Bang!
Yang Zhao staggered backward, crashing through three tables in a row, his feet gouging two deep ruts into the floorboards.
In an instant, his face turned pale with shock.
"This person looks so young… I didn't expect him to be an old monster!"
Everyone around was also stunned.
But their first thought was that Yang Cheng must be some ancient cultivator skilled in maintaining his youthful appearance. Otherwise, how could someone so "young" have such overwhelming strength?
"So you're a senior."
Yang Zhao's face was dark. "But for a senior to act this recklessly—are you not afraid of offending Divine Medicine Valley?"
Tang Xingyu couldn't help bursting into laughter.
Jiang Hengwu and Murong Yun both twitched at the corners of their mouths.
This was really too funny. Not only could Yang Zhao not recognize his own younger brother, but he was even calling him "senior."
Yang Cheng said flatly, "You're the First Prince of Great Zhou, yet at every turn you talk about being afraid of offending Divine Medicine Valley. Could it be in your eyes, Divine Medicine Valley is greater than Great Zhou itself?"
"The strength of Great Zhou is only temporary."
The girl who had just gotten back on her feet glared at Yang Cheng with venom in her eyes. "But my Divine Medicine Valley holds the alchemy inheritance of Ancient Dragon-Tiger Mountain, and my senior brother Zuo Qiuming's alchemy talent is unmatched."
"In the long run, Divine Medicine Valley will certainly surpass Great Zhou."
She wanted to spit out something even more vicious, but the memory of Yang Cheng threatening to rip out her tongue made her hold it back.
"Can Zuo's so-called true inheritance even compare to my Great Zhou's Crown Prince?"
A merchant from Great Zhou who was present couldn't help shouting out in indignation.
The girl looked like she wanted to argue back, but finally swallowed her words. Coldly, she said, "This is something where the benevolent see benevolence and the wise see wisdom. If you can't see the truth, it only proves you're blinded by a single leaf and cannot see the great mountain before you."
At the same time—
Inside a manor in the city.
Shen Mulan nestled in Jiang Bingjun's arms.
"Master, why did you choose Young Master Zuo?"
Shen Mulan's voice held confusion. "The Crown Prince of Great Zhou killed a Ninth Stage Martial Saint at only ten years old. Looking through the ages, there's never been such a monstrous talent. Could Young Master Zuo really surpass him?"
"The Crown Prince of Great Zhou is indeed exceptional. If not for Zuo Qiuming, then yes—he would be the best choice."
Jiang Bingjun smiled faintly. "But by chance, I discovered that Zuo Qiuming is very likely the reincarnation of the Ancient Pill God, Zuo Mingqiu."
"What?"
Shen Mulan's eyes widened. "Zuo Mingqiu… isn't he the son of Divine Medicine Valley's founder, Zuo Jurong?"
"Correct."
Jiang Bingjun said, "At first, I didn't realize it either. But later, when I studied Zuo Qiuming's cultivation methods and daily habits, I found they were exactly the same as what's recorded in the histories about Zuo Mingqiu."
"The records say Zuo Mingqiu died in the ancient era. But now it seems he must have found some way to survive, and was reborn as Zuo Qiuming."
Shen Mulan's expression shook with shock. "No wonder… no wonder you, knowing how outstanding the Crown Prince of Great Zhou is—and that he may even be the Heaven's Mandate Child of the Wasteland Realm—still insist on marrying Ah Wu to Zuo Qiuming."
Jiang Bingjun said, "No matter how gifted Yang Cheng is, no matter if he's the Heaven's Mandate Child, how could he compare to Zuo Mingqiu?"
"Zuo Qiuming isn't truly cultivating—he's reviving. That means as long as he continues without obstruction, sooner or later he'll return to being the Pill God once again."
Pill God!
That single word shattered Shen Mulan's last line of resistance.
She had always opposed Jiang Bingjun using Jiang Hengwu as a bargaining chip for marriage.
But now, she no longer opposed it.
Only, a new worry arose. "But will Young Master Zuo even fancy Ah Wu?"
She was confident in Jiang Hengwu's beauty. But if Zuo Qiuming was truly Pill God Zuo Mingqiu reborn, what kind of women had he not already seen?
"As long as Zuo Qiuming lays eyes on Ah Wu, he will absolutely choose her."
Jiang Bingjun's eyes gleamed.
"Why is that?"
Shen Mulan asked, puzzled.
"Because Ah Wu's looks are seventy percent similar to Zuo Mingqiu's deceased wife."
Jiang Bingjun said.
On the other side—
Yang Cheng didn't waste time arguing with Yang Zhao.
"Tangtang, you go ahead and meet with Teacher first. Once I finish some matters, I'll join you."
Yang Cheng said to Tang Xingyu.
"Alright."
Tang Xingyu left with Jiang Hengwu.
Murong Yun looked at Yang Cheng. "You really mean to go to Divine Medicine Valley?"
"Let's go."
Yang Cheng answered with action.
Half an hour later—
Outside Divine Medicine Valley, thousands of people had already gathered.
Yang Cheng and Murong Yun arrived there.
Not far away—
A luxurious carriage stood still.
Inside sat one man and two women.
The driver outside had a powerful aura.
At a glance, it was clear the man's identity was extraordinary.
At that moment, the man's eyes immediately locked onto Murong Yun.
He stepped down from the carriage and walked toward Yang Cheng and Murong Yun.
But he wasn't reckless. Instead, he first said to Yang Cheng, "Little brother, have we met before?"
Yang Cheng replied, "No."
"Seems I've mistaken you. But no matter, meeting on the road is fate."
The man smiled warmly, then said in mock admiration, "Little brother, an older woman is like holding a golden brick—you sure have good fortune."
Before Yang Cheng could answer, Murong Yun's cheeks flushed red. "Young Master, please don't spout nonsense."
The man slapped his forehead, apologetic. "Sorry, sorry, my mistake."
Even so, he became more enthusiastic. "I am Gu Mingchuan, from the Gu clan of Fengcheng on Heavenly Heart Island…"
It was obvious he revealed his identity on purpose, hoping to impress Murong Yun.
Yang Cheng quickly understood.
This man truly had some standing. The Gu clan ranked in the top ten powers of Heavenly Heart Island.
His grandfather was a peak Martial Saint.
But not long ago, he was injured fighting sea monsters, so Gu Mingchuan came to Divine Medicine Valley to request a pill.
The two women beside him noticed his enthusiasm toward Murong Yun and immediately became wary.
One of them stepped forward. "Mingchuan, one can never be too cautious. You are the Gu clan's legitimate heir, countless people would want to cling to you."
As she said this, she deliberately glanced at Murong Yun.
Murong Yun's expression darkened.
She already disliked Gu Mingchuan's advances, and now to be slighted by his women only angered her more.
"Silence."
Gu Mingchuan barked coldly. "Anyone can see this young lady has an extraordinary temperament. She's not someone you can insult. If you dare speak rudely again, I'll send you back immediately."
The two women were unconvinced but didn't dare argue.
Murong Yun grew even more unwilling to deal with Gu Mingchuan, leaving him awkward.
Helpless, he turned to Yang Cheng. "Little brother, did you prepare an offering gift for the mountain?"
"Offering gift?"
Yang Cheng looked puzzled.
"You didn't prepare one?"
Gu Mingchuan was speechless. "Divine Medicine Valley only opens once every seven days. Each time, countless people line up to request pills."
"Without an offering gift, you won't even qualify to request one."
"But no matter, I have extras. I can give you one."
"No need."
Yang Cheng refused.
He needed an offering gift to enter Divine Medicine Valley?
If word got out, it would be a joke.
Gu Mingchuan didn't push, assuming Yang Cheng must already have one.
A little more than fifteen minutes later—
The gates of Divine Medicine Valley finally opened.
Over ten people came out.
They were responsible for collecting the offering gifts.
Later, they would judge based on the value of the gifts and the status of the visitors, selecting about one hundred people to enter and request pills.
Ordinary pills were sold openly outside.
Those who came here were all seeking rare and precious pills, so naturally the valley had to filter them.
"Let's go over."
Gu Mingchuan said to Yang Cheng and Murong Yun.
"Identity token."
A young man stepped forward.
"I am Gu Mingchuan of the Gu clan."
Gu Mingchuan handed over his token and his offering gift.
His gift was a thousand-year-old ginseng root.
The young man was clearly satisfied.
Then he looked toward Yang Cheng.
As for Murong Yun, he thought she looked familiar, like one of Divine Medicine Valley's true disciples.
But he shook his head. That was impossible. It had to be just a resemblance.
After all, how could a true disciple appear here?
Yang Cheng remained silent.
Gu Mingchuan quickly urged, "Little brother, where's your token?"
"I don't have one."
Yang Cheng answered truthfully.
Gu Mingchuan froze. "Then your offering gift?"
"None."
Yang Cheng said.
Gu Mingchuan was at a loss for words.
The young man's face immediately darkened. "Here to cause trouble? Leave at once, or bear the consequences."