Chapter 192 - 118: Zhang Su Embraces the Pill, Advancing to Pill Force

Zhao Qianfeng took a deep breath and said solemnly, "It is Zhang Su’s honor to serve the Sect, but he has been in seclusion lately. Wouldn’t calling him out of it so abruptly delay his cultivation?"

He spoke at a deliberate pace, but everyone present was perceptive enough to read between the lines.

He was angling for a reward for Zhang Su.

Upon hearing this, Meng Shouzhen immediately understood Zhao Qianfeng’s intention.

Zhao Qianfeng wasn’t refusing; he was negotiating for a reward for Zhang Su.

After all, if Zhang Su’s cultivation was going to be delayed, how could the Sect not offer some compensation?

Meng Shouzhen mused for a moment before stating calmly, "No matter. If Zhang Su can lead our disciples to victory in the Three Sects’ competition for those below the Pill Force realm, I will award him ten thousand merit points. How does that sound?"

Ten thousand merit points!

A low murmur immediately rippled through the great hall.

Ten thousand merit points were incredibly difficult to earn within the Sect under normal circumstances.

But no one objected.

If he could lead the Guiyuan Sect to victory in the competition for those below the Pill Force realm, then ten thousand merit points would be a price well worth paying.

"My thanks to the Sect Leader, then."

Zhao Qianfeng inclined his body slightly, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

Ten thousand merit points was no small sum.

Wang Dakui, who was sitting beside him, leaned over and whispered, "Old Cripple, what did I tell you? Zhang Su killing an Embracing Pill master while still in the Huajin realm—I wasn’t pulling your leg, was I? That disciple of yours really does you proud! Just look at the other Martial Vein Masters. Is there a single one who doesn’t envy you?"

Wang Dakui was a burly man with a booming voice. Even though he had lowered it to a whisper, his words were still clearly audible throughout the hall.

"Even the master of my Little Stone Peak has come to me several times, accusing me of favoring an outsider and asking why I didn’t snatch Zhang Su for Little Stone Peak..."

At this, a smug look appeared on Wang Dakui’s face.

Zhao Qianfeng glanced over at the Ten Great Martial Vein Masters in the hall.

With the exception of Qu Zhengliu, Master of Bamboo Sword Peak, and Tuoba Cangshu, Master of Thousand Mechanism Peak, all the other Martial Vein Masters indeed had looks of envy on their faces.

Qu Zhengliu’s expression was dark, and he remained silent.

Zhang Su had once had the opportunity to become a disciple of Bamboo Sword Peak, but Qu Zhengliu himself had been the one to turn him away.

Now, seeing Zhang Su’s spectacular achievement, how could he possibly feel good about it?

Tuoba Cangshu was expressionless, his feelings unreadable.

But his disciple, Wei Yunzhou, had died at Zhang Su’s hands—a debt he had not forgotten.

Although he had declared the matter settled, a knot of resentment still lingered in his heart.

The gazes of the other Martial Vein Masters were filled with a mix of envy and regret.

They envied Zhao Qianfeng for taking on such an excellent disciple and regretted not having snatched him up first.

’This kid, keeping something so huge from me. When he gets here, I’ll have to give him a good talking-to. Slaying an Embracing Pill master while at the Huajin realm... it sounds impressive, but it’s a life-or-death gamble. So incredibly dangerous...’

Zhao Qianfeng’s words sounded like a reprimand for Zhang Su.

But he couldn’t suppress the slight upward curve of his lips.

Clearly, he was immensely pleased with Zhang Su.

In his youth, he had been full of vigor and ambition, but then a crippled leg had changed everything.

He had thought his life was over, that he would just live out his remaining days in retirement at the Instructor Pavilion.

He never expected that in his old age, he would take on a disciple like Zhang Su.

Slaying an Embracing Pill master while only at the Huajin realm!

It was an unprecedented feat in the entire history of the Guiyuan Sect.

How could Zhao Qianfeng not be proud?

Just then, a figure entered from outside the great hall.

Clad in white robes with a longsword at his waist, it was none other than Zhang Su.

His stride was steady and unhurried, each step planted firmly on the ground.

He carried himself with an air of unruffled composure.

All eyes in the great hall turned to focus on Zhang Su.

"Disciple Zhang Su pays his respects to the Sect Leader!"

Zhang Su greeted him with a respectful bow.

His eyes then found his master, Zhao Qianfeng, to whom he also gave a slight bow.

Zhao Qianfeng nodded back at him, his eyes full of pride and relief.

"Zhang Su, I have summoned you to prepare for the Three Sects’ competition for those below the Pill Force realm. If you win it, you will be awarded ten thousand merit points," Meng Shouzhen said directly.

"The Three Sects’ competition for those below the Pill Force realm?"

Zhang Su glanced at his master.

Zhao Qianfeng, in turn, gave him a subtle nod.

The message was unmistakable: he should agree at once.

’With Zhang Su’s strength, winning the competition for those below the Pill Force realm should be as easy as flipping his hand. The ten thousand merit points were practically a freebie.’

Zhang Su remained silent for a moment.

He then raised his head and looked calmly at the Sect Leader.

"Sect Leader, I’m afraid I cannot participate in the competition for those below the Pill Force realm."

Zhang Su shook his head.

"Hmm?"

Meng Shouzhen’s brow furrowed slightly.

"You’re unwilling to fight for the Sect?"

Meng Shouzhen’s gaze turned sharp in an instant.

The atmosphere in the hall grew tense in an instant.

Zhao Qianfeng grew anxious as well.

’How could Zhang Su refuse something like this? He had just gone to all that trouble to get a ten-thousand-point reward for Zhang Su, and the kid just turned it down flat.’

Zhao Qianfeng opened his mouth as if to speak, but then thought better of it.

He knew Zhang Su. The boy wasn’t reckless. If he said he couldn’t participate, there had to be a reason.

"Sect Leader, it’s not that I’m unwilling to fight for the Sect. It’s that... I can’t."

"You can’t fight?"

Meng Shouzhen was taken aback.

The Ten Great Martial Vein Masters and the many Elders were also baffled. Why couldn’t Zhang Su fight?

’Was he injured during his training?’

But from the looks of him, Zhang Su didn’t seem injured.

His complexion was healthy, his stride was firm, and his face had a rosy color.

The Shadow-Stealing Sword at his waist swayed gently with his movements.

Zhang Su lifted his head, his gaze fixed directly on Meng Shouzhen.

"Sect Leader, I have just finished Embracing the Pill and have advanced to the Pill Force realm! Therefore, I am naturally ineligible to participate in the competition for those below Pill Force..."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the buzzing hall fell into a sudden, complete silence.