwilling to let go of any opportunity to seriously harm her.

Now, she was curious to see what kind of people Diao Yuan had found to ambush her.

Since they dared to come, they must have the resolve to lay down their lives.

Mu Qingge stood with hands behind her back in place.

A leaf, sharp as a blade, flew toward her eyes.

Mu Qingge remained motionless, letting the leaf approach.

As it neared her eyes, the speeding leaf suddenly paused, disintegrating to powder within her gaze.

“Come out.” Mu Qingge coldly commanded, her tone full of disdain.

Soon, the sound of footsteps interwove around her.

A dozen masked men instantly emerged, surrounding her.

Mu Qingge eyed them briefly, judging from the fluctuations of spiritual energy emanating from them, she could perceive their realms ranged from Green Realm to Blue Realm.

Most were at the Green Realm, with only four or five at the Blue Realm.

But such an ambush lineup in the realm of a Third-class Country is already considered quite a high configuration.

“Hand over the item, and you’ll live!” The leader shouted fiercely at Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge raised her eyebrow slightly, smiling as she asked, “What item?”

“Don’t play dumb, kid! Is Diao Yuan’s stuff something you dare to covet?” The leader snorted coldly.

So, it was Diao Yuan after all.

Mu Qingge sneered inwardly.

Originally, she hoped for an unexpected answer. But unexpectedly, the fact left her feeling utterly desolate!

Want to deal with her, can you not use such low-level tricks?

“So it was Diao Yuan who sent you.” Mu Qingge showed a look of sudden realization. She was at ease, with no tension, touching her chin, she sighed, “It seems the appeal of an Alchemist is truly impressive. Even a mere Intermediate Alchemist like Diao Yuan can mobilize these strong people from the Green Realm and Blue Realm to work for him. Didn’t he tell you what level of Alchemist I am?”

“What level? You’re just a Low-Level Alchemist.” As soon as the leader spoke, the rest burst into laughter.

“Uh, he told you I’m a Low-Level Alchemist, and you believe him?” Mu Qingge felt anxious about their intelligence.

But the leader said, “Whether or not, show us your rank badge, it’ll be clear at a glance.”

Ahem…

Mu Qingge felt a bit embarrassed in her heart.

It seems, maybe, probably, perhaps… she really forgot to change her badge.

Right now, the badge on her is indeed the Low-Level Alchemist badge.

Mu Qingge felt a sense of being trapped by herself. Probably, Diao Yuan saw that she hadn’t changed her badge these days, he dared to set up this killing game here, just waiting for her to leave the Medicine Tower to make a move against her.

But how did he know she would leave on a rest day?

Either, he sent people to secretly guard the place where she would take the Flying Beast, waiting like a jackal. Or, he sent this group here to try their luck.

Of course, the first possibility is higher.

Knowing that she left the Medicine Tower, he immediately sent people to inform the outside to ambush her.

In short, Diao Yuan will not give up unless he obtains the treasure she got from the Spiritual Consciousness Tower!

“What’s wrong kid, can’t you take it out? Do you really think Grandpa is so easy to fool?” Seeing Mu Qingge silent, the leader laughed arrogantly.

His smug look made Mu Qingge sigh, “I really don’t know how you cultivated up to the Blue Realm.”

“Big brother, Master Diao said. This kid is very cunning. He told us not to waste words with him, capture him first, break his limbs and meridians, and then severely torture to find out where the item is.” The person next to the leader whispered a reminder.

However, he didn’t know, even though it was whispered, the content still fell into Mu Qingge’s ears word for word.

Break her limbs and meridians first, then severely torture her?

Mu Qingge sneered inwardly, Diao Yuan is really vicious!

The leader agreed, nodding, “Brothers, all together. Capture this kid, and we’ll report to Master Diao for a reward!”

Then, he was the first to launch a combat skill and attacked Mu Qingge.

It’s just a pity, his combat skill was so low-end, simply low-level beyond description.

Five green swords appeared out of thin air, flying towards Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge merely raised her hand and gripped, crushing the five swords and breaking the leader’s combat skill.

“Not good! Tough opponent, everyone attack together!” The leader’s pupils shrank, and he immediately ordered.

Immediately, all sorts of strange combat skills were hurled at Mu Qingge.

Soon, this sky rumbled like thunder.

After a round of attacks ended, the smoke cleared, and these dozen or so people were horrified to find Mu Qingge standing intact, not a single hem of her clothes touched.

“Big brother! This…” someone said in panic.

The leader wasn’t a fool; he immediately saw Mu Qingge’s difference. He hurriedly said, “Run! Evacuate!”

“Finished fighting and just want to leave? There’s no such good deal.” Mu Qingge said calmly, with a cold smile on her lips.

Suddenly, her figure disappeared from her original position, and when she reappeared, she was already in front of the leader, blocking his way.

The leader’s body stiffened, as if filled with icy water.

He stiffly turned his neck back to look at his subordinates, only to see each of them seemingly frozen, unmoving. Before he could speak, blood spurted from their necks one by one as they silently fell to the ground.

This scene startled the leader. His eyes filled with terror, he slowly turned his neck back to Mu Qingge, begging, “No… don’t kill me…”

Mu Qingge laughed, a beautiful and stunning laugh, yet it was terrifying.

With a flip of her hand, an Elixir appeared in her palm. The rich Dan Fragrance was tempting.

The leader seemed to forget the tragic deaths of his men, forgot Mu Qingge’s terrifying skills, only staring greedily at the Elixir in her hand, swallowing continuously.

“Want to eat it? This is an Advanced Elixir.” Mu Qingge’s voice carried a devil’s temptation.

The leader nodded vigorously without thinking.

Mu Qingge’s smile widened, “If you want to eat, go ahead.”

With these words, to the leader, it was like opening the door of a cage. He quickly grabbed the Elixir from Mu Qingge’s hand and stuffed it into his mouth in haste.

The Elixir melted upon entry, turning into a warm flow spreading throughout his body, into his limbs and organs.

Immediately, the leader felt invigorated, capable of killing a bull with a punch even without using Spiritual Power.

At that moment, he suddenly thought, “What kind of Elixir is this?”

Mu Qingge, in a good mood, explained, “This is called the Nine Lives Reversal Pill. It means, no matter how badly you are injured, it can save your life and heal the wound.”

The leader’s eyes brightened.

He was thrilled yet somewhat regretful that he shouldn’t have been in a hurry to eat it, should’ve saved it to use for later.

Suddenly looking at Mu Qingge, greed overcame fear in his heart. He stared at her viciously, “Do you have more, hand them over quickly!”

Mu Qingge smiled and said, “Of course I have, I told you I’m an Advanced Alchemist. But, why should I give it to you?”

After saying this, she waved her hand, and a few blue lights, fast beyond trace, passed over the leader’s limbs.

“Ah—!”

The leader let out a terrible scream, instantly collapsing to the ground.

“What did you do to me?” He asked through gritted teeth.

Mu Qingge slowly squatted beside him, with a rusty dull axe appearing in her hand at some point.

“Recently, I’ve been feeling that the hand feeling is too poor, just right for some practice on you. Rest assured, you took the Nine Lives Reversal Pill, every time I chop you, the wound will be healed by the medicinal power until the power is exhausted. I estimate that with the effectiveness of an Advanced Elixir, you can remain conscious for a few tens of thousands of chops.”

The leader looked at Mu Qingge in terror, as if seeing a devil.

He could feel his severed meridians slowly recovering.

But before they could fully recover, the dull axe came crashing down, tearing his flesh apart and hacking into him with a blow.

“Ah! Ah—!” The dreadful cries pierced the sky.

“Oh dear, it’s okay, it’s okay. You won’t die, just endure it a little. It’s fine, we’ve got time today, let’s take our time and have fun chopping.” Along with the cries, came Mu Qingge’s chilling laugh.

“Oh, come on, there’s no such thing as a free lunch!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep