Chapter 280: Direct Disciple

“Young friend, you truly possess a heart of justice,” the City Lord of Medicine King City said, as if he hadn’t heard Chen Luo’s previous words.

“Initially, I also chose the Grand Void Ancestor. Our Medicine King City had previously collaborated with Grand Void Peak. Unfortunately, after Fellow Daoist Gu Yue went missing, that connection was severed.”

The City Lord of Medicine King City raised his hand to demonstrate the Starlight Fire Pill Refining Technique.

He sat in the rest area, and a portion of medicinal herbs flew from his hand, landing precisely in the Pill Furnace from a considerable distance. Then he extended his index and middle fingers, making two precise movements in the air.

A spark of ‘starfire’ ignited beneath the Pill Furnace. Each movement appeared standard, but to Chen Luo, something seemed off. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it - after all, he hadn’t learned the true Starlight Fire Pill Refining Technique himself. The fire control technique he used relied entirely on True Person Gu Yue’s brain.

“This is my imitation of the Starlight Fire Pill Refining Technique. Unfortunately, even after a century of research, I’ve only managed to replicate its ‘form’.”

The City Lord of Medicine King City extended his hand, and the completed Pill flew out automatically.

It was also an elite-grade Pill.

“It’s not right,” Chen Luo nodded.

The City Lord of Medicine King City’s pill refinement technique bore a striking resemblance to the Starlight Fire Pill Refining Technique, but its core differed fundamentally. He had merely replicated the outer form, while the inner essence remained his own fire control method.

“The Starlight Fire Pill Refining Technique is a secret art of the Grand Void Ancestor, passed down exclusively to True Person Gu Yue. The brothers rose from humble origins, having survived a Marauder Cultivator massacre that claimed their entire village. Only the two of them remained alive. This shared history explains why the Grand Void Ancestor cherishes True Person Gu Yue so deeply - in his heart, Gu Yue is his only remaining family in this world.”

“I don’t know what relationship you share with True Person Gu Yue, but the aura of the Starlight Fire Pill Refining Technique cannot be faked. Moreover, your habits perfectly match those of the original Gu Yue. These factors form the foundation of my search for you.”

The City Lord of Medicine King City revealed his altered plans without reservation.

How could it be otherwise?

The mind was already here! Had there been no memory loss, he could have replicated an exact duplicate of True Person Gu Yue. The current version, though ‘amnesiac’, proved sufficient for impersonating a disciple or follower.

“The Grand Void Ancestor is one of the Seven Patriarchs of Jade Purity, wielding the Taixu Divine Sword among the Seven Swords of Qionghua.”

Having decided to collaborate, both parties naturally opened up completely. The City Lord of Medicine King City carefully explained everything about the Grand Void Ancestor to Chen Luo. Much of this information had been gathered through Medicine King City’s channels, while some came from True Person Gu Yue himself. Every detail about one of the Seven Patriarchs of Jade Purity was immensely valuable.

To help Chen Luo familiarize himself with True Person Gu Yue, the City Lord found some items left behind by the ancient cultivator, including the Starlight Fire Pill Refining Technique and various divine arts he had mastered during his lifetime. Chen Luo immediately grasped these cultivation techniques upon receiving them.

As a result, the fragmented memories within True Person Gu Yue’s consciousness began to coalesce into a coherent whole.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

“From today onward, you shall be recognized as True Person Gu Yue’s direct disciple,” the City Lord of Medicine King City declared with finality.

He had initially intended for Chen Luo to impersonate a mere named disciple of True Person Gu Yue. But witnessing Chen Luo’s remarkable progress, he promptly elevated the arrangement. How could a named disciple compare to a direct heir? If not for the discrepancy in timelines, he might even have considered having Chen Luo impersonate True Person Gu Yue’s actual descendant.

“I have a question,” Chen Luo interjected.

Chen Luo produced his identity token as a Qiong Hua Sect disciple and placed it on the table. Having previously served as an Inner Sect Elder at Sword Pool Peak in the Southwest Territory, his enrollment records were maintained there.

“I am indeed a Qiong Hua Sect disciple.”

“That’s easily resolved.”

With a decisive motion, the City Lord of Medicine King City crushed Chen Luo’s identity token. Disciples dispatched to external missions were not recognized by the sect upon return. Only those like Yu Xiao and his Qi Refining realm juniors might misunderstand this distinction - any Foundation Establishment cultivator would immediately recognize the difference.

The Main Sect’s pride manifested in every aspect, its members looking down upon Branch Sect disciples from the outset.

The Qiong Hua Sect’s vastness bred numerous internal conflicts. As a close friend of True Person Gu Yue, the City Lord was privy to some of these tensions.

“This is the identity token True Person Gu Yue entrusted me with. Take it - you shall become a True Inheritance of Qiong Hua Sect’s Grand Void Peak.”

True Person Gu Yue had been a mad alchemist, his final memories consumed by pill refinement - a testament to his obsession with the Pill Dao. As one of the Southern Heaven Domain’s few Third-Tier Pill Refiners, the City Lord shared a deep friendship with Gu Yue, possessing many of his legacy items.

Chen Luo took the token and examined it, noticing subtle differences from the one he previously held. The most striking difference lay in the sword pattern at the token’s center. While the previous token bore an ordinary sword mark indistinguishable from any iron blade, this one displayed an exquisitely crafted design. When observed with Divine Sense, the words ‘Grand Void’ were clearly engraved on the sword’s blade.

“Will this not reveal my true identity?” Chen Luo asked, still uncertain.

“The Qiong Hua Sect’s structure differs from Medicine King City’s. They are divided into seven main peaks, each with separate legacies. The highest authority rests with the Seven Patriarchs of Jade Purity.”

The City Lord of Medicine King City produced a diagram detailing the Qiong Hua Sect’s organizational structure.

“Within these seven main peaks, there are Elders and Deacons. Disciples are categorized into three tiers: Core True Disciples, Inner Sect, and Outer Sect. Core True Disciples hold the highest status after the Seven Patriarchs, qualifying them to succeed as Peak Lords. Even Elders rank below them. Inner Sect disciples and Deacons share equal standing, while Outer Sect disciples occupy the lowest tier. Without the token I’ve given you, entering the Qiong Hua Sect would make you an Outer Sect Disciple.”

“A Foundation Establishment cultivator as an Outer Sect disciple?” Chen Luo frowned, sensing a certain disorder within Qiong Hua Sect.

“When it comes to matters of inheritance, everyone is treated equally. Contributions matter more than cultivation level. If you’re unwilling, you could apply to become an Outpost Peak Master instead. Many Foundation Establishment cultivators who joined Qiong Hua Sect later chose this path.”

“How many Core Formation cultivators are there in Qiong Hua Sect?”

“That’s something you’ll only see after joining. But the numbers are definitely small. Core Formation isn’t as easy as you might think.”

After discussing more details, they finally completed their plan.

A streak of light flew in from outside.

The City Lord of Medicine King City glanced at it briefly.

“Qiong Hua Sect’s people have arrived. You should come with me now. Following them back to the mountain will make your story more believable.”

The City Lord had summoned these people originally, planning to take another route. But with Chen Luo’s appearance, the plan had changed accordingly.

The two men rose and walked out of the Alchemy Chamber.

When the door opened, a crowd of First-Tier Alchemists surrounded it. Song Jing, the winner of the previous Pill Refining Competition, was leaning against the door, tracing its intricate patterns with his fingers.

The sudden opening of the stone door startled the group.

“City Lord, we greet you.”

Song Jing’s face paled as he saw Chen Luo and the City Lord of Medicine King City emerge. The glowing light in his hand vanished instantly, replaced by a deferential expression. Wang Yu and the other newcomers nearby also shifted their expressions. These three ‘genius alchemists’ newly admitted to Medicine King City all carried hidden issues.

“Why have you gathered here?”

“We accepted Elder Lu’s task to collect pill fire essence,” Wang Yu hastily responded. “We’re in the process of gathering it here.”

“Focus on your cultivation,” the City Lord of Medicine King City advised with a nod. “The path of pill refinement requires persistence. You’re all promising talents - the future of Medicine King City rests on your shoulders.”

The City Lord and Chen Luo then descended the mountain path together.

“Yes, City Lord.”

The group of First-Tier Alchemists bowed their heads in unison, the three new members blending seamlessly into the crowd with their obedient demeanor.

Chen Luo remained silent throughout the descent.

These three new disciples all had issues. Song Jing carried a demonic soul within him; Chen Luo had witnessed an extra ‘Demonic Heart’ during his practice of the Demonic Heart Art. The other two were similarly problematic - Wang Yu used the Blood Demon Alchemy Technique, and the remaining disciple bore the shadow of an Immortal Sect.

“What do you make of these three disciples?” the City Lord of Medicine King City asked casually as they walked.

“They have decent aptitude.”

“Only their aptitude remains intact. Some are growing impatient, their probes becoming increasingly blatant. Even within our Medicine King City, there are those eager to change allegiances.”

If even Chen Luo could discern this, how could the City Lord - a Core Formation cultivator - possibly miss it? Yet some truths, once exposed, could not be voiced. This final veil served as the last layer of decorum; to tear it away would bring their conflict to full light. With no escape route prepared, he could only endure in silence.

“Your success at Qiong Hua Sect will determine everything,” the City Lord repeated his earlier promise. “Secure the Grand Void Ancestor’s favor, and you’ll become our Medicine King City’s Deputy City Lord - wielding authority equal to mine.”

As they spoke, the pair arrived at Medicine King City’s reception hall where the Qiong Hua Sect Elder rested. Upon seeing them approach, he immediately rose and clasped his hands in greeting.

“Greetings, City Lord.”

The Qiong Hua Sect Elder wore a long gray robe with a wooden sword strapped to his back. Yu Xiao and Wan He, who had briefly met Chen Luo before, stood behind him. When they saw Chen Luo enter, they stole a glance at him before immediately lowering their heads.

This is a Martial Uncle, not a Senior Brother.

“Who is this?”

“This is Chen Luo, the direct disciple of my old friend True Person Gu Yue. He just returned recently,” the City Lord of Medicine King City explained. As a Core Formation True Person, he naturally expected respect from this Qiong Hua Sect Elder.

“Martial Uncle Gu Yue?”

The Qiong Hua Sect Elder’s expression changed upon hearing the City Lord’s words. He immediately rose and bowed to Chen Luo.

Within the Qiong Hua Sect, True Person Gu Yue held the status of a True Person. With his connection to the Peak Lord of Grand Void, he was considered the highest-ranking elder in the sect. If Chen Luo truly was his direct disciple, his seniority within the sect would undoubtedly surpass this elder’s.

“City Lord, this is no joke.”

The Qiong Hua Sect Elder’s gaze fell to Chen Luo’s waist, where he spotted the token engraved with the ‘Grand Void’ sword seal. His expression completely transformed. Matters involving a token bearing the Grand Void Sword Seal were beyond his authority to handle - they required reporting to the sect itself.

To be precise, they needed to be reported to the Grand Void Ancestor!