“A proposal? What proposal?” Hearing Xiao Yan’s words, Han Xue was stunned for a long while, seemingly quite taken aback. After a moment, he replied cautiously, “Since we are both alchemists, it would be somewhat unbecoming of our status to fight like ordinary people… Therefore, if Senior Han Xue has some skills, we can use the method of alchemists to decide who is superior. If I lose, Pan Gate will not sell any more pills in the future. But if you lose, please kindly take back all those underhanded schemes. How about it?”
Xiao Yan flicked his sleeve and looked straight at Han Xue, laughing heartily. “Do you want to challenge me in alchemy?”
Han Xue was once again taken aback and couldn’t help but say teasingly, “My alchemy skills, even if they aren’t top-notch in the entire Inner Academy, are still among the best in the Alchemist Department. As a fourth-grade alchemist, I am confident that I can look down on my peers.”
“Of course, if Senior Han Xue prefers to compete with battle aura, I won’t refuse either,” Xiao Yan said with a cold smile. Although Han Xue’s strength was at the level of a Dou Spirit, judging by his aura, he was only comparable to Lei Na. If they were to engage in a real fight, Xiao Yan could use the Lesser Buddha Lotus to render Lei Na powerless. The outcome for Han Xue would likely be no better.
Han Xue was also aware of the rumors about Xiao Yan’s astonishing combat power. He naturally wouldn’t agree to a fight using battle aura. Competing in alchemy, however, was something he wasn’t afraid of. But the fact that this proposal came from Xiao Yan first made him cautious. For a moment, he didn’t know how to respond.
“This guy’s Return Qi Pill, Restore Body Pill, and Ice Clear Pill have good effects, but the refining techniques are a bit rough. If I had the formulas for these three pills, the pills I refine would definitely be of higher quality,” Han Xue thought quickly. However, he forgot that refining so many pills alone, even with the most refined technique, would make the results coarser.
“What? Senior Han Xue, do you dare to accept the challenge? Haha, if this gets out, it might not be good for the reputation of your Medicine Gang…”
Seeing Han Xue’s changing expression, Xiao Yan sneered.
“Don’t try to provoke me; it’s useless,” Han Xue replied coldly, not an idiot. He immediately saw through Xiao Yan’s intentions. “If you want to compete in alchemy, fine. But the stakes are too small.”
After a few quick thoughts, Han Xue suddenly said, “If you lose, not only will Pan Gate not sell any more pills, but you must also give me the formulas for the Return Qi Pill, Restore Body Pill, and Ice Clear Pill. If I lose, I won’t block your path, and I’ll give Pan Gate the five most bustling trading locations in the Inner Academy. These locations cost our Medicine Gang a total of eight hundred Heavenly Fire Energy points to buy from the Inner Academy. They are far better than any random trading spots, so you won’t be at a loss.”
“Haha… Didn’t expect Senior Han Xue to also set his eyes on my pill formulas. Quite a clever move indeed,” Xiao Yan said sarcastically.
“So, do you dare or not?” Han Xue asked, unperturbed even after being seen through.
“Alright, since Senior Han Xue is so eager to challenge, I, Xiao Yan, will not back down. I wouldn’t want to be called weak.” Xiao Yan waved his hand and said calmly, “But I wonder, Senior Han Xue, how do you want to compete?”
“Using the same formula, we will simultaneously refine the pills. We’ll see whose pills are of higher quality after completion!” Han Xue said firmly.
“Fine, but which formula should we use?” Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes.
“Using either of our formulas might cause suspicion,” Han Xue said calmly. “So, I suggest using a formula from the Inner Academy. I happen to know Elder Helong, who manages the formula archives. We can borrow a formula from him and ask him to be the judge. How about that?”
“Elder Helong, someone you know?” Xiao Yan frowned slightly.
“Don’t doubt whether Elder Helong will collude with me. I don’t have that kind of ability. This elder is known for his fairness and strictness. You can ask Lin Yan, he knows this well.”
“True, he’s a good choice. Cheating is what he despises the most,” Lin Yan nodded in agreement.
“Alright… Let’s do it then,” Xiao Yan said after a moment’s thought. “We’ll go find Elder Helong together, discuss everything, and then compete in alchemy tomorrow at the Northern Plaza. How does that sound?”
“I’m looking forward to your three formulas,” Han Xue said with a hint of disdain, waved his hand, and turned to leave the plaza.
“I’m also looking forward to your Medicine Gang’s sales locations,” Xiao Yan said with a cold smile, turning his gaze to Bai Cheng. “Senior Bai Cheng, your ‘kindness’ in smashing our booth, Pan Gate remembers. In the future, we’ll return the favor.”
“Hehe, as long as you don’t rely on others again, I’ll be ready anytime,” Bai Cheng retorted sarcastically.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly. With the instigator of the time, he naturally wanted to settle accounts. The White Gang could only wait in the background.
…
After leaving the plaza, Xiao Yan and Han Xue went to the formula archive. After explaining the competition to Elder Helong, he showed great interest. While real battles were common in the Inner Academy, alchemy competitions were rare. Thus, when Xiao Yan and Han Xue asked to borrow a formula, he agreed without hesitation.
However, Elder Helong proposed a condition: he would personally select the formula. Xiao Yan and Han Xue, after a brief pause, reluctantly agreed. They then parted, agreeing to meet at the Northern Plaza the next day.
“Oniisan Xiao Yan, that Han Xue seems quite confident…” Xun’er said, a bit worried, as they walked back.
“Naturally, he’s a fourth-grade alchemist. Anywhere he goes, he receives the treatment of a Dou Wang. Moreover, his skills place him among the best in the Alchemist Department. Since coming to the Inner Academy, he rarely refines pills anymore, except during the first two years,” Lin Yan commented.
“Indeed, reaching the fourth-grade alchemist level at such a young age is impressive,” Xiao Yan agreed, smiling.
“Do you think you can win?” Wu Hao asked, frowning. They had tasted the sweet profit of selling pills and didn’t want to give up this lucrative opportunity.
Under the watchful eyes of the others, Xiao Yan simply pursed his lips, placed his hands behind his back, and walked slowly. After a long while, he chuckled softly, “A fourth-grade alchemist? What’s there to fear? Tomorrow, we’ll see his face fall.”
Hearing Xiao Yan’s confident, almost arrogant, words, Lin Yan and the others stopped, exchanged glances, and sighed. There was no other way now.
…
In just one night, the news of Xiao Yan’s upcoming alchemy competition with Han Xue spread throughout the Inner Academy. This shocking news caused a stir, as such competitions were very rare. Almost every student was extremely curious about the event. Some idle elders in the Inner Academy also became interested, having heard Xiao Yan’s name frequently.
The first rays of dawn finally bathed the vast Inner Academy, enveloping it in light. The Northern Plaza, usually empty, was now filled with a sea of people. The noise was almost louder than in the arena. Some elders watching secretly couldn’t help but sigh; it had been a long time since the Inner Academy had seen such excitement outside the trading areas and arenas.
* *dung*
The clear bell chimed, silencing the crowd. An elderly figure descended from the sky, revealing Elder Helong.
Elder Helong’s gaze swept over the crowd, occasionally pausing. A smile appeared in his eyes, “These old fellows, they really can’t resist.”
A cough from Elder Helong quieted the crowd. Soon, a figure in alchemist robes appeared on the stage, standing next to Elder Helong. The four silver waves on his chest identified him as Han Xue, the leader of the Medicine Gang.
Han Xue’s appearance was met with cheers, indicating his popularity in the Inner Academy.
Not long after, a path cleared in the crowd, and a smiling, black-robed youth led a group onto the stage. His composure and ease earned silent admiration from many.
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