Chapter 7: The Wily Old Fox

The Jun family.

Jun Zhantian had already prepared the spiritual herbs, waiting only for Jun Wushuang to return and refine the pills.

“Father, the Sun Spirit Grass is in hand, and what’s more, I had an unexpected encounter this time!”

Jun Wushuang spoke, briefly recounting the events that had just transpired.

“The Marquis of Zhen’nan!”

Jun Zhantian’s eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

Though he was merely the head of a small household in Jiangning City, he had certainly heard of the Marquis of Zhen’nan’s fame. He never imagined that Jun Wushuang, on a single trip out, would end up saving the Marquis himself and even receiving the Marquis’s command token.

“Wushuang, this is your destiny—seize it well.”

“This command token holds tremendous power. Keep it safe, but do not use it lightly, lest it bring disaster upon you!”

Jun Zhantian admonished him earnestly, not wishing for Jun Wushuang to grow arrogant or complacent.

“Rest assured, Father. I know what to do. I will use this token only at the Royal Martial Academy.”

“Once the Ji family is destroyed, I will travel to the imperial capital and seek vengeance against Ji Qingchen!”

Jun Wushuang’s eyes were clear; he knew his path.

Ji Qingchen had not only stolen his Dragon King Physique, but also usurped his place and been accepted into the Royal Martial Academy. Such a blood feud could never be forgotten.

Ji Qingchen, wait for me.

I will come to the capital, and I will personally end you!

“Father, let me first refine the antidote and cleanse your poison!”

With no time to lose, Jun Wushuang did not hesitate.

Jun Zhantian had already prepared the alchemy cauldron and fire stones; now Jun Wushuang began the pill refinement.

Although the Three Suns Spirit Pill was only a mid-grade elixir, it still required a second-rank alchemist to produce. Jun Wushuang was only at the third level of the Body Forging Realm; by all rights, he should not have been able to refine even a low-grade spirit pill.

Yet Jun Wushuang possessed divine-level alchemy skills; even if his cultivation was lacking, his mastery bridged the gap.

After a full day and night, the Three Suns Spirit Pill was successfully refined.

“Father, take this pill—the poison of the Serpent Scorpion Heart Devourer will be purged!”

Jun Wushuang handed over a crimson, fiery pill.

Its quality was superb, its medicinal power abundant; even Master Wu himself would be put to shame.

Jun Zhantian had complete faith in his son; without a moment’s hesitation, he swallowed the pill.

A sizzling sound ensued.

Jun Zhantian’s skin turned red, like heated iron. Wisps of pitch-black, toxic smoke seeped from his body, not only polluting the air but also corroding the tables and chairs in the room, leaving them blackened and rotting.

An hour later.

Jun Zhantian’s detoxification was complete. He opened his eyes, a sharp light in his gaze, with not a trace of weakness left.

“Wushuang, the poison is completely gone!”

Jun Zhantian’s eyes shone with delight and disbelief as he looked at Jun Wushuang.

He had never expected the pill Jun Wushuang refined to be so effective.

Now, with the poison purged, he was restored to his peak.

With strength regained, all manner of demons and monsters would have no choice but to bow at his feet!

“Father, let’s keep the matter of your detoxification between us. In the coming days, continue to feign weakness—we’ll lure the Grand Elder into making his move!”

With his father safe, the burden in Jun Wushuang’s heart was finally lifted.

But he had not forgotten the threat the Grand Elder posed.

That rotten apple must now be removed.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let that old fox see through me. I plan to give him quite the surprise!”

Jun Zhantian grinned broadly, brimming with confidence.

In recent years, Jun Wushuang’s decision to marry into the Ji family had cost him his prestige, giving the Grand Elder an opening to win over many followers.

This time, the Grand Elder had even dared to lead men in a palace coup, nearly succeeding.

Such a blight had to be eradicated.

Now that the poison was gone, Jun Zhantian was determined to seize the moment, destroy the Grand Elder, and reclaim the Jun family.

“The Grand Elder is nothing but a petty clown—he’s not worth worrying about. I’m more concerned about your life-and-death duel with Jun Yanming. Are you truly confident?”

Jun Zhantian’s face was clouded with worry.

Though Jun Wushuang could still train, his Dragon King Physique had been crippled, and his cultivation was only at the third level of the Body Forging Realm.

Jun Yanming, on the other hand, was at the ninth level, and even possessed the Flame Python Spirit Physique.

The gap in strength could not be ignored!

“If I can’t even deal with Jun Yanming, how can I hope to reach the capital and take vengeance on Ji Qingchen?”

“Rest easy, Father. I will personally kill Jun Yanming!”

Jun Wushuang’s eyes glinted with determination and confidence.

With his father cured, Jun Wushuang now intended to refine the Jade Dew Spirit Pill for himself.

This pill would heal the wounds left from his ruined kingly body, restoring his flesh.

Once that was done, he would train further with the Devouring Demon Technique, advancing by leaps and bounds.

“Jun Yanming, in ten days, your death will come!”

A cold, murderous light flashed in Jun Wushuang’s eyes.

...

At the Grand Elder’s residence.

At that moment, Jun Yanming was in seclusion, striving to break through to the Myriad Forms Realm.

Suddenly.

The door to the secret chamber opened, and the Grand Elder entered.

Jun Yanming opened his eyes, quickly rose, and greeted him.

“Yanming, your grandfather has brought you something good!”

The Grand Elder produced a brocade box, set it on the table, and opened it.

Inside lay a jade vial. When opened, a rich pill fragrance filled the air, refreshing the mind and clearing the senses.

A pea-sized, emerald-green pill tumbled into the Grand Elder’s palm. Though no larger than a dragon’s eye, it was lustrous and flawless, a masterpiece of nature itself.

“The Breaking Spirit Pill!”

Jun Yanming cried out in shock.

The Breaking Spirit Pill was a supremely precious top-grade elixir, each one worth three hundred thousand spirit stones.

Its sole purpose was to help warriors at the peak of the Body Forging Realm open their dantian and break through to the Myriad Forms Realm.

“The Ji family head sent this. You’re stuck at the peak of the ninth level—just a step from the Myriad Forms Realm. With this pill, you’ll certainly break through.”

The Grand Elder handed the Breaking Spirit Pill to Jun Yanming, smiling.

“The Ji family head’s intentions are clear: he wants you to kill Jun Wushuang in the life-and-death duel, to see him perish once and for all!”

The Grand Elder had long since colluded with Ji Yuntian. This time, they had joined forces to plot against Jun Wushuang and his father.

“The Ji family head is truly generous!”

Jun Yanming held the pill, breathing heavily.

“We’re cleaning up his loose ends—he’d better be generous. Besides, it’s a mutually beneficial arrangement. He gives us the Breaking Spirit Pill, we help him eliminate Jun Wushuang and Jun Zhantian. It’s a win-win.”

The Grand Elder, a wily old fox, schemed for his own gain.

“With the Breaking Spirit Pill, I’ll break through to the Myriad Forms Realm in a few days. Then, in the duel, I’ll crush Jun Wushuang and show him what it means to cross us!”

Jun Yanming’s hatred for Jun Wushuang was deep, his words filled with venom.

“Once you’ve slain Jun Wushuang, Jun Zhantian will be driven mad with grief, and the poison will overtake him. At that moment, I’ll finish him off myself.”

The Grand Elder’s face was all smiles, radiating satisfaction.

“From that day on, you will be heir, and I the head of the family—the entire Jun clan will be ours to command!”