Chapter 24: The First Guest Elder of Ziwei Palace, Tang Hao!
"Sigh, no need for that."
Seeing Xiao Chenyu suddenly kneel, Zhou Chen offered a polite refusal but didn't stop him.
After all, as the Palace Master of Ziwei Palace, it was normal for subordinates to pay their respects. Stopping them might undermine his own prestige.
Many transmigrators with insufficient intelligence fail to grasp this point. They go to hierarchical fantasy worlds and try to enforce notions of equality and no bowing, losing respect and even being looked down upon.
"Rise."
Zhou Chen gestured, and Xiao Chenyu immediately got up, as his knees were sore from kneeling on the rocky ground.
"Alright, go back and take the pills. I won't keep you any longer," Zhou Chen said with a smile.
Hearing this, the two could barely contain their excitement and quickly said their goodbyes, hurrying down the mountain.
They couldn't wait to consume the pills!
"Phew..."
Watching their departing figures, Zhou Chen breathed a sigh of relief. He had wielded both the stick and the carrot; these two should be firmly under his control now.
If so, his plan to recruit a large number of soul master students and expand Ziwei Palace could begin.
Returning to the house, Zhou Chen suddenly remembered that he still had ten thousand gold yuan points available.
He initially thought of keeping it as reserve funds, but upon reflection, money only shows its value when spent.
"System, draw the lottery!"
"Ding... Deducting ten thousand gold yuan points for one draw."
In an instant, the colorful wheel began to spin once more...
"Ding... Extracted [Pill] category reward, Blood Limb Pill! This pill is from the world of 'A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality' and can heal any injuries below the Nascent Soul stage, even regrowing severed limbs!"
Seeing the system's introduction, Zhou Chen was delighted.
His internal injuries would have taken months to heal, but with this pill, he could recover instantly!
Just as he was about to take it, a figure flashed through his mind.
Perhaps using this pill wisely could bring him greater benefits...
---
Night, west of Notting City.
In a blacksmith's shop, the sound of hammering was incessant.
By the forge, a tall and burly yet unkempt middle-aged man wielded an iron hammer, striking a blackened piece of iron on the anvil repeatedly.
The hammering was rhythmic, almost like someone playing music.
"This must be the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique of the Clear Sky School. Truly extraordinary."
A crisp voice sounded, and a child wearing a hat and mask walked in.
He removed his mask and lifted his head, revealing a handsome young face.
It was Zhou Chen.
Hearing Zhou Chen suddenly identify the hammer technique he was practicing, the middle-aged man turned sharply, staring at Zhou Chen as he slowly spoke, "It seems, little Chen, you know who I am."
"Of course."
Zhou Chen nodded, smiling gently, "To casually knock out a level 47 black-clad bishop of the Spirit Hall and be named Tang Hao, there should only be one such person on the entire Douluo Continent."
"And that is the Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao, who killed countless strongmen of the Spirit Hall six years ago and caused the death of Pope Qian Xunji!"
"Oh."
Tang Hao nodded, unfazed, and calmly asked, "Why did you come to me? Was it just to reveal my identity?"
"Of course not."
Zhou Chen shook his head, offering a pure and innocent smile, "As you know, my talent is astonishing, and many, including the Spirit Hall, want me dead. So, I had to establish a force for self-preservation."
"This force is called Ziwei Palace, and I would like to invite you to join as a guest elder. Of course, there are benefits."
As he spoke, Zhou Chen's palm glowed, revealing a crimson pill the size of a longan, enveloped in a blood-red mist.
"This is..."
Seeing the blood-red pill, Tang Hao asked solemnly.
"This is the Blood Limb Pill, a healing elixir."
Zhou Chen gazed deeply at Tang Hao, speaking in a soft tone, "As I understand, your injuries are not light."
Hearing this, Tang Hao's breath caught.
His old injuries were severe.
In that great battle six years ago, not only did the Spirit Hall suffer greatly, but his own meridians were disrupted, organs displaced, and his body nearly collapsed.
This was one reason he hid in the village for six years, avoiding vengeance on the Spirit Hall. Engaging in combat with peers might worsen his injuries or even lead to his death.
Thus, Tang Hao's heart was stirred upon hearing Zhou Chen's words.
"You know quite a lot, kid. So, this Blood Limb Pill, it can ease my injuries?" Tang Hao asked slowly.
"No, it can completely heal you."
Zhou Chen nodded slightly, locking eyes with Tang Hao, "The Blood Limb Pill can heal any mortal injuries. Though you're a Titled Douluo, you're still a mortal."
Hearing Zhou Chen's confident claim, Tang Hao chuckled with a hint of sarcasm, "Even a healing Titled Douluo couldn't cure my injuries, and you can?"
"I can't, but a deity can."
Zhou Chen said with an enigmatic smile, "Surely you have your suspicions about my identity after witnessing the phenomenon when I awakened my martial spirit. Yes, I have backing in the divine realm. This Blood Limb Pill was bestowed upon me by a deity."
"Really?"
Tang Hao looked at Zhou Chen's sincere face, recalling the divine-like phenomenon during Zhou Chen's martial spirit awakening, and was convinced almost entirely.
His long-dormant heart finally stirred. Perhaps this pill could truly heal him!
If so, he would have a chance to take revenge on the Spirit Hall!
"Alright, I agree."
Tang Hao scratched his messy hair, feeling a sense of absurdity.
He, the Clear Sky Douluo, was joining a force created by a six-year-old. Wouldn't people laugh if they knew?
"You won't regret it."
Seeing Tang Hao agree, Zhou Chen felt a great relief.
With Clear Sky Douluo as a protector, he was much safer. Even if the Spirit Hall discovered him, Tang Hao could hold them off. At worst, he could at least help Zhou Chen escape.
Moreover, Zhou Chen could now proceed with plans he previously dared not attempt, implementing them over the next few years...