"Does a young and promising alchemist like you, Young Friend Ye, not want to become a disciple of the Pill King's Palace and go further on the path of alchemy?"

"As far as I know, the Danwang Palace requires its disciples to be under sixteen years old. Unfortunately, I am already twenty years old, and I can't even pass the first test."

"Perhaps things can still take a turn for the better?"

"Oh, please enlighten me, Your Highness."

"Someone from above will be coming soon. If you can gain their favor, joining the Pill King Palace is not impossible."

So, it seems someone from the Pill King Palace is coming. Her master deduced her whereabouts and is sending someone to take her back. Judging from this branch palace master's intentions, the person coming is probably not of low status; at the very least, they will be a high-ranking elder. In that case, as long as she meets an elder, her safety will be guaranteed.

"As far as I know, there is more than one branch hall on the Western Continent, so I may not necessarily have the opportunity to meet that person."

"You're smart, which is why I approached you. If you're amazing enough, I'm sure that person won't overlook you."

As expected of an old fox, Ye Xiruo suppressed her excitement and asked, "What do I need to do?"

"What grade of pills can you refine now?"

"A top-grade sixth-rank anti-aging pill."

A smile flashed across the branch hall master's face: "Very good, I think it would be better if young friend Ye didn't need to go back, but could focus on refining pills in the Pill King Hall?"

Ye Xiruo raised an eyebrow: "Are you trying to restrict my freedom?"

"Young friend Ye, you've misunderstood. I just want to protect you better. You may not know that I've already become quite famous in the royal city."

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord, but I still prefer to stay at the inn."

"It's not that I'm unwilling to help others achieve their goals; young friend Ye will know what's going on once you get out."

"Alright, I'll take my leave now."

Ye Xiruo had just left the Pill King Palace and hadn't gone far when she realized she was being followed. She wasn't familiar with the forces in the royal city, and she didn't know which force was following her. She also had no desire to have much contact with the forces in the royal city.

Coming to the Western Continent was just an accident; she was destined to return to the Central Continent.

"Master Ye, my patriarch requests your presence." Ye Xiruo seemed to be stopped shortly after she left.

They came really fast. That old fox, the branch hall master, had better not have anything to do with him today's troubles, otherwise he'll be stuck here forever and can forget about getting promoted.

"No time." Ye Xiruo didn't even glance at the man in blue robes and walked straight ahead.

"Master Ye, please reconsider."

"Damn it, this is threatening me! Humph, the thing she fears least in her life is being threatened: 'If you take another step forward, within seven steps, I guarantee that all your flesh and bones will rot and turn into a pool of blood.'" Ye Xiruo's tone was very calm, as if she were saying something like, "The weather is nice today," but the content made the blue-robed man's expression suddenly change. The most troublesome people on this continent are alchemists. Alchemists can save people, but they can also kill them. The poison of alchemists is hard to guard against, and those who offend alchemists often die a terrible death.

"I'm sorry to offend you." The man in blue robes remembered his master's orders, but still decided to risk completing the mission.

A hint of murderous intent flashed in Ye Xiruo's eyes. "I've already given you a chance. If you don't appreciate it, then you might as well die."

Without even glancing at the palm coming from behind, Ye Xiruo instantly transformed into several afterimages, whipping his whip several times in front of him: "What's the point of hiding your heads and tails? Get out here, all of you."

"Master Ye is indeed quick-witted, we admire him. We just don't know if Master Ye would be willing to do us the honor of meeting our patriarch."

“Your patriarch is neither the Taiyan God Emperor nor the Jingli Palace Master, so why should I go to see you? I’ve already told you I’m busy.”

"Master Ye, won't you reconsider?"

"No need to think about it anymore. You're the ones who should be thinking about it. Have you considered the consequences of offending me?" Ye Xiruo's lips curled into a cold smile. The long whip in her hand disappeared instantly, replaced by a long sword. Holding the sword, Ye Xiruo launched the first attack.

"You're asking for it."

These people don't seem to be from the same group, but what does it matter? I'll just kill a few of them as they come, and that will also deter those who are plotting against me in the dark. Ye Xiruo has no interest in the power of the royal city, so don't mess with me if you don't want to.

Ye Xiruo's sword was fast, and her movements were even faster. She quickly and perfectly dodged the attacks of the three people and stabbed one of them, leaving him seriously injured.

"Since you're courting death, I'll play along." Ye Xiruo's smile was like that of a demon.

Half an hour later, Ye Xiruo, carrying her blood-stained longsword, continued walking towards the inn. With her strong mental power, she could naturally sense that there were still some people behind her who were unwilling to give up, but no one dared to openly jump out and confront her. In this world, only overwhelming martial power could deter those with ill intentions in the dark.

After Ye Xiruo walked away, the remaining people approached the scene. Just one glance was enough to make them vomit. The scene was far too bloody, cruel, and violent. If they hadn't witnessed it with their own eyes, they could never have imagined that a pill refiner could possess such destructive power; it was like seeing a living demon. One person was cleaved in two by Ye Xiruo's sword, another was reduced to a pool of blood, one was cut in half at the waist, and another was a headless corpse.

Ye Xi knew that her actions would offend those people, but so what? Since the branch hall master wanted to use her, how could he not pay a price? Consider these troubles as a small gift to him.

Halfway there, Ye Xiruo saw the blood-stained sword in her hand. After thinking for a moment, she threw it away with disgust. When she returned to the inn, the innkeeper was almost in tears. Why did this strange person come back again? Heaven knows he didn't want Ye Xiruo to come back at all.

"Bring some hot water up, and don't bother me unless it's absolutely necessary."

"Yes, yes, yes." The shopkeeper nodded repeatedly, thinking, "You're the boss, whatever you say is right."

News of Ye Xiruo's brilliant achievements quickly reached the ears of the clan heads, who were all furious. They reasoned that even when beating a dog, one should consider its owner; Ye Xiruo was clearly disregarding them. Did he, a mere alchemist, think he could defy the heavens?

If Ye Xi knew what they were thinking, he would only chuckle. Some people are just too self-important, like frogs in a well, which is why they think everyone in the world should follow their wishes.

What angered these family heads the most was that the people they sent out had followed them for several years, but they died so tragically. Ye Xiruo, since you are so disrespectful, don't blame us for being impolite.