Chapter 132: Shattering the Mutant Pill

There really is a pill that can wear down Mutant Force?

Can this work?!

If it truly works, should I also find a way to prepare a few?

Yan Buji fell silent, carefully pondering the key point.

Mainly it was Alchemist Hu Xian's words that made Yan Buji hesitant; even if he obtained the pill formula, could he still refine it for something he himself wasn't confident about?

Hu Xian nodded: "I told you some of the Spiritual Material quantities are off; using such a massive amount of Spiritual Material that wildly boosts magical power isn't suitable for making a healing pill. Yet it doesn't look like a temporary combat‑boosting pill either, which is why I asked. However, boss, are you sure you understand the side effects of this pill?"

"This… I've also studied it; it might damage my own meridians, right? In the worst case I might not be able to advance a single step in this lifetime, but I'm already this age and never thought of climbing higher. Yet Mutant Force is getting worse, and I can't wait any longer." The boss gave a wry smile.

"How could that be? If you don't use magical power to drive Abnormal Material, Mutant Force shouldn't increase on its own, right?" Hu Xian asked.

The boss wore a complicated expression, looking at Hu Xian: "Alchemist Hu, you've never used Abnormal Material, have you?"

"Yes. Is there another explanation?"

"If Abnormal Material remains lodged in a cultivator's body for more than fifty years, it will begin to actively absorb external spiritual energy, increasing Mutant Force! I don't know if this applies to all cultivators, but that's my situation." The boss gave a wry smile, then said resentfully: "Back then, in my youthful vigor, I thought my magical power could suppress Mutant Force, and indeed for the first fifty years it did. But after that, whenever I cultivated, a portion of the spiritual energy was siphoned by the Abnormal Material and turned into Mutant Force! Moreover, by then I could no longer sever the Abnormal Material, and even blocking spiritual energy from entering my body couldn't stop the material from absorbing it. Unable to suppress Mutant Force any longer, I fear I'll soon mutate into an Abnormal Beast!!"

Yan Buji's face darkened.

Hm?

How does this differ so much from what I've learned?

Wasn't it said that magical power could wear down Mutant Force? How can there be a fifty‑year limit!!

That's the price of knowing nothing!

Although I can't guarantee what he said is true, seeing his despondent expression and his hope placed on Hu Xian, Yan Buji felt a weight in his heart.

Hu Xian took a deep breath: "That's something I haven't studied, but since the boss is so sincere, I'm willing to give it a try. However… I can't guarantee success."

The boss sighed, gave a wry smile: "If Alchemist Hu can't succeed, what use is my modest fortune for hiring a more powerful Alchemist? I'd rather find a place to end myself, sparing the world further trouble."

Hu Xian rose, clasped his hands and said: "Your magnanimity, boss, then I'll return and begin preparing the alchemy."

"Thank you, Alchemist Hu!"

The boss also bowed deeply, expressing sincere thanks.

Hu Xian glanced at Yan Buji, smiled: "Brother Ji, we didn't finish drinking today; after I complete the boss's commission, I'll come find you!"

"Alright."

The tavern owner laughed: "Brother Ji, if you don't mind, why not stay at the shop? The lodging is free, as a small token of gratitude to Alchemist Hu."

"Very well." Hu Xian thought it normal; after all, he was saving his life, so looking after a friend was fine.

Yan Buji raised an eyebrow, smiled: "Then thank you, boss. How should I address you?"

"I'm the old fellow Tian Liang."

"So you're Brother Tian."

"Hahaha, Brother Ji, no need for formalities. Since you're a friend of Alchemist Hu, this old man is only a few years older; you can call me 'big brother' if you like."

Yan Buji clasped his hands: "Alright, Brother Tian."

Seeing Hu Xian's reputation, the other party gave Yan Buji full respect, which Yan Buji naturally couldn't refuse.

After Hu Xian left, the two still sat down and chatted for a while.

Yan Buji, curious, lifted his cup and asked: "I wonder what kind of Abnormal Material Brother Tian absorbed back then? It must have been impressive."

"It's not about being impressive; you should never touch Abnormal Material if you can help it! My life is nearly gone now, all because of that Abnormal Material!" Tian Liang gritted his teeth, downed a mouthful of wine with great resentment.

"Brother Ji, I'd like to ask you: how did you become acquainted with Alchemist Hu? You should know Alchemist Hu's background is unusual; ordinary wandering cultivators don't have the ability to pass the first Alchemist examination." Tian Liang retorted, his face full of curiosity.

Yan Buji saw the other sidestepping the core issue, speaking without a slip, and found it rather odd.

For some reason, Yan Buji kept feeling the other stared straight into his eyes; normally, even when calling each other 'big brother' or 'little brother', they wouldn't look directly into the eyes but at the bridge of the nose, as proper first‑meeting etiquette.

Having tangled in the secular world for years and now long in the cultivation realm, Yan Buji had never met anyone so enthusiastic, as if they were long‑lost friends.

Could it be… the other sees that my left eye is also formed from Abnormal Material?

Now that would be truly interesting!

Yan Buji smiled, explained how he met Hu Xian, and Tian Liang was very surprised:

"A two‑leaf ghost orchid isn't particularly rare, but it's worth two hundred Spiritual Stones. Still, I didn't expect Brother Ji to be so generous as to give it to Alchemist Hu."

"I've always been pretty accurate in judging people; I felt that Alchemist Hu was no ordinary person back then, which sparked my desire to befriend him. Looking back, that decision wasn't a loss." Yan Buji smiled.

Tian Liang nodded: "Cultivators must broaden good ties; perhaps one day your kindness will be repaid. Yet if you do good deeds hoping for reward, you'll fall into the lower path."

"Even so, you can't say that. If you seek no profit and just act as a do‑gooder, such a cultivator won't go far." Yan Buji smiled.

"Oh? Could Brother Ji also have something to ask Alchemist Hu?"

"What I sought has already been fulfilled. To be called a Dao‑friend alongside an Alchemy Technique master is already a tremendous fortune." Yan Buji said with a smile.

Tian Liang looked at Yan Buji, feeling this middle‑aged man truly spoke without a slip, leaving no flaw to grasp.

He couldn't even discern what Yan Buji needed from Hu Xian, which could only mean the other's need was greater, larger than his own!

At that thought, Tian Liang chuckled lightly: "Brother Ji, do you play weiqi?"

"Somewhat."

"Big brother also loves weiqi; shall we play a couple of games to pass the time?"

"Why not."

After finishing their drinks, the two went to the adjacent table to play weiqi.

Until the night passed and they departed, each wore a slightly helpless expression.

"This old man is hard to handle; I don't know what he really wants."

"The young man is so scheming; he set so many traps for me, and almost let me see through his intention—what a hidden risk!"

Both turned their heads simultaneously, pausing in surprise.

Then they exchanged a smile; one went downstairs to tend the business, the other returned to his room to rest.