"I don't think there's a name written on any of the seats here. Plus, there are so many seats nearby, why do you insist on using this table?" Chen Tu had a slight irritation in his voice when responding to them.
Although he could simply return to the counter to grab another plate of food, it was still a provocating action from them to slap his breakfast off the table.
It might be a few steamed buns and a plate of stir-fried vegetables, but to Chen Tu, this kind of food is something he hardly got to eat back in the Chen Family Manor.
"Who are you to question what we do? Are you deaf, huh? I said, this table is reserved for our young master Wang!" the disciple continued. His hand was already on its way to Chen Tu's collar at the end of his sentence.
"Who is that young master Wang?" Chen Tu asked. The disciple's action had gotten into Chen Tu's bad side, and he retaliated by grabbing that hand in a flash. Additionally, Chen Tu waved his hand off the table, slapping the disciple's face on purpose.
The slap caught the disciple by surprise. At this instant, the disciple's face is burning with anger because he can't believe there's someone dared to go against them in this Outer Grotto.
To their surprise, someone here has no idea who young master Wang is.
(Couldn't he at least make a guess from looking at their feature? Would anyone with low social status have four disciples running errands for him?)
"No wonder you dare to go against us!" said another disciple. The four of them don't appear to have a difference in their status, based solely on how outspoken they are.
Borrowing the momentum while Chen Tu was disturbed by their words, another disciple decided to make a move on Chen Tu again. And this time, it completely provoked Chen Tu.
"Let me see what kind of background your young master had, then!" Chen Tu retaliated. His hand swiftly grabbed the disciple's neck. Before anyone could react, Chen Tu slammed the disciple onto the wooden table, crashing that wooden table in the process.
"He actually fought back! Had he got tired of living?"
"Let's go! If Wang Yun is here, all of us will get caught in this matter!"
"This guy actually dare to go Wang Yun's interest. Who the hell he is?"
Everyone was surprised by Chen Tu's response. His counterattack came too abruptly, not allowing anyone to calm their heart down. At the same time, the spectators immediately distanced themselves from the spot.
After all, there's no promise that "Wang Yun" will be reasonable upon arrival if he were to see what happened here. Additionally, how could those here have no idea what kind of personality "Wang Yun" had?
Regardless of willingness, there's a possibility of getting pulled along into the matter.
Chen Tu was also surprised by the lack of reaction from the enforcement team. Based on his understanding, a minimum of two to four guards should be assigned to all departmental buildings. This was no secret amongst the disciples because the job was available to be picked up each morning from Mission Hall.
But to have no guards coming to intervene...
This means the young master Wang behind them is likely to possess quite a formidable status inside this Outer Grotto.
If that was not the case, then what could that be? This matter also made Chen Tu show interest in Wang Yun.
"What happened here? I thought all I asked was to reserve my favorite seat." the voice from an individual traveled all the way from the back of the crowd. As if some important individual had appeared, the spectators quickly dispersed and opened a path for the owner of that voice to come forward.
"Yo - Young master!" three of the followers quickly half-kneeled before the person called Wang Yun with their heads lowered.
Most of the crowd immediately scattered and left the canteen, leaving only a few busybodies unafraid of getting involved in this matter.
"Looks like you're the one who beat my men. What is your name?" Wang Yun asked. He was curious.
As one of the little overlords in Outer Grotto, how can anyone dare to make a move on his people? Perhaps, this guy was a direct disciple of the grand elders or Grotto Master?
Wang Yun was curious. He couldn't think of other reasons for Chen Tu to dare to go against him.
"Chen Tu." Chen Tu answered without giving him any respect. Since they were about the same age, why should he introduce himself while being overly respectful?
"Oh... Its fellow disciple Chen Tu. Could you be someone from the second elder's family?" Wang Yun responded amiably. Of course, he did that on purpose to mock Chen Tu.
Except for new disciples that joined recently, who here don't know that the second elder Chen was a lone wolf? Let alone family members. He doesn't even have a disciple.
Wang Yun's reason for doing this was to openly attack Chen Tu, starting from his social background. As a part of the first elder Wang's family, how can Wang Yun's status be lower than the rest of the disciples here?
Even the others only came from humble backgrounds, such as being a member of some wealthy or medium to large families from associated settlements.
"No. I'm not." Chen Tu answered. He didn't even meet the second elder before, so how could he have any connection with the person Wang Yun mentioned? But at the same time, it's not like Chen Tu's background is low either.
If he wanted, he could simply reveal that he was an unofficial disciple of Elder Wei Xuan, and this matter would quickly be forgotten. After all, how can a disciple of an elder be underestimated?
"Hahaha... This is funny..." to everyone's surprise, Wang Yun actually laughed after hearing Chen Tu's reply. His laugh was almost hysterical, like he had heard something amusing and ridiculous.
"Since you're not a part of the second elder's faction, where did you get the guts to go against me? I am a part of the first elder's faction! I am Elder Wang Quan's second grandson!" Wang Yun suddenly raised his voice at Chen Tu.
"If I want to sit here, all the disciples in this Outer Grotto will yield to my will! Or else, Don't blame me if you're kicked out of the Blood Refining Grotto!" he added.
"How dare you try to go against me here in this Outer Grotto?" Wang Yun yelled and raised his hand in an attempt to slap Chen Tu. But his attack missed the target.Instead, Chen Tu had been ready for quite some time.As a servant before this, he had gotten used to the petty tricks those young misses and masters tried to do. They would always raise their voice to attract people's attention before slapping at the servant to bring out the best effect.Perhaps in their mind, they'll gain some popularity from doing so.Unfortunately, the Chen Tu today was no longer a slave servant as before. And as someone who often experienced this kind of treatment, how could he be unaware of what Wang Yun was trying to do?Chen Tu dodged the slap beautifully and returned the favor by slapping him back.**PA!**That sound from that slap was memorable. At the same time, smiles can be seen on a few disciples nearby. Needless to say, these people were those who got shamed by Wang Yun before.What could be m
"Had the gossip already spread until here?" Chen Tu smiled in embarrassment, with his finger scratching his nose gently."It was just some exaggerated gossip by the others, senior brother. You don't have to take their words seriously," he added, but neither denies that he had broken Wang Yun's nose.After all, there's no point denying that fact because the truth will be exposed sooner or later. It would be more inappropriate for Chen Tu to say anything once the actual story regarding the fight surfaced.Furthermore, the incident reminded Chen Tu about something he had experienced while accompanying Chen Zigang.The incident happened when both of them were about eight years old. Back then, Chen Zigang and Chen Tu were involved in a major fight between the youths outside the Liu Family Manor.In his attempt to gain victory, Chen Zigang didn't hesitate to resort to deadly tactics. He broke one of his opponent's legs as collateral to stop the rest from coming at him and Chen Tu.As a resu
(Why wasn't I the one to be given the Bronze-Titled Plaque! I heard that those with the plaque could enjoy top-level treatment in all business establishments and a further 20% discount on all purchases in businesses related to the Heavenly Alchemist Association!)Their eyes were burning with jealousy. With that plaque, wouldn't they be allowed to buy a Spiritual Replenishing Pill for eight Spiritual Coins instead of ten? Similarly, the plaque holder can exchange ten pills for eight Contribution Tokens.Such a discount means it is possible to get more cultivation resources while spending less. And in this world, who would complain about having more resources?At the same time, it allowed them to look at Chen Tu more seriously. Suppose he is already so well-treated right now. Won't that assure Chen Tu a position of the elder's second official disciple when the timing was correct?If that happened, they would have to address Chen Tu as their second senior disciple. And if this was someth
"Master! Master!" the four senior disciples quickly moved to Elder Wei Xuan's side. Knowing how important alchemy was for the elder, it was natural for them to know that Chen Tu's answer hurt his heart.It was fine for Chen Tu to learn the Alchemic Refinement Flame by accident. It was also fine for him to stumble across the technique by luck.But to say that his motivation comes from trying to cook a sweet potato...Had the department of alchemy degraded to the point their proud refinement technique was only worthy of roasting a sweet potato?"You two! Apologize to the teacher!" the oldest of the four scolded Chen Tu and Qin Lei and had the two kneel before Elder Wei Xuan. Although they had no ill intention to have fun by roasting a sweet potato, the thought of doing that is what pained the elder's heart.On top of that, they failed? How could you be unsuccessful in roasting that humble, low-birth sweet potato? Doesn't that mean the tuber is more fire retardant than the precious Spiri
(Wait! Why do I feel there's something unusual during the refining process? It feels like something went wrong once the teacher changed his approach...)Chen Tu was a little agitated by the feeling he had. And due to the sudden uneasiness, he stood up from his seat.His concern comes from the Sun and Moon Condensation Art Chen Tu cultivated. Because of the Spiritual Gathering Art, it heightened Chen Tu's sensitivity to how Spiritual Energy flows. And unlike the others, Chen Tu's perception was finer than the rest of the disciples here.The rest could only notice the medicinal fragrance escaping from the gap between the cauldron and the lid but not the faint Spiritual Energy that followed along.This was a taboo for all alchemists, as escaping Spiritual Energy equals losing its medicinal efficacy. Needless to say, even if the pill was successfully formed, the quality would only be inferior.Chen Tu felt that he should inform the teacher about this but hesitated. As the youngest one of
"Teacher, I..." Ting Wei was unsure what he should say except to show that he was apologetic."It was fine to know where your mistake was. Although having a worm or two in the Spirit Disvolving Grass wouldn't affect the outcome of the pill too much, it was still better to be careful." the elder said."After all, I doubt we will have the appetite after eating something with a foul smell like this. But again, who the hell will search for food when he's cultivating? Smells or not, this is a cultivation pills, not sweets." the elder chuckled at the end of his sentence."Disciple will remember the mistake today and prevent it from happening again." the eldest amongst them, called Ting Wei, quickly promised to pay more attention."On a side note, this means we're not going to refine all these subpar pills. Since the herb was under your care, bring them back to the supply office and turn that place upside down." the elder changed his tone suddenly."Ask them to explain why I am provided with
Without a hint of delay, Chen Tu and Qin Lei hastened their footsteps to the Supply Office. Although there was still plenty of time before their closing, it was better to deliver the Spirit Desertification Pill earlier than later."What can I do for you two?" a worker in the office asked. The workers here are usually the senior disciples who lack talent in cultivation. Still, their contribution to the Blood Refining Grotto cannot be taken lightly, as they're considered the backbone of the faction's daily operation.Without them, the Blood Refining Grotto would have faced difficulty in their operation in the long run. Furthermore, would the grotto let the workforce they nurtured work outside and enrichen others?"We're the disciples of the fourth elder, Wei Xuan. On our teacher's instruction, we're here to deliver the Spirit Desertification Pills the teacher concocted." said Qin Lei. Being here for six years longer than Chen Tu, he had more experience handling such a matter.After all,
"How is your progress with the Language Jade?" the elder asked. It has been a week since he gave Chen Tu the treasure to study. Based on his understanding, Chen Tu should still be lingering around the part where he's learning about the meaning and writing of the words."This junior's understanding is very shallow. I have just started comprehending the [Word Intent] right now." Chen Tu replied. Perhaps even he realized that his learning speed is at a snail's pace."Word Intent. Not bad, not bad." the elder nodded. But his expression quickly changed a second later. "What did you say? Word Intent? Are you sure it's Word Intent and not Intermediate?" Elder Mang Shu asked.He appeared to be slightly flustered and emotional."Yes, elder. Word Intent. They're quite hard to learn... Unlike the first three parts, where you can write them based on the number of strokes, the Word Intent disallows stopping in between..." Chen Tu continued. He doesn't seem to be lying because the difference is acc