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

Chapter 191: He’s Dead Meat

Seeing the conversation veering dangerously off course, Qi Yuan remembered his original purpose. He cleared his throat lightly to regain attention and bowed with practiced respect.

“Senior Zu, this Junior came to visit today with a presumptuous request. I wish to ask Senior to refine a batch of Heaven-Mending Pills.”

He produced the bag containing the rare materials and the pill formula, his expression filled with earnest expectation.

“Of course, I would not let Senior toil in vain. I am willing to bear all costs for opening the furnace, along with a generous fee for refining a Saint-grade pill.”

The Pill Saint Sect wasn’t a charity. Asking the Pill Saint to work required more than just status; it required a mountain of Spirit Stones. Even then, countless big shots in the cultivation world would break their heads fighting for a slot and still fail.

Zu Chengzhi publicly claimed to refine only three batches of pills a year. No matter if you could summon wind and rain in the outside world, here, you had to get in line at the Precious Pill Pavilion like everyone else.

Previously, Liu Qi had mentioned a five-hundred-year waitlist. That was a conservative estimate.

Qi Yuan had just learned the horrifying truth from Manager Yu: if he signed up today, his appointment would be scheduled for approximately two thousand years from now.

Hearing that number had nearly caused Qi Yuan’s brain to atrophy. It only solidified his resolve: Backdoors are the only way.

“Great-Grandfather,” Zu Xianxian chimed in, recovering from her earlier surprise. “Big Brother Qi is the one who found the thieves and saved Big Fatty and the others! He’s a hero to our sect. You have to help him!”

“Oh?” Zu Chengzhi raised an eyebrow. “Young friend, since you know a Grandmaster of the Pill Dao, why not ask him to help you?”

He paused, softening his tone. “Don’t misunderstand. Although this Poor Daoist can refine the Heaven-Mending Pill, my success rate is only seventy or eighty percent. It is not a guaranteed success.”

Qi Yuan froze for a second before scrambling for an excuse.

“That Senior is… elusive. He appears and disappears like a divine dragon; one can see the head but not the tail. I only encounter him by chance.”

“Moreover, he is incredibly whimsical. He completely ignores my requests and certainly wouldn’t refine a pill just because I asked for it.”

Every word Qi Yuan spoke was the absolute truth. The Dog System stuffed pills down his throat whenever it felt like it, completely ignoring whether he actually needed them. Expecting that garbage system to refine a specific pill on command was a pipe dream.

However, filtered through Zu Chengzhi’s ears, these complaints took on a profound meaning.

“So that’s how it is.”

Zu Chengzhi nodded with a knowing smile. “That Master has reached the realm where his skills have become divine. It is normal for such an expert to have an eccentric temper.”

He reached out and took the bag of materials. After scanning it with his Divine Sense, he nodded, his tone warm.

“In that case, this humble Daoist will shamelessly accept your commission.”

“As for the remuneration, there is no need. You just gifted me two peerless pills and rendered a great service to the Pill Saint Sect. A single furnace of pills is a fitting thank-you gift.”

Qi Yuan was overjoyed. “Thank you, Senior Zu! This Junior is endlessly grateful!”

“It is nothing,” Zu Chengzhi waved his hand dismissively. His expression turned serious. “The materials you provided are complete, which saves time. However, the Heaven-Mending Pill is a High Grade Saint-tier pill. The process is intricate. Even if everything goes smoothly, it will take at least two months.”

“If you have other matters to attend to, you may leave first. Come back in two months to collect the pills.”

“Understood. I will trouble Senior then.”

Two months was lightning fast compared to his expectations; he had braced himself for a six-month wait. To refine such a high-tier pill so quickly proved that the title of ‘Pill Saint’ wasn’t just for show.

After receiving a jade token that would allow him free access to the sect, Qi Yuan bid his farewells.

Watching Qi Yuan’s figure disappear, Zu Xianxian pouted, reluctant to see him go.

“Great-Grandfather, why didn’t you let me walk him out? I wanted him to tell me more about that kid detective story.”

“Kid detective?” Zu Chengzhi asked, puzzled.

“Yeah! It’s about a kid named Conan-something. He’s super smart, but he’s cursed with terrible luck. Everywhere he goes, people drop dead…”

Zu Chengzhi didn’t bother asking further. He looked at her sternly.

“Xianxian, how many times have I told you? In front of outsiders, call me Master, not Great-Grandfather.”

“It is rare to refine a High Grade Saint-tier pill. For the next two months, you will stay by my side and assist. Learn as much as you can.”

“Also… that Holy Scion is not simple. Behind him stands a mysterious Pill Dao Grandmaster whose skills have reached the realm of ‘Returning to Simplicity.’ Even I am far inferior to that person.”

Zu Xianxian’s eyes widened. “Great… uh, Master, do you mean…?”

Zu Chengzhi’s expression grew contemplative.

“We must observe. If such a Master truly exists, perhaps the problem that has plagued our Pill Saint Sect for tens of thousands of years… might finally be solved.”

…

Not long after.

Nether Fiend Sect, Outer Sect. Blood Refining Peak, Cave Mansion A-1.

Whoosh!

A faint white light flashed, and Qi Yuan appeared in his living room without disturbing a speck of dust.

He instinctively scanned the area. Finding no signs of intrusion, he smiled with satisfaction.

Having a fierce reputation pays off. No petty thieves dare to break in while the ‘Butcher’ is away.

Qi Yuan was in a fantastic mood. The Heaven-Mending Pill was secured, and soon, the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary would receive a delivery of ten-thousand-year-old Medicine Kings. It was a massive win.

Especially that Old Ginseng. That thing had lived for hundreds of thousands of years. It was the King of Medicine Kings. Just planting it in a garden would boost the growth rate of every herb in the vicinity. It was a treasure that would drive sects into a frenzy.

There were still ten days until the scheduled “heist” at the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary. Since he could teleport there instantly, there was no rush. He decided to hang out at the Nether Fiend Sect for a while.

His Main Mission still required him to be in the Nether Fiend Sect. As an “Outer Sect Disciple,” disappearing for too long would raise flags.

He took down the “Secluded Cultivation – Do Not Disturb” sign and swaggered out the door, planning to pay a visit to a certain demoness.

The moment he stepped out, several Outer Sect disciples nearby froze. Panic flashed across their faces, but they scurried over, bowing tremblingly.

“Lord… Lord Qi. Good day.”

Qi Yuan nodded, noticing their terror. “What’s wrong?”

These guys looked like they were attending a funeral.

The leader swallowed hard, forcing a stiff, ugly smile.

“Lord Qi… Elder Geng of the Outer Sect has just exited seclusion. He… he specifically asked to see you.”

Elder Geng?

Qi Yuan frowned slightly, then nodded. “Fine. Lead the way.”

He knew who this was. Elder Geng was the discipline elder of Blood Refining Peak. He hadn’t appeared before because he was in secluded cultivation, attempting to condense his Nascent Soul.

Now that he was out, he must have heard that his favorite disciple, Wu Renjie, had been killed—along with most of the peak’s disciples. This summons was clearly an interrogation.

Qi Yuan wasn’t worried. Even if Geng had successfully broken through, he would only be at the early Nascent Soul stage. Nothing to fear.

Soon, led by the trembling disciples, Qi Yuan arrived at the main hall on the peak’s summit.

“Lord Qi, Elder Geng is inside. Please… go in yourself.”

The disciples practically greased their feet and vanished before Qi Yuan could blink.

Watching Qi Yuan walk calmly into the hall, a guard stationed at the entrance sneered, whispering to his companion.

“That’s the kid who killed Wu Renjie. He made Elder Geng lose all face in the Outer Sect.”

“He’s dead meat.”