by <unknown>
Ye Yuan continued explaining, "Right now, your soul strength barely reached the level of a low-rank Alchemy Master, but the success rate of refinement is extremely low, so it's very hard to pass the test. If you continue cultivating like this, the yang qi in your body will accumulate even more, and the suppression of your divine soul will be even more obvious. Then you can forget about advancing and becoming an Alchemy Master for the rest of your life!"
"Humph! You're just trying to scare me! Do you think you can trick me with just a few words?" Although she already believed most of it in her heart, Feng Zhirou remained stubborn.
"Is that so? If I'm not wrong, is your cultivation currently getting increasingly slower? Every day at noon, do you feel uncomfortable throughout your body, your Dantian burning hot, and a swelling pain around your temple? If you feel that I'm just trying to scare you, then just treat it like I never said anything."
Ye Yuan's casual words made Feng Zhirou feel ice-cold. What Ye Yuan said was completely right. In the past, her cultivation was a lot faster than those in the same age group. But ever since breaking through to the Spirit Condensation Realm, her cultivation speed suddenly fell. Now, it was not even two-thirds of the original speed.
Every day at noon, Feng Zhirou's entire body would always be uncomfortable. The symptoms were exactly the same as Ye Yuan described.
Could it be that it was really as Ye Yuan described? Did she choose the wrong cultivation law?
"Y-you are talking rubbish!" Feng Zhirou's eyes became vacant. But her pride which was present since the start made her refuse to admit her mistake.
"Actually, it's not irreparable. At least, there's a method of letting you pass the test today."
"What method?" The moment the words came out of her mouth, Feng Zhirou regretted it. Was this not equivalent to admitting that Ye Yuan had already convinced her?
"When you are refining later, suppress your essence energy to the First Level Spirit Condensation Realm, and at the same time eat a Soul Nourishing Pill. You should be able to refine a Tier 2 medicinal pill. But don't force yourself. Just refine some of the easier medicinal pills."
Ye Yuan did not fuss over the details. He believed that this lass will be troubled for some time after this conversation and would not have the time or energy to compete with him. So he just told her the method directly.
"Will that . . . really work?"
"I already told you the method. Whether you believe or not is up to you," Ye Yuan replied indifferently.
Meanwhile, Wan Yuan walked out of the pill refinement room with a swagger.
Wan Yuan's performance today was exceptional, and he surpassed his usual standard when completing the pill refinement!
"Hahaha! Honorable Nephew has indeed surpassed your predecessor! I can see that your alchemy skills already have some of your father's charm. The medicinal pill refined this time is probably at least a high-grade medicinal pill? Quickly bring it here for this old man to see!" Wang Jinfu laughed heartily.
Currently, an examiner already presented the medicinal pill. Wan Yuan gave Wang Jinfu and Sun Jianming a bow as he said respectfully, "Many thanks for the praise, Chairman Wang. What this junior refined this time is the Omen Breaking Pill. And luckily, I passed."
Even though his words were modest, the arrogance between his brows could not be concealed no matter what.
However, the way other people saw it, Wan Yuan had the capital to be arrogant.
Wang Jinfu took the medicinal pill to have a look, and his face involuntarily changed.
Chapter 63. Accidentally Said the Truth |
"This . . . is actually a quasi-superior-grade Omen Breaking Pill!" Wang Jinfu exclaimed in surprise.
"Oh? Let me see. En? It's true! Although the Omen Breaking Pill is in the same rank as the Profound Clarity Pill and the Fierce Tiger Pill, the refinement difficulty is much greater! Honorable Nephew Wan is truly remarkable to be able to refine a quasi-superior-grade." Sun Jianming took a look at the pill, and it was undeniably a quasi-superior-grade Omen Breaking Pill.
Looking at the amazement on Wang Jinfu's and Sun Jianming's faces, Wan Yuan suddenly felt a sense of pride.
"This Little Nephew was lucky. I didn't expect that I could actually refine a quasi-superior-grade pill today." Wan Yuan's words were modest, but the smile on his face could not be concealed no matter what. His way of addressing also changed from 'Junior' to 'Little Nephew.'
Wang Jinfu looked at Wan Yuan thoughtfully and sighed. "Honorable Nephew is too modest. Your alchemy skills are most likely number one among the younger generation in the State of Qin. If not for the fact that you are Old Brother Wan's son, this old man even wants to take you in as a disciple!"
Wan Yuan's heart shook with excitement. It was definitely highly beneficial to receive the acknowledgment of the Alchemist Association's Deputy Chairman.
The Alchemist Association had always been a transcendent existence that could not be controlled by any influence.
It was precisely so that everyone wished to strike up good relations with them. If he were accepted to be Wang Jinfu's disciple, then the Wan Family would have found a powerful backer from now on!
It was true that Wan Donghai was impressive. But in the end, he was only a businessman, a rootless weed.
Although the Drunken Star Manor was huge, it faced too many restrictions within the capital. If they managed to scale up this big tree called the Alchemist Association, then would it not be simple to destroy the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion?
Imagining this, Wan Yuan no longer hesitated. Bowing towards Wang Jinfu, he said, "My father would frequently mention the two Lord Chairmen at home and is full of admiration towards both Lords. If my father were to know that I could acknowledge Lord Chairman as my master, he would be very pleased."
Wang Jinfu chortled and said, "But what a pity. I've already accepted Feng-er as my last disciple. Furthermore, you are a member of the academy. It isn't convenient for you to acknowledge other masters. However, there is no harm in taking you in as an in-name disciple. Are you willing?"
The first half of the sentence disappointed Wan Yuan greatly, but the second half made him overjoyed. Wang Jinfu's arrangement was indeed in consideration of taking him in as his disciple!
A member of the Dan Wu Academy was the equivalent of a member of the Tranquil Cloud Sect. Acknowledging other masters would naturally be inappropriate, but an in-name disciple would not be an issue.
Wan Yuan kowtowed. "Disciple Wan Yuan pays respect to Master!"
Wang Jinfu stroked his beard as he smiled and accepted it calmly. "Good, good. You and I are only master and disciple in name, so there isn't a need to stand on ceremony. Get up. The two of us had better not delay other people's tests. We will talk about this matter after the test."
Anyone could tell that Wang Jinfu was highly pleased with this in-name disciple.
Feng Ruoqing by the side furrowed her brows instead.
It was not that she was unhappy with Wan Yuan acknowledging a master. In reality, there were many students like that in the Dan Wu Academy. However, Wan Yuan's background was too sensitive.
As a member of the Imperial Family, Feng Ruoqing naturally had a different sensitivity to Wan Yuan acknowledging a master.
The Wan Family and the Su Family had been in collusion all this while. They dominated over half of the State of Qin's medicinal pills and medicinal herbs businesses. The Imperial Family was apparently concerned about this, so they tacitly approved of the Ye Family's rise.
But now that Wan Yuan was taken in by Wang Jinfu, this would mean that the Wan Family had struck up a relationship with the Alchemist Association!
The influence of the Alchemist Association was even greater than the Tranquil Cloud Sect. Their branches spanned every corner of the continent. One could say that as long as a place had people living there, there would be an Alchemist Association.
To the Imperial Family, they had to be on guard now that the Wan Family was in league with this gi
ant!
"The Alchemy Master test is starting now. Participants, enter the herbal warehouse," the examiner called out.
Ye Yuan was about to move when Wan Yuan walked in front of him smilingly. "Ye Yuan, I advise you to not go out there and disgrace yourself. Master is a respected figure who isn't willing to dispute with a junior like you, so you should have a sense of propriety. You have never been in contact with alchemy since young. If you mess up later, you are not only going to lose face, even Teacher Feng and the Dan Wu Academy's people will be thoroughly disgraced."
"What? He doesn't know alchemy?!" When Wang Jinfu heard that, he immediately blew his top.
"Master, I can be considered to have grown up together with Ye Yuan, but I was never aware that he knew alchemy. Although I don't know how he managed to sneak in, I'm afraid that he will make us all lose face. That's why I decided to speak up." Wan Yuan faked compassion as he explained.
"Ye Yuan, are you challenging this old man's patience?!" Wang Jinfu snarled.
Ye Yuan ignored Wang Jinfu and looked at Wan Yuan instead, smiling as he said, "Read my lips."
"What?" Wan Yuan was stunned for a moment and did not react in time.
"I~~~diot~~~" Ye Yuan did not make a sound but mouthed the word exaggeratedly.
Even though the audience did not hear anything, even a moron could see what Ye Yuan was mouthing.
It was just that with this, the formerly tense atmosphere became a little weird. Everyone fought hard to hold back their laughter.
"Ye Yuan, I'm doing this for your own good! Don't be ungrateful!" Wan Yuan burst out furiously.
"I'm really astonished by your idiocy! Who within the capital and the Dan Wu Academy aren't aware that you were at loggerheads with me since young? Now, you're saying that you're doing this for my own good? Do you think everyone is as stupid as you?" Ye Yuan sighed helplessly.
Wan Yuan did not expect Ye Yuan would lose all decorum with him right here. Being said like this, he was foolish enough to astonish everyone.
"Don't change the subject, Ye Yuan! Right now, I'm talking about whether you know alchemy or not. You are wasting the two chairmen's precious time!" Wan Yuan did not lose himself in anger and managed to retort.
Ye Yuan shook his head and sighed. "Sorry, I insulted the word 'idiot' just now."
"Pffft!" This time around, the audience could not hold back their laughter anymore. Especially Feng Zhirou, who convulsed in laughter exaggeratedly.
Wan Yuan's face turned purple as he roared, "Don't talk nonsense, Ye Yuan!"
"Fine then. Someone who's even less than an idiot like you won't give up unless I make it clear. You said that you grew up together with me and was never aware that I knew alchemy? Don't tell me that you stalk me 24 hours a day? Do you follow me when I'm eating, sleeping, and on the loo? Or should I report to you when I'm learning alchemy? Yes, you have an Alchemy Grandmaster for a father. But I also have an Alchemy Grandmaster for a father! Why should you know alchemy, but I can't? You even incited the two chairmen to be your hired thugs to put me to death. Your intentions are so sinister! Oops. My bad. I accidentally revealed your true purpose. Sorry!"
Finishing, Ye Yuan even bowed towards Wan Yuan mockingly, making the audience burst into laughter once again.
With what Ye Yuan said, it was like yellow dirt had fallen into Wan Yuan's pants. Even if it was not shit, it became shit.
Wan Yuan turned to look at Wang Jinfu. As expected, his face became sullen. Wan Yuan hurriedly explained, "Master, don't listen to his nonsense! There's no such thing! He's trying to shift the blame to me. Why would I make use of Master? Whether he knows alchemy or not, it will be clear once he enters the refining room!"
For a moment, Wang Jinfu was unable to tell if what Ye Yuan said was true or false, so he said, "Fine. I will let you try!"
Chapter 64. He Really Knows Alchemy? |
"Fine. I want to see just what kind of Tier 2 medicinal pill can you refine! At that time, you had better not bring a pile of herbal dregs to serve as a stopgap!"
Wan Yuan wanted to embarrass Ye Yuan, but he did not expect to throw himself in.
However, he did not believe that Ye Yuan could refine any medicinal pill. Even if he really knew alchemy, it was impossible for him to refine a Tier 2 medicinal pill.
As long as Ye Yuan could not refine a Tier 2 medicinal pill, then everything was good.
At that time, could Ye Yuan even walk out of the Alchemist Association's gates in one piece with him fanning the fire by the side?
"You'd better worry about your own intelligence first. Don't worry about my matters."
Ending with those words, Ye Yuan directly ignored Wan Yuan and headed to the herbal warehouse.
When he passed by Feng Ruoqing, he suddenly flashed a smile and transmitted his voice, "In a while, watch properly and don't blink!"
Feng Ruoqing's face twitched as she looked bewilderedly at Ye Yuan. But Ye Yuan had already entered the herbal warehouse.
Could it be that he's going to use the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique? That's why he asked me to pay attention? He really knows the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique?
Initially, Feng Ruoqing thought that there had to be a powerful alchemy master behind Ye Yuan. That was why Ye Yuan possessed such immensely profound theoretical knowledge.
However, the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique required extreme amounts of practice to learn. It was impossible without two to three years. As for mastering it completely, the time required was even longer. Even five years were considered short.
But Ye Yuan was only 15 years old. Could it be that he started learning when he was 10 years old? But Ye Yuan most likely had not even stepped onto the martial path back then. Where would he have the support of essence energy?
Thinking for a long time, Feng Ruoqing still could not figure it out, so she just let it go.
When Feng Ruoqing came around, she realized that the atmosphere was not quite right. Everyone stared fixedly at the light curtain with unusual eyes.
"What's Ye Yuan doing? Is he choosing herbs haphazardly to refine randomly later?"
Wan Yuan watched the light screen with a cold smile. "I said that he doesn't know anything, right? Just look. He doesn't even look and simply grabs a bunch of herbs completely indiscriminately as he goes. Who chooses herbs like that?"
"That's right. Isn't this making fun of us? Many of the herbs in the herbal warehouse look almost the same. It's impossible to tell the difference without inspecting it closely. He's being too casual!"
At their seat, the faces of Wang Jinfu and Sun Jianming did not look too good.
They obviously knew that there were many herbs inside the herbal warehouse meant to confuse the public. This was to test the visual judgment of the alchemist.
However, Ye Yuan's performance was too amateurish, giving them the feeling that they were being fooled.
Looking at Ye Yuan's performance, Wan Yuan was secretly even more certain that Ye Yuan did not know alchemy.
Observing the faces of the two leaders, he felt elated.
Y e Yuan, since you are courting death yourself, then you can't blame me! Today, even if Ye Hang came here, he also can't save you! Wan Yuan laughed coldly in his heart.
"Miss Feng, this old man doesn't want to speak out of turn, but does he really know alchemy?" Wang Jinfu could not resist questioning.
Only Feng Ruoqing was aware of Ye Yuan's ability in this place, so she did not find it unusual.
"Lord Chairman, please look on patiently. Since the test has already started, just let Ye Yuan finish. If he really poked a hole in any basket, then I, Feng Ruoqing, will shoulder it!"
Although Feng Ruoqing spoke respectfully, she was firmly defensive of Ye Yuan.
Wang Jinfu had some understanding of Feng Ruoqing and knew that she was a reserved person all along. He did not understand why she was accompanying a junior to mess around today.
"Miss Feng's abilities are already nearing a high-rank Alchemy Master. Can't
you differentiate between a rookie and an expert? As long as you watch Ye Yuan choose his herbs, you'll be able to tell that he's a complete layman. Must Miss Feng continue to go along with his nonsense?" Wang Jinfu frowned as he said this.
Feng Ruoqing's identity was special. In the future, she could possibly become another Alchemy Grandmaster in the Imperial family.
Although the Alchemist Association did not fear the Imperial Family, this State of Qin was ultimately the Imperial Family's territory. Unless they had no other alternatives, both parties naturally would not lose all decorum. Hence, Wang Jinfu continued to endure when speaking to Feng Ruoqing.
But Feng Ruoqing just smiled and said, "I still have those same words. Why don't Chairman Wang watch finish patiently? Perhaps it wouldn't disappoint you? Sometimes, what you see with your own eyes might not be true."
Seeing Feng Ruoqing remain firm, he was also displeased. He wanted to see just what Ye Yuan could do. Since he had already made it clear that if Ye Yuan really dared to mess with the Alchemist Association, then even if he was beaten to death, there was nothing that Feng Ruoqing could say.
"Look, guys! Ye Yuan's out!"
"I-isn't this too fast?"
"Isn't he a complete amateur?"
"That's right. He came out after walking one round inside."
"You guys, look. He's carrying so little herbs. Most likely, there's only enough quantity for one refinement?"
"Does he think that it's hopeless and is acting recklessly? Or is he extremely confident in himself?"
"Bullshit. Of course, he thinks that it's hopeless and he's acting recklessly! Even an Alchemy Grandmaster wouldn't dare to guarantee that he could refine a Tier 2 medicinal pill each time. Don't tell me that Ye Yuan is so monstrous that his alchemy success rate is 100%?"
Ye Yuan's actions incurred a round of vicious words. But he could not hear them. Of course, even if he heard it, he would just treat it like a fart.
Entering the pill refinement room, Ye Yuan threw the herbs casually onto the workstation and split the herbs evenly into two sets before starting the refinement of the medicinal essence right away. Even the process of preparing the herbs was forgone.
