Chapter 56: Calculation

“I have no sect, no master—just a lone cultivator.”

Zhang Yuge replied with calm indifference.

He dared not reveal the Zhang family name, after all, the Zhangs were still wanted fugitives.

Cheng Kuan looked suspicious.

For someone to possess such a Prescription, he must be an alchemist without a doubt.

To become an alchemist, having a Fire Spiritual Root was a prerequisite.

But this man clearly had five Spiritual Roots; although he had the fire attribute, his mixed and impure aptitude would make it impossible to achieve success without guidance from a Master.

However, Cheng Kuan seemed to suddenly understand something.

He smiled repeatedly, saying,

“It seems I was mistaken. A young cultivator with such outstanding skill must come from a transcendent sect. How could one speak of it lightly? I nearly offended you without realizing.”

Shopkeeper Qian broke out in a cold sweat at this scene, nearly dropping to his knees before Zhang Yuge.

Who exactly was this young man?

Not only did he expose his own weakness with a single word, but even Cheng Kuan treated him with such respect?

This was the Number One Pill Alchemist of the Zhou Dynasty!

If fat Shopkeeper Qian was like this, the girl beside him was even more shocked beyond words.

Though she had never met Elder Cheng, his reputation was thunderous; even members of the Five Great Families treated Elder Cheng of the Five Spiritual Gate with utmost respect.

It was hard to imagine such a legendary figure showing such deference to an unknown youth.

Zhang Yuge’s expression remained blank, but inside he felt uneasy.

“This is bad, Master. I think I overdid it. I just wanted to join the Five Spiritual Gate.”

“Say a few good words about him, raise his status a bit, and he should accept you,”

Yun Lan advised.

“Elder Cheng has always been someone I respect and aspire to. Each field has its expertise. I was merely showing off a bit in front of Elder Cheng and dare not compare myself to him. But it is true I have no sect or Master.”

Zhang Yuge fetched pen and paper, quickly writing a List to hand to Shopkeeper Qian.

“Shopkeeper, what just happened was a misunderstanding. According to the Ling Medicine Prescription here, taking it three times daily will cure the Backlash of Small Tiancheng Technique.”

Though he said it casually, Zhang Yuge’s heart bled.

This was something he had exchanged with Fate Points.

Shopkeeper Qian was ecstatic and quickly thanked him.

Cheng Kuan couldn’t help but crane his neck to glance at the Prescription.

His eyes lit up immediately.

Though it was a simple Ling Medicine Prescription, it contained endless wonder, inspiring great enlightenment.

He was so moved that he coughed heavily several times.

“Since I’ve already written a Prescription for Shopkeeper Qian, then the medicines I need to collect…”

Zhang Yuge pointed to his own Prescription and said quietly.

“Master, rest assured. Whatever you need, I will go through fire and water for you!”

Hearing this, Zhang Yuge raised an eyebrow.

Shopkeeper Qian was surprisingly sincere.

He thought for a moment and said,

“Actually, this Prescription only delays your symptoms. To cure it completely, more medicinal materials are needed…”

“Master, if you ever need anything, just come to Yunbao Pavilion. I will definitely serve you with both hands!”

Before Zhang Yuge could finish, the shrewd Shopkeeper Qian patted his chest with a confident promise.

At that moment, Yun Lan whispered in Zhang Yuge’s ear,

“After you collect the medicines, just leave immediately.”

“What about joining the Five Spiritual Gate…”

“Don’t worry. That old man will definitely stop you.”

Zhang Yuge nodded, said no more, collected the medicines, and left with Zhang Qingyao.

“Wait, friend. May I ask your honorable name?”

Cheng Kuan raised a hand to block him.

“My surname is Zhang, and my given name is Yuge.”

Zhang Yuge knew he couldn’t use Zhang Qingyao’s name yet, so he gave his real name.

“Ah, Zhang Dao-you. I am Cheng Kuan. I admire your achievements at such a young age.”

“Judging by the elder’s complexion, he probably suffers from some illness. Aren’t you good at healing? Take this chance to show off a bit.”

Those surprised weren’t just Shopkeeper Qian and Elder Cheng but also Yun Lan hiding inside the ring.

Zhang Yuge harbored secrets even he didn’t know, and this disciple still wasn’t willing to tell him.

Deep-thinking Yun Lan asked no more and instead seized the chance to probe Zhang Yuge’s depth.

Zhang Yuge glanced at Cheng Kuan and said with a meaningful expression,

“Elder Cheng, this True Fire injury to your lungs has festered for a long time. If left untreated, I’m afraid it will harm your cultivation realm.”

“You see that I am injured by True Fire?”

Cheng Kuan was shocked.

This injury was left years ago during alchemy practice.

But a doctor can’t heal himself.

Though an alchemist who had tried countless pills, he still couldn’t cure it, and eventually accepted his fate.

Hearing Zhang Yuge’s words stirred his heart.

“To forge top-grade pills, alchemists inevitably use True Fire. From ancient times till now, countless alchemists have been injured by True Fire. That’s not hard to guess,”

Zhang Yuge said humbly.

Yun Lan inside the ring was stunned.

Zhang Yuge, how many secrets do you still hide from me?

But Yun Lan was more excited.

The brighter Zhang Yuge shone, the more worthy he was of becoming his new vessel.

“Zhang Dao-you, do you have a way to expel the True Fire from my body?”

Cheng Kuan hesitated before finally asking.

As an alchemist, he couldn’t believe he would ask such a favor.

But the Prescriptions this young man presented were so exquisite.

Moreover, Shopkeeper Qian’s reverse Qi syndrome—he himself wasn’t confident it could be fully cured.

Yet Zhang Yuge seemed to hold the solution in his hand.

Guidance from him would be invaluable.

At that moment, Cheng Kuan dropped all his former pride as an alchemist and looked like a seeker of the Dao.

Previously, Wu De claimed to have a cure for his True Fire injury but always delayed on purpose.

Without Zhang Yuge’s perfect Prescriptions, Cheng Kuan would have lost patience long ago.

“Elder Cheng, you have suffered True Fire burns for a long time. To truly cure it requires Ling Medicine assistance. When I return and prepare the pills, I will send them to you myself.”

Cheng Kuan was overjoyed, a bright idea flashing in his mind.

He immediately said,

“Zhang Dao-you, your great kindness overwhelms me. But since you are making pills for me, how could I trouble you to gather the materials? I have some influence in the capital. If you tell me what you need, I will prepare them personally.”

“I happen to have all the materials needed to make the pills, so there’s no need for you to trouble yourself, Elder Cheng.”

Zhang Yuge was still wanted, so he could not let others know his whereabouts.

He politely declined Cheng Kuan’s offer and said instead,

“Actually, more than the Ling Medicines in the capital, I would prefer to ask Elder Cheng for a quota.”

“A quota? What quota? Please, speak.”

“A Guaranteed Discipleship Quota for disciples of the Divine Phoenix Sect.”