Is It Wrong to Bully the Novice Village for System Rewards?

Chapter 190: Snatching Pills from a Dog’s Mouth

Led by Zu Xianxian, Qi Yuan smoothly entered the Pill Saint Sect—a place shrouded in mystery for most outside cultivators.

The landscape was a breathtaking tapestry of layered mountains and towering ancient trees. Even the air here was thick with the scent of medicinal herbs, each breath a tonic for the soul.

A jade-green stream wound its way through a lush bamboo forest, the water gurgling softly. Rare and exotic beasts played along the banks, painting a picture of serene, otherworldly beauty.

Beside the stream stood a stone cave dwelling. It was ancient in style and occupied a vast plot of land.

“Big Brother Qi, this is my Great-Grandfather’s refining chamber. He’s working right now. Please wait here a moment while I go announce you.”

Arriving at the entrance, Zu Xianxian flashed Qi Yuan a sweet smile before skipping lightly into the cave.

Qi Yuan nodded, watching her disappear before surveying his surroundings.

He was surprised. For a dignified Pill Saint, Zu Chengzhi lived in incredibly simple, almost shabby conditions. Clearly, the man was an obsessive hermit dedicated solely to the Dao of Alchemy.

On the way here, Qi Yuan had entertained Zu Xianxian with some “advanced detective techniques” he’d ripped straight from police procedurals in his past life. The little girl had been awestruck, her Favorability skyrocketing until she practically worshipped him as an idol.

This put Qi Yuan at ease. Even if the Pill Saint was an eccentric hermit, surely he would show some courtesy to a guest brought home by his own great-granddaughter and personal disciple.

“Woof! Woof woof!”

Suddenly, cheerful barking erupted from nearby. Qi Yuan turned to see a black-furred spirit dog bounding toward him, tail wagging so hard its whole body shook.

The dog was at the Seventh Level of Qi Refining and stood about a foot tall. It resembled a common village dog from his past life, but its fur was jet black, and a crescent-moon-shaped silver mark adorned its forehead, giving it a somewhat majestic air.

Despite its small size, the little black dog was exceptionally agile. In a flash, it was at Qi Yuan’s feet, rubbing its head against his leg and looking up with pleading eyes.

Begging for food?

Since this silly dog could bypass the cave’s restrictions, it obviously had connections. Qi Yuan thought for a moment, then retrieved a bottle of Gathering Qi Pills from his storage bracelet. He poured one out and tossed it onto the ground.

These pills were utterly useless to him. However, his idiotic System had previously decided he was in the Qi Refining stage and had frantically spammed him with Top Grade Gathering Qi Pills as mission rewards. He had thousands of them gathering dust.

Even now, things hadn’t improved much. Since entering the “Foundation Building” realm, the damn System had upgraded the rewards to Top Grade Nurturing Origin Pills—which were still completely useless for his true cultivation level.

“Woof! Woof!”

While he was silently roasting the System, the spirit dog snapped up the pill and swallowed it whole.

A look of pure, human-like bliss spread across the dog’s face. It immediately rubbed its head against Qi Yuan’s leg with renewed vigor, its tail wagging like a metronome set to allegro.

Amused, Qi Yuan shook out two more Gathering Qi Pills and tossed them down.

“HOLD ON, YOUNG MAN!”

A thunderous shout exploded in his ear.

What?

Before Qi Yuan could react, a blur of grey shot past him. With lightning speed, the figure snatched the pills from the dirt before they could touch the ground.

Qi Yuan blinked, focusing on the intruder.

Standing before him was a scruffy old man in a faded grey Daoist robe. He was short, thin, and had messy grey hair. He looked about sixty, with an appearance so unremarkable that he would vanish in a crowd of three.

At this moment, the weird old man was staring intensely at the two Top Grade Gathering Qi Pills in his dirty palm. His eyes burned with a fervent, almost maniacal hunger—like a starving stray dog spotting a meat bun.

“Grrr… Woof!”

The little black dog, realizing its snacks had been stolen, went ballistic. It bared its teeth and barked furiously at the old man until Zu Xianxian rushed out and scooped it up.

“Heiya! Stop it! You can’t be rude to Great-Grandfather!”

Huh?

Qi Yuan froze, feeling the image of his idol crumbling into dust.

Great-Grandfather?

This is the famous Pill Saint, Zu Chengzhi?

It was one thing to be eccentric and dress like a hobo. But snatching pills from a dog’s mouth? That was a new low.

The old man ignored the commotion. He stroked his thin mustache, muttering to himself in a trance.

“This Poor Daoist did not see wrong. Good pills… truly good pills! Although they are merely the lowest-level Gathering Qi Pills, the materials, the fire control, and the refining technique are all flawless. Perfection!”

“The medicinal properties are locked firmly within the pill structure. The efficacy is several times stronger than ordinary Top Grade pills. And what is most precious… there is not a trace of pill toxin.”

“Divine skill! Truly divine skill!”

Qi Yuan stood there awkwardly. He wanted to say hello, but the situation was just too weird.

The old man had shouted “Hold on,” but Qi Yuan had already thrown the pills. Now, the dignified Pill Saint was practically crawling on the ground to inspect dog treats. It was… undignified.

While he hesitated, Zu Chengzhi finally looked up. His eyes locked onto Qi Yuan, burning with excitement.

“Young friend! Where did you get these pills? Can you tell this old man?”

“And if you are willing to part with the source… this old man will repay you generously!”

Ah.

Qi Yuan realized what was happening. The System’s pills were of such perfect quality that they had caught the Pill Saint’s professional eye.

As expected of System products. Terrifying. Even the trash-tier Gathering Qi Pills were enough to make a grandmaster lose his composure.

“Ahem. Senior, you are too polite,” Qi Yuan said, trying to act casual. “They are just two insignificant Gathering Qi Pills. Please, keep them. As for their origin…”

He hesitated for a split second before smoothly launching into a lie. “This Junior accidentally found them in some ancient ruins. I honestly don’t know their specific history.”

“Is that so?” Zu Chengzhi looked at him with a half-smile. “This Poor Daoist can stake his life on the fact that these pills were refined less than a year ago. Your ‘ancient ruins’ seem rather fresh, don’t they?”

Damn. A professional. He saw through the lie instantly.

Qi Yuan’s heart skipped a beat. He braced himself and pivoted.

“Senior’s eyes are like torches; this Junior is impressed. To be honest… the Master who refined these pills instructed me never to reveal his identity. I had no choice but to conceal the truth. I hope Senior can forgive me.”

“No matter.”

Zu Chengzhi nodded understandingly, his face full of reverence.

“Indeed, there are mountains beyond mountains, and heavens beyond heavens. Compared to the mysterious Master you speak of, this so-called ‘Pill Saint’ is nothing but a clown on a stage.”

“As the ancients said: ‘If one hears the Dao in the morning, one can die content in the evening.’ If I could one day meet that expert and listen to his teachings, this Poor Daoist would have no regrets in this life.”

Qi Yuan scratched his head helplessly.

Good grief.

He wants to become a disciple of the System? Has this Pill Saint’s brain finally short-circuited?