Chapter 5318: Misty Pill Palace

The Misty Pill Palace rose from a broad, flattened mountain peak that sat half-veiled in living mist.

The peak itself had been carved into a vast terraced plateau, its edges dropping away into seas of cloud that never fully parted. Pale stone walkways and pill-forging halls rose towards the skies in one layer after another, their roofs tiled in jade-green and moon-white, the overhang of the lower edge of the roofs curving like the wings of resting cranes.

At the highest layer of the mountain peak, a main palace stood, its nine-tiered pagoda roofs stacked in perfect symmetry, each tier hung with spirit lanterns that burned with a soft, unwavering alchemical glow even in daylight.

If it glowed brightly enough to make one’s eyes squint, it usually meant a Spirit-Tier Pill had been born.

Like this particular formation, many other formations ringed the entire mountain like concentric rings of silk.

The outermost veil was a Mist Sealing Array that absorbed the heaven and earth energy and turned it into a protective fog. Any hostile intent that entered was immediately restricted and reported to the formation core. This was done with the help of resources that probe the heart or peek through the soul. Inside that lay a Spirit Gathering Formation that pulled high-grade heaven and earth energy into the peak, keeping the air thick enough for even Immortal Emperor Grade Alchemists to work without exhaustion.

In the third layer, the Pill Trial Formation floated above the outer courtyards: translucent platforms of condensed mist where visiting alchemists could freely test their flame control, ingredient refinement purity, and pill condensation without wasting their own resources.

Success or failure was recorded instantly on jade slips that appeared in their hands.

Furthermore, lots of amenities had been arranged with quiet generosity, all for the sake of developing talent.

Open-air cauldron pavilions dotted the mid-terraces so that wandering cultivators could pay a modest immortal crystal fee and attempt a single concoction under the watchful eyes of elders. Those who produced a rank six or higher pill were offered immediate outer disciple status. Those whose skill was merely adequate could still be hired as contracted alchemists, receiving monthly immortal crystals and a share of the finished product.

Inner courtyards held private refining rooms, ingredient vaults sealed by blood-recognition formation locks, and a vast library of common-to-rare recipes that disciples could copy after proving their talent and sincerity. Even the mist itself provided some benefits as it carried a faint medicinal fragrance that soothed the meridians of anyone who walked the paths.

Davis appeared above the palace as he looked at the nine-tiered pagoda with intrigue.

He appreciated it fondly because he could tell it was Bylai’s work. After all, there was a damn statue of him in the center of the Misty Pill Palace. Although it was small, it was still his statue.

Bylai could move mountains- literally. Hence, it was no problem for her to construct these massive structures. However, he also saw that there were many protective formations. It allowed him to know it was the work of the little-sister-doting Lest Mistwalker.

His soul sense seeped into the structure.

With a flash, he disappeared.

At the heart of the highest hall, a young woman with white-rainbow hair stood still before a cauldron, seemingly contemplating.

This person was none other than Lyra Mistwalker, the master of the Misty Pill Palace. She wore a luxurious yet immaculate mist-white robe lined with pale silver. Her features were refined, her expression calm, and a faint medicinal aura clung to her like morning dew.

At a glance, she did not look like the young foul-mouthed lass Davis had seen in the Astral Forgeheart Minor Realm.

Davis released his son on the ground with a plop as he inwardly nodded, feeling people would indeed grow after experiencing many sufferings.

The sound made Lyra Mistwalker flinch in shock before she turned around and spotted Noctis on the floor. She then saw Davis, her heart skipping a beat in fear for a moment before she visibly sighed and said.

"Stop scaring me, Your Majesty. You almost gave me a heart attack."

She said as she turned around and gracefully bowed, cupping her hands, "Congratulations on your return, Your Majesty. Thank you for gracing the Misty Pill Palace with your presence, but may I know what brings you here?"

"..."

Davis gazed at her for a few more seconds before placing his hands behind his back and giving a nod.

"We have troubled you with the evacuation. If it has caused you some losses, feel free to seek us out. But I’m not here for this matter. I heard you took in Thamana Deuce as your first personal disciple. Since this is a formal visit, I need to go through you."

"Hehe... You are too polite."

Lyra Mistwalker laughed awkwardly.

She turned to gaze at Noctis, thinking it was as expected. She looked at the poor child, not even daring to raise his head, and sympathized with him. She knew what kind of problem he was stuck in since she had been told by her personal disciple.

"Polite?" Davis amusedly shook his head, "As a valued ally and a great alchemist who has comprehended Immaculate Alchemy Laws, you have been granted your own pill palace while only needing to pay thirty percent of the profits, although the tax has been exempt for the first thousand years. Naturally, I should abide by it since you haven’t done anything wrong yet."

"...?"

Lyra Mistwalker had question marks appear over her face.

Why was it being assumed that she would do something wrong?

Nonetheless, she didn’t care for it and nodded, "Please wait. I’ll call my personal disciple right now."

Davis nodded and then turned to look at Noctis, frowning.

"Why are you still kneeling? Stand up."

"I deserve a thousand deaths." Noctis declared.

"How about a thousand kicks to the face?"

Noctis immediately stood up with his back straight like a mountain, his chin up as he stood at attention.

’This kid...’

Davis never knew that Noctis was this playful. He had always been reliable and staunch like a true elder brother to his siblings, but right now, his adolescence could be seen. He felt this just goes to show how seriously some of them took their duties, only being able to be their true selves after doing a life-changing action or simply making a mistake.

Suddenly, his gaze turned soft. Sure enough, Noctis resembled Nadia, who also acted like this after making a mistake.

However, he still scowled at Noctis, causing him to be frightened.

But inwardly, instead of berating Noctis, he was thinking about whether he would be late to receive the first chosen who would enter his chamber. As for his avatar, he had sent it towards Saintess Lunaria’s disciples to check on them. He had already made contact and was conversing with them.

During this time, Lyra Mistwalker finished calling for her personal disciple.

She took Davis and Noctis out of the alchemy hall and brought them to the guest hall, where she treated them with hot tea containing aromatic tea leaves.

Soon, a person appeared.

Her blue robe clung to her figure gently, embroidered with faint alchemical patterns. It traced the natural curves of her body without excess, giving her an appearance that was both scholarly and alluring.

Her green hair fell in layered waved down her back like a fresh spring after rain. A few loose strands framed her face, softening the sharpness in her gaze. Her eyes were steady, a clear sapphire hue that held both intelligence and restraint.

But once she spotted Davis, her pupils instantly dilated before she hurriedly walked up to him and knelt.

"Greetings, Your Majesty, the Divine Emperor of Death."

She bowed and kowtowed.

Davis’s gaze flickered, thinking she was indeed an astute woman who knew how to act in situations as she heard.

"Stand up." Davis waved his hand, causing her to rise as a wave of gentle soul force lifted her up.

Noctis’s gaze churned with unease.

He didn’t know father’s decision or his thoughts. He wished Mother Nadia was here so she could at least explain why she let it happen. He could only hope that Thamana Deuce wouldn’t be harmed even if she wanted to take advantage of him because he was ultimately the one who had decided to fall for the seduction.

That memory was still vivid in his mind, soothing and tantalizing.

How could this be her fault?

Davis shot a glance at Noctis, knowing his son was feeling guilty towards this woman and had grown fond of her. It was to be expected since none of his sons were heartless except Eden.

Furthermore, Noctis was a kind soul, so he couldn’t let him be taken advantage of.

Davis turned his head to Thamana Deuce and spoke, "I heard about the two of you. You have committed a grave sin by seducing a young master of the Davis Family. Do you deny it?"

Still keeping her hands cupped, she tremblingly shook her head from the sheer pressure, "I, Thamana Deuce, don’t deny it. I only ask that Young Master Noctis isn’t held responsible in any way, as it was a conscious decision of mine to repay him by having his child and serving him for life."

She spoke without stuttering, letting out what she had prepared in her heart.

Davis gazed at her with scrutiny.

"So, did you succeed?" He asked in an indifferent voice.

Thamana Deuce blinked as she was stunned. She glanced at Noctis and her master, who was younger than her, before shaking her head, "I failed to conceive Young Master Noctis’s child, Your Majesty. Instead, I even got sick like a mortal, which was the most embarrassing part of it all. I’m incompetent and deserve to be punished."

She said with gritted teeth and lowered her head.

Davis nodded, "Hmm, you should know what caused the desolate air to spread, yet you expect me to believe that you hold no hatred against me or even him by extension?"

"How can that be?" Thamana Deuce shuddered, "This subject doesn’t dare imagine that it’s Your Majesty’s fault. The skies are always ruled by the heavens. How can it be possible for immortals like us to affect entire realms? Even if it were the truth, then it is nothing but the world’s hatred against your grandiose self, which I have come to respect after hearing about your grand feats and admirable conduct."

"Oh..." Davis was momentarily taken aback, but he still looked intrigued before leaning in, "In that case, how serious are you about him?"

Thamana Deuce held her breath, and so did Noctis.

He gazed at her with keen, sharp eyes of a wolf, also wanting to know her answer.

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