Gu Yingho glared at Mu Sangdaoxiao. His voice trembled with suppressed fury. “You said your sister had fallen, but now you claim the boy before me is her son. Are you truly making a fool out of me?” Mu Sangdaoxiao stood calmly, his eyes not shifting in the slightest. “Patriarch Gu, at that time I indeed disagreed with you, so I made a false statement.” Gu Yingho’s expression darkened. His fists clenched tightly. “Sangdaoxiao, you’re courting death!” In an instant, the oppressive force from Gu Yingho’s body exploded outward. The air around them trembled violently, and the ground began to crack beneath the pressure of his power. His rage had completely erupted. He felt not only deceived but also humiliated before thousands of watching eyes. The elders and disciples of the Mu Clan stepped back a few paces, yet not a single one of them showed fear. Instead, many of them gazed at Gu Yingho with expressions as if watching an uninteresting performance. But something strange happened. T

“Elder Xiao He flatters us too much,” said Mu Sangdaoxiao politely, bowing slightly. “Very well, let us proceed to the arena. Everyone has been awaiting your arrival. Especially Elder Wu Phanlo — we greatly anticipate his guidance to broaden our understanding of formations so that the younger generation of the Mu Clan may gain enlightenment.” Elder Wu Phanlo raised his hand slightly with a satisfied smile. He looked at Mu Sangdaoxiao with appreciation and pride that his offer was accepted so openly by the Mu Clan’s Patriarch. “Patriarch Mu is too modest. I will simply share a bit of experience. I am certain the younger generation of the Mu Clan will become great pillars of the alchemic world in the future.” They all walked together toward the main arena. The path to the arena was adorned with flags bearing the Mu Clan’s insignia, fluttering gracefully beneath the gentle glow of protective formations. Each of their steps was accompanied by the reverent gazes of young disciples standi

All participants fell silent. Jhi Chen’s speed in answering was beyond their imagination. He was too fast, as if every herb had been prepared for him in advance. His movements were calm yet sharp, as though his eyes could pierce through every root and leaf without a hint of doubt. Not only the participants, but even the spectators and elders from every clan were astonished. Their admiration was clear in the way their eyes stayed fixed on Jhi Chen. Some whispered among themselves, trying to guess how deep the young man’s knowledge and understanding truly were. “I didn’t expect the Mu Clan to hide such a genius. They’re truly terrifying. Behind their politeness lies unimaginable sharpness.” The whispers spread among the audience. The elders seated in the honorable rows exchanged glances — some nodded slightly, others still could not believe what they had just witnessed. Out of the hundred herbs, Jhi Chen correctly identified seventy-eight. Adding the five previously answered by the

Jhi Chen began forming hand seals, then used the Ten Spiral Flame Shunt Technique. His movements were steady, each finger forming a complex pattern that harmonized with the flow of energy around him. He allowed his furnace to heat up first, ensuring every part of it absorbed the temperature perfectly before starting the next step. Mu Lingxiao, who watched Jhi Chen’s fire control technique, smiled with deep pride. His gaze was gentle yet filled with emotion. “You truly saved the honor of our clan. I once thought only Mu’er was the most talented since he mastered this technique at the age of two hundred and fifty. I myself only managed to control this flame technique at the age of one thousand two hundred. But now, my grandson can use it freely at the age of seventeen. He’s truly a genius among geniuses.” The atmosphere in the arena began to calm. The participants paused for a moment, observing how Jhi Chen controlled the furnace’s heat rhythm without a single mistake. The waves of he

“Since the alchemist ceremony has concluded, we’ll move on to the next event — the martial arts competition. But let me remind you, if you’re not confident in your strength, it’s best not to participate. Though this is just an exchange of blows, fists and kicks have no eyes. If you’re severely injured or even lose your life, you can’t blame anyone else. It’s your own fault for lacking the strength. Now, I will announce the rules for the martial arts competition. If your opponent admits defeat, you must not continue your attack. If you persist, you’ll be immediately disqualified. Also, if you leave the area, even uninjured, you’ll be considered defeated. Do you all understand?” The elder’s voice echoed clearly throughout the arena. The participants stood upright, bowed respectfully, and answered in unison, showing their understanding of the established rules. The once lively atmosphere now turned tense. The air around the arena felt heavy, as if the battlefield awaited only the brave