Chapter 225: The Promise That Piqued Chen Chuan’s Curiosity (2)

[A/N: We are just a few more golden tickets away from reaching another milestone!!]

The hall fell silent again, but unlike the previous deathly stillness, this was an intoxication of being immersed in the profound mysteries of the Great Dao.

Many people’s eyes were unfocused, their fingers unconsciously gesturing, clearly completely drawn into a new world of Alchemy by Chen Chuan.

Even Holy Lord Yao Feng, seated at the head, now leaned slightly forward, his face no longer showing any playfulness, replaced by immense solemnity and astonishment.

He muttered to himself: "Using oneself as a guide to harmonize heaven and earth! Wonderful, truly wonderful! This child’s understanding of the Dao of Alchemy has reached such a profound level; this old man is inferior!"

The last four words he spoke very softly, yet they carried the weight of a thousand tons.

And Yao Xian, on her beautiful face, which had always been calm and unruffled, finally showed clear changes.

First, she frowned slightly in thought, then her beautiful eyes widened, sparkling with the brilliant light of sudden enlightenment. Finally, that light transformed into heartfelt admiration and awe.

When Chen Chuan’s last word fell, the entire hall remained silent, everyone still immersed in those vast insights into the Dao of Alchemy, utterly captivated and unable to extricate themselves.

After a long while, Yao Xian was the first to rise.

She performed a solemn Disciple’s bow to Chen Chuan, her voice ethereal and sincere:

"Fellow Daoist Chen’s words have enlightened Xian’er, like parting the clouds to see the sun. Previously, Xian’er was a frog in a well, shallow in understanding. Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for your guidance; Xian’er has learned much."

Her actions were undoubtedly the highest affirmation of Chen Chuan’s discourse.

"Hahahahaha!" Mu Qing, seeing this, finally couldn’t help but burst into loud laughter, his laughter filled with the joy of vindication: "Good! Well said! As expected of my Disciple, Mu Qing, these insights truly inherit the Master’s true teachings! Hahahaha!"

He was smug, as if that astonishing discourse had been taught by him.

His shameless demeanor left the recently recovered crowd speechless, yet they couldn’t refute him.

After all, Chen Chuan was indeed the Disciple he brought.

Mu Qing even cast a provocative glance at Hai Yan, Wang Shishan, and Ye Qingfeng, whose faces were already livid, and sneered:

"How about it? You three old fogeys, now you know who the frog in the well is, don’t you? Those so-called talents you brought can’t even compare to a single hair on my Disciple."

"You!" Ye Qingfeng and the other two trembled with anger, but were speechless for a moment.

Even if they weren’t proficient in Alchemy, they could sense the extraordinary nature of Chen Chuan’s discourse just now; it was indeed far superior to that of Ye Wuhen and the others.

Ye Wuhen, Feng Lingxiao, and Su Yingxue’s faces were now alternately red and pale. Feeling the change in the surrounding gazes, they were both ashamed and angry.

Ye Wuhen forcefully shouted:

"Chen Chuan! Don’t get carried away! No matter how high your comprehension of the Dao of Alchemy, it’s still just talk on paper."

"Alchemy ultimately relies on solid technique, on flame control, on the depth of Soul Power, and on the quality of the finished pills. You can’t refine Spirit Pills with just your mouth."

"Exactly!" A Holy Son from the Myriad Medicine Sacred Land also reacted and immediately echoed: "Theories can sound flowery, but who knows if they’re just empty words? At tomorrow’s Pill Refining Assembly, everything will be revealed."

"Right! If you have the guts, let’s see the real results tomorrow!"

The crowd seemed to have found an opening to save face, and they all shifted their focus to tomorrow’s practical competition.

Upon hearing this, the arrogant curve reappeared at the corner of Chen Chuan’s mouth.

His gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on Yao Xian, his tone resolute: "Tomorrow’s Pill Refining Assembly, I, Chen Chuan, am determined to take first place."

"Arrogant!"

"Daydreaming!"

"With Saintess Yao Xian here, you dare to claim first place?"

The crowd scoffed and ridiculed again, but their momentum was clearly much weaker than before.

Yao Xian looked at the confident Chen Chuan, a flicker of unusual brilliance in her clear, beautiful eyes.

She parted her red lips slightly, her voice still calm, but with a hint of challenge:

"Fellow Daoist Chen’s understanding of the Dao of Alchemy, Xian’er admires."

"But when it comes to Alchemy, Xian’er is also confident that she will not lose to anyone."

"The top spot in this assembly concerns the Holy Land’s reputation, and Xian’er will absolutely not yield."

She paused slightly, as if remembering something, and asked: "You are aiming for first place, presumably for the Nine Revolutions Soul Condensing Pill?"

Chen Chuan nodded frankly: "Precisely."

A flash of understanding crossed Yao Xian’s eyes, and then she asked: "Then do you know that winning first place in this Pill Refining Assembly, in addition to the Nine Revolutions Soul Condensing Pill, will also earn you another promise from my Myriad Medicine Sacred Land?"

"Another promise?" Chen Chuan was instantly stunned, the confidence and composure on his face freezing, replaced by a hint of bewilderment.

That old scoundrel Mu Qing only told him about the Nine Revolutions Soul Condensing Pill, but didn’t mention any additional promises!

He instinctively cast a questioning gaze at Mu Qing.

Mu Qing’s heart sank, thinking things were about to go bad.

He quickly took a step forward, inserting himself between Chen Chuan and Yao Xian, and chuckled:

"I know! Of course, I know! This important matter, this old man already explained it clearly to him when we came! Right, good Disciple?"

As he spoke, he desperately winked at Chen Chuan.

Chen Chuan watched Mu Qing’s obviously guilty yet feigned calm demeanor, frowned slightly, and was about to ask for details.

But Mu Qing didn’t give him a chance. He grabbed his arm and cupped his hands to Holy Lord Yao Feng and the others, saying:

"Holy Lord Yao Feng, everyone, it’s getting late. My junior Disciple still needs to go back to recuperate and prepare for tomorrow’s assembly. We shall take our leave first."

With that, without waiting for anyone to react, he almost half-dragged, half-pulled the bewildered Chen Chuan, quickly leaving the reception hall.

His retreating figure, no matter how one looked at it, had a hint of fleeing in disarray...

They returned to the guest courtyard arranged by the Myriad Medicine Sacred Land.

Chen Chuan closed the door, his gaze fixed on Mu Qing: "Master, can you tell me now? What exactly is that other promise?"

Mu Qing’s eyes darted around, he chuckled twice, rubbing his hands, and said:

"Hehe, my dear Disciple, don’t be so anxious. In short, that promise will definitely benefit you greatly and cause no harm. It’s a huge advantage. Would your Master ever trick you?"

"That’s a promise from the Myriad Medicine Sacred Land, you know. Think about it, whether you want a top-tier Pill Formula, a rare Divine Medicine, or seek protection, wouldn’t it all be a matter of a single word? It’s a sure win, a huge profit."

Chen Chuan didn’t speak, merely silently activated his Eye of Wisdom, carefully observing Mu Qing.

He found that although Mu Qing’s eyes were evasive, he clearly had something on his mind, seemingly concealing some crucial information.

However, Mu Qing’s aura was open and honest, showing no malice or traces of schemes, and what he said about it being beneficial without harm also seemed to be true.

After a moment of contemplation, Chen Chuan withdrew his gaze.

Since his Master was unwilling to speak clearly, and it was confirmed to be harmless, he would put it aside for now.

Regardless, he was determined to win first place in this Pill Refining Assembly.

As for that mysterious promise, he would naturally find out once he claimed victory.

"Very well, since Master is unwilling to say more, this Disciple will not ask further. Tomorrow, this Disciple will certainly claim first place."

Seeing that Chen Chuan no longer pressed the issue, Mu Qing secretly breathed a sigh of relief, quickly smiling: "Right, right! Rest and recuperate are most important. Disciple, you get good rest, your Master won’t disturb you."

With that, he almost fled the room.