Chapter 135: Man Yun Mountain Range

Night.

Deep in the Man Yun Mountain Range, beside a makeshift campfire, a few rag‑clad, weather‑worn wandering cultivators sat in a circle, the firelight reflecting on their tired yet alert faces.

"Gurgle." One man chugged a mouthful of harsh wine, exhaling a white, alcohol‑tinged mist, "Damn it, this cursed weather's getting colder. If we can't find a decent place to settle, we'll freeze to death in this god‑forsaken mountain where not even a bird shits."

The half‑earless man beside him twirled a branch in the fire, sparks crackling, "Freeze to death? I'm more afraid the Wan Family's rabid dogs will tear us apart! Lately their people have been prowling everywhere like wolves smelling blood."

"Wan Family? Hmph, they're probably too busy to mind their own business now." The man who spoke earlier grinned, a hint of schadenfreude in his tone, "Did you hear? Just a few days ago, that old Wan Family guy in the late Foundation Establishment stage—what's his name, Wan Honghai—was beaten half to death!"

"What?!"

"Is it real? Lao Wang, are you drunk? Wan Honghai? He's in the late Foundation Establishment! Who could have beaten him?"

The campfire erupted in chatter, several pairs of eyes instantly fixed on Lao Wang.

Lao Wang swayed his head proudly, lowering his voice, "It's absolutely true! A distant nephew of mine has some connections in Heishi Town, and the gossip is fresh. Supposedly, Wan Honghai chased an old man, only to be beaten so badly his chest collapsed, his sword snapped, and he fled in disgrace back to the Wan Family Stronghold, nearly dying."

"Hiss—" the half‑earless man gasped, feeling a chill at his tooth roots, "Which tough guy is that, daring enough to move Wan Honghai?"

"That hits the nail on the head!" Lao Wang slapped his thigh, speaking conspiratorially, "Word is, the attacker was a mysterious elder, master of pill cultivation and talisman arts, wielding talismans with divine skill, and pulling out pills as if they were free! Someone gave him a title… 'Pill Master Old Man'!"

"Pill Master Old Man?" a younger cultivator tasted the title, eyes flashing, "Sounds badass! A Body Refining stage hitting a late Foundation Establishment, and even maiming someone? What… what kind of divine technique is that?"

"Who says it isn't? The version I heard is even more twisted," another sharp‑faced man leaned in, lowering his voice further, "They say 'Pill Master Old Man' isn't an old man at all, but a disciple from a hidden sect out on the world, looking young but of astonishing seniority! Not only are his talismans formidable, he also knows a long‑lost Beast Taming secret! That Wan Honghai brat fell into his trap and was counter‑devoured by his own contract demonic beast!"

"Beast Taming secret? Come on, isn't that the signature skill of the Beast Taming Sect in legend?"

"So you see, 'Pill Master Old Man' has a huge pedigree! Some speculate he's the heir of the Beast Taming Sect!"

Around the campfire, voices rose and fell, each face etched with shock and curiosity. For these wandering cultivators licking blood on the knife‑edge of the Man Yun Mountain Range, such a legend undeniably cast an unusual glimmer onto their bleak, desperate lives.

"If I could get on 'Pill Master Old Man's' thigh…" the half‑earless man muttered, a glint of yearning in his eyes, "Even just a few pointers or some life‑saving talismans, we could survive much better in these mountains."

"Dream on!" Lao Wang scoffed, "Such a master is like a dragon—seen only by the head, never the tail; we can't just go meet him. Still, now that this is out, the Wan Family's prestige in the Man Yun Mountain Range has plummeted. I hear they've pulled back many of their hunt squads, unwilling to flaunt themselves."

"Now that's good! Let them bite each other like dogs!"

Similar chatter spread like wildfire, rapidly reaching every corner of the Man Yun Mountain Range.

From wandering cultivators' makeshift camps to pioneer squads, even some young members of minor families hunting opportunities in the mountains, the tale of "Pill Master Old Man" Wang Shan's glorious feat—crippling Wan Honghai in the Body Refining stage—has been embellished, growing ever more legendary.

Some say he stands eight chi tall, with a blue face and fanged jaws, capable of swallowing a Third Tier Demonic Beast in one bite; others claim he has crane‑white hair and a child's face, an ethereal aura, and can summon wind and thunder with a wave; still others assert he's a reincarnated ancient great being who, disgusted by the Wan Family's arrogance, stepped in to teach them a lesson.

Many versions, varied details, yet the core is strikingly consistent: a mysterious powerhouse, master of talismans, apparently wielding Beast Taming secrets, who defeated the strong with the weak and dealt a crushing blow to the Wan Family's pride.

This undoubtedly stoked the nerves of low‑rank cultivators long oppressed by great powers.

For a moment, throughout the Full Cloud Mountain Range, beyond awe and curiosity toward "Pill Master Old Man," other feelings surfaced. Some desperate or hunted wandering cultivators actually began scouting for the "Pill Master Old Man," hoping for his protection, even if only to glimpse him from afar.

Naturally, the news also reached Heishi Town on the mountain's outskirts.

Shi Clan manor.

Clan Leader Shi Kaitai lifted his teacup, listening to his trusted Steward's report, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Pill Master Old Man… Wang Shan…" Shi Kaitai set down his cup, his fingers lightly tapping the table, "I feel like I've heard that name somewhere."

The Steward bowed, "Family Head, this is the Wang Shan who a few days ago clashed with Wan Tianfeng in the market and was later wanted by the Wan Family. We didn't expect him to possess such terrifying power and methods."

"Hmph, the Wan Family has hit a steel plate this time." Shi Kaitai's mouth twitched with a barely perceptible smile, "Wan Honghai, that old braggart, always so arrogant—this time he took such a huge tumble, his lungs must be about to explode."

"Family Head, what about us…?"

"Observe and wait." Shi Kaitai waved his hand, "Wang Shan's background is mysterious, his strength unfathomable; we needn't rush to pick sides. The Wan Family is in disarray, giving us a chance to expand our own influence. Issue orders that the clan's younger members act more low‑key and cautious, avoid trouble, especially do not proactively provoke that Wang Shan."

"Yes, Family Head."

The Li Family and other minor forces in Black Stone Town also received similar news, their reactions alike. The Wan Family's deterrence, under the impact of the "Pill Master Old Man" legend, quietly diminished.

Meanwhile, deeper in the Full Cloud Mountain Range, some normally hidden forces that rarely reveal themselves began taking a keen interest in the suddenly emerged "Pill Master Old Man."

In a mist‑shrouded valley, several cultivators clad in uniform blue robes debated before a water mirror. Within the mirror, vague silhouettes flickered, people moving through the forest.

"This Wang Shan is intriguing. A Body Refining stage can wound a late Foundation Establishment, even with pills and talismans—no small matter," a lean‑faced middle‑aged cultivator said slowly.

"Elder, the intel shows his final technique seemed to trigger the Counter‑Devouring of Wan Honghai's contract demonic beast. That resembles some forbidden methods of the Beast Taming Sect in legend," a young disciple beside him said respectfully.

"Beast Taming Sect…" the middle‑aged cultivator's eyes flashed with a sharp light, "A sect vanished for centuries—could any inheritance remain? This is no small matter; send someone to investigate. Remember, only observe from the shadows, do not engage lightly, and never make enemies. If he truly ties to the Beast Taming Sect, perhaps we could… forge a good bond."

"Yes, Elder!"

Wan Family Stronghold.

In the council hall, the atmosphere remained so oppressive it was hard to breathe.

Wan Yongnian sat on the main seat, his complexion so grim it seemed you could wring water from it. Below, several Elders wore equally furrowed brows.

"Family Head, those rumors outside… are getting out of hand!" an Elder slammed his hand on the table, "What's this 'Pill Master Old Man'? They've turned Wang Shan into a legend! If this continues, what face will the Wan Family have left?"

"Face?" Wan Honghai's hoarse voice rang out, he leaned against the chair, his breath still uneven, the chest wound treated with pills but his vital energy severely depleted, unable to recover quickly, "Is this now a matter of face? That kid really has a way to counter our Ten Thousand Beast Method…"

As he spoke, the hall fell silent instantly.

Wan Yongnian rubbed his temples, "We've tried to seal off the news as much as possible, but the Man Yun Mountain Range is vast, full of chatter, impossible to block. Those wandering cultivators are just waiting to see the Wan Family embarrass itself."

The Great Elder sighed, "Our plan now: first, quickly uncover Wang Shan's background, especially his link to the Beast Taming Sect and the endless source of his pills and talismans. Second… we must find a way to nullify his technique's impact on the Ten Thousand Beast Method, or else endless trouble will follow."

"Eliminate? How to eliminate?" Wan Honghai forced a bitter smile, "I still don't get what kind of damned Array it is, that can trigger the link between me and my destined demonic beast, almost causing my own power to counter‑devour me!"

"Regarding this, I've already sent a carrier pigeon, briefly informing a senior brother of the Ten Thousand Beasts Gate, mentioning that we've spotted a suspected Beast Taming Sect inheritor with bizarre methods that can interfere with demonic beast control. The specifics still need deliberation," Wan Yongnian said gravely, a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

Seeking help from the Ten Thousand Beasts Gate means the Wan Family admits they can't handle it themselves, and may have to pay a hefty price.

"Family Head, we must cut decisively!" an Elder urged urgently, "Wang Shan's fame is soaring; if another faction interested in the Beast Taming Sect inheritance gets ahead, or if he truly grows strong, the threat to our Wan Family will be even greater!"

Wan Yongnian tapped his finger on the table, finally deciding, "Honghai, focus on recovering. The others, continue covert deployments, prioritize gathering intelligence. As for the Ten Thousand Beasts Gate, I'll go personally. That Wang Shan… must never become a genuine, serious threat to our Wan Family!"

And deep within a highly concealed cave of the Man Yun Mountain Range, the campfire flickered.

【36】 Wang Shan sat cross‑legged, slowly concluding his cultivation; the lingering stiffness in his chest from forcefully channeling power had largely faded. Beside him, Li Hu and Zhang Mei whispered, discussing something; his two grandsons, Wang Zhize and Wang Zhitao, after several days of pill treatment and Spiritual Power guidance, looked much healthier, though Wang Zhitao's lingering poison had not fully cleared, his complexion still a bit pale.

Wang Shan sat cross‑legged, slowly withdrew his cultivation, and the lingering sluggish feeling in his chest left by forcibly driving his power had already dissipated by more than half. Beside him, Li Hu and Zhang Mei were whispering about something. The two grandsons, Wang Zhize and Wang Zhitao, after several days of pill treatment and Spiritual Power guidance, looked much healthier, but the poison in Wang Zhitao had not been completely cleared, and his complexion was still a bit pale.

"System, query the current Outside World's appraisal and attention toward me," Wang Shan thought silently.

【Ding! Host Wang Shan, currently in the Full Cloud Mountain Range and surrounding areas, has earned the title "Pill Master Old Man" (mixed reviews).】

【Reputation: +1580 (Man Yun Mountain Range wandering cultivator group), -850 (Wan Family and its affiliates), +320 (Heishi Town some neutral forces), +50 (unknown hidden forces interest)…】

【Overall assessment: fame soars, but accompanied by great risk. Some factions show strong interest in the host's mastery of pill cultivation, talisman arts, and the suspected Beast Taming Sect inheritance, possibly pursuing recruitment, probing, or hostile actions.】

Wang Shan looked at the information appearing on the system panel, and the corner of his mouth couldn't help but twitch.

"Pill Talisman Fierce Elder? What kind of nonsense is this..." he muttered.

"Grandpa, what's Pill Talisman Fierce Elder?" Wang Zhitao had just woken up a moment ago and asked groggily.

Li Hu and Zhang Mei had also heard Wang Shan's murmur and came over.

"Boss, you're awake? How do you feel?" Li Hu asked.

Wang Shan waved his hand: "Nothing serious. I just didn't expect that the outside world would give me such a title." He briefly described what the system had detected.

When Li Hu heard this, his eyes went wide and round: "Pill Talisman Fierce Elder? Hey, that title... sounds pretty badass! Boss, you're a famous person now!"

Zhang Mei, however, slightly furrowed her fine brows: "Too great a reputation may not be a good thing. The Wan family will surely hunt us even more frantically, and besides, the system also warned that other factions have their eyes on us. This Man Yun Mountain Range is probably going to become increasingly unsettled."

Wang Shan nodded, his expression calm: "Blessing conceals disaster; disaster rests upon blessing. This reputation is both trouble and a layer of protection. At the very least, those petty scoundrels won't dare to provoke us lightly anymore."

He looked outside the cave, his gaze profound: "Moreover, this 'Pill Talisman Fierce Elder' reputation might... actually come in useful."

What he lacked most right now was time, resources, and opportunities to raise his strength. The Purple Monkey Flower needed for the Foundation Establishment Pill had yet to be obtained, his grandson's injuries required rare medicinal herbs, and the Wan family's pursuit followed them like a shadow.

This sudden "reputation" was like a double-edged sword; how it was wielded would directly determine their fate from here on.

"Grandpa, those people... will they find us?" Wang Zhitao asked somewhat weakly, a trace of unease on his small face.

Wang Shan reached out and patted his head, saying gently: "Don't worry, with Grandpa here, I won't let anyone harm you. What we need to do now is recover our strength as quickly as possible, and then... go get what is rightfully ours."

His gaze once again turned toward the direction of Ghost Sorrow Cliff.

The Purple Monkey Flower—he was determined to obtain it.

As for the various factions stirred into action by the news, whether their intentions were good or ill, they would all become variables in this chess game.