Return of the Celestial King

The Southwest, the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

A blood-red palace sat nestled deep within the old-growth forest.

This was the Southwest Blood Moon Pavilion, a terrifying and heretical sect!

Within a dimly lit hall, a group of old men in mysterious robes had gathered.

They were all Elders of the Blood Moon Pavilion, and a sinister, wicked aura faintly emanated from each of them.

Suddenly, one of the Elders spoke, his brow furrowed.

"Something’s not right. Wu Jing has been gone for so long and still hasn’t returned. Could something have happened to him?"

Another Elder chuckled nonchalantly, his tone dismissive.

"How could that be possible? With Wu Jing’s power, do you really think some petty Martial Artist from the mortal world could possibly harm him?"

Hearing this, the other Elders nodded in agreement.

Master Wu Jing had been missing for a long time, and the Elders were all concerned, fearing that he had met with disaster.

But upon reflection, they felt the chances of anything happening to Master Wu Jing were virtually zero.

Just then, the Blood Moon Pavilion Master, Yan Hongliang, walked over with heavy steps.

The group of Elders all turned to look at him at once, their eyes filled with confusion!

A faint hint of killing intent was visible in Yan Hongliang’s eyes as he spoke.

"You don’t need to say another word. Wu Jing is already dead!"

As his words fell, a series of sharp, collective gasps echoed through the hall.

Disbelief filled the eyes of every Blood Moon Pavilion Elder.

"That’s impossible, Pavilion Master! With Wu Jing’s strength, how could anyone kill him?"

"Yes, Pavilion Master, please tell us what happened!"

The Elders couldn’t accept it. It was simply inconceivable.

Without another word, Yan Hongliang directly pulled out a mysterious Gu Insect.

The Gu Insect was already dead. The sight shocked everyone into silence!

This was a Celestial Silkworm Gu Insect, one of the effective methods Yan Hongliang used to control the members of his sect.

Yan Hongliang had implanted one such Celestial Silkworm Gu Insect in each of them. If the Gu Insect died, it meant the person it was linked to was also gone.

After the initial shock, all the Elders broke into a clamor of discussion.

"Dammit, how did Wu Jing die? Could it be that the Liao Family got the Lifespan Extension Pill, then went back on their word to supply the Blood Moon Pavilion with medicinal herbs, and took a desperate risk by killing Wu Jing?!"

One of the Elders ground his teeth in hatred as he voiced his suspicion.

But another Elder shook his head after a moment of thought.

"Impossible. The Liao Family is nothing more than a bunch of Martial Artists. How could they possibly have the ability to kill Wu Jing?"

"Hmph, then you tell me what happened!"

The Elders had clearly started to argue, with neither side willing to back down.

One of the Elders narrowed his eyes in thought.

"The way I see it, only the self-proclaimed righteous sect, Medicine King Valley, has the power to do this. After all, Celestial South Province is their territory!"

But the previous Elder clearly disagreed with this view and refuted it.

"I don’t think that’s possible. Although their territory is there, Medicine King Valley has no grievances or enmity with our Blood Moon Pavilion. Why would they attack us for no reason? Aren’t they just asking for trouble?"

The two Elders, with their differing views, argued incessantly, neither giving an inch.

Seeing the hall descend into chaos, Yan Hongliang irritably cut them off.

"What’s the point of you arguing here? The man is already dead. Do you think you can bring him back?"

The Elders’ faces fell, and they all went silent.

Yan Hongliang was also frustrated. Master Wu Jing’s death was a significant blow to the Blood Moon Pavilion.

Most importantly, if the Blood Moon Pavilion didn’t make a statement, everyone would think they were a pushover!

Yan Hongliang said seriously,

"How about this: just send someone to Celestial South Province to investigate. If it really was Medicine King Valley, I will make sure no one in that valley has an easy time!"

As his voice fell, a faint killing intent laced his tone, causing all the Elders to tremble.

「Celestial South, Medicine King Valley.」

A faint, medicinal fragrance wafted through the valley.

Medicine King Valley was known as a gathering place for the world’s most precious medicinal herbs, and its power was immense!

They operated many large apothecaries in the Provincial City. Even the dregs left over from their alchemy processes, sold in those pharmacies, were hot commodities. The major families would frantically bid up the prices to snatch them, yet they were still always in short supply!

It could be said that if Medicine King Valley so desired, they could build a vast commercial empire at any time, sweeping up immense fortunes.

At this moment, the Medicine King Valley Master, Sun Liyi, was in his room reading ancient texts.

These books recorded some of the top-tier alchemy methods passed down through the generations of Medicine King Valley.

Just then, an old steward dressed in a brocade robe walked in, his expression grave.

"Oh? Old Chen, is something the matter?"

Sun Liyi set down the ancient text in his hands, his voice laced with curiosity.

The steward, Old Chen, held out a Small Rejuvenation Pill to Sun Liyi. He had acquired it through his contacts in the Provincial City.

The moment Old Chen saw it, he knew something was off!

After a period of analysis and research, he was utterly shocked and had rushed to discuss the matter with Sun Liyi.

Old Chen spoke in a heavy tone.

"Valley Master, the effects of this pill are miraculous. It seems to be even stronger than our Bone-Changing Pill."

Upon hearing this, Sun Liyi’s eyes widened in astonishment, finding it hard to believe.

"Oh? Old Chen, you’re not joking with me, are you?"

Sun Liyi carefully examined the Small Rejuvenation Pill in his hand. The more he looked, the more his heart pounded in alarm.

Old Chen continued,

"Valley Master, the most crucial thing is that the medicinal ingredients in this pill are extremely common, so its cost is very low. But the refinement method is just too strange. I can’t make heads or tails of it!"

After studying it for a long time, Sun Liyi also couldn’t discern any of its secrets. His mind was already in turmoil, like a churning sea.

He couldn’t help but say,

"I never would have thought... I never would have thought that Celestial South Province had such a master, someone who could refine a pill that even we in Medicine King Valley cannot comprehend."

The steward, Old Chen, also nodded with a wry smile.

In all these years, this was the first time something so preposterous had ever happened!

Sun Liyi first fell into a pensive silence before making up his mind.

"Old Chen, quickly send someone to investigate and find out who is behind this pill!"

Old Chen nodded hastily and was about to leave.

Suddenly, Sun Liyi thought of something else and added,

"Right, how are the medicinal herbs we’re preparing for the Liao Family coming along? If they’re ready, have the Liao Family pay the remaining balance first, then we’ll deliver them!"

Hearing this, however, a look of complete confusion spread across Old Chen’s face.