The Fall of the Chief Pill Master and a New Beginning

Jiang Hongyu felt a surge of rebellious blood rush to her throat, and her face beneath the veil instantly turned ashen, like gilded paper. Mu Qingli’s accusations left her utterly speechless, with no room for rebuttal. Her body swayed uncontrollably, her steps faltered, and she found herself stumbling back half a pace. It was a dizzying sensation, as if her very foundations had been irrevocably shaken.

‘Was this truly the Mu Qingli she knew—the timid, reclusive ‘ornamental figurehead’ who merely occupied a symbolic position? This piercing insight, this sharp, soul-shattering eloquence… Could this truly be the Mu Qingli who, after her Master’s death, had been too slow to step forward, spending centuries weeping alone in the Sect Master’s residence?’

Li Xuan’s limbs turned cold, wishing she could vanish on the spot. Yet, under Mu Qingli’s command, her trembling hand still swiftly inscribed into the jade slip: […wanton reprimand, interfering with disciples’ pill refinement, causing fire to go out of control…]

Within the core area of the Pill Hall, only the monotonous hum of the pill furnace flames remained, accompanied by the heavily suppressed breaths of hundreds of disciples. Everyone stared in dread at the unbelievable scene unfolding in the center: the incomparably authoritative Chief Pill Master, Jiang Hongyu, had been utterly dismantled by a few words from the new Sect Master, left in a state of utter disarray and humiliation.

“Hmph,” a faint, low chuckle broke the deathly silence. Mu Qingli no longer fixed her gaze upon the ashen-faced Jiang Hongyu, as if her collapse was no longer worth observing. Yet, that fleeting hint of mockery was more chilling than any direct rebuke. She finally turned slowly, her gaze calmly sweeping over the Pill Hall disciples, who cowered like cicadas in winter, before settling back on Lin Mo. The sharp, icy clarity that had pierced through hearts quietly receded, transforming back into a serene, snow-like tranquility.

“Now,” her cool, clear voice resonated once more, so calm it betrayed no ripple of emotion, yet imbued with undeniable authority, “does anyone still object to my disciple and I inspecting the Pill Hall?” Her gaze didn’t even specifically linger on Jiang Hongyu, but every word landed like an invisible, heavy hammer, striking at the heart of everyone present in the Pill Hall.

Mu Qingli raised her hand slightly, as if she had long anticipated this outcome, and simply said, “Enough.”

She gave her instructions in a cool voice, her gaze returning to Lin Mo, though this time it held a touch more warmth. “Lin Mo, you will continue to inspect the Pill Hall with the disciples of Qingli Hall.”

“Understood,” Lin Mo responded softly.

Mu Qingli nodded, but did not immediately depart. Her gaze swept over the remaining disciples in the Pill Hall as she declared in a solemn voice, “From this day forward, the disciples of Qingli Hall shall be responsible for the inspection of all Pill Halls throughout the sect, as well as the examination of all medicinal pills. Furthermore, the production of all pills, across the entire sect, must be submitted to Qingli Hall for record-keeping.”

Everyone’s hearts tightened.

‘Was this the new Sect Master’s first act upon ascending to power? She had stripped the Medicine Hall of its authority, bringing all aspects of pill review, record-keeping, and inspection under the purview of Qingli Hall. In the realm of medicinal pills, Qingli Hall’s status now unequivocally surpassed that of all other departments!’

A nearly twisted hint of sarcasm appeared on Jiang Hongyu’s ashen face. ‘Mu Qingli had actually, incredibly, elevated Qingli Hall to such a position? This was practically self-sabotage! Unfathomable!’

However, it also perfectly aligned with her own desires.

Jiang Hongyu’s lips curled into a barely perceptible smirk.

“As for you,” Mu Qingli’s gaze settled on Jiang Hongyu, pausing for a moment before she spoke indifferently, “considering our past association, and your decades of arduous service as the Head of the Medicine Hall, I, the Sect Master, grant you special permission to relinquish your heavy duties and return to recuperate.”

“You… you are demoting me?” Jiang Hongyu could no longer tolerate it. A sickly flush bloomed across her pale face as she pointed at Mu Qingli, her entire body trembling, her voice shrill. “I am the Head of the Medicine Hall! The Chief Pill Master of the sect! By what right do you demote me?”

Mu Qingli subtly furrowed her brow, her tone remaining calm. “Simply because I am the Sect Master, and because you, as the Chief Pill Master, have abused your authority for personal gain, lording over the Pill Hall.”

With that final sentence, Mu Qingli’s tone abruptly turned cold. Her gaze swept over all the disciples in the Pill Hall as she declared chillingly, “I can choose not to pursue the matters of today further. However, from this day forward, should anyone dare to exploit the authority granted by the sect for their own selfish desires, bullying others, or distorting right from wrong, I, the Sect Master, will most certainly punish them without mercy!”

These last few words were imbued with a dense, murderous aura and an intimidating pressure that caused all the disciples in the Pill Hall to tremble uncontrollably.

Mu Qingli cast a cold glance across the Pill Hall, her eyes finally settling on Jiang Hongyu. Her voice was flat as she said, “Jiang Hongyu, why are you not retreating at once?”

Jiang Hongyu’s eyes widened, as if she no longer recognized Mu Qingli.

‘She was the Head of the Medicine Hall, the sect’s Chief Pill Master; when had she ever endured such humiliation?’

Yet, meeting Mu Qingli’s utterly calm, unruffled gaze, she felt as though she had been doused with icy water from head to toe. Instantly, she became rigid, unable to move.

In those tranquil eyes, she perceived absolute authority and an insurmountable power that she could not possibly resist.

She knew that if she dared to utter another word, or even linger for another moment, an unbearable price awaited her!

Jiang Hongyu opened her mouth, but in the end, said nothing. Like a puppet on strings, she turned and stumbled out of the Pill Hall.

Her figure was more dishevelled than ever before.

No one dared to make a sound.

The Pill Hall was utterly silent.

Mu Qingli’s gaze returned to Lin Mo, her tone as gentle as before. “Lin Mo, I am weary. I will return to Qingli Hall first. The matters within the Pill Hall are now entrusted to you. Remember, once you have dealt with everything here, you are to personally lead the disciples of Qingli Hall to the Spirit Herb Garden and harvest all the newly planted spirit herbs.”

“Understood,” Lin Mo responded respectfully.

Mu Qingli nodded, then turned and walked directly out of the Pill Hall. Her figure was slender, yet each step was taken with immense resolve, as if she bore an unimaginable weight, imbued with a startling decisiveness.

She departed, leaving behind the sect where she had resided for centuries, and relinquishing the position of Sect Master that had once brought her unbearable pain.

No one knew of her departure.

Nor did anyone know what changes her leaving would bring to the sect.

Just as no one knew where she had gone.

After Mu Qingli’s departure, Lin Mo’s gaze swept over all the disciples in the Pill Hall. His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. “From this day forward, the disciples of Qingli Hall will be responsible for the review, record-keeping, and inspection of all medicinal pills throughout the entire sect. Any who violate this will not be lightly forgiven!”

As his words fell, all the disciples became silent as cicadas in winter.

Lin Mo’s gaze returned to the pill furnace in the center of the Pill Hall, his voice steady. “Henceforth, the production of all medicinal pills in the Pill Hall must be submitted to Qingli Hall for record. Any who violate this will not be lightly forgiven!”

Mu Qingli had left the Pill Hall, yet she had not truly departed from the sect itself.

She made her way to Qingli Hall, the place where she had lived for centuries.

Pushing open the hall doors, she found the interior empty.

It was just as it had always been.

Mu Qingli sighed softly, her gaze sweeping over the familiar furnishings before finally resting on the sole spirit herb in the hall.

It was a spirit herb that had grown for an unknown number of years, exuding a faint, subtle fragrance. However, its leaves were tinged with spots of yellow.

Mu Qingli reached out, gently stroking the herb’s leaves, her voice tender. “Are you doing well?”

The spirit herb seemed to sense her touch, trembling slightly, and the yellowing on its leaves appeared to fade a little.

Mu Qingli offered a faint smile, her gaze falling upon the herb’s roots.

There, a tiny seed was growing.

The seed was minuscule, yet it pulsed with vibrant life.

Mu Qingli’s eyes flickered. With a wave of her hand, a stream of spiritual energy flowed into the seed.

Instantly, the seed germinated, took root, sprouted branches, blossomed, and bore fruit. In just a brief moment, a mature spirit herb appeared in Mu Qingli’s hand.

The herb emanated a rich spiritual aura, several times more potent than the previous one.

Mu Qingli carefully put the spirit herb away, her gaze once again falling upon the roots.

There, another tiny seed lay.

Mu Qingli smiled gently, a hint of softness in her eyes.

She knew it was time for her to leave.

To leave completely.

Mu Qingli turned and walked towards the hall’s exit.

Her figure was slender, yet imbued with an indescribable resolve.

As she stepped out of Qingli Hall, the doors slowly closed behind her.

The moment the doors shut, Mu Qingli’s figure vanished from outside Qingli Hall.

As if she had never been there at all.

Qingli Hall once again fell into silence.

Only, the spirit herb within the hall now radiated an even more potent vitality than before.

After settling the affairs of the Pill Hall, Lin Mo led the disciples of Qingli Hall to the Spirit Herb Garden.

The Spirit Herb Garden was teeming with vibrant life.

The newly planted spirit herbs were thriving splendidly.

Lin Mo gazed at these spirit herbs, a hint of excitement in his eyes.

Now, Qingli Hall had completely seized control of the sect’s medicinal pill authority.

And all of this was thanks to Mu Qingli.

“Senior Sister,” Lin Mo murmured softly, “rest assured, I will ensure Qingli Hall is managed impeccably.”

He knew that Mu Qingli’s departure was for the sake of Qingli Hall.

And for his own sake, too.

Lin Mo took a deep breath, his gaze returning to the Spirit Herb Garden.

He intended to harvest all these spirit herbs, and then refine every single one into medicinal pills.

This was the last task Mu Qingli had entrusted to him before her departure.

And it was the only thing he could do for Mu Qingli.

Without hesitation, Lin Mo immediately led the disciples of Qingli Hall to begin harvesting the spirit herbs.

The Spirit Herb Garden buzzed with activity.

Lin Mo watched the busy disciples, his eyes filled with determination.

Qingli Hall was no longer the Qingli Hall of old.

It now carried Mu Qingli’s hopes, and the hopes of all Qingli Hall disciples.

It would become the most powerful entity within the sect!

Within the Sect Master’s Hall.

After the former Sect Master Mu Qingli’s departure, only the new Sect Master, Lin Mo, remained in the hall.

Lin Mo sat upon the Sect Master’s throne, his gaze sweeping across the empty hall, a complex expression in his eyes.

He knew this position had been secured for him by Mu Qingli.

And it was Mu Qingli who, through her departure, had paved the way for him.

Lin Mo took a deep breath, his gaze once more fixed on the Sect Master’s Hall.

He vowed to manage the sect meticulously, not to betray Mu Qingli’s expectations.

And to ensure Qingli Hall became the most powerful entity within the sect!

Mu Qingli had left the sect, yet she had not truly departed.

She arrived at an unfamiliar place.

Here, spiritual energy was abundant, and birds sang amidst fragrant flowers.

It was like a secluded paradise.

Mu Qingli offered a faint smile, her gaze sweeping over this strange new land.

This would be her new beginning.

And her true beginning.

Mu Qingli took a deep breath, her gaze once more fixed on the paradise before her.

Here, she would establish a sect of her own!

One even more powerful than Qingli Hall!