Chapter 344: Standing Out

Wang Man walked over, looked at the departing Wang Chao, and said, "Wang Chao is not a fool; he's just a bit too naive."

"Is that so? Find a time and give this thing to him."

Yan Buji said, pulling out a scroll.

"What is this?"

"A method that allows Dragon People to reproduce."

"What?!" Wang Man, shocked, stared at Yan Buji, trembling as he folded the scroll, "How could you possibly have this… thing?"

"Don't ask where I got it; if you don't believe it, you can try it on a woman."

Wang Man's expression froze, and he laughed, "Then why give it to Wang Chao? If you publicize this method, wouldn't you gain great prestige among the Dragon People?"

Yan Buji looked at Wang Man, smiled, and said, "What good reputation can a person who secretly controls the Dragon People with the Grain-Avoiding Pill have? Even if Wang Chao doesn't mention it, other Dragon People who trust Wang Chao will spread the word." He added, "This thing is best used only by those who stand on the great righteousness."

Wang Man's complexion changed, and he nodded, "Alright, I'll find a chance to give it to him."

"If possible, start with Long Fei; she must have admired Wang Chao for a long time, right?"

"You figured it out?" Wang Man thought carefully and said, "If that's the case, I'll give it a try."

"By the way, where are the other three Golden Core stage Dragon People? Where are they?"

"I can get in touch with one, but the other two are probably hard to approach; they have a good relationship with Wang Chao."

"Oh?"

"Those two are considered Wang Chao's masters."

"In that case, contact one of them, arrange a time to meet."

"Mm."

Wang Man was about to leave, stared at the motionless Yan Buji, turned and asked, "You… where do you intend to lead the Dragon People?"

Yan Buji said calmly, "I will lead the Dragon People into the abyss, but before departing, I will completely transform the Dragon People."

Wang Man took a deep breath, turned, and left.

Afterwards, Yan Buji returned to his residence and began cultivating.

Elsewhere.

Wang Chao clenched his fists and returned to his home.

"Brother Wang Chao, where did you go?"

Wang Chao smiled, "I wandered around… How about it? Is anyone willing to go out hunting with us?"

Long Fei shook her head, "They say since we give them the Grain-Avoiding Pill, why go out."

"Yeah, Brother Wang Chao, I previously suggested we should limit distribution. They love the Grain-Avoiding Pill now, and some Dragon People chase us for it every day; we should let them join us directly, otherwise they just eat what's ready‑made."

"Indeed, the methods must be tougher, otherwise…"

Wang Chao thought for a moment, "There must be someone willing to follow us, right?"

"Mm!"

Two Dragon People entered from the doorway, looking at Wang Chao and the others, "Yo, you're all here?"

Wang Chao heard the familiar voice, turned, and exclaimed in surprise, "Dragon Uncle, Aunt Zhang."

Long Fei, surprised, looked at them and asked, "Father? Why have you come?"

These two are among the few Golden Core stage Dragon People: one named Long Batian, the other Zhang Yao, and they are Long Fei's adoptive parents.

Because Dragon People cannot reproduce, they do not place much value on familial bonds, even to a great degree; however, they truly love Long Fei and take great care of her.

Long Batian looked at Wang Chao, smiled, and said, "If we don't step forward, I'm afraid you kid can't beat the others."

Wang Chao fell silent, helplessly saying, "It's because I'm useless."

"Your methods are too gentle, kid; we all told you the Grain-Avoiding Pill has problems—why not make proper use of it? Now it's over, aren't we just being taken advantage of?" Zhang Yao rolled her eyes.

"The Grain-Avoiding Pill has problems?"

Members of the Dragon People Squad, including Long Fei, looked on in shock, not understanding what that meant.

Wang Chao, seeing he couldn't hide it, said, "The Grain-Avoiding Pill tastes very good because Yan Buji added some medicinal powder to it, making it quite delicious and addictive."

"Ah?!" several Dragon People squad members exclaimed, eyes wide, looking at Wang Chao and asking, "Why would he do that?"

"He…" Wang Chao fell silent, sighed, "His methods are even harsher: using this addictive Grain-Avoiding Pill to stimulate others' appetites, then collaborating with Wang Man to open gambling dens, turning the Dragon People's laziness into frantic gambling."

"I've been saying these past days why there are so many gambling dens of all sizes—it's all his doing?!"

Long Fei, angry, said, "How can he do this! We work hard hunting to help him find raw materials for pill refining, just to make the Dragon People better, right? On what right does he…"

"Enough, I'm the same kind of person." Wang Chao cut off Long Fei, bowed to the crowd, and said, "I share the same thoughts. After I showed the Grain-Avoiding Pill to the two uncle and aunt, I realized Yan Buji's little move and tacitly approved it. I originally thought Yan Buji wanted to use this Pill to help the Dragon People resist laziness, but I didn't expect him to also have people open gambling dens, using the Grain-Avoiding Pill as gambling stakes."

"I'm sorry!"

Wang Chao felt deeply guilty; he had thought Yan Buji could understand him, and he understood Yan Buji. He believed there was an unspoken tacit understanding between them, and neither had clarified the matter beforehand, because Wang Chao felt the Dragon People must change, even if it required improper means.

But at least, one should not swing from one extreme to another; that is wrong!

So the point of contention lies here; Wang Chao knows his actions are also wrong, but at least the Dragon People will act for the tasty Grain-Avoiding Pill.

Wang Chao and the others could also use the Grain-Avoiding Pill to operate, making the Dragon People realize that to get the tasty Pill they must go out hunting, prompting them to cultivate diligently, strengthen themselves, and gradually become more ambitious.

Yet regardless, using a drug to achieve this, regardless of intention, Wang Chao feels he and Yan Buji are equally scheming scoundrels!

Therefore, he feels very guilty for hiding this from everyone; he has let everyone down.

The few fell silent, their eyes complex as they looked at Wang Chao.

"Should we believe him?"

Long Fei came over, took Wang Chao's hand, and said, "Wang Chao, don't blame yourself. I know changing the Dragon People can't be done just by shouting a couple of slogans. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures; I understand that. But if laziness turns into gambling, that's not a good thing, right, everyone?"

The other squad members thought it over, nodded, and said, "Yes, we should correct them."

"If you want the tasty Grain-Avoiding Pill, you must work hard, cultivate, and go out hunting!"

"Indeed, gambling harms people; we must never stand by as such a trend spreads!"

Long Batian nodded: "So we will stand up for you; at least a group of Dragon People are still willing to listen to us."

Wang Chao's face full of emotion: "Thank you, Uncle Long."

"Don't be so polite; I'm still waiting for you two to get married and give us old folks a big, fat child." Long Batian laughed.

Wang Chao's face turned red, Long Fei blushed, gritted her teeth and said: "Father, what are you saying.... I can't bear children...."

"Yeah." Zhang Yao, standing aside, looked at Long Batian: "If we could raise offspring, the Dragon People wouldn't have ended up like this."