After another thirty minutes of travel, Yama and the others finally arrived in front of a grand mansion.
The estate was massive, and its outer walls looked newly restored. With a single glance, anyone could tell that the owner was wealthy and influential.
At the entrance stood two thick metal gates, and above them hung a large plaque.
Heaven Pill House
From the name alone, it was obvious that this place was deeply connected to alchemy and pill refining.
Yama had already learned from Ye Ming that the Heaven Pill House was currently ranked fourth in the Green Heaven Kingdom.
It had once been the strongest alchemy house in the kingdom, but its status had declined sharply after one of its four-star alchemist elders was severely injured by a rival. That incident had dealt a devastating blow to the house, causing enormous losses.
Four-star alchemists were rare, and each one held immense influence.
Most high-ranking alchemists eventually left for a place known as the Unknown Lands, where the strongest pill masters gathered.
Even so, despite the pressure from its competitors, the Heaven Pill House had still managed to remain among the top five alchemy houses in the kingdom.
Before they could properly step forward, a loud voice rang out from ahead.
"Ye Ming, you're finally here!"
An elderly man strode toward them.
He looked surprisingly muscular for his age, and his long white beard swayed with each step. He wore a black-and-white alchemist robe, and near the center of the robe were three star markings.
He was clearly a three-star alchemist.
"Senior Wei Yang, it has indeed been a long time," Ye Ming said politely. "We are in your care now."
From that exchange alone, Yama immediately understood.
This was Ye Xiang's so-called friend.
Wei Yang's eyes swept over Yama briefly before he turned back to Ye Ming.
"Ye Ming, where is that so-called trash from the Ye Clan?" Wei Yang asked with a snort. "He has truly disgraced his father. I need to have a proper word with him."
Ye Ming froze awkwardly.
He's standing right in front of you.
After everything Ye Ming had witnessed over the past few days, he no longer knew how to describe Yama.
Trash?
That word no longer fit at all.
This was someone who had driven a demon out of a prince's body, frightened a priest without lifting a finger, and remained calm through all of it.
Before Ye Ming could respond, Yama stepped forward himself.
"Senior, I am Ye Ji. Ye Xiang's son."
He deliberately called him Senior, giving him enough face for Ye Xiang's sake.
Wei Yang stared at him again, this time more carefully.
He was surprised.
This boy did not look like someone who had spent years being bullied and abused.
In fact, by the look in his eyes alone, Wei Yang could tell that this was the type of child who would cause trouble everywhere he went.
"Hmph. Brat, you've greatly disappointed your father," Wei Yang said bluntly. "I heard what happened during the Heaven's Blessing Test. To think the stone exploded... I almost feel sorry for Ye Xiang."
He folded his arms and continued.
"If you had at least reached the fifth level of the Elementary Realm, you could have started learning alchemy. Then you might have brought some honor back to the Ye Clan."
He waved his hand dismissively.
"Never mind. From now on, you'll help in the pill shop. You can start by collecting herbs. At the very least, you'll gain some basic understanding of alchemy and be useful when dealing with customers."
Yama's eyes darkened slightly.
Inside, he was furious.
The Lord of Hell, ordered to run errands and collect herbs?
In his past life, he had stood above countless beings. Thousands obeyed his command. Even gods had to speak carefully before him.
And now this man wanted him to work as a shop assistant?
Ye Ming, standing to the side, immediately sensed Yama's mood shift.
By now, he had learned enough to know one thing:
Yama would not tolerate being ordered around for long.
If Wei Yang pushed too far, Yama might simply walk away, even if he had to sleep in another broken shed.
So Ye Ming quickly stepped in.
"Senior… he can actually cultivate now. He had only hidden it. I'm sure you understand why."
Wei Yang narrowed his eyes.
"Oh?"
Then he gave Yama another look.
"So you've hidden yourself well, boy. Interesting."
But his expression quickly returned to normal.
"Still, that changes nothing. Becoming an alchemist is not easy. It takes around six years just to become a one-star alchemist, and every rank after that becomes several times harder."
Inwardly, Wei Yang sneered.
Brat, even if you can cultivate, you still have no talent in alchemy.
I'm already doing Ye Xiang a great favor by letting you and that little girl stay here.
Just then, Yama spoke.
"Senior, give me three days."
Wei Yang frowned.
"In three days, I will refine a pill for you. After that, you can decide whether I should work in the shop or not."
Silence fell.
Wei Yang stared at him as if he had just heard the most absurd thing in his life.
Ye Ming nearly coughed up blood.
In the short time he had been around Yama, he had already heard enough outrageous statements to drive any sane person mad.
But this one was especially absurd.
Three days?
Refine a pill?
Without any knowledge of alchemy?
Wei Yang finally burst out.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, brat! Do you even understand how difficult pill refining is?"
"You have no experience. No knowledge. And you think you can refine a pill in three days?"
He almost laughed in disbelief.
"What, do you think you're our ancestor or something?"
The mention of the ancestor was not casual.
Wei Yang's eyes flashed with pride and reverence.
The ancestor of the Heaven Pill House had once been a famous nine-star alchemist, respected throughout the entire continent. There were even rumors that he had been among the best alchemists in the Unknown Lands.
It was because of that ancestor that the Heaven Pill House had once stood at the very top.
But after his death, the House gradually declined, especially since no true successor had ever appeared.
Yama remained calm.
"Senior, I am not being ignorant. But if I can truly refine a pill in three days, then you must agree to a few of my conditions."
Wei Yang looked at him for a long moment.
He still did not believe it.
Not even a little.
But Yama's confidence was so steady that it left him strangely speechless.
Finally, Wei Yang let out a cold snort.
"Fine."
"I want to see exactly what kind of pill you think you can make."
"If you succeed, I will exempt you from working in the shop. You may do as you please, as long as you occasionally refine some pills for the Heaven Pill House."
He paused, then added,
"And I will hear your conditions."
"But if you fail…"
His voice turned cold.
"I will not go easy on you, even if you are my friend's son."
Yama inwardly relaxed.
He had no intention of working under anyone, no matter the circumstances. This was the best outcome he could get for now.
Still, there was one more thing he needed.
"Senior, I will not disappoint you," Yama said. "But before that, I would like to ask a favor."
Wei Yang narrowed his eyes.
He was certain the brat was about to ask for alchemy manuals, guidance, or some form of hidden help.
If so, he was ready to teach him just how vast the path of alchemy truly was.
"What is it?"
Yama met his gaze calmly.
"I would like to pay respects to your ancestor."