Linyuan City.

After several days of renovation, Young Master Yuan pulled off the red cloth covering the plaque, announcing the official operation of the Eternal Sect’s second industry—the medicinal herb shop.

Although what was sold inside were common medicinal herbs like Heaven-Grade Emperor Imperial Grass, because their quality reached heavenly treasure grade, it was destined to become a high-end industry.

City Lord Lu and various major business partners came to offer congratulations, presenting sincere gifts.

“Feng Guichen!”

Just then, an inharmonious voice rang out. “You made me search so hard!”

“Mm?”

Hall Master Feng turned to look.

In the relatively open area outside the shop, a man wearing a scarf with red hair half-covering his face stood proudly.

Under his loose black robes, at his waist, a refined token was visible, carved with two small golden characters—’Pill Hall.’ The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, showing a faint smile.

“Du Hongchen!”

Feng Guichen’s brows immediately furrowed.

Lu Deshui and the others, hearing this, showed shocked expressions on their faces.

This guy with full red hair and strange appearance was actually one of the Pill Hall’s eight Chief Pill Refiners!

“Swish!”

Du Hongchen walked over, first glancing at the medicinal herb shop then at the pill shop, shaking his head. “I heard you joined a sect that just ascended to the upper realm. I thought it was just rumors, but unexpectedly… you really have fallen so low.”

Young Master Yuan’s brows also furrowed.

This guy’s tone made clear he came to trouble Hall Master Feng.

“Oh, I forgot.”

Du Hongchen slapped his forehead and said, “This Eternal Sect’s Sect Master’s master is Tonggu Zhenren. That’s quite a backing too.”

Feng Guichen said in a deep voice, “What do you want?”

“Hahaha.”

Du Hongchen laughed loudly and said, “Everyone in the upper realm knows you and I are like fire and water. Coming here today is naturally to…” Pausing, his face turned cold. “Trouble you!”

The two locked eyes, the atmosphere instantly becoming deadly.

Swish! Swish!

City Lord Lu and the various family martial artists instinctively backed away.

The eight Chief Pill Refiners were the Pill Hall’s face. The feud between Feng Guichen and Du Hongchen was also well-known.

What was the reason?

According to gossip, both simultaneously worshipped Pill Yuan Zhenren as master to study pill dao, and both simultaneously fell in love with the same girl, launching fierce pursuit. In the end… the girl married someone else.

Whether this was true or false was unknown, but one thing was certain—Feng Guichen and Du Hongchen were indeed Pill Yuan Zhenren’s disciples, because just from the character ‘Chen’ in their names, one could tell.

Young Master Yuan realized the problem was somewhat serious and hurriedly used sound transmission to notify nearby Drizzle Hall members, having them quickly transmit the message to the sect.

It came, it came!

The method of arranging one member at every certain distance, alternating to relay messages, reappeared!

“Sect Master!”

Before long, Li Luoqiu walked into the great hall, reporting, “Young Master Yuan sent word that one of the Pill Hall’s eight Chief Pill Refiners, Du Hongchen, came to trouble Hall Master Feng during the herb shop’s opening.”

Jun Changxiao, who had been pondering why the prestige mission was complete, showed surprise in his eyes and said, “I was originally planning to visit them one by one, but unexpectedly he delivered himself to the door.”

“Whoosh!”

A seven-colored flowing light flew out from the Eternal Sect.

At this time, the value of the Seven-Colored Radiant Wings was demonstrated—enabling impromptu travel whenever one wanted.

…

Back to Linyuan City.

In front of the newly opened medicinal herb shop, only Feng Guichen and Du Hongchen remained.

The two’s gazes remained locked, the surrounding deadly aura growing increasingly intense.

“You two!”

Lu Deshui weakly said, “Fighting is prohibited in the small city…”

“Get lost!”

Feng Guichen and Du Hongchen shouted.

“Farewell!”

“Whoosh—”

City Lord Lu instantly transformed into a top-tier expert, in the blink of an eye sitting in the City Lord’s Residence drinking tea.

“Old rules.”

Du Hongchen said indifferently, “We compete once. Whoever loses kneels.”

“…”

Martial artists watching the excitement from afar twitched their mouths.

Both Chief Pill Refiners were prominent big shots. Losing meant kneeling—absolutely trampling on dignity!

Feng Guichen was about to agree.

“Hall Master Feng.”

Young Master Yuan transmitted, “The Sect Master is on his way. He wants you to find a way to stall him.”

“…”

Feng Guichen hurriedly changed his words, saying, “I’ve been refining pills constantly lately. My body and mind are quite fatigued. If we’re competing, wait until I’ve adjusted my condition.”

Both were Pill Yuan Zhenren’s disciples. Any competition would naturally determine victory through pill refining.

“Tch.”

Du Hongchen sneered, “I’ve seen the pills you refine. Though the quality is decent, the refining methods should be no different from normal. You can get physically and mentally exhausted from this? Looks like after so many years, not only have you made no progress, you’ve actually gotten worse.”

This guy’s words were rather cutting.

In the past, Feng Guichen definitely couldn’t have endured it. But since he received the Sect Master’s order, he suppressed his anger and sneered, “Whether I’ve made progress or not, we’ll know after competing.”

“Recuperate for a few days?”

“Three days.”

“Fine.”

Du Hongchen flicked his sleeve and left, saying, “Three days from now, you and I will determine victory through pill dao!”

Watching him leave, Young Master Yuan couldn’t help asking, “Hall Master Feng, what grievance do you have with this person?”

“Sigh.”

Feng Guichen shook his head and said, “Past events. Better not to mention them.”

…

Three days later.

With the Seven-Colored Radiant Wings’ assistance, Jun Changxiao arrived early in the morning. Learning the two wanted to compete in pill dao, he inquired, “Do you have confidence in winning?”

“Previously fifty-fifty.”

Feng Guichen said proudly, “Now beating him is very easy.”

The two’s strength in pill dao had always been evenly matched. They had fought for several hundred years without determining a victor.

Now it was different. Having cultivated the Great Thousand Shadow Division Art, Hall Master Feng’s daily double comprehension meant his understanding of pill dao definitely couldn’t be compared to Du Hongchen cultivating alone.

“That’s good then.”

Jun Changxiao felt relieved, quickly brewing a plan.

…

Morning.

Many martial artists gathered outside the medicinal herb shop.

Two Chief Pill Refiners from the Pill Hall competing—they definitely wouldn’t miss this.

“Step!”

Du Hongchen arrived as agreed.

“I’ve long heard of Master Du’s fame. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation!” Jun Changxiao, standing in front of the medicinal herb shop, cupped his hands and smiled.

“You are?”

“Eternal Sect’s Sect Master.”

“Heh.”

Du Hongchen said, “So you’re Tonggu Zhenren’s personal disciple.”

Jun Changxiao’s brows furrowed.

“Sect Master.”

Feng Guichen transmitted, “My junior martial brother has an eccentric personality. His speech has always been unpleasant. Please don’t take it personally.”

“Sect Master Jun.”

Du Hongchen said, “You were able to recruit Feng Guichen under your command. You should have exceptional ability in pill dao, right?”

“So-so, so-so.”

“How about you and I compete?”

“…”

Jun Changxiao’s facial expression became vivid.

“Hahaha!”

The system couldn’t help laughing.

In martial dao, the host could cheat even if his strength wasn’t good, but in pill dao, he was completely clueless. Challenging him in this was equivalent to directly grabbing his weak point!

“Du Hongchen.”

Feng Guichen said coldly, “Your opponent is me.”

Du Hongchen shook his head and said, “You and I have competed not a thousand times but eight hundred. There’s really no novelty. How about discussing pill dao with your Sect Master instead.”

“Your mother…”

Jun Changxiao cursed in his heart.

He had considerable accomplishments in martial dao, sword dao, and formation dao, but hadn’t researched other secondary professions. First, there were no aptitude liquids to consume. Second, he followed the sect development path, not the all-capable protagonist path.

“Ding! Side quest triggered!”

“…”

This quest wouldn’t be related to pill refining, would it?

Jun Changxiao opened the quest panel. Seeing the words ‘Defeat Du Hongchen in pill dao’ written on it, he immediately cursed in his heart, “It really is!”

—