The Pill Controversy (Part 1)

Kunlun Mountains.

"This pill is called 'Fragrance of Condensed Dew.' It took a full forty-nine days to refine. It has a wonderful fragrance and melts in your mouth. A seriously injured person can recover seventy percent of their injuries after taking one pill, and a cultivator can prolong their lifespan after taking one pill. Are you sure you don't want to take it?" Taiqing looked at the two pills in his hand and talked on and on about the benefits. He was so tired from talking that his two brothers didn't react at all and looked numb.

"Yuanshi? Take one pill and let me see how effective it is. Don't worry, it was just a small mistake last time. I'm very good at controlling the dosage now, so it won't happen again... No need to worry."

"No need, we appreciate your kindness, elder brother. You can keep this elixir for yourself, elder brother. Well, elder brother, I have something to do, I'll be going now!" Yuanshi suddenly shuddered, picked up the little Tongtian who was watching the show, and tried to slip away.

Just kidding, his elder brother's pills are good, but they also have side effects, some of which are hard to talk about... Remembering the terrible consequences after he tested the medicine for his elder brother before, he decided to run away.

"Stop!" Taiqing promptly summoned the Taiji Diagram to block the two brothers who were trying to escape, his face darkening.

"Why are you running? Big Brother just wants you to try it out and see the side effects~ Tongtian, come here!" Taiqing glanced at Tongtian, who was hiding behind Yuanshi watching the show, and waved to him with a smile, signaling him to come over.

Tongtian was just a tiny kid at the time, not even reaching Yuanshi's waist. Hearing this, he shuddered and hid behind his second brother, shaking his head frantically.

No! Big brother, there's really something wrong with your pills! Second brother believed you and took them last time, and he turned into a monster, jumping around for days before he regained his human form... I don't want to become a monster! Second brother, save me, save me! Save me!

"He's just a cub! Big brother, are you serious?" Yuan Shi noticed his younger brother's panic and unease, and subconsciously patted his head to comfort him. He was shocked by his older brother's ruthlessness, and his lips twitched involuntarily. He quickly shielded his younger brother behind him to prevent his older brother from stealing his prize.

Taiqing's expression changed, and he snorted coldly, "...Stop talking nonsense. Eating one won't hurt. Didn't you give Tongtian a sleeping herb before?"

"At most, my pills will only make Tongtian sleep for a few days... Big brother, do you know that your pills are really poisonous? Aren't you afraid of sending our third brother away? He's still just a child!" Yuanshi strongly opposed his eldest brother's wild ideas, refusing to give his younger brother such unclean things! Absolutely not!

Taiqing pondered for a moment, frowned, and felt that his second brother's words made sense. So he waved his hand and sighed, "Never mind, never mind."

"Brother, you've thought it through? That's wonderful!" Yuan Shi breathed a sigh of relief, beaming with joy.

He's finally out of danger! Luckily, his older brother wasn't so heartless as to try to harm Tongtian. Otherwise, if his older brother had really wanted to give Tongtian the medicine, he probably wouldn't have survived either!

"Since Tongtian can't eat it, then you eat it!" You can eat it and there won't be a problem, right? Of course, I can't let my younger brother test the medicine. I'm just deliberately forcing you to take the bait... Hahaha, second brother, are you dumbfounded? Taiqing's eyes revealed a fanatical determination as he stared at the frozen Yuanshi. Yuanshi's pupils were trembling wildly, and his expression became subtle.

This, this really is true, not surprising at all... I knew my older brother would try to trick him indirectly! How could I possibly let him go? Heh, he knew it, he was just adopted, and my older brother took advantage of him without considering his feelings.

Not eating? Haha, do you want to experience your older brother's "influence" again?

Not eating?! I absolutely refuse to eat it!!! Bro, even if you force me, I won't eat it today!

"What's wrong with Big Brother and Second Brother? Why do you both look so grim? Are you about to fight?" Tongtian peeked out from behind his Second Brother, his face full of misery.

"Second brother, be good." Taiqing forced a smile, but the expression was more like a grimace, which successfully frightened the little brat Tongtian, who quickly hid behind his second brother, still shaken.

Yuanshi was speechless, truly unwilling, and gritted his teeth, saying, "Brother, I cannot obey your command... If you want me to die, just say so, why beat around the bush?"

Tongtian sensed his second brother's reluctance; silence was a silent refusal. He stood in front of his second brother, Yuanshi, his little face filled with determination, and said in a childish voice, "But second brother doesn't want to eat either."

Yuanshi was immediately moved to tears. He was deeply touched. Tongtian still cared about him and knew how to protect his brother.

Taiqing was at a loss for what to do. His brothers' lack of cooperation meant that his masterpiece had not yet achieved the desired result.

Yuanshi had already hidden far away with Tongtian Zai Zai in his arms, watching his eldest brother, who was still in a dilemma, with great vigilance. Tongtian Zai Zai curiously looked at his second brother's still cold and stern face, and reached out to tug at his second brother's sleeve.

"Second brother, second brother, what will you do if eldest brother insists you take that pill? You can't run away anyway?"

Yuan Shi's face was extremely bitter, his eyes were dull and lifeless, and he sighed helplessly, "What else can we do, Third Brother? You must promise your Second Brother one thing: never learn this from your Eldest Brother. It doesn't matter if you can't learn it, but please don't learn it and use it to harm others, you know?"

The little boy, Tongtian, seemed to understand but not quite. He gestured for his second brother to put him down. Since his eldest brother was in such a predicament and his second brother refused to help, he was the only one who could share his eldest brother's burden.

Amidst the puzzled look of his second brother, the cub ran up to his eldest brother. Ignoring his brother's reaction, it jumped up, grabbed the pill from his brother's hand, and swallowed it without hesitation.

Yuan Shi: "!!! Third brother! What are you doing! Spit it out!!!" The second brother, utterly shocked, picked up the cub and frantically slapped its back, hanging it upside down and shaking it. The cub was almost killed by the second brother's actions and started coughing wildly!

"My dear, Tongtian, why did you have to take that pill? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?" Yuanshi tremblingly wiped away the tears from his younger brother's eyes, filled with worry.

Good heavens! Third brother, how could you be so reckless? Aren't you afraid of getting poisoned?

Taiqing was shocked by his younger brother's reckless behavior and didn't react for a moment. When he came to his senses, his face immediately darkened and he scolded, "Nonsense!"

Third brother is really reckless! He had it all planned out: once Yuanshi lowered his guard, he would personally stuff the pill into second brother's mouth. The pill would melt instantly, so there was no need to worry about second brother spitting it out… Hilarious! Absolutely impossible, and there was no chance, okay? Who knew some little brat would suddenly appear and ruin the whole thing…

Tongtian lay in his second brother's arms for a while, then smiled sweetly: "Tongtian doesn't want to make things difficult for my two brothers~ Big brother, please don't force me to test the medicine, okay?"

Yuanshi's expression was complicated. He patted the cub's head, feeling a touch of emotion. "Tongtian, you are so sensible. Second brother, second brother is actually ashamed of himself..."

Taiqing shook his head helplessly, affectionately patted the cub's head, which was considered as agreeing to his request: "Alright, I won't let your second brother test medicine anymore. Tongtian, are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

Tongtian shook his head in confusion. "No, I just feel a little dizzy." He grinned, revealing a row of neat, white teeth, and said softly, "I'm just a little dizzy... Meow~"

Yuan Shi stared in shock as his younger brother actually fainted. Overwhelmed with grief, he glared at his elder brother and cried out, "It really was poison! What did I tell you, elder brother? You've killed your third brother! Waaaaaah, third brother, wake up, third brother..."

Taiqing panicked, visibly at a loss. He never expected to mess things up again. Surprised, before he even touched his younger brother's hand, the younger brother was suddenly enveloped in golden light. After a blinding flash, a tiny kitten, no bigger than two fists, abruptly appeared in Yuanshi's arms. The kitten had black and white stripes, evenly spaced, with black markings covering its back, the rest being pure white fur. Its four paws had pink, white pads. The kitten's tongue was slightly protruding, its pink tongue trembling slightly, and two lines appeared around its closed eyes. It was a remarkably beautiful kitten.

Yuanshi and Taiqing remained silent for a long time, unable to believe that their third brother had turned into a kitten, and it looked like he hadn't been weaned yet... Speaking of which, how do you raise a kitten? Do you feed it water or milk?

Yuan Shi felt like he was dreaming. Incredulously, he tentatively poked the kitten's soft little belly, which was rising and falling slightly, indicating that it was sleeping soundly.

Warm, hot, alive! Ahh ...

Taiqing was utterly helpless. Ignoring her second brother who was on the verge of collapse, she gently picked up the kitten. It was a soft little ball, just a tiny thing, barely the size of two palms... fluffy, soft, and so cute.

He almost held his breath as he gently stroked the kitten's head. The kitten stirred, retracted its little tongue that had been half-exposed, and rubbed against his slightly rough palm obediently before curling up and falling fast asleep in his palm.

Taiqing immediately beamed with joy, his heart softening involuntarily. What an adorable kitten! No wonder he's the third brother; even his other transformations are so cute and cuddly... However, the effects of this pill seem to last only about three days.

Yuan Shi, a beat slow to react, recalled the incredibly soft touch of the kitten in his palm and felt a sudden itch in his heart.

Taiqing didn't give his second brother a chance to take the kitten away. He kept the kitten in his arms. The kitten was very well-behaved and slept quietly without snoring. Its little whiskers would occasionally open and close, poking his skin and causing a ticklish sensation. He couldn't help but smile.

Seeing his eldest brother's smug look, Yuan Shi couldn't help but grit his teeth and laugh. Look at the mess you've made! Although your third brother, the kitten, is indeed quite cute and cuddly, you can't get too carried away with it. Instead of thinking about turning your third brother back to normal, why don't you hurry up and change him back to normal?

Noticing Yuanshi's inner grumbling, Taiqing's smile faltered. He coughed awkwardly and explained in a low voice, "It's alright, the medicine only lasts for three days."

What? Only three days? Then I want to pet the kittens too! Yuan Shi was utterly astonished, but then he felt a little regretful. Tsk, has he become so selfish? Shame on me.

Taiqing was naturally unwilling to give up the kitten he had just acquired. Yuanshi became anxious and angry, and the two confronted each other head-on. The moment they stared at each other without backing down, it was as if there were sparks flying in the air. The air was filled with killing intent, and neither of them would give way to the other.

The fierce struggle, unsurprisingly, woke the kitten up. The kitten lazily stretched, its eyes glazed over, yawning, and obediently sat in its older brother's palm. Its big, watery eyes tilted its head as it curiously examined its two older brothers, who had grown incredibly large.

"Meow~" A sweet, delicate meow suddenly rang out, and the two older brothers were immediately stunned. They looked at the kitten, who was also frozen in disbelief. The kitten was terrified and kept meowing. Its sweet, delicate voice sounded like it was pleading, which made people's hearts soften a little.

"Third brother, don't be afraid. You're only like this temporarily. You'll recover. Be good and don't be afraid." Yuan Shi patted the kitten tenderly and meowed for a long time. The kitten, with a slightly trembling voice, lowered its head, looking utterly dejected.

"Hey kid, come here to your second brother, okay?" Yuanshi tentatively approached the kitten, but just as he was about to make a move, Taiqing, who had been waiting impatiently, slapped his paw away and coldly snorted, "Get lost!"

Yuan Shi: "!!!" Hmph! They even started fighting, Big Brother is shameless!

The kitten raised its tiny head, its bright eyes clearly reflecting its older brother's smiling face, which was practically closed in laughter. A warm, large hand gently stroked its back, and the kitten's pupils contracted, instantly enveloped by a sudden, overwhelming feeling of pleasure. It involuntarily narrowed its eyes, letting out a comfortable purr, and instinctively rubbed its head against its brother's palm. Ah, so comfortable! Tongtian wanted to pet it too!

Seeing the kitten lying happily and relaxed on his eldest brother's lap again, Yuan Shi felt a burning hatred in his heart, as if his heart was bleeding. His kitten, his third brother, was someone he could see but not touch, someone who had nothing to do with him! What kind of human suffering was this?

Taiqing, concealing his true intentions, glanced subtly at his second brother, who was practically exploding with rage, and a slight smirk crept onto his lips. "Little brat, you think you can mess with your big brother? Too green."