Chapter 392: Like Two Different People

Chapter 392: Chapter 392: Like Two Different People

Although Yi Xiaoyao’s voice wasn’t loud, everyone present heard him.

Was Yi Xiaoyao giving orders to the Pavilion Master of the Holy Pill Pavilion?

And telling every Holy Pill Pavilion under the Holy Pill Hall to refuse to sell elixirs to Ji Min’s branch of the family?

For him to say something like that at a time like this, nearly everyone thought Yi Xiaoyao had gone mad.

"Who the hell do you think you are? Saying something so foolish in front of Pavilion Master Yun? You imbecile!" Ji Min’s father sneered at Yi Xiaoyao.

The rest of Ji Min’s branch sneered as well. "I think the fool realizes he has no way out, so he’s just lost his mind."

Even Ji Hao and his group looked perplexed. They didn’t understand why Yi Xiaoyao would say such a thing. Although he was speaking in their defense, it was clear that Ji Hao didn’t believe words that everyone else considered insane.

As for the Ji Family Grand Elder, while he did find Pavilion Master Yun’s behavior somewhat odd, he couldn’t possibly connect it to Yi Xiaoyao.

The claims Yi Xiaoyao made were simply too outrageous, completely unrealistic.

However, just as Yi Xiaoyao finished speaking and the crowd was sneering, Pavilion Master Yun raised an eyebrow and gave an order to the subordinate behind him.

"Take this down. From now on, Ji Hao’s branch of the Ji Family need only pay the cost of materials for their elixirs. The Holy Pill Pavilion will handle the alchemy free of charge."

"Furthermore, inform the other Holy Pill Pavilions to add everyone from Ji Min’s branch of the Ji Family to the sales blacklist."

The subordinate acknowledged the command and wrote down the two orders.

Instantly, everyone froze, their faces masks of sheer astonishment.

The sneers on the faces of those from Ji Min’s branch froze. Their mocking jeers died abruptly, replaced by expressions of shock and utter embarrassment.

Just moments ago, they had been ridiculing Yi Xiaoyao as a foolish lunatic. But now, Pavilion Master Yun had done exactly as he said, which felt like a resounding slap across their faces.

Most importantly, everyone understood perfectly what it meant to be blacklisted from purchasing elixirs by the Holy Pill Pavilion.

The Holy Pill Hall held a virtual monopoly over the entire elixir market in the Great Yu’s Eight Desolates, and elixirs were a necessity for every cultivator. To be banned by the Holy Pill Pavilion meant that, from now on, they could only rely on others to purchase elixirs for them. Not only was this incredibly troublesome, but at times, that trouble could be fatal.

At this thought, the expressions of everyone in Ji Min’s branch turned impossibly grim.

Some rejoiced while others despaired. In stark contrast to Ji Min’s branch, the members of Ji Hao’s branch were all wearing looks of disbelieving delight.

It was a known fact that being an Alchemist was the most lucrative profession, simply because elixirs were incredibly expensive.

In the price of an elixir, the cost of the required materials was actually negligible. The truly expensive part was the fee for the alchemy service itself.

Now, the Holy Pill Pavilion was waiving this exorbitant alchemy fee for Ji Hao’s branch, offering to perform the service for free.

With this, the Ji Family would surely put Ji Hao’s branch in charge of procuring elixirs from now on. Wielding such a privilege, their status within the family was bound to skyrocket.

As everyone processed this new information, they all came to a realization and turned to look at the impassive Yi Xiaoyao.

Because the words Pavilion Master Yun had just spoken were at Yi Xiaoyao’s behest!

For the Pavilion Master of the Holy Pill Pavilion to act on Yi Xiaoyao’s wishes... what did that imply? Just who was Yi Xiaoyao?

By now, even a fool could understand that Pavilion Master Yun’s perfectly timed arrival was no coincidence. He hadn’t gotten lost, and his purpose certainly wasn’t to deliver elixirs.

"Pavilion Master Yun, what is the meaning of this?"

The Ji Family Grand Elder asked, his eyes narrowing slightly. He too had realized that Pavilion Master Yun had appeared because of Yi Xiaoyao, and his voice was laced with displeasure. "Is the Holy Pill Pavilion planning to interfere in the internal affairs of my Ji Family?"

"Oh? When did I interfere in your family’s affairs?" Pavilion Master Yun asked, feigning confusion.

Seeing Pavilion Master Yun play dumb, the Grand Elder snorted. "Why did you blacklist members of my Ji Family for no reason?"

Pavilion Master Yun smiled. "Why? I imagine Elder Ji understands perfectly well. Besides, I am providing free alchemy services to a branch of your family. The Ji Family stands to profit greatly. Can it be that Elder Ji cannot even weigh these simple pros and cons?"

Then, Pavilion Master Yun gestured toward the batch of elixirs on the ground. "The Holy Pill Pavilion gifts these elixirs to the Ji Mansion. I trust Elder Ji understands my sentiment."

With that, Pavilion Master Yun turned and left, never once glancing at Yi Xiaoyao.

But everyone understood that this incident was inextricably linked to Yi Xiaoyao.

The Ji Family Grand Elder watched Pavilion Master Yun’s retreating figure, his expression conflicted. While the outcome was far more beneficial than detrimental to the Ji Family, there was no doubt they had been masterfully played by the Holy Pill Pavilion.

It would be no exaggeration to say the Holy Pill Pavilion was a powerful establishment throwing its weight around.

But what could they do? While a single Holy Pill Pavilion meant little to the Ji Family, the Holy Pill Hall it represented was a behemoth they could not afford to provoke.

Therefore, the Ji Family Grand Elder, who could see the true nature of the situation, had no choice but to seriously reconsider how he would handle the matter concerning Yi Xiaoyao and Ji Min.

Meanwhile, seeing that his daughter Ji Min was still in Yi Xiaoyao’s grasp, and furious over Pavilion Master Yun’s interference, Ji Min’s father was overcome with anxiety and rage.

"Regarding my daughter, Ji Min, I implore the Grand Elder to deliver justice!" Ji Min’s father demanded.

"Indeed. Grand Elder, you must weigh this matter carefully," Ji Hao’s father added with a faint, composed smile.

The Grand Elder glanced at Yi Xiaoyao, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face before he spoke. "Release her for now."

A small smile played on Yi Xiaoyao’s lips as he let Ji Min go.

Ji Min, her face pale, clutched her severed arm and glared at Yi Xiaoyao with a cold, venomous hatred. But then she heard the Grand Elder’s icy voice. "Ji Min, there is nothing wrong with seeking a sparring partner to improve your strength. But you used your position to bully another, and when you lost, you intended to sever his arm and cripple his cultivation. Do you recognize your error?"

"Grand Elder, he’s the one who severed my arm!" Ji Min protested, her face a mask of indignation.

A flash of displeasure appeared in the Grand Elder’s eyes. He snorted. "In a battle, only you are allowed to injure others, and they are not allowed to injure you? What is the point of that? With such a mentality, you will never amount to anything! To be such a sore loser... you disgrace the Ji Family!"

"Your actions today warrant severe punishment. However, considering your arm has been severed, I will not punish you further. If there is a next time, you will not be let off so easily!"

Ji Min was stunned. The Grand Elder now and the Grand Elder who had been partial to her just moments before were like two completely different people.

Then, the Grand Elder turned to Yi Xiaoyao. "As for you, you were forced to act. We will let the matter drop."

"What? We’re just letting it drop?"

Ji Min’s eyes filled with disbelief, and her expression turned foul. ’Yi Xiaoyao cut off my arm, and that’s it? It’s just over?’

Everyone present exchanged glances, their faces a mixture of colorful expressions.

Yi Xiaoyao, an outsider, had severed the arm of Ji Min, a direct descendant of the Ji Family, and had even killed nearly ten people. Yet in the end, he faced no punishment whatsoever. This was simply inconceivable.

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