Chapter 119: The Alchemy Competition
The next morning, on Boundless Sea Peak, Yi Hao sat in a pavilion, his expression distracted.
He was the current peak lord, at the fifth level of Nascent Soul, a powerful figure in the outside world. And even within the Two Polarities Sect, his strength was renowned.
But he still had a master. His master rarely interfered with the peak’s affairs, but his presence still constrained Yi Hao’s actions.
For example, the recent entrance exams. If Mu Zhi’an hadn’t appeared, the candidates would have been annihilated.
“Peak Lord, a disciple nad Mu Zhi’an is here to see you,” a disciple reported, entering the pavilion.
Yi Hao looked up, his eyes brightening, but he quickly masked his reaction. “Bring him in.”
The disciple glanced at him, surprised, then nodded. He had rarely seen the peak lord so eager.
Mu Zhi’an soon entered the pavilion, escorted by the disciple, who then discreetly withdrew.
“Peak Lord!” Mu Zhi’an bowed respectfully.
“Young Friend Mu, have a seat,” Yi Hao said, gesturing towards a chair, a smile playing on his lips.
After Mu Zhi’an sat down, Yi Hao sipped his tea, his deanor calm, his voice gentle. “What brings you here today, Young Friend Mu?”
Despite his casual tone, his eyes, weary with age, were fixed on Mu Zhi’an, as if waiting for sothing.
I wonder how he’ll react if I tell him Ling Long ate all the cranes… Mu Zhi’an smiled, retrieving a storage ring. He waved his hand, and a dozen Eight Treasures Cranes appeared, their wings bound by shimring restraints.
Yi Hao stared at the cranes, his excitent evident, but Mu Zhi’an maintained his respectful deanor. “Senior Ling Long… she ate another crane. I was worried she wouldn’t be able to control herself so I brought them back early…”
Yi Hao nodded, then looked at him, his eyes filled with gratitude. “Ling Long is our sect’s guardian beast. She can have as many as she wants.”
He paused, then added, “Thank you for your trouble, Young Friend Mu. As promised, take one of these cranes. It will be beneficial to your cultivation.”
“Thank you, Senior!” Mu Zhi’an bowed.
“You’ve earned it,” Yi Hao replied, then sighed, his voice laced with a hint of lancholy. “I never thought I would need to rely on a junior…”
He looked at Mu Zhi’an, smiling. “Regardless, I’m grateful for your help. I have so influence within the sect. If you ever need anything, co to . Consider it a repaynt…”
“It would be my honor to serve you, Senior,” Mu Zhi’an replied respectfully.
Pleasantries were essential. Even if they were just empty words, they still pleased the recipient.
Yi Hao smiled, nodding, then he discreetly studied Mu Zhi’an, a flicker of regret in his eyes.
He could see that Mu Zhi’an’s talent was exceptional. If it were the past, he would have taken him as an inner disciple.
But this year was different. It was a golden age, filled with talented candidates.
He could only choose one inner disciple, and ideally, it would be either Bai Ruoxi or Ye Lingxuan. Even if they were chosen by the winners of the last sect tournant, there was still Wei ngrou, and even Huang Manting.
It was a sha, but he had to choose carefully…
BOOM!
Thunder rumbled in the sky, and Mu Zhi’an looked up to see storm clouds gathering above the peak, lightning flashing through the dark sky.
“Is soone breaking through to Core Formation.?” he asked.
“It’s a Pill Tribulation,” Yi Hao chuckled. “It seems soone has refined a remarkable fourth-grade pill.”
He narrowed his eyes, his voice turning serious. “Judging by those clouds, it’s almost at the fifth grade.”
Alchemy… it’s my blind spot… He watched as Yi Hao seed lost in thought, then he excused himself and left the pavilion.
As he passed the summit, he saw a group of disciples gathered, their gazes fixed on soone standing on a platform, their voices hushed.
Alchemy competitions were common on the peaks, but seeing soone refine a fifth-grade pill, even attracting a Pill Tribulation… it was rare.
He approached the crowd and looked up at the platform. Ye Yu stood there, his black robes flowing gracefully, a proud smile playing on his lips as he basked in the attention. And in his hand, he held a newly refined pill: a Jade Countenance Pill!
The Jade Countenance Pill could preserve one’s youthful appearance for several years. It might not be significant for n, but for won, its value was imnse.
“Daoist Friend Ye’s alchemy skills are truly masterful. I concede defeat,” a young cultivator said, bowing respectfully.
Ye Yu bowed back, smiling. “Your skills are also impressive, Daoist Friend. You simply lack experience…”
“Young Master Ye, will you sell that pill? I’ll pay five thousand spirit stones,” a female cultivator called out from the crowd.
“I’ll pay eight thousand.”
“Ten thousand…”
He listened to their bids, their gazes filled with admiration, and he smiled inwardly, maintaining his calm deanor.
He suddenly felt a familiar gaze upon him, and he looked towards the back of the crowd. A young man in luxurious robes was standing there, watching him.
…Mu Zhi’an.
His expression darkened, and he stared at Mu Zhi’an, who was stretching, seemingly about to leave. “Young Master Mu, since you’re here, why don’t we have an alchemy competition…?”
The disciples turned to look at Mu Zhi’an, their voices hushed, their conversations filled with curiosity.
They had all heard about the conflict between Mu Zhi’an and Ye Yu back in Tianxuan City, but judging by Ye Yu’s undisguised hostility, it seed their feud was significant.
Mu Zhi’an stopped, turning to look at him, smiling. “Your alchemy skills are unmatched, Young Master Ye. I’m no match for you.”
“Are you afraid?” Ye Yu taunted.
Then he chuckled, as if realizing sothing. “I almost forgot. You’re not an alchemist. My apologies.”
Mu Zhi’an smiled, nodding, then retrieved a porcelain bottle from his storage ring.
Ye Yu’s gaze fixed on the “Ye” engraved on the bottle.
The pills Ye Lingxuan had given him!
“Lingxuan’s pills are quite useful…” Mu Zhi’an whispered, his voice a ntal ssage.
Ye Yu’s eyes narrowed, his anger flaring.
He had used his sweet words to trick Lingxuan into giving him those pills, and now he was flaunting them…?
He had the audacity to be a kept man and act so proud…?
He was about to speak when a golden beam of light erupted from the cliff below, a potent dicinal fragrance filling the air.
Mu Zhi’an turned to look, his gaze following the beam towards the depths of the cliff. He saw a figure in a purple dress standing within the light.
And the fragrance… it was coming from her.
Ye Lingxuan’s seclusion was over!
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