Chapter 5: Lightning Martial Soul

... ...

Shiyan knew that if he exposed the identity of the original owner, not only would he not be released, but he would likely die even faster

Pies do not fall from the sky; by the time they realize the cruelty of drug testing, it will already be too late, and they can only endure.

The Mo family camped by the river, with the earth dragons making a "huffing" sound, resting quietly by the water. The warriors of the Mo family were eating dried meat, chuckling and discussing several renowned and alluring courtesans from the merchant alliance's brothels.

... ...

Shiyan opened his eyes and gazed blankly at the medicine slaves not far away

Mo Yan Yu extended her snow-white left hand, dazzling electric arcs danced across her five fingers, slowly winding from the little finger to the thumb, resembling a nimble electric snake in motion. The "Lightning Martial Soul" combined with essence energy, and the strands of energy fluctuations caused the air to explode with a series of sharp "crack" sounds

In the business alliance, the relationship between the Mo family and the Shi family has always been poor. Mo Yanyu's fifth uncle was killed three years ago by Shi Zhang during a dispute over a mine. In retaliation, the Mo family went on a rampage, killing many of the Shi family's guards. As a result of this incident, the two families have engaged in numerous covert conflicts.

The two chatted and laughed, and before long, they arrived beside Shi Yan. Karu wasted no time and handed the bowl of black, viscous Duanchang San to Shi Yan, coldly saying: "Kid, drink this."

Fortunately, the original owner of this body did not possess a "Martial Soul" and was naturally disinclined towards martial arts. As a result, he never participated in many martial arts activities organized by merchant alliances and libraries, to the extent that Mo Yanyu did not recognize him at all. Otherwise, his current situation might have been even worse

At night, the moon resembles a silver plate, and the stars are scattered like dots.

Mo Yan's cold gaze fixed on Shi Yan, unwavering in the moment, waiting for any sign of resistance from him. The instant Shi Yan showed even the slightest hint of non-cooperation, she would strike with thunderous force, fully prepared to unleash her pent-up frustrations upon him.

Shiyan quietly sat down, preparing to continue circulating the essence within his body, when he suddenly noticed Moyan Yu and Karu approaching him directly from the front of the line.

However, Karu seems to stray from the righteous path. He has a great interest in the study of poisons, which alchemists regard as a perverse discipline. To achieve precision and intricacy in the crafting of poisons, it is insufficient to use demonic beasts for testing; it is necessary to use living humans, which has led to the existence of those drug slaves

Every alchemist is almost a martial artist, and the pills they concoct can enhance a martial artist's cultivation. A very small number of skilled alchemists can produce special pills that can even enhance the abilities of the "martial soul"

The Mo family has been engaged in the herbal medicine business within the merchant alliance, continuously recruiting alchemists from various regions for their own practices. However, alchemists tend to have eccentric personalities and hold themselves in high regard, making it rare for anyone to be willing to be constrained by the aristocratic families. As a result, the Mo family has never been able to achieve their desires.

A chill ran through Shiyan's heart as he realized that disaster was imminent, and his expression gradually darkened.

On the continent of Divine Grace, one black crystal coin is equivalent to one hundred purple crystal coins, which is also equal to ten thousand blue crystal coins. The annual income of an ordinary citizen is only about five to six purple crystal coins, and it would take a medicine servant forty years to earn two hundred purple crystal coins

Most of these individuals, due to their impoverished family backgrounds, had no choice but to enter into an agreement with Mo Yanyu to become medicine slaves. As long as they can endure for six months, they will not only gain their freedom but also receive two hundred purple crystal coins. Of course, if they die from testing the medicine, their relatives will also receive this sum of money

Mo Yan Yu is a young master of the Mo family, possessing the "Lightning Martial Soul" and representing the direct lineage of the Mo clan.

"That would be best." Mo Yanyu nodded, her beautiful eyes radiating a cold light, clearly indicating that she hated Shiyan to the core.

On the day the agreement was signed, their relatives received fifty purple crystal coins, and the remaining amount would be delivered to them six months later. If they were unfortunate enough to die, those crystal coins would be passed on to their relatives. Two hundred purple crystal coins might be an amount that these individuals could never earn in a lifetime of hard work. It is precisely for this reason that they would take such risks.

Although Karu is merely a fifth-tier mortal alchemist, it is indeed not easy for the Mo family to persuade him. This time, Mo Yanyu managed to convince Karu through some means, allowing him to agree to leave the Medicine King Valley and to go to the Mo family to refine medicine.

Hehe, Miss Mo, you can rest assured about this. Since it has fallen into my hands, Karu, it certainly won't be a quick death. As you have seen before, the effects of the Heartbreak Powder are quite severe; those commoners died slowly as their bodies rotted away. The stronger this fellow is, the slower the decay will be, and naturally, the pain will increase. Just watch closely." Karu laughed heartily, showing no regard for the feelings of Shiyan, who was not far away.

Due to the ability of alchemists to create pills that can enhance the essence of martial artists, the status of alchemists is extremely high among martial artists. Furthermore, the rarity of alchemists makes each one a coveted target for various major factions, further elevating their status.

Unfortunately, the agreement is clearly stated in black and white; once signed, it cannot be withdrawn midway. This means that for the next six months, they have entrusted their lives to the Mo family. As long as they do not comply with the agreement and dare to sneak away, the Mo family has the right to kill them

Depart! A light shout from Mo Yan Yu echoed from afar, prompting the many resting martial artists to rise one after another, tidying up in preparation for the journey ahead. The medicine slaves, who were squatting together, also hurried to their feet, fearing that if they lagged behind even a little, they would be punished.

These days, whenever she thinks of Shi Yan's wanton violation of her, she feels a surge of anger. The sacred ground that even her fiancé has not yet had the chance to touch has been first tasted by Shi Yan, leaving her feeling frustrated and ashamed to the point of almost spitting blood

Shiyan understood in his heart that none of these people would last until that day. He knew that these drug slaves would eventually die, perhaps even tomorrow someone would lose their life due to drug testing. He was aware of his limited abilities and felt powerless to change all of this, so he avoided close contact with them, having no ties or friendships. When these people died, he would not feel sorrow.

Each level of alchemist has a special insignia. A novice alchemist has a white medicine bottle embroidered on their chest, an advanced alchemist has flames embroidered on their chest, a spiritual alchemist has herbs embroidered on their chest, a holy alchemist has a pill embroidered on their chest, and a divine alchemist has a medicinal cauldron embroidered on their chest. The Karu has five white medicine bottles embroidered on their chest, indicating a fifth-tier novice level of cultivation, which is immediately clear.

Shiyan silently stood up, casting a cold glance at the graceful figure at the front of the line, whose heart was as venomous as a scorpion. With a barely audible cold snort, he obediently followed the team ahead.

Kalu, a fifth-tier mortal-level alchemist, was invited by Mo Yanyu from the Medicine King Valley of the Divine Favor Empire to join the Mo family. Like the Shi family, the Mo family is also one of the five major families of the Merchant Alliance. The Mo family possesses a "Martial Soul," which is the power of lightning. Many members of the Mo family are born with the "Lightning Martial Soul," which grows progressively stronger with the enhancement of their cultivation level.

"I drink," Shiyan replied lightly, steadily catching the bowl of Duanchang San and downing it in one gulp

The potency of the Duanchang San medicine is too strong; ordinary civilians simply cannot withstand it. In just six days, two have already died. It seems that only martial artists can endure it. That young man has been nurtured for so long, and I see he has recently recovered quite a bit. It is time for him to be put to use... Kalur smiled ominously, holding a bowl of dark, viscous potion in his left hand

Karulu's eyes were filled with excitement, and he couldn't help but rub his hands together, exclaiming: "Kid, the Heartbreak Powder is quite interesting; it will make you start to rot from your intestines little by little..."

A few audacious warriors, while Mu Yanyu had her back turned to them, would occasionally steal glances at her exquisite figure, secretly swallowing their saliva. Yet, deep down, they understood that a woman of Mu Yanyu's caliber and status was beyond their reach, and they could only indulge in a fleeting visual pleasure.

Shiyan furrowed his brows and quietly glanced at the alchemist Karu, who was seated high in the dragon carriage, before quickly averting his gaze.

However, when they initially established the agreement, they never anticipated that the drug trials would be so brutal. Almost every few days, one of them would die as a result of the trials, and the circumstances of their deaths were extremely tragic. This left them in a state of constant fear, leading to the emergence of various thoughts.

Hehe! A cold laugh from Johnson came from behind the rocky outcrop, "Kid, if you dare not to drink, you know what will happen next."

"There is no need for the master to be polite. This person can be toyed with at will, but do not let him die too easily," Mo Yanyu said with a light laugh.

From the five white medicine bottles embroidered on Karu's chest, he knew that this was a fifth-grade alchemist of the mortal level. Alchemists are a special group of individuals in this world, even rarer than martial artists.

Unlike the ten realms of martial artists, alchemists on the Divine Grace Continent are classified into five levels based on their proficiency in pill concoction, namely: Mortal Level, Profound Level, Spiritual Level, Holy Level, and Divine Level. Each level is further divided into seven ranks.