"This time, there are only two reward options; luckily, there are 2 Fortune Points," Wen Zhixing thought with a tinge of regret. He immediately chose to receive the 2 Fortune Points. After all, 2 Fortune Points were tangible and somewhat more enticing than the fortune Zhang Tiancheng had obtained. The fortune of a furnace simply did not interest him.
[Fortune Points +2.]
Just then, seeing Wen Zhixing somewhat distracted, Zhang Tiancheng frowned. He gave a light cough and said, somewhat displeased, "Junior Brother Wen, do you know that a few days ago in the Alchemy Chamber, a disciple who tested elixirs for others died...?"
"Someone died?" Wen Zhixing came back to his senses, his eyes showing surprise. He nervously asked, "What does Senior Brother mean?"
"Then I'll just say it plainly. Junior Brother, your body has recovered quite well; you could fill that vacancy." Zhang Tiancheng's eyes narrowed slightly, his smile not reaching his eyes.
"This..." A shock passed through Wen Zhixing's mind. Testing medicine for others? This job doesn't sound safe at all. Who knows what kind of elixirs those people have concocted. If I were to test elixirs, it's very likely I wouldn't die from essence absorption but get poisoned to death. This Wonderous Palace truly doesn't treat us as human beings! The key point is, while they might say it was death by testing medicine, it's more likely I'd be directly used as a material for concoction.
Thinking this, Wen Zhixing's face showed distress. Eventually, with reluctance, he gritted his teeth and took out the jade bottle that Qiu Yinger had given him before. "Senior Brother Zhang, I suddenly remembered, I have two extra elixirs here. They are of no use to me. It's better if I give them to you, Senior Brother."
"Elixirs?" Zhang Tiancheng's eyes lit up immediately. While feigning politeness, he said, "Eh, Junior Brother Wen, what do you mean by this?" But his hands were not at all courteous; he directly took them and tucked them away. His eyes shone with extreme desire. For people like them, the Wonderous Soul-devouring Pill was as vital as life itself. The Wonderous Palace used elixirs to control these furnace disciples. Naturally, they would not issue too many each month and always controlled the dosage.
Wen Zhixing bowed slightly, his face full of a fawning smile, and said, "Senior Brother, I'm new here and don't understand much. In the future, I will need your care, Senior Brother."
"Of course, of course." Having received the elixirs, Zhang Tiancheng's attitude improved significantly. He smiled and patted Wen Zhixing's shoulder twice. "Junior Brother Wen, rest assured. The moment I saw you, I felt we really hit it off. I will handle this matter for you."
"Thank you so much, Senior Brother!" Wen Zhixing's face revealed timely adulation. The brown-nosing followed closely.
[Your flattery is very effective. Zhang Tiancheng has developed a slight fondness for you.]
Eventually, Zhang Tiancheng left, satisfied, promising to arrange an easier task for Wen Zhixing. After a while, once Zhang Tiancheng's figure had disappeared, the smile on Wen Zhixing's face slowly faded.
"Damn," he cursed softly, then let out a sigh. In my previous life, I became accustomed to the fickleness of human nature. Zhang Tiancheng wouldn't sympathize with me just because we're both furnace disciples; he would only oppress me because I'm weaker than him.
"Enduring humiliation is only temporary. An adult must be able to adapt and yield when necessary. It's no big deal, especially since these elixirs are useless to me anyway." Wen Zhixing straightened his back, shut the door, and after spacing out for a while, he smiled again.
「Seven days later, as the sun set.」
[First nirvana ends.]
[Your Body Recovery Speed is doubled.]
[Your Pure Yang Body has been restored.]
[Your body has transformed, your realm has broken through. Current cultivation: Shedding Mortal, first layer.]
Wen Zhixing's body, after days of careful nourishment, had finally recovered. This made him very excited.
Just then, Zhang Tiancheng had also come to bring Wen Zhixing new information. He informed Wen Zhixing that he wouldn't need to become a disciple who tested medicine. He merely needed to follow Zhang Tiancheng and assist with the daily patrol duties of the Wonderous Palace. While it was called a patrol, it was actually about keeping an eye on the other furnace disciples and wandering around when there was nothing else to do; there wasn't much else to it.
Wen Zhixing felt a surge of joy. Most furnace disciples in the Wonderous Palace aren't allowed to move about freely. I wouldn't have guessed Zhang Tiancheng actually had such connections! I was worried about not having a chance to meet others, but now, an opportunity has come knocking.
"Junior Brother Wen, this is an identity token; take good care of it." Zhang Tiancheng passed over an identity token. Only those wearing a token could move freely within the Wonderous Palace.
Wen Zhixing hastily reached out to take it. Just as he was about to express his thanks, a familiar figure appeared once again in the courtyard. Clad in a green dress, with an oval face, it was Qiu Yinger, who hadn't been seen for many days.
"Wen Zhixing, the palace master commands you to go to the Soul Devouring Tower." The girl's voice was melodious and soft, like an oriole's song.
But Wen Zhixing's brows slowly furrowed, a hint of alarm in his heart. "Go to the Soul Devouring Tower..." The Soul Devouring Hall is where the palace master of the Wonderous Palace usually resides. What does she mean by sending me to the Soul Devouring Tower now? Could it be... she doesn't expect me to serve in the bedchamber now, does she? I've only just barely recovered. Is there such a rush?
Hearing this, Zhang Tiancheng also shivered, almost instinctively. The two exchanged glances, clearly thinking the same thing.
Seeing the look in their eyes, Qiu Yinger knew what Wen Zhixing was thinking. But her expression was even more astonished because Wen Zhixing's recovery rate had exceeded her expectations. It seems Master was right; this Wen Zhixing has a special constitution and is a supreme cultivation furnace, she thought.
[Qiu Yinger's perception of you has changed. She no longer sees you as a dog. Congratulations.]
Congratulations, my foot! Wen Zhixing cursed inwardly.
Just then, Qiu Yinger's gaze shifted. A light chuckle escaped her, her smile blooming like a flower as she said, "Junior Brother Wen, you saved the palace master's life. Today, as she emerges from her seclusion, it's only natural for someone of her status to reward you properly."
So it isn't servitude after all, Wen Zhixing's heart relaxed. Then, he quickly bowed, feigning apprehension. "Senior Sister Qiu, I merely did what I should have. This reward isn't necessary..."
He was about to decline when someone grabbed his sleeve. Wen Zhixing turned his head and saw Zhang Tiancheng slowly shaking his head at him. He's right. Given our status, we have to do whatever our superiors tell us. We can't afford to refuse a favor.
Wen Zhixing tensed and quickly looked up. Indeed, he saw Qiu Yinger's expression turn colder. He swiftly changed his tune, speaking earnestly, "However... since it's the palace master's command, I naturally dare not disobey."
Upon hearing this, Qiu Yinger's expression softened considerably. I don't want to waste time with him, she thought.
"In that case, Junior Brother Wen, you shall accompany me," Qiu Yinger said, her smile returning.
Wen Zhixing felt helpless; this sense of powerlessness was infuriating. After all, I'm just a pushover now, to be manipulated as they please. Although Qiu Yinger seems young, she's a direct disciple of the Wonderous Palace's palace master. If someone like her becomes displeased, she could have me killed directly. For now, I have no choice but to follow along.
[You are full of Yang Qi, ready to be released.]