Unrivaled Medicine God 61 to 80

 Along with Feng Ruoqing’s mellow voice, the shock in Feng Zhirou’s heart grew greater.

What Ye Yuan said earlier was no different from what Feng Ruoqing said!

One had to know that the light curtain only showed the herbal warehouse, and those herbs could only be vaguely seen. Some of them could not even be made out. At least, Feng Zhirou was unable to make it out.

But Ye Yuan actually guessed the medicinal pills the two girls were going to refine just by looking at the light curtain!

Just how did he do it?

"Haha. Don’t be afraid of offending us two old crocks, Miss Feng. If there’s anything, just say it. Our tolerance isn’t small to that extent. Since I’m competing with Old Man Sun, there obviously needs to be a winner. In the end, there has to be a difference in quality between the medicinal pills refined by Feng-er and Keyun. Miss Feng doesn’t need to have any misgivings; just say it."

Wang Jinfu knew that Feng Ruoqing did not want to offend both sides, which was why she said it as if the two girls fought to a draw.

But in reality, no matter how similar two people’s Alchemy Dao prowess were, in the end, it was impossible for medicinal pills refined to be identical. That was because there were too many elements that could affect the finished product.

Feng Ruoqing gave a faint smile, before saying, "Then Chairman Wang and Chairman Sun mustn’t blame this little girl, alright?"

"Don’t say that! Since you were invited to be the judge, it wouldn’t be reasonable to blame you."

Sun Jianming who had been keeping mum also voiced out.

"In reality, both Miss Feng-er and Miss Keyun are very outstanding. The two people’s abilities are also on par. It’s just that during Miss Feng-er’s refinement process, there was a slight flaw, resulting in the medicinal pill to be slightly inferior in quality. I can see that this Fierce Tiger Pill’s color is slightly dull. This should have been a result of a small error during the first step when tempering with fire." Feng Ruoqing’s words were on point.

"Hahaha . . ." Wang Jinfu laughed heartily, but there was no unexpected color change on his face. "To think that the disciple you, Old Man Sun groomed is so incredible. It looks like you have a qualified successor! Feng-er, learn from this mistake. In the future, you have to be more diligent. Don’t become arrogant just because you are my apprentice, understood?"

"Feng-er understands," Xu Feng-er replied dispiritedly.

"Alright. It’s almost time. Let the next batch begin," Wang Jinfu commanded.

There was naturally someone to judge the medicinal pills refined by the others. Elder Wang and Elder Sun obviously would not stoop to do these sort of things with their exalted status.

In this batch of people, the main focus had to be Wan Yuan.

One had to say that Wan Yuan had the capital to be arrogant in terms of Alchemy Dao.

He was only a few months older than Ye Yuan, but he had already possessed the strength of a high-rank Alchemy Apprentice. He could absolutely wander proudly within the same age group. His future accomplishments would most likely not be beneath his father’s.

Humph. Feng Ruoqing, Feng Zhirou, I’m going to let you see what a true Alchemy Dao genius is! That Ye Yuan is just a clown. On the day I step on the stage of Alchemy Master, would I even need to fear that you, Feng Zhirou, wouldn’t be moved? Wan Yuan thought to himself.

He had saved up enough strength in order to perform well in front of Feng Zhirou, just to make her see him in a different light.

Wan Yuan felt unspeakable emotions watching Feng Zhirou and Ye Yuan making eyes at each other.

. . . . . .

Entering the herbal warehouse, Wan Yuan chose his herbs at top speed. The other students only came out of there after he had exited 30 minutes earlier.

From this, whoever was superior could be instantly judged.

Wan Yuan had the intention of showing off. The later phases were practically finished in one go.

Especially after he started refining, his technique dazzled everyone, leaving them overwhelmed.

"Old Sun, it looked like Old Brother Wan has groomed a fine son. He even beat our two apprentices."

Wang Jinfu was a veteran Alchemy Grandmaster, so his judgment was on point. As he watched Wan Yuan’s refinement performance, he knew that Wan Yuan was much stronger than Xu Feng-er and Sun Keyun.

"That’s right. Wan Donghai that punk really has some skill. These past few years, he suppressed Ye Hang completely. Who would have thought that the son he groomed was also this impressive? At this rate, Wan Yuan would probably surpass his father."

Sun Jianming had always been a man of few words. To have given such an evaluation showed that Wan Yuan’s performance had already conquered him.

"Indeed. The way I see it, Wan Yuan’s Flowing Cloud Scattering Hands is already 70% of Wan Donghai’s. What’s lacking is only experience and cultivation realm. In the future, this child will surely do great things. Humph! Unlike Ye Hang’s son. Trying to seek popularity through claptrap. Ridiculous!"

Wang Jinfu gave an exceedingly high evaluation to Wan Yuan, while at the same time he also dropped a timely disdain toward Ye Yuan. He was clearly very displeased with Ye Yuan causing trouble today.

Every alchemist had their own unique refinement technique. And Flowing Cloud Scattering Hands was precisely the technique Wan Donghai was famous for.

Wang Jinfu and Sun Jianming did not deliberately cover up their conversation, so it naturally reached Feng Zhirou’s and Ye Yuan’s ears.

Ye Yuan looked calm and relax, and he did not show any reaction.

Instead, it was Feng Zhirou who had a gloating face. She transmitted her voice once again and said, "Hey, how can you be so calm when they are praising your opponent like that?"

Having experienced the initial shock, Feng Zhirou could only use ’abnormal’ to explain Ye Yuan’s earlier performance.

But deep down inside, Feng Zhirou started to faintly anticipate Ye Yuan’s performance later.

Perhaps he really could do it?

Hearing Feng Zhirou’s voice transmission, Ye Yuan remained emotionless as he replied, "Opponent? I’ve never treated him as an opponent."

If it were in the past, Feng Zhirou would definitely snort in derision at these words.

But now, Feng Zhirou felt that Ye Yuan might truly think this way in his heart.

One had to know that earlier when Xu Feng-er made that tiny error, not even the two Alchemy Grandmasters present and her aunt saw it. Otherwise, they would not need to hold this competition.

However, Ye Yuan saw it long ago. And during Xu Feng-er’s and Sun Keyun’s refinement process, Ye Yuan already determined the grade of their medicinal pills. This was not something that an ordinary person could do.

Feng Zhirou believed that even if Ye Yuan did not pass the Alchemy Master test, his horizons were not something that the two Alchemy Grandmasters could compare to.

Could it be that Ye Yuan’s theoretical standard was already on par with an Alchemy King?

A fifteen years old youth with the standard of an Alchemy King? Feng Zhirou was frightened by her own thought.

"Tch! You really can act." Although she already agreed with Ye Yuan’s words in her heart, Feng Zhirou still remained scornful on the surface.

She did not know why, but she felt that Ye Yuan was very infuriating.

Perhaps the reason was that she had always been pursued since young. No man had ever been so contemptuous toward her before.

Seeing that Ye Yuan did not react, Feng Zhirou asked again, "Hey, Ye Yuan. You said that I can’t pass the test this time. Is that true?"

"Of course it’s true. I’m not so familiar with you as to joke with you," Ye Yuan replied casually.

"Hey! Why do you talk like this?!" Feng Zhirou was upset again.

"Am I very close to you?" Ye Yuan glanced at Feng Zhirou and asked.

"That . . ." Feng Zhirou recalled that this was only their second meeting. They really could not count as being on familiar terms.

"Not only we are not close, but we’re also even considered enemies, right?"

Feng Zhirou’s face flushed red. She knew that Ye Yuan still bore a grudge again that sword. "Ye Yuan, are you a man or not? Why do you keep harping on that small matter?"

"Small matter? That sword of yours nearly took my life! Just how great is the hatred between us?" Ye Yuan snarled irately.

". . . . . ." Feng Zhirou knew that she was in the wrong, and so she kept mum in anger.

"Fine! I was wrong, alright? Don’t tell me a grown man like you don’t even have this bit of magnanimity and intend to remember this grudge for life?"

After keeping mum for a while, Feng Zhirou finally could not resist the loneliness and opened her mouth. It was just that her apology did not sound sincere at all.

"It’s not that I’m bearing a grudge. I’m just afraid that I might accidentally offend you, My Lady. Then this small life of mine is gone. So I think it would be better for us to maintain a distance."

Ye Yuan was really still a little afraid of Feng Zhirou. This lass was too willful. Who knew if she might be unhappy someday and stab him with her sword again? Ye Yuan did not have the confidence to dodge again.

He could disregard the Alchemy Roll of Honor’s experts, but he could not disregard experts on the Martial Roll of Honor. Feng Zhirou was rank three on the Martial Roll. If she really came with her sword again one day, Ye Yuan’s life might just be over.

Feng Zhirou was so angry at Ye Yuan that she gnashed her teeth. No one had ever said something like that to her before.

As long as they were men, regardless of high or low status, poor or wealthy, which one of them would not try everything they could to get close to her?

But this Ye Yuan was something else. He could not even wait to hide from her!

Feng Zhirou grew up in a ’honeypot’ and was still rather cautious of men’s approach. In the past, there had been a man who pretended to be enigmatic and deliberately maintained his distance to try to attract her attention.

However, she could feel that Ye Yuan honestly found her to be a pain and did not want to get close to her. This made her feel a deep sense of defeat.

"Humph! Do whatever you want. But first, you have to tell me why I can’t pass the test!" Truth be told, this was what Feng Zhirou wanted to know most of all.

"Why should I tell you?" Ye Yuan rolled his eyes. He had never seen someone ask for advice this way.

"Hur hur! If you don’t tell me, I will . . ." Feng Zhirou gave Ye Yuan a threatening look and drew her hand across her neck, making Ye Yuan feel a chill on his neck.

Ye Yuan felt exasperated. Even if he was an Alchemy Emperor’s reincarnation, the incarnation of a Divine King, but today he was only a little Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm rookie.

Without question, this move from Feng Zhirou was the simplest, more direct, and also the most effective.

Ye Yuan knew that once this wayward lass lost it, she would go completely wild. If he really provoked her, she might just stab him again.

He still intended on keeping this useful body to take revenge and did not want to die so dubiously.

"Fine! You win!" Ye Yuan exclaimed helplessly.

This was the first time Feng Zhirou had gotten back at Ye Yuan. She felt like she was cleared of all anxieties and flashed a gloating smile.

As expected, this move worked well!

Ye Yuan transmitted his voice helplessly, "Is the cultivation law you are training in being of extreme yang and masculine?"

"En? How do you know that?" Feng Zhirou questioned in surprise.

"As expected! A girl training some extreme yang and masculine cultivation law? What an idiot!" Ye Yuan was filled with disdain.

"Hey! Can’t something nice come out of your mouth?"

"That will have to depend on who I’m talking to! To a moron like you, I will be letting you down if I don’t scold you! Women are inherently gentle yin, originally already in conflict with extreme yang and masculine cultivation laws. Yet, you actually chose an extreme yang cultivation law. If this isn’t moronic, then what is?"

"Humph! So what?"

"Do you want to say that you are still top three on the Martial Roll of Honor?" Ye Yuan mercilessly interrupted Feng Zhirou’s bragging and gave a cold smile as he continued saying, "Currently, you can still compete with Senior Apprentice Brother Long and the rest because your cultivation law is extremely high-level, and not because of your cultivation realm. Just wait and see the difference between you, Senior Apprentice Brother Long, and the rest after ten years! Other people develop their strengths and avoid their weaknesses. But you develop your weaknesses and avoid your strengths. Wouldn’t you say that you are a moron?"

"Hey! Do you believe that I will kill you if you scold me a moron again?!"

"Moron! Moron! Moron! Important things need to be said thrice! Kill me then! If you kill me, then you can forget about breaking through the Spirit Condensation Realm for the rest of your life!" Ye Yuan also lost his temper as he snapped back coldly.

"Humph! It will be strange if I believe you! Even if the cultivation law that I train isn’t suitable, what does it have to do with passing the alchemist test?" When Ye Yuan’s temper flared up, Feng Zhirou backed off instead.

"This world is nothing more than yin and yang. A divine soul that has the yin-attribute requires nourishment from freezing yin qi. Yet, you cultivate extreme yang laws instead. So your body produced all masculine yang qi. The masculine yang qi is suppressing the growth of your soul strength. Even if you eat Soul Nourishing Pills like beans, the growth of your soul strength would be very limited."

Feng Zhirou was furious at first, but after Ye Yuan said so, she started thinking about it.

Ye Yuan continued explaining, "Right now, your soul strength barely reached the level of a low-rank Alchemy Master, but the success rate of refinement is extremely low, so it’s very hard to pass the test. If you continue cultivating like this, the yang qi in your body will accumulate even more, and the suppression of your divine soul will be even more obvious. Then you can forget about advancing and becoming an Alchemy Master for the rest of your life!"

"Humph! You’re just trying to scare me! Do you think you can trick me with just a few words?" Although she already believed most of it in her heart, Feng Zhirou remained stubborn.

"Is that so? If I’m not wrong, is your cultivation currently getting increasingly slower? Every day at noon, do you feel uncomfortable throughout your body, your Dantian burning hot, and a swelling pain around your temple? If you feel that I’m just trying to scare you, then just treat it like I never said anything."

Ye Yuan’s casual words made Feng Zhirou feel ice-cold. What Ye Yuan said was completely right. In the past, her cultivation was a lot faster than those in the same age group. But ever since breaking through to the Spirit Condensation Realm, her cultivation speed suddenly fell. Now, it was not even two-thirds of the original speed.

Every day at noon, Feng Zhirou’s entire body would always be uncomfortable. The symptoms were exactly the same as Ye Yuan described.

Could it be that it was really as Ye Yuan described? Did she choose the wrong cultivation law?

"Y-you are talking rubbish!" Feng Zhirou’s eyes became vacant. But her pride which was present since the start made her refuse to admit her mistake.

"Actually, it’s not irreparable. At least, there’s a method of letting you pass the test today."

"What method?" The moment the words came out of her mouth, Feng Zhirou regretted it. Was this not equivalent to admitting that Ye Yuan had already convinced her?

"When you are refining later, suppress your essence energy to the First Level Spirit Condensation Realm, and at the same time eat a Soul Nourishing Pill. You should be able to refine a Tier 2 medicinal pill. But don’t force yourself. Just refine some of the easier medicinal pills."

Ye Yuan did not fuss over the details. He believed that this lass will be troubled for some time after this conversation and would not have the time or energy to compete with him. So he just told her the method directly.

"Will that . . . really work?"

"I already told you the method. Whether you believe or not is up to you," Ye Yuan replied indifferently.

Meanwhile, Wan Yuan walked out of the pill refinement room with a swagger.

Wan Yuan’s performance today was exceptional, and he surpassed his usual standard when completing the pill refinement!

"Hahaha! Honorable Nephew has indeed surpassed your predecessor! I can see that your alchemy skills already have some of your father’s charm. The medicinal pill refined this time is probably at least a high-grade medicinal pill? Quickly bring it here for this old man to see!" Wang Jinfu laughed heartily.

Currently, an examiner already presented the medicinal pill. Wan Yuan gave Wang Jinfu and Sun Jianming a bow as he said respectfully, "Many thanks for the praise, Chairman Wang. What this junior refined this time is the Omen Breaking Pill. And luckily, I passed."

Even though his words were modest, the arrogance between his brows could not be concealed no matter what.

However, the way other people saw it, Wan Yuan had the capital to be arrogant.

Wang Jinfu took the medicinal pill to have a look, and his face involuntarily changed.

"This . . . is actually a quasi-superior-grade Omen Breaking Pill!" Wang Jinfu exclaimed in surprise.

"Oh? Let me see. En? It’s true! Although the Omen Breaking Pill is in the same rank as the Profound Clarity Pill and the Fierce Tiger Pill, the refinement difficulty is much greater! Honorable Nephew Wan is truly remarkable to be able to refine a quasi-superior-grade." Sun Jianming took a look at the pill, and it was undeniably a quasi-superior-grade Omen Breaking Pill.

Looking at the amazement on Wang Jinfu’s and Sun Jianming’s faces, Wan Yuan suddenly felt a sense of pride.

"This Little Nephew was lucky. I didn’t expect that I could actually refine a quasi-superior-grade pill today." Wan Yuan’s words were modest, but the smile on his face could not be concealed no matter what. His way of addressing also changed from ’Junior’ to ’Little Nephew.’

Wang Jinfu looked at Wan Yuan thoughtfully and sighed. "Honorable Nephew is too modest. Your alchemy skills are most likely number one among the younger generation in the State of Qin. If not for the fact that you are Old Brother Wan’s son, this old man even wants to take you in as a disciple!"

Wan Yuan’s heart shook with excitement. It was definitely highly beneficial to receive the acknowledgment of the Alchemist Association’s Deputy Chairman.

The Alchemist Association had always been a transcendent existence that could not be controlled by any influence.

It was precisely so that everyone wished to strike up good relations with them. If he were accepted to be Wang Jinfu’s disciple, then the Wan Family would have found a powerful backer from now on!

It was true that Wan Donghai was impressive. But in the end, he was only a businessman, a rootless weed.

Although the Drunken Star Manor was huge, it faced too many restrictions within the capital. If they managed to scale up this big tree called the Alchemist Association, then would it not be simple to destroy the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion?

Imagining this, Wan Yuan no longer hesitated. Bowing towards Wang Jinfu, he said, "My father would frequently mention the two Lord Chairmen at home and is full of admiration towards both Lords. If my father were to know that I could acknowledge Lord Chairman as my master, he would be very pleased."

Wang Jinfu chortled and said, "But what a pity. I’ve already accepted Feng-er as my last disciple. Furthermore, you are a member of the academy. It isn’t convenient for you to acknowledge other masters. However, there is no harm in taking you in as an in-name disciple. Are you willing?"

The first half of the sentence disappointed Wan Yuan greatly, but the second half made him overjoyed. Wang Jinfu’s arrangement was indeed in consideration of taking him in as his disciple!

A member of the Dan Wu Academy was the equivalent of a member of the Tranquil Cloud Sect. Acknowledging other masters would naturally be inappropriate, but an in-name disciple would not be an issue.

Wan Yuan kowtowed. "Disciple Wan Yuan pays respect to Master!"

Wang Jinfu stroked his beard as he smiled and accepted it calmly. "Good, good. You and I are only master and disciple in name, so there isn’t a need to stand on ceremony. Get up. The two of us had better not delay other people’s tests. We will talk about this matter after the test."

Anyone could tell that Wang Jinfu was highly pleased with this in-name disciple.

Feng Ruoqing by the side furrowed her brows instead.

It was not that she was unhappy with Wan Yuan acknowledging a master. In reality, there were many students like that in the Dan Wu Academy. However, Wan Yuan’s background was too sensitive.

As a member of the Imperial Family, Feng Ruoqing naturally had a different sensitivity to Wan Yuan acknowledging a master.

The Wan Family and the Su Family had been in collusion all this while. They dominated over half of the State of Qin’s medicinal pills and medicinal herbs businesses. The Imperial Family was apparently concerned about this, so they tacitly approved of the Ye Family’s rise.

But now that Wan Yuan was taken in by Wang Jinfu, this would mean that the Wan Family had struck up a relationship with the Alchemist Association!

The influence of the Alchemist Association was even greater than the Tranquil Cloud Sect. Their branches spanned every corner of the continent. One could say that as long as a place had people living there, there would be an Alchemist Association.

To the Imperial Family, they had to be on guard now that the Wan Family was in league with this giant!

"The Alchemy Master test is starting now. Participants, enter the herbal warehouse," the examiner called out.

Ye Yuan was about to move when Wan Yuan walked in front of him smilingly. "Ye Yuan, I advise you to not go out there and disgrace yourself. Master is a respected figure who isn’t willing to dispute with a junior like you, so you should have a sense of propriety. You have never been in contact with alchemy since young. If you mess up later, you are not only going to lose face, even Teacher Feng and the Dan Wu Academy’s people will be thoroughly disgraced."

"What? He doesn’t know alchemy?!" When Wang Jinfu heard that, he immediately blew his top.

"Master, I can be considered to have grown up together with Ye Yuan, but I was never aware that he knew alchemy. Although I don’t know how he managed to sneak in, I’m afraid that he will make us all lose face. That’s why I decided to speak up." Wan Yuan faked compassion as he explained.

"Ye Yuan, are you challenging this old man’s patience?!" Wang Jinfu snarled.

Ye Yuan ignored Wang Jinfu and looked at Wan Yuan instead, smiling as he said, "Read my lips."

"What?" Wan Yuan was stunned for a moment and did not react in time.

"I~~~diot~~~" Ye Yuan did not make a sound but mouthed the word exaggeratedly.

Even though the audience did not hear anything, even a moron could see what Ye Yuan was mouthing.

It was just that with this, the formerly tense atmosphere became a little weird. Everyone fought hard to hold back their laughter.

"Ye Yuan, I’m doing this for your own good! Don’t be ungrateful!" Wan Yuan burst out furiously.

"I’m really astonished by your idiocy! Who within the capital and the Dan Wu Academy aren’t aware that you were at loggerheads with me since young? Now, you’re saying that you’re doing this for my own good? Do you think everyone is as stupid as you?" Ye Yuan sighed helplessly.

Wan Yuan did not expect Ye Yuan would lose all decorum with him right here. Being said like this, he was foolish enough to astonish everyone.

"Don’t change the subject, Ye Yuan! Right now, I’m talking about whether you know alchemy or not. You are wasting the two chairmen’s precious time!" Wan Yuan did not lose himself in anger and managed to retort.

Ye Yuan shook his head and sighed. "Sorry, I insulted the word ’idiot’ just now."

"Pffft!" This time around, the audience could not hold back their laughter anymore. Especially Feng Zhirou, who convulsed in laughter exaggeratedly.

Wan Yuan’s face turned purple as he roared, "Don’t talk nonsense, Ye Yuan!"

"Fine then. Someone who’s even less than an idiot like you won’t give up unless I make it clear. You said that you grew up together with me and was never aware that I knew alchemy? Don’t tell me that you stalk me 24 hours a day? Do you follow me when I’m eating, sleeping, and on the loo? Or should I report to you when I’m learning alchemy? Yes, you have an Alchemy Grandmaster for a father. But I also have an Alchemy Grandmaster for a father! Why should you know alchemy, but I can’t? You even incited the two chairmen to be your hired thugs to put me to death. Your intentions are so sinister! Oops. My bad. I accidentally revealed your true purpose. Sorry!"

Finishing, Ye Yuan even bowed towards Wan Yuan mockingly, making the audience burst into laughter once again.

With what Ye Yuan said, it was like yellow dirt had fallen into Wan Yuan’s pants. Even if it was not shit, it became shit.

Wan Yuan turned to look at Wang Jinfu. As expected, his face became sullen. Wan Yuan hurriedly explained, "Master, don’t listen to his nonsense! There’s no such thing! He’s trying to shift the blame to me. Why would I make use of Master? Whether he knows alchemy or not, it will be clear once he enters the refining room!"

For a moment, Wang Jinfu was unable to tell if what Ye Yuan said was true or false, so he said, "Fine. I will let you try!"

"Fine. I want to see just what kind of Tier 2 medicinal pill can you refine! At that time, you had better not bring a pile of herbal dregs to serve as a stopgap!"

Wan Yuan wanted to embarrass Ye Yuan, but he did not expect to throw himself in.

However, he did not believe that Ye Yuan could refine any medicinal pill. Even if he really knew alchemy, it was impossible for him to refine a Tier 2 medicinal pill.

As long as Ye Yuan could not refine a Tier 2 medicinal pill, then everything was good.

At that time, could Ye Yuan even walk out of the Alchemist Association’s gates in one piece with him fanning the fire by the side?

"You’d better worry about your own intelligence first. Don’t worry about my matters."

Ending with those words, Ye Yuan directly ignored Wan Yuan and headed to the herbal warehouse.

When he passed by Feng Ruoqing, he suddenly flashed a smile and transmitted his voice, "In a while, watch properly and don’t blink!"

Feng Ruoqing’s face twitched as she looked bewilderedly at Ye Yuan. But Ye Yuan had already entered the herbal warehouse.

Could it be that he’s going to use the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique? That’s why he asked me to pay attention? He really knows the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique?

Initially, Feng Ruoqing thought that there had to be a powerful alchemy master behind Ye Yuan. That was why Ye Yuan possessed such immensely profound theoretical knowledge.

However, the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique required extreme amounts of practice to learn. It was impossible without two to three years. As for mastering it completely, the time required was even longer. Even five years were considered short.

But Ye Yuan was only 15 years old. Could it be that he started learning when he was 10 years old? But Ye Yuan most likely had not even stepped onto the martial path back then. Where would he have the support of essence energy?

Thinking for a long time, Feng Ruoqing still could not figure it out, so she just let it go.

When Feng Ruoqing came around, she realized that the atmosphere was not quite right. Everyone stared fixedly at the light curtain with unusual eyes.

"What’s Ye Yuan doing? Is he choosing herbs haphazardly to refine randomly later?"

Wan Yuan watched the light screen with a cold smile. "I said that he doesn’t know anything, right? Just look. He doesn’t even look and simply grabs a bunch of herbs completely indiscriminately as he goes. Who chooses herbs like that?"

"That’s right. Isn’t this making fun of us? Many of the herbs in the herbal warehouse look almost the same. It’s impossible to tell the difference without inspecting it closely. He’s being too casual!"

At their seat, the faces of Wang Jinfu and Sun Jianming did not look too good.

They obviously knew that there were many herbs inside the herbal warehouse meant to confuse the public. This was to test the visual judgment of the alchemist.

However, Ye Yuan’s performance was too amateurish, giving them the feeling that they were being fooled.

Looking at Ye Yuan’s performance, Wan Yuan was secretly even more certain that Ye Yuan did not know alchemy.

Observing the faces of the two leaders, he felt elated.

Y e Yuan, since you are courting death yourself, then you can’t blame me! Today, even if Ye Hang came here, he also can’t save you! Wan Yuan laughed coldly in his heart.

"Miss Feng, this old man doesn’t want to speak out of turn, but does he really know alchemy?" Wang Jinfu could not resist questioning.

Only Feng Ruoqing was aware of Ye Yuan’s ability in this place, so she did not find it unusual.

"Lord Chairman, please look on patiently. Since the test has already started, just let Ye Yuan finish. If he really poked a hole in any basket, then I, Feng Ruoqing, will shoulder it!"

Although Feng Ruoqing spoke respectfully, she was firmly defensive of Ye Yuan.

Wang Jinfu had some understanding of Feng Ruoqing and knew that she was a reserved person all along. He did not understand why she was accompanying a junior to mess around today.

"Miss Feng’s abilities are already nearing a high-rank Alchemy Master. Can’t you differentiate between a rookie and an expert? As long as you watch Ye Yuan choose his herbs, you’ll be able to tell that he’s a complete layman. Must Miss Feng continue to go along with his nonsense?" Wang Jinfu frowned as he said this.

Feng Ruoqing’s identity was special. In the future, she could possibly become another Alchemy Grandmaster in the Imperial family.

Although the Alchemist Association did not fear the Imperial Family, this State of Qin was ultimately the Imperial Family’s territory. Unless they had no other alternatives, both parties naturally would not lose all decorum. Hence, Wang Jinfu continued to endure when speaking to Feng Ruoqing.

But Feng Ruoqing just smiled and said, "I still have those same words. Why don’t Chairman Wang watch finish patiently? Perhaps it wouldn’t disappoint you? Sometimes, what you see with your own eyes might not be true."

Seeing Feng Ruoqing remain firm, he was also displeased. He wanted to see just what Ye Yuan could do. Since he had already made it clear that if Ye Yuan really dared to mess with the Alchemist Association, then even if he was beaten to death, there was nothing that Feng Ruoqing could say.

"Look, guys! Ye Yuan’s out!"

"I-isn’t this too fast?"

"Isn’t he a complete amateur?"

"That’s right. He came out after walking one round inside."

"You guys, look. He’s carrying so little herbs. Most likely, there’s only enough quantity for one refinement?"

"Does he think that it’s hopeless and is acting recklessly? Or is he extremely confident in himself?"

"Bullshit. Of course, he thinks that it’s hopeless and he’s acting recklessly! Even an Alchemy Grandmaster wouldn’t dare to guarantee that he could refine a Tier 2 medicinal pill each time. Don’t tell me that Ye Yuan is so monstrous that his alchemy success rate is 100%?"

Ye Yuan’s actions incurred a round of vicious words. But he could not hear them. Of course, even if he heard it, he would just treat it like a fart.

Entering the pill refinement room, Ye Yuan threw the herbs casually onto the workstation and split the herbs evenly into two sets before starting the refinement of the medicinal essence right away. Even the process of preparing the herbs was forgone.

Not even 30 minutes had passed from choosing the herbs until now. His actions caused another huge commotion.

In the hall, regardless of both students and alchemists from the Alchemist Association, they all exchanged looks.

"I-is this Ye Yuan here to be a joke? Even if he only prepared one set of ingredients for the sake of posturing, was there a need to skip weighing and preparation of the herbs? How is he certain of the quantity of each herb?"

Another person looked at him like he was an idiot. "You still have hopes that Ye Yuan could refine a medicinal pill even now? This fellow is a complete amateur who doesn’t know anything at all! He’s here solely for laughs!"

"Look, guys. the ingredients that he chose was only enough for one portion, but he split the herbs into two halves. Half the quantity isn’t even enough to refine a single medicinal pill!"

"Hehe. This Ye Yuan is really ballsy. He actually dares to mess with the two chairmen. Is he courting death?"

Wan Yuan smiled coldly and said, "I already said that he was all talk. To think that he really made everyone run around in circles. I want to see just how he intends to wrap up the situation later!"

Following which, Wan Yuan looked towards Wang Jinfu to check out what kind of expression he had.

However, Wan Yuan did not see the expression he was looking forward to on Wang Jinfu’s face.

Suspicion was written all over Wang Jinfu’s face. "Old Sun, do you think that Ye Yuan this punk is about to use the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique?"

Sun Jianming’s expression was about the same as Wang Jinfu’s. "Theoretically speaking, splitting the ingredients equally into two parts is the approach to the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique. But he . . ."

Wang Jinfu shook his head. "I also think that it isn’t likely. How old is this punk? How could he know the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique?"

"No need to guess anymore, Lord Chairmen. What Ye Yuan is about to use is precisely the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique!"

Right then, Feng Ruoqing’s confident voice was heard.

Translator’s Thoughts

celefoata_ celefoata_

RegiusProfessor:

Are you ready for TGIF?? :P

This is not the TGIF chapter, but the first chapter for Friday.

"He’s a complete amateur in alchemy who doesn’t even know how to prepare the herbs. How could he possibly know how to use the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique?"

Preparing herbs was something deeply ingrained in alchemists. Even Wang Jinfu who was an Alchemy Grandmaster would not skip it. 1

After all, it was impossible to comprehend how an Alchemy Emperor refined pills with his realm. 2

Hence, in Wang Jinfu’s heart, Ye Yuan had long been determined to be a layman.

"Whether he knows it or not, just continue watching, and you will see. Honestly speaking, even I am looking forward to it!" Feng Ruoqing said with a smile.

Wang Jinfu and co’s conversation reached everyone’s ears. The students started gossiping among themselves.

"Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique? What the hell is that?"

"No clue. Never heard of it before."

"I’m also confused now. Is Ye Yuan the real deal or is he misleading us?"

"Should be misleading? After all, he doesn’t even know how to prepare the herbs."

"En, en. I think so too."

Other people did not know about the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique, but Wan Yuan knew. It was exactly because he knew that caused Wan Yuan’s disdain grew even greater.

Although the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique was very powerful, it was extremely difficult to train. He was all too clear on Ye Yuan’s capabilities. How could he possibly know this?

Most likely Ye Yuan saw it on some obscure books or records, and then he purposely took it out now to please the crowd by trying to impress them.

Within the refining room, Ye Yuan swiftly completed the refinement of the medicinal essence. Next, was to open the furnace to refine pills.

Similar to that day when he was assistant to Feng Ruoqing, Ye Yuan formed seals with both hands, and the flame obediently split into two parts to scorch the pill cauldron uniformly.

Finishing the preparation work, Ye Yuan waved a hand, and the medicinal essences flew into the pill cauldron.

Meanwhile, Ye Yuan’s hands were like flood dragons out in the sea. His left hand formed seals, and his right hand did so too as he controlled the two portions of medicinal essences.

The entire process was not quick, but it was not sloppy at all.

The essence of the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique was synchronization! Just based on this point, Ye Yuan’s refinement since the start had been impeccable.

Outside the refining room in the hall, Ye Yuan’s refinement finally dispelled everyone’s suspicions towards him.

Ye Yuan really knew alchemy!

It was just that . . . it was not easy to judge how high his standard was.

"I didn’t think that this rascal really knows alchemy. It’s just, why are his movements so slow? Could it be that he isn’t familiar with the seals?" Wang Jinfu was baffled.

"The Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique has seven by seven, 49 Yang Seals, and seven by seven, 49 Yin Seals. Each of them is supremely complex. Back then, I also tried to learn the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique. But in the end, I failed. Ye Yuan has been on point since the first seal until now. I also can’t see any areas where he’s unfamiliar with. Logically speaking, it should be utilized proficiently. I also don’t understand why he’s so slow. Miss Feng, what do you think?"

Sun Jianming seemed to be rather familiar with the Yin-Yang Separation Flow technique. Most likely, he spent a great deal of time researching it in his youth.

Feng Ruoqing had been staring unblinkingly at Ye Yuan’s hands since the beginning. She knew the first 21 seals of the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique by heart. Currently, the seals Ye Yuan executed were like playing it in slow motion for her to see.

"Could it be that he’s specifically displaying it for me to see?" Feng Zhirou quickly rejected this thought.

The Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique was incomparably complicated. If he continued like this, the medicinal pills would definitely be ruined. Even if Ye Yuan were really at the level of an Alchemy King, it would be impossible to save it.

Noticing that Sun Jianming questioned her, Feng Ruoqing also shook her head bitterly. "I also don’t know."

"En? The first pair of seals is completed. But isn’t this speed too slow? At this rate, the medicinal pill can’t even condense. The result will surely be a useless pill," Wang Jinfu said.

Ye Yuan started to execute the second pair of seals. The two sets of medicinal essences jumped joyously about in the pill cauldron one after another; akin to fish frolicking.

"En? Old Wang, do you feel that the speed of Ye Yuan’s seals is increasing?" halfway through the second pair of seals, Sun Jianming suddenly asked.

"Is that so? I didn’t notice it. It’s still so slow! But Old Sun, did you notice that even though Ye Yuan’s actions are very slow, the medicinal essences don’t have any signs of dissipating?" Wang Jinfu also seemed to have discovered something unusual.

In reality, when alchemists were refining pills, most would finish things quickly in order to maintain the shape of the medicinal essence.

It was just like a single log bridge. If you charge across in one breath, you would be able to properly grasp the direction and balance, so as to not fall down. But if you crossed it slowly, it would be easy to lose your center of gravity and then fell down.

However, Ye Yuan’s refining was the opposite. He clearly decreased the speed, but each step was very stable. There were no instances where the center of gravity was off.

Sun Jianming took a look and was involuntarily astounded. "It’s true! Could it be that Ye Yuan already trained the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique to an extraordinarily high realm? Hence, he deliberately slowed down to allow for the various herbs in the medicinal essence to fuse better? But . . . is this possible?"

Right when the two were debating, Ye Yuan’s seals had already progressed to the third pair.

"It’s not right. It looks like it sped up again!" Sun Jianming exclaimed.

"En. Now that you said it, it really looks like it’s a little faster than at the start. He’s increasing his speed!" Wang Jinfu also discovered the change in Ye Yuan’s hand speed.

"Don’t tell me . . . he plans to keep increasing speed like this?"

Sun Jianming and Wang Jinfu exchanged glances and saw the astonishment in each other’s eyes.

Next was the fourth pair of seals.

The fifth pair, sixth pair, seventh pair . . .

Ye Yuan’s seal forming speed became increasingly faster and even more elusive.

In the beginning, everyone’s eyes could follow Ye Yuan’s speed. But towards the end, they could only see a blur.

Ye Yuan’s refinement gave people the feeling that he was using his fingertips to dance, dreamlike and mystical.

Sun Jianming and Wang Jinfu no longer discussed Ye Yuan’s seals. They were completely drunk on Ye Yuan’s refinement and were not able to extricate themselves.

At this moment, their hearts seemed to quiver along with Ye Yuan’s hands, becoming excited. Their blood even felt like it was boiling towards the end.

In this place, Sun Jianming’s and Wang Jinfu’s skill was the highest. But even they were completely immersed in it and unable to extricate themselves; let alone the others.

Even Ye Yuan’s enemy, Wan Yuan, was currently lost in it.

Sun Jianming and Wang Jinfu were wholly enraptured as if they were brought into another realm. And this realm was a world that they had never heard of before in their entire lives.

"Yin-Yang! Combine!" Just as that feeling reached its peak, Ye Yuan gave a low cry and suddenly placed his palms together, resulting in the two half portion medicinal pills, which had already taken shape, gathered in the center. A beam of white light shot out from the pill cauldron, blinding everyone’s eyes.

Sun Jianming and Wang Jinfu were abruptly woken. The two exchanged looks once again and saw an inexplicable feeling from the other party’s eyes.

The entire hall was silent. The students had not woken up from their stupor yet.

Right then, the door of the refining room belonging to Ye Yuan opened, and Ye Yuan walked out slowly.

Bean-sized sweat drops covered his forehead. It was evident that refining a Tier 2 medicinal pill was still too strenuous for him.

"The medicinal pill is already refined. This Little Lord is tired to death. I’m going back to rest first. You have to tell me later whether I pass or not!"

After he said that, Ye Yuan strode out, leaving behind the dumbfounded crowd.

Translator’s Thoughts

celefoata_ celefoata_

RegiusProfessor:

Check out note 1 and note 2 in this chapter. It’s not our fault :( Don’t blame us.

Again, not TGIF. But second chapter for today :P

"He . . . he left just like that?"

Wang Jinfu forgot to stop Ye Yuan just now. When he recovered, Ye Yuan was already gone.

Sun Jianming took a deep breath and sighed. "If he doesn’t leave, then what? His essence energy is already exhausted. If he doesn’t recuperate in time, it might leave behind hidden dangers. Even though he managed to refine a Tier 2 medicinal pill using his Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm cultivation, it was still overly forceful. It would be a pity for such a figure to leave behind hidden dangers because of a single refinement."

"Sigh. So what if it was forceful. He already has the strength to refine a Tier 2 medicinal pill. What’s lacking is only the accumulation of essence energy." Wang Jinfu’s words still contained deep shock.

Sun Jinfu nodded in agreement.

However, he suddenly became agitated. Trembling, he said, "A miracle! Ye Yuan’s refinement just now was simply a miracle!"

"That’s right. It was truly a miracle! Could it be that Ye Yuan’s Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique had already reached that legendary stage?" Wang Jinfu wondered.

"It’s definitely the Legendary Realm! A Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm refining pills managed to affect even the mental states of us both. It’s impossible to not be the legendary stage!" Sun Jianming said in agreement.

The various refinement techniques in alchemy had fundamental similarities with martial techniques. It was just that alchemy techniques did not possess attack power.

However, refinement techniques were differentiated into five realms based on the level of mastery. They were namely: entry stage, small success stage, large success stage, great circle stage, and legendary stage!

The distinction between realms was pretty much the same as martial techniques. The only difference was in the fifth stage’s name.

One was the breaking illusion stage, while the other was the legendary stage.

The difference also showed the fundamentally distinct goals between martial techniques and alchemy techniques.

Martial techniques pursued extreme destructive powers. What was necessary was breaking shackles and surpassing limits. Hence the name, breaking illusion.

On the other hand, alchemy techniques pursued a type of boundless creation power. Endless possibilities lay hidden inside a tiny, tiny medicinal pill, and what alchemy methods chased after was the creation of even more possibilities. Hence the name, legendary.

The moment one’s alchemy technique stepped into the legendary stage, the refined medicinal pills would produce limitless possibilities and often would also increase the medicinal efficacy multiple times.

An alchemy technique at the legendary stage could even bestow additional attributes onto the medicinal pill and yield unexpected results.

Wang Jinfu seemed to recall something and suddenly bellowed, "What are you still standing there for? Quickly go and ’invite’ out the medicinal pill Ye Yuan refined!"

When Wang Jinfu spoke, he subconsciously used the word ’invite.’

The Alchemy Master at the side only came to a realization now and rushed over to retrieve the medicinal pill.

Meanwhile, Wan Yuan’s face took on a grim expression. In his heart, he felt inexplicable shock and a strong sense of shame.

He knew that the relationship he just struck up with Wang Jinfu was gone now. It was already impossible for Wang Jinfu to acknowledge him as a disciple.

Things would be fine if Ye Yuan did not know alchemy. Taking advantage of Wang Jinfu’s rotten mood from being messed with, he could ’throw dirty water’ with all his might by the side.

But now, Ye Yuan and his conflict already came out into the open. Wang Jinfu would most likely not have any good impression towards Wan Yuan as long as he slightly recalled Ye Yuan’s words.

What made Wan Yuan feel even more ashamed was that he was actually lost in that mysterious feeling brought by Ye Yuan and could not extricate himself. This showed that his Alchemy Dao was much more inferior to Ye Yuan’s.

How did this happen?

A month ago, Ye Yuan was clearly still a good-for-nothing. Now, not only did he achieve dazzling results in the Martial Path, his Alchemy Dao standard broke the general knowledge, and he completed an impossible task.

In this short while, Ye Yuan’s medicinal pill had already been carefully brought out on a jade tray by an Alchemy Master. A fire-red pill appeared in front of everyone.

"This is . . . a low Tier 2 Strengthening Pill?" Sniffing the overwhelming medicinal aroma, Wang Jinfu quickly identified the medicinal pill.

"That’s right. It’s really the Strengthening Pill! A transcendent-grade Strengthening Pill!" Sun Jianming said with a grave expression.

The Strengthening Pill was a very low-level medicinal pill which was frequently used by bottom-tier martial artists.

The use of the Strengthening Pill was to increase the power in a particular area of the body. It was a medicinal pill that allowed a partial part of a martial artist’s body to exceed their existing strength.

Tier 1 Strengthening Pills were highly popular among demonic beast hunters as it could often help them defeat demonic beasts that were slightly stronger than them.

It was very low-level but very practical.

On the other hand, Tier 2 Strengthening Pills were not as popular as Tier 1’s. This was because Spirit Condensation Realm martial artists were much wealthier than Essence Qi Realm martial artists. They were also much stronger so they could afford higher level medicinal pills.

The difference between each minor cultivation realm after the Spirit Condensation Realm was huge. Even if one used a Tier 2 Strengthening Pill to partially increase their strength, the effects were severely limited. That was because the level of the medicinal pill was too low; barely reaching the level of low Tier 2.

Hence, the position of Tier 2 Strengthening Pills became very awkward.

But no matter what, a Tier 2 Strengthening Pill was a Tier 2 Strengthening Pill; it was a genuine Tier 2 medicinal pill. Nobody was able to refute it.

Of course, nobody would go and dispute it right now. Everyone was sizing up this medicinal pill curiously.

Wang Jinfu and Sun Jianming exchanged glances. Wang Jinfu opened his mouth and said, "Old Sun, what are you thinking now?"

"The same as you," Sun Jianming replied.

"Then . . . try it?" Wang Jinfu asked uncertainly.

But Sun Jianming shook his head instead. "This medicinal pill was refined by Ye Yuan. According to the association’s rules, this medicinal pill belongs to him. We don’t have the right to test it."

Currently, Wang Jinfu and Sun Jianming felt like their hearts were being scratched by cats. They were highly curious about the medicinal effects of this transcendent-grade Tier 2 Strengthening Pill.

However, the participants who came to take part in the Alchemist Association’s test had already paid the test fees. Hence, the medicinal pills refined naturally belonged to them.

Dan Wu Academy had already paid the test fees for their students. Both Wang and Sun obviously could not casually test the medicinal pill.

Wang Jinfu suddenly recalled something. Slapping his thighs, he exclaimed, "Miss Feng . . ."

Halfway through his sentence, he stopped abruptly. That was because when he turned his head, he found out that Feng Ruoqing currently had her eyes shut, and she had entered a strange state.

"Sudden enlightenment!" Wang Jinfu sucked in a cold breath.

No wonder he did not hear Feng Ruoqing speak until now. She had actually entered a sudden enlightenment state!

"Her soul strength is growing. She’s about to break through!" Sun Jianming clearly also noticed her peculiar state.

’Everyone be quiet! Don’t interrupt Miss Feng’s breakthrough!" Wang Jinfu said in a low voice.

The test hall instantly quietened down. Everyone was focused on Feng Ruoqing’s breakthrough.

Feng Ruoqing had long held a studious mindset when watching Ye Yuan’s Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique. After Ye Yuan’s refinement became dreamlike and mystical, she felt like she comprehended something. Following which she entered a state of sudden enlightenment.

Nobody here had more profound attainments than her in term of the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique. Also, nobody understood the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique better than her.

Towards the end, Feng Ruoqing’s divine soul and Ye Yuan’s Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique developed a resonance, and under this resonance, her divine soul gradually grew stronger.

Feng Ruoqing’s soul strength was only a hair’s breadth away from being a high-rank Alchemy Master. Relying on this resonance, she successfully crossed the threshold and finally became a high-rank Alchemy Master.

Translator’s Thoughts

celefoata_ celefoata_

RegiusProfessor:

TGIF! A mass release of 20 chapters! Chapter 66 to Chapter 85 for our supportive readers!!!!

Good news: Mass release!

Maybe a bad news, maybe it is a good news: The more chapters we released, the closer we get to being premium.

How many chapters till premium? We do not know. It depends on the management.

For now, enjoy the chapters!

Thank you for the support!

All of a sudden, the surrounding essence energy gathered around Feng Ruoqing, forming a small essence energy storm around her.

Feng Ruoqing greedily absorbed the concentrated essence energy and broke through the shackles in one motion.

Originally, she was at the Sixth Level Spirit Condensation Realm. Taking advantage of the sudden enlightenment to break through, not only did her soul strength broke through to the high-rank Alchemy Master realm, but her cultivation also broke through the Sixth Level Spirit Condensation Realm, directly rising to the Seventh Level Spirit Condensation Realm.

Only after the essence energy in the hall recovered its tranquility did Feng Ruoqing slowly opened her eyes.

"Congratulations, Miss Feng, in advancing to high-rank Alchemy Master in one stroke!"

Wang Jinfu immediately went up to congratulate, and the others also came up to express their felicitations.

Feng Ruoqing could breakthrough to high-rank Alchemy Master at such an age. In the future, it was basically a given for her to become an Alchemy Grandmaster.

It was essential to be on friendly terms with a future State of Qin’s major figure now.

Except that while Feng Ruoqing returned the well-wishes perfunctorily, her eyes scanned the crowd, but in the end, she failed to find the person she was looking for.

"Many thanks for everyone’s compliments. Ruoqing dare not accept it. For Ruoqing to be fortunate enough to breakthrough today, I still have to thank Ye Yuan. I wonder, where did he go?" Feng Ruoqing asked in puzzlement.

In the state of sudden enlightenment, Feng Ruoqing was completely dead to the outside world. She was still not aware that Ye Yuan had already left.

"Miss Feng, because Ye Yuan completely exhausted his essence energy to forcefully refine the Tier 2 Strengthening Pill, he went back to rest right after he exited the refining room," Wang Jinfu replied.

Feng Ruoqing came to a realization. ’Then the medicinal pill he refined . . .?"

The moment she mentioned the medicinal pill, everyone’s expressions became peculiar. Feng Ruoqing was baffled, but her heart jumped, and she asked anxiously, "Don’t tell me Ye Yuan failed? Impossible!"

"Relax, Miss Feng. Of course, Ye Yuan passed. It’s just . . ." Wang Jinfu found it hard speak up.

In reality, it was somewhat impetuous to test the medicinal pill that other people refined. However, Wang Jinfu really wanted to know if this transcendent-grade Tier 2 Strengthening Pill had any special effects.

"It’s just what?" Feng Ruoqing asked curiously.

Wang Jinfu sighed and said, "I’m also not afraid that Miss Feng will laugh. Not only did that Ye Yuan refine a Tier 2 medicinal pill, but it was also a transcendent-grade Tier 2 medicinal pill! His performance earlier was simply miraculous! So . . ."

Hearing Wang Jinfu said all that, Feng Ruoqing immediately understood in her heart.

Transcendent-grade Tier 2 medicinal pill.

These six words represented extraordinary significance in the State of Qin’s alchemy world!

Even a high-rank Alchemy Grandmaster could not refine a transcendent-grade Tier 2 medicinal pill! Even if the medicinal pill was the lowest of the low Tier 2.

Tier 2 medicinal pills and Tier 1 medicinal pills were two completely different concepts. The soul strength requirement was not high for Tier 1 medicinal pills. It was easier to refine in comparison.

However, the complexity level of Tier 2 medicinal pills was several times, even dozens of times of Tier 1 medicinal pills!

Because of that, a more powerful soul strength was necessary to advance to Alchemy Master.

This gap also brought about a phenomenon. Tier 1 medicinal pills would occasionally come out as transcendent-grade. However, a transcendent-grade Tier 2 medicinal pill had never appeared in the State of Qin before!

Hence, Wang Jinfu really wanted to see just what effects this medicinal pill had.

Seeing everyone look at her with expectant eyes, Feng Ruoqing obviously did not feel nice to reject. In reality, she was also curious just how mystical this so-called transcendent-grade Tier 2 medicinal pill was.

Even if Feng Ruoqing was the only one who believed that Ye Yuan could refine a Tier 2 medicinal pill among this crowd, the shock that she currently felt was no less than the rest.

Feng Ruoqing felt that it was extremely appropriate for Wang Jinfu to use the word ’miracle’ to describe Ye Yuan’s refinement just now.

"Since that’s the case, then test it out."

Hearing Feng Ruoqing said this, everyone let out a sigh of relief, and their eyes shone with anticipation.

"Hahaha. I finally refined a Tier 2 medicinal pill! I’m also an Alchemy Master now!"

Right at this moment, a somewhat crazed laughter echoed out. The audience involuntarily turned to look, only to see Feng Zhirou.

This made everyone recall that there were still two examinees who had not come out yet . . .

Feng Zhirou caught sight of Feng Ruoqing and danced with joy. Rushing in front of her, she shook her hands as she said, "Aunt, I actually refined a Tier 2 medicinal pill! I didn’t expect Ye Yuan that punk to really have a few tricks up his sleeves. He casually gave a few pointers, and I refined a Tier 2 medicinal pill. Now, I’m also an Alchemy Master!"

"What? Ye Yuan gave you pointers?" Feng Ruoqing asked in bewilderment.

"Yeah. He said that my cultivation law restricted my soul strength, so he told me not to refine with full strength. I followed his method and really refined a Tier 2 medicinal pill! Although what was refined is only the lowest Tier 2 medicinal pill, at least it succeeded! Yii? Where’s Ye Yuan? Don’t tell me he’s not out yet?" Feng Zhirou still had not sensed the unusual atmosphere and carried on talking by herself.

Feng Ruoqing, Wang Jinfu, and Sun Jianming exchanged glances and saw the wordless shock in each other’s eyes.

Casually gave a few pointers and he could make Feng Zhirou advance to Alchemy Master?

Just what kind of monster was this Ye Yuan?!

. . . . . .

Right now, the Alchemist Association’s training room was already packed with people.

Two Spirit Condensation Realm martial artists stood in the center of the training room. They were the martial artists who would test this transcendent-grade Tier 2 Strengthening Pill.

Testing a medicinal pill’s effects was a highly dangerous matter. That was because nobody knew what kind of consequence would result from eating the medicinal pill.

However, testing a very mature medicinal pill such as the Strengthening Pill would not be too dangerous. Furthermore, the medicinal effects of a transcendent-grade Tier 2 medicinal pill would only make someone stronger. It naturally would not cause any harm to a martial artist’s body.

These two martial artists were decided after an intense debate. One was called Cheng Hua, while the other was called Zhu Qiang.

Cheng Hua was at the First Level Spirit Condensation Realm, while Zhu Qiang was at the Fifth Level Spirit Condensation Realm. There was a difference of four minor cultivation realms between the two of them, which also meant a minor stage gap.

This gap was huge.

It was highly difficult to jump ranks and battle within the Spirit Condensation Realm. It was because the difference was very large even between one minor cultivation realm. Not to mention four minor cultivation realms.

A Tier 2 Strengthening Pill, even if it was a high-grade Tier 2 Strengthening Pill, could not allow a First Level Spirit Condensation Realm martial artist to defeat a Second Level Spirit Condensation Realm even after the partial strengthening. Unless the Second Level Spirit Condensation Realm stood still there for him to hit.

However, nobody had ever tried a transcendent-grade Tier 2 medicinal pill’s effects. Hence, as a precautionary measure, the powerful Zhu Qiang was chosen to be the sandbag to avoid accidental injuries.

Zhu Qiang’s mission was to stand there and take an attack head-on from Cheng Hua!

Even so, Zhu Qiang did not feel that Cheng Hua could hurt him. The difference between them was not something that could be breached using medicinal pills!

Even if it was a transcendent-grade medicinal pill!

Under everyone’s eyes, Cheng Hua consumed the transcendent-grade Tier 2 Strengthening Pill which Ye Yuan refined.

Many people were envious of Cheng Hua. He was the first martial artist in the State of Qin to consume a transcendent-grade Tier 2 medicinal pill!

"Haha. How’s the feeling of eating a transcendent-grade Tier 2 medicinal pill?" Zhu Qiang asked with a laugh.

Cheng Hua who initially had his eyes closed to sense the medicinal strength opened his eyes and flashed Zhu Qiang a smile. "I feel am full of power! I’m attacking. Be careful, Brother Zhu!"

Zhu Qiang also gave a laugh as he said boldly, "Come on. Even a transcendent-grade Tier 2 medicinal pill can’t compensate for the enormous difference in cultivation realms!"

Cheng Hua did not waste his breath and threw a punch.

A single fist struck out, and then there was silence.

Zhu Qiang really became a sandbag.

He was punched away flying like one.

Zhu Qiang flew over 30 meters before he barely managed to stop.

His face was pale like paper, and a line of fresh blood flowed out of the corner of his mouth. Clearly, he suffered internal injuries that were not light.

Cheng Hua looked at his fist, and then looked at Zhu Qiang blankly.

"Did I really unleash that fist just now?" Cheng Hua felt like he was dreaming.

Just now, when the medicinal pill reached his stomach, he casually directed the medicinal strength into his right arm.

Following which, he felt his right arm surged with a violent strength!

This surging strength made him feel like he had to expend it.

In accordance with the prior arrangement, Cheng Hua did not use any martial techniques. Just a simple punch. But this simple punch managed to injure a Fifth Level Spirit Condensation Realm expert!

"Brother Zhu, a-are you ok?" Cheng Hua did not have any intention of hurting anyone. But the fact was he had injured Zhu Qiang.

"S-still alright."

Zhu Qiang did not expect the strengthened punch to be so incredibly powerful to actually injure him.

Of course, this punch did not cause him any substantial injuries. After all, Cheng Hua did not use any martial technique, so this strength naturally was not fully unleashed.

The defensive might of a Fifth Level Spirit Condensation Realm was highly terrifying. Logically speaking, it was impossible for a First Level Spirit Condensation Realm to harm a Fifth Level Spirit Condensation Realm, even if he ate medicinal pills.

Yet now, Cheng Hua truly injured him!

Currently, Zhu Qiang was terrified. Luckily just now, they stipulated not to use martial techniques. Otherwise, it would be hard to say if he could even stand up straight right now.

Zhu Qiang did not underestimate him just because he was a First Level Spirit Condensation Realm. In fact, he already used the bulk of his essence energy to block.

Cheng Hua injured him under this kind of circumstance.

"Quick! Let Zhu Qiang take this medicinal pill!" Wang Jinfu was the first to react, and the first thing he did was to treat Zhu Qiang’s injuries.

"A transcendent-grade Tier 2 medicinal pill is actually this horrifying. It actually allowed a First Level Spirit Condensation Realm to injure a Fifth Level Spirit Condensation Realm!" Sun Jianming muttered under his breath.

This was his first time witnessing the might of a transcendent-grade Tier 2 medicinal pill. That scene just now was too astonishing.

This was not some small-scale fight like back then with Ye Yuan and Fei Qingping. Cheng Hua and Zhu Qiang were both Spirit Condensation Realm experts. Wanting to jump ranks to battle was too hard.

"That’s right. That’s to say if a First Level Spirit Condensation Realm possessed such a transcendent-grade Tier 2 Strengthening Pill, they would be able to jump ranks to defeat a Fifth Level Spirit Condensation Realm expert under specific conditions. As for Fourth Level Spirit Condensation Realm, there’s virtually no chance of survival under that blow just now," Sun Jianming stated his analysis.

After he finished speaking, Sun Jianming also jumped in fright at his analysis.

Wang Jinfu sucked in a cold breath. "If this sort of medicinal pills could be mass-produced, then wouldn’t cultivation realms become a joke?"

It was true that even with this medicinal pill, it would be very challenging for a First Level Spirit Condensation Realm to defeat a Fourth Level Spirit Condensation Realm.

The effects of the Strengthening Pill was only partial strengthening and would not increase the martial artist’s overall strength.

Theoretically, it could let him kill a Fourth Level Spirit Condensation Realm. However, the required conditions were too harsh. It was virtually impossible in actual combat.

But even so, the significance of a transcendent-grade Tier 2 medicinal pill was too great.

That was because once someone consumed such a medicinal pill, it would be possible for a First Level Spirit Condensation Realm to jump ranks and challenge a Second Level Spirit Condensation Realm, or even a Third Level Spirit Condensation Realm. Furthermore, it would become a common sight.

If that happened, cultivation would indeed become a joke. A person trained bitterly to advance one minor cultivation realm, and it was inferior to other people that ate a single medicinal pill.

"Don’t joke around. How can this sort of medicinal pills be mass-produced? Our State of Qin has been established for so many years and hasn’t only this one transcendent-grade Tier 2 medicinal pill appeared so far?" Sun Jianming shook his head and said.

Wang Jinfu thought the same as well. Ye Yuan was indeed monstrous, but it was most likely impossible to make him mass-produce transcendent-grade Tier 2 medicinal pills.

However, at this moment Feng Ruoqing voiced out, "Both elders, don’t forget, Ye Yuan is only at the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm right now!"

Wang Jinfu and Sun Jianming trembled.

That was right. Ye Yuan was only at the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm. If he rose a few more minor cultivation realms, maybe even after crossing the threshold called Spirit Condensation Realm, would refining transcendent-grade Tier 2 medicinal pills still be hard?

Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique at the Legendary Realm lowered the soul strength requirement to the minimum.

Even if Ye Yuan’s soul strength after advancing to the Spirit Condensation Realm was insufficient to advance to Alchemy Master, would refining transcendent-grade Tier 2 medicinal pills not be like playing for him?

Wang Jinfu suddenly realized that Ye Yuan held extraordinary significance to the entire State of Qin. That was because in the entire State of Qin’s alchemy world, only he alone could refine transcendent-grade Tier 2 medicinal pills!

Wang Jinfu’s face suddenly turned icy. The aura of a Spirit Condensation Realm spread out, making everyone present feel tremendous pressure.

"All of you here listen up. Nobody is allowed to go out and spread about the matter of Ye Yuan refining a transcendent-grade Tier 2 medicinal pill today! Everyone swears a Heavenly Dao Oath right now. Chairman Sun and I will supervise you all! Of course, you can choose not to swear, but I can’t guarantee that you’ll be able to walk out of the Alchemist Association!" Wang Jinfu warned grimly.

"What? Heavenly Dao Oath? You want us to swear a Heavenly Dao Oath?! Based on what?!" Wang Jinfu’s words immediately drew some people’s ire.

Heavenly Dao Oath was different from ordinary oaths. Once a Heavenly Dao Oath was sworn, one could not violate it for life. Otherwise, the heavens would smite them dead.

Regardless of whether in the Divine Realm or in the Lower Realms, nobody could go against a Heavenly Dao Oath!

Wan Yuan was also present. Currently, he was so depressed that he wanted to vomit blood.

He originally came here today wanting to show off. Who would have thought that all the limelight would be snatched away by Ye Yuan alone!

Wan Yuan did not expect that not only did Ye Yuan knew alchemy, but he was also even monstrous to such a degree!

After watching the might of Cheng Hua’s fist, he made the decision that he would definitely spread what happened today after he left. He believed that there would be many forces interested in Ye Yuan.

But now, this plan fell through. Wang Jinfu actually forced everyone to swear a Heavenly Dao Oath!

"Zhu Qiang, Cheng Hua, the two of you lead everyone in swearing the Heavenly Dao Oath!" Wang Jinfu commanded.

"Yes!"

These two people belonged to the Alchemist Association from the start, so they obviously had to listen to Wang Jinfu’s orders.

"M-master, do I have to swear too? I-I won’t spread it!" Gritting his teeth, Wan Yuan opened his mouth to ask.

Wang Jinfu had long forgotten about this convenient disciple and did not expect him to jump out by himself now, so he said coldly, "Even Feng-er and Keyun have to swear. Are you more special than them? Mmm?"

Wang Jinfu was a genuine Spirit Condensation Realm expert. Under his powerful pressure, Wan Yuan felt that his consciousness was about to collapse.

"I-I swear!"

Ye Yuan’s words made Wang Jinfu come to realize the truth. He was already thoroughly disgusted with Wan Yuan. If not for Wang Donghai’s face, he would definitely teach Wan Yuan a lesson.

Just like that, under Wang Jinfu’s coercion, everyone swore a Heavenly Dao Oath. Except himself, Sun Jianming, Feng Ruoqing, and Feng Zhirou.

Even though everyone was furious about this arrangement, nobody dared to come forward.

This was a world where the strong reigned supreme, and the Alchemist Association was too strong!

Early morning, the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion started their business as usual. Except, it remained deserted like before.

Feng San sat on a wooden armchair and held a book as he leisurely read.

He was bored out of his mind these past few days. He worked in the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion for so many years, and it was always so busy that it made him dizzy. He constantly wanted to find time to relax.

Now that he actually had free time, Feng San felt completely uncomfortable.

His eyes were on the book, but his heart was not.

What made Feng San curious was about Young Master Ye Yuan. Yesterday after he came back from the alchemist test, he was utterly exhausted. What medicinal pill did he refine to be so drained?

What made him even more curious was that half-way through the night, Ye Yuan came out full of vigor. He even recovered most of his essence energy.

Afterward, Young Master brought Lu-er back to the Dan Wu Academy that very night . . .

Did Young Master get into trouble again, and returned to the academy to avoid a disaster?

But Young Master went to the Alchemist Association yesterday. He could not have turned the Alchemist Association upside down, right?

The more Feng San thought about it, the more he felt it was so. With Young Master’s former personality, he could seriously do something like that.

Did Young Master ’get well’ for a few days, and went back to his old habits again?

Just as Feng San’s imagination was running wild, several old men entered the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion.

Even though the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion’s business had become slow, there were still some people coming and going. After all, they conducted business fairly.

Feng San did not pay any heed to the few people who came in and continued staring blankly at the book in his hands. There were naturally attendants to take care of these small matters.

"Are you the shopkeeper? The three of us wish to request an interview with Mister Ye Hang about something. Please pass the word," one of the old men said.

Only then did Feng San gave him a glance lazily. But this glance made him jump in shock because the three stars on these three old men’s chests were too blinding!

Two of the old men had red color badges on their chest, while the three-star badge of the old man in the center was actually golden!

Three Alchemy Grandmasters came here together!

The Alchemist Association would distinguish alchemists of the same star by using color. Blue as low-rank, red as middle-rank, and golden as high-rank!

In the entire State of Qin, only one person possessed a golden badge. That person was the Alchemist Association’s Lord Chairman, Wu Daofeng!

The identities of the other two people were almost certainly Deputy Chairman Wang Jinfu and Deputy Chairman Sun Jianming!

The three major heads with the greatest weight in the entire State of Qin’s alchemy world came forth together. What major event happened?!

Feng San hastily got up, went in front of the three to give a deep bow, and he asked respectfully, "This lowly one welcomes the three Lords! May I ask why the three Lords are looking for the owner?"

"Oh? You know who we are?" Wang Jinfu felt very pleased with Feng San’s attitude.

Feng San hurriedly said, "You must be joking, my Lord. Even though this lowly one has never seen the three Lords, I still have some knowledge. Who could don those badges other than the three Lords?"

"Haha. This Shopkeeper is indeed very considerate. No wonder Mister Ye Hang placed you in an important position. The three of us came here for Ye Yuan, and we wish to meet with your boss. Could you pass the message?"

Wang Jinfu was very courteous with his words, but Feng San’s mind was blown!

Recalling Ye Yuan’s unusual action yesterday night, he immediately felt a chill down his spine.

That rascal really acted up again!

This time around, even Lord Wu Daofeng personally came to call him to account. Ye Yuan was poking a hole in the sky!

Wu Daofeng had always been living a secluded life. Just how much trouble did that punk, Ye Yuan, cause to alarm this major figure!

The Drunken Star Manor’s issue already left them bruised and battered. Now, there was the Alchemist Association. Did the heavens really want the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion to perish?

Wu Daofeng kept quiet all this time. But seeing Feng San space out, he could not help asking, "Shopkeeper, is there any difficulty?"

Feng San recovered from his stupor, and then he pulled a long face and said, "My apologies, three Lords. Our owner entered a death-seclusion a few days ago. I’m afraid . . . he won’t be coming out soon."

After saying that, Feng San’s heart palpitated and could not resist sneaking a peek at Wu Daofeng. He discovered that the three of them exchanged glances, which revealed a deep disappointment.

Feng San was a little curious. Looking at the three of them, it did not look like they were here to confront?

But if they did not come to confront about something, then why did the three of them come together?

Feng San was utterly baffled.

"Then . . . is your Young Master, Ye Yuan, around? We can also look for him!" Right then, Wang Jinfu opened his mouth.

Feng San felt a little guilty as he gave in. "Three lords, Young Master returned to the academy yesterday night."

The three people exchanged looks again. Wang Jinfu shook his head and sighed. "Looks like that punk is intentionally hiding from us! How can that fellow, Jiang Yunhe, let Ye Yuan go after he returns to the academy?"

Wu Daofeng seemed to be pondering, but no one knew what he was thinking about either. After some time, he said, "Shopkeeper, don’t let your imagination run wild. We actually came here today to deliver Ye Yuan’s badge. He passed the Alchemist Association’s test yesterday. Since he’s not around, then we will pass the badge to you. I have to trouble shopkeeper to personally go down and deliver this to Ye Yuan’s hands."

When Feng San heard deliver badge, he immediately relaxed. So Young Master really became promising, to have passed the Alchemy Apprentice test. At least the owner had a successor now.

However, he quickly grew suspicious again. It was just a badge. Why would it trouble the three major heads of the association to personally deliver it?

Was delivering the badge a pretense and finding the owner to discuss a major matter was the actual intent instead?

Thinking about it, there was only this possibility. After all, Ye Yuan was a junior. There was no way the three major heads would be dispatched.

Although Ye Hang was not qualified yet, because of the Drunken Star Manor’s Essence Gathering Pill, the entire situation in the capital had become abnormal. It was also understandable for these three major figures to come and find Ye Hang.

After all, Ye Hang was also an Alchemy Grandmaster, an important figure in the capital.

Connecting the dots, Feng San felt like he finally understood the other party’s purpose of visit. He quickly said, "No trouble, no trouble at all! To be of service for the three Lords is this lowly one’s honor. I will go to the Dan Wu Academy right away and personally hand this badge over to Young Master."

"Jinfu, give the badge to the shopkeeper," Wu Daofeng said calmly.

"This . . . Why don’t we go down personally? In case . . ." Wang Jinfu did not take out the badge right away and was somewhat hesitant.

"No need. The association has never interfered with local affairs. We can’t break this rule. With our status, it’s not appropriate for us to appear at the Dan Wu Academy. Don’t worry. In terms of alchemy, who can compare to the Alchemist Association?" Wu Daofeng said.

Wang Jinfu’s eyes lit up. "Lord Chairman is still more foresighted. This old one understands."

Finishing his words, Wang Jinfu retrieved the badge, and then he handed it over to Feng San. He said, "We have to trouble you, Shopkeeper. However, please don’t reveal this matter of you delivering the badge. Although this matter can’t be hidden for long, every moment counts."

Feng San was confused. It was just an Alchemy Apprentice badge. Why were these lords taking it so seriously? Was this not blowing things out of proportion?

However, when his two eyes landed on the badge in Wang Jinfu’s hands, they became wide circles as his eyes were involuntarily glued to the badge.

Only to see that two stars were sewn on that blue color badge!

I-isn’t this an Alchemy Master’s badge?

Was there a mistake?!"What?! You’re saying that Ye Yuan passed the Alchemy Master test with his Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm strength?"

Jiang Yunhe had not lost his composure like this for a long time. But the news brought by Feng Ruoqing overwhelmed him.

"Yes. Not only did he pass the low-rank Alchemy Master test, he even refined a transcendent-grade Tier 2 Strengthening Pill during the test. Upon testing, a First Level Spirit Condensation Realm after consuming the pill would possess the strength to threaten a Fifth Level Spirit Condensation Realm." Feng Ruoqing seemed like she would not give up until she shocked people to death with her words.

"Transcendent-grade . . . Tier 2 . . . medicinal pill? F-First Level Spirit Condensation Realm threatening a Fifth Level Spirit Condensation Realm?"

Jiang Yunhe’s brain short-circuited. What Feng Ruoqing said had completely surpassed his understanding.

Feng Ruoqing wanted to laugh watching Jiang Yunhe lose composure in such a manner. She had been here at the Dan Wu Academy for several years but had never seen Jiang Yunhe in this state.

"Could it be that Ye Yuan was born with a powerful soul strength that already reached the Alchemy Master realm?" after some time, Jiang Yunhe finally asked.

But Feng Ruoqing shook her head and said, "That’s not it. His soul strength isn’t that strong. It’s only slightly stronger than the average person. He could refine a Tier 2 medicinal pill because he used the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique."

"Sssss! Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique . . . Even if it’s the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique, isn’t this a little too exaggerated?"

"Mmm. Truth be told, Ye Yuan’s Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique has already reached the legendary stage!"

Even now when Feng Ruoqing said this, she felt that it was inconceivable.

Legendary stage, that by itself was a legend.

It was virtually impossible to reach that stage.

Even those old people who lost all their teeth in the Alchemist Association did not manage to train any alchemy technique to the legendary stage, let alone the even more challenging Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique.

Jiang Yunhe who was already shocked until he was charred on the outside and tender on the inside, was shocked once more.

He stared at Feng Ruoqing for some time before confirming that she did not lie. "Just what lucky encounter did this Ye Yuan had? Isn’t this too unbelievable?"

Feng Ruoqing seemed to be well-prepared. "He obviously won’t reveal this sort of thing. But my guess is there should be an extremely powerful alchemist behind Ye Yuan! And it’s impossible for that person to be his father. The way I see it, this alchemist is definitely not limited to the Alchemy King realm!"

Jiang Yunhe paced about to digest the news that Feng Ruoqing brought back.

It seemed that Feng Ruoqing’s guess should be the closest to the truth. Otherwise, it could not explain how Ye Yuan possessed such monstrous alchemic talent at such a young age.

After a long time, Jiang Yunhe said, "Such a figure is too terrifying. It’s best to not provoke. It’s just that I don’t understand. Since Ye Yuan has such an incredible master, why would he come to the Dan Wu Academy?"

Feng Ruoqing shook her head and said, "I also thought about this question. Most likely, it’s to train his disciple?"

"Mmm. There is this possibility! Damn, you said Wang Jinfu and Sun Jianming, those two geezers, also knows about this. They definitely won’t let Ye Yuan go! Come, let’s quickly find Ye Yuan!"

As he was saying this, Jiang Yunhe wanted to rush out.

Feng Ruoqing smiled and said, "Relax, Dean. After returning to the academy, I’d already visited the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion. Ye Yuan has already returned to the academy during the night. Lord Chairman Wu Daofeng brought the two deputy chairmen in vain. Grandmaster Ye Hang is also coincidentally in a closed-door seclusion, so the three of them returned empty-handed. Finally, they could only request the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion’s shopkeeper, Feng San, to deliver the badge to the academy."

Jiang Yunhe let out a huge sigh of relief. Laughing out loud, he then said, "Haha. To think Old Man Wu would actually be denied entrance. I think his face back then would have been very interesting. Ye Yuan must have definitely predicted this situation, that’s why he rushed back through the night. It looks like his feelings for the academy is very deep! Since Ye Yuan’s back at the academy, quickly bring him to see me. No, I’ll personally go visit him!"

Jiang Yunhe brought Feng Ruoqing to Ye Yuan’s residence and did not alarm other people.

Personally visiting a student with his status would definitely cause a huge uproar in the academy.

Except, Jiang Yunhe did not manage to meet with Ye Yuan. Ye Yuan entered the training room after returning to the academy.

But Jiang Yunhe saw Lu-er and Feng San at Ye Yuan’s residence. However, they did not recognize Jiang Yunhe. Lu-er was very familiar with Feng Ruoqing though.

"Teacher Feng is here to look for Young Master?"

"Yeah. Didn’t he come back yesterday night? Where is he?"

"Young Master said that he felt he was going to break through, so he entered a closed-door seclusion right away after returning. Shopkeeper Feng San didn’t get to see him either."

Jiang Yunhe was stunned. What breakthrough? This rascal was clearly hiding from everyone!

It had only been a few days since he broke through to the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm, how could it be possible for another breakthrough so soon?

Even though Ye Yuan’s breakthroughs previously were indeed fast, but for every increment in cultivation realm in the Essence Qi Realm, the difficulty would also become greater.

How could it be so easy to break through from the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm to the Fifth Level Essence Qi Realm?

Furthermore, even if he broke through, his cultivation realm rose too quickly would inevitably affect future cultivation growth. This way of doing things was just not worth it.

There was such a powerful teacher behind Ye Yuan, how could he possibly make such a low-level mistake?

Hence, Ye Yuan must definitely be hiding from everyone!

This brat caused such a huge upheaval, yet he hid himself and avoided meeting anyone. How irresponsible!

Jiang Yunhe felt very depressed. He came to visit a junior with his status and was actually denied entrance!

Just now, he was still laughing at Wu Daofeng. He did not think that karma would strike instantly, and it was his turn so soon.

But one had to acknowledge that a closed-door seclusion was an excellent excuse.

When martial artists were cultivating, it was taboo for them to be interrupted during closed-seclusion.

Even if Jiang Yunhe was the dean, he also could not casually interrupt Ye Yuan’s closed-door seclusion.

Feng Ruoqing did not expect this result either and so she said helplessly, "Then . . . forgive our disturbance, Miss Lu-er. If Ye Yuan exits seclusion, could Miss Lu-er please tell him to look for the Lord Dean at the back of the mountain, Cloud Wave Court?"

Lu-er blinked her eyes and nodded, saying, "Don’t worry, Teacher Feng. Lu-er will remember."

Lu-er was naïve and did not understand Feng Ruoqing’s meaning. However, Feng San was proficient in the ways of the world. His entire body quivered when he heard this, and his eyes sneaked a peek at Jiang Yunhe.

Initially, he only faintly felt how powerful this person was, but at this moment, he was able to guess Jiang Yunhe’s identity!

Feng San did not expect the dignified Dan Wu Academy’s dean would come to look for Ye Yuan personally!

Recalling this morning where Lord Wu Daofeng also visited personally to deliver the badge, Feng San was incomparably shocked.

Ever since he received the badge in the morning, Feng San knew that Wu Daofeng did not come to look for Ye Hang. They came to look for Ye Yuan!

Having been the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion’s shopkeeper for so many years, nobody was clearer than him about what a Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm Alchemy Master meant!

The two most powerful, most influential big-shots went so far as to personally visit his Young Master!

"Huuuuuu . . . "

Watching Jiang Yunhe and Feng Ruoqing in the distance, Feng San let out a long breath.

Young Master Ye Yuan really could not compare with the past. He had already gone from a silkpants to becoming a top genius in the entire State of Qin.

Even major figures like Jiang Yunhe and Wu Daofeng were fighting to win over his young master!

"Oh Lu-er, our family’s Young Master Ye Yuan has finally become capable!" Feng San sighed emotionally.

But Lu-er pouted her lips, and she said with a smile, "Young Master has already been amazing. It’s just that you all misunderstood him in the past."

Feng San looked at Lu-er speechlessly . . .

It was true that Ye Yuan was hiding from everyone. However, he was really in a closed-door seclusion.

Since his Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm cultivation had already been consolidated, he could not wait to increase his strength.

Ye Yuan’s essence energy was thoroughly exhausted in refining the Tier 2 medicinal pill. It was indeed an incredible burden on his body.

Presently, Ye Yuan was recovering his exhausted essence energy in order to adjust himself to his peak condition. Following that, he planned to take transcendent-grade Essence Qi Pills to breakthrough to the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm in one stroke.

Of course, the amount of time required to break through to the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm could not be compared with back then from the First Level Essence Qi Realm to the Third Level Essence Qi Realm.

The second stage of the Essence Qi Realm.

Every time one’s cultivation realm rose, the essence energy required also increased by a large quantity.

Although Ye Yuan had sufficient transcendent-grade Essence Qi Pills, he still needed time to digest them.

In addition, what he trained in was the Spirit Bristle Nine Yang Divine Art, so the essence energy expended was several times of the average person.

However, Ye Yuan was not in a rush. He had plenty of time.

He will be in closed-door seclusion for a few days first to let those people get busy and leave him alone.

Jiang Yunhe was certainly very busy. After failing to meet Ye Yuan, he left the Dan Wu Academy.

In reality, Jiang Yunhe had always been busy. He actually spent very little time in the academy. Nobody knew what he went out to do.

He happened to be back at the academy these few days and found out that such a dazzling new star rose within a month.

However, Ye Yuan required time to grow no matter how talented he was. After all, he was only at the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm.

As long as Ye Yuan was in the Dan Wu Academy, Jiang Yunhe need not worry about this genius running away.

Since Ye Yuan chose the Dan Wu Academy, it was impossible for Wu Daofeng to come to the Dan Wu Academy personally to headhunt people.

After making it through the initial shock and having thought through this part, Jiang Yunhe naturally had to get busy with his own matters. There was no way he would wait here specifically for Ye Yuan to exit seclusion.

Yet at this time, Lu-er welcomed an unexpected guest. Someone who claimed to be a student from the academy’s General Affairs Department was looking for her.

"This Junior Apprentice Sister is Lu-er?" The student’s attitude was very haughty.

Lu-er was a little perplexed, but she still responded, "Yes. May I ask who this Senior Apprentice Brother is?"

"I’m a student manager from the General Affairs Departments; the name’s Zhang Heng."

"So it’s Senior Apprentice Brother Zhang Heng. I wonder if you are looking for Lu-er for something?"

Although Lu-er was innocent, she was not dumb. This Zhang Heng would not find her for no reason, and looking at his attitude it did not seem to be friendly.

As expected, Zhang Heng opened his mouth and said, "Of course I’m finding you for something! Since you already passed the Entry Advancement test and became the academy’s Yellow Rank student, why didn’t you report to the General Affairs Department?"

Lu-er was at a loss. She never knew there was such a rule. One still had to report to the General Affairs Department after becoming the academy’s student?

"Please overlook it, Senior Apprentice Brother. Lu-er has just been admitted, and there are still many things that I don’t know. It’s just, why must I report to the department after becoming a Yellow Rank student?" Lu-er asked neither haughtily nor humbly.

Zheng Heng gave a cold smile and said, "Such a large Dan Wu Academy is accommodating for so many students. Are we just going to sit idle and eat? Since we became the academy’s students, we naturally have to help out in the academy. Hence, all Yellow Rank students who passed the Entry Advancement test have to do one month of miscellaneous tasks. This is the academy’s rule. You became the academy’s student, but instead of learning the academy’s rules properly, you even want other people to help you complete your miscellaneous jobs. Simply shameless!"

This Zhang Heng did not lie. There was really such a rule in the Dan Wu Academy. But it was a little too much to speak to a girl like this.

Furthermore, Lu-er did not neglect work on purpose. She really did not know anything. She had only arrived at the academy for several days, so even if she was absent from work, it was not a big deal.

Zhang Heng was obviously here to find fault.

Lu-er did not feel anything about doing a month of chores. Except, Ye Yuan was currently in a closed-door seclusion. If he exited seclusion and could not find her, he would definitely be worried.

"Can Senior Apprentice Brother allow me to wait for a few days? My young master is currently in a closed-door seclusion, and if he can’t find me when he exits, he will definitely get worried. After my young master leaves seclusion, I will definitely report to the general affairs," Lu-er requested cautiously.

Who would have thought that Zhang Heng would rage after hearing that. "What a joke! Who do you think your young master is? Is he bigger than the academy’s rules? You’ve already delayed for several days. How many more days do you want to delay? Every new student will be recorded in the books, and they would have the initiative to do their job. Are you the only exception?"

Hearing Zhang Heng verbally insulted her Young Master, Lu-er was so angry that tears were pooling in her eyes. But she knew that Young Master still had Wan Yuan, an opponent in the academy, and so she did not want to cause trouble for him. Hence, she held back her tears and said, "Lu-er requests Senior Apprentice Brother to allow a few days’ grace. I will definitely report there. At that time, even if you arrange two months of chores for me, I won’t mind."

However, Zhang Heng did not seem to have any intention of being tender towards women. He smiled coldly and said, "Anyway, I’ve already informed you. It’s your call whether you go or not. But I will say the nasty things first. If I don’t see you report at the general affairs today, then don’t blame me for reporting this matter to the instructor. In accordance with the academy’s rules, you can just wait to be expelled!"

Hearing the word ’expelled,’ Lu-er shuddered.

Young Master was currently like the noon sun, if she were expelled, then would it not make Young Master a laughing stock?

That was definitely not a result that Lu-er wanted to see!

Without question, this word struck Lu-er’s weak point.

Seeing Lu-er’s restless look, a ruminating look could be seen in Zhang Heng’s eyes.

Hur hur. What has it got to do with me after your Young Master comes out? It’s because I know that he’s in a closed-door seclusion; that’s why I came to look for you and cause trouble! Zhang Heng was laughing coldly in his heart.

Zhang Heng pretended to have lost his patience, turned around, and was about to leave.

Looking at the situation, Lu-er did not dare to delay. She quickly called out, "Wait, Senior Apprentice Brother. I . . . I will go with you to the general affairs. It’s just . . . can you let me leave a note for my young master?"

One had to acknowledge that Lu-er was overly innocent. She even thought that this Zhang Heng was an upright and outspoken person, which was why he came to find her. Who would have known that he was scheming and came to find trouble!

If Lu-er secretly left a token or note, then Ye Yuan would know what happened.

But now that she told Zhang Heng she wanted to leave a note, how could Zhang Heng allow her to do that?

Zhang Heng said impatiently, "If you are leaving, then just go. Why are there so many things? I’m leaving. Handle it by yourself!"

Finishing, he really turned around and left.

Lu-er hesitated for a moment and returned to the house to leave a note before going.

Of course, Lu-er was not aware that Ye Yuan would not see her note.

. . . . . .

Ye Yuan was completely unaware of everything happening in the outside world. He was currently at the critical juncture of assaulting the Fifth Level Essence Qi Realm.

He threw transcendent-grade Essence Qi Pills into his mouth like they were sweets, and continuously refined the medicinal strength with the Spirit Bristle Nine Yang Divine Art.

The essence energy within his dantian became increasingly abundant, and he got closer and closer to the Fifth Level Essence Qi Realm.

Finally, Ye Yuan burst through the barrier in one shot, and he broke through to the Fifth Level Essence Qi Realm!

"Huuu . . . At this rate, these Essence Qi Pills aren’t even enough! This stupid cultivation law is too voracious. This is still the Essence Qi Realm, and the consumption is already multiple times greater than the average person’s. Won’t it be hell at the Spirit Condensation Realm? Old Dad might be rich, but even he can’t sustain this torment!"

Ye Yuan watched the transcendent-grade Essence Qi Pills being massively depleted. He could not resist criticizing the Spirit Bristle Nine Yang Divine Art.Two days later, in a medicine garden behind the mountain, a young lady dressed in green was currently weeding.

There were many dirt stains on the young lady’s face, and her hair was also disordered. Sweat beads dripped down her forehead, and her clothing also was somewhat in tatters. She looked very pitiful.

However, this young lady’s face gave out a stubborn expression, as she continued to grit her teeth and persevere.

This young lady was precisely Lu-er who was forced to come here by Zhang Heng. She had basically been slogging in the medicine garden for the past two days without stopping.

The formerly dainty and exquisite Lu-er was gone, and what replaced it was a haggard face full of exhaustion.

Weeding was not a very tiring job for martial artists. Even if they did not rest or sleep for several days, they would not end up like this.

However, weeding in the medicine garden was not such a relaxing job. The weeds in the spiritual fields were very deeply rooted because of nourishment from the thick heaven and earth essence energy.

One had to utilize essence energy to remove them.

Like this, weeding became hard labor.

There was no one willing to do this job in the academy. Hence, they would let those newbies who just entered the academy do this sort of things.

In reality, the majority of those doing these chores were commoners. The aristocrats just have to bribe a little, and they would be easily exempted.

Zhang Heng used Lu-er avoiding her tasks as an excuse to arrange a much heavier workload for her compared to the others.

Lu-er had virtually zero rest during these two days, but she only finished less than half of her workload.

Due to her continuously expending her essence energy these two days, Lu-er’s stamina was already depleted. That was why she appeared so fatigued.

Two youths were currently sipping tea and chatting in the small pavilion overlooking the medicine garden. They looked very pleased.

"Senior Apprentice Brother Lin, this Junior Apprentice Brother can’t bear to torment such a dainty and cute beauty like this!" Zhang Heng shook his head and sighed. However, there was no trace of unwillingness on his facial expression.

The youth sitting opposite him was precisely Lin Tiancheng. And finding trouble for Lu-er was something he single-handed engineered.

In the Dan Wu Academy, there were very few Heaven Rank students, and their status was extremely aloof. Generally speaking, the academy would not arrange for them to do anything specific. They just had to cultivate diligently.

All of the chores in the academy were mostly handled by the Earth rank students.

Just like Zhao Chunyang, he was sent out by the General Affairs Department to stand guard over the Scripture Library. Hence, the authority of the department was actually quite significant. There were plenty of ways to mess with people.

What Ye Yuan did not know was that the head student of the General Affairs Department was Lin Tiancheng.

Apart from an instructor who did not involve himself too much, Lin Tiancheng’s authority was the highest.

Ever since he was humiliated by Ye Yuan at the Illusionary Spirit Tower, and with Liu Ruoshui inciting things by the side, Lin Tiancheng started to resent Ye Yuan.

Ye Yuan was currently like the noon sun in the academy, so naturally, he did not dare to seek Ye Yuan out. But it was not hard to find trouble with Lu-er.

Two days ago, he heard that Ye Yuan happened to enter a closed-door seclusion, so he found a reason to send Zhang Heng over to find trouble with Lu-er and instructed her to remove weeds in the medicine garden.

Lin Tiancheng sipped his tea and smiled as he said, "Don’t pretend to be a bodhisattva with me as if I don’t know you. I let you take charge of this medicine garden, and God knows how many girls you have harmed. Would you pity this young lass?"

Hearing this, Zhang Heng laughed and said, "This is all thanks to Senior Apprentice Brother Lin’s care! That’s why when Senior Apprentice Brother Lin came to look for me, I didn’t say a word and just did it."

Lin Tiancheng nodded approvingly and said, "At least you are sensible, punk! I’m very pleased with the way this matter was dealt with. You can do whatever you want with that chick, no need to give me any face!"

When Zhang Heng heard this, a trace of wickedness flickered across his eyes, and he asked, "Really?"

"Of course it’s real! I really want to see what kind of expression Ye Yuan would have after he exits seclusion only to see that his maidservant was violated!" Lin Tiancheng’s eyes filled with hatred when he mentioned Ye Yuan.

That day at the Illusionary Spirit Tower, Ye Yuan made him completely lose face.

Afterward, many students secretly spread about what happened that day, which greatly diminished his prestige among the Earth Rank students. This was the reason why he wanted to take revenge so badly!

Zhang Heng was thrilled. "Since that’s the case, then I, Junior Apprentice Brother, won’t stand on ceremony. Senior Apprentice Brother Lin really gave this Little Brother a huge gift! Even though this girl is young, in terms of appearance, she is outstanding! It’s just . . . I’m afraid that Ye Yuan would come to find me after exiting seclusion."

Lin Tiancheng looked at Zhang Heng calmly and said with a cold smile, "No matter how powerful that Ye Yuan is, he’s only at the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm. You are at any rate a Ninth Level Essence Qi Realm. Are you still scared of him? If he confronts you, then just let him come. When that happens, give him a brutal beating. You can help me vent this frustration at the same time! By the time he grows up, you would have graduated already. Why be scared of him?"

Zhang Heng gave heavy praises when he heard it. "Haha. It’s still Senior Apprentice Brother Lin who have great foresight. You’ve already considered everything! I’m somewhat looking forward to Ye Yuan’s furious and exasperated expression now."

Finishing, Lin Tiancheng and Zhang Heng exchanged glances and started laughing in unison.

Lin Tiancheng was naturally unaware of Ye Yuan’s performance in the Illusionary Spirit Tower. He thought that he overconfidently challenged the Earth Rank Advancement test and ended up being instantly killed.

He also thought that Ye Yuan had just barely made it past the Black Rank Advancement test. Hence, the way he saw it, Ye Yuan at most had the strength of an Eighth Level Essence Qi Realm.

Zhang Heng might be older, but he was already a veteran Ninth Level Essence Qi Realm who similarly had the ability to jump ranks and battle. So it was obvious he could not lose to Ye Yuan.

. . . . . .

This seclusion of Ye Yuan lasted four days.

Presently, the essence energy in Ye Yuan’s dantian was surging as he impacted the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm bottleneck repeatedly.

Ye Yuan had already broken through to the Fifth Level Essence Qi Realm three days ago. After consolidating his cultivation realm a little, Ye Yuan continued eating transcendent-grade Essence Qi Pills to impact the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm!

To him, there was not much difference between the Fifth Level Essence Qi Realm and the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm. It was just how many transcendent-grade Essence Qi Pills he needed to consume.

Ye Yuan consumed transcendent-grade Essence Qi Pills non-stop and repeatedly tempered the essence energy using the Spirit Bristle Nine Yang Divine Art.

Finally, after consuming several hundred transcendent-grade Essence Qi Pills, Ye Yuan broke through to the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm in one stroke!

Ye Yuan felt like his entire body was bursting with strength after breaking through two cultivation realms consecutively. A feeling of discomfort had arisen unless he used his strength!

Revolving his essence energy, Ye Yuan struck out a palm. The air in the training room was compressed to its limits by the power of his palm and gave off a ’puff puff’ explosive sound.

Boom!

A large hole was dented into the wall of the training room.

This big hole was way larger than the first time he used the Stacking Waves Layered Palm. It was an attack on an entirely different level.

The walls of the training room were special. It could perfectly withstand a peak level Spirit Condensation Realm martial artist’s full blow.

It could be seen just how terrifying Ye Yuan’s attack power was to be able to smash such a large hole in the wall.

"Ooo. If I enter the Illusionary Spirit Tower again and use the Eighth Layer Wave, I should be able to kill three black-robed martial artists, right? Hehe. After I breakthrough to the Seventh Level Essence Qi Realm, I will go to the Illusionary Spirit Tower to try it out," Ye Yuan looked at the big hole in the wall and muttered to himself.

"It should have already been four or five days? I wonder what happened outside. If I still don’t go out, Lu-er will be worried. Time to exit seclusion!"

Lu-er bent down to pull out the weeds beneath the herbs.

These weeds were incredibly stubborn. Each one would make Lu-er expend a great deal of strength to remove.

Even so, Lu-er did not make any complaint these past few days.

She did not wish to cause trouble for Young Master and did not want to smear dirt on Young Master’s face anymore.

The first two days, Lu-er’s weeding speed was still very fast. But the next two days, her speed suddenly fell. It was because the essence energy in her body was drained.

Every now and then, Lu-er had to meditate for a while to recover essence energy. But this essence energy was used up again very quickly.

Like this, her weeding speed became drastically slower.

Two days ago, she had already completed nearly half of it, but the next two days, she only finished 70%, and she was getting increasingly slower.

Lu-er’s stamina had already been over exhausted far too much. Her upper eyelid and lower eyelid had been trembling all these while. Only an obsessive thought compelled her forward.

All of a sudden, a pair of feet appeared in Lu-er’s sight. Lu-er’s face lit up, and she could not resist lifting her head up to see.

But she was greatly disappointed after looking up. The person who came was not Young Master but that hateful Senior Apprentice Brother Zhang!

Zhang Heng saw Lu-er’s disappointed expression and smiled coldly as he said, "Why? Didn’t see the person you wished to see?"

Lu-er kept silent.

Zhang Heng was very displeased with Lu-er’s attitude and flew into a rage. " Humph! I assigned you the task to get rid of the weeds, but you only completed 70% of it until now. Did you leave so much for me to help you do?"

Lu-er wiped the sweat from her forehead, and she said weakly, "I . . . I’m already working very hard. Just give me one more day, Senior Apprentice Brother. I can definitely complete it."

"One day? I think even if I gave you three days, you also can’t complete it. Such a small task and you can’t even complete it in four or five days. You must be slacking off!" Zhang Heng snorted coldly.

Lu-er hurriedly shook her head. "I didn’t. I’m really working very hard at weeding!"

" Hehe. I will naturally know whether you are working hard or not. It’s useless for you to argue! To punish you for slacking, you have to weed another stretch of the medicine garden!"

Lu-er froze when she heard that. "What? W-weed another stretch of the medicine garden? I . . . I . . ."

"You, what you? You don’t want to do it? If you don’t want to do it, then fine. Go back, pack your stuff, and be prepared to get lost from the academy!" Zhang Heng did not intend to show any sympathy towards a girl.

"But . . . But I already . . ."

"You already don’t have any more strength to do, right?" Zhang Heng suddenly smiled and said.

Lu-er nodded feebly.

"If you don’t want to do it, fine. But you have to promise me something." Zhang Heng suddenly changed the subject.

Lu-er did not expect Zhang Heng to suddenly loosen up and naively thought that what he said was the truth. She asked him ecstatically, "Is that true? Please say, Senior Apprentice Brother Zhang!"

A malicious smile suddenly appeared on Zhang Heng’s face. Lu-er’s face changed as she only just realized that Zhang Heng did not have any good intentions.

As expected, Zhang Heng opened his mouth and said, "I didn’t think that Miss Lu-er was so astute! My condition is very simple. I just want Miss Lu-er to accompany me for one night, and that will do. How’s that? Isn’t this deal worthwhile?"

Lu-er was not a stupid person. She was just inexperienced and did not really know the ways of the world.

Initially, she only thought that Zhang Heng was an unreasonable person. Now, it looks like he was simply a beast in human clothing! Perhaps he already decided and planned all these, which was why he repeatedly made things difficult for her.

" Pooh! So, you are this sort of filthy person. Watch me report you to the instructor!" Lu-er said hatefully.

" Hahahaha! What a joke! You’re just a newbie who refused to accept your Senior Apprentice Brother’s punishment. And because you harbored a grudge in your heart, that’s why you slandered your Senior Apprentice Brother. Why don’t you tell me whether the instructor will believe you or me?" Zhang Heng seemed to have expected it and laughed loudly.

When Zhang Heng said that, Lu-er was stunned.

Zhang Heng could manage the medicine garden for such a long time, which showed that the instructor definitely trusted him very much. Even if she went to complain, if Zhang Heng said that, the instructor might really think that she bore a grudge, which was why she defamed Senior Apprentice Brother.

"You! You’re a really despicable man!" Lu-er was so enraged by Zhang Heng that her entire body was shaking as she pointed at his nose and yelled.

However, Zhang Heng did not care at all. He smiled coldly as he said, "Lu-er, just think about it, if your young master exits seclusion and hears that his maidservant was expelled right after being admitted into the academy, what kind of feeling would that be?"

Lu-er was stunned, and her body started to tremble involuntarily.

Seeing Lu-er’s expression, Zhang Heng was even more pleased. He continued saying, "Your young master is currently the academy’s favorite. But his own maidservant was chased out of the academy. In the future, as long as he stays in the academy, there would be people pointing and gossiping behind his back. They would laugh that he couldn’t even manage his own maidservant."

Taking advantage of Lu-er being scared out of her wits, Zhang Heng slowly moved closer to Lu-er.

As he got closer, he continued saying, "Even though I’m not as talented as your young master, I’m still a respected figure in the academy. You won’t suffer from following me. How about it? It’s just one night!"

As he was talking, Zhang Heng wanted to use his finger to lift Lu-er’s chin. But Lu-er abruptly came round and immediately jumped away.

" Humph! You should just give up. Even if I die, I won’t bring shame on Young Master!"

After she said that, Lu-er lifted her hand and slapped towards the top of her head. If this palm landed, the result would definitely be the passing of a beauty.

Zhang Heng also did not expect Lu-er to be so decisive and would rather commit suicide than yield. He immediately became furious.

Although Lu-er improved amazingly fast, when facing the Ninth Level Essence Qi Realm Zhang Heng, she was still incredibly weak.

Furthermore, her essence energy already depleted. How could she possibly succeed in committing suicide?

Pah!

Who knew when a whip appeared in Zhang Heng’s hands, which coiled around Lu-er’s arm, sending her flying.

Just like that, Lu-er went crashing out.

" Ah! " Lu-er landed heavily on the ground and gave a muffled groan.

Pah!

Another lash!

This lash landed heavily on Lu-er’s. A bloody streak immediately appeared on Lu-er’s body, and blood seeped through her clothes.

"Lass who doesn’t know how to appreciate favors! Want to die? It’s not going to be that easy!"

Zhang Heng was infuriated. If Lu-er really committed suicide, he also could not escape responsibility.

He was going to graduate soon. He did not want to lose any integrity.

Lu-er’s actions were making him irritated.

" Ah! " Lu-er shrieked, but she ignored the pain as she crawled forward, wanting to grab a circular blue object.

Just as Lu-er’s hand was about to close in on it, that circular blue object was stepped underfoot by Zhang Heng.

"Give me back the badge!" Lu-er endured the intense pain and yelled.

Zhang Heng shifted his feet and glanced at the blue item on the ground, and it was indeed a badge. Two stars were embroidered on it. This was actually a low-rank Alchemy Master badge.

"I thought what this is. So, it’s an Alchemy Master badge. I didn’t think that you stole something so valuable after only a few days in the academy! Just with this, it’s enough to get you expelled!"

Zhang Heng kicked the badge far away.

He was apparently still unaware that Ye Yuan had already passed the Alchemy Master test and officially became a low-rank Alchemy Master. Otherwise, even if he were to have an extra set of balls, he also would not dare abuse Lu-er like this.

Looking at Zhang Heng desecrating Young Master’s badge, the pain Lu-er felt was even worse than her physical pain. Tears finally trickled down uncontrollably.

Looking at Lu-er’s delicate and pitiful appearance, Zhang Heng could no longer hold back the beast inside him. He reached out and tore off a piece of Lu-er’s clothing.

Afterward, he grabbed Lu-er and dragged her to a corner, and he started to make his move to violate her in broad daylight!

"Lu-er! Lu-er!" Ye Yuan exited and shouted for Lu-er. But there was no reply.

Ye Yuan was very suspicious. Lu-er should have been waiting here for him to exit seclusion. Where did she go?

Lu-er was very obedient. If there was really something, she should have left him a message. But Ye Yuan searched the place and did not find any clues.

He also asked his neighbors, but nobody knew either.

Zhang Heng was highly scheming. The time he picked happened to be lesson time, so basically, all the students were at class.

Ye Yuan was in a closed-door seclusion, so she did not have any mood to attend classes. However, it just happened to give Zhang Heng the opportunity to strike.

"Strange. Where on earth did Lu-er go? Don’t tell me someone dares to kidnap people within the Dan Wu Academy?" Ye Yuan sat down at the table and started conjecturing.

Could Lu-er have gone to look for Tang Yu?

In this place, Lu-er only had Tang Yu for a friend.

Thinking of Tang Yu, Ye Yuan relaxed and was just about to leave to find Tang Yu when there was a knocking sound.

Opening the door to take a look, who could it be except Tang Yu?

Tang Yu saw Ye Yuan and was overjoyed. "I figured that Senior Apprentice Brother Ye should have also exited seclusion, so I came over to have a look. I didn’t think that it would be so coincidental. Yii? Y-you are already at the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm?!"

Tang Yu stared with his mouth agape. Ye Yuan’s improvement was too outrageous!

He had only broken through to the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm with the help of Ye Yuan’s pills not long ago.

A month ago, when Tang Yu met Ye Yuan for the first time, he was only at the First Level Essence Qi Realm.

A month later, Ye Yuan was already at the same cultivation realm as him!

Thinking of how Ye Yuan killed Chou Ying with a finger, Tang Yu believed that if he fought with Ye Yuan, Ye Yuan could absolutely kill him in an instant!

Tang Yu currently felt that the Ye Yuan in front of him was like a dragon that entered deep waters and then soared to the sky in one stroke. Nobody could stop him anymore!

While Tang Yu was immersed in his shock, he did not notice that Ye Yuan’s facial expression did not look good.

When Ye Yuan looked behind Tang Yu and confirmed that he came alone, his face turned ugly.

He waved his hands and did not bother with Tang Yu’s shock. Opening his mouth, he asked, "Why did you come alone?"

Tang Yu was stunned and asked doubtfully, "If I’m not alone, how many people could there be?"

Ye Yuan furrowed his brows. "Didn’t Lu-er go and find you while I was in a closed-door seclusion these few days?"

Tang Yu was alarmed, but he shook his head and replied, "No. I’ve also been busy these few days and did not see Lu-er. She also never came to find me. Why, did something happen to Lu-er?"

Ye Yuan currently felt a little uneasy. "After I returned, I spent the entire time looking for her, but I couldn’t find her. I have a bad premonition. I keep feeling that something happened to her."

"Maybe Lu-er was bored of waiting for you, and in a moment of playfulness, ran out to play. This is the Dan Wu Academy. Nothing should happen. Don’t need to worry, Brother Ye." Tang Yu reassured him.

Ye Yuan gave a sigh and said, "I hope so."

The house momentarily became silent. But the uneasiness in Ye Yuan’s heart grew increasingly stronger.

He suddenly stood up and said to Tang Yu, "Please return, Brother Tang. I’m still a little worried about Lu-er. I’m going to look for her."

"I’ll go too. There’s a higher chance with two people searching." Tang Yu offered.

Ye Yuan shook his head and said, "No need. Just I alone will suffice."

After he said that, Ye Yuan casually grabbed a piece of Lu-er’s clothing and went out.

. . . . . .

Ye Yuan did not go around hunting aimlessly. He came directly to Feng Ruoqing’s pill refinement room.

After returning from the capital, not only did Feng Ruoqing had a cultivation realm breakthrough, her insights in the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique also grew deeper.

Ye Yuan was in a closed-door seclusion these past few days, so she naturally hid in the pill refinement room to practice the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique.

Feng Ruoqing was surprised when she saw Ye Yuan, but Ye Yuan did not give her a chance to speak.

"I want to borrow your refinement room to use. Prepare a few ingredients for me!"

Ye Yuan casually threw Feng Ruoqing a piece of paper and directly entered the pill refinement room like this refinement room belonged to him.

Ye Yuan’s words were like issuing an order. Feng Ruoqing was very annoyed at his attitude but surprisingly did not blow her top. That was because she had never seen such a frightening expression on Ye Yuan’s face before.

Feng Ruoqing was quick-witted and knew that something must have happened.

"Forget it, forget it. Who asked me to owe him."

Feng Ruoqing let out a faint sigh and really went to prepare the ingredients Ye Yuan needed like a maidservant.

If other people saw the dignified State of Qin’s Head Princess does this sort of thing, their jaws would drop due to the shock.

Before long, Feng Ruoqing returned. The ingredients that Ye Yuan required were all ordinary stuff and were not difficult to source. It was naturally easy to obtain with Feng Ruoqing’s status.

Except, Feng Ruoqing was very curious about what Ye Yuan was trying to refine.

The ingredients that Ye Yuan needed were not all herbs. There were some other items. Refining medicinal pills out of these ingredients were impossible.

Passing the ingredients over to Ye Yuan, Feng Ruoqing could not resist asking, "There are quite a few that aren’t herbs. What are you trying to refine with these ingredients?"

Ye Yuan received the ingredients and answered indifferently, "You don’t need to bother. Just watch. Start the fire!"

"You! You’re really treating me like a servant?!" Feng Ruoqing could not help losing her temper. This fellow had no respect for anyone!

"If you’re not helping, then go to one side. Don’t hold me up!" Ye Yuan words grew icier.

Not knowing the reason Feng Ruoqing walked to the Red Lotus Cauldron and helped Ye Yuan open up the earth fire.

Seeing the situation, Ye Yuan did not express anything. Right now, his heart was burning with anxiety. However, he knew that the more impatient he got, the more he had to keep calm and not lose his reason.

The fire started, and Ye Yuan began to refine.

This time around, the refinement was not earthshaking. It was only a very simple-looking refinement method. But Feng Ruoqing had never seen this sort of method before.

Without the process of preparing the herbs nor the process of refining the medicinal essence, Ye Yuan directed the fire to temper the ingredients while looking very relaxed.

After an hour, the result of Ye Yuan refinement appeared. It was a chalk-like item, except that its appearance was grayish-black.

"What’s this?" Feng Ruoqing asked curiously again.

"Soul Guiding Incense!"

This time around, Ye Yuan did not reject answering. It was just that when he talked, he let out a long breath. His rising and falling chest showed his current state of agitation.

"Soul Guiding Incense? What’s it used for?" Feng Ruoqing had never heard of this thing before and asked inquisitively.

Ye Yuan did not answer but threw the Soul Guiding Incense onto the clothing that he brought along. After that, he waved a hand to draw a wisp of fire. Earth fire had an exceedingly high temperature. Lu-er’s clothes were burned into a wisp of green smoke instantly.

However, the miraculous thing was that the green smoke condensed in mid-air and did not dissipate!

The next instant, the green smoke moved, and Ye Yuan moved as well.

"Where are you going?" Feng Ruoqing asked bewilderedly.

But Ye Yuan ignored her and ran out following that strand of green smoke.

Feng Ruoqing bit her lips as she watched. After hesitating for a moment, she also followed.

Currently, her essence energy was drained. She could not even commit suicide.

Lu-er became more and more terrified and increasingly becoming weaker.

If she were tainted by a fellow like him, she would rather die!

Pah!

Zhang Heng slapped Lu-er's face and spat as he said, "Little b*tch. You still aren't compliant when you are already like this? You're really asking for a beating!"

Lu-er suffered due to that slap, and one side of her face immediately swelled up. She laid there motionlessly as if she was resigned to her fate.

Seeing the situation, Zhang Heng gave a nasty grin and said, 'That's right. Much better now. Don't worry. After today, you won't be able to leave this Senior Apprentice Brother! Hahaha!"

After saying that, Zhang Heng leaned over to carry out that bestial act.

But right at this moment, all the pores on Zhang Heng's body stood on end. A feeling of danger came from straight ahead.

Zhang Heng instinctively jumped away. An ice arrow grazed his face as it flew past.

Luckily, his reaction was fast enough. Otherwise, that ice arrow would have already pierced through his throat.

Withdrawing to the side, Zhang Heng broke into cold sweat. Who would have thought that this lass who already did not have any strength to retaliate could actually release such a powerful attack?

However, Zhang Heng instantly became furious. Lu-er nearly killed him!

Lu-er struggled to get up. Presently, her entire aura had changed drastically. Her entire body gave off an ice-cold feeling.

This sort iciness seemed like it could even freeze the air.

A layer of white frost covered Lu-er's hair, and her face also turned abnormally pale.

Zhang Heng looked at Lu-er's transformation and chortled as he said, "So, it turns out that you have the Nine Yin Absolute Meridian! You actually dared to cultivate essence energy with your Nine Yin Absolute Meridian. You really can't tell life from death! Right now, the frost poison has burst forth, I will see how you suppress it!"

The sun was currently shining brightly, but Lu-er felt as if her entire body was placed in an icehouse. The frost penetrated the bone and sunk in deeply.

This was the ultimate move of the Heaven Illusionary Ice Soul, Profound Ice Returns to Dust!

This move was a forbidden technique in the Heaven Illusionary Ice Soul. When Ye Yuan was teaching Lu-er, he had informed her that unless she had no other alternative, she must absolutely never use it!

That was because this move triggered the Nine Yin Absolute Meridian, attracting the frost qi between heaven and earth into her body in exchange for a powerful strength temporarily.

The name 'Returns to Dust' meant that after using it, from ashes to ashes, dust to dust. It was a move to perish together with your enemy.

Currently, Lu-er's aura soared massively, directly breaking through the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm threshold, past the Fifth Level Essence Qi Realm, and finally stopping at the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm!

The time Lu-er spent cultivating the Heaven Illusionary Ice Soul was still too short. Even though she improved at an amazing speed, her comprehension was not that profound.

If the Spirit Snow Divine King was the one executing the Profound Ice Returns to Dust, even if she only at the strength of a First Level Essence Qi Realm, she would be able to directly raise her strength to the Great Circle of Perfection of the Essence Qi Realm!

Although Zhang Heng was surprised at Lu-er's sudden rise in strength, he did not pay too much heed.

The Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm was still a minor stage lower than him!

But he was currently livid because Lu-er nearly killed him just now, making him feel incredibly ashamed.

That ice arrow also extinguished his lust. Right now, what he wanted to do was to send Lu-er to the afterlife.

Directly killing was a definite no-no. He would be punished by the academy.

But since this lass had the Nine Yin Absolute Meridian, then he could not be blamed if she sought her own death.

"Die, lecher!" Lu-er grabbed the air with one hand. An ice arrow formed once again and shot towards Zhang Heng.

Zhang Heng laughed coldly as he easily dodged it.

This ice arrow might have a high attacking power, but what was the use if it could not hit the target?

He was unprepared just now, which was why Lu-er's sneak attack almost succeeded. Now that they were fighting head-on, he naturally would not fall for it again.

After all, Lu-er was not Ye Yuan. She lacked actual combat experience and could not control the sudden rise in strength.

This sort of straight-forward attack obviously would not cause any trouble for the powerful Zhang Heng.

However, Lu-er did not care. Before she activated the Profound Ice Returns to Dust, she already had the will to die.

Lu-er believed that even if she could not kill this guy, Young Master would take revenge for her!

"Trying to deal with me with these sort of attacks? You're underestimating Earth Rank students' strength too much!" Zhang Heng said with a mocking face.

"Humph! Thousand Illusion Hail!"

Lu-er cried out as her two hands formed a round shape.

Very swiftly, countless stones formed between her hands. Pushing both palms out, a hailstone shot towards Zhang Heng.

Zhang Heng was astounded. He did not think that Lu-er's attacks would continue without end.

This hailstone was an area-of-effect attack. Zhang Heng's speed was fast, but he was still struck by many hailstones.

But the attack power of this hailstone was much weaker than the previous ice arrow. Coupled with Zhang Heng's powerful essence energy protection, these sort of attacks were unable to cause any real damage to him.

"Humph! Don't blame me for courting death, lass! Snake Shadow Whip!"

Zhang Heng's whip technique was very skillful. The whip shot towards Lu-er from a highly tricky angle.

Right now, Lu-er knew that she was not Zhang Heng's match, and her heart already held the will to die. She did not evade this whip at all.

A sneer suddenly appeared on Lu-er's face. Noticing this, Zhang Heng was startled.

Only to see that Lu-er's hands moved at high speed, and she actually formed multiple ice arrows in an instant!

Lu-er did not defend at all. She was actually going to make both parties lose!

Zhang Heng did not expect Lu-er to not fear death to such an extent. He did not want to die, so he swiftly pulled back his whip, and whirled his whip around. Very soon, the ice arrows were twirled into broken pieces.

His strength exceeded Lu-er's by far too much, and his combat experience was also much richer. For Lu-er to injure him head-on, it was harder than trying to reach the heaven.

After Zhang Heng shattered the ice arrows, he struck with his whip once more.

Lu-er's attack just now had already exhausted all of her essence energy. Right now, she could no longer continue, so she just gave up defending and closed her eyes to wait for death.

"Young Master, in future, Lu-er can no longer be at your side to serve you. You have to take good care of yourself!"

Two clear streams of tears fell and froze into ice beads.

Zhang Heng was aware that Lu-er did not fear death, but he did not expect that Lu-er looked forward to death so much that she just stopped defending.

He did not hold back on this move. If he hit Lu-er, then she was dead for sure.

The attack was already released, and Zhang Heng could no longer stop it anymore. Just as he watched it about to land on Lu-er, a force shot out from diagonally!

Chi!

The force actually directly broke the soft whip!

Zhang Heng was horrified.

Although his soft whip was not a magical artifact, that attack just now filled the inside of the whip with essence energy. It could pierce straight through a person, and yet, it was broken with one move by someone!

"Who's there? You're really despicable to dare to ambush me!" Zhang Heng howled.

A youth dressed in azure clothing glided over and landed beside Lu-er.

He did not even spare a glance at Zhang Heng. Picking up Lu-er, he took out a medicinal pill for her to eat.

"Lu-er, Young Master came late."

Lu-er opened her eyes wearily and saw that it was Ye Yuan. A trace of light recovered within her eyes.

"Don't talk. Watch by the side. Young Master will stand up for you!" As he spoke, Ye Yuan's words grew frostier.

Ye Yuan supported Lu-er to the sides, and then he stood up straight and shouted, "Right now, I really want to kill someone! Anyone who stops me will be my enemy! I will not give up until you die!"

"Right now, I really want to kill someone! Anyone who stops me will be my enemy! I will not give up until you die!"

Ye Yuan’s words were directed toward Feng Ruoqing. He knew that Feng Ruoqing also came.

If Feng Ruoqing makes a move, it would be impossible for him to kill Zhang Heng.

This was a warning!

Nobody responded, but this was already a sort of tacit consent.

Zhang Heng burst out laughing like he had just heard a hilarious joke. "Hahaha . . . . . . Kill me? You’re that Ye Yuan, right? Just you, a Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm, wants to jump ranks to kill me? You two, master and servant, are equally unable to gauge your strength!"

Ye Yuan did not show any reaction and said coolly, "Are you acting on your own? Or is there somebody instigating you? Speak, and I will spare your life!"

Ye Yuan had no connections with this Zhang Heng. It was even more unlikely for Lu-er to provoke anyone, so he did not believe that Zhang Heng would force Lu-er to such a desperate situation for no reason whatsoever.

Just now, Zhang Heng recognized Ye Yuan immediately with a glance. This further confirmed his conjecture.

"What a joke! You, a Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm, are so f*cking arrogant! You think that after passing the Black Rank Advancement test and increasing your cultivation realm, you have the capital to challenge veteran Earth Rank students? Spare my life? Why don’t you try for me to see?!"

Although Zhang Heng was astonished by Ye Yuan’s advancement speed, he did not feel that he could threaten him.

He was three minor cultivation realms above Ye Yuan, and they were separated by a minor stage. This sort of difference in power was not so easily bridged.

Zhang Heng admitted that Ye Yuan was a genius. But who among those who could enter the Dan Wu Academy and become an Earth Rank student was not a genius among geniuses?

Ye Yuan sighed, and he said calmly, "One really can’t communicate with an imbecile. Since you don’t want to talk, then I will beat you until you do."

Ye Yuan did not waste his breath. He raised his hand and executed Stacking Waves Layered Palm.

Eight Layer Wave!

"Humph! Reckless punk. You dare to look down on me and only use one hand?!"

Zhang Heng naturally would not fold his hands and await death. He threw his weapon aside and also used his bare hands.

"Prajna Palm!"

Zhang Heng raised his hands to unleash a high-rank martial technique.

Zhang Heng had spent a great deal of time and effort on this Prajna Palm and trained it to the Great Success stage. Furthermore, he struck out with both palms together, so the amount of essence energy used was much greater.

Zhang Heng curled the corner of his mouth as if seeing the image of Ye Yuan being heavily injured.

Three palms collided, but the events did not play out as Zhang Heng imagined. He felt a colossal force coming from the Ye Yuan’s palm, which immediately passed through his two hands and spread throughout his entire body.

"Puu!" Zhang Heng gave a muffled groan, and blood sprayed out wildly from his mouth. His entire body flew out like he was heavily struck.

"Now, will you talk?" Ye Yuan continued speaking calmly without any trace of emotion.

The palm that Ye Yuan unleashed in anger was the Eight Layer Wave!

Stacking Waves Layered Palm, Eight Layer Wave. This was a palm technique that could even finish off a First Level Spirit Condensation Realm, and Zhang Heng chose to receive it head-on foolishly. There would be no justice if he did not die.

But Ye Yuan deliberately held back on this move and only heavily injured Zhang Heng. The intention was to find out who was the mastermind.

Ye Yuan took two steps forward and walked to Zhang Heng’s side. Looking down on him, he asked icily, "Now, will you talk?"

"Puu!" Zhang Heng coughed up another mouthful of blood.

Right now, his arms were broken, and his internal organs also suffered extremely serious injuries. He looked incredibly wretched. If he did not receive medical treatment, he would soon die without Ye Yuan needing to move.

"Talk . . . Talk my *ss! Ha . . . haha . . . If you have the ability, then kill me! The Dan Wu Academy’s rules state that students cannot kill one another! Come then! Kill me!" Zhang Heng’s blood stained his teeth as he laughed miserably.

Ye Yuan looked at Zhang Heng pitifully, and he said coldly, "Rules? Rules are only used to restrict mediocre people like you. A true powerhouse will break all the rules and establish his own rules! Someone like you can only live under other people’s rules forever. How pitiful!"

"Hahaha! Who doesn’t know how to brag? If you have the balls, then try breaking the rules for me to see! A Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm punk talking nonsense about breaking the rules. What a joke!"

Zhang Heng clearly did not believe that Ye Yuan dared to go against the academy’s rules. That was because, in the academy’s history, all those who broke the rules were sentenced to death!

Except for that person!

"Is that so? Then I will break the rules now. Except . . . you won’t be able to see it."

Ye Yuan raised his hand again, and essence energy hovered faintly within his palm.

At this moment, Zhang Heng could clearly sense the killing intent coming off of Ye Yuan.

To Ye Yuan, Lu-er was one of his closest loved ones, and Zhang Heng dared to force her until she used the Profound Ice Returns to Dust. Even his death was insufficient!

In his precious life, Ye Yuan did not have the ability to protect his loved ones. In this life, he was set on never letting his loved ones come to harm. But he did not expect to encounter something like this.

Ye Yuan’s self-condemnation had already surpassed his fury!

This palm slapped downwards without any hesitation. Zhang Heng no longer doubted Ye Yuan’s determination.

"I’ll talk! I’ll talk! Don’t kill me! I-I was only under someone’s instigation!" Zhang Heng finally could not withstand the pressure, and hurriedly shouted.

"Talk!" Ye Yuan did not shift his palm. He was waiting for Zhang Heng’s answer.

"I’ll talk, but you have to promise not to kill me. Otherwise, I’d rather die than say!" Zhang Heng painfully made his decision and threatened him.

"Is that so? Then bring it with you inside your coffin!" Ye Yuan channeled his palm strength and moved a little closer to Zhang Heng.

"Don’t don’t don’t! I’ll talk, I’ll talk! I-its Senior Apprentice Brother Lin Tiancheng who instructed me. I was only obeying him! He’s the head student of the General Affairs Department, so I can’t disobey him! Junior Apprentice Brother Ye, I beg you, let me go. I will definitely help you testify against Lin Tiancheng!"

God knows where Zhang Heng got the strength from, to manage to crawl up and grab hold of Ye Yuan’s leg as he cried out.

"Good. You can die now!"

Ye Yuan’s palm struck down, and Zhang Heng died without even making any sound.

Regardless of whether he was obeying others or not, he deserved to die ten thousand times over just for forcing Lu-er to such a state!

"Lin Tiancheng?" Ye Yuan thought for a moment and recalled who this Lin Tiancheng was.

He did not think that it was actually such a minor character that made Lu-er end up in such a sorry state. If he knew this beforehand, he would have taken preventive measures.

Right at this moment, Lu-er’s movement alerted Ye Yuan. He quickly rushed over to Lu-er.

Lu-er already had no more strength to stand up. She was currently crawling forward!

"Lu-er, what are you doing?! If there’s anything, just tell me! I will do it for you!" Ye Yuan shouted as he rushed over.

Lu-er continued moving forward bit by bit and finally crawled in front of that blue color badge.

She reached out to grab that Alchemy Master badge and held it against her chest as if that blue badge was her everything.

Ye Yuan hurriedly picked up Lu-er. After Lu-er got the badge, she could finally no longer hold on and fainted. Except, she still had a hint of a smile on her face, looking completely satisfied.

Looking at the object in Lu-er’s hand, he could not help feeling his heart ached.

An insignificant badge to him was cherished so deeply by Lu-er!

"Thank you, Lu-er. Let’s go home!"

"Why did you have to do that? According to the academy’s rules, killing fellow students is the death penalty!"

Feng Ruoqing gave a faint sigh as she revealed herself and blocked Ye Yuan’s path.

Ye Yuan stopped, and then he retorted, "If Feng Zhirou ended up like this because of someone, what would you do?"

". . ."

Feng Ruoqing was speechless. The answer was obvious.

"Those people were sentenced to death because they weren’t talented enough. If they had sufficient potential and had adequate strength, I think the academy would not kill them, but instead, heavily nurture them, right?" Ye Yuan said indifferently.

Ye Yuan’s words were sufficiently arrogant. But what he said was logical and natural!

Regardless of whether it was his past life or this life, Ye Yuan could look down proudly on all the pinnacle geniuses under the heavens!

Just imagine how great of a genius he was to have been hailed as the one most likely to breakthrough to the Alchemy God realm in the Divine Realm, where geniuses were as many as oxen hair.

Now that he transmigrated and lived once more, why would he give a shit about this tiny State of Qin?

Feng Ruoqing remained silent for a while, but she still nodded and said, "It’s like you said. In reality, there are still people who weren’t killed, but instead, became heavily groomed by the academy. Five years ago, a shockingly dazzling figure appeared in the academy. But because his brother was bullied by someone, he killed a student in a fit of rage. The outcome was that not only did the academy not dole out punishment, but he was also groomed heavily."

"Haha. Sure enough! Then what are you worried about? Don’t tell me I’m inferior to him?"

Feng Ruoqing shook her head and said slowly, "Because you aren’t killing only one person!"

"Just a bunch of trash. If they’re killed, then they’re killed." Ye Yuan could not care less.

Anyone who dared to touch the people he treasured dearly, would have to be prepared to be killed. A tiny little Lin Tiancheng, if he was killed, then he was killed. What else could they do?

"But I’ve heard of this Lin Tiancheng before. He’s a half-step Spirit Condensation Realm. Even though you advanced amazingly fast, are you his match? If you won, then that’s fine. But if you lost, some people would not let you off so easily."

Ye Yuan shook his head and did not explain anything. He just passed Lu-er over to Feng Ruoqing.

"If you treat me as a friend, then just help me take good care of Lu-er."

Feng Zhirou did not know why, but when she heard these words, she felt delighted in her heart.

Ye Yuan was clearly her student. Was it not strange to be friends? But why was it so natural?

"I’m your teacher!" Feng Zhirou put on a solemn face and said.

Ye Yuan waved his hands like he was not willing to get tangled up on this question.

"Support Lu-er up. I’m going to help her suppress the frost poison in her body. Otherwise, she might not survive the night."

Feng Ruoqing obeyed and lifted Lu-er up properly. Ye Yuan then rapidly struck over a dozen points on Lu-er’s body. After that, he lifted up her palm and transferred his own essence energy over.

In terms of extreme yang and strength, the Spirit Bristle Nine Yang Divine Art that Ye Yuan cultivated was a cultivation law which pushed them to the extremity.

When compared to his cultivation law, the cultivation law Feng Zhirou trained in was like a small witch meeting a great sorcerer.

Ye Yuan’s essence energy was incomparably thick, making it perfect for suppressing the Nine Yin Frost Poison. But this could only treat the symptoms and not the root of the problem.

A Nine Yin Divine Link Meridian was an innate Nine Yin Absolute Meridian. Once the frost poison erupted, it would be like an ice blackhole, automatically sucking all the surrounding cold qi into the body, extremely terrifying.

No matter how powerful Ye Yuan’s essence energy was, it could not contend with the heaven and earth cold yin power. It could only temporarily suppress the frost poison in Lu-er’s body.

After Ye Yuan withdrew his hand, Lu-er’s face became rosier. But she was still unconscious.

"I’ll leave Lu-er to you. I’m going to kill some people!" After saying this, Ye Yuan turned around and left.

. . . . . .

The entrance of the General Affairs Department was a rather busy place with streams of people coming and going.

Ye Yuan stepped past the doorway but was stopped by two students.

"What rank are you? What’s your purpose of coming to the General Affairs Department?" one of the students questioned him.

They did not stop everyone they saw. A single look and they could tell Ye Yuan did not appear friendly, and that something was wrong. That was why he was stopped.

"To kill people!"

Those three words casually popped out from Ye Yuan’s mouth, sending a chill down the backs of the two students who heard it.

"A-are you joking?! The Dan Wu Academy forbids students from privately committing murder. Are you trying to violate the academy’s rules?"

This student was also at the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm, but under Ye Yuan’s pressure, his essence energy showed signs of becoming unstable.

"I don’t have time to joke with you. Where’s Lin Tiancheng? Ask him to come out and die!"

"Senior Apprentice Brother Lin? Were you hit on the head? Quickly leave! If you still don’t go, then we won’t be courteous!" The other person was slightly better, and he just wanted to chase Ye Yuan away.

A Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm talking nonsense about wanting to kill a half-step Spirit Condensation Realm expert. If his brain were not damaged, then what was it?

Ye Yuan simply ignored these two people and directly forced his way through between the two of them.

These two people were in charge of guarding the entrance, so they naturally could not let Ye Yuan in like this. Hence, they used all of their power to try to stop Ye Yuan.

Boom!

Their hands did not even touch Ye Yuan before they were sent flying a long way out by the essence energy Ye Yuan released, which automatically opened up a pathway.

Even though they were similarly at the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm, the difference was too huge!

The thickness of Ye Yuan’s essence energy was multiple times that of the same realm. How could these two people possibly be Ye Yuan’s match?

"S-someone’s causing trouble. Stop him! Quick! Notify Senior Apprentice Brother Lin!"

One of the students was very dedicated to his job. After landing on the ground, he ignored the pain on his body and shouted loudly.

The activity outside alarmed the people inside. Now that he shouted like that, the students who just came out immediately knew what happened.

An Eighth Level Essence Qi Realm student came up to stop Ye Yuan. He rebuked angrily, "Who are you? How audacious. Do you know what place this is to actually dare to cause trouble here?!"

Ye Yuan did not bother with him and continued walking forward.

"Courting death!"

Seeing Ye Yuan’s supercilious attitude, that student immediately raged. He forced his way forward, wanting to teach Ye Yuan a lesson.

Ye Yuan casually unleashed a palm, and that student flew out, landing heavily against the wall before he stopped.

"Siiii . . ."

Everyone sucked in a cold breath!

Ye Yuan clearly only had the strength of a Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm, but a casual palm had such power, to send an Eighth Level Essence Qi Realm flying.

It was very obvious that Ye Yuan already showed mercy. Otherwise, that Eighth Level Essence Qi Realm student would be a dead man right now.

"Stacking Waves Layered Palm! H-he’s Ye Yuan!"

Right then, someone in the crowd recognized Ye Yuan’s palm technique, and he immediately deduced Ye Yuan’s identity.

There was only one person who could casually unleash the Stacking Waves Layered Palm within the Dan Wu Academy, and that was Ye Yuan.

Other than him, even Head Senior Apprentice Brother Long Tang could not do it!

"Quick! Quickly inform Senior Apprentice Brother Lin! Say that Ye Yuan came to the General Affairs Department to make trouble! Let’s stop him together. I don’t believe that so many of us can’t even handle a Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm!" a student who seemed to be a student manager shouted out.

As expected, the others also perked up after his speech.

That’s right. No matter how powerful Ye Yuan was, he was still only one person. Many among them were Eighth Level Essence Qi Realm, and quite a few were at the Ninth Level Essence Qi Realm. How could he defeat so many people?

Ye Yuan swept his gaze across everyone, making everybody shuddered.

"Have you all thought things through? Every wrong has its perpetrator, and every debt has its debtor. I’m only looking for Lin Tiancheng alone. Are you all sure you want to be accomplices?" Ye Yuan asked calmly.

The Dan Wu Academy’s General Affairs Department was segmented into the inner court, middle court, and outer court.

The outer court was where students received jobs. The middle court was where the student managers of the General Affairs Department managed work. The inner court was where important figures dealt with businesses.

Presently, Lin Tiancheng was in the inner court assigning tasks to the student managers.

"All of you, quickly handle the matters that I just instructed! Supervision of newly admitted students has to be reinforced. Make them obey submissively. If anyone causes trouble, then just directly suppress them. There’s no need to be polite!"

Lin Tiancheng was issuing orders to a bunch of people with the air of someone of the upper echelon.

"Yes, Senior Apprentice Brother Lin. We will do it right away!" Finishing, several people turned around and left.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A frantic knocking was heard.

"Senior Apprentice Brother Lin, something bad has happened! Something bad has happened!" Outside the door, a student kicked up a racket, making Lin Tiancheng frown.

Lin Tiancheng had always been very strict with the rules. People at the lower levels had never dared to cause such a ruckus when entering. Today, there was actually someone who collided head-on with the tip of the spear!

Creak!

The door was opened by a student manager who reprimanded angrily. "What’s the commotion about? Don’t you know that Senior Apprentice Brother Lin is busy? Is your skin itching for a whipping?"

That student ignored him and just went around him, crying to Lin Tiancheng, "Senior Apprentice Brother Lin, something bad has happened! That Ye Yuan is currently causing a commotion outside the department. Senior Apprentice Brother Hu went up to stop him, but was sent flying with a slap! He even said . . . he even said . . ."

When Lin Tiancheng heard Ye Yuan’s name, his face immediately fell.

Looks like he found out about Lu-er being bullied by Zhang Heng, and the flames of fury attacked his heart, which was why he came to the General Affairs Department to cause such an upheaval.

Thinking of this, Lin Tiancheng gave a cold laugh. "Do you all just eat rice and do nothing? Just a Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm managed to frighten you all until this manner? That Hu Tie is also a trash, to be sent flying with a single slap from a Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm."

"Senior Apprentice Brother Lin, Ye Yuan, h-he isn’t only at the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm."

"Mmm? Not only Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm? Don’t tell me he really entered closed-seclusion to breakthrough to the Fifth Level Essence Qi Realm?"

"A-also not the Fifth Level Essence Qi Realm." That student shook his head like a rattle drum.

Looking at this appearance, Lin Tiancheng became infuriated. "Can you not talk like you are out of breath?! Just what’s Ye Yuan strength? He can’t have been in a closed-door seclusion for a few days and reached the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm, right?"

This time around, that student’s head was like a chicken pecking for rice as he nodded non-stop. "T-that’s right! Ye Yuan is already at the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm!"

"What?!"

Including Lin Tiancheng, all the student managers in the room were astonished.

They were, of course, aware of what strength Ye Yuan possessed. Around ten days ago, Ye Yuan had just made Lin Tiancheng lose face greatly. Back then, he was still at the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm.

Just a mere ten days or so had passed, and Ye Yuan was already at the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm?

He jumped from the First Level Essence Qi Realm to the Third Level Essence Qi Realm. Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm to the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm could also be jumped?

Just what was happening to this world?

The crux was that not only did Ye Yuan increase his cultivation realm extremely fast, his strength also improved by leaps and bounds.

Did they not just hear what this punk said? He sent Hu Tie flying with one slap! Hu Tie was an Eighth Level Essence Qi Realm, and he could not even take a hit. Would that not mean that Ye Yuan possessed at least the strength of a Ninth Level Essence Qi Realm?

After the shock, Lin Tiancheng’s face grew darker.

He did not expect that Ye Yuan would have the power to threaten him so fast. It looked like it was already hopeless for Zhang Heng.

"Humph! Just Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm! You are all veteran Earth rank students. Don’t tell me every one of you are scared of a Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm? Are you all even Dan Wu Academy’s students? You, go out and tell them to attack together! If they can’t even restrain a Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm, then what does the General Affairs Department need them for?" Lin Tiancheng shamelessly used the people outside as his shield.

Lin Tiancheng was not really scared of Ye Yuan. But if he could use those people outside to diminish Ye Yuan’s battle strength, then why not?"

. . . . . .

"Have you all thought things through? Every wrong has its perpetrator, and every debt has its debtor. I’m only looking for Lin Tiancheng alone. Are you all sure you want to be accomplices?"

Ye Yuan took a step forward. The students outside the department were affected by his aura and retreated a step in unison.

Ye Yuan took another step forward, and the crowd stepped back once more.

A Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm managed to force a group of Seventh and Eighth Level Essence Qi Realm students back!

If this were spread outside, there would no longer be a need for the General Affairs Department to exist.

Right at this moment, the student who went to report to Lin Tiancheng just now rushed back. "Senior Apprentice Brother Lin said to attack together and take him down first! He’s just at the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm. If you all can’t deal with this, then what do we need you for? If you all can’t take down Ye Yuan, then forget about working in the General Affairs Department in the future!"

Once these words were out, everyone’s faces changed.

Lin Tiancheng had always lived up to his words. He would really replace all these people!

Most of these Earth Rank students had no hope of advancing to the Heaven Rank, so they stayed here to do some work and fish for some benefits.

If they did not work here, then they could possibly end up doing manual labor.

That was obviously a result they did not wish to see!

"Fine! I don’t believe that so many of us here can’t take care of a Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm."

"Everyone, attack!"

Everybody gathered, surrounding Ye Yuan in the center.

Ye Yuan did not stop them, and let them surround him.

Finally, these people could no longer resist attacking Ye Yuan!

From the front, an Eighth Level Essence Qi Realm student stabbed his sword towards Ye Yuan. Ye Yuan reached out and flicked a finger. That long sword immediately flew out of his hand.

Another slap, and that Eighth Level Essence Qi Realm was sent flying.

At the same time, a palm attack came from the back. It was like eyes were growing behind Ye Yuan as he evaded it by slightly shifting his body. Then, he slammed his arm backward, and that person also went airborne.

For some time, the surroundings were filled with attacks, but nobody was able to really threaten Ye Yuan.

Not only were they unable to pose any threat, Ye Yuan even moved forward as he fought. He was about to push past the outer court.

People could be seen flying continuously out of the group surrounding Ye Yuan and landing heavily on the ground.

In a blink of an eye, Ye Yuan broke past these people’s defense and passed through the outer court.

The majority of these people were at the Seventh Level Essence Qi Realm and the Eighth Level Essence Qi Realm. To the current Ye Yuan, there was completely no threat. Where his palm wind reached, a series of wailing sounded.

The outer court was strewn with people lying on the ground and crying out shrilly.

Ye Yuan did not stop. Grabbing a sword, he advanced inside like that with the sword in his hand.

Entering the middle court, another group of people surrounded him. These people were the student managers of the General Affairs Department. Each one of them was like Zhang Heng; all existences of the Ninth Level Essence Qi Realm!

Ninth Level Essence Qi Realm was the pinnacle of existence in the Essence Qi Realm. It represented the apex of the Essence Qi Realm. Their strength was also much stronger than the Eighth Level Essence Qi Realm.

Ye Yuan would not care about a single person. But there were around seven or eight people now. They would not be a minor force anywhere.

Ye Yuan looked at them and smiled coldly as he said, "You guys are really loyal dogs. Wherever Lin Tiancheng points to, you guys would strike there! My words still remain the same. Every wrong has its perpetrator, and every debt has its debtor. I only want to kill Lin Tiancheng alone! If you want to be a dog, then you’d better be prepared to get beat up!"

"What a joke! In the Dan Wu Academy, nobody has ever dared to harp on about killing someone. I think you must be f*cking ballsy!" 1

Everyone found it extremely comical to see Ye Yuan behave so arrogantly.

One could fight in the Dan Wu Academy and could also arrange for a deathmatch. But nobody had ever dared to talk about killing someone in such a dignified manner.

The way they saw it, Ye Yuan was obviously posturing and wanted to use this sort of threat to force them back.

Ye Yuan adjusted his sword in a showy manner and said coldly, "Since that’s the case, then there’s nothing to talk about. I’ll just have to beat up the guard dogs before going to beat the owner."

With those words, Ye Yuan did not hesitate and then charged into the group with his sword.

Falling Flower Floating Zero Sword was executed, and his entire being became a series of afterimages as he passed through these people.

These student managers were all at the Ninth Level Essence Qi Realm. Apart from Heaven Rank students and a half-step Spirit Condensation Realm like Lin Tiancheng, they were virtually undefeatable existences in the Dan Wu Academy.

But at this moment, they made a woeful discovery. They could not even touch the corner of Ye Yuan’s sleeves.

Ye Yuan’s body moved elegantly like countless falling petals, completely traceless.

These student managers were after all Ninth Level Essence Qi Realms, three minor cultivation realms above Ye Yuan. Wanting to defeat them was not so simple.

Ye Yuan could naturally use brute force to deal with these people. But he did not wish to reveal his trump card too early.

In the entire academy, apart from Feng Ruoqing who saw him use the Eight Layer Wave to kill Zhang Heng just now, nobody was aware that he could use the Eight Layer Wave.

Lin Tiancheng was ultimately a half-step Spirit Condensation Realm. There was almost a major cultivation realm between him and Ye Yuan. It would not be a good thing if he got to know of his trump card beforehand.

Using the Falling Flower Floating Zero Sword to deal with the enemies could conserve essence energy and also numb his opponent. So why not?

Even though Ye Yuan’s flames of fury was soaring to the sky right now, he did not lose his reason.

If he did not even have this shrewdness after living two lifetimes, then it was all wasted.

The Falling Flower Floating Zero Sword was created by imitating falling flowers. It paid particular attention to flowing with the wind naturally and elegantly, very economical on the usage of essence energy.

Of course, the Falling Flower Floating Zero Sword was not without weaknesses. The drawback was insufficient attack power.

But in this sort of situation, Ye Yuan did not require much attack power.

He made use of the elegant and nimble movements to give these students some injuries every now and then. As time passed, their combat power dropped drastically.

"Aiyo! My arm!"

"Ah! My leg!"

The curdling screams carried on incessantly. Unwittingly, many injuries had appeared on these student managers’ bodies.

"Just what kind of a freak is this guy? Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm and he is this powerful!"

"Stop! Stop! We admit defeat!"

"That’s right! Quickly stop! We surrender!"

One person was the first to speak, and everyone else’s spirit immediately collapsed. Everyone quickly laid down their arms and surrendered.

After breaking through to the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm, it would be tough for Ye Yuan to find an opponent in the Essence Qi Realm anymore.

Ye Yuan obviously would not slaughter everyone in a frenzy. Seeing that these people had the intention to back away, he threw down the sword in his hand indifferently and headed inside to the inner court.

Grabbing a student doing chores in the inner court and forcing him to lead the way, Ye Yuan went to where Lin Tiancheng was.

Ye Yuan kicked the door wide open with a leg, but the room was already empty, and Lin Tiancheng could not be seen anywhere.

The back window was opened. Clearly, Lin Tiancheng escaped from here.

Ye Yuan laughed coldly and took out a stick of Soul Guiding Incense. He came to the table and casually took up a book to burn. The Soul Guiding Incense became a wisp of green smoke and went with the wind.

A martial artist’s divine soul was powerful and would leave behind the scent of their soul in places where they frequently stopped by. The Soul Guiding Incense could differentiate these soul scents and track him down.

When powerful martial artists were fleeing, they would conceal the scent of their soul. Hence, the use of the Soul Guiding Incense was not great. In his past life, Ye Yuan only found it fun, so he researched it a bit.

But Lin Tiancheng evidently did not know how to hide the scent of his soul. It was useless no matter where he fled to.

. . . . . .

Ye Yuan’s performance truly astonished Lin Tiancheng. Seven to eight Ninth Level Essence Qi Realm martial artists were defeated just like chopping vegetables.

Although he did not believe Ye Yuan could really defeat him, at the very least, Ye Yuan already possessed the power to fight with him!

Lin Tiancheng was one of those typical examples of people who bullied the weak but feared the strong. So he chose to run away.

Ye Yuan had already wholly overturned the General Affairs Department. As long as the instructors found out about this matter, he would definitely be expelled. Hence, he had no need to fight it out with Ye Yuan.

Right now, he was going to the back of the mountain to tattle to the instructor!

"What a brainless fellow! So what if he’s a genius? Isn’t he still screwed over by me, Lin Tiancheng?" Being pleased with himself, the smile on Lin Tiancheng’s face could not be concealed no matter what.

Lin Tiancheng who was gloating did not notice that a wisp of green smoke spun a few rounds above his head, which then disappeared.

The next moment, Lin Tiancheng’s smile froze on his face. That was because his path ahead was blocked by someone. And that someone blocking him was precisely that hateful Ye Yuan.

How was this possible?

How did he know that I was here?

Ye Yuan just stood in front of him coldly without even hiding his killing intent.

Unknowingly, fear started to take place in Lin Tiancheng’s heart as he looked at Ye Yuan’s expression.

"Ye Yuan, don’t push me too far! Do you really think that I’m scared of you?" Lin Tiancheng was livid, trying to use this to cover up his guilt.

"Aren’t you the one who forced me? Congratulations. You’ve succeeded in infuriating me. And the price for that is your life!" Ye Yuan spoke slowly without any trace of emotion.

"Haha! You really don’t know the immensity of Heaven and Earth! Don’t tell me that you forgot what this place is? The Dan Wu Academy has never tolerated students killing students. Violators are sentenced to death! Do you wish to go against the academy’s rules with your own strength?" Lin Tiancheng guffawed.

Ye Yuan shook his head and sighed as he said, "You’re really the same as that guy in the medicine garden, treating the academy’s rules as your protective talisman! It’s because something like the academy’s rules that you guys dared to touch my people, right?"

Hearing Ye Yuan’s sigh, Lin Tiancheng suddenly felt a chill arise from the bottom of his heart, and the ominous feeling in his heart would not go away.

"W-what did you do to Zhang Heng?"

"Don’t you know the answer already?" Ye Yuan replied calmly as if he did something not even worth mentioning.

Lin Tiancheng was like a cat whose tail was stepped on, and cried out in shock, "Y-you really killed Zhang Heng? You really dare to kill people?! Are you insane? You’ll be put to death! Hahaha! You are dead, Ye Yuan!"

Ye Yuan let out another sigh and said, "So weak. All you talk about is the academy’s rules. No wonder you kept failing the Earth Rank Advancement test. It’s because . . . you don’t have the heart of a powerhouse!"

Lin Tiancheng trembled. Ye Yuan’s words directly struck his trauma and exposed his weakest area!

"You think that you’re very exalted being the head student of the General Affairs Department. In reality, it’s displaying your weakness! How many of the students who passed the Earth Rank Advancement test came out of there? I came to kill you, but you made your subordinates become your fodders. Finally, you flee without fighting. You don’t even dare to fight once. You want to tell the instructor that I’m causing a commotion at the general affairs, right? You are basically a coward! Someone like you would never become a true powerhouse!"

Ye Yuan’s words were like a heavy hammer, striking Lin Tiancheng’s spirit one blow after another, leaving him short on breath.

"Shut up! A puny Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm dares to talk crap about being a powerhouse in front of me? What a joke!"

Lin Tiancheng finally lost it and dismissed Ye Yuan’s words.

"Is that so? Then what are you scared of? Quickly come and finish off me, this puny Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm!" Ye Yuan words were filled with countless mocking.

"Humph! You think I can’t detect such a low level goading action? Fine! I will do as you wish today, and let you witness what are a true expert is!"

Finishing, Lin Tiancheng’s half-step Spirit Condensation Realm aura was released and smashed towards Ye Yuan.

Lin Tiancheng was not stupid. His biggest advantage was cultivation realm, so he obviously had to make good use of it.

A Spirit Condensation Realm could rely solely on his realm’s pressure to make an Essence Qi Realm’s essence energy slow down and become stagnant. Although his half-step Spirit Condensation Realm could not fully unleash the pressure of a Spirit Condensation Realm, it already had quite a bit of power.

Spirit Condensation Realm, was actually compressing the essence energy within the Dantian to its limits, achieving the realm where the accumulated qi becomes liquid; it was a one-time advancement of the body’s essence energy.

Hence, regardless of whether in terms of quantity or quality, a Spirit Condensation Realm’s essence energy greatly surpassed that of normal essence energy!

Wanting to defeat a Spirit Condensation Realm with the strength of essence energy was an extremely tough thing to do. One either required extremely powerful martial techniques to bridge the difference in cultivation realm or use heaven-defying medicinal pills to compensate for the difference in power.

But regardless of the method used, the prerequisite was that this method was able to compensate for the difference in power between an Essence Qi Realm and a Spirit Condensation Realm!

The so-called half-step Spirit Condensation Realm meant that the martial artist was in the process of liquefying their accumulated qi and already partially had the power of a Spirit Condensation Realm!

The power of a half-step Spirit Condensation Realm was already sufficient to crush any Essence Qi Realm martial artist.

Lin Tiancheng was pretty talented. He could have broken through to the Spirit Condensation Realm long ago but had always suppressed his strength at half-step Spirit Condensation Realm for the Earth Rank Advancement test.

However, his comprehension was still a little lacking, so he had been unable to advance his martial technique’s mastery. Hence, he had no way of jumping ranks to defeat the five black-clothed Spirit Condensation Realm martial artists.

After all, he was only half-step Spirit Condensation Realm. There was still a very large gap compared to a true Spirit Condensation Realm.

Seeing Lin Tiancheng used his cultivation realm’s suppression to deal with him, Ye Yuan laughed coldly.

"Trying to use cultivation to suppress me? It’s a shame that your cultivation realm is too low!"

If a Third Level Spirit Condensation Realm and above used this move to deal with him, it would really be troublesome. But a half-step Spirit Condensation Realm doing it was basically trying to scratch an itch through one’s boots.

Ye Yuan fully released the essence energy in his body right then, and his aura soared, pushing Lin Tiancheng’s aura back!

Only an instant had passed, and these two people’s auras were matched with each other’s. Neither of them was able to do anything to the other!

This was originally a noisy place, and now, many students gathered to gawk. When they saw that Ye Yuan’s aura was evenly matched with Lin Tiancheng’s aura, they were stunned speechless.

"No way. Is that Ye Yuan really only at the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm?"

"Absolutely! He can actually be evenly matched with Senior Apprentice Brother Lin under the suppression of cultivation realm. This is too sick!"

"Doesn’t this mean that his power’s no less than a half-step Spirit Condensation Realm?"

"That should be it theoretically. But doesn’t that mean that even though Ye Yuan is only at the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm, the thickness of his essence energy was already not inferior to a half-step Spirit Condensation Realm? I-isn’t this too ridiculous!"

Of course, this was not a joke. The thickness of Ye Yuan’s essence energy was really terrifying!

Since the start of First Level Essence Qi Realm, the essence energy that Ye Yuan consumed during cultivation was several times of others.

Under the accumulation of so many realms, the density of Ye Yuan’s essence energy was already pretty impressive. That was why he could stand up to Lin Tiancheng in terms of aura.

The density of essence energy was not about having a large reserve, but rather, having the purity of essence energy, which greatly surpassed that of the same realm.

As an example, Ye Yuan and some other Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm executed the same martial technique. Other people required one unit of essence energy, while Ye Yuan only needed one-third of a unit or even a fifth!

This was why Ye Yuan was powerful!

Seeing Ye Yuan not losing in terms of aura, Lin Tiancheng’s expression became extremely ugly.

Since he could not suppress Ye Yuan using cultivation realm, Lin Tiancheng could only fight directly with him!

However, Ye Yuan knew an abnormal martial technique like the Stacking Waves Layered Palm. A moment of lapse, and it would be serious injuries, possibly even death!

At this moment, Lin Tiancheng naturally would not naively believe that Ye Yuan would have any qualms about some rules.

This was a life and death match!

"Humph! So what if your aura is strong? Today, I will let you witness just what a half-step Spirit Condensation Realm is! Thunderous Fist!"

Lin Tiancheng’s punch struck towards Ye Yuan. There were even traces of electricity on the fist. It was precisely a superior-grade Tier 1 martial technique which Ye Yuan saw in the Scripture Library, the Thunderous Fist!

The power of a superior-grade Tier 1 martial technique unleashed by a half-step Spirit Condensation Realm was truly terrifying.

Although this punch did not smash towards them, the surrounding students similarly felt enormous pressure, let alone Ye Yuan who was receiving it directly.

"Senior Apprentice Brother Lin’s Thunderous Fist is really scary. I’m afraid it’s already trained to the great success stage."

"Yeah. Even though that punch wasn’t aimed at me, I still feel short of breath now. He’s really worthy of being the strongest in the Earth ranking. How frightening!"

"Ye Yuan’s really straining himself! At any rate, Senior Apprentice Brother Lin is a half-step Spirit Condensation Realm. How could he be defeated so easily?"

"Listening to their conversation just now, it’s actually a deathmatch. Just what kind of deep hatred do they have with each other? Even if they really killed the other party, they also can’t escape the academy’s punishment!"

"Why do you care so much? Since there’s a show, just watch. It won’t implicate you anyway."

Ye Yuan also felt the pressure coming head-on while facing Lin Tiancheng’s lightning-attribute martial technique.

A Half-step Spirit Condensation Realm was indeed powerful!

Ye Yuan did not choose to clash head-on with Lin Tiancheng but decided to evade instead.

Ye Yuan’s feet shifted and executed Instant Flash, vanishing in a blink of an eye, leaving behind an afterimage where he was initially at.

Lin Tiancheng’s punch was halfway there when he saw this. He laughed coldly and said, "Afterimage? Humph! Paltry tricks! Seven-Star Steps!"

Lin Tiancheng also disappeared halfway.

"Low-grade Tier 2 martial technique, Seven-Star Steps! Ye Yuan’s in danger!"

"That’s right. Tier 2 martial technique is too much of a bully!"

The crowd exclaimed in shock.

Seven-Star Steps was a low-grade Tier 2 martial technique, while Instant Flash was only a middle-grade Tier 1 martial technique. The difference between the two was enormous!

Tier 2 martial techniques were mostly used employed with Spirit Condensation Realm’s essence energy. The effects were naturally different from Tier 1 martial techniques which were activated with essence energy of the Essence Qi Realm.

Even if Ye Yuan’s Instant Flash had already transcended the boundaries of Great Circle stage and reached the Breaking Illusion stage, it was still inferior to a Tier 2 martial technique. After all, the grade of Instant Flash was too low.

Ye Yuan revealed himself, and at the same time, sensed an extreme danger coming from the back.

Having no time to think, he used Instant Flash once more and vanished on the spot.

However, that sense of danger did not fade and kept latching on him like a parasitic maggot.

Only now did Ye Yuan realize that he underestimated Lin Tiancheng. The strongest among Earth Ranks was not for a laugh. His power was already bordering close to Heaven Rank and was much stronger than the average First Level Spirit Condensation Realm!

Judging based on the Illusionary Spirit Tower’s standards, Lin Tiancheng could most likely finish off four black-clothed martial artists with only a narrow margin away from passing the test.