Su Luo returned to the sect and continued to laze around, sleeping whenever he could, waking up late and going to bed early.
One day, as soon as he stepped out of his room, he sneezed.
"It feels like someone is talking behind my back. Oh, wait, that’s always happening. Never mind then."
Su Luo had grown so accustomed to ignoring the insults hurled at him that he almost forgot his own predicament.
But today was different. It was time to seek out Elder Yan Xi to secure his position as a disciple of the Seven Stars Sword Sect.
"Su Luo, you're up."
Little Yu was still practicing in Su Luo's small courtyard.
The sect leader was also there, as the place had become something of a secondary training ground for Little Yu.
The sect leader said, "So, Su Luo, did you sleep well? We didn’t disturb you, did we?"
"Sect Leader, did you eat something strange? There’s a soundproofing array here."
"True, I just thought, if you’re still tired, you can go back to sleep. You shouldn’t overexert yourself."
Su Luo looked puzzled. "Sect Leader, are you okay? Didn’t you just say I was lazy and useless?"
"Never mind, forget I said anything."
"That’s weird. Whatever, I’m heading out. We’ll talk later."
As Su Luo walked away, he couldn’t help but feel confused.
Logically, the sect leader should already know about the incident where I led the charge in being cowardly and self-preserving.
But because of Little Yu, it’s understandable that he doesn’t openly show disgust. Still, why is he suddenly showing concern for me?
Is this some kind of soft approach to reform me? To make me change my ways?
Overthinking it. I, Su Luo, will never change.
"Su Luo," the sect leader called out.
Su Luo turned back, wondering what was up.
The sect leader gave him a thumbs-up and couldn’t help but say, "Well done."
Huh?
Leading the charge in being cowardly and self-preserving is "well done"?
Su Luo was completely baffled, and the sect leader didn’t seem sarcastic at all, which only deepened his confusion.
Is the "Way of Survival" popular here too?
But this isn’t just about survival anymore—it’s outright moral degradation.
Sect Leader, saying "well done" like this? What kind of example are you setting? The sect’s morale will be ruined.
Su Luo quickly made his escape, unable to comprehend the sect leader’s behavior, and felt a chill run down his spine. What on earth is going on?
Once outside, he headed straight to Elder Yan Xi’s place.
As soon as he arrived, he wailed, "Elder Yan Xi, you have to help me."
Elder Yan Xi had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
"What’s wrong? Speak slowly."
Su Luo explained his current predicament.
"You’re the only one who can help me, Elder Yan Xi," Su Luo pleaded.
Elder Yan Xi fell silent for a moment, then said, "Helping you isn’t a problem, but what do you have to offer in return?"
"I... I..." Su Luo stammered for a while but couldn’t come up with anything of value.
"Alright then, answer me this: what do you think of Lin Xuan now?"
"I hate him! It’s all because of him that I’m in this mess!"
Su Luo’s eyes burned with fury, as if flames were about to burst forth.
"Do you want revenge?"
"Yes, I do! I want to kill him!" Su Luo was practically raving.
"Becoming stronger comes at a cost, especially for someone with your talent. The price will be steep."
"I don’t care anymore. As long as I can kill Lin Xuan, I’ll do anything!"
"Good. In that case, I’ll help you become stronger. Follow me."
Elder Yan Xi was pleased with Su Luo’s state of mind. This was exactly what he wanted.
Elder Yan Xi opened a hidden door leading to a basement.
After winding through the basement, they arrived at a room filled with arrays, illuminated by a single torch. In the center of the room was a large vat, which was the focal point of the array.
The place looked all too familiar—this was where Su Luo had once screamed in agony.
But things were different now. Everything was prepared, so it should be fine.
Su Luo remained calm inside, but he still pretended to be a little scared, as the environment was undeniably eerie.
"Get in," Elder Yan Xi pointed at the vat.
The water inside the vat was murky and black, clearly not something pleasant.
Su Luo knew it was filled with drugs to enhance cultivation, but not the ordinary kind.
Most of them were poisons.
Elder Yan Xi’s method was to use poison to counteract poison. The gentle but highly effective drugs were far too precious for ordinary people to afford.
So Elder Yan Xi experimented with cheaper alternatives.
Since their effects were weaker, he added all sorts of strange substances, conducting various experiments. If something worked, he’d use it on himself.
Su Luo hesitated for a moment, staring at the vat of water, feeling a bit scared. But the thought of Lin Xuan made him grit his teeth, and he jumped in.
Elder Yan Xi smiled with satisfaction and began adding ingredients.
The moment Su Luo jumped in, he felt something was off. The water didn’t hurt at all. What was going on?
Then he saw the ingredient Elder Yan Xi was adding.
Red Dragon Ginseng?!
This was a material used to refine top-tier pills! Even if not used in alchemy, just consuming it directly would have immense effects, whether for boosting cultivation or enhancing physical strength. It was extremely potent, even for Nascent Soul cultivators.
"Elder Yan Xi, is that Red Dragon Ginseng?"
"Oh, I thought you were ignorant, but it seems you know something after all."
"I just happened to read about it..."
Could I say that I know most things in the cultivation world?
"Since you know about it, you should also know its effects. Don’t worry, with the array and this specially prepared water, the effects will be gentler, and becoming stronger will be a natural outcome."
No... that’s not right, is it?
Elder Yan Xi, did you grab the wrong thing? Shouldn’t you be keeping this for yourself?
"Elder Yan Xi, did you grab the wrong ingredient?"
"What? Do you know what I was supposed to grab?"
"...No, I don’t."
"Then don’t worry. Trust me, I’ll make you stronger. In three months, you’ll surpass Lin Xuan."
Three months?
With a drug of this caliber, three weeks would be more than enough.
We’re only at the Foundation Establishment level!
But Elder Yan Xi, this isn’t like you.
The Elder Yan Xi Su Luo knew would always go for the most cost-effective drugs, or even drugs with no cost-effectiveness at all, as long as they could boost cultivation.
But now you’re using Red Dragon Ginseng? This isn’t something people like us should be using. Did you forget your motto? Even trash can become the strongest!
You have so many useless followers. Are you going to give each of them a Red Dragon Ginseng?
Using something like Red Dragon Ginseng isn’t practical at all!
"I still think there’s something wrong. How about trying Dark Spirit Fruit instead?"
That’s the real deal.
"Hmph, do you know better than me? Since when do you get to question me?"
"I wouldn’t dare."
Su Luo felt so wronged. Clearly, Elder Yan Xi was in the wrong, but he couldn’t argue. For the sake of the plot, he had to endure.
"Since you mentioned it, I’ll add one more thing."
Elder Yan Xi tossed another ingredient into the vat.
Heavenly Scale Fruit!
This was even more outrageous than Red Dragon Ginseng.
Elder Yan Xi, I’m here to be your test subject, not to indulge in luxury.
But after just a short soak, Su Luo already felt incredibly nourished.