Chapter 49

"Do you know why Wei Cang and I are like oil and water?"

Long Chen's heart trembled. He was very curious, but he didn't have the nerve to ask. Now that Master Yun Qi brought it up, it naturally piqued his curiosity.

Through Master Yun Qi's narration, what Long Chen didn't expect was that Yun Qi and Wei Cang were actually fellow disciples. Their master had only three disciples in his lifetime.

Besides Yun Qi and Wei Cang, there was a female disciple, who was also Yun Qi's wife—the person in the portrait Yun Qi showed Long Chen, bearing a striking resemblance to Xia Baichi.

Their master was a hermit sage who only took them as disciples in his later years, teaching them the art of alchemy.

The three of them had extremely high alchemy talents, especially Yun Qi, who was the best among them. He was favored by their master, who taught him with all his heart.

However, people always have jealousy, especially Wei Cang, who came from a humble background and had a deep-seated resentment towards the world, making his jealousy even more intense.

But he always suppressed it and didn't show it, until one day, their master, being old and nearing the end of his life, called Yun Qi to his side and handed him a plaque.

"Hehe, my feud with Wei Cang started with this plaque."

Master Yun Qi sighed, and a copper plaque appeared in his hand. As soon as the plaque appeared, the entire room suddenly warmed up, as if a red-hot iron block had been placed there.

Long Chen looked at the plaque. On its front was a finely carved alchemy cauldron, surrounded by rays of light, looking extremely realistic.

On the back was a landscape pattern, with a valley in the mountains, surrounded by misty clouds, making the scene look ethereal. Looking at the pattern, Long Chen felt his mind become clear.

"This is the legacy my master left me. For it, my fellow disciple and I fell out, and my beloved wife was killed. Sigh."

Master Yun Qi caressed the plaque in his hand, his face showing a mix of emotions—anger, sorrow, and bitterness.

Long Chen didn't know what to say. Master Yun Qi composed himself and continued his story.

When his master gave the plaque to Yun Qi, only the two of them were present, and it was kept very secret. However, somehow, Wei Cang found out about the plaque and started demanding it from Yun Qi.

Yun Qi refused, and despite Wei Cang's persistent pleading, he saw no results. Not being a match for Yun Qi, Wei Cang finally turned his black hand towards their female disciple.

Yun Qi and the female disciple had long harbored feelings for each other, and Wei Cang used her life to threaten Yun Qi.

Unexpectedly, the female disciple, though usually gentle, was very strong-willed and committed suicide in anger.

This panicked Wei Cang, and Yun Qi, overwhelmed with murderous intent, finally erupted, determined to tear Wei Cang to pieces to avenge his female disciple.

Although Wei Cang's alchemy skills were far inferior to Yun Qi's, his combat strength was only slightly weaker.

Knowing he couldn't win, Wei Cang fled, and Yun Qi pursued him for thousands of miles, but Wei Cang managed to escape. Over the next thirty years, Yun Qi continuously sought information about Wei Cang, determined to avenge his female disciple.

However, Wei Cang was extremely cunning and never showed himself, often hiring experts to attack Yun Qi. During this time, Yun Qi was ambushed several times and nearly died.

Later, Yun Qi came to his senses, realizing that if he continued like this, he would not only fail to avenge his female disciple but also lose his own life.

So, he joined the Alchemist Guild using his powerful alchemy skills and became the guild master, temporarily putting aside his hatred.

But a few years ago, Wei Cang suddenly appeared, and his identity was also that of the Alchemist Guild's guild master.

Although thirty years had passed, the hatred had not diminished. They had fought several intense battles.

Over the years, Wei Cang had practiced the Yin Sha Poison Palm. In several battles, although Yun Qi had a slight advantage, he couldn't defeat Wei Cang, who always managed to escape.

In recent years, their battles had decreased, mainly because they both understood each other's strengths and weaknesses. They wouldn't act unless they could find a way to kill the other in one strike.

"Aren't you curious what this plaque is, worth such a struggle?" Master Yun Qi asked.

Long Chen nodded. He was indeed very curious about the origin of the plaque and why Wei Cang was so obsessed with it.

Master Yun Qi's face showed a hint of mockery. "Wei Cang doesn't actually know what it is. He thought it was a secret technique my master favored me with, but it's just an ordinary plaque."

"An ordinary plaque?" Long Chen was shocked. Was it really just an ordinary plaque that cost his beloved's life?

"Yes, it's just an ordinary plaque, actually useless. But it was a legacy from my master, and I had no choice but to keep it. I was almost convinced by Wei Cang's persistent pleading and was about to give it to him, but then he turned his black hand towards the female disciple..." Yun Qi's face was filled with anger and murderous intent.

Long Chen also saw regret and self-blame on Yun Qi's face. To lose his beloved over something useless, if it were Long Chen, he would have gone mad.

"This plaque is actually an admission token," Master Yun Qi took a deep breath, calmed himself, and continued.

"An admission token?" Long Chen was puzzled.

"Yes, it's an admission token for the alchemy holy land—the Dan Valley. As for the Dan Valley... let's not talk about it, it's too far away. You just need to know that it's the highest faith for alchemy practitioners, and no one in these remote lands knows about it. I've had this thing for decades, and now I'm giving it to you," he said, handing the plaque to Long Chen.

"Master, this is absolutely unacceptable. This is something your master left you, I can't accept it," Long Chen quickly refused.

"This isn't something my master left me; he wanted me to pass it on. And even if I give it to you, you might not be able to use it," Master Yun Qi smiled.

"Why?"

"This plaque is a stepping stone, but without strength, you won't even find the door, let alone knock on it," Master Yun Qi smiled bitterly. "I told you, the Dan Valley is the holy land of all alchemy practitioners. How could it be so easy to enter? You need the corresponding strength to use this plaque, otherwise, it's useless."

"What kind of strength?" Long Chen asked.

"Before the age of twenty, become a Dan King, and you can use this plaque to register," Master Yun Qi sighed.

Long Chen's mouth dropped open. A Dan King before the age of twenty? Was this a fairy tale?

A person like Master Yun Qi, who had practiced for nearly a hundred years, was only at the peak of a Dan Master. A Dan King at twenty? Was this a joke?

No wonder Master Yun Qi had that expression. To lose his wife over such a thing, anyone would go mad.

Long Chen suddenly understood. After the female disciple's death, Master Yun Qi had kept this secret to avenge Wei Cang. He made Wei Cang obsessed with the "treasure" in his hands, keeping him awake at night, always plotting against him.

Xia Baichi's appearance was likely to target this "treasure." When Long Chen appeared, and Master Yun Qi's attitude towards him, they became wary.

So, they wanted to kill Long Chen, leaving Master Yun Qi without an heir. If Wei Cang couldn't get the "treasure," he would let it rot in Master Yun Qi's hands.

Thinking about this, Long Chen couldn't help but laugh and cry. What was all this for? Truly, fate was playing a cruel joke.

"Although you have extremely high talent, it's a pity you were born in this remote land without a great lineage. The chance for you to use this plaque is very slim. But even a slim chance is better than none. My master gave me this plaque and instructed me to find someone to pass it on to. His ancestor once entered the Dan Valley, and this plaque is their honor. He hoped that one day, a genius would bring this plaque back to the Dan Valley. For my master's promise, I've paid a great price. Now, passing it to you, I can finally let go of this burden," Master Yun Qi said with a complex expression.

This plaque had changed his life, but the change was a complete tragedy. He even felt a bit of resentment, not knowing who to blame—his master, Wei Cang, himself, or fate?

Fate was like a bored controller, playing a huge joke on him, but the result was not something to laugh about.

Reaching out to take the plaque, becoming a Dan King before twenty, if others had no hope, it didn't mean Long Chen had no hope.

"Thank you, Master," Long Chen said respectfully.

"You should thank me, but I should thank you. By giving you this plaque, I've completed my master's task and can now do other things," Master Yun Qi smiled.

Long Chen was startled. "Master... you..."

As if reading Long Chen's thoughts, Master Yun Qi smiled. "Don't worry, it's not as bad as you think. I won't die with Wei Cang. That would mean I lost, wouldn't it?"

Hearing Master Yun Qi's words, Long Chen felt relieved. If he took the plaque and Master Yun Qi fought Wei Cang to the death, he would feel guilty.

To sacrifice a great person like Master Yun Qi for that old lecher was like using a priceless vase to kill a rat.

"Child, I can't teach you much, but you are the most promising person I've seen in years to use this plaque. You must work hard," Master Yun Qi couldn't help but nag, despite not wanting to say much.

If Long Chen could enter the Dan Valley, it would be like ascending to immortality for an alchemy practitioner. What could be more exciting?

"Master, rest assured, I will continue to work hard."

Although Master Yun Qi didn't take Long Chen as a disciple, it was to protect him from danger, given Wei Cang's threat.

Now that Long Chen's relationship with Wei Cang was known to the world, he addressed Master Yun Qi as a disciple to show his respect.

Before leaving, Master Yun Qi warned Long Chen to be cautious, in case Wei Cang acted out of desperation. Long Chen nodded in agreement.

Leaving the Alchemist Guild, he headed home. Now that he was fully recovered, he could return safely.

As he turned a corner and saw his front door, Long Chen's eyes widened.

"What's going on?"