Chapter 276: 277: Who's the Fastest at Turning Against Someone?
Damn it, who had just said that there were no underhanded dealings in the Elixir Sect? Just a pack of Huazi had bought them off, truly a slap in the face at the speed of light.
Liu Feii was also dumbfounded. She had only produced an ordinary fourth-grade elixir, which was only of mediocre quality among the many cultivators. How did it become second place?
“Yes, Elder, the young lady has only made a fourth-grade elixir; ranking within the top thousand would have been decent. How could I possibly claim the second place? Is there perhaps some misunderstanding here?”
Elder Sun stroked his beard and said with a light smile, “Young one, humility is a virtue, but excessive self-deprecation can become an obstacle on the path of your cultivation. I’ve been with the Elixir Sect for decades now, and I can still discern what a good elixir is.”
“If I say you’re in second place, it means you truly have that ability. Continue to cultivate diligently and do not become lax.”
Liu Feii was so shocked she couldn’t think straight. Was she an alchemy prodigy?
Was it possible that the mere pastime of alchemy she had learned was enough to surpass many of the seasoned experts present?
“Young Master, is this for real?”
Li Xiaobai nodded slowly, “More real than real gold.”
Elder Yao was so furious he was almost driven insane. Elder Sun’s shamelessness had refreshed his view of the Elixir Sect.
Any image of a lofty hermit was completely gone. Bloody hell, he originally thought Li Xiaobai was taking them all for fools. Now, it seemed like this Elixir Sect Elder didn’t see them as people at all.
Damn it, even the person in question had admitted to making just a fourth-grade elixir, yet Elder Sun still had the gall to lie with his eyes open, as if everyone present was easy to fool!
“Elder Sun, if a mere fourth-grade elixir can achieve second place in the competition, then shouldn’t my fifth-grade Heavenly Spirit Pill also deserve a spot?”
Elder Yao asked with a sly tone.
“Hmm? You made an elixir? Where is it? How come I didn’t see it?”
Elder Sun scratched his head, looking utterly baffled, acting as though he really didn’t know.
Li Xiaobai was laughing inside. Elder Sun was a piece of work; if he hadn’t seen with his own eyes the Elder swallowing the Heavenly Spirit Pill, he might have actually believed him.
Elder Yao’s vision darkened and his body swayed, his breathing involuntarily quickening.
“Elder Yao is getting on in years; sometimes he doesn’t remember things too clearly, do you agree?” Elder Sun asked, looking around.
“That’s right, for Elder Yao to participate in the competition despite his frail health, continuing to make elixirs at his advanced age, is indeed worthy of our admiration and study as cultivators!”
“Elder Yao, you are the benchmark for the new generation of alchemists. If everyone had your spirit, why would the path of alchemy not flourish?”
“Yes, Elder Yao, your health is more important. No matter the outcome of today’s competition, you are the true champion in my heart!”
“Absolutely right, the trophy belongs to everyone who took part. Elder Yao’s spirit is commendable and will certainly be widely passed down among the people!”
The cultivators changed their expressions in an instant, their faces all smiles.
They dared not offend the Elixir Sect, and they had all tasted the flavor of Li Xiaobai’s Huazi, which was absolutely top-notch. If possible, they would still like to buy some more.
Although Elder Yao had seniority, other than that little bit of status and position, there was nothing else to him. Comparing the two, they naturally sided with the Elixir Sect. As for the alchemy competition scores, what was that compared to potential huge benefits?
Elder Yao was disheartened, his complexion ashen. He had been defeated, and utterly so. Li Xiaobai, the instigator, didn’t even have to target him much before he was defeated.
“Someone quickly help Elder Yao out. Today, Elder Yao’s virtue is worth being widely sung about!”
Elder Sun subtly hinted at something.
“Naturally, once we go out, we must earnestly promote Elder Yao!”
“And Young Master Li, truly a talented young man, being the first in the Elixir Sect’s grand competition at such a young age, with a future that is immeasurable!”
The cultivators understood well, today’s events would not be spread by them even without Elder Sun’s hints. The effects of Huazi were explosively miraculous, the fewer people who knew, the less the competition they would face later, and the more opportunities they could secure for themselves.
As for Elder Yao, he might as well be an honest tool.
Promoting his glorious deeds for free was already doing him justice.
The cultivators left the great hall in a mighty throng, leaving behind only a few Elders and Li Xiaobai among others.
The atmosphere became somewhat colder, and Li Xiaobai instinctively sensed something was wrong. This was not the first time he had encountered such an atmosphere, the feeling of being targeted, these Elixir Sect Elders seemed to harbor ill intentions.
Ji Wuqing shivered, “Kid, hurry up and go, I have a bad feeling about this, there’s a looming crisis!”
“Since this round of the competition has ended, I’ll be taking my leave now, Elders.”
Unnoticeably, Li Xiaobai had purchased two Instant Transmission Talismans from the marketplace, ready to flee at any moment.
“There’s no rush, Young Master. Your methods of ancient alchemy were truly astonishing. We Elders would like to ask for guidance, please do not hesitate to enlighten us!”
“Heh heh, your aptitudes are limited, you wouldn’t understand such profound alchemy techniques. Let’s collaborate again in the future.”
Li Xiaobai, pulling Liu Feii along, stepped towards the exit. The few Elders behind them did not attempt to stop him.
A cold light flashed in Elder Sun’s eyes, this matter had been reported to the Sect Master, and everything would be decided by the Sect Master. This child might not be able to leave Central City today.
At the same time.
In Central City, within the Elixir Sect.
Sect Master Zhong Daoquan walked back and forth with his hands clasped behind his back in the great hall.
Down below, Zhong Lingxiu awaited her father’s decision.
“As for the incident on Wendao Peak, I’ve also heard about it. No matter the outcome, Xiu’er, you indeed almost disrupted the Saint Heir of the Array Formation Sect. If I had been there, I would have also executed your uncle.”
“If anything truly had happened to the Saint Heir, even I might not be able to protect you. Li Xiaobai is favored by several Saint Heirs, you just need to get along with him. Xiu’er, you’ve grown up, and you should start learning about human interactions, not everything can be done according to one’s own temperament.”
“But Father, that Li Xiaobai publicly humiliated your daughter and made our Elixir Sect lose face. Are we just going to let this grudge go?”
Zhong Lingxiu questioned, feeling somewhat indignant, as she thought her father wasn’t putting her first.
In her heart, Li Xiaobai was already on the must-die list.
“Everything should be considered from the perspective of interest. In the cultivation world, personal grievances are the most trivial matters. Haven’t I been openly and covertly competing with the other two sects for decades, yet when we meet, don’t we still smile on the surface? Xiu’er, you need to see the bigger picture. Approaching Xi Yao was indeed a very correct move.”
Zhong Daoquan shook his head and spoke lightly, to be honest, his daughter’s recent behavior had disappointed him greatly.
He had originally thought his daughter was just playful and lax in her cultivation, but now he saw she was even more of a troublemaker, with no limits to her conduct and everything done according to her whims.
If she wasn’t the daughter of the Elixir Sect’s Sect Master, she might have long since died outside, no?
Zhong Daoquan was about to say more when suddenly a voice sounded from outside the hall.
“Sect Master, Elder Yao has something important to report!”