Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Mang Biao, Second Master of the Island

As for the Sword Dao Afterimage, because it did not have considerable scriptures like the Humanoid Weapon, it was instead very profound and difficult for people to comprehend.

However, after contemplating for nearly a year, he had made some progress and believed that results would soon be achieved.

In this manner, he practiced alchemy, cultivation, and pondered over Divine Skills.

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

It was on this day that a group of uninvited guests arrived outside the island pillar.

"Island Master, the Alchemy Master lives in the island pillar ahead. I've followed Jin Suanpan and confirmed his whereabouts," one of them said.

"To be an Alchemy Master and yet live in such a place? It seems he truly hasn't joined any faction. Haha, today we will capture him and take him back."

"Congratulations to the Island Master on capturing an Alchemy Master. This is a being capable of refining Demon Essence Pills, it looks like our Black Wind Association's strength will increase once more."

"Haha, if he truly is an Alchemy Master, then he deserves my personal attention. It's not too late to offer congratulations after we've captured him, let's go over there."

A group of eight people rode the wind at a swift pace, and with a loud boom, they landed on the island pillar, causing a great commotion.

"Fellow Daoist, come out to meet us, don't hide. I know you're inside," a booming voice called out, echoing in the ear like rolling thunder and lingering for a long time.

Yang Ji's eardrums buzzed, and his head began to spin. He knew right away that the visitors bore ill intentions.

What annoyed him was that after the previous visit by Chang Yuan, he had already moved to another island pillar to avoid exposure, so why were there more hostile people arriving now?

With a slightly grim expression, Yang Ji pushed open the stone door and leapt onto the island pillar.

He was met by a burly man, with big ears, a broad nose, a square mouth, and side whiskers. The chest hair exposed on his chest was both thick and dark, audaciously formed into a "heart" shape.

This big man with slightly slanted large eyes emitted a malicious gleam, clearly not a good sign.

And yet, incredulously, this man was at the early stages of Golden Core.

Even more infuriating was that he had Superior Spiritual Root.

It was simply unjust.

Yang Ji felt indignant inwardly, thinking to himself, "How can a rough brute like him have Superior Spiritual Root while someone as handsome, suave, lofty, and rare as me only possesses Lower-grade Root Bone? It's outrageous!"

In his envy, he shot the man a resentful glance.

Hmm? This kid, the big man's eyes, large as copper bells, shifted, and he subconsciously straightened his loose robe, covering up the 'love' shaped chest hair.

Then he frowned slightly and angled his body, whispering to a refined-looking middle-aged man behind him, "This kid doesn't look old at all. Are you sure he's an Alchemy Master? Could you have made a mistake?"

"Absolutely not. Whether he is or not, let's capture him first and discuss it later," the middle-aged man replied through a concealed message.

Capture him? Yang Ji frowned slightly.

"Young man, Jin Suanpan said during our deal that your alchemy skills surpass even those of Master Chang Yuan? Since you are an Alchemy Master with such alchemy techniques, why would you choose to lurk on this solitary island pillar?

Come with me to Black Wind Island and enjoy the good life," the big man grinned, opening his mouth so wide it seemed as if he could swallow someone, his eyes revealing naked domineering intent.

Jin Suanpan? This guy's causing me trouble. What a pig-headed ally. Since when did I become an Alchemy Master?

The medicinal pills I refined were never fully exerted, and the quality barely touched the superior grade. He actually inflated my reputation with Chang Yuan, a renown Alchemy Master, to add weight to his words? They have wrongly labeled me as an Alchemy Master.

Yang Ji inwardly cursed Jin Suanpan for being thoughtless.

And now he had attracted a Golden Core True Person, with a group of ill-intentioned Foundation Establishment late-stagers behind him. This was indeed troublesome.

As thoughts whirled, Yang Ji steadied himself, smiled faintly, and with a respectful gesture said, "Go to Black Wind Island to enjoy the good life? I appreciate the senior's kind offer. However, tomorrow I will be leaving with Jin Suanpan to return to the Jin Family. Heading to Black Wind Island would be inconvenient now, perhaps another time."

"Hmph! Trying to be clever in front of me, do you think I'm negotiating with you? We at the Black Wind Association don't do things based on others' faces, and you dare bring up the Jin Family to pressure me. The Jin Family only has three Golden Core True Persons, and we're not afraid of them at all.

As a Golden Core True Person myself, leading a group of Foundation Establishment to greet you, I gave you, an Alchemy Master, all due respect. If you refuse to leave, then I'll have to personally capture you. If you get hurt, I'm not going to care," the burly man glowered and bellowed, his ferocious aura apparent.

"Little brother, come with us. Black Wind Island is much better than this place," the people behind the large man chuckled sinisterly, their threat unmistakable.

The burly man looked rugged, but his thoughts were surprisingly delicate; this was going to be complicated. Yang Ji frowned in secret, glanced at the large man, and said with a cupped-hand smile, "I haven't yet asked for senior's esteemed name!"

"I'm Mang Biao, Island Master of Black Wind Island, and leader of the Black Wind Association. You can call me Island Master or Association Leader, as soon you'll be one of my men anyway," Mang Biao declared, puffing his chest out proudly.

"So, it's Senior Mang. You don't rest and heal your injuries on the island, but instead come out for a stroll. Why is that?" Yang Ji replied with a faint smile. Sёarᴄh the NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Heal injuries?" Mang Biao squinted his eyes, filled with doubt, "I'm perfectly fine; what injuries would I need to heal?"

"I observed that senior's complexion is tinged with blackness and your brows hold a murderous look. There's a surge of malevolent energy in your pupils. I suppose you often find it hard to meditate during cultivation, frequently becoming irritable, and your True Qi is often uncontrollable, almost as if it's about to react violently. Am I right?"

Seeing that the words [Excessive consumption of low-quality Demon Essence Pills, demonic energy invasion, impure True Qi, risk of cultivation deviation] appeared above Mang Biao's head, Yang Ji spoke with an affected air.

"Saying that our leader's True Qi is uncontrollable, what a joke," someone in the back snickered.

Yet upon hearing this, Mang Biao was shocked, thinking to himself, "I've never spoken of these symptoms to anyone, how does this youngster know? Could he also be a medicinal practitioner?"

Yang Ji saw Mang Biao's smile and domineering presence gradually recede, replaced with a display of [Solemnity], and knew his words had struck deep within his soul.

Yang Ji then pressed even further, feigning profound wisdom as he spoke, "Your leader is nearly at the point of cultivation deviation, and you all can still laugh?"

"Hmph! Stop with your alarmist talk, and just come with us," someone from behind said coldly.

Cultivation deviation? Upon hearing this, Mang Biao grimaced sharply, with [Fear] appearing above his head. He first let out a hearty laugh, feigning composure, before casually saying:

"You make it sound so interesting. I, Mang Biao, am perfectly fine, and yet you're about to talk me into being a dead man. It's a pity you aren't a fortune-teller."

While he maintained a casual front, in private he transmitted a weak message, "Little brother, how did you see it?"

In that moment, feeling somewhat steadier, Yang Ji smiled at Mang Biao and replied through a transmitted message, "One glance was all it took!"

"Is there still hope for me?"

"There is! However, it's difficult; no one besides myself can cure you," Yang Ji announced.

Mang Biao sighed deeply, and as his eyes flickered, he transmitted back, "From the first glance, I felt a kinship with you, young brother. What do you say to forming an unbreakable bond today?"

"An unbreakable bond?" Yang Ji was taken aback.

Regardless of Yang Ji's response, Mang Biao took a step forward, slung an arm around his shoulder, turned to the crowd behind and said with a smile, "This little brother and I hit it off. I like him a lot, so henceforth he will be the Second Master of Black Wind Island. Go on, call him Second Master!"

"..." The crowd behind went into a bemused silence, exchanging glances of confusion and wondering to themselves if the Island Master had lost his mind.

Mang Biao certainly saw the looks on their faces, but he had his own plans, and barked, "What? Didn't you hear what I said? Call him Second Master this instant!"

Though he spoke sternly on the surface, he secretly transmitted to them, "First, stabilize him; I have my plans."

The crowd exchanged glances, then smilingly clasped their hands and exclaimed, "Greetings to the Second Master!"

"Mang Biao is being crafty again, thinking that bestowing me with the mere title of Second Master of the Island, he wants me to treat him?" Yang Ji's eyes narrowed as he mused, "Well then, I'll just have to play along for now."

However, at the moment, he couldn't think of a better plan, so he had to go along with it.

Mang Biao laughed heartily, "Haha, little brother, I still don't know your name."

"Yang Ji!" Yang Ji replied with a salute.

"Haha, so it's Young Brother Yang! Come on, let's return to Black Wind Island," Mang Biao urged without further ado, taking hold of Yang Ji's shoulder and flying up into the sky.

(More exciting content to come, looking forward to your recommendations!)