"Thousand-Net Bloodstone?! You've been to Thousand-Net Gorge?!"
Fang Yiyi blurted out in shock, her pretty face filled with disbelief.
The Thousand-Net Bloodstone was an incredibly rare treasure, used to temper one's mind and forge spiritual strength. For alchemists, it was practically priceless—because refining pills required not only technique, but terrifyingly stable mental power.
And this stone…
Could only be found inside the Thousand-Net Gorge, a dangerous region deep within the Thousand Slaughter Riverlands.
The place was infamous.
Rumors said ancient fiends and brutal demonic creatures still lurked there—bloodthirsty, vicious, and stronger than imagination.
But Fang Yiyi quickly realized…
She was the only one acting like she'd just been struck by lightning.
She coughed awkwardly, forcing herself to calm down.
After all, she was supposed to be the future "big sister" of Bailing Medicine Sect.
She couldn't look this flustered.
Lin Ye didn't even glance at her.
He calmly looked at the old man.
"Three Seventh-Grade herbs. The Thousand-Net Bloodstone. Plus the 140 million spirit stones from earlier."
"And in exchange…"
"One Profound Heart Meridian-Opening Pill."
The Profound Heart Meridian-Opening Pill wasn't meant to raise cultivation.
Its purpose was far more terrifying—
It awakened a hidden constitution.
Some people were born with an extremely powerful "spirit meridian." It granted extraordinary potential… but if it remained dormant, that sealed power could devour its owner from within.
A blessing… and a curse.
For anyone who couldn't awaken it, it was basically a death sentence.
And this old man?
He wanted the pill… for the child beside him.
To awaken the boy's spirit meridian.
To save his life.
And to give him a terrifying destiny.
"You… you truly can refine it?"
The old man asked again and again, his eyes trembling uncontrollably.
He had searched across the entire Zhongchuan Region, visiting countless alchemists.
Not one of them could refine this Sixth-Grade pill.
This city…
Thousand Spirit City…
Was his last chance.
If he failed here—
His grandson would be dead within three months.
Even with pills suppressing the meridian, it could only buy a little time.
After that…
There would be nothing left to do but watch him die.
Lin Ye replied casually, like it was no big deal at all.
"Bring your own materials. Come tomorrow to collect the pill."
He paused and turned slightly.
"We're staying at… where?"
Summer Wei answered immediately, without missing a beat.
"Yuncheng Road, No. 108, 109, and 110."
Lin Ye nodded.
"After the trade is completed, deliver the remaining materials."
"But the Thousand-Net Bloodstone…"
"I'm taking it now."
The old man didn't hesitate.
"Fine."
He handed over a storage bag.
"Here are three full sets of ingredients for the Meridian-Opening Pill."
"If you succeed…"
"I, Luo Gui, will never forget this kindness."
He didn't say the second half.
But everyone understood:
If Lin Ye failed…
The price would be deadly.
That pill wasn't just a business deal.
It was someone's life.
Fang Yiyi's face stiffened.
Then her eyes widened like she'd seen a ghost.
"L-Luo Gui…?"
"Evil Ghost Pill King Luo Gui?!"
As a core disciple of Bailing Medicine Sect, Fang Yiyi had heard plenty of legends—especially about the most dangerous alchemists in the world.
And among them…
Evil Ghost Pill King Luo Gui was one of the worst.
A man who walked the line between righteous and evil.
A madman.
A lunatic.
A terror.
He was known for his twisted temperament, his ruthless revenge, and methods so brutal they made sect elders tremble.
His stories could fill a book.
He had been quiet the past few years…
Yet here he was, disguised as a street vendor in Thousand Spirit City.
And more terrifying—
he had even been to the Thousand Slaughter Riverlands.
That meant his strength and resources were no joke.
Rumors claimed Luo Gui reached Star River Realm Peak over ten years ago.
And beyond his alchemy…
his cultivation itself was deadly.
No wonder so many major forces had tried to recruit him.
Even Bailing Medicine Sect had invited him many times.
Every invitation was rejected.
Coldly.
Ruthlessly.
His name alone carried weight across Zhongchuan.
Lin Ye, however, looked uninterested.
"Let's keep walking."
He collected the materials and took the Thousand-Net Bloodstone.
The market stretched far ahead, and there were still many stalls left to check.
As for the title "Pill King"?
Lin Ye couldn't care less.
A mere Fifth-Grade alchemist calling himself a Pill King?
Even in his past life…
Lin Ye never dared boast like that.
Summer Wei also froze when she heard Luo Gui's name.
That was a big shot.
If her Xia family could build ties with someone like him…
Their future would be limitless.
But Lin Ye?
He didn't even acknowledge it.
Her heart pounded.
One: Luo Gui actually trusted Lin Ye so easily.
Two: Even Luo Gui couldn't refine this pill…
Yet Lin Ye accepted the request without blinking.
If he failed…
The consequences would be catastrophic.
Luo Gui's reputation wasn't for show.
That man was not someone who forgave mistakes.
Yet Lin Ye's face remained calm.
No surprise. No pride.
Just… indifference.
Luo Gui frowned.
"This brat…"
"Just who the hell is he?"
If Luo Gui hadn't personally witnessed Lin Ye killing three Star River Realm experts from Seven Star Sword Gate…
And then killing Wanqing Marquis…
He would never have handed over such priceless materials and the Bloodstone.
Those treasures were bought with blood and death.
But in the entire Lingshui Riverlands…
there were no real experts left.
He even visited the ancestor of Bailing Medicine Sect.
The old man couldn't do it.
No confidence at all.
Time was running out.
So Luo Gui gambled.
Fang Yiyi stepped forward politely.
"Senior Luo Gui… your grandson is adorable."
Luo Gui smiled faintly.
"Bailing Medicine Sect… still produces talent."
Then he packed up his stall and left the market, the child walking beside him.
Fang Yiyi exhaled hard.
"Tonight is insane…"
"That Blazing Heart Sect guy… he's basically a walking disaster."
"If I didn't act, he might've been refined into a human pill on the spot."
She turned sharply.
"Report everything to the sect immediately."
"Yes, Senior Sister!"
Two disciples rushed off.
Fang Yiyi narrowed her eyes.
"And Seven Star Sword Gate…"
"They should be arriving soon."
Her lips pressed thin.
Someone as interesting as Lin Ye couldn't be allowed to die here.