Apologies to everyone — yesterday there was only one update. I really couldn't manage more. If it were just a regular cold, I could have pushed through and kept to my usual schedule, but yesterday I was completely drained, drowsy, and shivering all over. I just couldn't concentrate. After getting an IV drip yesterday, I came home and collapsed straight into bed, sleeping until evening before I finally felt a bit better. There won't be any missed updates today, though I still need to go back for another IV drip later.
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Lost. Utterly and completely defeated!
The moment that second spirit pill bearing pill patterns appeared before his eyes, Zuo De knew this loss was entirely without excuse.
Yang Kai had not only succeeded in refining two pills in a single attempt, but one of them had even manifested pill patterns. This level of skill was something Zuo De could never hope to match, no matter how hard he tried.
Only now did the defiant look finally fade from Zuo De's face, replaced by an air of dejection. He took a deep breath, placed the patterned pill into a jade bottle, cupped his fists toward Yang Kai, and spoke in a low voice: "Master Yang's skill is truly divine — Zuo De concedes!"
Yang Kai regarded Zuo De with mild surprise, not expecting him to say something like this. Given the stubbornness the old man had shown moments ago and his track record, Yang Kai had assumed he would never admit defeat so easily. Yet here was the ending he had settled on.
With a slight nod, Yang Kai replied evenly, "You flatter me."
When the other alchemists saw Zuo De treating Yang Kai with such respect, none dared slack off. They all cupped their fists and said: "Greetings, Master Yang. We were blind before — if we offended you in any way, please forgive us."
Yang Kai smiled. "No harm done when one doesn't know better."
This magnanimous demeanor only won him more goodwill in their hearts.
Setting everything else aside, Yang Kai was already a two-stage Void King Realm powerhouse, a man whose personal martial strength was ranked among the very best across the entire Star Domain. Combined with his status as a Void King Realm alchemist, one could argue he was the single most valuable and revered person in all the Star Domain — and no one would object.
What was truly remarkable was his broad-mindedness. He bore no grudge over their earlier disrespect, and that was the mark of a true master.
He put Zuo De's reputation-seeking antics to shame without even trying.
"Ling'er. Apologize to the Master." After conceding defeat, Zuo De seemed to have undergone a complete change of character. Not only had he straightened out his own attitude, but he also instructed his granddaughter to offer her apologies.
Zuo Ling made a face of reluctance and shyly ducked behind Zuo De's back.
Zuo De was about to scold her, but Yang Kai simply laughed it off. "She's just a child who doesn't know any better. Master Zuo, don't be too hard on her — I've already put it out of my mind."
A complicated look flickered through Zuo De's eyes. He nodded and said, "Meeting Master Yang today has shown me just how many shortcomings I have. I've learned my lesson."
After a pause, he turned to Ao and said, "President Ao, I wish to enter closed cultivation for a year or two. Once I emerge, I will fulfill my wager with Master Yang on schedule each year. For now, I'll take my leave!"
With that, he returned the pills Yang Kai had refined, and without waiting for Ao's response, led Zuo Ling toward the exit.
Ao didn't try to stop them. He simply said, "Take care, Master."
He knew Zuo De had no face left to stay. The fact that he had sincerely apologized to Yang Kai and corrected his mindset was already impressive enough. Lingering any longer would only make things awkward. For someone who had been famous as long as Zuo De, there was still the matter of pride to preserve.
"Master, wait for me!" When Zhan Yuan saw Zuo De leaving, he didn't dare stay a moment longer. He hurried after him, shouting at the top of his lungs. He had opposed Yang Kai at every turn, hurling sarcasm without end, and now his stomach twisted with regret.
If he had known Yang Kai possessed such abilities, how could he have been so blind? He would have been fawning over him instead.
Watching Zuo De's retreating figure — looking somehow withered and aged — Yang Kai let out a quiet sigh.
Ao stepped forward and asked, "Master Yang, why the sigh?"
After witnessing Yang Kai's alchemy, Ao's address had changed immediately. "Brother" was a term of closeness, but "Master" was a title of genuine respect. Yang Kai's standing in Ao's eyes had undergone a seismic shift.
A Void King Realm mid-grade spirit pill bearing pill patterns — across the entire Star Domain, this was the only alchemist capable of such a feat. And Ao had heard that Yang Kai was on good terms with Xue Yue. This visit to Water Moon Star had been made specifically to see her. Ao was already turning over in his mind how he might convince Yang Kai to stay with the Heng Luo Chamber of Commerce.
A man like this was worth ten times more than keeping Zuo De on retainer.
"I was sighing for Master Zuo De," Yang Kai said calmly.
"Hmm?" Ao didn't understand. "What do you mean?"
"Master Zuo De's Alchemy Dao will likely never advance another step for the rest of his life," Yang Kai said slowly, shaking his head.
Ao's expression shifted. He thought for a moment, then suddenly seemed to understand. "You mean the Dao Sound of Alchemy from earlier?"
"Yes. Master Zuo De had questioned the Voice of the Heavenly Dao. Fortunately, he came to his senses in time. Otherwise, his entire body of alchemical knowledge would have been destroyed, and he would have been cast out of the Alchemical Dao, unable to refine pills ever again."
Ao's blood ran cold. "The Dao Sound of Alchemy — it can actually do that?"
Yang Kai looked at him with a smile. "If you were cast out of the Martial Dao, President Ao, your foundation would be completely destroyed as well."
Ao's face turned serious. "Should the Heavenly Sound of the Martial Dao ever resound before me one day, I will certainly not let the opportunity slip. I will devote myself to comprehending it fully."
"The Heavenly Sound of the Martial Dao…" Yang Kai shook his head slowly. "That is far too distant a dream."
This time, having triggered the Dao Sound of Alchemy had caught him completely off guard. He had never expected it to happen. Since his opponent was a Void King Realm alchemist and the pills being refined were Void King Realm mid-grade spirit pills, Yang Kai had simply been focused on giving his all without overthinking it.