Painting of the Nine Immortals

Just like the cold-faced examiner predicted. After the test ended, news about Ling Xian’s purple lines circulated around.

Perhaps there was just too much attention about the gathering of alchemists, but after this news was out, a storm was formed. Within a short hour, it was already all over the City of Alchemy.

For him to have passed the initial test with the highest leveled score possible within seconds, then for him to have once again excelled the second test and earning that purple mark…

How shocking of an event was this?

He stunned straight up majority of the people. They never expected there to be a genius alchemist who would end up earning two purple lines here.

You know, most of the prominent genius alchemists had no need to participate in the initial test and were instead selected as candidates and were able to enter the Realm of Alchemy right away. In other words, the ones who had to go through the tests were weak people whose names were unknown.

Of course, that was majority of them, not all of them.

After all, there had always been black horses that appeared in every round of the gathering, who ended up astonishing the whole crowd.

Without a doubt, Ling Xian was one of the black horses from this gathering. His achievements were far too dazzling and had overshadowed all the alchemists who had to go through the tests.

He truly was like the Sun in the sky that shines for miles!

Because of this, all the citizens in the City of Alchemy were in shock. As much as they were in awe, they also had high expectations and waited for Ling Xian’s performance after he entered the Realm of Alchemy.

Because from certain degrees, Ling Xian was the same as normal citizens. He had no background and was relying on his true capabilities to acquire those purple lines.

This was something obvious. If he had a background, he wouldn’t have had to go through the tests and he would’ve been sent straight to the Realm of Alchemy.

Because of this, the normal citizens from the City of Dan placed much hope on him and wished that he would be able to get himself into the finals like a true black horse. They even dreamed of him claiming the seat of being the victor!

Even the local gamblers inside the City of Alchemy had added Ling Xian’s name. However, his ranking was very low on the list – the last of the list.

After all, despite him acing the first tests and earning two purple lines, compared to those young and famous alchemists, he was still somewhat behind.

Therefore, the various gambling corners ranked his name as the last one. However, no matter what, to be able to be mentioned by the bettors was already an achievement.

A cultivator without real abilities did not even have the rights to have their name recognized by the bettors, let alone earning a place on the list.

Ling Xian earned his right with his extraordinary alchemy skills. He also took the first shocking step inside the City of Alchemy.

…..

At the moment, the Sun had just risen, shedding down soft golden light that brightened the Street of Strange Medicine.

By the second floor window inside the Nothing is for Sale store, Ling Xian and Hong Yan Xin sat shoulder to shoulder. Together, they were silently watching the rising of the Sun.

The atmosphere was tranquil and peaceful.

Only after a long while did Hong Yan Xin finally speak slowly and broke the serenity.

“I heard that you have entered the gambler’s list of potential winners. They have listed you at the bottom of their list.”

“Gamblers?”

Ling Xian frowned slightly then laughed, “Last place… Interesting, very interesting.”

“I find it interesting as well.”

Hong Yan Xin shifted her gaze towards Ling Xian. Her eyes were flashing with surprise, “I really did not think that you would start to shine at the very first tests and earn two purple lines.”

Ling Xian smiled but did not respond.

“In the beginning, I thought all you had were the treasures. I did not think you would have such deep knowledge with alchemy.” Hong Yan Xin grinned and her eyes were fixated on Ling Xian. She felt like he was surrounded by a thick layer of fog and she could not see him clearly.

“I never seem to have made the claim that I do not know alchemy.”

Ling Xian said softly. He was an aggressive person who once brewed the perfect foundational Dan. If he didn’t know alchemy, then nobody in his world did.

“Perhaps I stereotyped. Because I knew you have a high cultivation level, I thought it would be impossible for you to be good at alchemy as well.”

Hong Yan Xin grinned, her eyes were staring expectantly, “originally, I just wanted you to help me get the items. I cannot believe you have the ability to be the winner.”

Noticing Hong Yan Xin’s look of anticipation, Ling Xian softly frowned, “What do you want now?”

“So smart. I haven’t even said anything and you already guessed that I have something to ask of you.” Hong Yan Xin complimented, “Honestly, it’s not really a request. I think you are greedy for the victor’s seat.”

“Greedy? Why does that hurt my ears so much. It’s like my intention for wanting to win is impure.” Ling Xian said slowly, not liking what he was hearing.

“Okay, I’ll change the word.”

Hong Yan Xin didn’t seem to care for it, “I think, you really want the glorious seat of being the winner.”

“That’s still inaccurate.” Ling Xian had a soft smile on his lips, “You should say that I have the mindset that I must be on the victor’s seat.”

Hearing this, Hong Yan Xin’s eyes flashed with strangeness. After a long time, she finally said, “You sure are confident.”

“I do not lack in that area.” Ling Xian beamed, his confidence was as undying as the Sun’s shine.

“Why do I interpret that as arrogance?”

Hong Yan Xin teased, “You have to realize that this gathering of alchemists only happens once a decade and huge amounts of talents are attracted every time. The weight of being the victor is very hefty and the difficulty level is very high. It won’t be easy.”

“This time especially will be difficult. The descendants of the five clans are all very strong. Plus there are genius talents from all over Yuezhou. Even that famous heaven-defying demon-like alchemist is coming.”

The corner of Hong Yan Xin’s lips curled up, revealing an alluring smile, “This competition, this year, will be a battle between tigers and dragons, between the best and the best. Don’t be too arrogant right off the bat.”

“There’s a close line between confidence and arrogance. The only way to judge which one I am will be determined by the result.”

Ling Xian softly smiled, feeling too lazy to argue against Hong Yan Xin about this, “If I don’t end up winning the competition, then call me arrogant. But if I do win, then I am confident, very confident.”

“You are absolutely right.”

Hong Yan Xin looked at Ling Xian meaningfully, her eyes sparkling. She really did not expect the young man in front of her to be so confident. She also didn’t expect him to influence her.

Especially after remembering that he had two treasures on him, she was even more confident.

“What a confident Heaven’s Favorite, I’ll wait for the day you become the winner of the competition.”

Hong Yan Xin smiled. Then, she suddenly remembered something and her grin turned cold, “If you can truly become the winner, then you can definitely strike the Hong Clan on my behalf.”

“The name Hong is rare. I knew you would be linked to the Hong Clan.” Ling Xian smiled, and not surprised at this.

The moment he had heard the name Hong Yan Xin, he had become suspicious. After all, the last name Hong was rare. She had also appeared in the City of Alchemy. It would be difficult for him to not form the link.

“You sure are smart.” Hong Yan Xin said softly, “That’s right. I am from the Hong Clan. But I have betrayed my clan.”

“You can betray your clan?” Ling Xian shook his head, “If you truly can break your ancestry, then you wouldn’t be keeping the surname Hong.”

“You are wrong.”

Hong Yan Xin’s face was cold as ice as she said, “I chose to keep this last name because I wanted to constantly remind myself of the pain the Hong Clan brought me.”

Ling Xian frowned. He knew very little about the Hong Clan and only knew that it was one of the five clans. They were extremely powerful both in capabilities and in alchemy.”

“A person with a story.”

Ling Xian sighed, but had no plan to investigate Hong Yan Xin’s past and was too lazy to.

“I just hope you can win the competition and shame the Hong Clan.” Hong Yan Xin’s cheeks remained cold. In her eyes, there were hatred and somewhat helplessness.”

“Winning the competition seems to be unrelated to the Hong Clan losing face.” Ling Xian shook his head, not believing that just because he won, the Hong Clan would be shamed.

“No, it’s possible.”

Hong Yan Xin was firm, “In the last gathering, the Hong Clan claimed victory. The gathering before that, the winner was the Hong Clan as well. For this year’s competition, the Hong Clan is determined to make winning thrice in a row a reality.”

Pausing, she continued, “If you can win and break their streak, they will for sure lose face.”

“It seems to make sense based on the way you are making it,” Ling Xian said softly. “But, this isn’t really up to me. What if the Hong Clan doesn’t actually care?”

“How can they not care?” Hong Yan Xin snickered, “I know the Hong Clan better than anyone else. They see honor above all else.”

“So what. That’s unrelated to me.” Ling Xian smiled, “I will do what I planned on doing. As for whether or not the Hong Clan will feel embarrassed will be dependent on your luck.”

“Okay, let’s stop this topic.”

Waving his hand, Ling Xian stopped Hong Yan Xin, who was about to speak more, “There are still 10 days until the beginning of the official gathering. I have to take this time to practice.”

Then, he turned around and walked back to his stone room.

There were more successful alchemists for this year’s competition than the other years. Even Ling Xian didn’t dare to be reckless.

After all, it’s been years since he last brewed. He was now rusty. Even though he might not achieve great results in merely 10 days, it was better than doing nothing.

Therefore, he decided to take these 10 days to practice alchemy and study Liao Cang Qiong’s inheritance.

“That young fella is so young but is already of the advanced stage of the completion level. Based on my senses, he is also of the perfect realm.”

Watching the thin silhouette slowly walk away, Hong Yan Xin’s eyes flickered. She murmured to herself, “His alchemy skills are also beyond people of his age. He has the Flame of Purity and the one and only Essence of Herbalism. Perhaps, he truly has the right to win the competition.”

“If that’s the case, then this will be a great show to watch.”

Hong Yan Xin’s eyes flashed with high hope. It wasn’t clear whether she had high hopes for Ling Xian snatching the seat of the victor, or she had high hopes for finally bringing down the Hong Clan.