Chapter Fifty-Five: A Surprise Attack?

In the depths of the extreme southern lands, within a secluded pavilion, an elder exuding an extraordinary aura was seated in deep meditation. Suddenly, a flicker of surprise crossed his face. With a slight movement, he vanished from the pavilion and appeared outside, his eyes narrowing as he gazed toward the direction of the Frozen Valley.

"Chu Nan," the elder called softly, his voice carrying into another pavilion nearby.

Before long, a middle-aged man appeared behind him, bowing respectfully. "Chu Nan greets the Grand Elder. May I ask what instructions you have?"

"Who is overseeing the disciple recruitment trial this time?" the elder asked indifferently.

"The Second Elder is in charge," replied Chu Nan.

"Is that so? Does he not realize that a high-ranked sixth-grade alchemist has infiltrated the trial?" the elder said in a low voice.

Chu Nan was taken aback. "Grand Elder, do you mean a sixth-grade alchemist has joined the disciple recruitment trial?"

"What, you don't believe me?" the elder raised an eyebrow.

"I wouldn't dare! It's just... it seems rather far-fetched," Chu Nan quickly lowered his head.

"But it's the truth. He's already on the verge of forming a pill, triggering the Pill Lightning that only appears with high-grade sixth-level elixirs. That's why I sensed it. Go to the trial grounds now and bring him back to the sect," the elder ordered.

"Yes, I'll see to it immediately!" Chu Nan responded at once, then flew out of the sect.

The elder squinted toward the Frozen Valley, muttering to himself, "A high-grade sixth-level... Daring to refine pills on my Snowveil Sect's territory without permission? Then remain here forever and refine pills for us!"

...

Meanwhile, Chen Xiang was fully focused on polishing the nascent pill.

Once the pill embryo was formed, spiritual energy would be infused, then the flames would temper and round it out, resulting in a completed elixir.

Yet one thing Chen Xiang did not know was that from high-grade sixth-level pills onward, Pill Lightning would be triggered upon completion. As long as the pill withstood the lightning, it would be perfectly formed, with a chance to be further enhanced in quality.

But pills were so fragile; very few could survive the Pill Lightning. Thus, an alchemist or a protector was needed to shield the pill from the thunder.

Chen Xiang was nearly finished, but his ambitions did not stop at merely completing the pill. With his temporary sixth-grade alchemist skills, he aimed to inscribe pill patterns and create a supreme-grade elixir.

"Snap!"

With a sharp slap, Chen Xiang knocked the lid off the furnace. The pill shot into the air with a whoosh, but Chen Xiang was prepared. He summoned a massive crystalline flame hand, seizing the pill instantly.

"Trying to escape, eh? Let me give you a fancy new look!" Chen Xiang grinned wickedly.

He began etching pill patterns, conjuring another giant hand, this one holding a brush made of crystalline flame.

Without hesitation, he directed the fiery hand to draw patterns upon the pill.

...

Li Qiner looked as though she had seen a ghost. "Is... is that even possible?"

After watching Chen Xiang refine a pill, she felt as though everything she had learned about alchemy had been taught to a dog—perhaps she'd studied a fake art all along!

Moments later, the pill patterns were complete. Bathed in spiritual energy, the pill was nurtured. With a beckoning motion, Chen Xiang summoned the pill into his hand and stashed it in a jade bottle he had prepared.

Before he could speak, a bolt of thunder crashed down upon his head.

"Huh?"

The lightning left Chen Xiang charred on the outside and tender on the inside, his hair frizzled and his face covered in soot. He opened his mouth, and a puff of black smoke drifted out.

"Young master, are you—"

"Boom!"

Before Li Qiner could finish, another bolt of lightning struck him.

This time, Chen Xiang was furious. He grabbed the Coiling Dragon Staff as yet another bolt shot toward his back.

"Son of a—! What evil have I wrought to deserve this? Do you think I'm an easy target, sending thunder after thunder?" Chen Xiang cursed loudly, swinging the staff at the lightning.

With a swing, the lightning shattered and dissipated into sparks.

"Young master, this is Pill Lightning. High-grade sixth-level pills can sometimes attract it," Li Qiner quickly explained.

"You could've told me earlier! Damned system, you set me up again! Why didn't you warn me about the Pill Lightning?" Chen Xiang shouted.

"Ding. The pill recipe you exchanged for included a note. Please review it carefully," replied the system's cold voice.

Chen Xiang's lips twitched as he pulled out the recipe. At the bottom, it read: "Upon completion, there is an extremely low probability of an accidental phenomenon. Please proceed with caution."

Damn it! Chen Xiang flung the recipe to the ground. "How is that a warning? And I still managed to trigger the 'extremely low probability' event?"

"System, give me an Anti-Magic Cloak and a Banshee Veil!" he ordered.

"Ding. Congratulations, host 'Chen Xiang,' on exchanging three hundred reputation points for one 'Negative Cloak.'"

"Ding. Congratulations, host 'Chen Xiang,' on exchanging five hundred reputation points for one 'Banshee Veil.'"

...

With a flash, a strange gray cloak settled over Chen Xiang's shoulders, and a veil appeared in his hand.

He tied the veil to his arm. These two pieces of equipment granted him an extra one hundred and five magic resistance points. Surely, he could withstand the Pill Lightning now!

"Boom!"

...

Yet another muffled crack—the lightning crashed down upon Chen Xiang.

He didn't even bother to dodge. The bolt landed squarely on him, but the moment it touched the Negative Cloak, it vanished without a ripple.

Li Qiner stared at him in astonishment. What kind of robe was this, to be so powerful?

"Hahaha! Come on, is this all Pill Lightning has? So weak—should I summon a tribulation thunderstorm as well? Pathetic!" Chen Xiang laughed heartily.

Although the sky outside was hidden by the cave, Chen Xiang's voice echoed out.

The Rainbow-Spotted Eel, lurking nearby, sucked in a cold breath. "This brat is bold! Daring to provoke the Lightning Tribulation—impressive, but he doesn't even know where he might die!"

As if the thunderclouds above had heard him, the pressure in the air deepened, and lightning crashed down, one after another.

"Boom! Boom!"

Inside the cave, Chen Xiang sat lazily on the ground, waiting for the Pill Lightning to end. He didn't look at all like someone trying to withstand a perilous ordeal.

Shortly after, all eighteen bolts of lightning had fallen. This time, the Pill Lightning had triggered a Two-Nine Tribulation—nothing too formidable.

When the tribulation ended, Chen Xiang put away the Negative Cloak and Banshee Veil.

"Is that it? Just a little tickle. There were a few spots you missed," he muttered, pouting.

He turned and smiled at Li Qiner. "Qiner, I—"

"Boom!"

A sudden thunderbolt struck Chen Xiang out of nowhere.

"Ah..." He opened his mouth and a trail of black smoke floated out.

"Dammit!" Chen Xiang raged, pointing at the cave ceiling. "You sneaky tribulation! Attacking me from behind? Come down here if you have the guts! I'll take you on with one hand behind my back. What, not coming? Fine, I'll give you both hands! Or do you want me to keep my feet still too?"

Li Qiner was stunned. She had no idea why, even after the tribulation ended, another bolt appeared. But seeing Chen Xiang's state, she could only guess it was sheer exasperation.

To be continued...