The Struggle for a False Reputation

Gu Qingfeng stopped in his tracks and looked at Li Xiaocui suspiciously. "Your ancestor was already the number one in the Dao of Alchemy. What more proof is needed?"

Li Xiaocui sneered. "A hundred years ago, he was indeed the number one in the Dao of Alchemy, but... he died! And then all those clowns came crawling out of the woodwork! When he was alive, no one dared to question him. But after his death, when the Jade Dragon Secret Realm was established, generation after generation of prodigies failed to comprehend even the introductory chapter of the Divine Refining Method. That’s when people started doubting the authenticity of the Divine Refining Method, and even the Ageless Pill itself!"

Gu Qingfeng frowned slightly. This sounded familiar. It reminded him of modern times, like how Bruce Lee, during his lifetime, single-handedly brought martial arts to the world stage. But as time passed, many martial artists dared to claim that Bruce Lee couldn’t fight, that he was just an action star with flashy moves.

It was absurd.

Back in those days, the status of Chinese people in the world was no secret. If Bruce Lee had been all show and no substance, how could he have risen to fame in a time of such discrimination?

It’s always the same—when someone is alive, no one dares to challenge them, but once they’re gone, everyone comes out of the shadows. It’s like after Lü Bu’s death, countless obscure generals in history started calling themselves "the next Lü Bu."

"The Ageless Pill is real. People have taken it in the past, and it truly extended their lives. How can anyone doubt that?" Gu Qingfeng asked, puzzled.

Li Xiaocui let out another cold laugh, her face filled with resentment. "People have tongues, and with a flick of their lips, they can twist any truth. The Ageless Pill is indeed real, but do you know what they’re saying now?

They claim that the Pill King didn’t rely on the Divine Refining Method to create the Ageless Pill. Instead, they say he stumbled upon a legendary ingredient that could extend life—the Millennium Taisui. They argue that the Ageless Pill’s life-extending properties came entirely from the Millennium Taisui, and that the Divine Refining Method was nothing but a hoax.

They say the Pill King was nothing more than a fraud, and they even provide evidence. For example, during his lifetime, he only ever made three Ageless Pills because the Millennium Taisui was only enough for three.

If he truly could make the Ageless Pill, why did he die so young?

And before the Pill King created the Divine Refining Method, his alchemy skills weren’t even the best. If he wasn’t the best, how could he have created the Divine Refining Method?"

"Damn, they sound so convincing. Even I’m starting to believe them," Gu Qingfeng said, surprised.

He felt like their arguments made sense. They seemed logical and well-supported.

Li Xiaocui glared at him angrily. "What do you know? My ancestor was no fraud! He was a genius!

When he made the Ageless Pill, he didn’t use the Millennium Taisui. He didn’t even have it. He made the pill within our family, and countless clan members witnessed it. Although he used many rare ingredients, those ingredients could be bought with money.

He used the Divine Refining Method to transform those ordinary ingredients into something miraculous, creating the Ageless Pill.

As for why he died young and only made three pills, it was because of divine retribution! The Ageless Pill defied the natural order, and the heavens couldn’t tolerate it. That’s why they took him."

"If you know the truth, why not just tell everyone? The number one in the Dao of Alchemy must have had some supporters, right?"

"Do you think our family didn’t try to refute those rumors? At first, some people believed us, but then the new Pill King made a statement that destroyed all our efforts!"

"The new Pill King? That position can just be passed around?" Gu Qingfeng was shocked.

"The title of Pill King refers to the supreme master of the Dao of Alchemy. Whoever surpasses all contemporary alchemists becomes the Pill King!"

"Who’s the new Pill King? Your ancestor became the Pill King by creating the Ageless Pill. What did this new guy create? And what did he say that ruined your efforts?" Gu Qingfeng was growing more and more curious. This story was getting interesting.

"The new Pill King is the sect leader of Spirit Medicine Mountain—Gu Chen! He created a legendary ten-grade pill!"

"A ten-grade pill!?"

Gu Qingfeng was stunned. He had read books on the Dao of Alchemy and knew what a ten-grade pill meant. It represented a pill with no loss of medicinal efficacy during the refining process. Such a pill was considered mythical, as no one could possibly create one.

In the process of energy conversion, there’s always some loss. Creating a ten-grade pill defied common sense.

"Humph, Gu Chen is nothing but a fraud. His so-called ten-grade pill must have been faked using some trick. My ancestor once said that no one could create a ten-grade pill. It must be fake."

Gu Qingfeng looked at Li Xiaocui, who was seething with anger, and couldn’t help but feel a bit sympathetic. This was a battle of reputations, with both sides refusing to back down, each trying to prove the other was a fraud.

"When Gu Chen was young, he also ventured into the Jade Dragon Secret Realm. With his talent, he easily reached the inheritance stele and saw the introductory chapter of the Divine Refining Method. But he failed to comprehend it. Later, after he created the ten-grade pill and became the new Pill King, he declared that the Divine Refining Method was a fake!

‘Qiu Yulong couldn’t create a ten-grade pill, but I did. This proves my alchemy skills surpass his. Yet even I can’t comprehend the introductory chapter of the Divine Refining Method. How can it be anything but a fake?’

Because of his words, my ancestor’s reputation plummeted, and the doubts grew louder. That’s why I must bring the inheritance to light and let the world witness the glory of the Ageless Pill, to clear my ancestor’s name!"

"Wait, if so many people doubt the Ageless Pill, why are there still so many people coming to the Jade Dragon Secret Realm?"

"What do you think?" Li Xiaocui gave Gu Qingfeng a meaningful look. "Who in this world can resist the temptation of immortality? Even if there’s only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, it’s enough to make people take the risk.

This is the last time the Jade Dragon Secret Realm will open. If the inheritance doesn’t appear this time, the rumors will only grow stronger.

Because my ancestor is dead, but Gu Chen is still alive. And the dead cannot speak!

This is my last chance, which is why I need your help, Gu Qingfeng."

Li Xiaocui looked at Gu Qingfeng with a serious expression.

"Hmm, no thanks," Gu Qingfeng said casually.

Li Xiaocui was momentarily speechless. "Why? This is a win-win situation. Don’t you want to obtain the inheritance and become a peerless king?"

"Because you’re small and have no rights, so I don’t want to help you."

With that, Gu Qingfeng turned and walked toward the light gate, leaving Li Xiaocui staring in shock.

As he turned away, a mocking smile appeared on Gu Qingfeng’s lips.

"Tsk, you think such a cheap trick can fool me? Who do you take me for, an idiot?"