Nangong Wan also felt inexplicably nervous.
She did not doubt Shi Haotian's words.
This person was ruthless and kept his promises.
He would really kill Chen Nan.
Once he made a move, the elders present combined would not be his match!
Without further thought, she quickly said, "I only said I'm not willing to achieve greater success in alchemy, not that I'm giving up alchemy. Don't twist my logic."
"Moreover, I have already taught Ye Ce the art of alchemy."
"It won't be long before he can independently refine the Lesser Rejuvenation Pill!"
A hint of disdain flashed in Shi Haotian's eyes, "Does he know alchemy?"
"How about we have a competition?"
Chen Nan spoke.
His words caused an uproar among the crowd.
"What does Senior Brother Ye mean? He wants to compete in alchemy with the Senior Brother?"
"This fellow is simply a madman. Even if he has extraordinary talent in cultivation, alchemy is no child's play!"
"Senior Brother is the second alchemist in our Huoyun Cave. Although his attainments are not as good as the Young Lady's, he is not someone an ordinary person can compare with."
People chattered, none of them believing Chen Nan could refine pills.
Shi Haotian asked, "How do you want to compete?"
Chen Nan: "We will publicly compete in alchemy here five days later. We will see whose pills are of higher quality and who takes less time!"
Shi Haotian: "What if you lose?"
Chen Nan: "If I lose, you can deal with me as you wish."
"Then, as you wish, if you lose, I will deal with you!" Shi Haotian leaped up and flew towards the treetops in the distance.
Chen Nan shouted loudly, "Hey, don't leave so fast. What if you lose?"
"How could I, Shi Haotian, lose?"
The dismissive voice came, but Shi Haotian had already disappeared from their sight.
"Don't celebrate too early!"
A cold smile flickered in Chen Nan's heart.
In terms of cultivation, he was definitely inferior to Shi Haotian.
But when it came to alchemy...
He feared no one.
After all, alchemy was his strong suit.
"Ye Ce, do your best. I believe that five days later... you won't lose too badly." The Great Elder gave him an encouraging look.
The Second Elder also said, "Victory and defeat are common in warfare. It's not a big deal even if you lose. As long as we elders are here, we certainly won't let Shi Haotian touch you."
It was evident.
Chen Nan had won everyone's approval today.
Cultivation at the early stage of the fifth layer of Qi Refining, and he could defeat Gao Jun who was at the seventh layer of Qi Refining.
Whether it was a duel of spells.
Or close-quarters combat, he possessed astonishing talent!
Even surpassing Shi Haotian in the past!
Even looking at the entire Zhongnan Mountain, he was an unparalleled disciple among the younger generation.
Therefore.
The alchemy competition five days later was not important at all.
"Thank you, Elders, for your concern for this junior. I will definitely work hard and strive to defeat Senior Brother Shi in five days." Chen Nan bowed to the elders.
His impression of the disciples in Huoyun Cave was quite good.
There was no bullying or exploitation of newcomers.
Moreover, the elders treated people well and spoke kindly.
It even gave him a sense of belonging!
"Here, take some Qi Replenishing Pills!"
Nangong Wan, with a face full of concern, took out a bottle of Qi Replenishing Pills.
Under the envious and jealous gazes of all the disciples, she poured them into her palm and offered them to Chen Nan.
Even several elders looked helpless at this scene, let alone ordinary disciples.
It was fortunate that the Sect Master was in seclusion and did not see this scene, otherwise, he would have been jealous.
Chen Nan: "Thank you, Young Lady."
Nangong Wan was slightly displeased, "Call me Wan'er!"
???
Everyone was instantly petrified.
Holy crap!
The Sect Master calls you Wan'er and you find it cheesy...
Now, in broad daylight, you're asking Chen Nan to call you by your nickname?
Have you two gotten together?
Elder Wu secretly gave Chen Nan a thumbs-up.
He had his own ulterior motives when he sent Chen Nan to the Alchemy Hall, dreaming that he could win the Young Lady's favor and become the son-in-law of Huoyun Cave.
But he never expected this fellow to have charmed Nangong Wan in such a short time!
------
After taking the Qi Replenishing Pills, Chen Nan's blood and qi recovered somewhat. He then bid farewell to everyone and walked towards the back mountain with Nangong Wan.
"You shouldn't have agreed to compete in alchemy with Shi Haotian in five days," Nangong Wan said, dejected. "The reason I said I would teach you alchemy was to stall for time, to stall until my father comes out of seclusion."
"Only then can we contend with Shi Haotian!"
"But you, you insisted on having the alchemy competition in five days!"
"You should have asked for more time!"
Chen Nan said, "I read the medical classics you gave me a few days ago, and I've integrated that knowledge. I can try practicing it."
"Although I could have asked for more time, I don't think it's necessary!"
"Only by defeating Shi Haotian in a short period can I earn his respect!"
Nangong Wan's face turned slightly red, "You want to win my father's respect, don't you?"
"Ah?"
Chen Nan was bewildered.
Nangong Wan said tenderly, "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. You definitely want to defeat Shi Haotian and win my father's respect."
"After all, Shi Haotian is the number one among the younger generation in Huoyun Cave."
"If you can defeat him in alchemy, the title of number one will belong to you."
"Even if my father doesn't care about the identity of my partner, this would still win his respect, wouldn't it?"
"I didn't expect you to see through this..." Chen Nan looked embarrassed. He really didn't expect Nangong Wan to be capable of such assumptions.
However, such things couldn't be said directly.
Chen Nan changed the subject, "By the way, Wan'er, how is Uncle Jiang Ye's injury recovering?"
He came to Huoyun Cave just to find an opportunity to get rid of Jiang Ye.
Other things were not important.
Nangong Wan casually replied, "The injuries on his body have mostly healed, but he lost an eye."
"However, it is said that the old fellow benefited from misfortune and broke through to the peak of the sixth layer of Qi Refining. It can be considered as accumulated strength leading to a breakthrough!"
"Oh, right."
"That old fellow came to find me a few days ago and asked about you."
"It seems he has something to discuss with you."
"Okay, I'll go ask him later!"
Chen Nan's face showed no expression, but he had a premonition in his heart.
Jiang Ye probably wanted to descend the mountain and kill him.
After all.
The sooner this matter was resolved, the better. Otherwise, if others knew he possessed a spiritual artifact, they would surely strike first.
If that happened, he would have nothing to gain.
After returning and changing his clothes, Chen Nan went to Jiang Ye's residence.
Standing outside the door, he said respectfully, "Disciple Ye Ce, pays respects to Senior Jiang Ye!"
"Come in!" Jiang Ye's voice slowly sounded.
"Creak!"
Chen Nan pushed the door open and saw Jiang Ye.
He was sitting cross-legged on the bed, his injuries already healed.
But because of the previous battle, the shattered jade fragments had disfigured his face. Now, wearing a black mask and a black robe, he looked like a top assassin!
Chen Nan respectfully asked, "May I know what instructions Senior has for this junior?"