Chapter Five: The Lightning Martial Soul

Shi Yan opened his eyes and gazed at the medicine slaves not far away, lost in thought.

Most of these people had become medicine slaves because of poverty, forced into signing an agreement with Mo Yanyu. If they managed to survive for half a year, not only would they gain their freedom, but they would also receive two hundred purple crystal coins. Of course, if they died during drug trials, their families would still receive this sum.

On the Divine Grace Continent, one black crystal coin equals one hundred purple crystal coins, which equals ten thousand blue crystal coins. Ordinary people’s annual income is only five or six purple crystal coins; two hundred purple crystal coins would take a medicine slave forty years to earn.

The day the agreement was signed, their families received fifty purple crystal coins. The remainder would be handed over after half a year. If they died, those coins would go to their families. For them, two hundred purple crystal coins was perhaps more than they could earn in a lifetime, which was why they took such risks.

However, when they made the agreement, they never imagined that drug trials would be so cruel. Almost every few days, one among them died from the trials, and their deaths were always gruesome. This left them in constant terror, giving rise to many desperate thoughts.

Unfortunately, the agreement was clearly written: once signed, there was no withdrawal. For half a year, their lives belonged to the Mo family. If they refused to comply or tried to escape, the Mo family had the right to kill them.

No fortune falls from the sky. By the time they realized the cruelty of the trials, it was already too late; all they could do was endure.

Shi Yan understood in his heart that none of these people would make it to the end. He knew the medicine slaves would all die sooner or later, perhaps even tomorrow. Knowing his own limitations, he could not change their fate, so he avoided interacting with them, had no bonds, and would not grieve when they died.

Shi Yan frowned and quietly glanced at the alchemist Karu, seated high inside the Earth Dragon carriage, then quickly withdrew his gaze.

From the five white medicine bottles embroidered on Karu’s chest, Shi Yan knew he was a Grade Five Mortal Alchemist. Alchemists were an even rarer group in this world than warriors.

Almost every alchemist was also a warrior. The pills they refined could enhance a warrior’s cultivation, and a select few powerful alchemists could even craft special pills that strengthened the abilities of one’s Martial Spirit.

Unlike the ten realms of warriors, alchemists on the Divine Grace Continent were divided into five ranks based on their skill in pill-making: Mortal, Profound, Spirit, Saint, and Divine, each rank further split into seven grades.

Each rank of alchemist bore a distinct symbol. Mortal alchemists had white medicine bottles on their chest; Profound bore flames; Spirit had herbs; Saint displayed pills; Divine bore cauldrons. Karu’s five white medicine bottles clearly marked him as a Grade Five Mortal Alchemist.

Because their pills could transform warriors and enhance their energy, alchemists held a lofty status among warriors. Their rarity made them coveted by every major power, elevating their prestige even further.

Karu, a Grade Five Mortal Alchemist, had been invited by Mo Yanyu for the Mo family from Medicine King Valley of the Divine Blessing Empire. The Mo family, like the Shi family, was one of the five great houses of the Merchant Alliance. They also possessed Martial Spirits; the Mo family’s Martial Spirit was the power of lightning, and many Mo family members were born with Lightning Martial Spirits that grew stronger with their cultivation.

Mo Yanyu herself was a young master of the Mo family, inheritor of the Lightning Martial Spirit.

The Mo family operated a medicinal business in the Merchant Alliance, always seeking to recruit alchemists to refine medicines for them. But alchemists were eccentric and proud, rarely willing to submit to the control of noble families, so the Mo family’s efforts were often frustrated.

Although Karu was only a Grade Five Mortal Alchemist, it was quite a feat for the Mo family to persuade him. This time, Mo Yanyu had somehow convinced Karu to leave Medicine King Valley and agree to refine medicines for the Mo family.

But Karu seemed to walk a crooked path. He was deeply interested in poisons, which alchemists considered heretical. To refine poisons with precision, beast trials were insufficient; only live humans could be used—hence, the medicine slaves.

***

“Move out!” Mo Yanyu’s soft command rang out from afar. The resting warriors quickly stood up, tidied their things, and prepared to set off. The medicine slaves squatting together hurriedly rose, fearful of being beaten if they lingered.

Shi Yan silently stood, casting a cold glance at the graceful figure at the head of the procession—a woman as beautiful as she was venomous—then gave a barely audible snort and obediently followed the group.

Within the Merchant Alliance, the Mo and Shi families had never gotten along. Three years ago, Mo Yanyu’s fifth uncle was killed by Shi Dang of the Shi family during a struggle for a mine. Afterwards, the Mo family retaliated fiercely, killing many Shi family guards. Their feud simmered in secret ever since.

Shi Yan knew that if his original identity was exposed, not only would he not be freed, but he might die even faster.

Fortunately, the body’s original owner lacked a Martial Spirit and had no interest in martial arts, never participating in Merchant Alliance martial events. As a result, Mo Yanyu did not recognize him. Otherwise, his situation might have been even worse.

***

Night fell; the moon hung like a silver plate, stars scattered across the sky.

The Mo family camped beside a small river. The Earth Dragon let out heavy breaths as it rested quietly. The Mo family warriors ate dried meat, laughing and gossiping about the famed courtesans of the Merchant Alliance’s brothels.

A few bold warriors, when Mo Yanyu’s back was turned, stole glances at her exquisite figure, swallowing nervously. They knew that a woman of her rank and status was beyond their reach; all they could do was feast their eyes.

Shi Yan sat quietly, preparing to circulate his energy once more, when he suddenly noticed Mo Yanyu and Karu walking straight toward him from the front of the camp.

A chill swept through Shi Yan’s heart; he sensed trouble approaching and his expression grew grim.

“The effect of the Gut-Rending Powder is too strong; ordinary civilians can’t endure it. Two died in just six days. It seems only warriors can withstand it. That boy has recovered well after so long; it’s time to put him to use…” Karu said with a sinister smile, holding a bowl of thick, black medicine in his left hand.

“Master, don’t hold back. Do whatever you wish with him, just don’t let him die too easily,” Mo Yanyu replied with a light smile.

“Heh, rest assured, Miss Mo. Since he’s fallen into my hands, there’s no reason for a painless death. You’ve seen the Gut-Rending Powder’s effects—those civilians rotted away slowly. The stronger his body, the slower the rot, the greater the pain. Just watch,” Karu laughed loudly, completely indifferent to Shi Yan’s feelings nearby.

“That’s just as well,” Mo Yanyu nodded, her beautiful eyes gleaming coldly, clearly harboring deep hatred for Shi Yan.

The two approached Shi Yan, laughing and chatting. Karu wasted no words, thrusting the bowl of Gut-Rending Powder in front of Shi Yan and said coldly, “Boy, drink it.”

Mo Yanyu extended her delicate left hand, dazzling lightning flickering across her five fingers, curling from her pinky to her thumb like a nimble electric serpent. Her Lightning Martial Spirit fused with her energy, causing the air to crackle and snap.

“Heh!” Johnson’s mocking voice sounded from behind Shi Yan. “Boy, you know what happens if you refuse.”

Karu’s eyes sparkled with excitement. He rubbed his hands together, exclaiming, “Boy, Gut-Rending Powder is fascinating—it will make your intestines rot away, bit by bit…”

Mo Yanyu stared coldly at Shi Yan, waiting for him to resist. If he showed even a hint of defiance, she would strike with thunderous force, ready to vent her rage upon him.

All these days, whenever she remembered Shi Yan’s audacious violation, anger welled up inside her. The forbidden place, untouched even by her fiancé, had been tasted first by Shi Yan, leaving her frustrated and ashamed to the point of near collapse.

“I’ll drink it,” Shi Yan replied calmly, taking the bowl of Gut-Rending Powder and draining it in one gulp.

…