Translator: AnubisTL
After five years, the Sunset Glow Sect once again became the host of the Cloud Prefecture Alchemy Conference. The outer sect of the Sunset Glow Sect placed great importance on this grand event.
To this end, they demolished the old martial arts arena and built a brand-new one on the original site, capable of accommodating 100,000 spectators, to serve as the competition venue for this alchemy conference.
Alchemists, in a sense, hold a slightly higher status than artifact forgers and can be considered the most prestigious profession among cultivators. This attracted various guilds, families, and official organizations from the Cloud Prefecture.
On this day, the outer sect of the Sunset Glow Sect was adorned with banners, and the arena was packed to the brim with 100,000 people. They exchanged cultivation insights, boasted about their descendants' achievements, and discussed the potential winners of the alchemy conference.
Apart from the Sunset Glow Sect, participants from all sides had already arrived at the arena. They were all exceptional talents, fully confident in their alchemy skills, surrounded by their relatives and elders, receiving their expectations and final words of advice.
"That young woman in the yellow Daoist robe is named Bao Shaoqiong. She is from the renowned Bao family of alchemists in the Cloud Prefecture and is the most outstanding Mortal Grade Alchemist. She can refine astonishing nine-patterned top-grade Mortal Pills and is highly valued by the Alchemist Guild. Some speculate that if it weren't for this alchemy conference, she might have already taken the Spirit Grade Alchemist exam, with a high chance of passing. She is the top seed in this competition."
"I beg to differ. The participants sent by the Alchemist Guild have won first place for two consecutive years. To achieve an unprecedented three-peat, they have sent three alchemy geniuses, all capable of refining top-grade Mortal Pills. This year's first place will likely still belong to the Alchemist Guild."
"Guilds have also been focusing on nurturing alchemists in recent years. Take the Myriad Harmony Guild, the fastest-growing guild in the Cloud Prefecture. They established a dedicated institution years ago to train alchemists. I heard they also have someone who can refine top-grade Mortal Pills, though the success rate isn't high."
"The Myriad Harmony Guild's ancestral graves must have been blessed with good fortune this generation, producing Yan Yexue, who excels in both alchemy and martial arts... But when it comes to alchemy talent, Yan Xixi is clearly superior. In just one year at the Sunset Glow Sect, she can already refine seven-patterned high-grade Mortal Pills. Given a few more months, refining nine-patterned top-grade Spirit Pills would be no problem."
"President Tong of the Alchemist Guild once said that Yan Xixi's alchemy talent is astonishing. If it weren't for the Myriad Harmony Guild's ambitions and reluctance to join official organizations, President Tong would have wanted to take her as a disciple and pass on his lifelong alchemy skills."
"Don't forget the Unwavering Sect. This sect is determined to surpass the Sunset Glow Sect. For this alchemy conference, they have been luring talented alchemists to join them. They have sent the most participants among all factions, showing their great ambitions!"
"The Sunset Glow Sect has three groups of participants, but only two have arrived. Where is Yan Xixi?"
"..."
The Yan Xixi everyone was talking about was currently outside the arena, being criticized by a group of people. Gu Feng was also surrounded there, his forehead covered in sweat, feeling as if he were sitting on pins and needles.
"Xixi, it's not that your uncle is being harsh, but why did you choose to team up with Gu Feng, who can only refine diarrhea pills? What were you thinking?" Old acquaintance Gu Santong scolded Gu Feng upon seeing him. Seeing that Gu Feng's thick skin remained unmoved, he turned his attention to Yan Xixi.
Gu Santong's scolding couldn't stir even a ripple in Gu Feng's heart, but the other two were different. They didn't speak, just stood there, staring at Gu Feng.
The slightly older middle-aged man had sharp eyes, looking at Gu Feng as if he were a thief, making Gu Feng's scalp tingle.
The middle-aged beauty beside him, however, had a smile on her face, sometimes frowning, sometimes chuckling. To Gu Feng, she felt even more terrifying than the middle-aged man.
It was clear that these two were Yan Yexue and Yan Xixi's parents, the boss and boss lady of the Myriad Harmony Guild, Yan Hanyun and Su Qiu.
Yan Yexue, as usual, showed her unfriendly attitude toward Gu Feng. If her parents weren't present, she would probably have started scolding him again.
Yan Xixi hung her head, letting Gu Santong lecture her, pursing her lips without saying a word.
"Sister, brother-in-law, say something! This is your daughter!" After Gu Santong finished his tirade, he handed the floor back to Yan Xixi's parents.
"Speak!" Su Qiu, seeing her husband Yan Hanyun remain silent, gently nudged his waist, signaling him to speak.
"You're Gu Feng?"
"Yes, Elder Yan!"
"Your parents passed away early, and you have no family, currently alone?"
"That's correct!" Gu Feng replied respectfully.
"You have the Myriad Tribulations Physique. This physique requires a lot of resources, and you might die at any moment!" Gu Feng could clearly feel Yan Hanyun's tone becoming more intense.
"I might die, but it won't be from a thunder tribulation!" At this point, Gu Feng's spirit surged. With the mysterious Three-Mouth Incense Burner and Zhu Qingyan by his side, as long as he didn't act recklessly, the thunder tribulation couldn't harm him.
"You..."
Yan Hanyun wanted to ask more, but Su Qiu interrupted him. She glared at him, then walked up to Gu Feng with a smile, circling him, occasionally reaching out to touch his arm and pat his chest.
"Good physique!"
"Having no parents isn't necessarily a bad thing. You can just come to our Yan family, and Xixi won't have to be far away..."
"As for cultivation, it's enough as long as it's sufficient, but you must at least reach the Innate Realm. Otherwise, you'll die a hundred years before Xixi. How will she live in the future?"
"..."
Hearing this, Gu Feng clearly understood everything. He wanted to explain several times, to clarify that he and Yan Xixi were just ordinary friends, but the other party spoke too quickly.
Moreover, he wasn't sure if clarifying the relationship would be seen as looking down on them.
So, he chose to remain silent, thinking it would be more appropriate for Yan Xixi to explain later.
Yan Xixi, standing beside him, kept glancing at Gu Feng, her brows showing a hint of shyness, making Gu Santong blow his beard in frustration but helpless.
Dong——
The melodious sound of a bell rang out. Gu Feng shouted in his heart, finally, it was time for the participants to enter the arena.
"Elders, it's time for the alchemy conference participants to enter!" Gu Feng said respectfully to the two.
"Participate my foot! With you here, it's a sure bet for last place. You might as well fake an illness and skip it!"
Gu Feng paid no attention to Gu Santong's complaints, giving Yan Xixi a look, and the two headed straight for the arena.
"The alchemy conference is about participation. Xixi is here to gain experience... Let's go in too!"
Su Qiu and her group also entered the venue.
Gu Feng and Yan Xixi walked straight onto the arena stage. The ground beneath them was hot, as the outer sect's Alchemy Hall had channeled Spirit Fire through an array formation to this location.
After observing the size of the arena, Gu Feng's worries disappeared. The longest distance was shorter than the distance between all the alchemy rooms during his previous alchemy session with Elder Shen. He stood tall and proud like a pine tree.
"There are many experts here this time. Several can refine nine-patterned top-grade pills!"
As an insider, Yan Xixi knew most of the participants present.
"Put your worries aside. This time, we are sure to win!" Gu Feng said confidently.
The elders sent by the Alchemist Guild carefully inspected the materials for the alchemy competition and announced the simple rules.
"One incense stick's time for preparation!"
Alchemy is a technical skill, requiring high mental and physical states. A slight oversight in any step could lead to a furnace explosion.
This preparation time was to allow each participant to perform at their best.
On the other side of the arena, there was a high platform where the prominent figures of the Cloud Prefecture were seated.
In the center was President Tong of the Alchemist Guild, an official organization of the Chu Kingdom. He had a youthful face with white hair, exuding an air of Daoist elegance, clearly a master alchemist.
Elder Shen of the Sunset Glow Sect's outer sect Alchemy Hall and another elder wearing the Unwavering Sect's attire sat on either side.
Next were the leaders or respected elders of various sects, families, and guilds.
"Elder Shen, isn't it a bit disrespectful to the alchemy conference for your Sunset Glow Sect to send a martial artist as a participant?" The Unwavering Sect elder, sitting across from President Tong, engaged in a verbal spar with Elder Shen.
Elder Shen smiled on the surface but was cursing Gu Feng in his heart. Just yesterday, he had learned that Gu Feng had killed several test mice in a few days, dashing any hopes of a miracle.
Given the current participants, the chance of a furnace explosion was almost zero. Gu Feng could only refine diarrhea pills, almost guaranteeing last place.
"This is the participant Yan Xixi chose. Xixi doesn't place too much importance on winning, showing she has a good mindset, essential for becoming an excellent alchemist. We old folks should just watch them perform..."
"Haha, it seems Elder Shen has already prepared an excuse for Yan Xixi's last-place finish. Such foresight is admirable!" The Unwavering Sect elder chuckled, his eyes full of mockery.
President Tong, sitting in the middle, could only shake his head with a bitter smile at their bickering. His gaze, however, was fixed on Yan Xixi and Gu Feng, especially Gu Feng.
This kid has some ability, but he likes to mess around.
Thinking of how he had failed to replicate the Modified Bone Cleansing Pill and instead killed several test mice, President Tong's expression turned strange, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
He had a faint sense of anticipation, not for Gu Feng's performance, but for what kind of pill Gu Feng would refine this time.
"I can't take it anymore, I'm leaving. I really can't watch this!" Gu Santong, sitting on the high platform, clamored to leave.
"Sit down! If you can't even watch your own niece's competition, your eyes are useless!" Su Qiu glared at him, and he could only sit down reluctantly.
At this moment, his mood was terrible. Looking at Gu Feng's confident posture on the stage, he really wanted to rush up and beat him up.
What kind of nonsense is this? How can someone who can only refine diarrhea pills be so confident!
"Senior Brother Gu, we believe you can make history!"
"Senior Brother Gu, do your best and refine a perfect diarrhea pill!"
"..."
This was the advantage of being on home turf. The Sunset Glow Sect had the most disciples present, and their shouts, along with Gu Feng's solemn nods, caused uproarious laughter.
Gu Feng's diarrhea pills were well-known among anyone who knew alchemy.
All guilds, including some sects, had organized teams to study the Modified Bone Cleansing Pill Gu Feng had created.
Without exception, they all ended up killing dozens of test mice.
"By the way, we're here for an alchemy conference, not a martial arts competition, right?" While the audience watched the spectacle, the participants on stage also began to clash. An alchemist from the Unwavering Sect was the first to challenge Gu Feng.
"That's right. I heard Gu Feng's combat power is the best in the outer sect, capable of defeating Postnatal Realm cultivators several levels higher. I'm afraid if he loses, he might get angry and kill us all!" Another Unwavering Sect alchemist laughed and chimed in.
"Exactly. For the safety of all alchemists present, I propose assigning an Innate Realm cultivator to stand beside Gu Feng to prevent him from going on a rampage!" A third Unwavering Sect alchemist spoke, his gaze sweeping the arena, trying to gain the support of all participants.
"Alchemy is an elegant and noble profession, not a plaything for the uncouth!" Bao Shaoqiong, from the alchemy family, stood tall and spoke arrogantly.
"Someone who can only refine diarrhea pills and hasn't even passed the Mortal Grade Alchemist exam, how can he participate in such a conference!"
"Does this mean any stray cat or dog can join in the future?"
"Alchemy is not some heretical path!"
"Maybe he got his qualification through bribery or coercion?"
"..."
Some joined in the discussion, but most remained silent, their eyes conveying their disdain.
In their eyes, Gu Feng was not a proper alchemist, only capable of taking shortcuts. He had become the target of everyone's criticism.
The audience found it amusing and turned their attention to Gu Feng. This young man was under immense pressure!
As the mocking laughter grew louder, Yan Xixi clenched her fists, her expression becoming more agitated. She wanted to scold the crowd but was stopped by Gu Feng.
Gu Feng simply chuckled, "Why waste words on these participants who are only here to compete for second place?"
"Arrogant!"
"What did you say?"
"Since when do diarrhea pills have such confidence?"
"..."
Gu Feng's words were soft, but the participants on the arena stage heard them clearly. Immediately, accusations and curses filled the air.
"You're so passionate and energetic, are you celebrating your early victory for second place?
Save your energy and focus on refining pills. The competition for second place is fierce!"
Looking at the agitated crowd, Gu Feng casually spoke another sentence.
(End of the Chapter)
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