Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

Zhao Wuji swept his spiritual sense across the area and immediately sensed several Unity stage cultivators. What shocked him even more was that these powerful beings weren't hiding their presence at all. Instead, they openly released their spiritual sense across the marketplace, as if searching for someone.

As soon as his spiritual sense brushed past those mysterious experts, they became aware of his presence.

Zhao Wuji's expression tightened. He nearly turned and ran on the spot.

So many Unity stage cultivators gathered here… If they joined forces, they could absolutely trap him.

Fortunately, none of those hidden powerhouses made a move. Their spiritual sense merely swept over him and passed by. Only then did Zhao Wuji ease slightly.

Still, his heart grew increasingly cautious.

After this, he resolved not to leave the Tianxing Sect lightly again.

But since he had already come this far, he might as well meet Chen Changrong. And this man—he definitely needed to be taught a lesson.

Zhao Wuji changed his appearance and entered Hundred Herbs Pavilion. Without hesitation, he went straight to the counter and barked, "Where's Chen Changrong? Tell him to come meet me!"

The attendant gave him a helpless look and replied, "Too many people are requesting to see our Pavilion Master. Senior, please get in line."

Queue?

Zhao Wuji nearly laughed in disbelief.

The Sect Master of Tianxing Sect, waiting in line?

These fools don't know who they're dealing with!

Just as he was about to lose his temper, the attendant gestured toward a direction and said, "Over there. Please feel free to queue."

Zhao Wuji narrowed his eyes and looked over. Sure enough, there really were people waiting in line. He sneered and unleashed his coercion.

Yet, to his shock, every person in the queue turned toward him at once, their gazes tinged with danger.

Zhao Wuji's heart lurched.

His coercion had no effect.

And those waiting…

They were all Unity stage cultivators!

So many Unity stage cultivators, waiting just to meet Chen Changrong?

Zhao Wuji cupped his hands and forced a smile. "A misunderstanding, that's all."

Thank the heavens he had changed his appearance this time.

"Hmph. You're here to see Chen Changrong too?" a rugged, broad-shouldered man rumbled like thunder.

Zhao Wuji nodded. "That's right."

"Then get in line like the rest of us," the man said curtly. "Chen Changrong isn't easy to meet these days."

Zhao Wuji walked over and quietly joined the queue. After a moment, he asked, "Has something happened in the marketplace recently? Why are there so many powerful cultivators here?"

The others in line all gave him odd looks.

"You mean you don't know?" one of them asked.

Zhao Wuji shook his head. He truly wasn't sure.

The man with the booming voice raised an eyebrow and asked, "You've heard of the alchemy prodigy, haven't you?"

Zhao Wuji nodded. "I've heard some rumors."

Word had it that a genius alchemist had emerged in this marketplace. Within just a few days, she had passed both First and Second Grade alchemy exams, and every pill she refined had been of perfect quality.

He paused, frowning. "All this fuss is because of her?"

No matter how talented she was, she was still just a Second Grade alchemist. Why would that draw so many high-level cultivators?

The man answered calmly, "Of course. Do you know who's meeting Chen Changrong right now?"

"Who?"

"A Seventh Grade alchemist from the super sect Yi Qi Sect."

A Seventh Grade alchemist?

From Yi Qi Sect?

Even in a super sect, that kind of status carried enormous weight.

Zhao Wuji's expression darkened slightly.

If not for the fact that his father was in Qingxiao Sect, as a mid-tier sect master, he wouldn't even come close to holding the same weight as that person.

"And the first one in line," the man continued, "is an elder from the upper-tier Lieyan Sect. With him is the stationed alchemist, Ming Heng."

The elder in front of the line cast a blank look toward Zhao Wuji, but Ming Heng actually offered him a polite nod and a smile.

Zhao Wuji's heart skipped again.

Even envoys from upper-tier sects had to wait in line?

"I'm from Luohua Sect, and the young woman ahead of me is from Guangling Sect," the rugged man added, giving a simple introduction before glancing back at Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji's lips twitched.

He had always taken pride in his status. While his father's reputation had given him a boost, he had climbed to the position of sect master on his own merit.

But now, surrounded by representatives from upper-tier and super sects, his title seemed… almost insignificant.

He asked softly, "All of this, just for that alchemy genius?"

The man nodded. "Don't tell me you haven't heard the details."

Zhao Wuji looked genuinely confused.

The man gave him a pitying glance. "Looks like your sect is too low-tier to even get access to top-secret intel. I guess I can tell you. Not like you're in any position to compete."

Zhao Wuji: "…"

Humiliating.

Yet he could only listen.

Should I shout 'My father's in Qingxiao Pavilion'? Pathetic.

The man lowered his voice and leaned in slightly. "That prodigy doesn't just refine perfect pills. She changes the pill recipes. During her first exam, she made a Biling Pill. Normally, the recipe includes four herbs and a marrow-cleansing solution. But she only used Biling Grass and the solution, omitting the other three ingredients entirely."

Zhao Wuji nodded, intrigued.

"During the Second Grade exam, she modified the recipe again and still produced a perfect pill. Ming Heng recorded both processes with a memory stone. Not long after, the recordings spread among the top alchemists."

The man gave a look of wonder.

"A bunch of alchemists started experimenting based on her methods. Guess what happened?"

He was a coarse man, but he sure knew how to spin a story. Even Zhao Wuji leaned in, fully drawn in.

"Well, the Seventh Grade alchemist from Yi Qi Sect actually managed to replicate her recipe. He succeeded in refining a batch of Biling Pills using her version of the formula. It only worked once and didn't reach perfect grade, and the furnace couldn't run automatically… but it worked."

The man's face lit up with admiration.

"This proves that her modified formulas are completely viable. Even if she's only working with First and Second Grade pills, the potential is huge. If we can refine pills with fewer ingredients, that means less strain on herb supplies and more pills for everyone. That could seriously boost the growth rate of lower-stage cultivators."

He leaned in again.

"That's why the Yi Qi Sect alchemist personally came here. He even publicly offered to take her in as a disciple and pass down his legacy. That's how highly he regards her."

Zhao Wuji clicked his tongue. "And she didn't jump at the offer?"

"No one knows. Right now, only Chen Changrong might know where she is. We've all tried to get answers out of him, but the man won't budge."

Zhao Wuji finally understood.

Every one of these people had come for that alchemy genius.

Frankly, just hearing about it made even him want to fight for her.

Not only was her future limitless, but just the few improved pill formulas she had already produced were priceless.

If they could recruit her, it would greatly shorten the training time for Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment disciples. And those disciples would become the foundation of a sect's future.

From that perspective, she really was too valuable.

But Zhao Wuji was self-aware. He knew he could never win her over from a Seventh Grade alchemist. So in the end, he could only treat it as an interesting story.