"Long Wanli? The person who called himself brother with the Wraith Demon Emperor back then?"

"Yes, back when the Wraith Demon Emperor roamed the continent, he made many connections. Though those people are not as powerful as him, he never cared about their strength; he valued their boldness when making friends."

"It’s said that those Martial Artists who befriended the Wraith Demon Emperor have seen their power increase rapidly. Long Wanli is one of them; he was merely a minor figure back then, but now he’s the Valley Master of Dragon Scale Valley."

Evidently, Long Wanli has some reputation.

"Our Dragon Scale Valley has always disliked the ways of your Dan Clan, and today we are here to cause a stir. I believe all competitors would love to stir things with me."

Long Wanli said flatly, "Last time, the champion of the Alchemist Contest, Ye Mo, was not a member of your Dan Clan, yet his title was unjustly stripped, angering many factions. This time, not only Dragon Scale Valley but also the Dark Palace, Light Divine Temple, and forces from Snow Mountain have come to ensure transparency in this Alchemist Contest, and we’ll set the rules."

"What do you mean? What do you take our Dan Clan for?"

Immediately, a Dan Clan Elder became furious: "Since ancient times, the Alchemist Contest has always been held by our Dan Clan. When did it become your turn?"

"Then explain why Ye Mo was stripped of the champion’s title last time? Ye Mo did not cheat; instead, the pills refined by Dan Chenzi and the Pill Saint’s successor are quite suspect."

An old man stepped forward, dressed in a black robe, clearly the Hall Master of the Dark Palace, Nalan Xie.

"What? Do you doubt the alchemy skills of Dan Chen and the Pill Saint’s successor?"

The Pill Saint’s expression did not change, and he spoke coldly. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"I didn’t say that; I just heard the competitors talking among the crowd. If we say ’people say what others say,’ even if this Alchemist Contest successfully occurs, we will not be convinced. You once stripped a champion’s title; it’s inevitable you might strip another."

Nalan Xie said flatly.

At this moment, the faces of the Pill Saint and the Dan Clan elders turned extremely unsightly; they could handle it if one or two forces challenged them, but now several factions had united. Although their strength couldn’t compare to the Dead Soul Royal Family, the Dead Soul Royal Family also preferred not to provoke them, given their ties with the Wraith Demon Emperor, and would give them a hand when necessary.

"What do you want?"

The Pill Saint’s voice was extremely somber.

"Since most competitors are almost here, we can immediately announce the contest rules in front of everyone."

Long Wanli’s strong voice transmitted: "The contest won’t have any processes; everyone will refine their best pills in the square, and the outcome will be decided in one round. Both sides will dispatch a hundred guards to examine the pill furnaces and contest for any cheating suspicion. If there’s any suspicion of cheating, they will be directly disqualified, and scores will be determined by the difficulty and purity of the pills."

"The contestant with the best score will be this Alchemist Contest’s champion, witnessed by all, and no one can strip their title."

Long Wanli laid out the pre-determined rules in one breath; they had long been displeased with the Dan Clan’s conduct, and the stripping of Ye Mo’s championship had become the spark for this matter.

"Good! So be it, as the saying goes, true gold fears no fire; if the Alchemist Contest is conducted this way, we agree."

"Everyone refining alchemy in one square is quite stirring to imagine."

The surrounding alchemists all agreed.

"Pill Saint, what does the Dan Clan think?"

Long Wanli inquired.

"The Alchemist Contest values the rigor of the competition; a single pill cannot determine an alchemist’s skill."

The Pill Saint’s face slightly changed, evidently disrupting their previous plans.

"True gold fears no fire; if your Dan Clan disciples truly have the prowess, the pills they refine will be unrivaled."

Long Wanli chuckled and continued, "Of course, you can choose to refuse; I don’t think many are willing to join your Alchemist Contest."

The Pill Saint also understood that Dragon Scale Valley’s uproar had caused the Dan Clan to lose credibility, and they came to participate in the Alchemist Contest merely for a rank. Not attending was inconsequential.

"Do you think that using this method, you can secure the championship?"

The Pill Saint suddenly laughed aloud and said, "Fine, let’s conduct the Alchemist Contest according to your rules, starting tomorrow, and I guarantee that our Dan Clan’s disciples will take the top ten spots."

After speaking, the Pill Saint laughed wildly and left with the elders.

After the Pill Saint left, Long Wanli’s expression turned somber. Although this method might prevent cheating and ensure genuine fairness and transparency, with no chance of stripping the championship title, the Dan Clan still wielded strength. Without a dark horse like Ye Mo, the championship of this Alchemist Contest would still belong to the Dan Clan.

"Yang Rong, let’s go greet those friends!"

Ye Mo said flatly since he was in the crowd and not many noticed him.

"Oh!"

Yang Rong nodded, walked over, and said to Long Lin, "I am Yang Rong from the Yang Family of Pill City; seeing your performance earlier, I wanted to make acquaintance."

Long Lin glanced at Yang Rong, his eyes also lighting up. Although Yang Rong wasn’t stunningly beautiful, she caused Long Lin’s heart to flutter; he immediately smiled and said, "I am Long Lin from Dragon Scale Valley, and what happened earlier was just a small disruption; please pardon me."

"How did you come up with this idea?"

Yang Rong asked curiously.

"We never liked the Dan Clan; to unify the alchemy world is simply absurd, so we invited some friends to join the fun and curb the Dan Clan’s arrogance."

Long Lin said.

"Who is this?"

Long Lin then noticed the cloaked Ye Mo and curiously asked.

"I’m the lady’s Pill Refining Powder, skilled at controlling fire, hoping to assist the lady in the Alchemist Contest."

Ye Mo replied.

"I see."

Long Lin nodded, continued to look at Yang Rong, and said, "Miss Yang, you are young; your alchemy skills must be deep. Why not find a place to discuss?"

"Sure!"

Yang Rong nodded, seemingly interested in Long Lin, and after greeting Ye Mo, she sat with Long Lin at a vacant spot to chat.

Ye Mo watched this scene, shook his head helplessly; he initially planned to know Long Wanli through Long Lin, but seeing them chat so happily, he gave up.

His gaze slowly shifted toward the Dan Clan’s location, his face hidden under the cloak revealing a fierce light: "Pill Saint, tomorrow I’ll ruin your reputation and then kill you. A despicable person like you dying a hundred times wouldn’t be excessive."