Chapter 114

Chapter 114: Alchemist Trial

On the surface, with just a few words he seemed to spill everything about himself and his brothers. In truth, the things they shared were everyday talk. They never mentioned cultivation methods, talent, or special abilities.

Of course, Li Wan Zhi never tried to pry, while Liu Zai Xi tested him a few times; each time Li Wan Zhi dodged smoothly, so the two of them looked like they were having a lively chat. But it was all empty chatter.

Fang He An listened for a long time, then muttered: “Why is it all nonsense.”

Ye Wan Wan lowered her head and laughed softly. Because only nonsense can build a bridge.

Under this battle stage, no one knows if the person sitting beside them will be their next opponent or the one who stabs them in the back. So no one dares to open their heart for real.

Their talk paused and they split up for now, but in the eyes of the Xuan Tian Sect and the Immortal Dominion Sect, it still looked unusual.

“Why are they so familiar with Liu Zai Xi,” someone said.

“Did they team up,” another asked.

“It is strange. These people look new. Never seen them before. But since they dare sit in Xuan Tian Sect’s area, they must have some skill.”

“Keep an eye on those two tall ones beside them.”

The Immortal Dominion Sect’s people let their gazes slide past Ye Wan Wan, Shen Nan Zhou, Li Wan Zhi, and Fang He An, then finally settle on Wang Niu and Wang Ma. Not for any other reason, only because the two brothers were big and strong. One look and they were intimidating. They even made the nearby Li Wan Zhi look small.

Everyone silently took note.

Wang Niu rubbed his back and whispered: “Brother, I just felt a little cold.”

Wang Ma froze and said: “Brother, it is not cold.”

Wang Niu scratched his head and could not explain it.

When the alliance formed by the Three Sects, the Four Schools, and the Five Pavilions of seven factions had all arrived, an elder with white hair and beard stepped onto the stage. He called out with a breath that sank to his core, and everyone perked up for a second. Then came the long opening speech that made people drowsy. Fang He An and Li Wan Zhi almost nodded off. Ye Wan Wan listened all the way to the end.

Li Yan had already gone over the rules with them, but hearing them again, there were still small differences, such as a few rules on the battle stage. Stop at the point. No killing at will.

Ye Wan Wan smiled and said: “Rules are made by people.”

Still, eldest senior brother was right. The prizes for the divided stages were very rich.

Ye Wan Wan calmly cracked sunflower seeds, but when one entered her mouth she found they were all peeled already. She looked at her plate in confusion.

Shen Nan Zhou said mildly: “I do not eat.”

Ye Wan Wan asked: “Then you like peeling them.”

“Mm, I was idle,” said Shen Nan Zhou as he looked at his own hands. [Is the dream’s aftereffect too strong? Why did I start serving without thinking.]

Ye Wan Wan did not think more about it, because the elder was ending his remarks. With the word begin, the first match on the divided stage was about to start.

“The beginner alchemist trial will now begin. Registered cultivators, please come up,” the elder announced.

Ye Wan Wan looked at Fang He An. By now Li Wan Zhi was already cheering him on: “Do not be scared. If you cannot take first, take second. If you cannot take second, take third. Our standards are not high.”

Fang He An took a deep breath and said: “I am nervous.”

Li Wan Zhi patted his back and said: “Do not be nervous. Fifth senior uncle is watching you up there.”

Fang He An swore under his breath and said: “That makes me even more nervous.”

If the master were not around, he could just wing it. But with the master here, he could not help wanting to show the master his progress.

Fang He An took two steps, then seemed to remember something and called: “Junior sister, you come too.”

Ye Wan Wan smiled and said: “Not me. I did not sign up.”

Fang He An grabbed her hand and said: “Come.”

Pulled by him, Ye Wan Wan stepped onto the stage and found that she passed straight through the Barrier. She actually got in. She paused and looked toward Li Yan in the audience with a question in her eyes.

Li Yan smiled at her.

Fang He An spoke first: “I asked eldest senior brother to add your name. You are an Alchemy practitioner. Why not join.”

Ye Wan Wan’s mouth twitched and she said: “Senior brother, I am only a beginner. Besides, the star of this round is…” You.

Fang He An looked back at her and said: “You and I both are.”

Before she could answer, he seemed to know what she was thinking and said: “You do not need to hold back for me. We like it when you shine. Use whatever skills you have.”

Then he lowered his voice: “If I cannot take first, help me take it. That way I do not lose too much face.”

Ye Wan Wan said softly: “Third senior brother, what if I end up better than all of you.”

“Would that not be great,” said Fang He An as he patted her head. “Stop thinking nonsense. With such an amazing junior sister, we are thrilled.”

On stage, Fang He An led her through the crowd and looked for their spots.

In the stands, Li Wan Zhi waved two little flags and yelled: “Senior brother will win! Junior sister will will win!”

Watching Fang He An’s tall back ahead of her, Ye Wan Wan felt like he was shielding her from the wind and rain as he led her to her place.

Fang He An encouraged her and said: “Do your best. If you lose, senior brother will cover you. If you win, you cover senior brother.”

Ye Wan Wan just looked at him.

She had already reached the Golden Core Stage, and her sight could reach ten li away. If she wanted, she could take in everything within a hundred li. But at this moment she could not see anything else. She only saw Fang He An finish speaking, walk to spot number forty six, and check his pill furnace, then still come back to help check hers to make sure no one had tampered with it.

“Mm, it is a beginner Alchemy furnace, but it is enough,” he said.

Ye Wan Wan looked at him, blinked away the discomfort in her eyes, then lifted her head and smiled: “Senior brother, I will handle it.”

Fang He An said: “Go for it.”

Not many alchemists had signed up. All the sects combined had just over two hundred young alchemists.

Inside the Barrier, the stage could extend as needed. Right now two hundred seventeen alchemists were on the platform together. The sight was grand. Because alchemists are precious in the Cultivation World, the alliance was generous to them.

Herbs could be taken freely. There were even Level Two Herbs, although they were not allowed in the first round.

“For the first round, refine one pill using ordinary herbs. Your result will be judged by grade. The higher the grade, the higher your points, and the better your chance to advance,” the elder said.

He looked at the alchemists on stage with a warm, pleased smile. “Children, show your imagination and talent to the fullest. This time there is no limit on pill type. Whatever herbs you need, the alliance will provide.”

The two hundred plus participants bowed toward the Elders’ Terrace.

At the word begin, everyone focused at once.

The event provided a beginner Alchemy furnace and a medicine cabinet. Inside were more than two hundred kinds of herbs. All the common basics were there.

Ye Wan Wan had checked. To keep things fair, when the cabinet opened, no Level Two Herbs appeared. A glance at other people’s cabinets showed they were the same.

Her eyes skimmed across the labels. Soon she had an idea. The first round tested basics, so passing the basics would do.

She was reaching for herbs when a voice sounded: “So it really is you, Seventh junior sister.”

Ye Wan Wan’s hand stilled. That voice…