Two days passed by in a blink.
During these two days, the most heated discussion in the entire dicine Tower was not the duel involving Feng Yugui, but rather the scheduled duel between Mu Qingge and Song Yu.
As a result, the first duel, which should have generated high enthusiasm, had a lackluster audience when it took place.
After all, a PK between Interdiate Alchemists is really nothing worth watching.
The only reason attracting everyone here was the desire to see if Feng Yugui could truly refine an Advanced Elixir as rumored!
On the Dan Fighting stage, Feng Yugui stood facing the Alchemist challenging him.
In front of each was a long table, with a Pill Furnace also placed beside it.
On the tables were tools needed for the alchemy process.
Surrounding the stage were bleachers, enough to hold a thousand people. Unfortunately, only a sparsely scattered hundred or so people were present.
This quiet scene darkened Feng Yugui’s eyes as he stepped onto the stage, deepening his hatred for Mu Qingge in his heart.
In the bleachers, Mu Qingge sat with the Wei siblings, Shui Ling, and Fu Tianlong. Strangely, the other five people sharing their accommodation also sat nearby.
Wei Guanguan secretly glanced back, whispering in Mu Qingge’s ear, "These five have been showing up nearby for the past two days, are they worried you’d cheat during Dan Fighting?"
Mu Qingge smiled subtly, saying calmly, "No worries, let them be."
Wei Guanguan pouted, muttering, "We’ll see what they’ll say after you win!"
"Mu Ge, when’s your duel with Song Yu?" Shui Ling suddenly asked.
On the day the duel was arranged, Mu Qingge only replied that it would be after Feng Yugui’s match, without specifying an exact ti.
Mu Qingge replied with a gentle smile, "Tomorrow."
"Then it seems the audience tomorrow will definitely be larger than today," Shui Ling said with a smile.
Wei Qi discontentedly retorted, "What do you an ’seems’? It’s certain!"
"That’s right! Mu Ge, we’re waiting for you to utterly crush your opponent!" Wei Guanguan exclaid excitedly.
"Mu Ge, I also look forward to you shining brightly," even Fu Tianlong, who seldom spoke to Mu Qingge, chid in.
His words imdiately drew astonished looks from the others.
Mu Qingge rely glanced at him lightly, her clear eyes nodding calmly towards him.
Fu Tianlong withdrew his gaze, but no one saw the tightly gripped elixir hidden in his sleeve.
This elixir was secretly given to him by Feng Yugui last night, instructing him to find a chance to give it to Mu Qingge before she steps onto the stage. It was said this elixir dissolves in water, is colorless and tasteless, and isn’t easily noticed.
What the elixir does, Fu Tianlong didn’t know.
Yet, having once drugged Mu Qingge before, Fu Tianlong hesitated about it.
Thus, the elixir remained tightly grasped in his hand, not yet delivered.
On the stage, Feng Yugui’s opponent had appeared. Once the two arrived, the Dan Fighting imdiately began. After mutually greeting each other, they wrote down the nas and quantities of the dicinal materials they needed on paper.
Once they finished writing, they handed it to the attendant in charge of the stage to prepare.
During the waiting period, Feng Yugui glanced around the bleachers, easily locking onto Mu Qingge’s position. A cold smile fleetingly crossed his lips.
The excitent and determination in his eyes made Mu Qingge squint her eyes.
Retracting his gaze, Feng Yugui recalled his conversation with Diao Yuan that day, feeling a sense of ease.
That day, after he inford Diao Yuan that Mu Qingge might refine an Advanced Elixir, Diao Yuan indeed changed his attitude towards him.
Afterward, he gave him an elixir, claiming it could disrupt Spiritual Sense concentration during alchemy, instructing him to find a way to give it to Mu Qingge. Upon success, when Mu Qingge fails in Dan Fighting, it would be his ti to be introduced to the head of the branch.
This promise left Feng Yugui without any hesitation.
Now, he eagerly awaited to see Mu Qingge fail, panic, and beco ridiculed by many.
"Mu Ge, when you can’t even focus your Spiritual Sense, I wonder how you’ll manage to refine an Advanced Elixir. You might struggle to even produce Low Level Elixirs! Today you’re still daring to watch make a fool of myself? Today, I’m destined to be the focus, and you are destined to be tomorrow’s laughing stock," Feng Yugui maliciously thought to himself.
Having Fu Tianlong carry out this task was ideal, for they harbored the least suspicion against him, and driven by his feelings for that woman Shui Ling, he would surely resort to any ans to disgrace Mu Qingge and even drive her away.
Feng Yugui’s lips curled into a cold smile, once again admiring his initial decision.
If he hadn’t made the agreent to cooperate with Fu Tianlong then, today’s matter might not be resolved so easily.
In the bleachers, Wei Guanguan said to Wei Qi, "I think Feng Yugui is up to no good again, look how wickedly he’s smiling!"
These words fell into Fu Tianlong’s ears, causing his gaze to flicker, his grip on the elixir even tighter.
"Tianlong, are you alright?" The unusual behavior of Fu Tianlong caught the attention of Shui Ling beside him.
Fu Tianlong glanced at her, quickly shifted his gaze, and said in a muffled voice, "No."
Seeing his reluctance to speak, Shui Ling, though curious, did not continue to inquire.
Fu Tianlong turned his head, seemingly focused on the actions happening in the arena. Mu Qingge’s calm gaze fell on his profile, appearing deep in thought.
...
Soon, the attendant responsible for preparing the dicinal materials returned.
They had prepared three sets of the required dicinal materials.
That’s because during the refining process, failure often occurs midway, so in a Dan Fighting competition, typically three sets of materials are prepared. As long as one set is successfully refined, it’s considered a success. Conversely, if all three sets fail during the refining process, it’s deed a failure.
With the materials prepared, Feng Yugui’s opponent spoke to him, "Please, Junior Brother Feng."
"Please, Senior Brother," Feng Yugui replied.
After a courteous exchange, the two began to focus on the preliminary steps of alchemy.
Since the materials were taken from the dicine Tower’s storage, they were spared the sorting process. After weighing the materials, they could grind them and begin alchemy.
All around was silent; watching Dan Fighting doesn’t have the visual impact of other contest stages.
Moreover, the process is rather tedious.
Fortunately, the audience here consists of dicine Tower disciples, who are accustod to such waiting, so it didn’t lead to any whispers.
After watching for a while, Wei Qi suddenly frowned and said curiously, "Why does Feng Yugui’s opponent look so dejected and unwilling, almost as if he’s lost already?"
His remarks imdiately piqued Wei Guanguan’s interest, causing her to lean forward and closely observe Feng Yugui’s opponent.
Even Mu Qingge’s gaze fell on that person.
"Really! You wouldn’t notice if you didn’t say it, but now that I look closely, he indeed seems to be dealing with it casually," Wei Guanguan said.
Shui Ling said in confusion, "But wasn’t this challenge proposed by him? Feng Yugui is the one being challenged."
Mu Qingge watched for a while and said to the others, "Let’s keep watching."
Upon hearing this, the three fell silent, closely observing the competition on the stage, unwilling to miss a single detail.
"Oh no!"
Suddenly, a lanting voice rose from the crowd.
The few looked over and saw Feng Yugui’s opponent tossing the freshly ground dicinal powder into the Pill Furnace, only for a waft of charred black smoke to erge from the furnace.
It was obvious that his first attempt at alchemy had failed.
Mu Qingge stared at the man’s face, noticing a change in his complexion but no surprise in his eyes.
This could be seen as steadfast calmness, but it could also be understood that he had anticipated such a result, so there was little fluctuation in his gaze.
Mu Qingge’s eyes held a hint of amusent, "This challenge is becoming interesting."
"Mu Ge, what did you say?" Wei Guanguan didn’t catch Mu Qingge’s mumble and quickly turned to ask.
Mu Qingge grinned and said with intent, "Let’s hope the Senior Brother doesn’t slip up again this ti."
Wei Guanguan nodded without understanding, "I hope he wins too, so Feng Yugui’s arrogance gets knocked down a bit."
"Just watch the contest," Mu Qingge said, lifting her chin.
Wei Guanguan nodded and refocused her attention on the stage.
After his first failure, as the challenger, he began preparing the second set of dicinal materials again. At this ti, Feng Yugui had already moved to the process of refining within the Pill Furnace.
Soon, the challenger prepared the dicinal powder once more and tossed it into the Pill Furnace.
This ti, no accident occurred; the dicinal powder seed to stabilize within the furnace, gradually starting to fuse. anwhile, in Feng Yugui’s Pill Furnace, the elixir was beginning to take shape and would be ready soon.
An hour later, a burst of Dan Fragrance emanated from Feng Yugui’s Pill Furnace.
"It’s finished!"
"Did he really succeed on the first try?"
"From the aroma, it seems to be Middle Level Middle Grade, or High Grade Elixir."
"Still couldn’t refine an Advanced Elixir? Wasn’t it said he could make Advanced Elixirs?"
"Tch, do you think an Advanced Elixir is that easy to succeed in refining?"
"In this case, isn’t Brother Chen sure to lose?"
"That’s not necessarily true. After the elixir is successfully refined, releasing it is crucial. Perhaps, at the mont it’s released, it fails again?"
"True, true!"
As the Dan Fragrance from Feng Yugui’s Pill Furnace beca more intense, the discussions in the stands grew more nurous.
Only at this point did Mu Qingge realize that the senior competing with Feng Yugui in the Dan Fighting was surnad Chen.
"Look quickly! It’s about to be released!"
Soone shouted excitedly but cautiously restrained their volu, seemingly worried their voice might disturb the Pill Master.
Feng Yugui forcefully slapped the Pill Furnace’s wall, and with a sudden pop, the lid of the Pill Furnace bounced upward, releasing an even denser Dan Fragrance that perated the stands.
An orange-yellow elixir shot up into the sky, and Feng Yugui stretched out his hand, catching it in his palm.
Perhaps influenced by Feng Yugui’s successful refinent, at the sa ti, a muffled sound ca from the opposing Pill Furnace, and a burnt, foul-slling black smoke again billowed out.
"How did it fail again?"
"What’s Brother Chen doing? He actually failed twice in a row today!"
In the crowd, there were whispers of discussion.
Brother Chen’s complexion turned blue, clearly indicating that he was not in a good mood.
In contrast, Feng Yugui was already holding the refined elixir in his hand. He spread it out in his palm, seemingly to show it off to the audience in the stands, his deanor filled with pride, his gaze very smug.
"Ah, looking at the elixir’s color, it seems to be of Middle Level Middle Grade quality."
"Tsk, what’s so special about that? I ca to see an Advanced Elixir, but they refined sothing like this."
This discussion drifted into Feng Yugui’s ears, causing his originally proud expression to montarily freeze, and he cast a cold glance at the speaker.
Retracting his gaze indifferently, Feng Yugui looked toward Brother Chen opposite him and smiled with curled lips, "Senior, I’ve already completed my elixir. You better cherish this last chance."
Brother Chen’s eyes montarily showed resentnt, but it quickly dissipated.
Facing Feng Yugui’s teasing, he could only mutter, "Thank you, Junior, for the reminder."
After speaking, he started preparing the last batch of dicinal materials as if unaffected.
"He failed again; is his qualification as an Interdiate Alchemist fake?" Wei Guanguan retracted her extending body disappointedly, leaning back against the chair.
"Don’t talk nonsense; the dicine Tower’s Pill Master assessnts are very strict. How could there be any falsification? Besides, if he really faked it, knowing his level, how could he dare to step up and issue a challenge?" Wei Qi argued.
"Then why does he keep failing? That sly Feng Yugui succeeded once!" Wei Guanguan pouted.
Wei Qi couldn’t answer and could only scratch his head, saying, "Maybe... maybe he’s just unlucky today?"
Unlucky?
This word fell in Mu Qingge’s ears and provoked her cold laugh.
Indeed, one must admit, quite unlucky.
Previously, she had heard that the person challenging Feng Yugui seed to be a follower of Diao Yuan. And this challenge was actually a probe issued by Diao Yuan.
However, during the actual competition, the opponent failed repeatedly, which was quite unusual.
The elixirs refined by both parties were announced publicly by the attendants before each took their dicinal materials. Both types were not difficult to refine. Reasonably speaking, soone who had been apprenticed to the dicine Tower for years, as an Interdiate Alchemist, would not make such mistakes.
If this was truly the case, then it was intentional.
Intentionally losing the competition?
But why?
Mu Qingge frowned slightly, seemingly unable to understand why a Dan Fighting that was supposed to disgrace Feng Yugui ended in such a dramatic reversal.
’The only person who could make Brother Chen deliberately lose the competition is probably one individual. But why would that person suddenly abandon the probing intention and help Feng Yugui?’ Mu Qingge pondered in her heart, the truth having unveiled a veil before her, yet many matters were still shrouded in mist.
On the stage, Feng Yugui had already completed the elixir and stood aside waiting for Brother Chen’s final attempt.
Initially, everyone thought they would see the elixir refined by Brother Chen this ti.
Unexpectedly, Brother Chen failed again when adding the powdered dicine to the Pill Furnace.
Three consecutive attempts at alchemy ended in failure, instantly sparking a wave of boos from the stands.
Feng Yugui’s expression beca smug again, cupping his hand, he said, "Brother Chen, thank you for the concession."
Brother Chen’s face was terribly drawn, he muttered amidst the surrounding boos, "I underestimated Junior’s strength and was overly anxious, foolishly trying to challenge an Interdiate Top Grade Elixir. In this Dan Fighting, I admit my defeat sincere."
The mont he spoke, everyone understood.
It turned out that Senior Brother Chen’s repeated failures were due to his excessive pursuit of the elixir’s quality.
His words almost dispelled everyone’s doubts about the results of this competition, gradually accepting the truth.
However, Mu Qingge did not believe this explanation.
"Alright, the results are now clear. But, as per procedure, I must inspect the elixir refined by Feng Yugui as a witness," the dicine Tower Elder responsible for the Dan Fighting arena said aloud.
Feng Yugui carelessly handed the elixir in his hand to the Elder. After the Elder carefully examined it, he returned it to him and nodded, "Not bad, an Interdiate Middle Grade Fuling Pill. This round of Dan Fighting, Feng Yugui wins!"
The result was announced, but there was no intense reaction from the spectators. Everyone got up and dispersed, seemingly disappointed by this Dan Fighting.
Seeing this scene, Feng Yugui’s face turned dark and unpleasant.
He had won, but his opponent, Senior Brother Chen, was not on the popularity ranking. Therefore, even though he won, he gained nothing but fa.
And at this mont, he felt that he hadn’t even gained fa.
"If I’d known it would be this boring today, I would have co to watch the Dan Fighting tomorrow."
"Exactly, exactly. Tomorrow’s Dan Fighting is Song Yu, ranked eighth on the popularity list, challenging the newcor Mu Ge. The main thing is that Mu Ge is a Low Level Alchemist yet possesses Spiritual Sense Strength surpassing Senior Brother i. I wonder if there will be an unexpected twist!"
"An upset is unlikely. Didn’t Senior Brother i say that Spiritual Sense Strength represents a person’s talent but not their current abilities? Maybe Junior Brother Mu has just started learning Alchemy?"
"In any case, even if the outco is already decided, it’s more worth watching than today. Not to ntion Senior Brother Song Yu’s dazzling alchemy skills, I bet even Senior Brother i will be present."
"What? Senior Brother i will be present? Is your information reliable? Senior Brother i is usually reclusive."
"Hmph, you said Senior Brother i is reclusive, but he’s coming out for Junior Brother Mu. I think the likelihood of Senior Brother i attending tomorrow is high."
"Doesn’t that an a lot of people will co tomorrow? No way, we must co early to get seats!"
The discussions that should have been about Feng Yugui’s victory were overshadowed by the Dan Fighting involving Mu Qingge tomorrow.
These words, scattered bits and pieces, reached Feng Yugui’s ears, causing his originally handso features to gradually contort.
...
At night, the dicine Tower appeared exceptionally quiet.
The dicine Tower Branch, built on the outskirts of Ming Forest, was now only accompanied by the chirping of insects, with hardly any other sounds.
Suddenly, a shadow quietly evaded the patrol and slipped into a silent grove.
Once in the grove, he lifted the hood on his black cloak, revealing his face.
In the cold moonlight, it gradually erged.
As he revealed his face, a person who had been hiding behind a tree ca out and muffledly asked, "Prince Feng, why have you called out again tonight?"
Such an attitude displeased Feng Yugui.
He frowned and said, "Seems Brother Fu is sowhat averse to seeing ."
Fu Tianlong silently shifted his gaze, his attitude spoke volus.
A cold light flashed in Feng Yugui’s eyes.
Soon, he disguised it flawlessly.
He smiled at Fu Tianlong, "The reason for calling Brother Fu out this ti is to ask whether the elixir I entrusted you with has been consud by the person nad Mu?"
Fu Tianlong’s eyes flickered slightly as he replied, "If you don’t trust , why task with it?"
Feng Yugui laughed, "How could I not trust Brother Fu? It’s just that the person nad Mu is inherently sly and full of deceit. I’m rely concerned for Brother Fu."
"Rest assured." Fu Tianlong shot him a glance, indifferent.
Feng Yugui’s gaze darkened slightly, then he smiled, "Good, with Brother Fu’s assurance, I can rest easy. Once that person loses the Dan Fighting tomorrow, our major worry will be resolved."
Fu Tianlong seed uninterested in these matters and instead looked at Feng Yugui seriously, "You promised that if I helped you, you would tell how to make Shui Ling change her mind."
"What, Shui Ling hasn’t given up on the person nad Mu?" Feng Yugui asked.
Fu Tianlong closed his lips and said, "Although Shui Ling has beco distant from him in the past few days, I can sense she has sothing on her mind."
Feng Yugui’s eyes turned as he spoke to Fu Tianlong, "Rest assured, Brother Fu. You helped , and I’ll naturally fulfill my promise. After the person loses the Dan Fighting tomorrow, et here at night again, and I’ll bring you sothing good. With it, you can make Shui Ling completely yours. Then, will you still worry about her changing her heart?"
With that, Feng Yugui donned his cloak once more and vanished into the night.
Fu Tianlong remained alone, carefully contemplating Feng Yugui’s words.
Suddenly, anger flashed in his eyes as he glared in the direction Feng Yugui left, gritting his teeth in fury.
He discerned the aning in Feng Yugui’s words, yet how could he possibly use such despicable thods on Shui Ling?
"Hmph! None of them are good people!" Fu Tianlong cursed angrily and turned to leave the forest.
...
As dawn broke, countless dicine Tower disciples hurried toward the Dan Fighting arena, seemingly fearing they would miss the best seats if they were late.
With an hour remaining until the appointed ti, the arena, which could accommodate thousands, was already overcrowded.
Not only were there no empty seats, but quite a few who didn’t get seats were standing in gaps between the stands, unwilling to leave.
This bustling scene was far beyond the excitent during yesterday’s Feng Yugui’s Dan Fighting.
"Look quickly! Isn’t that Sister Shang?"
"And Sister Zhu!"
The dicine Tower’s top beauty, coupled with the naturally alluring Zhu Ling, had beco the biggest highlight of this competition.
Were these two beauties here to watch Song Yu or Mu Ge?
Everyone speculated for a mont.
Hearing the surrounding chatter, Zhu Ling covered her mouth lightly and whispered to Shang Zisu, "I’m here to cheer for Brother Song. Who is Zisu here for?"
Zisu’s teasing words elicited no reaction from Shang Zisu, who remained cold as frost, as if rely passing through by chance.
"Brother Zhao is here too!"
Once again, the crowd stirred.
As a prince of Yu Country, Zhao Nanxing’s presence, combined with his bamboo-like elegance, always gave a good impression. Moreover, he was courteous, never putting on airs, not posing as royalty, and was graceful and refined.
Besides rankings, Zhao Nanxing was likely second only to i Zizhong as the most popular character.
His appearance imdiately drew screams from countless dicine Tower won.
To them, i Zizhong’s status was too high, sothing they could only admire from afar. But Zhao Nanxing was approachable, allowing them to indulge in fantasies.
However, Zhao Nanxing seed indifferent to these admiring won, quickly scanning the crowd, fixing his gaze on the cool figure next to Zhu Ling.
With a courteous smile to the surrounding won, Zhao Nanxing walked toward Shang Zisu.
Witnessing this scene, countless won in the crowd sighed heavily.
"Three of the top five in the popularity rankings are here!" soone counted on their fingers, surprisingly realizing.
Soone beside him reminded, "What three? It’s four. Didn’t you see Brother Diao has long been here?" After speaking, he cautiously pointed afar, seemingly afraid of being seen.
Following his guidance, the person noticed Diao Yuan alongside Feng Yugui. "Eh? Isn’t this Feng Yugui, who lucked out in yesterday’s win?"
"That’s right. I originally thought Brother Chen failed in alchemy because he was too eager to win, giving Feng Yugui the advantage. But today, seeing him walk in with Brother Diao and sit in Brother Diao’s designated area makes feel there’s sothing fishy."
"What fishy thing?" soone asked curiously.
Attracting attention from several, the speaker proudly said, "Hey, Brother Chen is Diao Yuan’s man. The challenge against Feng Yugui might well have been secretly instigated by Brother Diao. Now that Brother Chen lost, and Feng Yugui is suddenly close to Brother Diao, what do you say is fishy there?"
Soone suddenly understood, "No wonder! I thought Brother Chen was usually steady in alchemy, why was he so impulsive yesterday?"
"Shh~! Let’s just talk about this among ourselves, make sure not to spread it. Otherwise..." the speaker advised.
From his gaze, everyone seed to see the sinister image of Diao Yuan, shuddering and sitting upright, remaining silent.
Actually, no special seating arrangents existed on the Dan Fighting stands.
But at so point, Diao Yuan claid one section. Whether or not he returned to view Dan Fighting, no one dared sit there.
Yesterday, Diao Yuan didn’t co, leaving it empty.
Today, he appeared, filling that area with himself and his entourage.
Such an explosive scene made Feng Yugui extrely envious. Suddenly, a voice whispered in his ear.
"Are you sure Mu Ge has already taken the elixir?" Diao Yuan asked Feng Yugui beside him.
Retracting his gaze from Zhao Nanxing and Shang Zisu, Feng Yugui nodded confidently, "That Fu Tianlong hates Mu Ge deeply, with a simple-minded nature, without much complexity, easy to exploit. To deal with Mu Qingge, he’s bound to act."
Diao Yuan glanced at him lightly, his tone calm, "He better."
After speaking, his gaze fell on the arena. Though the competition ti was yet to co, nobody was on stage.
Yet deep in Diao Yuan’s eyes, countless sches flashed.
Upon learning Mu Qingge might refine an advanced elixir, he knew today’s match was dangerous.
Advanced elixir?
Currently, those capable of refining advanced elixirs in the dicine Tower, apart from his ntor Director Hua Cangzhu and i Zizhong’s ntor Chief Alchemist Lou Chuanbai of the dicine Tower Branch, were just i Zizhong growing up learning alchemy with Lou Chuanbai.
He couldn’t even refine advanced elixirs.
If Mu Qingge could truly refine advanced elixirs, wouldn’t it an he’s more powerful?
Thus, under no circumstances, could he let Mu Qingge refine advanced elixirs, otherwise not only Song Yu would lose, but even his pride would suffer.
Already burdened by i Zizhong surpassing him, he couldn’t tolerate another like Mu Ge.
Ti ticked away.
Finally, it reached the agreed match ti.
The elder responsible for the Dan Fighting arena erged once more, still the sa from yesterday.
He stood on the arena, moved to the center, raising his hand to quiet the noisy crowd.
"Everyone, the Dan Fighting between Song Yu and Mu Ge is about to start. Please ensure silent observation to avoid affecting their performance."
Once his voice fell, the surroundings quieted further.
Those present, learning alchemy, understood the absolute silence needed in refining elixirs, to fully concentrate and produce quality elixirs.
Such cooperation pleased the elder.
Nodding, he loudly shouted, "Song Yu, Mu Ge, step on the stage!"
The protagonists finally appeared!
Those on the stands began to anticipate.
Yet, so held regret.
"Didn’t they say Brother i cares significantly for this new Mu Brother? Why isn’t he here?"
"How would I know? But characters like Brother i, god-like in nature, how his thoughts aren’t sothing us mortals can fathom, can we?"
"Silence. Relax and watch the match. I have a gut feeling today’s match will be incredibly thrilling!"
In a section of the circular stands, the Wei siblings, Shui Ling, Fu Tianlong, and the other five betting on Mu Qingge gathered together.
Wei Guanguan nervously stared at the arena, muttering incessantly, "Why hasn’t it started yet? Why hasn’t it started yet?"
"Stop it, quietly watch," Wei Qi couldn’t resist tapping her head.
Just about to retaliate, Wei Guanguan heard Shui Ling say, "They’re coming."
Instantly, it dispelled Wei Guanguan’s vengeance, focusing intently on the approaching figure outside the arena.
That handso and carefree figure, unconstrained yet casual, shockingly beautiful, wouldn’t be anyone but Mu Qingge. Her appearance quickly caught the attention of many won in the stands.
"Unexpectedly, our new Brother is quite fetching. Standing before him, I truly feel inadequate!"
"Don’t hit for saying this, but I personally find Brother Mu better looking than Brother i or Brother Zhao."
"I think so too!"
" too!"
" too!"
"So beautiful, so handso! Really want to bear his children!"
"Are you that love-struck?" fellows couldn’t stand it anymore and refuted.
"Go play, ugly man!" Instantly, he faced female disciples’ assaults.
Afraid to speak further, frustrated, he shrunk aside in silence.
"Sigh, he’s got the looks, but how’s his skills?"
A female disciple giggled ambiguously, "Which skills are you referring to?"
"Tsk, you little flirt."
A group of lustful female disciples squabbled, standing out conspicuously amidst the quiet stands.
Until the arena elder lightly coughed, these Mu Qingge’s beauty-entranced female disciples restrained themselves, sitting quietly.
Nevertheless, prior focus on Zhao Nanxing had mostly shifted to Mu Qingge.
The stand’s turmoil didn’t affect Mu Qingge and Song Yu.
eting beneath the arena, exchanging glances, they both ascended the stage.
Standing on the circular arena, feeling the gaze of thousands, Mu Qingge sighed lightly in her heart. The world is indeed full of wonders; yesterday, she was sitting in the stands observing, but today she stands in the arena, subject to everyone’s judgnt.
"Mu Junior Brother, long ti no see." Song Yu’s lips curled up with a disdainful arc.
Mu Qingge chuckled indifferently, "Song Senior Brother, you look the sa as a few days ago, unchanged." In her words, she mocked Song Yu’s lack of progress in recent days.
Detecting her implication, Song Yu’s face shifted slightly, and he snorted, "Only good at quibbling."
"Sa goes for you!" Mu Qingge laughed.
This casual and serene deanor attracted countless adoring female disciples.
Zhu Ling looked toward Shang Zisu, saying casually, "Mu Junior Brother is indeed bold, his calm and composed manner is truly charming." After speaking, her gaze brushed past Zhao Nanxing.
Feeling the gaze, Zhao Nanxing rely smiled faintly, unaffected.
And Shang Zisu gave even less of a response, as if she hadn’t heard Zhu Ling at all.
Their reactions didn’t make Zhu Ling feel awkward.
Instead, she covered her mouth and laughed, "If Mu Junior Brother wins today, not only will he replace Song Yu but also beco the object of pursuit for the female disciples in the tower. This will ease the burden considerably for i Senior Brother and Zhao Senior Brother."
Shang Zisu’s eyes flashed slightly, but she still said nothing more.
Zhao Nanxing glanced at Shang Zisu, then smiled at Zhu Ling, "If this truly happens, I will certainly thank Mu Junior Brother well." After that, he looked at Shang Zisu’s cold-as-ice back, his undisguised admiration evident.
Zhu Ling laughed and glanced at Shang Zisu again, finally focusing her attention on the arena.
The competition on the arena has already begun.
Mu Qingge and Song Yu needed to write down the na of the elixir they intended to refine, along with the required materials.
Both lowered their heads and wrote for a while, with Song Yu finishing first.
He handed the paper filled with words to the arena elder, and then waited with the latter for Mu Qingge to finish writing.
After a while, seeing that she showed no signs of finishing, Song Yu couldn’t help but mock, "Mu Junior Brother, it’s rely a low-level elixir, why does it need so many dicinal materials?"
Having just put her pen down, Mu Qingge heard Song Yu’s words, she smiled imdiately, looked up at him, "Who said I’m refining a low-level elixir?"
After speaking, she handed her paper filled with dicinal materials to the arena elder.
The paper was densely packed with words, seeming to include hundreds of types of dicinal materials.
The arena elder took a glance, and his eyes suddenly shrank, filled with astonishnt.
After reading, he uncertainly looked at Mu Qingge once more, who nodded with a smile, only then did he withdraw his shocked gaze for inquiry.
The arena elder’s reaction caught the attention of Song Yu and the surrounding audience. A sudden feeling of foreboding arose in Song Yu, while the audience speculated what Mu Qingge had written to make the arena elder so shocked.
After regaining himself, the arena elder announced loudly, "The elixir Song Yu intends to refine is the Interdiate Green Condensing Pill."
Interdiate elixir, indeed at Song Yu’s level, now let’s see if he can refine it to top grade quality. If he succeeds, the winner today will surely be him.
After the arena elder revealed the na of the elixir Song Yu would refine, this was the thought of most people.
"The elixir Mu Ge intends to refine is..." The arena elder suddenly paused, stirring countless interests. After a mont, he helplessly announced, "Advanced Guiyuan Youthful Pill."
Wow—!
Instantly, a huge commotion erupted among the crowd.
Advanced elixir?
A low-level Pill Master dared to claim to refine an advanced elixir? Are they joking!
"Mu Ge actually dares to refine an advanced elixir? Who does he think he is? Hmph, looks like we’ve won the bet, he better prepare to leave the dicine Tower!"
"So foolhardy!"
The five who had bets with Mu Qingge mocked.
Wei Guanguan turned around fiercely and glared at them, "What do you know! Mu Ge said he could, then he definitely can!"
Yet, it only earned her contemptuous mocking glances.
Shui Ling pulled Wei Guanguan aside, comforting, "Don’t pay attention to them, reality will deliver them a sound slap."
"Advanced elixir? Hah, hidden so deeply." Diao Yuan’s gaze brimd with poison and malice.
Feng Yugui secretly examined Diao Yuan’s expression, feeling elated inside. He seed to foresee Mu Qingge’s failure in alchemy and becoming a stray.
"It’s actually Guiyuan Youthful Pill? I’ve asked my master to refine it for a long ti, but he refused. If Mu Junior Brother can truly create it, I’ll have to get closer to him." Zhu Ling caressed her cheeks, her charming eyes filled with interest.
No matter how shocked the people in the stands were, the arena elder had already ordered the attendants to fetch the dicinal materials.
```
While waiting, Song Yu let out a sinister cold laugh: "Truly clueless."
"You’re too kind." Mu Qingge raised her brow, smiling with unrestrained arrogance.
The sheer beauty of that face made Song Yu feel a sudden urge to pounce and tear it apart.
Soon, the attendant who had gone to fetch the dicine hurried back.
During this ti, quite a few people had squeezed into the stands. It seed they had heard about Mu Qingge’s announcent to refine an advanced elixir despite being a low-level alchemist, and rushed over.
"Look, isn’t that Senior Brother i?"
"Senior Brother i really ca!"
Suddenly, a disturbance rose from the back of the crowd.
Zhao Nanxing glanced back to see i Zizhong’s ethereal and graceful figure moving towards them.
i Zizhong’s appearance made Zhao Nanxing frown slightly. When i Zizhong was close, he asked quietly, "Senior Brother, why did you co?" In his view, i Zizhong’s previous appearance had already made Mu Qingge the center of attention, and coming now would only heighten the tension between the sect and the dean.
"I heard Junior Brother Mu wants to refine an advanced elixir, so I ca." i Zizhong answered calmly.
The elixir Mu Qingge refined during the assessnt was now in his possession. If she were to refine an interdiate elixir, he thought it was very possible. However, the challenge of an advanced elixir made him worried for her.
Zhao Nanxing sighed inwardly and had no choice but to say, "Well, since you’re here."
i Zizhong’s eyes flashed with a hint of guilt, understanding Zhao Nanxing’s implication. Just...
"Senior Brother i, you ca too!" Zhu Ling, seeing i Zizhong, showed signs of shyness.
i Zizhong only cast a faint glance at her and nodded, "Junior Sister Zhu." After that, he had no more interaction.
On the stage, Mu Qingge and Song Yu had started grinding the dicinal powders.
Song Yu, to his credit, showed so skill, using spiritual power for weighing and grinding. Throughout the venue, green light darted between his ten fingers, and piles of dicinal powder ford miniature mountains on the table before him.
And Mu Qingge? Though she also avoided using tools, her grinding and asuring were simple and precise, not revealing any hint of her current cultivation level in spiritual power.
Soon, Song Yu completed his first batch of dicinal powder and was ready to start the pill furnace.
Mu Qingge had only finished two-thirds of her dicinal grinding.
After careful observation, Song Yu discovered that Mu Qingge had ground all the powder for three attempts, and sneered: "It seems Junior Brother Mu really has foresight, knowing he might not succeed once, so he prepared enough for three tries."
Unfortunately, his taunt drew no response from Mu Qingge.
As she began alchemy, it was as if she entered another world, unaffected by the outside.
Thus, the elder’s call for silence in the venue mattered little to her.
Seeing no response, Song Yu’s eyes flickered with malice as he sneered, tossing the powder into the furnace to begin refining. By the ti he had successfully combined the second type of powder, Mu Qingge’s pill furnace had only just started.
Ti ticked by, and silence enveloped the stands, an inexplicable tension weighed heavy on many minds.
Suddenly, a ’poof’ sound echoed, and black smoke billowed from Mu Qingge’s pill furnace.
Instantly, the crowd murmured in disappointnt.
"I told you, refining advanced elixirs isn’t that easy. This guy is just grandstanding!" soone gloated.
The five who had wagered against Mu Qingge showed heightened amusent, even provoking Wei Guanguan and others: "If you can’t do it, don’t wear such a big hat — truly humiliating!"
"What are you talking about! If you have the skill, go up and refine yourself!" Wei Guanguan retorted.
Soone among the five intervened, saying: "Alright, wait for the final result, it’ll be clear then."
Wei Guanguan snorted and turned away.
Zhu Ling watched Mu Qingge’s pill furnace, shaking her head: "Such a sha. I thought I wouldn’t need to ask the master for the Guiyuan Beauty Pill anymore!"
Zhao Nanxing and i Zizhong exchanged glances, seeing strands of worry in each other’s eyes.
anwhile, at Diao Yuan’s side, Feng Yugui, noticing Mu Qingge’s failure, relaxedly sought credit with Diao Yuan: "Brother Diao, it seems it worked."
He spoke cryptically, only Diao Yuan would understand.
"Poof!"
"Another failure!"
As everyone discussed, Mu Qingge’s second attempt seed dood from the start.
Two consecutive failures brought a hint of joy to the sinister eyes of Diao Yuan.
He gave an almost imperceptible nod and said quietly: "It really seems to have worked."
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