Chapter 4987 — The Undaunted Nantian

The others all chimed in and nodded. Apart from Zheng Dongsheng, Wu Miao, the standing vice island master, held the highest rank among them; only Zheng Dongjue, who presided over the Pill Hall, could sit as his equal. As for the likes of Nantian Jiguang and Tong Yangxi, they were reduced to fawning over him and currying his favor.

Zheng Dongsheng laughed heartily, thoroughly pleased with everyone's attitude, and only then said, "I've asked you all here today because the Famous Medicine Sect has run into a bit of trouble, and we need everyone to help think of a way through it."

"I heard it has to do with the Heavenly Elixir Pavilion?" Wu Miao asked. Tong Yangxi had mentioned a thing or two to him earlier, but he was still unclear on the specifics.

"Quite right. Ordinarily this little Heavenly Elixir Pavilion would be nothing worth making such a fuss over. But that Wei Zhao of the Heavenly Elixir Pavilion has returned, and no sooner had he come back than he latched onto Diao Huanshan and Zhao Youque. Now he's even put out word that he's selling seventh-grade pills—an aggressive arrival indeed," Zheng Dongsheng said, his brows knitting slightly.

"Seventh-grade pills?" Everyone was startled at once. Even in the Eastern Continent, seventh-grade pills were exceedingly rare, to say nothing of here on Middle Island. Even Wu Miao, the standing vice island master seated among them, coveted seventh-grade pills—let alone anyone else.

"The Heavenly Elixir Pavilion has always been the Famous Medicine Sect's mortal foe. Once it gains the upper hand, the blow to our sect will be unimaginable. So I implore you all to lend your help—the Famous Medicine Sect will reward you handsomely!" Tong Yangxi pleaded earnestly.

"I hear the Heavenly Elixir Pavilion has the Heavenly Dao Hall backing it up. Is that true?" Wu Miao asked.

"Quite true. It is so," Tong Yangxi nodded.

"Since that's the case, then I really must help the Famous Medicine Sect with this favor. The Heavenly Dao Hall may be my colleague, but his conduct is arrogant and overbearing. No doubt the Heavenly Elixir Pavilion also uses his name to do as it pleases—otherwise how could it have grown to such a state in a mere two years? Who would believe there's no filthy, sordid business behind it all?" Wu Miao said darkly.

"Exactly, exactly! Vice Island Master Wu is absolutely right!" Tong Yangxi was overjoyed to hear this. In his eyes, so long as Wu Miao was willing to nod and help, the Heavenly Elixir Pavilion was as good as finished.

"If Vice Island Master Wu doesn't mind, then please tell me wherever I can be of use—I'd be only too glad to take care of this Heavenly Elixir Pavilion," Nantian Jiguang suddenly cut in.

"Oh? Vice Head Nantian is interested as well?" Tong Yangxi was delighted.

"That wretch of a Heavenly Dao Hall is arrogant and overbearing, and Vice Island Master Wu isn't the only one who's at odds with him. Don't forget, two years ago I fought him over the post of vice island master. What's more, that Wei Zhao of the Heavenly Elixir Pavilion has some grievances with me too—this is the perfect chance to settle accounts with him," Nantian Jiguang sneered.

"Excellent. It seems Vice Head Nantian is a kindred spirit. Vice Island Master Wu, you're in the wrong here—having such a good friend and not introducing him to us sooner! If he hadn't happened to be a guest in your residence this time, we likely never would have had the chance to meet him. Truly, we should have met long ago," Zheng Dongsheng said, seizing the moment to win hearts.

It was true that alchemists enjoyed extraordinary status, but at the same time they could only live comfortably by relying on a broad web of connections. Nantian Jiguang was, after all, a figure of some consequence on Middle Island, and now they shared a common enemy, which naturally drew them a layer closer. To sit together and find common ground—that made him a ready-made friend.

"Master Zheng truly knows how to make friends. I feel the same way. You are renowned throughout the world of alchemy, and I have always regretted never having had the chance to meet you. Today at last a long-held wish is fulfilled," Nantian Jiguang said, seizing the moment to flatter him.

"Renowned? Hardly—merely an empty reputation. Vice Head Nantian flatters me," Zheng Dongsheng laughed, then asked, "From what you just said, could it be that two years ago you competed for the post of vice island master against the Heavenly Dao Hall?"

"Yes. But at that time I had only just advanced to the early stage of the Mystic Ascension realm, and my cultivation was not yet stable, which was why I fell short at the final hurdle," Nantian Jiguang said with a bitter smile.

"And now? Since the Heavenly Dao Hall has gone to the Eastern Continent, his post as vice island master must be vacant, no?" Zheng Dongsheng turned to look at Wu Miao. In such matters, Wu Miao, as standing vice island master, had the greatest say.

At these words, Nantian Jiguang's eyes lit up. The real reason he had gone to visit Wu Miao today was precisely for this matter. If he could work things out properly on Wu Miao's side, he might well regain the chance to compete for the post of vice island master!

"Master Zheng is right. The island master's pavilion must have one island master and four vice island masters in office—this is an ancient rule handed down through the ages, and no one may make an exception. If he had merely left for a month or two, that would be one thing, but this time the Heavenly Dao Hall has gone to the far-off Eastern Continent, and for something as perilous as assailing the Mystic Ascension realm. Who knows whether he'll come back alive?" Wu Miao said with a cold laugh.

He had always been on bad terms with the Heavenly Dao Hall, and this time he certainly hoped the man would be struck dead by the lightning tribulation. Even if it failed to kill him, a domineering nature like his would easily stir up trouble in the Eastern Continent, where masters were as numerous as clouds; and once he provoked some formidable figure, it would be hard for him not to die.

"In other words, the Middle Island's island master pavilion is now one short of five. So Vice Head Nantian has a chance again?" Zheng Dongsheng said with a smile, glancing at the restive Nantian Jiguang.

"You could say so. After deliberation by the island master pavilion, the Heavenly Dao Hall's post as vice island master is temporarily left vacant. If he can return to Middle Island within a short time, the post is still his. But if he comes back too late and the post has been taken by another, he'll have nothing to complain about. The chance is rare—Vice Head Nantian really can make a bid for it," Wu Miao nodded.

"If I can win the post of vice island master, I will surely follow Vice Island Master Wu's lead in all things!" Nantian Jiguang hastened to pledge his loyalty.

As standing vice island master, Wu Miao's voice in this matter was second only to the island master himself—he was precisely the man whose support Nantian Jiguang most needed to win. So long as Wu Miao nodded, and adding his own backing forces, he would have at least a seventy-percent chance this time!

As for the island master, who had even greater say—Nantian Jiguang had originally been able to reach him, but unfortunately the island master he had gone to such pains to befriend was presently in seclusion. Another great figure was now temporarily exercising the island master's authority, and that great figure he could not even get to see, so naturally there was no way to work on him.

So now all his hopes rested on Wu Miao. He had never expected that Zheng Dongsheng, whom he was meeting for the first time, would actually be inclined to support him—and from the look of it, Wu Miao listened closely to Zheng Dongsheng. This was truly an unexpected delight!