chapter 5 Turn your back and deny anyone ===

The two words "True spirit" echoed in the entire room, creating a buzzing sound. Master Huo, full of internal energy, generated a powerful force that swept through the surroundings, causing the fruits on the table to scatter all over.
The Spirit Elixir he presented was a modified version, its effectiveness less than one-thousandth of the original formula. In Canglan City, it was undoubtedly one of the top elixirs.
The detailed description of the Spirit Elixir's effects on the prescription far surpassed all the currently available elixirs in the market. What shocked Master Huo even more was the affordability of the required raw materials, which were ten times cheaper than those for the second-tier Heart Nourishing Pill. These were common and ordinary spiritual herbs easily found in the market, such as the Crested Grass.
"You actually brought a fake prescription here to make trouble. Considering it's your first offense, I might spare you once. Hurry and get out of here, or don't blame me for being impolite."
A trace of greed flashed in Master Huo's eyes but was quickly concealed. If he could master the method of refining the Spirit Elixir, he could ascend to the rank of a three-star alchemist. Heading to the Yan Imperial City, where cultivators gathered, was his ultimate goal. Canglan City was merely a small part of the entire Yan Dynasty, insignificant in comparison.
What is true dominance? This was dominance. To want to absorb the prescription, he changed his attitude faster than flipping a book. He had long been familiar with the formula of the medicinal ingredients on the prescription, and with a month of study, he could undoubtedly refine the Spirit Elixir.
What is called "domineering"?
This is domineering. Wanting to seize the pill formula, he changes his stance as quickly as turning a page, already fully understanding the medicinal ingredients and formula on the pill formula. Given a month to research, he is determined to refine it.
The purpose of framing Verdantius Liu with a fake prescription was evident. Arboreus Lei's eyes revealed a strange color as he understood the situation.
Knowing Master Huo well, if the prescription were truly fake, he would have left long ago or even engaged in a physical altercation. The current situation puzzled Arboreus Lei. The value of this prescription could make a two-star alchemist abandon his dignity and falsely accuse a mere son-in-law.
"Clap, clap, clap..."
Verdantius Liu suddenly applauded, a hint of mockery on his lips. The greedy gaze of Master Huo couldn't escape his eyes.
"The Pill Treasure cockloft has truly opened my eyes. Just a small prescription has made you all reveal such an ugly face. Today, I've truly witnessed something extraordinary."
Full of sarcasm, Master Huo's face alternated between red and blue. Feeling ashamed, Arboreus Lei even lowered his head, full of remorse.
"You, injuring my Pill Treasure cockloft disciple, deceiving us with a fake prescription, deserve to die a thousand times."
Master Huo tore off all pretenses, his robe billowing, a domineering aura sweeping towards Verdantius Liu. He intended to suppress Verdantius Liu forcibly, fabricate a reason to accuse him, and smoothly obtain the prescription. Even if Verdantius Liu made a fuss, who would believe the words of a waste, especially a mere son-in-law?
"Kill me?"
"Just based on you?"
Verdantius Liu sneered repeatedly, his gaze piercing into Master Huo's soul without any intention of backing down. His sharp eyes were like two swords, directly stabbing into the essence of Master Huo, making his body sway, almost falling. What kind of eyes were these that could see through falsehoods?
Master Huo was extremely angry. In the Pill Treasure cockloft, his status was second only to the Pavilion Master. Arboreus Lei treated him respectfully, and he had never been humiliated like this before, scared by such a small ant. His eyes revealed a ferocious intent, "You're seeking death; then I'll grant it to you."
A palm pressed down on Verdantius Liu, and Arboreus Lei, wanting to intervene, was too late. He hadn't expected the situation to develop like this. Master Huo suddenly became aggressive.
"Do you want to die early? Just go ahead. Every time you refine elixirs, do you experience intense pain in your Chan Zhong acupoint? And in the past one or two years, the pain has become more and more severe, requiring you to take pain-relieving medicines to alleviate it."
Verdantius Liu stood quietly in place, not even raising a hand to defend. Arboreus Lei was about to stop him, but Master Huo's palm suddenly retracted, staring at Verdantius Liu as if he had seen a ghost.
This was his secret. How did Verdantius Liu know? Every time he refined elixirs, indeed, he experienced intense pain in his Chan Zhong acupoint. In recent months, the pain had become so intense that he contemplated suicide.
The Pill Treasure cockloft sold a large number of elixirs every month, mostly the Essence Cultivating Pills crafted by Master Huo. In the past two months, the quantity of Essence Cultivating Pills had sharply decreased, and Master Huo claimed to be feeling unwell. However, nobody paid much attention.
"How... how do you know..."
He panicked. Saying this out loud, he regretted it. Wasn't he admitting what Verdantius Liu said? Thinking of the pain from the Chan Zhong acupoint, a trace of pleading appeared in his eyes.
"For the sake of advancing to a two-star alchemist, you forcibly swallowed a Broken Spirit Pill, damaging your heart. As your heart belongs to the fire attribute, every time you refine elixirs, manipulating the fire element puts immense pressure on your heart, transmitting to your Chan Zhong acupoint. In less than three months, you will undoubtedly meet your end."
Verdantius Liu didn't hide anything, revealing the issues within Master Huo's body. His face changed rapidly, and even the matter of him swallowing the Broken Spirit Pill was dug out. It was like he had been stripped bare and exposed in front of them.
Arboreus Lei's mouth hung open in shock. The Broken Spirit Pill was a forbidden elixir, and its side effects were extremely apparent. No one was willing to try it.
"What should I do? You must know a solution."
Master Huo was in a panic. He didn't want to die yet, grabbing Verdantius Liu's arm, wanting to know how to resolve the intense pain from the Chan Zhong acupoint. The severe pain had left him terrified; in three months at most, he would be tortured to death.
"There is a solution, but... why should I save you!"
Violently shaking him off with disdain on his face, even Arboreus Lei found it hard to watch. Just a moment ago, Master Huo falsely accused Verdantius Liu, presented a fake prescription, and almost committed murder.
"As long as you can save me, I'm willing to agree to any conditions you have. Money? Beautiful women? Whatever you want, I'll give it all to you."
Having served as the chief alchemist at the Pill Treasure cockloft for many years, he had accumulated a considerable fortune. If it meant saving his life, he was willing to offer up his wealth.
"Give it all to me?" Verdantius Liu let out a cold laugh. "The things I want, Pill Treasure cockloft might not even be able to provide."
A hint of disdain appeared in his eyes. As a mere second-tier alchemist, how much wealth could he have? Verdantius Liu truly didn't take him seriously.
"Master Liu, please, tell me how I can be saved. What conditions do you have? I'll agree to anything."
Master Huo, having abandoned his dignity, was tormented by the pain in his Chan Zhong acupoint. His eyes pleaded like a drowning person grasping at a lifeline.
"If you want to save me, I'm willing to do anything. I don't need your wealth. I came to the Pill Treasure cockloft with only one purpose – to cooperate with you."
Once the Spirit Elixir was introduced, there would be no shortage of resources flowing in. Verdantius Liu didn't want to give others a handle to control him; he preferred to keep the initiative in his own hands.
"Quickly, tell me, how do you want to cooperate?"
Master Huo looked anxious, his eyes eager. Arboreus Lei was left speechless; was this the two-star alchemist he held in high regard? He seemed like a begging dog, just a step away from kneeling down to lick Verdantius Liu's shoes.
"Do you have the qualifications?"
A cold, mocking voice, like a ruthless slap, struck Master Huo's face. He had to endure the pain, willing to sacrifice his dignity for the sake of survival.
Arboreus Lei couldn't bear to watch anymore. Turning his head away, today's events completely overturned his perceptions. A seemingly useless son-in-law had injured over ten disciples in the main hall, slapped the hall master with one palm, revealed a mysterious prescription, and exposed Master Huo's hidden ailment. Was this still the same profligate son-in-law from before?
"The Pavilion Master isn't in Canglan City. Regarding cooperation, I can make decisions on my own. Go ahead and speak."
After saying this, Master Huo glanced at Arboreus Lei. Since Arboreus Lei didn't express any objections, it confirmed the truth of Verdantius Liu's words.
Verdantius Liu didn't rush to discuss the cooperation. Instead, he asked Master Huo to bring out a set of silver needles to treat the internal illness in his body.
Fingers like the wind, long silver needles penetrated Master Huo's Chan Zhong acupoint, emitting a faint rhythmic sound.
Needle after needle, dazzling in succession, Arboreus Lei's face changed repeatedly. In his memory, except for indulging in pleasure, the son-in-law of the Xu family was clueless about everything else.
All the silver needles accurately pierced various major acupoints throughout the body. A warm flow emanated from the soles of Master Huo's feet, extending to every limb and joint. The hidden pain in the Chan Zhong acupoint gradually disappeared, leaving him excited.
"Your hidden ailment is deep, requiring five treatments to completely eradicate it."
Pulling out the silver needles, Verdantius Liu said emotionlessly. With his skills, he could have cured him in one go. Curing him so quickly and then turning hostile would be like fetching water with a bamboo basket—ultimately futile.
"Thank you, Master Liu. I won't forget this great kindness. If there's ever a place where this old man can be of use, feel free to ask."
Master Huo changed his demeanor, now appearing completely different from before.
"No need for thanks. Now let's discuss the details of our cooperation."
Verdantius Liu waved his hand, interrupting Master Huo. The situation in the private room had undergone a shocking reversal, and everything revolved around Verdantius Liu. What was even more bizarre was that he seemed to exude the aura of a superior being.