C1 – Pill God Had Been Reborn!
In the Celestial Martial Continent, martial arts reigned supreme, with martial cultivators holding the highest esteem.
The Great Qi Country, nestled in the eastern reaches of the Celestial Martial Continent, was a small nation where every citizen excelled in martial arts and revered the practice of cultivation.
Deep within a forested mountain, two servants were viciously assaulting a young man. Before long, the young man on the ground lay motionless.
“We hit him a few times, and he’s completely dead. What a weakling,” one servant said disdainfully.
“It took him five years just to reach the Qi Refining Stage Level Two Heaven. He’s brought nothing but shame to the Zhuang family. If I were in his shoes, I would’ve taken my own life with a rope long ago,” the other added with contempt.
“What should we do now? Should we get rid of the evidence?”
“There’s no need to bother with him. The forest is teeming with wild beasts. Without lifting a finger, he’ll soon be torn apart by the creatures here.”
“Exactly. He had the audacity to challenge Young Master Qi for a spot. He was practically begging for death.”
“Let’s head back and report to Young Master Qi.”
After delivering a few more ruthless kicks, the two servants dusted off their hands and walked away.
“I despise this world,” the young man muttered.
Suddenly, Zhuang Xing let out a roar of fury, his eyes snapping open.
Zhuang Xing, once a renowned Pill God, had spent forty-nine days perfecting a Rank Nine Pill, a Divine Pill without equal. Tragically, he was murdered just as he succeeded in his alchemical feat.
“Where am I? How did I end up here?”
Memories flooded his mind. He hadn’t died; he had been reborn. And the original owner of this body also bore the name Zhuang Xing.
He recalled that this body had a certain status. His father, Zhuang Dou, was the Patriarch of the Zhuang family in Cloud Peak City within the Great Qi Country. He began his cultivation journey at ten but was hindered by a frail constitution. After five years, his cultivation had stagnated at the Qi Refining Stage Level Two Heaven, subjecting him to ridicule both at home and throughout Cloud Peak City.
In three months, the Hidden Dragon Ranking, a prestigious event held every five years, would commence. It was a grand affair celebrated across the Great Qi Country, with every power eager to partake. Securing a place on the ranking was not just an honor; it was the epitome of glory.
Although the Hidden Dragon Ranking wouldn’t commence for another three months, the groundwork was already being laid in secret. The Zhuang family had one spot to fill, and under normal circumstances, Zhuang Xing would never have been considered for it. But his father’s status as the Patriarch afforded him a unique privilege. The Hidden Dragon Ranking was not just a challenge; it was a golden opportunity. If Zhuang Xing could seize it, he might overcome his cultivation shortcomings.
Naturally, this favoritism stirred discontent among others, most notably the great elder. His son, Zhuang Guai, was the family’s top prodigy and the expected recipient of the spot. The great elder was determined to secure this chance for his son and exerted pressure on Zhuang Dou through the Elder Council.
The dispute ended with Zhuang Dou exercising his veto power, decisively overruling the great elder and Zhuang Guai.
Clearly, the great elder and his allies wouldn’t take this lying down. Unable to overturn the decision openly, they resorted to plotting Zhuang Xing’s demise. If he were out of the picture, the spot would naturally revert to Zhuang Guai.
“The Patriarch is so focused on creating opportunities for his son, he’s forgotten that this world operates on the principle of survival of the fittest,” Zhuang Xing mused with a sigh and a shake of his head. Wasn’t it obvious? Anyone would do the same in his shoes.
The two men ahead hadn’t gone far when they heard the noise and halted in their tracks. As they turned around, their eyes brimmed with murderous intent.
“He’s incredibly fortunate to have survived our powerful assault,” one remarked.
“Regardless, he cannot be allowed to live beyond today. We can’t face the repercussions if the Patriarch finds out,” the other added.
“We have to completely obliterate the evidence this time. There’s no way we’re letting this kid make it back alive.”
A cold smirk played at the corner of Zhuang Xing’s mouth. He was confident that these two were incapable of ending his life; they were deluding themselves.
“Lucky indeed,” he taunted. “You couldn’t finish me off with that brutal beating earlier. Now, it’s time I escort you to the afterlife.”
A servant sneered menacingly, his fists clenched as he charged toward Zhuang Xing’s chest, intent on sending him to the afterlife.
But Zhuang Xing effortlessly flipped to his feet, and without so much as a glance, he launched a punch at the assailant.
Despite the servant’s cultivation being at the Qi Refining Stage Level Four Heaven, he stood no chance against the formidable Zhuang Xing.
With a single punch from Zhuang Xing, the servant screamed in agony as he was sent flying backward, as though struck by a mighty force.
“Are you really that strong?”
Another servant was taken aback, having not anticipated Zhuang Xing’s immense power.
Zhuang Xing let out a cold laugh; he was the Supreme Pill God, after all. To him, these two were nothing more than trash.
“Go to hell!”
The other steward bellowed, his fist ready as he charged forward with a powerful swing.
Yet, his strength was utterly insignificant before Zhuang Xing, who casually threw a punch. The steward screamed miserably as his body was hurled through the air and crashed to the ground.
“Do you wish to kill me?”
The two servants lay on the ground, clutching their stomachs and gazing up at Zhuang Xing with terror and disbelief in their eyes. How could the man who seemed as feeble as a sickly cat just moments ago suddenly transform into an unparalleled master?
“Don’t come any closer.”
“You can’t kill us. If you do, Young Master Qi will never forgive you.”
Zhuang Xing scoffed at their pleas. They hadn’t considered such consequences when they attempted to take his life.
“Anyone who opposes me meets the same fate: death.”
After their pitiful cries faded, the two servants lay lifeless, their eyes wide open with fear as they drew their last breaths.
Having dispatched the two, Zhuang Xing dusted off his hands. The two dog slaves had met a fitting end.
“Now that I’ve claimed your body, your enemies are mine. Soon, I will send Zhuang Guai and his father to join you. Rest in peace.”
Zhuang Xing then turned his attention to assessing his own condition. Those two had harbored dark intentions, showing no mercy as they inflicted wounds all over his body.
“He actually has a Pill on him.”
Zhuang Xing rummaged through his belongings and, to his surprise, discovered a box of Pills. He eagerly opened it, only to be met with fury.
“What on earth is this? Is this supposed to be a Pill? Its quality is atrocious!”.