Danding Peak, Alchemy Institute.
The sun shone brightly on the alchemical furnace, sending up soaring plumes of fragrant green smoke, while disciples bustled around the furnace like it was a lively festival.
Elder Xue’s few personal disciples had originally been handling their tasks with utmost seriousness—some were processing materials, some were monitoring the furnace temperature, and others were busy with the alchemy.
Everything seemed to be flowing with perfect order and a serious aura.
But just a moment ago, Tang Xiaobao barged in with a particularly special ‘recipe.’
He even instructed everyone to stop whatever they were doing and gather around to concoct this thing.
“This is the Master’s orders!” Tang Xiaobao chirped.
“But why?”
Qiu Xi glanced over the ingredients on the paper, a line of sweat appearing on his forehead, and his mouth twitching uncontrollably.
Butter… chili… soy sauce…
Seriously?! You should be looking for a cafeteria, not dragging us into this!
“Li Shidi is going to the Imperial Capital soon, and he needs these herbs to enhance his strength!” Tang Xiaobao clarified with a serious face.
Little Li and Ice Chunk were like the prized gems of the sect these days.
As soon as he heard Li Mo needed something, Xue Jing, who was half a senior master, nodded eagerly and set aside everything else.
“Ah?”
Qiu Xi looked stunned. Enhance his strength? What could this possibly enhance?
His belly blubber?
“Tang Xiaobao, are you sure you got the recipe right from Li Shidi?”
“Absolutely, these are the correct ingredients!”
Tang Xiaobao nodded firmly.
Being the human walking drug-analysis machine of Danding Peak, the chance of him goofing up was pretty low.
So the problem lay with…
Qiu Xi looked over at the girl in a blue dress:
“Fang Hong, maybe you should take a look at Li Shidi. Could it be that he’s been training too hard lately, and the pressure has gotten to his head…”
“Yeah, we’d better go check. This doesn’t sound like a small problem.”
The two put on serious expressions and dragged Tang Xiaobao toward the hall.
Meanwhile, in the hall.
“Xiao Mo, have you been feeling unwell lately?”
“Hmm?”
Li Mo, who was sitting at a table with a teacup in hand, felt Elder Xue staring at him.
“I don’t feel sick. On the contrary, I feel a bit too healthy…”
“Forget it, I’ll check you over anyway.”
“Fine by me.”
Li Mo rolled up his sleeve and extended his arm for Elder Xue to take his pulse.
Moments later, Xue Jing murmured in confusion, “Strange, the pulse is normal… what could be going on…”
“Master, I suspect Li Shidi’s issue isn’t physical but… mental!”
“?”
Seeing the two newcomers who walked in with Tang Xiaobao, Li Mo had a little question mark pop up over his head.
Really? Guy walks in and says another guy’s brain is messed up? Is this how alchemists greet each other? No wonder the martial world says alchemists have strange tempers…
Xue Jing cleared his throat and introduced, “This is my second disciple, Qiu Xi, who has talents in alchemy that rival my own. He’s crafted many incredible potions.”
Then pointing at the girl with the heart-shaped face:
“This is Fang Hong, who’s inherited my medical skills and is beyond exceptional…”
“From now on, the Alchemy Institute is in their hands, and your matters will be handled by them directly.”
Li Mo nodded, “Well, if they’re Elder Xue’s disciples, then I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“Li Shidi, we are NOT confident in you!”
Qiu Xi couldn’t help but say seriously.
Fang Hong narrowed her eyes, sizing up Li Mo, as if trying to spot any symptoms.
“I know of a terrible curse technique; the afflicted would develop cognitive distortions and start mistaking dirt and stones for delicacies, even mistaking stuff from the toilet for treasures.”
“…..”
Li Mo glanced at Elder Xue, thinking old man might have a better grasp on this situation.
“What do you want me for?”
Xue Jing glared, feeling that his disciple’s tone left much to be desired.
Fang Hong continued, “Moreover, for those affected, there will be red marks on their necks that resemble peach blossoms…”
As soon as she finished, everyone turned to look at Little Li.
More specifically, they stared at Little Li’s neck.
Li Mo, quite puzzled, fished out a mirror from his storage bag and took a look, then almost jumped.
“!”
What the heck!
Wait… cursed technique? Almost fell into that trap.
Li Mo coughed lightly, “Actually, this is a seal that Ice Chunk did for me.”
“A seal? How can it look like this?” Qiu Xi asked, confused.
“Mosquito bite.”
“????”
Fang Hong was even more certain, “Master, I told you! With Li Shidi looking like this, his consciousness is definitely in trouble!”
“Sigh, no worries, he’s perfectly fine.”
Elder Xue sighed, looking at the two, his gaze carrying a hint of pity and exasperation.
Do you two have enough brain cells combined to outsmart Tang Xiaobao?
Qiu Xi pressed on, “But why does Li Shidi want us to concoct this bizarre thing?”
“Turns out, it’s because of this.”
Li Mo pulled up his collar to cover his neck, “You see, this seasoning cannot directly enhance my strength, and it’s not even something I intend to eat. It’s for the people of the South Border.”
“Although it looks simple, I’m afraid you won’t be able to concoct it.”
After all, the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths aren’t industrialized foolproof, what with the magical alchemy skills barely replicating instant noodle flavors. Honestly, Little Li was unsure he could pull it off.
But he desperately needed these seasoning packs to help him project his divine persona sooner…
“What’s this? I’ll definitely whip it up for you…”
The one thing Qiu Xi couldn’t stand was when people suggested he wasn’t sharp.
At that moment, Fang Hong tugged at him and cupped her hands, “Master, of course, we’d love to help Li Shidi, but we still have a batch of Whale Gang’s potions to finish up. Delaying delivery means tenfold compensation!”
“Then just pay it off.”
“It’s a lot of…”
“No worries, I’ll cover it.”
Li Mo’s mind flashed into his storage space. After a moment’s thought, he ultimately decided against bringing out a mountain of gold.
Couldn’t part with it.
Crash—
A steady stream of boxes filled the ground.
When opened, the dazzling light illuminated the entire hall.
Do you want to pay the Whale Gang or buy them out?
Qiu Xi’s stunned expression was quickly replaced by confusion, which soon hardened into determination.
He turned to Fang Hong and said solemnly, “Li Shidi’s matters cannot be delayed! Besides, it’s a major affair that benefits the common people of the South Border; there’s no time for lack of vision!”
Fang Hong: “…..”
In any case.
In the following days, Danding Peak remained as lively as ever.
Only, the delicious alchemical aroma seemed to be slowly morphing into the smell of cafeteria food.
Days later.
With the handmade glasses in hand, Li Mo triumphantly entered the Happy Sheep Hot Pot restaurant.
Hey, can we call that a style?
As soon as he stepped in, he was greeted by the sounds of fellow warriors from all walks of life, having a merry time after a few drinks.
“The Qianlong List is quite lively this time.”
“Didn’t expect we’d even have a top three contender from our Ziyang Mansion!”
