Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension

Chapter 200 Enlightenment Pill, Entrusting Meeting with Enemy_2

Zhao Sheng silently sighed, knowing this was the result of a failed Foundation Establishment.

He remembered how, five years ago, Jin Ming had eagerly sought his advice on how to refine the Spirit Essence Pill.

But half a year ago, after failing to establish his foundation, he rapidly aged, his spirit nearly gone, with seemingly only a few years left to live.

Jin Ming, noting Zhao Sheng's regret, laughed it off, pointing to a middle-aged man, and introduced, "Taoist Zhao, this is my clan nephew, Jin Jiang, who is also the next Family Head of the Jin Family."

As soon as he finished speaking, the middle-aged man abruptly stood up and gave Zhao Sheng a deep bow with utmost respect, saying, "I am Jin Jiang, Junior, who has long revered Senior Zhao's renowned name. Seeing you today, you indeed transcend the mundane. My admiration for you, Senior, is like the endless Milky Way...

Seeing Jin Jiang's sycophantic flattery, Zhao Sheng turned his head and gave Jin Ming a look that seemed to say, "How did you choose this one?"

A bitter smile appeared on Jin Ming's face; he didn't want this either, but Jin Jiang was the most outstanding in his family.

His disciple, Jin Dancheng, had a temperament too rigid and a mind insufficiently sharp, wholly incapable of supporting the vast Jin Family.

Jin Ming shook his head helplessly and cut in, "Enough! Jin Jiang, sit down!"

At these words, Jin Jiang flashed an embarrassed smile and hurriedly sat back down.

Just then, a young man in white, carrying two pots of Spiritual Tea and teaware, quickly walked into the living room.

After setting the teacups and pouring three bowls of Spiritual Tea, the young man in white tactfully retreated.

After some idle chat over tea, Jin Ming finally stated his intentions.

As it turned out, sensing his days were numbered, Jin Ming planned to entrust the ancestral Treasure Medicine Pavilion to Zhao Sheng, while also introducing his successor, Jin Jiang, to him.

Hearing the words of his old friend, Zhao Sheng understood.

The Jin Family's strength was weak; the previous generation's foundation builders had died decades ago, and now everything depended on Jin Ming.

Once Jin Ming was gone, the Jin Family would simply be unable to guard the Treasure Medicine Pavilion, this juicy prize, so they needed a powerful backer.

After much consideration, Jin Ming felt that Zhao Sheng was wealthy and reliable and probably wouldn't covet something trivial like the Treasure Medicine Pavilion.

That was why he had made the visit today.

After understanding the intentions of the two, Zhao Sheng gave it some thought and readily agreed, but also made it clear upfront that while he would help with small matters, some situations would depend on the circumstances.

Implicitly, he wasn't going to get burnt for the sake of the Jin Family.

Jin Ming, understanding and pleased by Zhao Sheng's stance of wise self-preservation, was extremely grateful and excited.

From the conversation, Jin Ming had confirmed that his old friend would absolutely not covet the Precious Herb Pavilion, truly proving he hadn't misjudged him.

An hour later, Zhao Sheng was left alone in the living room, and on the table next to him now lay two milky-white Jade Scrolls.

The Jade Scrolls, left by Jin Ming upon his departure, contained the alchemy experiences and insights of generations of alchemists from the Jin Family, while the other recorded various Elixir Recipes collected by the Jin Family.

This "sincerity" could not be deemed insubstantial. Zhao Sheng pondered for a long time and eventually decided to accept this gift.

At that moment, in his heart, he felt that he likely had to ensure the Jin Family produced a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to finally settle this cause and effect.

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...

A year later, Jin Ming passed away, and Zhao Sheng advanced to the Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer.

At the same time, the Precious Herb Pavilion indeed became a target for several peers.

As a rare occurrence to resolve the trouble, Zhao Sheng changed into his Crimson Robe and went to the Alchemy Master Association situated at the base of Dusk Peak.

That afternoon, Condensation Hall suddenly opened its long-closed grand doors, and one after another, pill masters dressed in lively Qingding Crimson Robes energetically arrived at the site to participate in the pill masters' exchange meeting held at Condensation Hall.

While the outside world was basked in scorching sun, the great hall was as cool as spring, adorned with jade tables and chairs all around. The pill masters gathered in groups of two and three, some spiritedly discussing and exchanging alchemy insights; others whispering secrets and spreading gossip; and some engaging in barter exchanges.

As time passed, the number of alchemists in Condensation Hall exceeded twenty, signifying that one-third of today's members of the Alchemy Master Association were present here.

In the northeast corner of the great hall, a red-haired, hawk-nosed alchemist spoke mysteriously to a small group of three, "Do you know? Old Jin has recently passed away!"

"I knew it already! Alas, with Old Jin gone, the Jin Family has lost its support and it will be difficult for them to establish themselves on Nine Virtuous Isle," another person in the group replied.

"Exactly! The Jin Family, after all, is an alchemy family with a three-hundred-year legacy, yet now they have declined to this extent. I'm afraid the Treasure Medicine Pavilion will no longer be preserved!"

"Gentlemen, are you interested in that shop? Not to hide from you, I am in need of a place to prepare medicinal materials. That Treasure Medicine Pavilion, I, Liu, am determined to have it," said a portly middle-aged alchemist with a ruddy face, his tone resolute.

No sooner had he finished speaking than the skinny Qian Bo chuckled and said, "Hehe, Brother Liu, sorry, but I have also taken a liking to Treasure Medicine Pavilion. Moreover, I have already made an offer to the Jin Family. Unless something unexpected happens, this deal is as good as done."

"That Qian Bo, acting so quickly! Just you wait, it's not certain yet who will end up with Treasure Medicine Pavilion," Liu Yu exclaimed angrily, his eyes wide.

Liu Yu, a veteran First-rank Alchemist and a Loose Cultivator by origin, had studied under Liu Fangzhou, the quasi Third-tier Alchemist and Chairman of the Pill Master Association. He held no low position within the Association, counted as a Pill Master with a significant voice.

As Liu Yu and Qian Bo were arguing over the Treasure Medicine Pavilion, Zhao Sheng led Jin Dancheng, clad in a brand-new Crimson Robe, into the Condensation Hall.

Jin Dancheng had been promoted to First-rank Alchemist just a few days ago and had joined the Pill Master Association the day before yesterday. Today was his first official participation in a Pill Master exchange meeting, so he was quite nervous.

Noticing this, Zhao Sheng reassured him, "Jin Dancheng, don't be nervous! You'll get used to it, just stick close to me now."

After speaking, Zhao Sheng, with a smile, headed towards the nearest exchange circle.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, he smoothly introduced Jin Dancheng to the other alchemists, clearly expressing his protective intentions in his words.

Although Zhao Sheng had joined the Pill Master Association less than ten years ago, he was already very famous within the organization.

Not just because he was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and not just for his generous actions, but more importantly because Zhao Sheng had taken only a few short years to go from starting to study alchemy to being promoted to First-rank Alchemist. He was truly a prodigy in the Alchemy Dao.

Thus, even though he rarely participated in the various activities organized by the Association, his presence always became the focus of others.

After introducing Jin Dancheng, Zhao Sheng chatted briefly, and then excusing himself for a matter, he took him to the next circle and again introduced Jin Dancheng to everyone there in a formal manner.

The intent of such an action was clear.

Plainly put, it was as if saying, "This person is under my protection."

A slight contemplation made it easy to guess whose hands the Treasure Medicine Pavilion now fell into.

Seeing this, Liu Yu was so frustrated that his teeth itched.

He had been coveting the Treasure Medicine Pavilion not for a day or two, and finally, believing his chance had come with the death of Old Jin.

Little did he know, suddenly there was someone else snatching the opportunity.

Then, Qian Bo spoke lacklusterly, "Brother Liu, we're out of luck this time. With Mr. Zhao in play, Treasure Medicine Pavilion isn't something we can aspire to."

Grinding his teeth, Liu Yu declared vengefully, "This isn't over yet, just you wait and see!"

Having said that, Liu Yu stood up and turned to walk towards the back hall.

"Brother Liu, you..."

Qian Bo was greatly surprised and just about to call him back when he suddenly stopped, his expression shifting as though he had thought of something.

Meanwhile, Jin Dancheng followed closely beside Zhao Sheng, looking at Senior Zhao chatting and laughing with others, feeling envious and very grateful.

He wasn't foolish and of course understood the implication of Senior Zhao's actions; it was almost as if he was directly saying that he was the support of the Jin Family.

For the Jin Family, currently in a precarious situation, this was like taking a reassuring pill.

Just as Jin Dancheng began to relax more and even occasionally chime into the conversation, a shrill, mocking voice suddenly came from behind him:

"Haha! I was wondering who it was. It turns out to be the renowned Taoist Zhao. I've missed you so much over the years!"

Jin Dancheng's heart skipped a beat as he turned to look, only to see a one-armed young man with a face full of amiability but eyes cold as ice, striding towards them surrounded by a group of people.