Chapter 228: Chapter 217: Alchemy Competition

Bai Heyan wanted to say something more.

But after Fang Yun gave him a reassuring look, he held his tongue.

If Fang Yun was confident about this competition, it would only further prove the heights of his Alchemy Talent.

"Since we’re competing, there must be stakes," Wan Xuanye said after a moment of thought. "If I win, Elder Fang, you will stick to your duties as an Elder of the Artifact Casting Peak. You’ll have no part in any future Alchemy assignments."

The moment he said this, Bai Heyan glared fiercely at Wan Xuanye and directly posed two questions.

"Elder Wan, are you sure this is something you can decide? Elder Fang has already reached Foundation Establishment; he’s long past the Qi Refining Stage. Or are you, Wan Xuanye, guaranteeing that you will successfully reach the Core Formation stage in the future?"

Bai Heyan thought, ’With Fang Yun’s Alchemy Talent, once he breaks through to the Late-stage Foundation Establishment, the refining of many of the sect’s Third-Tier pills will basically fall to him. The Wang-surnamed Supreme Elder backing Wan Xuanye can’t be this shortsighted.’

"Elder Bai, look at you getting so worked up." Wan Xuanye completely ignored Bai Heyan’s glare. "I was just saying. With Elder Fang’s Alchemy Talent, he will surely shine and contribute greatly to our Celestial Cloud Sect."

Wan Xuanye had to admit this fact. He couldn’t deny—nor would he dare to—Fang Yun’s achievement of refining the Second-Tier Spirit Ascension Pill while still in the Qi Refining Stage.

"If I win, your proposal is off the table, Elder Bai," Wan Xuanye said, revealing his true objective.

"And if Fang Yun wins, you must support my proposal," Bai Heyan retorted.

"It’s a deal," Fang Yun cut in.

Fang Yun didn’t have a good impression of Elder Wan Xuanye, but he didn’t have a bad one either.

In his view, Wan Xuanye’s actions were merely an attempt to secure his own interests. Fang Yun himself was here for the very same reason—to hopefully gain more benefits for himself.

Fundamentally, there was no difference between them.

’As long as Wan Xuanye’s pursuit of his own interests doesn’t involve ideas like having me killed, it’s fine.’

When he entered the hall, he had already channeled a small amount of Spiritual Power into his Light Wind Boots, keeping them active.

If Wan Xuanye showed any malice toward him, he would instantly enter a combat-ready state.

And if he were truly forced into a combat-ready state, his impression of Wan Xuanye would immediately turn for the worse.

His subsequent methods for dealing with such a person would be different.

"For the sake of fairness, when I’m refining the Spirit Ascension Pill, Elder Bai can watch over me. And when you’re refining it, Elder Fang, Elder Meng will supervise on my behalf," Wan Xuanye proposed.

Bai Heyan rejected it. "As if anyone here can’t tell if a pill is freshly refined or from the same batch? This is completely unnecessary."

Having someone watching nearby added an external factor of interference. For an Alchemy Master, this was a small test in itself.

Wan Xuanye was deliberately trying to increase the difficulty for Fang Yun’s refining of the Spirit Ascension Pill.

"It’s not unnecessary at all. It’s also a good opportunity for Elder Meng to observe and learn." Wan Xuanye then turned to Fang Yun. "Elder Fang, what do you think?"

"That’s fine," Fang Yun agreed without hesitation.

Elder Meng really wanted to say, ’Aren’t you going to ask for my opinion?’

’Fang Yun’s Alchemy Talent is indeed great, but he only just reached Foundation Establishment and became an Elder. Having me learn from him is humiliating.’

She looked at Wan Xuanye’s expression, thought for a moment, and decided it was best to stay quiet and go along with it.

Less than half a year ago, her influence among the Elders of Alchemy on Dan Cloud Peak had once again dropped to an all-time low. Song Qiaoqiao, who had been an Elder of Alchemy for less than three years, had already surpassed her, thanks to the influence of her great-grandfather.

In future Elder of Alchemy meetings, if she wanted any of her proposals to be accepted, she would need Wan Xuanye’s support and help.

"Elder Fang, I’d like to have my apprentice observe and learn as well," He Jiawen said, seeking Fang Yun’s approval.

"Of course, no problem. Please, feel free, Elder He. I will be refining the Spirit Ascension Pill in a top-tier Alchemy Room."

"Excellent."

He Jiawen stood up, bowed to everyone, and quickly left to find his apprentice, Jiang Yan.

「Less than an hour later.」

Fang Yun was the first to arrive at the Alchemy Room rental area. He carried with him one set of the Spirit Medicine needed to refine the Spirit Ascension Pill. To ensure fairness, the two sets of Spirit Medicine prepared by Bai Heyan were of nearly identical quality.

He would be refining the pill here, while Wan Xuanye, his competitor, would be in the Alchemy Room within his own cave residence.

"E-Elder Fang."

Steward Zhou was a bit surprised to see Fang Yun. Fang Yun hadn’t come to rent an Alchemy Room in over half a month. He had assumed Fang Yun was out on a Guardian mission, but here he was, and he wasn’t wearing the attire of an Inner Sect Disciple.

Within the Celestial Cloud Sect, Outer Sect Disciples, Inner Sect Disciples, and Stewards all had to wear uniform attire. Only Elders and other high-ranking members of the sect could dress as they pleased.

The change in Fang Yun’s clothing was what made Steward Zhou realize.

Then, he saw three Elders and one Inner Sect Disciple arrive behind Fang Yun.

"Steward Zhou, I need to rent a top-tier Alchemy Room."

"Of course." Steward Zhou quickly made a record of it, then congratulated Fang Yun on his successful Foundation Establishment.

After accepting Steward Zhou’s congratulations, Fang Yun didn’t chat for long, as he still had to refine the Spirit Ascension Pill.

’What’s going on?’

Steward Zhou watched the backs of the Elders as they disappeared, his heart filled with curiosity.

But curious as he was, he couldn’t leave his post. ’Later, if I have a chance to chat with Fang Yun, I can try to find out what’s happening.’

Fang Yun’s successful Foundation Establishment and promotion to Sect Elder was undoubtedly a happy event for him. Given his relationship with Fang Yun, he could now boast even more to the other Stewards about his stories with him.