Chapter 35
C35 – Pill Appraisal
With the system’s assistance, Wang Shan had achieved the rank of a Two-star Pill Refining Master. Yet, his ID still listed him as a One-star Cultivator, with no mention of his newfound mastery in pill refining. During another visit to the black market, Wang Shan stumbled upon a help-seeking stall. These stalls weren’t for selling goods; rather, the owners typically sought assistance from someone with formidable abilities.
Approaching the stall, Wang Shan noticed a richly dressed young woman in search of a Pill Refining Master. She had acquired a pill valued at a million but feared it might be counterfeit, hence her quest for an expert’s verification. The woman was offering a generous reward of two hundred thousand for the service, a sum that sparked envy among the onlookers. The mere thought of earning such a reward for a simple authentication was tantalizing. They all wished they were Pill Refining Masters.
Freshly advanced to the rank of a Two-star Pill Refining Master, Wang Shan was eager to put his skills to the test. However, before he could step forward, a woman in red had preemptively taken on the task. “I am the daughter of the Pill King. Allow me to do the appraisal,” she declared with a boldness that matched her vibrant attire. Her revelation commanded immediate respect from the crowd.
She introduced herself as Qin Meimei, the 15-year-old daughter of Wang Chun. Qin Meimei had been blessed with prodigious talent in alchemy from a young age, and under the meticulous tutelage of the Pill King, she had become a One-star Pill Refining Master by fifteen. After accepting the task, she presented her ID to the affluent woman, the One-star Pill Refining Master insignia clearly validating her capabilities.
“Excellent, I would appreciate your help in appraising this pill,” the wealthy woman said, her voice laced with reverence for the Pill Refining Master. She then produced an ornate wooden box, its opulence suggesting the contents were of considerable value. Qin Meimei peered inside and immediately recognized the pill—a High Grade Yang Returning Pill, exuding a potent scent of medicinal herbs.
The Yang Returning Pill was no ordinary item. While it couldn’t assist cultivators in breaking through their bottlenecks, it was capable of sustaining their lives in the face of imminent death.
Qin Meimei scrutinized the Yang Returning Pill with great attention. After thorough verification, she reached a verdict.
“This Yang Returning Pill is authentic, crafted by the hands of a Two-star Pill Refining Master. It’s not just a life extender; it also enhances physical strength!” she declared.
Upon hearing this, the wealthy young woman breathed a sigh of relief. She had procured the Yang Returning Pill to prolong her father’s life and had spared no expense in having it appraised. Knowing now that it was genuine, she could truly rest easy.
As the young woman was about to compensate Qin Meimei for her services, a voice from the crowd interrupted, “That pill is a counterfeit.”
Wang Shan stepped forward, instantly becoming the center of attention amidst the sea of onlookers.
The crowd was in awe of Wang Shan’s audacity. To challenge the Pill King’s daughter in such a way was tantamount to a death wish!
“On what grounds do you claim this Yang Returning Pill is fake?” Qin Meimei, accustomed to adulation as the Pill King’s daughter, had never before been subjected to such skepticism.
Wang Shan approached the young woman and gestured towards the pill in her hand. “A genuine Yang Returning Pill would be luminous, never dull.”
Qin Meimei was taken aback by Wang Shan’s assertion. How could he possibly know the details of the Pill King’s secret manual—a closely guarded family treasure?
This manual was the culmination of her father, Wang Chun’s, lifelong knowledge. Merely glancing at it would normally earn her a stern reprimand!