Supreme Sword Exalt

Elder Wu and Elder Feng exchanged glances but said nothing. They understood that the matter concerning Gu Han earlier was merely a minor interlude. Building momentum for Du Teng was the main purpose of today’s banquet.

Jiang Hong observed everyone’s expressions, “As you all know, the Upper Sect rarely interferes in the Ten Nations’ martial academies’ operations. Thus, although the various martial academies share the same lineage and are interconnected, rivalry among them was inevitable.

“However, ever since the founding emperor departed years ago, the Great Qi Martial Academy’s situation has been deteriorating day by day, over the past decades. We have also been at a disadvantage in previous competitions. Haven’t you all thought about the reason why?”

His words made a group of instructors’ faces turn red in embarrassment, especially Mei Yun. He almost wanted to find a hole in the ground to crawl into. Elder Wu and Elder Feng also frowned deeply upon hearing this. They had vaguely guessed what Jiang Hong intended to do.

Quite satisfied with everyone’s reaction, Jiang Hong declared, “Everyone’s too weak! And it’s not individuals who are weak, but the overall strength. From the instructors down to the students—everyone is a level weaker than the other martial academies.”

Mei Yun was about to die from embarrassment. Among the martial academy instructors, he was indeed the weakest.

After seeing the desired effect was achieved, Jiang Hong’s tone softened. “Of course, you aren’t weak because your aptitudes are lacking, but because you lack the external resources for cultivation. Essence crystals, pills, dao artifacts... these things are now the most important means to enhance your strength.”

The somewhat discouraged group felt a surge of spirit. Right! The reason we can’t compare to others is precisely because we lack these things!

Fatty curled his lip in disdain. “Tsk tsk. Strength built up with pills and artifacts is as flimsy as paper. That Redhead is up to no good.”

Elder Wu and Elder Feng, as well as Han Fu, frowned even more deeply. External resources for cultivation were indeed important, as they could improve a cultivator’s strength significantly in a short time. Still, any medicine, when overused, turned into poison.

Over-reliance on these things over time would inevitably lead to a dependent mindset, and foster habits of cutting corners. It would eventually render a cultivator useless—one with a realm but no sharpness or battle prowess to speak of.

The three grew furious because Jiang Hong was intentionally leading everyone astray. He was undoubtedly undermining the foundation of the martial academy.

Seeing the time was ripe, Jiang Hong stepped back, allowing Du Teng to take center stage. “This is my Uncle-Master Du. He is one of the three vice presidents of the Yuqing Sect’s Alchemy Institute. He is proficient in both the Alchemy and Poison paths. Throughout the entire Yuqing Sect, only two or three can compare to him.”

Proficient in both Alchemy and Poison paths? Could it be... Connecting this with Jiang Hong’s previous words, the group had a thought, and sure enough...

Jiang Hong surveyed the crowd. “Starting tomorrow, my Uncle-Master will remain in the capital, presiding over the Treasure Pavilion. In the coming period, he will continuously fire up the pill furnace to refine a batch of True Essence Pills. Every student of this martial academy can receive two pills for free.”

The True Essence Pill was abundant in spirit power, with the effect of calming the mind and focusing spirit. They were the most suitable pills for low-level cultivators to consume. A single pill was often sold for three to four thousand essence crystals. With over one hundred and thirty martial academy students, two pills each amounted to nearly a million essence crystals.

A grand gesture! The group secretly gasped in astonishment. As expected of someone from the Upper Sect, his vision and boldness were truly different!

In the distance, Gu Han’s eyes flickered, as if hesitating about something. He suddenly looked at Jiang Feng, his expression serious. “Brother Jiang, do me a favor.”

Jiang Feng swallowed hard, his face pale. “Wha-what...? Brother Gu, let’s not—”

If Gu Han was about to cause trouble again, Jiang Feng wouldn’t be able to endure it!

Gu Han instead patted Jiang Feng’s shoulder. “When collecting the pills, remember to collect my share too. I’m afraid they hold a grudge against me and would deliberately not give them to me.”

Jiang Feng was dumbfounded.

Nearby, Elder Wu and Elder Feng almost lost their composure on the spot. Now they saw it. That little girl’s brain wasn’t quite right because of his bad influence!

Fatty sneered. “Do you not have any shame? What kind of rubbish is that True Essence Pill? You have millions of essence crystals on you, and you still care about this?”

Gu Han glanced at him. “What? You don’t care?”

Fatty said arrogantly, “Nonsense. Not to mention two pills, even twenty thousand pills, I wouldn’t give them a second glance.”

Gu Han patted Jiang Feng again. “Good then! Give me Fatty’s share too!”

Fatty was speechless.

At this moment, the people in the venue were also all smiles. Although two True Essence Pills were not something of priceless value, which fool would turn down a free benefit?

The crowd expressed their gratitude in unison. “Thank you, Elder Du!”

Du Teng waved his hand, finally saying in a tone that carried a deeper meaning, “No need for thanks. My nephew is deeply favored by my senior brother. Since he hails from Great Qi, I must take good care of him as his Uncle-Master!”

Elder Wu and Elder Feng’s hearts sank. This is bad!

There was no way they could stop such an overt scheme laid bare. Sure enough, the way everyone stared at Jiang Hong once again held a trace of added respect.

Du Teng said again, “It’s just True Essence Pills, they are nothing! Very well, since my nephew is here, I might as well give you all another benefit!”

There’s more?! The group felt a surge of joy.

Du Teng said slowly, “In a few days, it will be the martial academy trial. When you venture deep into the Wild Forest, you will all encounter some danger, more or less. Alright then, aside from the True Essence Pills, I will also bestow each of you one poison pill. This pill, which was meticulously refined by me, will kill any demonic beast below Tier 4 upon contact.”

The crowd drew in a sharp breath. Tier 4 demonic beasts were equivalent to human Essence Gathering realm experts. How powerful must this pill be?! If the previous True Essence Pills were small favors, then this poison pill was truly a valuable item that couldn’t even be bought with essence crystals!

“Elder Du is so generous!”

“Truly worthy of a senior from the Upper Sect!”

“Elder Du, rest assured, from now on, we will follow the Eldest Prince’s lead!”

A round of flattery added a few more smiles to Jiang Hong’s face. Elder Wu and Elder Feng’s hearts sank completely.

Yu Hua also seized the opportunity to step forward, lavishing praise. “Hehe. If Elder Du’s alchemy skills are peerless, then his poison skills can be called unmatched. Never mind the capital, even if you search across the Ten Nations and bundle all those rogue cultivator alchemists together, they couldn’t compare to a single hair on Elder Du’s head!”

“That’s right!”

“How can those people compare to Elder Du?”

“Exactly, in my opinion, only Divine Physician Xue can be mentioned in the same sentence as Elder Du.”

Divine Physician Xue was also extremely famous. Naturally, everyone unconsciously compared him to Du Teng.

Hearing this name, Du Teng’s originally smiling face suddenly turned cold. “Xue Mao? I know of this person. Hmph, he’s nothing but a fraud who seeks fame and is hypocritical.

“Years ago, the Institute Head invited him to our Alchemy Institute, but he refused outright. He’s simply ungrateful! I originally came this time intending to spar with him. A pity, a true pity, he disappeared without reason. What a shame!”

Yu Hua said with a smile, “Elder Du, Xue Mao refusing the Alchemy Institute’s invitation is his loss. Moreover, this time... hehe, I’m afraid he didn’t disappear without reason. Rather, upon hearing the news of Elder Du’s arrival in the capital, he was so scared he hid away.”

“Instructor Yu has a point!”

“Divine Physician Xue is quite skilled, but how can he be compared to Elder Du?”

“Exactly! Besides, obtaining a single pill from Divine Physician Xue’s place is like pulling teeth! Compared to that, Elder Du is so generous. The difference in their characters is indeed apparent.”

For a time, many followed Yu Hua’s lead, as they saw the situation clearly. Du Teng and Divine Physician Xue were at odds, and by disparaging Divine Physician Xue a few words, they could win Du Teng’s favor. They wouldn’t miss this golden opportunity. No one cared about the truth.

Jiang Feng’s face turned green. His fists were clenched tightly as his eyes almost shot lasers. Divine Physician Xue had stayed in the capital for twenty years, extending Jiang Feng’s life for just as long. In his heart, Divine Physician Xue was irreplaceable!

He glowered fiercely at those who slandered Divine Physician Xue. “These scoundrels are shameless!”

For him to say such words, his rage had reached its peak.

\Elder Wu and Elder Feng also sighed, suddenly feeling disheartened. With a group like this, does the Great Qi Martial Academy still have a future...?

Even Ah Sha felt the spirit food she was eating wasn’t fragrant anymore. “Young Master, they’re truly detestable! Grandfather Xue isn’t the kind of person they say at all!”

Gu Han was full of sarcasm. “It can’t be helped. They’ve already abandoned all shame.”

He prepared to step forward directly.

Elder Wu and Elder Feng were startled. “Kid, what are you doing? Don’t cause trouble again.”

Gu Han shook his head. “Deputy Deans, I cannot stand by and let these people slander Senior Xue!”

“You know Xue Mao?”

“He has shown me great kindness.”

“But... even if you step forward, what can you do?”

Gu Han thought for a moment, then deliberately said in an especially loud voice, “I can do a lot. For example, I think the quality of this poison pill is questionable. It simply can’t poison demonic beasts to death. The one who seeks fame and is a fraud isn’t Senior Xue, but a certain someone...”

The entire venue instantly fell silent.

Cold sweat broke out on Elder Wu and Elder Feng’s backs. A certain someone... Could you be any more specific?

Fatty was stunned for a moment, then stared at Chief Steward Li and Jiang Feng, sighing with emotion. “Good heavens... Look at him, then look at you two. Tsk tsk, this is what you call having balls.”

Chief Steward Li’s face darkened. “Fucking fatty, what did you say?!”

Fatty wore a mischievous smile, apologizing with no sincerity. “Sorry, sorry! It was a slip of the tongue...”

Du Teng, who had been overjoyed listening to everyone’s flattery, instantly became extremely gloomy. His eyes were fixed dead on Gu Han. “It’s you again! You brat! Don’t think I don’t dare to kill you. If you have the nerve, repeat what you just said!”

Gu Han nodded. “Alright, listen clearly. I think your poison pill has problems. Poisoning demonic beasts to death or whatever is just a joke!”

Du Teng laughed in anger. “Can’t poison them? In all my years of researching poison techniques, this is the first time someone has said such a thing to me. You say it can’t poison them? Then, how about you taste it yourself?”

Unexpectedly, Gu Han agreed without even thinking. “Sure thing!”