Chapter 147: Promotion

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Lu Zhe stared at the prescription in his hand, momentarily at a loss for words.

This scroll contained the recipe and required ingredients for a certain elixir named the “Lesser Spirit Pattern Pill.” Its effect was to directly help a person ascend to the next rank. Because of this enviable power and the rarity of its materials, the finished pill was quite expensive. Moreover, the method of refinement was priceless. But how did this prescription fall into Lu Zhe's hands? This story begins a few hours earlier…

A few hours ago, at noon, in an unnamed mountain range.

Lu Zhe was diligently practicing the Cloud Ladder Step taught by Master Yi. The Cloud Ladder Step had three movements. After relentless effort, Lu Zhe had mastered the first movement, “White Clouds Follow the Wind.” Now, he was painstakingly training the second movement, “White Clouds Dance in the Sky.” The second movement was far more difficult than the first. It took Lu Zhe less than half a month to learn the first movement, but a full month to barely grasp the second. Although he could faintly perform it now, the appearance was almost pitiable—no better than an old lady walking, let alone dancing in the sky.

With a “hey,” Lu Zhe dropped from the air, sweat pouring down his face, gasping for breath.

Nearby, by a small river, Master Yi sat leisurely on a rock, holding a bamboo fishing rod. Despite his poor fishing skills—he hadn’t caught a single fish all morning—he remained unhurried and carefree, humming a tune while fishing without even bait on his line.

Lu Zhe glanced toward Master Yi but said nothing. Wiping the sweat from his body, he resumed practicing the second movement of the Cloud Ladder Step. Yet, as he gathered his spiritual energy, dizziness suddenly overwhelmed him. Staggering, he steadied himself and exhaled deeply. Training under the scorching sun for three hours straight, his endurance was commendable.

“Rest a while,” came Master Yi’s commanding voice from afar. As he spoke, he flicked his fishing rod again, the line shooting like a meteor into the distance before splashing into the water.

Taking a deep breath, Lu Zhe found a shady spot and sat down. Once calm, he began restoring his drained elixir energy.

Time passed quietly. Spiritual vortexes began to gather around Lu Zhe, while Master Yi continued fishing with calm composure. The two master and disciple each attended to their tasks, neither disturbing the other.

Suddenly, Master Yi’s fishing rod twitched. Startled, he sharply pulled upward, catching a small fish about three inches long.

Delighted, Master Yi’s eyes crinkled with joy. He flicked his wrist, and the fish arced through the air, landing in his palm, flapping wildly.

Gazing at the lively catch, Master Yi murmured contentedly, “Jiang Taigong’s fishing—willing fish take the bait. I never thought imitating Jiang Taigong today would actually catch a fish. Seems the legend holds true.” He then tossed the fish back into the river.

Master Yi lightly clapped his hands and rose from the rock. Suddenly, his brow furrowed. He sensed something unusual in the spiritual energy surrounding him. Turning, he looked at Lu Zhe, who was still seated cross-legged in the shade. The spiritual vortex above his head was growing larger, and the column of energy flowing into him thickened. Such abnormal signs meant only one thing: Lu Zhe was about to ascend.

Ascension was a momentous event for any cultivator—it could change many things. This phenomenon was especially pronounced above the Spirit King level. But where was the problem for Lu Zhe? His ascension was too rapid. Only months ago, he had just reached the rank of Eight-Star Spirit Master. Now he was advancing again. Was such speed truly a blessing? After ascending, the body needed time to adapt—a period determined by one’s physical constitution. Some took months; others only weeks. History showed that those who leapt too quickly never ended well. Ice three feet thick is not frozen in a day. As a pill master and healer, Master Yi was well aware of this. He had hoped Lu Zhe would progress steadily, but Lu Zhe’s constitution was inscrutable. Now, Master Yi did not know whether this rapid ascension was a blessing or a curse.

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Watching Lu Zhe on the cusp of ascending to Nine-Star Spirit Master, Master Yi’s furrowed brow slowly relaxed. “Whether blessing or curse, it cannot be avoided. What must come will come. As long as this young one can endure it, that will be enough.” Saying this, Master Yi sat cross-legged, closing his eyes like a meditating monk, carefully sensing the changes in spiritual energy around him.

Time flowed like a rushing river, never to return. The sun, hanging high, gradually sank westward. The crimson dusk blazed like a ruby, a masterpiece of nature’s craftsmanship.

Master Yi opened his eyes, glanced at the sky, then went to the river to splash cool water on his face. Wiping the droplets with a white towel from his chest pocket, he was just finishing when Lu Zhe, beneath a tree behind him, suddenly opened his eyes wide. Brilliant light flashed from them, a wave of energy erupted from his body, scattering leaves on the ground. Moments later, the light dimmed, and Lu Zhe stood tall with a greatly renewed spirit, radiant and dignified.

As Lu Zhe rose, Master Yi finished wiping his face and tucked the towel away. He took a quick, sharp breath just as Lu Zhe approached, smiling radiantly. “Master, I have advanced another level.”

Master Yi nodded approvingly. “Good. But don’t get arrogant, understand?”

Lu Zhe nodded firmly. “I understand.”

Master Yi turned to him, eyes flickering. “Zhe’er, how much time remains until the day of your wager?”

Lu Zhe thought for a moment. “About ten months, less than that.”

Master Yi nodded and asked, “And what do you estimate about Shangguan Yijing’s current level?”

This question made Lu Zhe ponder deeply. After a while, he guessed, “Her cultivation talent surpasses mine. By now, she’s probably reached the Grand Spirit Master rank.”

Master Yi nodded. “You’re probably right. She’s truly a top-tier talent. I heard from Elder Ye San that she is the young sect leader of your country’s foremost sect and also the cherished daughter of the Shangguan family.”

“That’s right,” Lu Zhe replied honestly. “She is the young sect leader of the Wind-Riding Sect, the largest sect in our country, and the Shangguan family’s heiress.”

“Oh?” Master Yi folded his hands behind his back, murmuring thoughtfully.

“Do you think you can defeat her at your current level?” Master Yi asked.

Lu Zhe considered and shook his head. “I don’t know. The saying goes, ‘Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never lose a battle.’ I know myself well, but I know nothing about her. Our wager was made on a whim in anger. Since then, I have devoted all my energy to training and have never seen her again.”

“Do you regret it?” Master Yi asked with a smile.

Lu Zhe shook his head. “No, I never regret. Regret is useless. Instead of obsessing over mistakes, it’s better to find ways to correct them.”

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“Good, very good. Truly a man’s man,” Master Yi said with satisfaction, even showing a trace of admiration. Then he sighed softly. “I don’t mean to discourage you, but from what I know, that girl, Shangguan Yijing, has already reached the Grand Spirit Master level ahead of you. If I’m right, besides her excellent talent, she likely has a pill master secretly aiding her, just like me. By the time your wager comes, I bet she will have reached two to three stars beyond with the help of elixirs.”

Lu Zhe’s eyes flicked around thoughtfully. “I understand. I’ve heard that the Wind-Riding Sect has close ties not only with the royal family but also with our country’s Pill Masters’ Guild. Having a pill master’s secret assistance is inevitable and not surprising.”

Hearing this, Master Yi’s gaze flickered. “Do you resent that I haven’t given you any elixirs to boost your strength?”

Lu Zhe gave a wry smile and sincerely said, “No. Though I have thought about quick methods, I realize they often stunt growth and carry side effects. Such shortcuts would be counterproductive.”

Master Yi chuckled and then asked, “Do you know why pill masters are respected?”

Lu Zhe looked puzzled. “Isn’t it because we save lives and help the sick?”

Master Yi shook his head with a smile. “Not exactly. While we do heal and save lives, the main reason is that we understand the human body deeply. Beyond making life-saving medicine, we can refine elixirs that enhance strength without harming the body.”

Hearing this, Lu Zhe’s eyes suddenly lit up. He quickly asked, “Master, do you have elixirs that can directly boost rank and power?”

Master Yi smiled mysteriously. “Of course, and their quality is guaranteed genuine.”

“Then hurry and show me!” Lu Zhe said eagerly.

Master Yi laughed and flicked his left sleeve. An unadorned scroll, exuding an ancient aura, slid out. With his right hand, he tossed it to Lu Zhe.

“Why is it a prescription?” Lu Zhe asked, puzzled as he took the scroll.

“If you want it, take it. Don’t start nitpicking,” Master Yi snapped, annoyed. He hated those who got a bargain but complained.

Though a bit disappointed, Lu Zhe hurriedly unrolled the scroll. At the top were four large characters: Lesser Spirit Pattern Pill!