“Who’s afraid? You’re spouting nonsense!”
This was the first time since Mo Hanshuang became a seventh-tier alchemist that someone had dared to disrespect him so openly. He said furiously, “Little girl, you’re still young, but your tone is rather arrogant. Don’t end up crying when you lose!”
Bai Shengyi replied unhurriedly, “I am still young and have room for improvement.”
Mo Hanshuang’s peripheral vision caught sight of his white hair. A surge of anger rushed straight to the crown of his head. Just then, suppressed laughter came from behind him.
“Pfft!”
Dong Wuyu stood directly behind Mo Hanshuang, having heard the entire conversation between the two. He couldn’t help but let out a laugh, finding that his previous tension had eased considerably.
Seeing Mo Hanshuang glaring at him, Dong Wuyu quickly lowered his head and waved his hands, “S-sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose.”
Mo Hanshuang shot him a cold glance and let out a soft snort.
“Heh~” Bai Shengyi let out a light chuckle. Without even looking at Mo Hanshuang, she directly took out her alchemy furnace, preparing for the competition.
“Little girl, are you deliberately trying to provoke this venerable one?”
Mo Hanshuang had already forgotten who had started the verbal provocation.
Bai Shengyi said with a smile, “People shouldn’t be too sensitive. Otherwise, even a sneeze from someone else might be perceived as mockery.”
As she spoke, she feigned a sneeze.
When it came to sharp tongues, she was an expert at veiled barbs today.
Her insinuations were subtle, yet her face was wreathed in smiles, making it seem as if she were merely making casual remarks. Moreover, she didn’t utter a single vulgar word. Mo Hanshuang’s anger was unable to find an outlet, almost suffocating him.
In the end, Mo Hanshuang could only suppress his frustration and declare,
“Just you wait!”
He swore that he would teach this little girl a lesson!
After all, the Sect Master had said it was fine even if she was killed or crippled.
The alchemy competition of the Divine Revelation Grand Gathering was much more brutal than the pill duels Bai Shengyi had participated in before. In every grand gathering, the alchemy competition had the highest death toll.
This was all because fifty years ago, the Supreme Sect, in its authority, had added a new competition element – poison pills.
The alchemy competition of the Divine Revelation Grand Gathering was divided into three rounds. The first round was alchemy, which weeded out alchemists who lacked the necessary grade and were trying to muddle through.
In the second round, everyone would be randomly paired into teams of two. Each would refine a poison pill for their partner, and the partner would then refine an antidote pill specifically for that poison pill. After the antidote pill was refined, both the poison pill and the antidote pill would be consumed. If no poisoning occurred, they would proceed to the final round.
It could be said that the second round of the competition was extremely vicious. However, a hundred years ago, the Supreme Sect was at the peak of its power, and no one dared to object.
Over the years, this stimulating and dangerous competition had not only fostered many business opportunities but had also become a major highlight of the Divine Revelation Grand Gathering. As a result, whenever other sects wanted to abolish this round of competition, they would face considerable opposition.
The competition began quickly, and Bai Shengyi focused on her movements.
The first round only judged the grade of the pills refined by the alchemists. Therefore, Bai Shengyi chose her most familiar and common pill, the Revitalization Pill, which was completed in a short while.
“Fifth-tier High-grade Revitalization Pill, pass.”
The alchemist who inspected the pills was none other than Alchemist Qianyang. He nodded at Bai Shengyi, exchanged a brief greeting, and then stroked his beard as he moved on to the next alchemist’s small space.
Mo Hanshuang saw this and sneered, “No wonder you’re so confident. So, you know that old man Qianyang!”
“Alchemist Qianyang is renowned. Who doesn’t know him?” Bai Shengyi said coldly, holding a blade of grass, “Didn’t you just greet Alchemist Qianyang as well?”
“What do you know? Qianyang and I are close friends…”
“Oh! If your relationship is that good, then you should be even more confident!” Bai Shengyi covered her mouth in feigned surprise, as if she had discovered a great secret. “No wonder you’re not nervous at all, even though time is running out.”
Although the first round of the competition did not specify the type of pill to be refined, it did have a time limit. Anyone who failed to refine a pill of fifth-tier or higher within the allotted time would be eliminated.
Mo Hanshuang glanced over and saw that the timed incense was indeed nearing its end. He cried out in alarm and hurriedly quickened his pace.
However, due to his excessive haste, the grade of the refined spiritual pills was greatly reduced.
He had originally intended to refine a seventh-tier High-grade Purple Snow Pill to make a name for himself at the Divine Revelation Grand Gathering. Now, he had only managed to refine a sixth-tier Superior-grade Purple Snow Pill.
“Damn it!”
Although he heard Qianyang announce “pass,” Mo Hanshuang felt no joy, only shame.
He, Qianyang, and Hongni had gained fame around the same time as alchemists. Qianyang had now advanced to become an eighth-tier alchemist and was invited as a judge for the Divine Revelation Grand Gathering, which already put him one step ahead of them. Now, failing to display his full capabilities in this round was utterly disgraceful.
Mo Hanshuang’s mood plummeted to its lowest point. It was only when the second round of the competition was announced from the high platform that he suddenly felt invigorated.
Poison pills!
This was his specialty!
He was determined to redeem himself!
With this thought, Mo Hanshuang glanced at the leisurely and calm Bai Shengyi beside him, a hint of disdainful mockery flashing in his eyes. Little girl, just you wait!
“Captain, that old man is looking at you very unkindly. Be careful.”
Jing Fei’s peripheral vision caught Mo Hanshuang’s gaze. It seemed as if he already knew the outcome of the random team assignments and was staring at Bai Shengyi. He sensed trouble.
The Jing family originally hailed from the Jing family of the Outer Continent. However, they were expelled to the Continent of the Forsaken due to a mistake. Therefore, compared to Bai Shengyi and others who were only just beginning to understand the Outer Continent and the Divine Revelation Grand Gathering, Jing Fei had more knowledge of the event.
He even knew that the second round of the alchemy competition could actually be manipulated by some of the major sects.
As soon as Jing Fei finished speaking, countless spiritual cranes flew out from the high platform.
The spiritual cranes were lifelike, their tails trailing long red spiritual light, soaring towards all the contestants with a rustling sound.
Bai Shengyi casually caught one. The spiritual crane transformed into a piece of paper in her hand, with a number written on it. She needed to find the cultivator with the same number as hers, and that person would be her teammate for the second round.
“Little girl, this venerable one is number 113. What’s your number?” Mo Hanshuang raised the paper in his hand, his smile full of ill intent.
Bai Shengyi spread out her hand. The number on the paper was clearly 113.
“What a coincidence. We’re in the same group.” She slowly curved her lips into a smile, a cold glint in her eyes.
At that moment, Bai Shengyi didn’t conceal her killing intent at all.
Her killing intent was sharp, colder, and deeper than Mo Hanshuang’s.
Mo Hanshuang couldn’t help but shiver, suddenly having a bad premonition.
However, he quickly cast this worry aside.
He was a renowned poison alchemist. How could a mere young girl possibly be his match?
Just as he had this thought, he saw the usually low-key little girl suddenly tap her alchemy furnace, producing a crisp sound that drew his attention.
Her red robes billowed, like a slumbering beast revealing its hidden claws and fangs, dazzlingly oppressive.
She bared her teeth and smiled, her lips curling.
“Senior, this venerable one greatly looks forward to your performance.”