C4 Zhuang Xiang

"What are you doing?"

An elder stormed in, his face ablaze with fury. It was bad enough that this good-for-nothing squandered Pills on a regular basis, but now he had the audacity to create chaos in the Pill Room, disrupting the normal order of pill refining.

Zhuang Xing glanced back at the old man. He recognized him as the Zhuang family's most formidable Pill Refining Master, capable of crafting numerous Pills and holding a high status within the family. Even his father showed this man a great deal of respect.

Yet, Zhuang Xing saw the old man's Pill Refining Arts as woefully inadequate.

"Bad boy, don't think you can do as you please just because you're the Patriarch's son. Get out now."

The third elder was livid. This good-for-nothing was becoming increasingly intolerable.

"Old fool, your age doesn't give you the right to boss everyone around."

Zhuang Xing had little fondness for the old man. He remembered how, when he used to come for Pills, this elder had given him a hard time.

Enraged, the third elder bellowed, "If you don't leave, I'll have no choice but to summon the Patriarch."

Zhuang Xing shrugged. "Old man, you'll regret driving me away."

He had initially intended to offer the elder some guidance on the Pill Refining Arts, but it seemed unnecessary now.

"Leave."

With that, Zhuang Xing turned and walked away. If the old man didn't welcome him, why should he stay?

The apprentices around him were too intimidated to even breathe loudly.

"This good-for-nothing is driving me to the brink."

The third elder struck the table beside him, reducing it to splinters.

"Check everything. See if anything's missing."

The inspection was swift.

"Elder, a Pill Cauldron and several dozen medicinal ingredients are missing."

"What?"

The third elder's eyes bulged with rage.

"That good-for-nothing must have destroyed them. I'm going straight to the Patriarch to see how he'll handle this. He's going to be the death of me."

With a flourish of his sleeve, the third elder stormed out of the Pill Room, determined to discipline that good-for-nothing thoroughly.

As for the Pill Cauldron and the medicinal ingredients, they certainly hadn't been destroyed by Zhuang Xing; he had taken them. Since he was unwelcome in the Pill Room, he'd simply have to refine Pills in his own room.

"This old thing is really useless."

Zhuang Xing stepped out of the West Court and hadn't gone far when he came to a halt. A large crowd had suddenly appeared on the road ahead, and they were clearly not there to wish him well.

The group approached and stopped just a foot away from Zhuang Xing. The leader, a young man, demanded, "Just drop out and give the spot back to Mr. Guai."

Zhuang Xing narrowed his eyes at him. This was Zhuang Xiang, Zhuang Guai's loyal follower.

"And what if I refuse?"

Truth be told, he didn't give a fig about the spot; he simply disliked Zhuang Xiang.

Zhuang Xiang bellowed with rage, "Then you can go to hell."

He couldn't believe this nobody had the nerve to compete with Mr. Guai for the spot. Well, he'd just have to beat him until he willingly handed it over.

Zhuang Xiang's fists tightened as he charged forward, unleashing the Human Rank Middle Level martial skill, Penetrating Fist, with its formidable might.

"Zhuang Xiang's made his move. That nobody's done for."

"He's going to utterly destroy him."

"He's getting what he deserves."

"Absolutely. He's squandered so much of the family's resources. If it weren't for his father being the patriarch, we'd have kicked him out long ago to fend for himself."

Zhuang Xing just smiled. If this young upstart wanted to make a scene, he was happy to oblige.

As a Pill God, Zhuang Xing was never short on martial arts techniques. Any technique he chose was well beyond the mere Human Rank.

With a single punch, Zhuang Xing unleashed a formidable force that surged out with his fist.

As Zhuang Xing boldly met Zhuang Xiang's challenge with his fists, many onlookers shut their eyes, not wanting to witness the impending disaster. Zhuang Xiang was using a Human Rank Middle Level martial skill, while Zhuang Xing, with his lesser talent, could only practice the most basic Human Rank Low Level martial skill. It seemed clear that Zhuang Xing stood no chance against Zhuang Xiang in terms of cultivation or martial skill.

They thought they knew how this fight would end without a second thought.

"Ah!"

A scream pierced the air, causing everyone to second-guess their hearing. Those who had shut their eyes in anticipation flung them open at the sound, only to be met with a sight that left them stunned. Zhuang Xiang's form was sent flying backward, tracing an elegant arc through the air before crashing to the ground.

"What?"

The onlookers' eyes were wide with disbelief. It was inconceivable to them that Zhuang Xiang had been taken down by a single punch from Zhuang Xing.

It was well-known that Zhuang Xiang was a formidable Qi Refining Stage Level Seven Heaven expert. Among the Zhuang family's younger generation, he was considered top-tier, and the family had spared no effort in his development, eager for him to ascend to the rank of a Spirit Wheel Stage Expert.

Zhuang Xing, however, simply turned and walked away, indifferent to the fate of a minor character like Zhuang Xiang.

Before long, word of the incident spread like wildfire throughout the Zhuang family, sparking widespread excitement. Zhuang Guai, of course, was also made aware.

"How could he possess such formidable strength?" Zhuang Guai was utterly astounded. In his mind, Zhuang Xing's cultivation had always been at the Qi Refining Stage Level Two Heaven. The idea that he could defeat a Level Seven Heaven practitioner like Zhuang Xiang was beyond belief.

"Mr. Guai, you'd better come up with a plan quickly. If that waste becomes any stronger, you can kiss your chance for that position goodbye."

Zhuang Guai's brow furrowed as he pondered for a moment before responding, "Rest assured, I won't let him grow any further. Tomorrow, I'll make sure he's dead."

His attempt that morning to have Zhuang Xing killed had failed, and by the afternoon, Zhuang Xiang had been bested by a single punch. Zhuang Xing was now the most significant barrier on his path to power, and Zhuang Guai was resolute in his decision to eliminate him.

"Mr. Guai, are you planning to..."

Zhuang Guai offered a slight smile, exuding confidence in his scheme.

"This time, I will ensure he becomes truly worthless."