TDG : rise of shadow army

Glory City's Alchemy Association.

The director of the Alchemy Association was a woman named Yang Xin. Though she was only 25 years old, she had already achieved significant success at a young age. Yang Xin was merely a Gold-rank Demon Spiritist, which couldn't be considered exceptional, but her accomplishments had already surpassed many of the older members of the Alchemy Association.

Because of her beauty, when she first became the director of the Alchemy Association, many assumed she had earned the position due to her looks. But as Yang Xin gradually revealed her talent, those who gossiped about her quickly fell silent.

As usual, Yang Xin sat at her desk, going through the letters submitted to the Alchemy Association. Many alchemists would write down their experiences refining medicines and submit them as letters. The association would then organize these notes and compile them into books to distribute among the alchemists.

With 90% of the ancient alchemy books lost, alchemists remained valuable, but due to the limited effects of current elixirs, the profession had become somewhat embarrassing in Glory City.

Yang Xin opened letter after letter. Some were love confessions, which she discarded without hesitation. But then, one letter caught her attention.

"Regarding the Application of Purple Haze Grass in Alchemy?" Yang Xin raised her delicate eyebrows, doubt flashing across her pale, beautiful face.

What other uses could Purple Haze Grass have besides burning it to repel insects?

Curious, Yang Xin continued reading. The letter detailed several applications of Purple Haze Grass. It claimed that when refining Soul Assembling Pills or Spirit Enhancement Pills, adding a small amount of Purple Haze Grass could increase the pill's effectiveness by 30%. It also described a method of combining Purple Haze Grass with five other herbs to create an herbal bath that could nourish one's soul force, among other uses.

There were over sixty uses listed for Purple Haze Grass. Nearly half of them seemed extremely valuable. If these methods proved true, the price of Purple Haze Grass would skyrocket dozens of times over.

Yang Xin scoffed, "Is someone trying to use me to drive up the price of Purple Haze Grass? At least come up with something more believable! This person is definitely a scammer!"

She tossed the letter aside. It was hard to believe that something as ordinary as Purple Haze Grass could have so many miraculous effects.

But as she continued reading the other letters, hesitation crept into her heart. What if these claims were true? If Purple Haze Grass really had so many applications, it would significantly impact the development of countless alchemists.

"Forget it, I'll just test it myself!" she declared.

"Someone, bring me some Purple Haze Grass!" Yang Xin shouted.

The Alchemy Association had a vast stockpile of herbs, so someone was quickly able to bring her the requested Purple Haze Grass.

"Director Yang, our stock of Purple Haze Grass is quite low. We only have three pounds left, but a package addressed to you arrived today, so I thought it best to bring it directly to you."

Yang Xin slightly furrowed her brows. Recently, someone had been buying up large quantities of Purple Haze Grass. As the director of the Alchemy Association, how could she not be aware of this?

"Alright, I understand," Yang Xin nodded, taking both the Purple Haze Grass and the package. Without delay, she began using the Purple Haze Grass to refine Soul Assembling Pills and Spirit Enhancement Pills.

The formulas for these pills had been passed down in Glory City for hundreds of years. No one had ever dared alter the recipes. After all, the raw materials needed for these two pills were expensive. A single failure meant a significant loss, and few alchemists were willing to take such risks. Adding unknown ingredients? Unthinkable.

After two hours of refining, the results left Yang Xin shocked.

Adding Purple Haze Grass to the Soul Assembling Pill and Spirit Enhancement Pill did indeed increase their effects by 30%. Even more astonishing, it also boosted the success rate by 50%.

This discovery was revolutionary for alchemy!

Previously, these pills couldn't be mass-produced due to their low success rates and limited effectiveness, making them unprofitable. But now, with enhanced potency and a significantly higher success rate, both pills could be produced on a much larger scale.

Even though nearly all the Purple Haze Grass in Glory City had been bought out, the plant only took three years to mature. Once more crops were ready, it would provide a massive boon to Glory City.

With the city constantly under threat from demon beast hordes, having an abundant supply of Soul Assembling and Spirit Enhancement Pills could drastically strengthen its defenders.

Yang Xin smiled to herself, "Although I know whoever sent that letter stands to make a fortune from this, I can't deny they've done a great service for both Glory City and the Alchemy Association. So, I'll let them enjoy their profits."

Then, her gaze fell back on the letter.

The second usage of Purple Haze Grass… A bath mixed with Purple Haze Grass and five common herbs was said to nurture one's soul force.

Curious, Yang Xin hesitated for a moment before locking the door to her room. She followed the instructions from the letter, combining several herbs and pouring hot water into a large wooden bathtub.

Slowly, she slipped off her robe, revealing her smooth, flawless skin and a mature, alluring figure. Her curves were perfectly accentuated, with two firm peaks standing proudly on her chest. With a deep breath, she stepped gracefully into the steaming bath, letting the herbal mixture envelop her.

The essence of the herbs was slowly released and absorbed into her body. Yang Xin's skin became flushed, smoother, and more delicate, while her soul force was also nourished.

"The effect is remarkable!" Yang Xin was shocked. She never expected that the simple, common Purple Haze Grass could have such a magical use. How many families had been burning this grass just to repel insects all these years? The thought made Yang Xin feel heartbroken over all the wasted Purple Haze Grass that had been burned in the past.

After soaking in the herbal bath for about an hour, until all the essence had been fully absorbed, she stood up, dried herself off, dressed, and stepped out of her room.

"Director, what happened? You look... younger!" One of the men from the Alchemy Association blurted out, unable to tear his eyes away.

Yang Xin's skin glowed with a soft pink hue, smooth, moist, and radiant—making her even more beautiful than before.

Not only does the Purple Haze Grass bath nourish the soul force, but it also rejuvenates the skin! she realized. It had an embellishing effect as well!

Yang Xin couldn't help but feel a secret joy. What woman wouldn't be delighted to look more beautiful?

Unfortunately, the three pounds of Purple Haze Grass she had were now completely used up. She immediately compiled a comprehensive report on the magical uses and benefits of Purple Haze Grass and sent copies to every alchemist in the association. In the report, she confirmed that the first and second uses of Purple Haze Grass had been personally tested and were highly effective, while the remaining listed uses still needed further testing due to the current shortage.

Then she remembered the package she had received earlier.

Opening it, she discovered twenty more pounds of Purple Haze Grass along with a small note that read:

"I believe that to properly test my brother's discoveries, you'll need enough of the herb, right? 😊"

The smiley face sketched beside the note made her chuckle softly.

Yang Xin smiled as she read the note and quickly got back to work, eager to test the remaining uses listed.

The confirmation that Purple Haze Grass had so many magical properties caused an uproar in the Alchemy Association. Every alchemist began frantically searching for more Purple Haze Grass. Even commoners who had stored it at home started selling it as alchemists scrambled to test its various applications.

Astonishingly, all sixty uses mentioned in the original letter were confirmed—every single one of them worked as described!

This revelation caused a massive stir throughout the alchemy world.

In no time, the price of Purple Haze Grass skyrocketed. Once sold for 1 demon spirit coin for several pounds, it now cost several demon spirit coins per pound. And the price continued to climb, soon reaching 10 demon spirit coins per pound—a hundredfold increase.

Nobles, driven by the beautifying effects that nourished the skin, began offering hundreds of demon spirit coins just to purchase a single pound. The herb's ability to rejuvenate and enhance beauty sent the wealthy women of Glory City into a frenzy, all desperate to get their hands on the now precious Purple Haze Grass.

After all, Yang Xin was a living example! These noble ladies didn't want their husbands being stolen away by women adorned with enhanced beauty.

Every nursery in Glory City began planting Purple Haze Grass, but for the next three years, there would be an extreme shortage of it due to the sudden surge in demand.

Winged Dragon Family

While Xiao Ning'er was focused on practicing the cultivation technique given by Nie Li, several maids rushed into her room.

"Young Miss, great news!" one of them exclaimed.

"What news?" Xiao Ning'er asked, puzzled.

"The Inscriptionist Association has sent someone to request your presence. It's regarding a certain Chan Wei who hasn't shown up. Since you were the one who submitted his scrolls, they decided to reach out to you instead," the maid replied with a jubilant expression.

Hearing this, Xiao Ning'er was stunned but quickly realized what was happening. Chan Wei must have done this on purpose, increasing her importance within both the Inscriptionist Association and her Winged Dragon Family. If word spread that she was connected to the creator of these powerful inscriptions, the association would naturally step in to protect her from being mistreated, hoping to gain favor with the mysterious master.

School Library

The skyrocketing price of Purple Haze Grass shocked Du Ze and Lu Piao, especially since Nie Li was now sitting on hundreds of thousands of pounds of it!

Meanwhile, Chan Wei had already produced over twenty new inscription scrolls and was now flipping through cultivation techniques in the library. He frowned slightly. Though they seemed more complex, the underlying logic was still clear to him.

Within an hour, Chan Wei had written ten new cultivation scrolls, each noting its origins, and presented them to Nie Li. After reviewing them, Nie Li confirmed that these techniques could easily help cultivators reach the Black Gold Rank, but they lacked the refinement to go beyond. Chan Wei studied the corrections and had a sudden flash of insight.

Seizing the moment, he crafted a brand-new Lightning-based cultivation technique and handed it to Nie Li. Upon reviewing it, Nie Li was astonished. This new technique was only one tier lower than the Holy Primal Chaos Technique he had given to Xiao Ning'er—a method crafted by a supreme existence from his past life.

"How could my brother be this talented in my previous life and yet go unnoticed?" Nie Li thought. "Wait… I remember hearing about a student who died less than a week after the school term started. Could that have been Chan Wei?" The thought sent chills down his spine.

While Nie Li pondered, Du Ze and Lu Piao remained fixated on the skyrocketing Purple Haze Grass market. Even at an average price of dozens of demon spirit coins per pound, the amount Nie Li possessed could be sold for close to ten million demon spirit coins. Some aristocratic families had even offered hundreds of coins per pound.

The sheer scale of profit left them dizzy.

Nie Li had managed to accumulate wealth equivalent to ten years of an aristocratic family's fortune—in just a few days!

"With so many demon spirit coins, we can acquire endless training resources!" Du Ze murmured, overwhelmed.

But Nie Li only smiled faintly. "This is just the beginning."

He began visiting several apothecaries, selling ten thousand pounds of Purple Haze Grass at a staggering price of 300 demon spirit coins per pound, primarily targeting wealthy noblewomen driven mad by the herb's beautifying effects.

In no time, Nie Li had made three million demon spirit coins.

However, he knew the market wouldn't sustain such high prices forever. The demand would eventually plateau. Thus, Nie Li began preparing to gradually lower the price while continuing to sell off his vast reserves of Purple Haze Grass, ensuring he maximized profits while maintaining a stable market presence.

Later in the library...

Xiao Ning'er arrived at their table and practically threw herself into Chan Wei's arms.

"Thank you! Because of you, the Inscriptionist Association has made me the official liaison for your affairs. Now my family treats me with more caution. Oh, and you've earned 1 million demon spirit coins from the various inscription scrolls you submitted!" she said with a wide smile, handing him an interspatial ring.

Chan Wei smiled and handed her another storage ring. "Here are more scrolls for you. You can submit them whenever you have time. This way, I'll have the Inscriptionist Association backing me when I ask for your hand in marriage," he said playfully.

He kept the cultivation scrolls to himself, planning to present them directly to the Vice Director Ye Shen.

"These are for you!" Nie Li said, passing Du Ze, Lu Piao, and Xiao Ning'er a Superior Soul Assembling Pill and a newly improved Spirit Enhancement Pill—both recently refined by the Alchemist Association.

Even among the nobility, few dared to be this extravagant.

Upon realizing that each pill was worth more than 6,000 demon spirit coins, Du Ze, Lu Piao, and even Xiao Ning'er couldn't help but tremble slightly as they held the precious pills.

"Hurry and train! Also, soak in a Purple Haze Grass bath tonight to nourish your soul force!" Nie Li said with a faint smile. After amassing so much wealth, he wasn't concerned about spending on expensive cultivation resources. For now, they wouldn't run out of money anytime soon.

Nie Li sat cross-legged and placed a Soul Assembling Pill into his mouth. He immediately felt a surge of warmth rising from his abdomen, spreading throughout his body and into his soul realm, causing it to surge continuously.

His soul force swirled within his fragmented soul realm, which resembled scattered clouds. However, upon deeper inspection, Nie Li noticed something—his soul realm seemed to be condensing. Waves of soul force continued to rise frantically within.

Gradually, Nie Li's body emitted a faint cyan glow.

The medicinal effects of the Soul Assembling Pill were incredibly potent. An ordinary cultivator would be fortunate to absorb even a tenth of its essence, but thanks to Nie Li's cultivation of the Heavenly God Technique, he could fully absorb the entire pill.

He could feel his soul force skyrocketing rapidly.

After absorbing a Soul Assembling Pill, Nie Li's soul force increased from 32 to 51, an astonishing effect. He still planned to digest the remaining five pills!

As Nie Li continued training, a sudden "boom" echoed nearby. A cyan glow flashed, and Du Ze had successfully advanced to a 2-star Bronze Demon Spiritualist, while Xiao Ning'er had reached 3-star Bronze.

An hour later, Lu Piao finally achieved 1-star Bronze.

Compared to the cultivation techniques practiced by Du Ze and Lu Piao, Nie Li's Heavenly God Technique progressed more slowly but focused on solid foundations, promising extraordinary future achievements.

"Bronze 2-star rank... this is incredible!" Du Ze clenched his fists tightly, the advancement filling him with excitement and hope for the future. He shot a grateful glance at Nie Li—this was all thanks to him!

Lu Piao was equally ecstatic. Reaching 1-star Bronze meant his father would no longer have an excuse to beat him when he returned home!

The group was filled with hope for the upcoming test in two months. How far could they go in that time? Even though Nie Li was progressing a bit slower, breaking through to 1-star Bronze seemed inevitable, and who knew—he might even reach higher.

It was almost laughable to think that Shen Yue and his group would never imagine that the "trash" they once mocked, Du Ze and Lu Piao, had already advanced to 1-star Bronze—and in just a few days!

Later That Evening

On the first floor of the library, Nie Li once again spotted Ye Ziyun, seated at a table with a book in hand, though she appeared distracted. Dressed in a white robe, her delicate features radiated an angelic beauty.

Nie Li walked toward her.

From around the corner of the library, Shen Yue and his lackeys spotted the scene. Shen Yue's eyes darkened with anger.

"Boss Shen Yue, that punk looks like he has a date with Miss Ye Ziyun! She seems to be waiting here just for him!" said one of Shen Yue's cronies, a youth around 16 or 17 dressed in a cyan tunic.

Though slightly older than Shen Yue, all of them followed his orders. As a member of the Sacred Family, Shen Yue came from a more prestigious background than any of them. By sticking close to him, they received allowances each month and hoped to become his personal warrior retainers once they matured.

Among them were three 1-star Bronze warriors and three 2-star Bronze warriors—for a warrior, aligning oneself with an aristocratic Demon Spiritualist was the best path forward.

Shen Yue sneered coldly. He could no longer contain his rage. In terms of family background and innate talent, how could he possibly lose to Nie Li? Yet, while Ye Ziyun had ignored all his attempts to court her, she now seemed to look at Nie Li differently. This drove Shen Yue into a furious, jealous rage.

If it had been a girl from a commoner family, Shen Yue could have easily used tricks or bribes to win her over. But Ye Ziyun had powerful backing—he couldn't afford to act recklessly.

"Boss, should we go teach that punk a lesson?" one of the warriors asked.

"En," Shen Yue nodded. Despite losing to Nie Li before, he still didn't fully understand Nie Li's strength due to Du Ze's intervention during their last clash.

"This kid is tricky. We'll find a chance to deal with him, but it must be done in secret. Ye Ziyun can't find out!" Shen Yue's eyes gleamed with malice.

"Make sure it looks like an accident—leave him with internal injuries, but nothing too obvious. And no one must know the Sacred Family was behind it!"

Chan Wei, watching the scene from a distance, smirked coldly. He knew Nie Li could easily handle Shen Yue, but he also knew he might have to step in—not to help Nie Li, but to prevent him from going too far when speaking to Ye Ziyun.

(Author's Note: I hope you're enjoying my fanfic! If all goes well, I should be able to release another chapter tomorrow.)