【Saving the Alchemists of East Jia State, Eradicating Evil Heresies!】
The so-called evil heresies naturally refer to the Heaven Pill Gate, and to be more precise, Chen Xia.
Because of Chen Xia, their pills could no longer be sold, even at discounted prices. As other cultivators put it, the Heaven Pill Gate sells pills cheaper and of better quality, so why would anyone buy from you?
This left the alchemists speechless. Although they didn’t know where Chen Xia got so many pills, they couldn’t let him continue unchecked. Otherwise, the alchemists of East Jia State might as well give up—either switch to other professions or leave their homeland to practice elsewhere.
Seated at the head of the gathering was a pioneer in alchemy from East Jia State, a quasi-sage who had achieved enlightenment through the Dao of Pills, known as the Purple Pill Sage. He could refine supreme-grade pills and held high prestige among the alchemists of East Jia State. He addressed the crowd, saying:
"Our first priority is to seek reconciliation. If the Azure Sky Medicine Ancestor is willing to raise the price of his pills, then there’s no need for further conflict. We can all prosper in harmony."
The Purple Pill Sage then shifted his tone, adding:
"But if he refuses, it means he is declaring war on all the alchemists of East Jia State. No matter how skilled his alchemy or how vast his powers, we must confront him and settle this matter with reason!"
"Good!"
"Good!"
The alchemists below loudly agreed, their voices resounding with conviction. They felt it was indeed time to challenge the Azure Sky Medicine Ancestor and demand an explanation.
After a brief discussion, the cultivators gathered a large group of alchemists and marched in a grand procession toward the Heaven Pill Gate, chanting slogans and drawing the attention of many onlookers.
Chen Xia, lying on a recliner within the Heaven Pill Gate, suddenly frowned and sat up, as if hearing the chants. He looked into the distance and saw a large group approaching.
"Azure Sky Medicine Ancestor, you must give us an explanation today. By disrupting the pill market of East Jia State, are you trying to bring down the entire alchemy profession here?"
"Today, either you raise the price of your pills, or we will take you down. One of these two outcomes must happen. The choice is yours."
"..."
The cultivators stood outside the Heaven Pill Gate, pointing at Chen Xia and shouting with indignation.
The Purple Pill Sage stepped forward, smiling lightly at Chen Xia.
"Fellow Daoist, your alchemy skills are well-known, and we acknowledge your prowess. But no matter how skilled you are, you cannot afford to provoke the anger of the masses. How about we work together? You raise the price of your pills, and we can all prosper in harmony. Otherwise..."
The Purple Pill Sage didn’t finish his sentence, but the implication was clear.
Chen Xia surveyed the crowd, scratched his head, and chuckled.
"Indeed, we should prosper in harmony."
"Exactly," the Purple Pill Sage agreed with a smile. He didn’t want to escalate the conflict with Chen Xia, especially since Chen Xia was capable of refining such high-quality pills.
"Alright then," Chen Xia proposed. "If you treat me with goodwill, I’ll buy your pills at the highest price. How does that sound?"
"Ah... this..." The alchemists hesitated. It sounded like a decent solution, but no one wanted to be the first to agree, as it would make them appear weak.
The Purple Pill Sage’s expression darkened. He said to Chen Xia, "What we want from you is not some clever trick, but to restore the dignity and pride of the alchemists of East Jia State!"
"Well then..." Chen Xia pondered for a moment before continuing, "How about I raise the purchase price by another fifty percent?"
Boom!
The Purple Pill Sage punched the air, creating a deafening sound. His face was now cold and stern as he spoke sharply.
"I know you’re wealthy and don’t lack money, but the dignity of the alchemists of East Jia State cannot be bought with mere coins. Do not mistake our noble aspirations for something as vulgar as wealth!"
Chen Xia frowned, realizing this might be more complicated than he thought. He asked one more time.
"Are you sure you don’t need money?"
"It’s nothing but a worldly distraction!" the Purple Pill Sage retorted coldly.
"Alright, alright," Chen Xia nodded and replied, "Actually, before you arrived, I had already thought of a solution that should satisfy everyone. Let me explain."
He rolled up his sleeves, revealing his fists and the pure white ancestral dragon patterns on his arms. He then smiled lightly.
"With cultivators, we discuss pills. With alchemists, we discuss fists. You should be satisfied, as this is all about resolving matters with virtue."
"What virtue?" the Purple Pill Sage asked, confused.
"Martial virtue."
Chen Xia spoke, then moved slightly, suppressing 95% of his strength. He only used 5% of his power with this punch, or else he might have killed the Purple Pill Sage.
Boom!
A loud explosion erupted from the point of impact, sending out circular shockwaves that shattered the surrounding space, creating a web-like pattern of cracks. Within the cracks, one could even glimpse the dark void.
In the blink of an eye—
Boom!
Another deafening explosion.
A distant mountain range visibly collapsed, forming a massive crater.
The Purple Pill Sage was nowhere to be seen, his body vanished. Perhaps he had been sent to another world by that punch—who knows?
The remaining alchemists swallowed hard, trembling in fear.
They had come to discuss alchemy, but clearly, Chen Xia only wanted to discuss fists, emphasizing his martial prowess.
"Next!" Chen Xia shouted at the remaining alchemists.
No one dared to respond. They all lowered their heads, hoping to avoid meeting the same fate. The loudest alchemists from earlier had already hidden at the back, afraid of being singled out by Chen Xia.
Chen Xia flicked his sleeves and shook his head disdainfully.
"I may not understand your alchemy, but I’m very good at fighting. Don’t challenge my expertise with your hobbies."
He was referring to using alchemy to provoke a battle.