The Most Poisonous Poison

Flying down from the high platform with Elder Sun, Qin Ran once again strolled through the picturesque Zhican Valley.

Glancing around, Qin Ran observed the bustling disciples in the herbal fields along the road, and casually remarked to Elder Sun, "The cultivation of medicinal herbs is indeed a profound study."

"Yes," Elder Sun nodded in agreement, "Many medicinal herbs can only grow in specific environments and cannot be cultivated in herbal fields. Even the best herbalists cannot cultivate them."

"From this perspective, the cultivation of medicinal herbs does indeed affect the development of alchemy," Qin Ran remarked.

"Oh, not quite..." Elder Sun paused, chuckled, and said, "From my perspective, since herbal fields cannot cultivate certain herbs, they need to be purchased, which increases the cost of alchemy."

With rising costs, the profit margins for selling elixirs would decrease. Qin Ran understood his point as he glanced at Elder Sun.

He had intended to discuss the future of herbal cultivation, but Elder Sun's comment prompted him to remain silent.

Qin Ran gazed at the scenery within the valley and suddenly noticed that there were more people compared to his last visit. The comings and goings seemed busier, and there were more individuals on the benches along the road, reciting about herbs and pharmacology.

"Is there something significant happening in the valley?" he inquired of Elder Sun.

"Elder Qin has sharp eyes!" Elder Sun praised. "In a few months, towards the end of the year, it will be the once-in-sixty-years Pharmacist God Worship Ceremony in Zhican Valley. During this time, there will be a month-long assessment to evaluate the abilities of new disciples in academics, alchemy, and martial prowess."

"Like these..." he gestured towards the diligently studying disciples, "These are the last-minute learners."

Pharmacist God Worship Ceremony?

Qin Ran had heard of it, similar to the challenges faced by disciples before the gates of the Sword Sect. However, while the Sword Sect's method was straightforward—settling matters with a fight—Zhican Valley, being alchemists, had more intricate rituals.

"Another batch of aspiring alchemists is emerging!" he courteously congratulated.

However, upon hearing this news, his mind raced.

Pharmacist God Worship Ceremony?

Wasn't this the perfect opportunity for mischief?!

If the assessment were to go awry, or worse, if the candidates were poisoned, wouldn't it disrupt the entire generation of disciples at Zhican Valley?

At the thought, Qin Ran couldn't help but feel excited, immediately devising action plans...

No, this couldn't be done!

He halted his thoughts just in time.

Not because of anything else, but because he suddenly recalled how, during the challenges before the gates of the Sword Sect, Jian Yuanjie had infiltrated to such an extent that he dared not act. It demonstrated the importance the sect placed on such occasions.

At such times, mischief was suitable, he knew, and Zhican Valley knew too, hence their defenses would be unprecedentedly high.

This idea had to be set aside for now...

However, Qin Ran suddenly thought of another feasible plan with operational potential.

After the challenges before the gates, the Sword Sect would recruit the new generation of disciples. Therefore, after the Pharmacist God Worship Ceremony, it would undoubtedly be the time for Zhican Valley to extensively recruit disciples.

Since Zhican Valley could deploy infiltrators to the Sword Sect, why couldn't he, Qin Ran, do the same to Zhican Valley?

After the Pharmacist God Worship Ceremony, the peak period for Zhican Valley to accept disciples will follow...

"Elder Qin? Elder Qin?!"

Just as he was lost in thought, he suddenly heard Elder Sun calling him. Qin Ran quickly snapped out of it, looked at Elder Sun with a smile, and asked, "What's the matter, Elder Sun?"

"Elder Qin, what are you thinking about with such a delighted expression? Your smile is a bit unnerving." Elder Sun observed him and said, "I called you several times, but you didn't respond."

"Ahahaha, I remembered something joyous." Qin Ran resumed his normal expression.

Elder Sun was witnessing Qin Ran's quick change in demeanor for the first time and couldn't help but be impressed, acknowledging Qin Ran as a formidable opponent.

He chuckled and asked Qin Ran, "What joyous thing is it? Elder Qin, share it with us to make everyone happy."

"My wife is expecting... cough! It's some private matter..." Qin Ran brushed it off, then turned the question back, "Why did Elder Sun call me? What's the matter?"

Without pressing further, Elder Sun went along with Qin Ran's explanation, saying, "If Elder Qin has time, how about we enjoy some drinks tonight and discuss the alchemy matters tomorrow?"

"As the saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. In Elder Sun's territory, I naturally follow Elder Sun's lead." Qin Ran agreed.

"Elder Qin is straightforward!" Elder Sun genuinely admired Qin Ran. Despite being poisoned by him last time, Qin Ran dared to accept his invitation for a feast this time. Elder Sun praised, "Truly a bold and hearty man!"

And so, the two conversed while accompanied by their respective entourages, heading towards that building... the dining hall.

During the banquet, they observed the seating arrangement for guests and hosts. Yan Yi sat next to Qin Ran, behaving like a kindergarten child, especially when he folded his hands behind his back.

Throughout the feast, Yan Yi was nervous and cautious, mirroring every move of Qin Ran. If Qin Ran didn't drink, he refrained from drinking. If Qin Ran didn't touch a certain dish, he dared not touch it either.

All of this stemmed from the instructions Qin Ran gave him before they arrived at Zhican Valley:

"The danger mainly comes from Zhican Valley. It's filled with experts in poison. If you can defend against poison, you're 90% safe.

"After consuming my Hundred Poisons Pill, common poisons won't affect you. However, it's not foolproof. You still need to be cautious.

"Anything you consume, be it tea, wine, food, or vegetables, that I haven't tried, you should avoid. Don't touch anything in the valley—plants, animals, furniture, objects. Don't engage in casual conversation when I'm not around..."

"Is it really that dangerous?" Yan Yi couldn't believe it.

"For the sake of your life, it's better to be cautious." Qin Ran cautioned.

Thus, the entire banquet lasted for several hours. Yan Yi didn't dare to drink a sip of wine because Qin Ran hadn't drunk it. He only ate a few bites of dishes that Qin Ran had consumed.

When someone inquired, Qin Ran covered for him, saying, "This kid has been practicing fasting recently, so he can't eat too much." No one paid much attention to him.

As the banquet concluded, Qin Ran was completely drunk. Yan Yi, carrying him on his back, guided by one of Elder Sun's disciples, took him to the resting place.

Yan Yi carefully arranged Qin Ran on the bed, and one of the disciples said to him, "Let's go, I'll take you to another room."

"No need..." Yan Yi refused directly, smiling, "We're all cultivators, there's no need to worry too much. If the leader is drunk, then I'll meditate here tonight and take care of the leader."

Since Zhican Valley was so dangerous, he couldn't let the leader who was passed out here alone at this time.

The disciple looked Yan Yi up and down, didn't persuade him anymore, just took out a porcelain bottle and handed it to Yan Yi, saying, "You're a good-hearted person, and I feel a connection with you. Take this bottle of Gathering Qi Pill."

Yan Yi had used Gathering Qi Pills before, although only low-grade ones, but it was enough for him to imagine the efficacy of the middle-grade Gathering Qi Pill.

He knew that as soon as he accepted this bottle of pills, he would break through to the middle stage of foundation building in a very short time.

He also knew clearly that in the future, he would receive bottles of pills from this person that he had never dared to imagine before.

To say he wasn't tempted would be a lie; he couldn't even deceive himself.

But he decided to refuse.

Avoiding eye contact, he didn't look at the middle-grade Gathering Qi Pill, saying, "This pill is too valuable, and I can't afford it."

He added, "It's late at night, please leave! Don't disturb the leader's rest."

The disciple didn't take back the pill, casually placing it on the bedside table, and smiled, "Just a small token of appreciation."

He bowed, exited the room, and wished, "Sweet dreams."

However, Yan Yi was destined not to have sweet dreams tonight.

He stared at the bottle of Gathering Qi Pill in the darkness, his mind wavering between gods and demons.