Chapter 200
Chapter 200: White Realm Lord
Wang Jie drew his gaze back, saying calmly, “No, I don’t wish for that. Though I am curious—why did you come here?”
Qi Xue Yin replied lightly, “To discuss cooperation.”
Wang Jie nodded slightly, “Enough talk for now. Let’s go.”
“Are you afraid people might know we’re acquainted?”
“A little. For the sake of our old friendship, don’t make it hard for me.”
Qi Xue Yin smiled softly, “Old friends? Back on Blue Star, you and I hardly spoke.”
“You were cold then,” Wang Jie replied simply, “and I felt inadequate.”
Qi Xue Yin nodded gently, “Very well. I could still help you with your troubles. That Yun Ju seems hostile towards you—shall I take care of it? Just say the word.”
“As you like.” Wang Jie never rejected outside help. When living at the bottom, what was there to resist?
Everyone was curious about what Qi Xue Yin and Wang Jie had spoken of, but the two remained silent, and none dared to ask.
Except one person, who openly questioned them.
“What did you two discuss?” Heavenly Master Bai Ye asked eagerly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Wang Jie was speechless, “Nothing special, just curious about how lock force can undergo star refining.”
Heavenly Master Bai Ye rolled her eyes, “Oh, please. The key to star refining is simply attaching oneself to the strong. Once you reach the Star Refining Realm, it’s meaningless. Miss Qi is the third young lady of Galaxy Combat Equipment Company, frequenting the First Star Cloud, where Star Refining masters are commonplace. Why would she care about a mere celestial refinement master?”
Wang Jie didn’t know how to reply.
Heavenly Master Bai Ye smiled mockingly, pretending to be upset, “First, you refused to teach me star speech, claiming it had nothing to do with star dao, and now this. Wang Jie, you’ve lied to me twice in such a short time.”
Seeing the laughter in her eyes, Wang Jie sighed helplessly, “Senior, I truly didn’t deceive you.” [It just can’t be revealed. Besides, who would normally ask such strange questions?]
Feigning a cold laugh, Heavenly Master Bai Ye turned away.
Mo Wan Yin hurriedly approached to apologize, knowing her master’s demands were unreasonable. “Master devotes herself entirely to pill refining and rarely interacts with outsiders, so there are many things she doesn’t understand. Please don’t take offense.”
Yet Wang Jie admired Heavenly Master Bai Ye’s genuine nature; amidst this ruthless cultivation world, she was like a breath of fresh air.
The matter with Yun Ju was but a brief episode, not influencing the upcoming alchemy competition.
One of Qi Xue Yin’s followers stepped forward to challenge Black White Heaven’s alchemy dao. “We have long heard of Heavenly Master Bai Ye’s great name,” she declared clearly. “Our Galaxy Combat Equipment Company’s alchemy lineage wishes to exchange pointers with the Heavenly Master’s lineage. Would you grant us this honor?”
The speaker was a young woman, appearing no older than Mo Wan Yin, who had remained unnoticed until this moment.
Bai Ye exchanged glances with Si Shang He and agreed readily. Rejecting a direct challenge would have been shameful.
Mo Wan Yin stepped forward as the representative. As Heavenly Master Bai Ye’s most senior disciple, she was one of the Six Dao Wanderers and a recognized alchemy high master.
Qi Xue Yin smiled warmly at Mo Wan Yin, “Senior sister, your strength and alchemy talent are exceptional. Junior sister deeply admires you.”
Mo Wan Yin politely responded, her heart heavy with caution. An opponent sent specifically to challenge them would certainly not be ordinary.
The young woman approached Mo Wan Yin, facing her squarely.
Wang Jie knew little of alchemy competition methods but watched closely as the match began.
Two identical pill cauldrons, identical materials, and both alchemy high masters—yet one used Heaven Thunder to control flames, while the other wielded an exquisitely brilliant purple flame.
“Purple Flame Melt Fire? Such fire is most suited for tempering meridians. This is my first time seeing someone use it for pill refining.”
“It comes from strange star force, so naturally, it’s suitable for alchemy. We’ve simply never seen it before.”
“Wan Yin senior sister will surely win. She’s exceptional in both alchemy and combat.”
The crowd watched intently.
Initially, the two competitors matched perfectly in speed and procedure, differing only in flame type. Heat surged outward, blanketing the surroundings.
They refined Revive Pills, a common medicine among Wandering Star Realm cultivators.
As time passed, Wang Jie’s expression grew serious. Mo Wan Yin was falling behind. Though invisible to others, Wang Jie saw clearly through aura observation.
Creating Revive Pills wasn’t difficult. The real challenge was maintaining higher quality at greater speed.
Listening to the murmurs around him, Wang Jie learned the competition’s criteria: speed and quality.
Mo Wan Yin’s Heaven Thunder boosted flame control, yet the young woman’s Purple Flame Melt Fire was faster still, probably from years spent tempering her meridians, thus improving internal star force flow.
Without speed as a criterion, the outcome might’ve been uncertain, but now it was clear.
Shortly after, the young woman completed her pill.
Mo Wan Yin finished ten breaths later.
Heavenly Master Bai Ye watched calmly.
A Whisper Bird was brought forward, first sniffing the young woman’s pill and chirping three times: Third Fragrance Revive Pill. Producing this quality in such a short time was impressive. To achieve the Fourth Fragrance would have required more time, making Third Fragrance the best choice for this competition.
Once the woman’s Revive Pill was confirmed as Third Fragrance, the outcome was settled. Mo Wan Yin’s pill couldn’t surpass Third Fragrance.
As expected, the Whisper Bird also chirped thrice at Mo Wan Yin’s pill.
Quality was equal, yet Mo Wan Yin was slower.
“You’ve let me win,” the young woman said respectfully.
“You’ve let me win,” Mo Wan Yin echoed.
Mo Wan Yin had lost.
Si Shang He announced the result.
Qi Xue Yin smiled gently at Heavenly Master Bai Ye, “We took advantage this time. Purple Flame Melt Fire’s long-term tempering allows our alchemist smoother star force flow. Plus, Wan Yin senior sister excels in combat more than alchemy. It’s not an honorable victory.”
Heavenly Master Bai Ye waved dismissively, “A loss is a loss—no excuses.” She looked approvingly at the young woman, “You have potential. Given time, you’ll surely reach master level.”
The woman bowed respectfully, expressing gratitude.
Qi Xue Yin turned her gaze to a burly man. “Coming from the First Star Cloud, we are also curious about the Fourth Star Cloud’s artifact forging and formation dao. Senior Ling, shall we have a match as well?”
The man, named Ling Chang, was Black White Heaven’s only Holy Artificer, equal in status to Bai Ye, capable of using Ninth Grade materials.
Meeting Qi Xue Yin’s subtly challenging gaze, Ling Chang grinned boldly, “Very well. Let’s see your First Star Cloud forging methods.”
Si Shang He frowned slightly.
Qi Xue Yin then looked toward a quiet old figure seated opposite Wang Jie.
“What of Senior Xuan? Your profound mastery of formation dao, reaching Clear Illumination Realm, commands respect even in our First Star Cloud. Surely, Senior Xuan wouldn’t mind teaching us a thing or two?”
The old man replied quietly, “Little girl, surpassing all three daos won’t be easy.”
Qi Xue Yin smiled, “Merely exchanging pointers.”
Xuan Shen glanced at Si Shang He, who nodded agreement.
Thus, he accepted the challenge.
Originally just an alchemy gathering, Qi Xue Yin’s arrival now turned it into a tri-dao challenge. Artifact forging and formation competitions came early.
Alchemy dao had already been lost. Only artifact forging and formation dao remained.
Heavenly Master Bai Ye suddenly asked, “Did you not bring someone from star dao to challenge us?”
Everyone was startled—even Si Shang He and Qi Xue Yin.
Star dao was extremely mysterious. Even in the First Star Cloud, star path masters were rare and revered.
Qi Xue Yin asked seriously, “Does Black White Heaven have a star path master?”
Before Bai Ye could reply, Si Shang He quickly interjected, “Of course not. We’re simply curious. A star path master from Galaxy Combat Equipment Company would truly be astonishing.”
Qi Xue Yin glanced thoughtfully at them, then smiled faintly. “Star path masters don’t heed our commands. If Black White Heaven had one, junior would love to visit.”
Si Shang He firmly stated, “We don’t.”
Qi Xue Yin nodded, saying no more. The crowd moved toward artifact forging.
Wang Jie shot Bai Ye a look. [This senior definitely isn’t old—using star dao masters to intimidate.] In fact, Black White Heaven indeed had a star path master, and Wang Jie’s heart had nearly stopped, afraid she’d reveal him.
Heavenly Master Bai Ye felt pleased. Her remark had frightened Qi Xue Yin and exposed Wang Jie. [Kid, you definitely are a star path master—just haven’t started yet.]
Next, artifact forging and formation dao competitions ensued. Black White Heaven lost both.
Three defeats in a row. The gap between the Fourth and First Star Clouds was evident.
Suddenly, a powerful voice sounded, capturing everyone’s attention. A figure descended, prompting respectful bows.
“We pay respects to White Realm Lord.”
The arrival was none other than White Realm Lord—Jun Qian.