Chapter 610: Dan Star Ascends to Worship the Moon

Inside the Reverse Moon Temple, among tens of thousands of divine statues, Xu Qing emerged. Although he wasn't bolstered by any particular aura, the words he spoke roared like a storm in all directions.

The surrounding divine statues immediately focused their attention.

Grandmaster Shengluo glanced at Xu Qing and spoke calmly.

"There's no need for a competition. I'll give you a lesson instead. I hope that after today's events, you will settle down and stop dabbling in unorthodox practices!"

As he spoke, Grandmaster Shengluo disregarded Xu Qing. He raised his right hand, and the alchemy cauldron above his head floated down into his palm. With a flick of his wrist, a pill shot out from the cauldron and hovered in mid-air.

The pill resembled a crystal, rotating on its own and emitting swirling bands of light that showcased its exquisite beauty. Its transparent surface, in particular, made it appear like a precious gem.

Faintly, one could also discern medicinal mist swirling within, as if it contained a miniature fairyland—truly extraordinary.

Given Xu Qing's profound mastery of alchemy, a single glance was enough for him to perceive the pill's transcendence, and he also gained a clear understanding of Grandmaster Shengluo's alchemical prowess.

"Indeed, a great talent," Xu Qing murmured to himself. At the same time, exclamations of surprise rippled through the crowd as they, too, beheld the pill.

"This isn't just a pill; it's clearly a pill-treasure!"

"Who would have thought Grandmaster Shengluo's alchemical mastery had advanced even further, reaching such a level!"

Exclamations grew louder and more frequent; truly, anyone could discern the pill's astonishing qualities just from its appearance. At that moment, one of Grandmaster Shengluo's followers stepped forward, eyes brimming with reverence, and spoke loudly.

"Fellow Daoists must surely know that for high-grade pills, perfection is paramount," he proclaimed. "The more refined they are, the more precious they become. When perfected, the Ancient Heavenly Dao bestows a glorious radiance upon them. Grandmaster Shengluo's pill has already evoked that radiance!"

As soon as he spoke, the surrounding exclamations and clamor intensified. Every gaze directed at the pill held a longing, and soon, words of praise ascended from all directions.

Even Xu Qing's own followers felt a pang of uncertainty at this moment. They exchanged uneasy glances. Though they had initially been full of confidence in Grandmaster Dan Jiu, Grandmaster Shengluo's mention of Bai Feng, who had suddenly died after years of consuming a pill, caused their resolve to waver.

Now, seeing this near pill-treasure, even their strong confidence in Grandmaster Dan Jiu was met with growing hesitation.

Amidst these exclamations from the crowd, the Fourth Hall Master, high in the sky, was also somewhat moved and nodded in approval.

"Indeed, it's a treasure pill," the Fourth Hall Master remarked. "Grandmaster Shengluo, can this pill be mass-produced?"

Faced with the praise from the crowd and the Fourth Hall Master, Grandmaster Shengluo smiled and bowed to the Fourth Hall Master.

"Fourth Hall Master," he replied, "this pill can certainly be mass-produced."

"Excellent!" the Fourth Hall Master said with a smile.

Grandmaster Shengluo felt a surge of satisfaction. He turned to look at the expressionless Xu Qing and spoke calmly.

"This is the first lesson I'm giving you," he stated. "Remember, for us alchemists, dedicated research into the medicinal path is where our true perseverance lies. Put away your petty cleverness, abandon your crooked intentions. Otherwise, with no light in your heart, the pills you refine will never radiate glory!"

Grandmaster Shengluo's words were a clear reprimand. Upon hearing them, the surrounding crowd all looked at Xu Qing, their expressions varied: some shook their heads, some showed disdain, some sighed with emotion, and some were outright angry.

Xu Qing said nothing. He simply took out his own curse-dispelling pill and, with a wave, sent it floating into the air.

The pill appeared dark and unremarkable. Someone in the crowd couldn't help but laugh.

"Is that a clod of dirt or a pill?"

"That's it?"

Just as these sneering laughs rang out, Xu Qing formed a hand seal and pointed a finger. Instantly, the pill emitted cracking sounds, and cracks appeared on its surface.

The next moment, as black fragments of its outer layer peeled off, an endless, glorious radiance erupted from within, surging like a tsunami in all directions.

The light was dazzling, boundless, and endless, as if dawn had broken, bringing hope to the world.

Every ray of light within it was like a rainbow, vibrant and diverse.

It illuminated the sky, filling it with peace, and showered down on the earth, transforming the mountains into auspicious symbols.

From a distance, it looked as if a sea of light had formed around the pill, continuously expanding outwards and ultimately transforming into a brilliant spectacle.

For a moment, all the cultivators observing in the Reverse Moon Temple were utterly captivated. Between the two pills in mid-air, anyone with eyes could discern the vast difference.

Xu Qing's pill shone with boundless glory, completely eclipsing Grandmaster Shengluo's pill. The latter, which had originally possessed some radiance, was now utterly unremarkable, its presence nearly lost unless one looked very closely.

After a long pause, gasps of astonishment finally echoed, growing in number and intensity, until choked cries of amazement erupted and swelled throughout the crowd.

"The Heavenly Dao bestows endless radiance?"

"Such glory... isn't this precisely the supreme pill Grandmaster Shengluo himself once described?"

"There's actually such a pill? I distinctly remember that only pills imbued with destiny and the gathered hopes of all sentient beings can be recognized by the Heavenly Dao and bestowed with such radiance!"

Amidst the crowd's exclamations and disbelief, Grandmaster Shengluo stood frozen, staring blankly at Xu Qing's pill. His eyes filled with incredulity, he opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but no words escaped him.

Simultaneously, the Fourth Hall Master, still in his thousand-zhang deity form in mid-air, suddenly stood up and stared intently at the pill below. His expression was deeply moved, and his chest visibly rose and fell.

"Grandmaster Dan Jiu," he asked, "is this pill... the Curse-Dispelling Pill?"

This was the first time he had spoken to Xu Qing, and also the first time he had addressed him with the title "Grandmaster." Coming from him, the meaning was profound.

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing nodded.

Meanwhile, Xu Qing's followers were the most excited people present. Whether it was the burly neighbor, Six-Eyes, or the others, their hearts surged with immense excitement.

Their previously wavering minds and hesitant thoughts were, at this moment, completely replaced by conviction and exhilaration.

Six-Eyes, in particular, now shouted with all his might.

"Grandmaster Dan Jiu, your virtue reaches the nine heavens! Your pills serve ten seas, benefiting a hundred realms for all eternity!"

As these words spread, Xu Qing's surrounding followers felt their inner excitement surge, and they all began to cheer loudly.

Seeing this, several followers by Grandmaster Shengluo's side spoke with some trepidation.

"While a pill's appearance is important," one began, "it is, after all, meant to be consumed. Therefore, its medicinal efficacy is the most crucial aspect!"

"Precisely," another added. "Grandmaster Shengluo's Trouble-Dispelling Pill has double the effect of the original, with extremely low side effects. This is the truly excellent medicine that can alleviate the pain of our curses!"

Their words echoed. Grandmaster Shengluo took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart. He looked at Xu Qing with a complex, unprecedentedly serious gaze, and spoke in a deep voice.

"My Trouble-Dispelling Pill," he declared, "just one dose can postpone the pain of the curse for at least sixty years!"

Having said that, he looked at Xu Qing as if facing a formidable enemy.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the Reverse Moon Temple snapped out of their shock from Xu Qing's pill's radiance. After all, pills are meant to be consumed, and their efficacy is the key. Now hearing the explanation, their eyes all gleamed with curiosity.

Xu Qing paid no attention to Shengluo's gaze. He looked at his own curse-dispelling pill and spoke calmly.

"It permanently reduces the curse by ten percent."

Xu Qing's voice was not loud, yet it boomed like thunder, exploding within the minds of everyone in the Reverse Moon Temple.

Instantly, the Reverse Moon Temple fell into absolute silence.

Everyone's minds were in extreme turmoil. Even if they had previously speculated about this curse-dispelling pill, hearing Xu Qing's words sparked an unbelievable thought, making everything feel incredibly unreal.

Grandmaster Shengluo's eyes narrowed sharply upon hearing this. He suddenly looked at Xu Qing's pill, his heart churning with immense waves. Yet, years of accumulated knowledge allowed his mind to swiftly assess the situation, and he spoke in a low, deep voice.

"Impossible!"

"Unless it carries immense side effects, causing people to die suddenly within days of consumption!"

Xu Qing looked at Grandmaster Shengluo and spoke calmly.

"There are no side effects."

Everyone's minds were shaken once more. Grandmaster Shengluo's body swayed, but his eyes, still filled with intense doubt, were fixed on Xu Qing.

"Nonsense!" he retorted. "Are you a Divine Son of the Red Moon? Even a Divine Son can't achieve this; are you perhaps a deity? Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!"

"One try and you'll know," Xu Qing said, his expression calm throughout. After speaking, he looked at the surrounding crowd.

"Who among you will try it?"

Everyone present hesitated, while Grandmaster Shengluo sneered.

"Consuming it carries immense hidden dangers!"

As soon as he spoke, the crowd grew even more hesitant; even the burly neighbor dared not step forward rashly. But at that very moment, a sharp voice echoed all around.

"I will!" Everyone looked over simultaneously, only to see a Six-Eyed statue proudly emerge from the crowd. He walked directly in front of Xu Qing, bowed respectfully, and spoke loudly.

"Your hesitation regarding the Grandmaster's pill is clearly insincere," he declared. "But I am different; I firmly believe in the Grandmaster. I will take this pill!"

Xu Qing found it strange, glanced at the captain, and remained silent.

At this moment, everyone's gaze converged on the captain. Immediately after, the burly neighbor also suddenly rushed out and spoke loudly.

"Grandmaster, I am willing to test the pill!"

"I once listened to your venerable self's supreme Dao sound for two months; that was destiny," he proclaimed. "Afterwards, I was the first to buy your pill, and the first to consume it. I've always been the first, and this time is no exception!"

"Please, Grandmaster, grant my wish!"

The burly neighbor's eyes shone brightly as he looked at Xu Qing, his expression sincere. He truly trusted him.

Six-Eyes saw this and looked somewhat displeased.

Xu Qing pondered. He raised his hand and waved, and immediately the pill flew directly towards the burly neighbor. He hadn't given it to the captain, concerned about adverse reactions due to the captain's numerous unusual traits.

The burly neighbor caught the pill. He took a deep breath, his eyes firm, and finally, under the watchful gaze of tens of thousands—including Grandmaster Shengluo and the Fourth Hall Master in the sky, who were fully focused—he brought the pill to his lips and swallowed it in one gulp.

The next moment, the Fourth Hall Master in the sky raised his hand and made a grabbing motion through the air. Instantly, the burly neighbor's body flew up into mid-air, enveloped by the Fourth Hall Master's power. This act both blessed him and allowed everyone to perceive the effects more clearly.

The burly man's body visibly trembled, sweat beaded on his forehead, and his expression was pained. But in an instant, his entire body shone with a glorious light, and streams of black liquid seeped out from his statue-like form.

As the liquid, emitting a putrid stench, permeated all directions, the burly man's body jolted. His eyes snapped open, revealing incredulity and shock as he mumbled.

"My curse... it has been reduced by ten percent!"

As soon as he spoke, a roar echoed in the ears of everyone in the Reverse Moon Temple. One by one, they trembled, their eyes showing a frenzied intensity, yet still with a hint of doubt, they all looked towards the Fourth Hall Master.

The Fourth Hall Master closed his eyes. As everyone waited anxiously, he opened his eyes and descended from the sky, step by step, until he stood before Xu Qing. His gaze was deep as he stared at him.

A moment later, the Fourth Hall Master clasped his fists and, in his esteemed capacity, bowed to Xu Qing.

"Grandmaster, your virtue shines with ultimate goodness; your merits are boundless!"

As soon as these words were uttered, they resonated like thunder tearing through heaven and earth, settling the matter decisively.

All the divine statues in the Reverse Moon Temple trembled violently. All hesitation in their hearts vanished at this instant; the fervor they now felt was as intense as their previous doubts.

Endless expectation and excitement filled their minds, turning into countless cheers that erupted and swelled within the Reverse Moon Temple.

At this moment, Xu Qing became the most dazzling star in the temple.