Chapter 601

After his fame grew, more and more people came to Yan Buji for help, but in truth he had no background to speak of; he merely knew a few people.

Just like Zhang Xu, this guy also doesn't know why his connections are so extensive.

"Well, now that we at least have some fame, we need to figure out how to pull off something big, and we also need to get involved with the Paolong Sacred Land." Yan Buji thought.

The recent news I heard is that the Paolong Sacred Land used a treasure from the aberrant region, causing many disciples to suffer qi deviation, but as a sacred land power, how could they allow their own disciples to cultivate using such a reckless, shortcut method?

You say it's to cope with the Hundred Sects Assembly, not wanting those disciples to embarrass the sect, but surely a sect this large could find a few geniuses?

"So Zhang Xu's argument doesn't hold; the cultivation world always looks at the top first, then the foundation. Talent is the prerequisite for measuring a sect's depth, not the overall numbers. I'd rather believe that the Paolong Sacred Land knows the harm of that treasure can be controlled, so they let the disciples try it out."

But the Paolong Sacred Land certainly wouldn't openly admit this, and Yan Buji, after thinking carefully, didn't know how to intervene.

Just then, several people came to the door.

"Sir, someone is looking for you."

"Hmm, please come in."

Yan Buji was sitting inside when a man and a woman walked in; seeing their attire, he immediately rose and clasped his fists, saying, "Oh, you are disciples of the sacred land; Yan Buji failed to welcome you properly."

"Fellow Daoist Yan, you're too polite."

The two cultivators approached, clasped their hands, and said, "I am Yang Yunshu, an outer-gate steward of the Paolong Sacred Land, and this is my junior sister Mo Dengqing."

"Greetings, fellow Daoist." Mo Dengqing smiled.

"Please, both of you, take a seat; waiter, bring tea!"

Yan Buji greeted the two to sit; after the waiter brought tea, he also felt a bit surprised and asked, "Fellow Daoists, do you have any important matter for me?"

"No more small talk; the Hundred Tribulations Demon‑Quenching Pill recently provided by our sect—was it refined by you, fellow Daoist?"

"Um, yes. Is there a problem?"

Yang Yunshu said solemnly, "If so, fellow Daoist, could you accompany us for a trip?"

"Could Yan Buji ask what happened?"

Yan Buji found it strange; although the Hundred Tribulations Demon‑Quenching Pill came from his hands, since you all bought so many through other channels, it shouldn't be that discovering a problem now would require coming to trouble him.

"Some things aren't convenient to say here; fellow Daoist, come with us, and I guarantee I won't harm you." Yang Yunshu said.

"If that's the case, let's go." Yan Buji said.

Following the two, Yan Buji also inquired along the way what had happened to warrant his summons; it didn't seem like a confrontation, otherwise the attitude wouldn't be like this.

Half a day passed.

Yan Buji followed the two to a mountain range, entered a protective grand formation, and proceeded along the cleared path through the primordial vast forest.

Birds and beasts called in the forest; the surrounding air was thick with extremely rich spiritual energy, and Yan Buji raised his eyebrows—this place's spiritual energy was far stronger than the outside world.

"Is this the Paolong Sacred Land?"

"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Yan, no need to sigh; this is merely the outer region of our sect, not yet the outer gate."

"People say the sacred land is divided into inner and outer; with such rich spiritual energy in this outer region, it's no wonder the sacred land's disciples are all outstanding talents, outstanding cultivators." Yan Buji smiled.

Yang Yunshu and Mo Dengqing laughed: "Fellow Daoist, you flatter us; cultivators all strive to advance, and the quality of the environment does not reveal whether a cultivator possesses sufficient caliber."

"But being able to enter the sacred land is already one in ten thousand, let alone such a powerful force as the Paolong Sacred Land." Yan Buji said.

"Fellow Daoist Yan, you really know how to speak." Mo Dengqing laughed.

Soon, the three passed through the primordial forest and arrived beneath a mountain range stretching ten thousand li; there were many cultivators here, and Yan Buji even sensed several extremely dangerous auras.

"Fellow Daoist Yan, please this way."

"May I ask who I am supposed to see?"

"Fellow Daoist Yan, your thoughts are clear; you'll find out shortly." Yang Yunshu laughed.

Soon, Yan Buji was led into a palace.

Then several more people approached; Yang Yunshu and Mo Dengqing clasped their hands and said, "Greetings, Elder."

"Hmm."

The middle‑aged person seated on high looked down at Yan Buji and said, "Are you the alchemist who recently refined the Hundred Tribulations Demon‑Quenching Pill in Long Qi Cheng?"

"I am Yan Buji; I pay my respects, senior."

"Hmm, I am Feng Yue, Elder of the Internal Affairs Hall of the Outer Gate of the Paolong Sacred Land; I summoned you not for anything else. Since you can refine the Hundred Tribulations Demon‑Quenching Pill, can you also refine other Fivefold Transformation pills?"

"Well..." Yan Buji looked puzzled: "Your sect has such a huge territory; surely you could find a few alchemists?"

Although saying this might provoke their displeasure, in order to avoid being schemed against, Yan Buji decided to test the waters anyway.

Feng Yue wasn't angry either; he said directly, "Most of our sect's alchemists have been drafted to the Inner Gate; the Outer Gate now has hardly any Fivefold Transformation alchemists, and the rest lack the strength to refine them."

"If that's the case, it's not impossible, but could Yan Buji first see the formula?"

"First agree, then we'll talk; as for payment, once you finish refining the pills during this period, we will naturally settle accounts with you. In the remaining time, you may move freely within the Outer Gate, but you may not go to the Inner Gate or leave the Outer Gate's scope. Other benefits are equal to those of our sect's Lian Dan Tang alchemists."

Yan Buji frowned: "If it's just to have me refine pills, there's no need for me to come here; even staying in Long Qi Cheng would be fine."

"No, this matter is not trivial; it still needs to be done covertly."

"That is, what makes the refined pill so formidable?"

Yan Buji thought for a moment, then nodded: "Since the sacred land has invited me, I will naturally accept."

"Good!"

Soon, Yan Buji was assigned to the Lian Dan Tang; upon arrival he saw several familiar faces.

"Huh? Fellow Daoist Yan, you're here too?"

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, Fellow Daoist Wang, you're here as well?" Yan Buji looked puzzled.

These were a few shop owners he knew from Long Qi Cheng, also Fivefold Transformation alchemists; he hadn't expected they'd be summoned just like him.

"Alright, since you all know each other, I won't say more; study this formula for the Unity‑Slaughter Pill, the required Spiritual Material has been prepared for you, and you must produce the finished product within this month." Yang Yunshu said.

Yan Buji and the others received the formula and immediately frowned.

This formula.... there's a big problem.

Yan Buji glanced at them; they were all sharp, and no one spoke. He clasped his hands toward Yang Yunshu and said, "Alright."