The Second Elder's tone was utterly natural, as if hunger naturally called for food.
The bewildered crowd brought the medicinal ingredients, and the Second Elder got to work.
Half an hour later.
The furnace was lit, and the pills were formed.
Looking at the more than ten perfect-grade Duan Qi Pills at the bottom of the furnace, Grandpa Wang and the others were completely stunned…
Then, the Second Elder refined another furnace of Grade Eight pills using Grade Four medicinal ingredients.
This time, Grandpa Wang and the others weren't just stunned.
Their worldviews had collapsed…
Suddenly, they remembered what the two elders had said before.
Medicinal ingredients of Grade Three and Four were mere common goods, not rare at all.
As long as one was willing to spend money, they could be bought.
It turned out that what the seniors had said about spending money to buy medicinal ingredients to refine Grade Seven and Eight pills was true…
They could indeed buy them with money…
At the time, they had thought the two seniors were boasting.
Now, it seemed.
They were just too ignorant…
Witnessing this historic moment with their own eyes, Liang Dekuai was so happy his nose bubbles were almost bursting!
As long as these imperial alchemists and the two seniors studied diligently, the expansion of the Great Liang Kingdom's territory would be just around the corner!
From that day on, the two elders were treated like ancestors.
And the tragic lives of Grandpa Wang and the others truly began.
Although the Second Elder was polite and friendly in daily life, like a kind neighbor,
once he assumed the role of a teacher, he was unusually stern!
Grandpa Wang and the others were scolded fiercely every day, and they even almost cried several times…
The Second Elder was also frustrated.
These people were simply too stupid!
Even more foolish than his own disappointing disciple in the Ziyun Sect!
Things that were clearly simple, they just couldn't learn.
In contrast, Master Xie Yan was much more relaxed.
He spent his days tinkering with mutated ants, having a great time.
However, later, Master Xie Yan seemed to be no longer content with just playing with ants…
In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.
For the imperial palace, it was a disastrous half-month…
For example, one day, a concubine in the harem woke up to find no one around her.
When she curiously stepped out, she found the maids serving her dancing naked in the courtyard…
Their expressions were contorted, a mix of smiles and tears…
After a period of frantic efforts, the truth was uncovered.
It turned out that the previous night, a cockroach with hundreds of legs had crawled into the maids' rooms and bitten each of them…
Or, for instance, one day, while patrolling, the guards saw a shadow flash by.
The guards, thinking there was an assassin, rushed to capture them.
However, upon turning a corner, they were knocked out from behind.
According to witnesses afterward, they saw an unidentified creature that resembled a donkey yet not a pig, with two large pincers, leaving the area where the guards were attacked…
Or, one night, Liang Dekuai groggily woke up from his sleep.
He saw a gorilla-like creature busy with something above his head.
His bed and blankets were covered in strands of hair…
The next day, Liang Dekuai attended court wearing a wig…
…
In short, from the emperor and his consorts down to the palace maids and eunuchs, everyone was complaining bitterly…
Finally, after extensive investigation, the source of all troubles was traced to the Second Elder and Master Xie Yan.
Witnesses claimed to have often heard strange laughter coming from their residence, and various bizarre creatures could be seen entering and exiting from time to time…
Ultimately, Liang Dekuai chose to endure it silently…
What else could he do?
For the sake of the Great Liang Kingdom, he had to endure it…
After all, they were just trying to scare people, and no actual damage had been caused…
In fact, not to mention no actual damage,
even if the two of them had dismantled the entire imperial palace, he would have had to endure it…
Endure it he did, but Liang Dekuai still decided to visit the Pill Pavilion.
He wanted to see how the alchemists' studies were progressing.
As soon as he reached the outside of the Pill Pavilion, Liang Dekuai heard the Second Elder's scolding.
Although not particularly harsh, the criticism was extremely sharp, making one feel utterly ashamed…
Liang Dekuai instinctively shrunk his neck: The Great Liang Kingdom will remember your contributions!
Just then, the Second Elder and Master Xie Yan also came out.
Several strange creatures followed behind them…
"Your Majesty the Emperor," the two greeted with smiles.
"Greetings, two seniors," Liang Dekuai replied, steeling himself.
Although it wasn't the first time he had seen Master Xie Yan, he still found it difficult to look directly at him.
It wasn't that he was afraid.
He just felt uncomfortable…
"Huh?" The Second Elder suddenly walked a few steps closer: "Your Majesty, there's a green light lingering on your forehead?"
"That's right," Master Xie Yan said, staring at Liang Dekuai's forehead. "Have you been overworking yourself lately? You should take care of your health."
"Thank you for the reminder, two seniors," Liang Dekuai forced a smile.
He had indeed been busy with state affairs and was a bit tired.
He appreciated their concern.
But could they please not use phrases like "your forehead is glowing green"?
Because of how they said it, he truly couldn't feel any gratitude at all.
Especially since the two elders spoke with such sincere tones and expressions, which made Liang Dekuai even more depressed.
Unintentional words were the most hurtful…
That night.
The two elders were in their private courtyard in the palace.
The young palace maids assigned to attend to their daily needs stood on duty, trembling.
The past half-month had been an ordeal for them…
They had not only heard about the incidents in the palace, but some had even experienced them…
And they were even more terrifying than the rumors…
Especially having to listen to the 'hehehe… hehehe…!' laughter from inside the rooms every night…
Every moment, their minds were on the verge of collapse…
When people are afraid, they often do things to distract themselves.
"Have you heard? Concubine Li in the harem has been seriously ill for the past few days. The imperial physicians have tried everything, but she can't be cured."
One young palace maid said to another.
"I've heard something about that," the other replied. "It's said that Concubine Li is close to death. If something happens to Concubine Li, those who served her will be in deep trouble…"
Mid-sentence, the second palace maid suddenly stopped.
Her face filled with terror as she looked ahead.
The first palace maid looked over in confusion and saw that the two elders had somehow appeared behind them.
And behind the two elders, several bizarre creatures were following…
Her legs immediately went weak…
"Is what you just said true?" the Second Elder asked curiously.
"W-we…" The two young palace maids were so scared they couldn't speak.
Master Xie Yan thought for a moment and understood.
Perhaps the Second Elder's tone had been too urgent and had frightened the two girls.
"Is what you were just saying true?" Master Xie Yan asked with a kind smile.
"W-we…"
The two young palace maids were on the verge of tears…