"Yes, let's all cheer for Senior Sister Song. I believe you will definitely place in the top three!"
The few followers nodded eagerly, their eyes full of trust in Song Wanníng. Their sycophantic enthusiasm seemed strangely intense.
The disciples around were puzzled. They couldn't understand why someone like Yue Lin would treat Song Wanníng this way. But everyone knew better than to speak ill of Song Wanníng now. If they did, Yue Lin would make sure they paid dearly.
More and more curious glances fell on Song Wanníng.
She didn't care and simply followed her Senior Brothers and a few followers to the waiting stage.
At this moment, many alchemists gathered nearby. As a large sect, Guhan Sect had countless alchemists, but those truly skilled were not many.
There were about a hundred participants in this competition. Among them were gray-haired elders as well as young juniors. Song Wanníng's presence was not strange, but it quickly drew attention.
"Pfft, what kind of person comes to compete just to dabble in alchemy!"
A red-haired cultivator sneered, looking Song Wanníng up and down with disdain. Unlike others who feared Zhuoyun Peak and Yue Lin, he didn't.
"That's right. Look at her—she probably hasn't even seen many recipes for spiritual pills, haha!"
"Shh, she has Zhuoyun Peak backing her. We small fry don't compare..."
Several clustered together, speaking loudly on purpose.
Alchemists held an important position in the sect, especially young ones like them who were highly valued. They were not afraid to offend anyone. Some senior figures even waited eagerly for their pills to be refined. Everyone specialized in their own craft.
Hearing these arrogant words, Qin Ming was the first to object. But before he could speak, Feng Xue stopped him. "Don't rush. The more they act arrogant now, the sweeter it will be to watch them get slapped later!"
She had heard from Junior Sister that their Martial Nephew was gifted in alchemy. These people would soon regret their laughter.
"Should we just let them keep picking on Wanníng?"
Qin Ming's face flushed red with anger. He wanted nothing more than to slap a few of them.
"People have mouths. What do you want, to shut them all up?"
Feng Xue rolled her eyes.
Didn't they see Song Wanníng wasn't even angry?
Especially with that deep smile on her face...
Those guys were definitely in for trouble!
Yue Lin and the others also wanted to speak up but were stopped by Song Wanníng.
She didn't need anyone to stand up for her.
"At first, I really wasn't confident about joining this competition."
Her gaze landed on the group who had insulted her. Suddenly, a mocking smile curved her lips.
"But seeing you brainless fools here, I'm beginning to think I came to the right place. After all, if you idiots can participate, then so can I. Don't you agree?"
Insult people?
She could do that too.
No need to rely on others.
"You—You—"
The red-haired cultivator didn't expect Song Wanníng to dare talk back and his face darkened with rage.
"Sharp-tongued!"
He glared furiously. "The ancients said, 'Only women and villains are hard to raise.' It seems that is true!"
The red-haired cultivator was genuinely angry. Everyone in the sect treated him politely. Who didn't know he was likely to become the youngest alchemy grandmaster?
Song Wanníng was truly lawless.
But his words were too targeted. The moment he finished, many female disciples voiced strong opposition, directing scathing curses at him.
Song Wanníng didn't even have to do anything.
"You—You all—"
The red-haired cultivator's face turned a dark purplish red, but he dared not say women were inferior again.
Song Wanníng smiled brightly, gave him a teasing look, and made him even angrier.
"Don't get cocky. The real test is coming!"
He snorted coldly and slunk away to the side.
Seeing this, no one dared speak against Song Wanníng anymore. After all, strength mattered most. Arguing words were meaningless.
The waiting stage finally quieted.
Song Wanníng found a spot to sit and closed her eyes to rest.
Qin Ming and the others left for the viewing platform.
Over a hundred alchemists participated, some attending every ten years, others newcomers. Most alchemists did not compete this time but watched from the platform, waiting to see the contestants' performance.
Soon, Sect Master Luo Hantian appeared with elders.
They sat in the highest seats, their expressions solemn.
"I believe everyone knows the rewards for this alchemy competition. A trip to the Central Domain is an extremely rare opportunity."
Luo Hantian spoke gravely. "I hope you all give your best and do not embarrass Guhan Sect."
In the past, Guhan Sect always participated but never made it to the top three.
So he did not expect a top-three finish, but encouragement was necessary. He hoped his disciples could improve their rankings this time.
Progress was the greatest victory.
After some more words of encouragement, the six elders began the competition.
"The Guhan Sect alchemy competition preliminary selection officially begins!"
As he finished, a row of raised platforms appeared outside the waiting area, matching the number of participants exactly.
At the same time, each participant's registration number lit up on their bodies.
Song Wanníng was number seventy-eight, corresponding to platform seventy-eight.
Without hesitation, she leapt onto the platform.
Others also moved to their own platforms and immediately took out their alchemy furnaces, placing them on the tables.
The grade of an alchemy furnace represented the alchemist's strength, so no one thought this strange. Instead, they appraised the furnaces carefully. But when Song Wanníng's furnace appeared, many frowned. Her furnace showed no grade at all.
"Ha, did she really bring some low-level thing from the lower realm?"
The red-haired cultivator took the chance to sneer again. His voice drew everyone's attention to Song Wanníng.
Luo Hantian frowned in displeasure. What was wrong with this guy daring to pick on Song Wanníng?
She was his most favored disciple.
However, Luo Hantian knew little of Song Wanníng's true alchemy skills and found his curiosity growing.
It is said that human energy is limited. Cultivators live longer, but cultivation takes up most of their time. Time for learning other arts is even scarcer, and only truly gifted ones can master them thoroughly. Could Song Wanníng really be that skilled?
"Hmph, Song Wanníng's furnace looks pitiful, no grade at all. So shabby. Doesn't Zhuoyun Peak want to replace it for her?"