Chapter 410: Trouble

Bai Lang was also introduced to these people by Chai Chunmen, who said, "They're definitely all using false names!" Bai Lang knew this well; perhaps some of them had real names, but as someone whose information network was not very keen, even if the true names were spoken he would not recognize them. Among them was a young‑looking woman of striking beauty, yet Bai Lang felt a faint sense of discord.

"Perhaps this woman is already forty‑ or fifty‑year‑old, or even seventy‑ or eighty‑year‑old," a nearby old woman said, noting that the beautiful woman might actually be older than the elderly lady who looked sixty‑ or seventy‑year‑old. Martial arts are wondrous; an Innate Expert can live up to two hundred years, so it is entirely possible. Bai Lang showed no expression, and even deliberately took a sip of wine—a fine grape wine.

He thought that Kuaihuo Wang would not go as far as poisoning him the moment he invited him to eat and drink; after all, he had no sea‑capture documents in Great Yan to claim any money. Moreover, Bai Lang's Golden Bell Shield technique was already nearing immunity to a hundred poisons, so ordinary toxins were of no effect on him. Bai Lang would not dwell on the saying that a gift always carries a request—because befriending passing Innate Experts was one of the Oasis Lord's key activities.

The martial world offers many friends and many paths, and even a fellow like Bai Lang understands this well. Kuaihuo Wang tried to win him over, but Bai Lang was skeptical; he did not think Kuaihuo Wang would tolerate him staying here—it would be too unpredictable for Kuaihuo Wang, and besides, Bai Lang himself wanted to travel the world. Still, that did not prevent the host and guest from reveling together tonight.

Events often defy expectations; after three rounds of wine and a change of dancing maidens, Chai Chunmen's face showed a hint of sorrow. "Tonight's joy will be hard to find again; truly lamentable," he said. Then the comic relief arrived—a middle‑aged man who looked like a playboy—who laughed, "Does that bring back that incident? Ah, the White Jade Pillar arrived today; perhaps we could ask him for a favor?"

The remark truly startled Bai Lang; he had not expected Kuaihuo Wang to ask him for a "favor." He had not intended to listen, but having partaken of the host's feast softened his resolve. "Next time, be sure to pay your own bill," he sighed, preparing to watch Kuaihuo Wang's performance. As expected, Kuaihuo Wang lamented a serious injury that stalled his cultivation, seeing a path ahead yet unable to proceed, his ambitions left unfulfilled.

The comic then said not to be sad, for there happened to be a pill formula that could treat his wounds and even boost his martial arts. "Mr. Bai, this Dragon‑Tiger King Pill is a first‑rate Qi‑nourishing elixir. Lord Chai has spent decades gathering all kinds of herbs, prepared the alchemical furnace, but is missing a single Innate Expert—refining this pill requires eight Innate Experts, each stationed at a point to channel their true qi to harmonize the dragon and tiger…"

Bai Lang glanced and said, "One pill per person after the alchemy is complete." The middle‑aged comic replied, while Chai Chunmen stared intently at Bai Lang and nodded. "When the matter is settled, there will surely be a grand gift presented!" Bai Lang looked at Chai Chunmen, thought for a moment, and understood why he was chosen—there were no further entanglements. He was, after all, a solitary Innate Expert with no sect or organization.

"Since that's the case, count me in," Bai Lang nodded. "One must be wary; I doubt we can obtain that Dragon‑Tiger King Pill, right? But if we refuse… it seems we'd have to fight our way out today?" he thought. As Bai Lang agreed, everyone present smiled, each pleased. Kuaihuo Wang then swept his hand and ushered Bai Lang into a lakeside pavilion, where beautiful women attended to him inside and out.

Bai Lang regarded the affair as fleeting; he did not touch the women, but instead indulged in the exquisite wines and dishes he had never tasted—he had to admit they were not only delicious, but many of the rare ingredients also greatly replenished his qi.

Kuaihuo Wang seemed truly impatient, coming personally to summon Bai Lang on the third day. "All is ready; we only lack Brother Bai," he said, linking arms with Bai Lang, pretending not to notice Bai Lang's slightly strained face—fortunately, a beautiful woman whose age was indeterminate soon took his arm and led him to a lakeside pier. The pier led to a three‑story tower at the heart of the lake.

The tower had no guard outside, nor any maid inside; only the pier was manned. Bai Lang entered the tower, where the others were already present.

In front of him was a Bagua Pool, with a platform in its center and an alchemical furnace atop the platform. "This thing is almost like in an anime," Bai Lang muttered to himself. Around the pool, the eight Bagua directions each had a seat, and eight thick chains, as broad as an arm, extended from the furnace to those seats. Bai Lang glanced, then walked straight to the southeast Xun‑Wood position, sat cross‑legged, grasped a chain, and discovered his Internal Force could freely flow through the chain.

"This furnace and its chains are certainly treasures; ordinary mortal iron cannot allow true qi to wander like this, nor can it withstand Innate true qi," someone said as everyone took their seats. Kuaihuo Wang flicked his sleeve, the furnace door swung open, and he inspected the myriad elixirs once more. Then, under the skylight on the roof, the furnace naturally ignited flames. "Air fire?" Bai Lang thought the flame was unusual as well.

Below, fire surged upward, lacking only the human‑center fire to form Samadhi True Fire. "No wonder they need eight Innate Experts, using the Bagua Formation to supplement the human‑center fire," Bai Lang thought, grabbing a chain as his true qi passed through it. His qi sensed the other seven participants' qi entering the furnace, swirling together, suddenly merging into a single blaze as three fires combined to scorch the ingredients. The ultimate controller was, of course, Kuaihuo Wang; Bai Lang was merely a fuel provider…

When eight people share the load, the true qi circulates comprehensively; the Bagua is complete and no one strains. At that moment a maid came from the pier, bringing assorted qi‑nourishing foods. Bai Lang took a few bites, silently sensing the different qi in the furnace; indeed each person possessed unique strengths, none trivial. From icy cold to scorching heat were present, and Kuaihuo Wang's qi was especially robust, oddly at odds with his delicate hands.

Bai Lang sensed that among these qi, his was slightly different; others might not perceive it, but he knew his qi had already become "Qi." "How long must it continue?" the newcomer asked. "It must reach the number of Tian Gang, thirty‑six heavens, before the furnace can be opened," Kuaihuo Wang replied gravely. He bore the greatest burden, not only feeding qi but also diverting additional qi to control the furnace's ingredients, guiding every technique.