Godslayer: Reincarnated with SSS Rank Cultivation System-Chapter 81: Cunning Fox Strikes Again

The entire place was filled with the sweet scent of freshly baked pills. The fragrance was so intoxicating that Wen Ran didn’t even notice when a little drool slipped from the corner of his mouth. He was pleased to receive such a treasure so easily, but at the same time, something about it felt too simple, too convenient.

His suspicion gnawed at him, but no matter how much he scrutinized his master, he couldn’t detect anything out of the ordinary. The old man’s calm demeanor betrayed no hint of deceit. Still, Wen Ran tucked the pill away carefully, masking his unease. He bowed respectfully.

"Thank you for your lesson, master," Wen Ran said, his voice sincere. "But this junior is still confused about something. Would you mind clarifying it for me?"

A hidden smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he spoke, a subtle fox-like gleam in his eyes. This time, even the old man felt a strange sensation, as though his mind were playing tricks on him. The fox tail behind Wen Ran seemed to flicker in his thoughts, but he shook it off as a fleeting hallucination.

The old man’s expression shifted slightly, his instincts warning him that something was amiss. Yet, he pushed the feeling aside. Wen Ran was his disciple now, no matter how vile, how bloodthirsty, or how cunning he might be. The old man would nurture him like a son—though, of course, it would be for his own benefit in the end.

"Go ahead and ask," the old man replied, his tone somewhat unwilling. He couldn’t quite place it, but he knew something felt off. Still, he didn’t want to spoil the moment. Wen Ran had just become his disciple, after all. It was a moment of triumph for him, one that he didn’t want to tarnish.

"Master," Wen Ran said, his voice smooth but carrying a sharp edge, "You said I need to learn alchemy. Yet, this junior is so poor, he doesn’t even have a pill furnace. And not just any furnace will do. This junior requires one that is durable and expensive, one worthy of crafting the best pills for his master. But... I don’t see mine anywhere. Could it be that master forgot to gift me one?"

Wen Ran’s words were like blades, striking at the old man’s most sensitive spots, each syllable carefully placed to needle at his pride. The old man’s face tightened, and a storm brewed inside him. Does he think money grows on trees? he cursed inwardly. Fine. Fine... I will give him a furnace, but he will not have it easy.

"Are you testing your master’s sincerity?" the old man said, his voice forced as he patted Wen Ran’s shoulder. The pat felt heavy, as though a mountain had come crashing down onto Wen Ran. His entire shoulder throbbed, the pressure nearly crushing him. This old dog is testing my limits again, Wen Ran thought, barely holding back a wince. But if this is how he wants to play, then let me drain you until you have nothing left.

"Master must be joking," Wen Ran replied smoothly, a wicked smile creeping onto his face. "This disciple merely voiced his concerns. And this is only one of many."

The old man’s eyes narrowed, but Wen Ran could sense the faint flicker of respect. If you dare try to make me back down, Wen Ran thought darkly, I will make sure you suffer more than I do. It was a delicate dance of wills, neither master nor disciple willing to back down. The exchange of sharp words grew more heated, but in the end, it was Wen Ran who walked away with a new pill furnace and a collection of herbs—cheap, low-grade materials, but enough to make even a wealthy person flinch.

The cost for all of it was far more than Wen Ran had expected, a staggering price that could buy a small house in some places. The old man, now quietly fuming, felt cheated.

Throughout his many years, he had never lost in a battle of words, yet this junior had bested him at every turn.

"Thank you, master," Wen Ran said with a calm, almost innocent expression. "These gifts... they were unnecessary. This disciple is not worthy of them, especially when I haven’t even contributed to the sect yet."

Those words hit the old man like a blow to the gut, his mouth filling with the metallic taste of blood. His fury rose, threatening to explode. He had to fight to keep himself from vomiting. He couldn’t decide whether he had recruited an evil genius or the devil himself. Either way, there was no turning back now.

"If you don’t want them," the old man bit out, his voice thick with barely contained rage, "I’ll gladly take them back."

He reached for the bags on the ground, but Wen Ran moved quickly, stepping in front of them, his posture protective, his expression cold. His body blocked the old man’s path, a clear message that he wasn’t going to let the old man take back what he had earned.

"Master, don’t you know that taking back gifts is considered rude?" Wen Ran said quickly, his voice almost pleading as he reached for the bags. "And also, I need them. I really need them."

With a sudden urgency, he pulled out his spirit furnace and set it before him, the furnace gleaming with promise.

"Let me show master that I’m worth all these gifts!" Wen Ran said with an enthusiastic grin, his eyes burning with determination. Without another word, he crossed his legs and sat down in the corner, the flicker of excitement in his gaze unmistakable. He had carefully observed the old man’s every move, every gesture, and now, he was ready to try it for himself.

I will show the old dog that in this world, there is nothing I can’t do, Wen Ran thought, a fierce glint in his eyes. Alchemy will be just another thing I best easily.

The sourc𝗲 of this content is freēwēbηovel.c૦m.

With that burning resolve in his chest, he focused, pouring his energy into the spirit furnace in front of him. The task ahead seemed trivial compared to the challenges he had already faced—he would master this art just as easily as he had overcome every other obstacle in his life.