Chapter 74

At the same time, Qin Zheng’s military orders were issued and passed down for execution.

The A-rank and S-rank soldiers, who were on the verge of losing control due to their rising aggression levels and had no choice but to prepare for retirement, were gathered for training sessions before signing contracts with the Dan Sect.

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That evening, upon learning about the situation, Chu Ning couldn’t help but marvel at the remarkable efficiency of her three beast generals.

“This time, a total of 208 retired soldiers met the criteria—155 A-rank and 53 S-rank. After some persuasion, they have all officially retired and signed contracts with the Dan Sect,” Qin Chong reported.

“As per the agreement, A-rank soldiers will serve in the Dan Sect for one year, while S-rank soldiers will serve for two years. Once their service ends, they will re-enlist.”

Chu Ning nodded.

A force of 208 retired beast soldiers, with A-rank as the lowest threshold of strength—such a unit would be a formidable power no matter where they were stationed.

“Xia Ye, see how you want to arrange them,” she instructed.

“Also, after finalizing the contracts with those mid-tier alchemists tomorrow, assign one peak mid-tier alchemist to assist Xulan. The demand for Spirit-Nurturing Pills has been steadily increasing, and it’s getting tough for him to handle it alone.”

“In addition, select three highly reliable peak mid-tier alchemists and have them report to the Marshal’s Mansion.”

“With such a sudden influx of retired soldiers into the Dan Sect, the demand for Exorcism Pills will also increase significantly. Additionally, someone needs to be assigned specifically to refine Demon-Suppressing Pills.”

“Understood,” Xia Ye responded, already forming a plan in his mind for the remaining mid-tier alchemists.

With the Dan Sect recruiting so much talent this time, they should soon be able to stop relying on external sources for pill stock.

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The next morning, after finishing his tasks, Xia Ye headed to the Dan Sect.

At that moment, in the VIP reception room, twelve mid-tier alchemists from the Gu family, the royal family, and the military had already been waiting for some time.

Some of them knew each other and gathered in small groups, chatting among themselves.

The moment Xia Ye arrived with Xulan, the room fell silent.

He greeted the group and invited them to sit before getting straight to the point.

“I won’t waste time with unnecessary words. Before coming to the Dan Sect, your previous employers must have already informed you about the situation. Now, let’s talk about what benefits you’ll receive if you sign with the Dan Sect.”

A few alchemists exchanged glances, their expressions indifferent.

Whether it was the Gu family or the royal family, both were powerful institutions. They had only come to the Dan Sect out of respect for their employers and had no intention of breaking their current contracts to sign with a newly established sect.

However, a few others seemed serious about the discussion. Upon closer observation, it was clear they were from the military and the Third Princess’s faction.

Xia Ye naturally took note of this and mentally marked down those with serious attitudes.

“The first benefit—once you join the Dan Sect, you will gain purchasing rights for the Spirit-Nurturing Pill.”

“For those who sign a lifetime contract with the Dan Sect, the price of purchasing Dan Sect’s pills will be even lower.”

He glanced at the crowd and saw that there was little reaction, but he didn’t mind.

He continued, “The second benefit—”

“The Dan Sect can elevate your spiritual potential from A-rank to S-rank.”

The room instantly fell silent, as if even the air had frozen for a moment.

Then, someone quickly reacted.

“Your Highness—what did you just say?” Someone, thinking they had misheard, turned to Xia Ye in shock.

The others also stared at him anxiously.

All of them had only A-rank spiritual potential.

For those in the mid-stage of A-rank, there was still some room for growth. But for those at the peak, their potential was nearly maxed out, leaving very little space for improvement.

Under such circumstances, the Spirit-Nurturing Pill held little attraction for them.

But now, the Fifth Prince had just said that the Dan Sect could elevate their spiritual potential. Was that really true?

Xia Ye’s lips curled into a confident smile.

“The Dan Sect doesn’t just have the secret medicine, the Spirit-Nurturing Pill. We also have another secret medicine—the Marrow-Cleansing Pill, which will be extremely beneficial to all of you.”

“As for its effects, I’ll let Xulan here explain.”

With that, Xia Ye handed over the floor to Xulan.

Xulan didn’t hold back and immediately recounted his personal experience.

The twelve alchemists stared at Xulan in disbelief.

It felt like a dream—like they were being told that someone had simply taken a pill and had their spiritual potential upgraded from A-rank to S-rank.

This dream felt far too real.

To prove his words, Xulan performed a live test of his current spiritual potential level. Sure enough, it was S-rank.

He even presented his past spiritual potential test records, which clearly showed that his previous rank had been A-rank, with the last recorded change happening not long ago.

Once Xulan finished speaking, Xia Ye stepped forward again and continued persuading the group.

“They say, ‘Seeing is believing.’ To demonstrate the sincerity of the Dan Sect, we will conduct a live test right now.”

He then retrieved a bottle of pills and took out a single pill from it.

“This is the Marrow-Cleansing Pill,” he said, holding it up for everyone to see.

Expressions shifted, and everyone’s gaze locked onto the pill, eyes burning with curiosity, as if they wanted to see through it.

Xia Ye remained calm and turned his attention to the military representatives.

“Lord Xu Han, would you be willing to volunteer for this test?” he asked.

For this trial, the ideal candidate was a peak mid-tier alchemist on the verge of hitting their limit. Those close to their potential cap would find it easier to break through after taking the Marrow-Cleansing Pill.

Among the available candidates, the most trustworthy were those from the military.

“I—of course, I’m willing!” Xu Han immediately answered, his voice trembling slightly, as if he couldn’t believe his own luck.

He had worked alongside Xulan before and naturally trusted his words.

The thought of taking the Marrow-Cleansing Pill and having his spiritual potential raised to S-rank was thrilling beyond words.

Xia Ye smiled and immediately had the gathered alchemists test Xu Han’s current spiritual potential.

Each of them used their own testing devices, and without exception, every result showed that Xu Han’s spiritual potential was A-rank.

Once the verification was complete, under everyone’s watchful gaze, Xia Ye handed the Marrow-Cleansing Pill to Xu Han and invited him to take it in the next room.

Xu Han carefully accepted the pill and left the room under the intense stares of the crowd.

When he returned over half an hour later, he had changed into a new set of clothes—and, astonishingly, even looked like a different person.

His originally sallow skin had become fair and radiant, his hair now a deep, glossy black, making him look years younger.

If not for the fact that everyone still recognized his face, they might have thought this was an entirely different person.

“Your Highness, thank you! M-my spiritual potential has truly advanced to S-rank! And I—I’ve even become younger!”

Earlier, when he saw that Xulan looked younger than before, he had assumed it was due to makeup or cosmetic procedures. He never expected that the Marrow-Cleansing Pill was actually responsible.