The Eternal Supreme Chapter 3

After serving as a waitress at the Alchemists’ Association for several years, Lu Yao had developed a keen eye for people while interacting with the upper class. She immediately held Li Yunxiao in high regard, yet she was still caught off guard by the request he made next.

“I am searching for Yang Di. Is he present?” Yunxiao inquired casually, his gaze continuing to drift across the main hall.

“Yang… Lord Yang Di?!”

Lu Yao nearly tripped over her own words. She stared at the youth for a heartbeat. Though the request seemed preposterous, Yunxiao’s detached manner made her believe he was being entirely serious.

Feeling somewhat bewildered, she asked tentatively, “Are you referring to our former president, Lord Yang Di?”

Yunxiao’s brow furrowed slightly as he spoke with a hint of letdown, “Former president? Does that mean he is no longer here?”

A look of profound admiration instantly filled Lu Yao’s eyes. She pressed her palms together against her chest, her face flushing with excitement as she spoke dreamily, “Lord Yang Di achieved a breakthrough and became a fourth-tier Alchemist two decades ago. Because of that, he was promoted to the Alchemists’ Association headquarters.”

“Twenty years ago?”

Yunxiao calculated the timeline in his head. That would have been five years prior to his own demise; Yang Di would have departed from this place long ago. Without Yang Di’s assistance, unblocking his withered invisible Meridians would prove more challenging. His current physical form was fifteen years old, already past the prime age for Cultivation, and he could not afford further delays. If he didn't act now, even with future progress, he would never reclaim the peak power of Gu Feiyang, let alone surpass it.

In his past life, Gu Feiyang was worshipped across the Heavenly Martial Continent as a peerless genius of both Martial Arts and Alchemy! Not only was he a ninth-tier sovereign-grade Alchemist and one of the seven Elders of the Alchemists’ Association, but his Martial Dao also reached the summit of the Nine Heavens Realm. Consequently, the Holy City had bestowed upon him the title of ‘Vanquisher Martial Sovereign,’ ranking him among the top ten legends of the Heavenly Martial Realm.

“I have a list of medicinal ingredients here. Can you procure them for me? I require ten sets of every item.”

Yunxiao grabbed a pen and paper, quickly jotting down a list. Since Yang Di was unavailable, he had to find another path to mend his internal trauma. He couldn't let his martial training stagnate for even a second!

Lu Yao scanned the list and suddenly began to giggle. “Young Master, surely there is an error here? I have worked at the Alchemists’ Association for nearly four years, yet I have never heard of anything written on this page.”

Her remark caused Yunxiao some concern. He intended to brew a solution to refine his Meridians. Knowing this was merely a minor branch and that rare materials might be scarce, he had substituted several ingredients with alternatives. Even so, the result was disappointing.

“Lu Yao, what is happening here?”

Just then, a man clad in black robes approached. He wore the standard attire of an Alchemist, featuring a curved badge on his shoulder marked with a striking, vivid blood-red stripe. Everyone in the vicinity paused to offer respectful salutes. He walked with a composed, leisurely gait. Upon closer inspection, it was clear the onlookers were staring at his shoulder badge with envy and awe, rather than at the man himself.

Yunxiao narrowed his eyes, a small smile forming. It was the insignia of a first-tier Alchemist, a true mark of prestige. Throughout the Heavenly Martial Continent, anyone wearing that badge would be treated with immense deference. The ranking system for Alchemists mirrored that of warriors, consisting of nine tiers with identical titles. This man was evidently a first-tier Alchemist.

In his former life, Gu Feiyang was the supreme master who reached the Sovereign Realm in both the Martial and Alchemical paths!

Lu Yao turned, her eyes lingering on the red Alchemist badge. Showing a moment of reverence, she spoke politely, “Lord Jia Rong, this young gentleman provided a list and requested my help in gathering these materials.”

Jia Rong took the paper and gave it a cursory glance. After a moment, his forehead creased. He balled the paper up like trash and tossed it aside. He then addressed Lu Yao, “What a load of rubbish! Lord Liang is searching for you.”

Lu Yao’s heart jumped at the mention of Liang Wenyu. Not wanting to keep him waiting, she said urgently, “I shall go at once!”

She departed quickly, feeling a sense of relief. ‘If even Lord Jia Rong doesn't recognize those items, that boy must have been playing a prank. How ridiculous that I wasted so much energy on him!’

Yunxiao’s expression turned grim. In his previous life, the formulas he composed were beyond price; any one of them was worth a fortune. Now, one had been discarded like common refuse. He spoke in a freezing tone, “You are Jia Rong?”

Jia Rong stopped in his tracks, fury flashing in his eyes. ‘How dare a mere child address me by my name! Even the nobles of the capital call me "My Lord" when we meet!’

“It has been less than a week since you were certified as a first-tier Alchemist, has it not?” Yunxiao rested his left hand on his chest while tapping his nose with his right.

“Hmph, who do you think you are?” Jia Rong looked down at him with arrogance. “I was promoted to first-tier Alchemist exactly five days ago. That is public knowledge.”

“Are you entirely certain you actually earned that promotion?” Yunxiao asked with a knowing look.

Jia Rong’s frame shuddered slightly, a flicker of alarm crossing his eyes. “What are you implying?” he demanded hoarsely.

Yunxiao noted the man's right hand protruding from the black sleeve and began to explain with an amused glint in his eyes.

“Your fingertips have turned a leaden gray and the skin is starting to flake, clearly the result of recent contact with Hell Wind Stone. Furthermore, you carry the faint scent of Blood Flame Orchid, which I assume you used to counter the stone's toxicity. While Hell Wind Stone possesses incredible fusion properties, its side effects are dangerous. Most Alchemists wouldn't dare touch it.”

“Based on the damage to your hands and the lingering smell of the orchid, this happened within the last week. You also possess a subtle odor unique to Tiger Sulfur Stone, suggesting heavy exposure lately. It is obvious that your Alchemist trial involved forging an item using Tiger Sulfur Stone as the primary component.”

Jia Rong stood frozen, stunned into silence as cold sweat beaded on his brow. Suddenly, he erupted in anger, shouting, “Absolute nonsense!” With that, he turned to walk away.

Yunxiao sighed with a smirk. “Well, if Hell Wind Stone were that easy to use, everyone would be an Alchemist. Moreover, the side effects of Blood Flame Orchid are just as lethal as the stone itself. I expect you feel a sharp discomfort in the acupoints of your forehead, neck, and back every day at noon, don't you?”

Jia Rong’s body jerked as if struck by lightning. His feet felt as though they were encased in lead, making it impossible to take another step.

Yunxiao shook his head with a look of mock pity. “Such a waste of a promising Alchemist. If you wish to survive, you will have to sever your right hand and shatter your Dantian.”

“You… stop this fearmongering!” Jia Rong began to tremble uncontrollably.

“Fine, have it your way. I was going to provide a solution.” Yunxiao shrugged and turned to leave.

“You have a cure?!”

Jia Rong reacted instantly, lunging forward to block Yunxiao’s path. He cried out desperately, “Tell me! Tell me now!”

For several days, he had endured the exact agony Yunxiao described. He had secretly used the forbidden Hell Wind Stone just to pass his Alchemist exam, but the symptoms appeared that very night. His right hand had begun to lose all sensation, terrifying him. He had scoured ancient texts for a fix, only finding a method to dull the poison using Blood Flame Orchid.

However, the orchid only provided temporary relief, and his hand was slowly dying. Even worse, the orchid’s own toxins were taking root; every midday, his three acupoints burned with a searing heat that caused unbearable pain!

If this persisted, his Dantian would be ruined and his Cultivation lost forever! Losing his Dantian was one thing—it just meant the end of his martial path. But if his right hand was lost, his life as an Alchemist was over! He could not accept that, especially not now that he had finally attained his rank.

He had tasted the prestige and the envy of his peers; he was desperate to hold onto his status!

“Please, I beg you, tell me the solution!” Jia Rong gripped Yunxiao’s shoulder with his left hand, his voice shaking as he bordered on tears.

The hall was still busy with people moving back and forth, and many watched the scene in shock. Though they couldn't hear the words, Jia Rong’s frantic behavior and tearful face drew many stares, leading the crowd to wonder about the identity of the young man he was pleading with.

Yunxiao opened his hands and acted surprised. “Oh? Where did my list of materials go? I can't find it. Have you seen it?”

Jia Rong froze for a second before looking toward the crumpled ball of paper he had tossed away. Realizing what Yunxiao wanted, he said quickly, “It is right there! Just a moment, I will retrieve it for you!”

Disregarding the shocked onlookers, he scurried over and leaned down to pick up the paper. He could hear the whispers of the crowd, and his face burned with embarrassment. He wished he could simply vanish into the floor.

‘I will get the cure first, then I will make him pay for this shame!’

He ground his teeth in fury, his eyes simmering with spite. Outwardly, however, he maintained a humble facade. He carefully smoothed out the paper and presented it to Yunxiao.

Yunxiao took the paper with total indifference. He blew his nose into it several times, balled it up again, and tossed it back onto the floor. “I require ten batches of everything on that list. When you have collected them, find me at Jialan Academy. My name is Li Yunxiao.”

“You!” Jia Rong felt a wave of nausea and rage as he looked at the snot-covered list lying in the dirt.

Yunxiao looked at him with a cold smirk. “Respect isn't something given; it must be earned. And you lost mine the moment you opened your mouth!”