As disciples of Medicine King Sect, their arrival drew a lot of attention.
Especially since Medicine King Sect always ranked very well, with the champion title almost always falling to their members. This gave the disciples great confidence.
Basking in the admiring gazes of others, they felt an undeniable sense of pride.
After checking into their rooms, the group headed upstairs.
"This competition is ours to win. Once we succeed, the three of us will journey into the Central Domain and see just how legendary the Dan Sect really is!"
"Of course. Just look at those others. They probably can't even refine a seventh-grade pill!"
The Medicine King disciples whispered among themselves, looking down on the other sects' disciples in the main hall with disdain.
These disciples were the cream of the crop selected by Medicine King Sect, incomparable to the rest.
Wu Qingfeng overheard and glanced downward, sharply ordering, "Keep your voices down. If you lose the champion title through carelessness, you'll understand the consequences!"
Having pride was good—it encouraged the disciples to work harder—but if it became arrogance, disaster would follow. If Medicine King Sect lost badly in alchemy...
Wu Qingfeng quickly shook off the thought. Their sect might lack in other areas, but in alchemy, they were unquestionably top tier.
"We understand!"
The three immediately fell silent, unwilling to say another word.
Yet their eyes still betrayed their lingering contempt.
Just as they were about to enter their rooms, a sudden loud bang startled everyone in the inn.
"What was that—"
"Did someone blow up their furnace?"
The crowd was surprised. After all, these were top alchemists from various sects. How could such a basic mistake happen?
Everyone's eyes turned toward a room on the fifth floor, some sneering at the thought.
The Fourth Elder, Lu Yi, and Wu Feng were also startled by the noise, especially since their rooms were closest to Song Wanníng's. The impact was stronger on them.
They hurried out but found the neighboring door firmly shut and nothing unusual inside, which eased their worries.
Probably Song Wanníng was attempting to refine a higher-grade pill and the furnace exploded.
They exchanged looks and understood the situation, finally relaxing.
Just as they prepared to return, a mocking voice sounded.
"Mei Daoyou, I never thought Guhan Sect's talents would have withered so badly that you can't even find three alchemists who don't blow their furnaces?"
The speaker was checking in on the first floor. They looked down and immediately recognized him as Gu Yan, an elder from Qingyun Sect of the Eastern Domain.
Following him were Xiao Heyun, Xie Qinglan, and two other alchemists.
"So that's who it was—Gu Daoyou from Qingyun Sect."
The Fourth Elder raised an eyebrow, giving Gu Yan a cold look.
"I hear your Qingyun Sect is struggling to support disciples. No wonder they're fleeing to secret realms in the Southern Domain. If I were you, I'd be desperate. How could you even have the heart to come to the alchemy competition?"
Her words were dripping with scorn, and Gu Yan's expression darkened instantly.
Xiao Heyun's face turned cold as he stared at the Fourth Elder, murderous intent filling his heart.
At those words, the Southern Domain sects in the inn stood up.
When did Southern Domain treasures belong to the Eastern Domain? This was outrageous!
"Gu Daoyou, Qingyun Sect is one of the five great sects of the Eastern Domain. Has it really fallen to this?"
"Pfft, it's pitiful. Maybe someday Qingyun Sect will be kicked out of the five great sects since it can't even support its true disciples. Ordinary disciples will starve!"
"Gu Daoyou, for old times' sake, why don't you let those disciples of yours switch to us? We can afford to take them in!"
"Yeah, we're just a small sect in the Southern Domain, but we can still support a few true disciples."
The elders of several sects echoed this sentiment, driving Gu Yan's face dark with anger and his fists clenched so tight they cracked. He burned with fury but found no words to argue back. After all, Xiao Hetun had been caught red-handed by an elder of Canglan Sect and was still hunted by them.
Once inside Wuyang City, at least until the alchemy competition ended, no one dared to move against Xiao Heyun.
Gu Yan cast a dark glance at Xiao Heyun. This competition still depended on him to take first place. He had to protect Xiao Heyun.
"We Qingyun Sect are fine. No need for others to worry."
He dodged the issue and turned his anger toward Medicine King Sect.
"I suppose Medicine King Sect came well prepared. Wu Daoyou, do you have confidence in taking all top three spots?"
This time, Medicine King Sect was ready to be slapped down. Xiao Heyun's alchemy talent was rare in the world, even the disciples of Medicine King Sect could not compare.
"Heh, thanks for your concern, Gu Daoyou. With so many excellent alchemists gathered here, Medicine King Sect must learn a lot from everyone."
Wu Qingfeng was not foolish. He would not let Medicine King Sect become the center of attention. His words were humble, which made Gu Yan's teeth grind in irritation.
Thanks to this distraction, Xiao Heyun's issue was temporarily set aside.
Everyone was dusty from travel and after brief greetings, returned to their rooms to rest.
Meanwhile, Song Wanníng reflected over piles of ruined pill remnants in her room. She had tried to combine several methods but miscalculated somewhere, causing the final batch of pills to explode into ashes. She felt some regret for the precious ingredients and carefully analyzed what had gone wrong.
Just then, an untimely voice suddenly echoed in her mind.
"Damn it, these Southern Domain cultivators should all just die. They almost made me lose face in front of Junior Sister Xie!
If my favor drops again, I swear I will kill them all!
System, I will definitely take first place in this alchemy competition!
I wonder if that bitch Song Wanníng came this time. If so, I will make sure she dies!"
Familiar curses followed. Song Wanníng frowned.
"Xiao Heyun really did come.
Canglan Sect could not handle him, just like Medicine King Sect could not handle me."
After all, the Child of Luck is no ordinary title.
As long as he does not encounter me, these invaders get whatever they want.
But...
Xie Qinglan came with him?
A trace of malice flickered in Song Wanníng's eyes.
Let Xie Qinglan's favor toward Xiao Heyun drop even further!
The lower the better, so he gets punished again!
Blocking out the voices, Song Wanníng continued studying her alchemy, pushing everything else aside.
In the following days, Wuyang City saw an endless flood of people.
The vast city was packed beyond capacity.
===
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