Library of Heaven's Path 2: Eternal Fate of the Heavens-Chapter 429 - 64: Sacrifice of a Disciple

"Why? This pill was crafted from medicinal materials painstakingly collected by His Highness over an unknown amount of time. We're only one step away from success!"

Jiang Li frowned.

If he were willing to sacrifice himself and forge the ninth pill, the Nine Pills Combined would form the Peerless Elixir that allowed ascension to the Eternal Heart. Success would be guaranteed.

In that case, even if he died, it would be worth it!

The ultimate honor for a warrior is dying gloriously on the battlefield, while for an alchemist, it is crafting a medicine that will be sung about for generations.

Just like Grandteacher Fu Jiezi back then, so too would he.

Death is not terrifying. As long as the pill can be formed, no matter the cost of blood and effort, one must not back down. This is what he desires most.

"I said no, and that is final... If you die, who will perform the Nine Pills Combined?" Prince Yuanqing shook his head.

"Combining the Nine Pills is incredibly simple. As long as we follow our previous agreement, it is bound to succeed..." Elder Jiang Li shook his head.

Before his voice fell, the cauldron below suddenly erupted with a loud rumbling. Under the impact of the Yellow Water of the Netherworld, the previously stable cauldron developed cracks once more, seemingly on the verge of exploding at any moment.

"This is bad. The medicine power is insufficient, and the cauldron can't hold on anymore. If it explodes, it'll be impossible to find another suitable cauldron and medicinal materials in a short time. Refining such a Peerless Elixir again will be nearly impossible!"

Elder Jiang Li's face revealed his worry.

To ensure the success of such a Peerless Elixir, the convergence of time, location, and people is essential. At this moment, everything is perfectly aligned, and if missed, it won't be replicable for ten, a hundred, or even a thousand years.

"Your Highness, do not try persuading me..."

Seeing the Prince still unwilling, Jiang Li stopped speaking further, and his body leapt forward, determined to sacrifice himself in the cauldron.

"By my command, stop!"

Just as he flew a short distance, a thunderous shout rang behind him. Suspended in mid-air, Prince Yuanqing's robes fluttered like those of a god.

Buzz!

With his rebuke, an unparalleled powerful force instantly enveloped Elder Jiang Li, halting his forward momentum involuntarily.

"Your Highness, there's truly no time left..."

Intercepted mid-flight, Jiang Li's face twisted in agony.

Below, the cauldron's cracks widened further, threatening imminent explosion. If the medicine power was not replenished and the pill refined, all efforts would be in vain.

"Replenishing medicine power is all. If you can, so can your disciples..."

Blocking Jiang Li, Prince Yuanqing's gaze sharpened and landed upon Elder Yao Yun, Yao Sheng, Yao Chen, and other elders.

Although their strength paled in comparison to Elder Jiang Li, all of them had reached the Life Sea Realm, inheriting alchemical legacies, with power from the same lineage.

"This..." Jiang Li was stunned by his suggestion. Just as he wanted to speak, the Crown Prince stretched out his hand, and an overwhelming force surged forward to seize Elder Yao Sheng.

"Your Highness, teacher..."

Elder Yao Sheng, the weakest among the elders, was utterly unable to resist. In an instant, he was fully enveloped by the force, his face turning pale with fear.

He came to assist in refining pills, but instead ended up as an ingredient.

"As disciples, dying for the master is only natural!"

Ignoring Yao Sheng's useless protests, Prince Yuanqing squeezed his hand, shaking it lightly.

"Ah..."

Elder Yao Sheng didn't even have time to react before he was cast into the cauldron, and the inferno instantly grew fiercer, with an even stronger medicinal fragrance filling the air.

"Yao Sheng..."

Seeing their fellow disciple refined into raw material with not even ashes left behind, Elder Yao Yun's face turned deathly pale and she stumbled back instinctively.

"This..."

Zhang Xuan and Empyrean Kong shi exchanged glances, both feeling their scalps crawl.

As the World's Teachers, they treated their disciples with familial love, even to the point of being willing to sacrifice their own lives before harming them. To witness disciples thrown into a cauldron merely over insufficient medicine power was utterly beyond comprehension.

"What now?"

Unconcerned with their expressions, Prince Yuanqing turned towards them again.

"Still short..."

Elder Jiang Li was no longer conflicted, carefully inspecting the cauldron before shaking his head.

"That's easily solved!"

Once again, Prince Yuanqing reached out, capturing Elder Yao Chen who hadn't managed to escape.

"Master, I don't want to die..."

Knowing he had no chance of defending himself against the Crown Prince's attack, Elder Yao Chen cried out in desperation, hoping his master might save him.

"His Highness is right. If success is achieved, even my death would be worth it. Let alone yours. Don't fret. You'll be credited in the pill's glory!"

Hearing his cries, Elder Jiang Li not only refused to help but roared with bloodshot eyes.

At this moment, his face was stained with unhealthy crimson, a trace of madness radiating from within.

This was an unprecedented Peerless Elixir—his death was nothing in comparison, so a few disciples meant even less.

"Master..."

Elder Yao Chen, who had always revered his teacher, paled further hearing his words.

Crash!

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Yet, he wasn't granted much time to process it. The cauldron's lid opened, and the next moment, he was tossed into the flames, reduced to pure medicine power without even a chance to scream.

"Still insufficient..."

Despite throwing two disciples into the cauldron, the medicinal aroma grew richer but the pill remained far from completion. Elder Jiang Li's madness deepened.

"One dead is as good as two. For the Peerless Elixir, it's your turn to pay the price!"

No longer requiring the Crown Prince's intervention, the alchemical master of the Source World set his sights upon the remaining disciples.

Initially harboring hopes of their master's mercy, Elders Yao Yun and the others now felt plunged into a nightmare.

"Run!"

Recognizing the inevitability of death if they stayed, Elder Yao Yun shouted, and the remaining elders scattered in all directions.

"I've nurtured you for so long. You should understand my goals and aspirations. The Peerless Elixir is nearly complete, and now you want to flee? Utterly rebellious! All of you must die!"

Elder Jiang Li roared furiously, clutching at the air.

The immense River of Destiny surged rapidly, engulfing the fleeing disciples in an instant. At the same time, Prince Yuanqing wielded the Mountain and River Seal, sealing the surrounding space to prevent escape.

Within the span of two breaths, Elder Yao Yun and the others found their power sealed, suspended helplessly mid-air.

"They've gone mad. What do we do?"

Witnessing the madness unfold, Empyrean Kong shi felt a shiver of dread permeate his heart, his voice laced with urgency.

Their cultivation was far too weak relative to either the Crown Prince or Elder Jiang Li. If any of them chose to act, their lives would be instantly forfeited!

They had only come to test the medicine, never imagining it could lead to their deaths!

When Zhang Xuan didn't respond, Empyrean Kong shi turned to look at him—and saw Zhang Xuan standing some distance away, his face flushed red, a stream of pure Heavenly Mandate Vitality continuously descending upon him.

"Even now, you're still absorbing Heavenly Mandate Vitality?"

Empyrean Kong shi stood utterly frozen.