The benefit of following Lan Yu’er to learn alchemy was naturally not just an improvement in his alchemy techniques.
The many pills Lan Yu’er refined were basically all given to Ling Xiao. This allowed him to quickly refine his body and improve his cultivation after returning to his cave dwelling at night.
These pills were worthless to Lan Yu’er, so she could casually give them away. However, for martial artists in the Martial Vein Realm, they might not be able to purchase such precious pills with money.
After seven days, Ling Xiao had learned nearly everything from Lan Yu’er. He even had his own unique insights, which completely convinced her.
In the beginning, Lan Yu’er had been a little upset in her heart. After all, she, the number one genius of Moonlight Sect in alchemy and medicine, had been so easily surpassed. How could this not upset her?
But after a while, that feeling had faded away in favor of happiness.
After all, since such a genius like Ling Xiao had learned alchemy and medicine under her, she could be regarded as his half master. In the future, if she needed help from him, wouldn’t it be easy to ask?
Besides, she had been unable to break through to the Celestial Realm due to her spending half her focus on refining pills and medicines.
Since Ling Xiao was here in the Medicine Hall, she could devote more energy on cultivating. In fact, from the fifth day, she made Ling Xiao refine a portion of the pills and medicines that she needed.
This was her trust in Ling Xiao, while providing him the opportunity to practice refining pills and medicine.
On this day, Medicine Hall’s Deputy Hall Master Qingmu came to the alchemy room with a very unsightly expression. He immediately asked Lan Yu’er why Ling Xiao had refined a portion of the pills and medicines. Moreover, he dared to say that the pills and medicines refined by Ling Xiao had a problem, so he must be punished in accordance with the Medicine Hall’s rules.
Naturally, this was a groundless accusation.
Both Lan Yu’er and Hall Master Old Yang had personally checked all of Ling Xiao’s pills. Moreover, the quality of these pills was even better than the pills they had refined. How could there have been any problems?
Lan Yu’er wanted to speak, but Ling Xiao simply smiled and stopped her. He then looked at Qingmu and said: “Deputy Hall Master Qingmu, are you certain that the pills I refined have problems?”
“Of course! Do you think this Hall Master is accusing you wrongly?”
Qingmu replied coldly.
“Hehe, who knows? I heard that Deputy Hall Master Qingmu is also skilled at refining pills, but could it be that this disciple is better than you, so you are jealous and intentionally looking for trouble?”
With the backing of Yang Danlin and Lan Yu’er, Ling Xiao was not afraid of Qingmu.
“You! You are talking nonsense!”
Qingmu angrily retorted.
“Then Deputy Hall Master Qingmu also shouldn’t slander me!”
Ling Xiao coldly said: “Since Deputy Hall Master Qingmu thinks that the pills this disciple refined have problems, how about doing this: in front of the higher-ups and disciples of the Medicine Hall, how about we have an open alchemy challenge? Let’s compete to see whose pills are better!”
“Humph, it’s beneath this Hall Master’s dignity to compete with you!”
Qingmu snorted.
“Qingmu, didn’t you always want to be the Medicine Hall’s Hall Master?”
Yang Danlin slowly walked in from outside, smiled at Qingmu, and said: “Since this is the case, if you can defeat Ling Xiao in an open alchemy challenge, this old man will give you the Hall Master’s seat. I never go back on my words!”
“Senior!”
“Hall Master Old Yang!”
Both Ling Xiao and Lan Yu’er were greatly surprised. Yang Danlin would often come to the alchemy room and instruct them. Therefore, he was clear about Ling Xiao and Lan Yu’er’s progress. However, betting his own Hall Master seat against Qingmu was still a bit too risky.
“Hahaha, Hall Master Old Yang, you must be joking!”
Although Qingmuwanted to agree to this, he was afraid that Yang Danlin might just be teasing him. Therefore, he didn’t agree to it immediately.
“What? Qingmu, are you afraid?”
Yang Danlin sneered: “You are an alchemist with Slow Intense Sacred Fire and a Slow Intense Sacred Fire Martial Soul, whereas Ling Xiao just has a common fire seed, but you still don’t dare to bet with him?”
Qingmu didn’t speak, but his face turned red.
“Since you don’t dare to bet, don’t make trouble for no reason! This old man has personally checked Ling Xiao’s pills. Whoever says there is a problem, make him come see this old man!”
Yang Danlin raised his voice.
“Hall master Old Yang, you cannot shield his shortcomings like this!” Qingmu was livid.
“Today, this old man will shield his shortcomings? So what?” Yang Danlin looked at Qingmu, not giving Qingmu any route to retreat.
“Okay! Since that’s the case, I’ll agree to your bet! Yang Danlin, this is what you said: if I defeat Ling Xiao, you will give your Hall Master seat to me!”
Qingmu’s expression was a bit hideous. Perhaps, because he was too angry, he had forgotten his fear and become rude.
“Yes, this old man said it!”
“Good, then at noon tomorrow, we will formally compete in Medicine Hall Square!”
Qingmu said with a sullen face: “The content is very simple: use the same materials to refine the same pill. Whoever’s pill is more perfect will be the winner!”
“No problem.”
Yang Danlin nodded.
Qingmu glared at Ling Xiao with a bit of contempt.
He didn’t believe that Ling Xiao could refine a better pill.
How long had Ling Xiao learned alchemy for? Moreover, he just had a common fire seed.
He, however, was an alchemist with rich experience. In addition, he had a powerful Slow Intense Sacred Fire Martial Soul, which greatly helped his alchemy.
As for those so-called perfect pills refined by Ling Xiao that he had previously seen, he believed that either Yang Danlin or Lan Yu’er had helped him refine them. Otherwise, wouldn’t Ling Xiao truly be a monster?
“Senior, you don’t need to do that. I just wanted to compete with him to stop him from seeking trouble. If you bet like this, this junior will be under great pressure.”
After Qingmu left, Ling Xiao wryly smiled.
“No confidence?”
Yang Danlin asked with a smile.
“How can that be?”
“It’s fine as long as you are confident. Moreover, if you win this match, you will become a prime alchemist to be nurtured by the sect. No one will dare to easily touch you. You will even have an expert protecting you. Naturally, Qingmu won’t be able to look for trouble with you anymore. Isn’t that good?”
Yang Danlin wanted to settle this matter once and for all. Otherwise, if Qingmu came to look for trouble with Ling Xiao again and again, he might not have time or energy to study.
“That’s good then. Senior and Senior Sister Lan, rest assured; I’ll destroy this Qingmu.” Ling Xiao revealed a resolute smile.
……
The next day, on the Medicine Hall Square, all the higher-ups and disciples of Medicine Hall gathered.
Many inner disciples also appeared, which was different from the previous outer challenges.
Moreover, this time, the competition was neither martial arts nor fighting but rather alchemy!
An alchemist who had just started learning alchemy for less than a month versus an experienced alchemist who had been in the business for decades. This was simply unheard of.
“It’s Ling Xiao again!”
An old outer disciple working in the Medicine Hall saw Ling Xiao and couldn’t help exclaiming.
