Stronger from Earth-Chapter 186: Slander

Wang Xuan was practicing alchemy at home, rather confusedly earning the title of King Xuan, after which visitors thronged to his door endlessly.

Fortunately, there were no thresholds at Black and White Mountain; otherwise, they would have been worn out long ago.

People praised Wang Xuan's alchemical talent and skills, claiming that among Pill Masters in the same realm, none could compare, and he was truly the unrivaled first.

"King Xuan? Although it simply reverses my name, the inclusion of 'King' signifies my unparalleled performance in alchemy, which is quite a significant compliment."

Wang Xuan was somewhat satisfied with this title, as it wasn't self-proclaimed but given by others, gaining widespread recognition.

The housekeeper's smile was somewhat stiff after laughing too much these days, looking at the storeroom piled high with treasures gifted by visitors, how could he not be pleased?

"Mountain Lord, I've categorized the gifts from guests. Many seem valuable, so Chun Shui has placed them in your room."

Wang Xuan nodded, noting that he had quite a number of Earth-grade Initial Celestial Treasures, yet few of intermediate and high levels, with only two initial Celestial Grades.

When Immortals learned he could refine Super Grade Pills, many opened their mouths to buy, as such pills were exceedingly rare.

To collect even one was a fortunate event.

Thus, in a few days, Wang Xuan sold more than forty Super Grade Pills, bringing him considerable joy.

During this period, many Pill Masters visited him, discussing alchemy for half a day, finally subtly inquiring about Wang Xuan's secrets in refining Super Grade Pills.

For they had never heard of a Pill Master able to consistently refine such quantities of Super Grade Pills, not by luck, but at a fixed probability.

For pills of Body Refining or Human Immortal tiers, Celestial-tier Alchemists find it easy to refine Top Grade quality, but producing Super Grade might require hundreds to thousands of furnaces.

Yet Celestial-tier Alchemists focus on refining pills suitable for Celestial Immortal needs, they wouldn't expend vast energy to refine lower-tier pills like Bone Tempering Pill or Vein Strengthening Pill.

"Junior Brother Wang, is there any secret to your pill refining? To casually refine Top Grade and often refine Super Grade must indeed involve a special knack."

"Indeed, please be generous, Junior Brother Wang. Every Pill Master strives for Top Grade Pill refinement and takes pride in refining Super Grade Pills.

If you can uncover the mysteries of alchemy, you will surely become an indelible milestone in its history.

The Mother Star needs accomplished Pill Masters, if due to you every Pill Master can produce high-quality pills in abundance, then its future will be boundless," several Pill Masters spoke with emotion and reasoning.

Yet Wang Xuan inwardly smiled bitterly, if there were a secret, it would have been spread via Immortal Martial Mountain long ago, not until now.

Once he offered the secret, every Pill Master on the Mother Star would pay several Celestial Treasures, wouldn't every Mountain Gate meet his demands?

In that scenario, merely collecting royalties would suffice for wealth, making him the richest Pill Master, needing no personal toil in pill refinement.

Wang Xuan could only explain, "My fellow brothers, my pill quality is high simply because I possess strong alchemical talent.

I analyze the requirements of each Pill Recipe in detail, ensuring perfection in all steps of pill refinement, allowing no flaws.

Through repeated experiments and corrections, the pill formation success rate and quality increase progressively.

If there were shortcuts in alchemy, True-tier experts would have discovered them long ago, not left for me.

Though gifted in alchemy, my wisdom pales compared to those predecessors."

This statement left those Pill Masters shaking their heads and sighing, disappointedly departing, too lazy even to sit for a while.

They dismissed Wang Xuan's explanation as mere excuses, believing he was unwilling to share his secrets.

"Truly selfish!"

"Indeed, with such poor character, yet some still flatter him with the title of King Xuan. Such a laughable claim!"

Behind his back, they repeatedly criticized Wang Xuan, harboring significant discontent.

One day, Wang Xuan arrived at Feng Daozi's palace, as busy as usual, with apprentices handling herbs or tending the medicinal garden, and Pill Masters engrossed in pill refinement.

Upon his arrival, those apprentices all gathered around.

"Senior Brother Wang, is it true that you can refine Super Grade Pills? If I could craft even one in my life, there would be no regrets."

"Senior Brother Wang, you're truly remarkable, earning the title King Xuan only two months after becoming a Pill Master, so impressive."

...

"Cough, cough." Tang Yuan stepped out, cast a glance at the apprentices, who quickly dispersed, busying themselves with their tasks.

"Wang Xuan, you're here." Tang Yuan said.

Alongside this talented alchemist, Wang Xuan smiled, "I've returned to visit you all and have some questions to consult with Senior Feng Daozi."

Tang Yuan feigned surprise, "Whether as the renowned King Xuan or the alchemical genius you are, refining Super Grade Pills. Yet still having questions is truly astonishing."

"You're praising me to death, Senior Sister Tang. Are you dissatisfied with me? Why this response?" Wang Xuan frowned and asked.

Unexpectedly, Tang Yuan retorted, "Don't you know why?"

Wang Xuan shook his head.

"Rivalry is ever-present, never forget this truth," Tang Yuan sighed, knowing Wang Xuan's alchemical prowess was exceedingly strong.

One person's Top Grade pill output from Spirit Tier and Body Refining levels nearly occupied one-third to half of Immortal Martial Mountain's.

Daily, Immortal Dome Pavilion sold several hundred Top Grade Pills, basking in excellent reputation within the mountain.

Most of Immortal Martial Mountain's disciples would prioritize purchasing Top Grade Pills here.

Yet consequently, former Spirit-tier Alchemists were greatly affected, with significant drops in clients and plummeting prices for their meticulously refined Top Grade Pills.

Blocking financial pathways equates to killing one's parents.

Hence the saying, 'rivalry breeds enmity.'

Wang Xuan frowned, always occupying high-end markets, refining only Top and Super Grade Pills, never Middle or Upper Grade.

Yet he never expected such impact on other Pill Masters.

"The Pill Masters' skills lie in alchemy; my pills' superior quality naturally attracts Cultivators.

Competency in market competition holds no wrongdoing on my part."

If his position was unjustifiable, he might yield, but he believed himself blameless, so why feel guilty?

"I am without fault; let them be dissatisfied. If their alchemy is lacking, is it my fault for making better pills?

Such absurdity!"

Tang Yuan said, "Knowing you don't care, but still heed caution." She advised Wang Xuan.

Soon after, Wang Xuan met Feng Daozi, who was very satisfied with the young man he had tutored, especially proud of his achievements and honors.

"Keep up the good work! In the future, alchemy will shine because of you! I hope you will expand and advance alchemy, blazing a brighter path."

Regarding Wang Xuan's confusion in alchemy, Feng Daozi generously explained, fully and wholeheartedly guiding him.

Such a selfless senior in the alchemical domain made Wang Xuan feel fortunate about knowing good people like Feng Daozi and Tang Yuan.

A few days later, Wang Xuan suddenly noticed a significant decline in those seeking to purchase pills, puzzled by the change, he inquired and discovered rumors circulating about him.

The rumors originated from certain Pill Masters.

The claims were detailed, rapidly spreading, convincing many, since numerous Pill Masters publicly confirmed them, leaving little doubt, hence they stopped visiting Black and White Mountain.

"Indeed, Wang Xuan's alchemical prowess is impressive, able to casually refine Top Grade Pills and Super Grade Pills, thriving in Immortal Martial Mountain.

Yet he sets outrageous prices for Super Grade Pills, deceiving those unfamiliar with alchemy.

One Super Grade Pill, at most, is just five times the efficacy of a Top Grade Pill. Its price may be high, but not as exorbitant as Wang Xuan sets.

If a Top Grade Bone Tempering Pill costs five million, a Super Grade one should not exceed thirty million.

Yet Wang Xuan is greed incarnate, demanding an Earth-grade Celestial Treasure for one Super pill, a price spike beyond imagination!

Such a shameless Pill Master is fundamentally immoral, devoid of the ethics that Pill Masters should uphold, solely obsessed with amassing wealth.

Regardless of talent, such character is contemptible!"

Upon hearing such commentary, Wang Xuan was incensed.

Those people's alchemical skills were lacking, yet their derogation skills were top-notch.

They wished to sully his name but could find no fault in his talent or skills, attacking his moral character instead.

Regrettably, that method proved immediately effective.

This attempt to defame him infuriated Wang Xuan, even Bodhisattvas have their limits, let alone him, a person with all kinds of emotions.