C5 I Won't Drink the Tea Anymore!

Zhou Mu was unaware that Elder Lingyu was equally unsettled at the moment. The demeanor of this "Junior Sister" was nothing like the deranged, near-death state she had envisioned. Could her information have been incorrect? Had there been no mishap in her cultivation? And the tea before her, was it truly prepared for her... to drink or not to drink?

"Wait... what is that in her hand?" Elder Lingyu's heart leapt when she noticed the Jade Plate Zhou Mu was casually handling. "That's the Jade Plate our Master bequeathed to her, containing our sect's supreme sword technique, the Purple Heaven Sword Formation!"

Elder Lingyu's face paled. The Purple Heaven Sword Formation was the mightiest formation within the Purple Heaven Sect, capable of vanquishing a Deification-level Cultivator. What was Xia Xuanji's intention by revealing it so openly? Clearly, this was all a ruse! The Sect Master was perfectly fine! It was even plausible that Xia Xuanji had spread the false information herself to lure her here and eliminate her with the Purple Heaven Sword Formation! Considering Xia Xuanji's composed manner with the Jade Plate, it wasn't out of the question!

A cold realization washed over Elder Lingyu. How foolish she had been, nearly falling for the trap! She couldn't linger here any longer. Glancing at the tea on the table, she inhaled sharply and shook her head. "I'll pass on the tea."

"Since you're unharmed, Junior Sister, my worries are eased."

"Indeed, Senior Sister, I have pressing matters to attend to. I must be on my way." With those words, Elder Lingyu didn't hesitate a moment longer, bowing her head and making a hasty retreat, oblivious to the cold sweat soaking her back.

Watching Elder Lingyu vanish, Zhou Mu let out a quiet sigh of relief. Yet, he was puzzled. He had done nothing, and yet Elder Lingyu had left of her own accord. This was for the best; it spared him the risk of her detecting any flaws in his facade.

"This can't continue. If Elder Lingyu returns, I can't keep bluffing my way through. I need to devise a strategy to ensure my safety."

Zhou Mu sat down, his face betraying a contemplative mood.

"I've heard that in the Immortal Realm, there are Pills capable of hiding one's aura. Given that this female demon presides over such a vast sect, she surely wouldn't lack such Pills."

After a brief moment of reflection, Zhou Mu arrived at a decision.

He could sense the formidable cultivation within the female demon's body, yet he had no idea how to harness it.

To prevent any mishaps, it was best to simply conceal it. That way, even if someone were to probe, they would uncover nothing!

With that, Zhou Mu opened the door and stepped out.

"Sect Master!"

Du Yue, who had been standing guard outside, immediately knelt down.

This is the end.

The Sect Master must be holding me accountable for failing to stop Elder Lingyu earlier.

My fate is sealed today!

Unaware of Du Yue's inner turmoil, Zhou Mu regarded her for a moment before saying, "Accompany me to the Medicine Refining Pavilion."

Du Yue was taken aback.

The Sect Master is going to the Medicine Refining Pavilion?

He's not going to punish me?

Her heart quaking, Du Yue didn't dare to question him and quickly nodded in assent.

Zhou Mu remained still, waiting for Du Yue to lead the way before he followed.

Having served as a menial worker for three years in the Jade Sun Sect, Zhou Mu had gained some insight into the workings of cultivation sects.

From Du Yue's reaction, he surmised that his hunch was right: there indeed was a Medicine Refining Pavilion here.

...

In the time it took for half an incense stick to burn, Zhou Mu followed Du Yue to a majestic six-story pavilion, from which wafted green smoke and the heady scent of medicinal herbs. It was impressively opulent.

Gazing at the Medicine Refining Pavilion, Zhou Mu marveled inwardly at its scale, dwarfing that of the Jade Sun Sect's pavilion by more than tenfold.

Suppressing his inner astonishment, Zhou Mu then directed Du Yue, "Wait for me here."

"Yes, I will follow your orders," Du Yue responded with a respectful nod.

Without further ado, Zhou Mu strode into the Medicine Refining Pavilion.

Inside, several alchemists were diligently at work. Upon noticing Zhou Mu's approach, they promptly bowed in reverence.

"Greetings, Sect Master!"

"Elder Bai He has not yet returned from his herb-gathering trip in the mountains. If the Sect Master is looking for him, I'm afraid you may have to wait a couple of days."

"…"

Elder Bai He?

It seems he is the alchemist of this Demon Sect.

With an impassive face, Zhou Mu responded, "No worries, I'm just here to pick up some pills."

"Understood... May I ask which pills the Sect Master is seeking? We can retrieve them for you."

"No need, they're just some common pills. I'll find them myself."

"Everyone... you may leave now!"

Zhou Mu quickly declined their offer.

He was in search of a pill that could mask his aura. Revealing this could inadvertently betray his false identity as the Sect Master, couldn't it?

The young alchemists exchanged uncertain glances but did not dare to go against Zhou Mu's command. They bowed their heads and quietly left the room.

Seeing them go, Zhou Mu breathed a sigh of relief and surveyed the pavilion.

It was stocked with various kinds of pills – some fortified the body and extended life, while others assisted with cultivation or enhanced one's level of practice.

The assortment was vast and varied, each pill accompanied by a detailed explanation.

Zhou Mu was struck by a wave of nostalgia.

Back when he was a lowly servant at the Jade Sun Sect, he wasn't even allowed near the Medicine Refining Pavilion. Now, in this grand sect of ten thousand years later, he had the freedom to come and go as he pleased.

Indeed, the identity of Sect Master brought with it many advantages.

With that in mind, he was determined to make the most of it.

Zhou Mu began to search through the pavilion.

Before long, he found a bottle labeled "Spirit Stabilizing Pill." The description indicated that it could conceal one's aura, rendering it undetectable.

Delighted, Zhou Mu took the bottle.

Yet, he wasn't ready to leave just yet. He continued to wander around the Medicine Refining Pavilion.

His interest in alchemy had always been strong.

Even though he wasn't an alchemist, he was eager to peruse the books on the subject.

Currently, the pavilion housed an array of books, which he examined one by one with great interest.

Although Zhou Mu lacked a Spirit Root and was unable to become a cultivator, he possessed an extraordinary ability to remember everything he saw.

The books in this place contained numerous pill recipes and insights on identifying medicinal herbs, which astounded him.

These recipes and herbs were far more detailed and sophisticated than anything he had previously encountered.

Having perused all the books, Zhou Mu felt his knowledge had expanded immensely.

Time had flown, and before he knew it, as he closed the last book, it was deep into the night.

"Time to head back."

Zhou Mu had no desire to linger, so he departed from the Medicine Refining Pavilion.

Du Yue was still outside waiting. Upon seeing Zhou Mu emerge, she quickly moved to stand protectively before him.

"Has the Sect Master found the Pill he was searching for?"

Du Yue blurted out the question impulsively.

Zhou Mu stopped in his tracks, frowning at Du Yue.

As she realized her slip of the tongue, Du Yue's face turned pale!

"Do you know which Pill I'm seeking?" Zhou Mu narrowed his eyes. Had Du Yue discerned something?

"Sect Master, have mercy!"

"I wouldn't dare to speculate about the Sect Master's divine will, it's just that, just that..."

Du Yue, her complexion ghostly, dropped to her knees in haste.

"Just what?" Zhou Mu demanded icily.