Qiu Weicheng smacked his lips and said with a smile: “Yes indeed, Chief Chen, that’s several hundred taels’ worth of gold leaves. Even I feel tempted just hearing about it.”

“Hmph.” Chen Fengxiao sneered: “Gold leaves may look pleasing, but what use are they within the Incense Spreading Sect? Even if you were given those several hundred taels of gold leaves, could you sleep soundly at night?”

“This…” Qiu Weicheng didn’t know how to answer, yet he still felt unwilling in his heart. “That’s hard to say. If one didn’t know, then fine, but since we do know, yet can’t get a share, it always feels uncomfortable. Could it be that Chief Chen doesn’t want to get a piece of it?”

Chen Fengxiao waved his hand: “They’re all brothers of the Herb Department—how could I make a move? Let’s first see what news comes from Tuodan Hall, and also take a look at this fellow’s martial skills.”

“Oh? It seems Chief Chen doesn’t quite believe what this fellow said either.”

“Believe it? As if.” Chen Fengxiao curled his lip. “Just a youth barely over ten years old, and not from any famous sect either. What are the people of Huichun Valley like—who knows better than I do? Even that Scoundrel Nie might not be my match now—how could he possibly be my opponent? At most, I can deal with two Cheng Shi, yet he claims he can handle three. Heh, boasting without fear of biting his own tongue.”

“Chief is wise.”

“However, even if he can deal with two Cheng Shi, in our Tianmu Peak, he would still count as a notable figure. So he still has some use. Let him stay here a while longer; once time passes and we figure out his background, we’ll decide.”

“Alright, we’ll follow Chief’s words. Let’s discuss the order of matches for this gambling bout again.”

“Mm, there’s really nothing much to discuss. The Pill Department will certainly send out their Great Vajras. We’ll proceed according to what we discussed earlier on the way. I want to see exactly what level he’s at. In any case, arrange three matches for him—this will also shut Wu Dalang’s mouth.”

“Chief, isn’t three matches a bit too many? Even you at most take on three matches, and usually two are enough.”

Chen Fengxiao waved his hand: “No matter. Didn’t that kid say he could handle three Cheng Shi? Arranging three matches suits him perfectly.”

“Then which match are we betting on?”

“Hehe, what’s there to say? Of course, we bet on this fellow’s first match. The other two are uncertain, so better not wager on them—let the brothers have their fun.”

“Oh, I understand…”

As the two spoke, they slowly walked into the courtyard.

After they had gone some distance, a head suddenly popped out from beneath a tree, watching from afar, looking somewhat puzzled: “Bet on which match? What does that mean?”

Zhang Xiaohua returned to the side of the cliff, gazing at the mist drifting among the mountains, and couldn’t help but laugh inwardly: “This Chen Fengxiao appears straightforward on the surface, as if he cares about me, but secretly, he’s still wary, even thinking of controlling me. Hah, isn’t it just pill refining? I’ll refine pills for you if you want—what is there to fear? Forget three Cheng Shi—even if all of you come at once, I’d only need to move a bit more. I’d like to see what kind of tricks you have that could actually surprise me.”

Before long, several disciples who had been tidying the courtyard came over and invited him to inspect it. Zhang Xiaohua didn’t bother with it, waved his hand, and let them leave. The dozen or so disciples showed no displeasure; instead, the looks in their eyes toward him were full of envy, as if his treatment made others jealous.

Returning to the small courtyard, he sat cross-legged in the yard. Beneath the warm sunlight, Zhang Xiaohua immersed himself in the joy of comprehending the Heavenly Dao. Only at such moments did he feel that his life was not being wasted.

In the blink of an eye, the sun had already passed overhead. Sitting in the courtyard, Zhang Xiaohua’s heart stirred; he released his divine sense, and outside the bamboo grove, Bai Huan was walking toward him.

Zhang Xiaohua smiled slightly, stood up, returned to the room, and sat down on a chair, waiting for Senior Brother Bai to arrive.

Not long after, he heard Bai Huan calling from outside: “Junior Brother Ren, are you in the courtyard?”

Zhang Xiaohua replied in a clear voice: “I am. It’s Senior Brother Bai, right? Come in—why be so polite?”

Bai Huan entered the courtyard and said: “Junior Brother may not know this, but this morning Chief Chen already announced to the brothers of the Herb Department that without your permission, no one is allowed to enter this courtyard. It’s not that I wish to be polite, but I cannot disobey the Chief’s arrangements.”

Zhang Xiaohua raised his brow and smiled: “So that’s how it is. Then I’ll have to trouble Senior Brother to call out before entering.”

“It’s nothing.” Bai Huan said, though he still glanced around. “Junior Brother, it’s not that I want to criticize you, but what’s so good about this place? It’s far from everything. It’d be better to move back and live with us.”

Zhang Xiaohua waved his hand. “It’s only a temporary stay. We’ll talk about it later.”

“Exactly. I knew the Chief wouldn’t leave you here forever. This place is quiet during the day, but at night… well…” Then he leaned close to Zhang Xiaohua’s ear and whispered, “I also know you came here for the safety of those gold leaves. After this gambling match, I suppose no one will be eyeing them anymore, right?”

“Hehe, how would I know? Maybe there’ll be even more people.”

“Ahem, Junior Brother Ren, enough small talk. The Chief sent me to call you—the gambling match is about to begin. They’re waiting for you to take the stage. Oh, right, you should bring that bundle as well.” As he spoke, he looked rather enviously at the large bundle lying on the table.

Zhang Xiaohua understood that this large bundle was precisely the bait Chen Fengxiao had set—how could he not take it?

So he walked over, picked it up casually, and said, “Then I’ll trouble Senior Brother Bai to lead the way.”

The place for the gambling match did not seem to be within the courtyard. Bai Huan led Zhang Xiaohua along a mountain path skirting the outer edge of the compound. Suddenly recalling something, Zhang Xiaohua asked, “Senior Brother Bai, I have something I’d like to ask.”

Bai Huan said curiously, “What is it? You already wanted to ask yesterday—go ahead.”

Zhang Xiaohua said, “I want to ask—what does ‘pill formation rate’ mean?”

“Huh?” Bai Huan was surprised. “That’s something used by the Pill Department when refining pills—how do you know about it?”

Zhang Xiaohua said somewhat awkwardly: “This morning, the Chief mentioned a few of the Pill Department’s guest elders, saying their pill formation rate was extremely high. I didn’t quite understand and didn’t dare ask more. Senior Brother Bai has been in Tuodan Hall for many years, so you must know.”

“Of course. There’s nothing in Tuodan Hall that I don’t know.” Bai Huan said proudly. “The pill formation rate, as the name suggests, is the probability of successfully refining a pill.”

Zhang Xiaohua feigned ignorance and asked in surprise: “There are times when pill refining fails?”

“Of course. The most important thing in pill refining is controlling the temperature of the furnace. If you’re careless for even a moment, the entire furnace of herbs will turn to ashes. Moreover, the timing of adding the ingredients and the proportions of the mixture will all affect the refinement. Many times, what you end up with is a pill with little effect or very poor quality—that also counts as failure.”

“Oh, so that’s how it is.” Zhang Xiaohua nodded thoughtfully, thinking to himself, “So even the guest elders of Tuodan Hall only have about a fifty percent success rate in refining pills. As for this young master, I’ve never failed even once.”

A hint of pride quietly rose again in Zhang Xiaohua’s heart.

“Then… what about the disciples of the Pill Department? Their pill formation rate…” Zhang Xiaohua asked curiously.

“Hmph.” Bai Huan snorted disdainfully. “What pill formation rate do they have? Look at how arrogant they are, acting as if only the Pill Department in all of Tuodan Hall can refine pills. It’s nothing more than boiling herbs in water—if I went, I could boil them too. Who doesn’t know how?”

“Exactly. The moment I went to the dining hall yesterday, I found them unpleasant to look at—each one with their nose in the air. Our Herb Department brothers are much more low-key. That’s what real ability looks like.” Zhang Xiaohua slipped in a small bit of flattery, which made Bai Huan feel quite pleased, and he found this junior brother increasingly agreeable.

The place for the gambling match was indeed not within the courtyard, but on a wide grassy field elsewhere. By now, several hundred people had already gathered there, split into two groups, surrounding an open space in the middle so tightly that not even a drop of water could pass through. The moment Zhang Xiaohua appeared, the previously noisy scene fell instantly silent. Hundreds of pairs of eyes turned straight toward him.

Cough, cough—no, not quite.

They were staring at the large bundle in his hands!

Zhang Xiaohua instinctively wrapped his arms around the bundle, hugging it close. Only then did the crowd’s gaze reluctantly shift away, and in an instant, whispers and murmurs rose again.

Familiar with the place, Bai Huan led Zhang Xiaohua to the left side of the open space. There, several men who looked strong and sturdy were sitting casually on the ground. Seeing Zhang Xiaohua approach, they didn’t bother to stand. Bai Huan had no choice but to bring Zhang Xiaohua before them and introduce them one by one—they were the Six Arhats of the Herb Department.

The few men merely glanced at Zhang Xiaohua and gave slight nods. Zhang Xiaohua, in turn, let out a faint snort through his nose and responded in the same manner with a simple nod. Seeing his attitude, the so-called Arhats all frowned slightly, showing their displeasure.

Seeing this, Bai Huan’s face showed panic, and he quietly nudged Zhang Xiaohua.

Zhang Xiaohua paid him no attention, pretending not to notice at all.

Helpless, Bai Huan could only point toward several people seated in the front row opposite them and introduce them one by one—they were the Ten Vajras of the Pill Department. Among them, Cheng Shi was crouching there, gnashing his teeth, holding a large foxtail grass in his hand and biting it fiercely, as if doing so could vent the anger in his chest.

Zhang Xiaohua smiled, just about to ask Bai Huan something, when he saw in the distance Chen Fengxiao, Qiu Weicheng, and Wu Zhouxu escorting five elderly men with white hair and beards, all of them vigorous and full of spirit, walking toward them.

As soon as these men appeared, the disciples who had been sitting casually on the ground all stood up in unison, lining up neatly to welcome them.

“These are the five guest elders of our Tuodan Hall at Tianmu Peak. All of them once stayed in the inner sect—they’re considered the most respected figures here. All gambling matches are judged by them.”

Bai Huan leaned close to Zhang Xiaohua’s ear and whispered.

Accompanied by Chen Fengxiao and the other two, the five guest elders walked to the five tables set at the upper end of the open space. Without ceremony, and with practiced ease, each took a seat. Several disciples had long since prepared fragrant tea and promptly served it.

Then Chen Fengxiao cupped his hands toward the five offerings, nodded to Wu Zhouxu, and loudly announced: “Brothers of the Herb Department and the Pill Department, please be seated. This gambling match now officially begins!”