The Perilous Pill Sect Commission and a Devious Plot

When Lin Xingjian read all the messages, his hair stood on end and a sharp chill ran up his spine.

“Crazy, this woman is really crazy!”

His lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

In the past, he had also been involved in securing marriages for other second-generation cultivators to dazzling Immortal Maidens (TL Note: A respectful term for a female cultivator, often implying beauty and grace) from different sects.

He had personally navigated those intricate affairs, employing various stratagems.

Lin Xingjian sensed an extreme danger emanating from this woman, resolving to live under a false identity hereafter and never provoke her again.

“Oh, and that item must also be discarded, lest it invite unforeseen trouble.”

As Lin Xingjian pondered, his hand delved into his robes.

He withdrew a small, exquisitely crafted model of a longsword.

The sword’s design was utterly flawless, its blade adorned with intricate engravings.

These patterns, depicting flowing constellations, shimmered with a subtle, ethereal light under the sun’s rays.

A crystal-clear gem, emitting a soft, radiant glow, was set into the hilt, sparkling brilliantly.

He had originally intended to deliver this item to his employer, but since the employer had already found a suitable match, keeping it was pointless.

He had initially considered taking it home as a small decorative piece.

Yet, after witnessing Bai Qingxue’s frantic sound-transmissions today, he felt that possessing this item would inevitably lead to trouble sooner or later.

‘It must be discarded, absolutely!’

Lin Xingjian casually found a patch of grass and decisively tossed the model longsword into it.

Only when the model vanished into the foliage did he breathe a long sigh of relief, feeling a profound weight lifted from him.

“Right, the payment is secure, and now for the final task: the Pill Sect’s commission. Once this last job is done, I can finally rest for a while.”

Lin Xingjian gazed into the distance.

The Pill Sect’s order was also a substantial undertaking, with a reward of nearly five hundred spirit stones.

From the moment he accepted these three commissions until their completion, Lin Xingjian had spent nearly a year.

Throughout that year, he had endured countless hardships and obstacles, pouring immense effort and sweat into fulfilling his tasks.

Once he earned roughly a thousand spirit stones, it would be enough to ensure both he and his Shadow Sect junior sister would live comfortably during their Foundation Establishment (TL Note: A cultivation stage) phase.

As for his unfortunate Master, it would be best if she simply starved to death, so as not to needlessly occupy space.

Lin Xingjian once again dispelled his disguise technique.

The Pill Sect and the Gu Sect were not far apart; with his skilled footwork, he could reach the former in about half a day.

Lin Xingjian had completed Yu Linglong’s mission earlier that morning.

The eastern sky had just begun to lighten to a fish-belly white, the dawn sun not yet fully risen, and the clouds on the horizon were painted a soft pink.

By evening, he could reach the Pill Sect and deliver the task.

Now, the sun was gradually descending in the west, painting the sky a vibrant orange-red.

Lin Xingjian pressed on without pause, hurrying towards the Pill Sect.

Still adhering to his old habits, Lin Xingjian first contacted his employer to confirm they still wished to proceed with the commission, to prevent them from backing out.

This was to avoid a situation similar to Bai Qingxue’s.

“Hello… hello, is this the employer?”

“You finally… finally sent a sound-transmission to me!”

The employer’s voice was noticeably agitated, tinged with a slight tremor.

Lin Xingjian frowned slightly, silently musing to himself.

‘How utterly desperate. These clients are truly a bunch of clueless individuals.’

Though he harbored these thoughts, Lin Xingjian was merely a man who worked for money, so while his contempt remained internal, his words were as sweet as honey.

“Employer, your commission is nearly complete.”

“For nearly a year, I have almost exclusively been testing poison pills for Yao Qing’er of the Pill Sect.”

“Recently, Yao Qing’er’s opinion of me has shifted; she mentioned wanting to give me a grand surprise at our next meeting. The time is ripe. Once I confirm her intentions, I will transfer this commission to you.”

“I will later transmit some important notes regarding Yao Qing’er to you through a secret sound-transmission. You only need to commit them to memory, and the person Yao Qing’er fancies will be you, Li.”

– “I… I understand.”

– “Please, go quickly, I beg of you!”

An increasingly impatient voice came from the other end, and before Lin Xingjian could speak further, the sound-transmission was abruptly cut off.

‘Is this client insane?’

‘Such excitement is truly unpleasant.’

Lin Xingjian shrugged, dismissing the thought, and continued his relentless journey towards the Pill Sect.

Within the Pill Sect, there resided an Immortal Maiden whom countless individuals flocked to.

Legend had it that this woman possessed a Heavenly Charm Physique (TL Note: A rare body type that naturally exudes alluring charm), and coincidentally, also held considerable talent in the path of alchemy.

Her beauty was unparalleled, her skin as fair as snow, and her eyes like clear springs, revealing boundless allure with every glance.

Unlike other alchemists, Yao Qing’er not only refined various pills but held a particular fondness for concocting all manner of poison pills, delighting in observing the reactions of cultivators who ingested them.

Countless cultivators, eager to gain Yao Qing’er’s favor, willingly offered themselves as test subjects for her elixirs.

The outcome, as one might expect, was predictable.

Many, after consuming just a single pill, found themselves paralyzed and unable to move for three days and three nights.

Unaware bystanders even mistook them for dead.

It was said that the most resilient Foundation Establishment senior brother, after consuming three of Yao Qing’er’s pills, had remained motionless for over half a year.

They were now contemplating arranging his funeral.

As a Shadow Sect cultivator, Lin Xingjian had sampled all manner of poisons during his mortal years, his body having endured countless trials.

He could be said to fear no venom.

Even so, he still paled slightly in comparison to Yao Qing’er.

The Pill Sect mission was one of the most challenging tasks Lin Xingjian had ever undertaken.

Had he not previously drawn an ability called ‘Minor Poison Resistance’ from the system, he likely would not have accepted this commission, even if it meant his death.

Lin Xingjian would disguise himself as Li and periodically offer to test poisons for Yao Qing’er.

Over time, half a year passed, and Yao Qing’er finally developed a favorable impression of Lin Xingjian.

‘This mission is a sure thing now.’

‘Oh, and afterwards, I’ll need to concoct some antidotes for the employer. Otherwise, he probably wouldn’t last three rounds against Yao Qing’er’s poison tests.’

Lin Xingjian mused, deciding to transcribe a list of all the poison pills he had tested over the past six months to create antidotes, which he would then sell to the employer as a separate transaction.

As the saying goes, no merchant is entirely honest.

A sly smile curved his lips.

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

The alluring woman ended the sound-transmission.

Her eyes, captivating like a fox’s, were capable of ensnaring countless souls.

A chilling coldness emanated from her gaze, as if it could freeze a person solid.

The male cultivator, bound to a stool, was filled with such terror that he couldn’t even appreciate the woman’s inherent charm.

“Senior Sister Yao, please, in your great generosity, spare me! I was momentarily foolish to seek out someone from the Shadow Sect. I won’t dare to do it again, truly, I won’t!”

The man bound to the stool was none other than Lin Xingjian’s current employer for the Pill Sect commission.

However, Yao Qing’er was no ordinary person; she had long since sensed something amiss but had been unable to find concrete proof.

Then, on one fortuitous occasion, Yao Qing’er encountered the real Li and invited him to test a poison.

Before he could even begin, he fainted merely from sniffing the pill’s aroma.

Under the subsequent coercion of Yao Qing’er’s various poison pills, Li had no choice but to confess everything truthfully.

This incident had occurred half a month ago…

“Hmph, my dear, weren’t you looking forward to a surprise from me?”

“Rest assured, I will most certainly give you a grand surprise.”

As Yao Qing’er gazed at the various shackles beside her, a flush crept onto her face.

Indeed.

To punish this faithless man who had deceived her affections, Yao Qing’er had decided to imprison Lin Xingjian.

He would spend this life and all future lives testing poisons for her… forever!