Divine Power... Ointment

"Quick! Hold him down!"

"Openly carrying banned drugs in public and even taking them out to consume! At least have the decency to hide it! This is downright disrespectful to our profession as the Tianshan Thirteen Guardians!"

"Give it to me... please, give it to me... I can't take it anymore..."

At the entrance of Tianshan Sword Manor, the scene was chaotic.

Today, thirteen swordsmen were responsible for security—three at the sixth realm of Dharma Body and ten at the Outer Scenery level. They were all from the Taiyue Hall, tasked with safeguarding various gatherings and events.

Hence, they were collectively known as the Tianshan Thirteen Guardians.

During the previous Weapon Forging Convention, there had been suspicions of banned drugs being smuggled in, so this time they were extra vigilant.

Just moments ago, they spotted a gaunt, skeletal-looking craftsman pulling out a packet of powdery substance, tearing it open, and preparing to consume it.

Not only did he eat it, but he also wore an expression of obsessive craving while doing so.

The thirteen guards recoiled slightly.

Are these people even human?

Without hesitation, they rushed forward and pinned the old man down.

"This color, this texture—no mistake, this must be Divine Power Powder!"

"Old man’s got taste, eating Divine Power Powder with dry noodles."

"Huh? What’s Divine Power Powder? I don’t know anything about it! I’m innocent!"

The skinny old man looked utterly bewildered, his face pale as he stared fixedly at the confiscated paper packet:

"Give it back, I beg you... I really can’t hold on anymore..."

Hearing this, the blacksmiths nearby exchanged uneasy glances.

Rumor had it that once someone took Divine Power Powder, they’d become addicted, and the craving would cling to them like a bone-deep parasite, impossible to shake off for life.

This old man must have been in the throes of withdrawal, forcing him to take it out in public.

"Hmm?"

Li Mo paused, finding the scene vaguely familiar...

"This is Heavenly Sovereign Sauce!"

The scrawny blacksmith cried out in protest.

The thirteen guards froze. Heavenly Sovereign Sauce? What the hell was that?

Suspicious but no longer restraining him—after all, he wasn’t going anywhere—they watched as the blacksmith pulled out a pouch, placed a piece of flatbread inside, poured in the powder, shook it a few times, and then took a bite.

"If you’re just eating, why make that creepy, dazed face?"

"I’ve been traveling nonstop for three days without a meal. You try going three days without eating!"

"......"

Realizing it was a misunderstanding, the guards awkwardly asked where they could buy such delicious Heavenly Sovereign Sauce before letting him go.

And this skinny blacksmith wasn’t an isolated case. Recently, instant noodles and Heavenly Sovereign Sauce seemed to be booming in the imperial capital.

Many people carried them around, planning to eat during breaks.

A certain Heavenly Sovereign Sauce: "......"

Now he knew where that inexplicable surge of mortal energy had come from recently.

The Demon Summoning Sect’s distribution channels were impressively wide—they’d even brought their instant noodle business to the imperial capital.

Wait...

If this was the Demon Summoning Sect’s operation, then...

Was it really just ordinary instant noodle seasoning?

Li Mo, well aware of the Demon Summoning Sect’s shady tendencies, cast a skeptical glance at the skinny figure’s retreating back, his Divine Eye of Fate glowing.

[Name: Lu Zhuang.]

[Age: 52.]

[Bone Structure: Savage Strength Bone (Damaged).]

[Realm: Five Apertures of Divine Observation.]

[Fate: Gray.]

[Evaluation: Born with robust bones and immense strength, gifted by nature. However, upon seeing others surpass him effortlessly, he grew resentful, squandering his innate gifts. After repeated use of Divine Power Powder, the drug seeped into his marrow, stunting further growth.]

[Recent Events: Smuggled large quantities of Divine Power Powder—hidden in Heavenly Sovereign Sauce—into the Weapon Forging Convention.]

"......"

"Just as I thought."

Li Mo rubbed his forehead, his emotions complicated. He had a rough idea of what was going on.

Divine Power Powder was originally a powdered drug, hence the name.

But after obtaining the instant noodle seasoning recipe, the Blood Refining Hall upgraded it into a paste!

Instant noodle seasoning came in two packets—one powder, one sauce.

The former was ordinary seasoning, while the latter was the upgraded version of Divine Power Powder: Divine Power Paste!

Who came up with this? Who taught you to sell instant noodles like this?

This is way too bold!

"What’s wrong?"

Ying Bing had been watching as Li Mo’s expression shifted repeatedly.

"Discovered a little genius."

Li Mo sounded slightly conflicted.

In the end, this was somewhat related to him. He never imagined the Blood Refining Hall of the Demon Summoning Sect would choose this method to conceal Divine Power Powder.

Then again, even without instant noodles, the Demon Summoning Sect would have found another way.

Passing through the gates of Tianshan Sword Manor, Li Mo headed straight for the Sword Forge.

"Divine Smith Du, glad you’re still here."

Li Mo had assumed the old man would be busy with the Weapon Forging Convention, but he was still by the forge in the inner courtyard.

"I’m conserving my energy."

Du Wufeng subtly tucked away the illustrated book The Tyrannical Empress Falls for Me into his sleeve and coughed lightly. "Kid, what brings you here at a time like this?"

Li Mo lowered his voice, his expression serious:

"There’s something private, related to the Weapon Forging Convention, but it can’t be made public. I need to discuss it with you..."

"Well, well! You, with those honest-looking features, actually want me to pull strings for you?!"

Du Wufeng glared at Li Mo in disappointment:

"I, Du Wufeng, am a man of unyielding integrity! Never did I imagine you’d ask me to stoop to such underhanded dealings. Today, I sever ties with you!"

"?"

Li Mo was stunned, then sighed.

"Old man, stop reciting lines from that book."

Those were lines he’d written for Ouyang.

"Alright, out with it. What’s the real reason you’re here?"

Du Wufeng dropped the act and smiled. He’d known all along Li Mo wouldn’t ask for favors like this.

But Li Mo’s next words made him freeze.

"A large quantity of Divine Power Powder—or more accurately, Divine Power Paste—has likely already been smuggled into the venue."

"?"

"It’s mixed in with instant noodle seasoning packets. Two packets per serving—one harmless, the other lethal. Hard to detect. And from what I’ve seen, many people are carrying normal instant noodles, making it impossible to tell which are tainted."

Li Mo had used his Divine Eye of Fate on the way here.

Some people’s instant noodles were just that—ordinary instant noodles.

Only a few contained the "special" ingredient.

"Which bastard came up with this instant noodle idea?!"

Du Wufeng slammed the table in fury.