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Chapter 191 The True Method is Discerned in the Thousand Medicine Pool; Blood Feud Conceals Beneath the Jade Face [Part Two]

A flying boat took off from in front of the Phoenix Palace and quickly flew towards the center of Sword Valley, the venue for the alchemy competition.

Tang Hao sensed the rapidly disappearing connections hidden in various places and couldn't help but shake his head inwardly.

'This doesn't even count as after-sales service, does it? I should be able to clean everything up without any problems.'

He offered no hints: 'They should be Jade-Faced Beauties under the command of the Wind-Calling Master; their apparent identities are most likely those of disciples of the Phoenix Palace.'

As mentioned before, anyone can participate in the Immortal Sect Disciple Exchange Meeting.

It's just a matter of whether you ride in the sect's official vehicle or drive your own private car.

Therefore, not many people would have any doubts about these disciples from the immortal sects who came on their own.

'Tsk! Anyway, the person has already been handed over to them. If they are really kidnapped, then they can't blame me.' He remembered very clearly the situation back in Dongliu Immortal City.

The people he had captured, including Jiang Yourong, were secretly rescued before the night was even over after he handed them over to Cao Moyu.

It's hard to say whether those jade-faced beauties he marked have the ability to rescue their master.

But who can guarantee that there aren't any Hehuan cultivators lurking in the [Free and Unfettered Sword Sect] itself?

'It's none of my business, no need to overthink it.'

Thinking this, Tang Hao opened the two storage bags in his hand to check.

One of the benefits was from Wei Qingtan, which included a lot of spirit beast flesh and blood sealed in cold jade containers, as well as Ji Liang's remains.

He took these items out one by one and transferred them into his ring.

The other payment was for the Blood Lotus Juice purchased by the Carefree Sect Leader, exactly one hundred mid-grade spirit stones.

As for the other benefits and costs...

The three resources of the Free and Unfettered Sword Sect will naturally have to wait until the incident of Ji Liang's death is resolved before the sect leader can make arrangements.

The exact time for Shi Yuechan's public apology is yet to be determined, but it will most likely be scheduled at the end of the exchange meeting, when all attendees will be present.

The group traveled on Yan Yumin's flying boat. Except for Chi Xuanzong, who stayed behind to handle the aftermath, everyone else was on the boat.

The venue was not close, but with the speed of the Lingbao Flying Boat, it only took a short while to arrive.

The alchemy competition was held in the middle of a small lake, and the cultivators who came to watch the spectacle were all looking out from the lakeside.

Each participant in the competition stands on a lotus platform in the lake.

The two people next to each other were kept at a considerable distance, and it is said that there was a water curtain barrier after the start to ensure that they would not disturb each other.

By this time, the venue was already packed with people, and the vast majority of participants had arrived.

"The registration area is over there." Mei Zhen pointed to a separate waterside pavilion. She had already learned about the alchemy project in detail, so she naturally knew how to make arrangements once she arrived at the site.

Yan Yumin agreed and steered the flying boat over there.

Inside the waterside pavilion, the elders of various alchemy sects were already seated, except for Mei Zhen.

Some people were secretly grumbling and showing dissatisfaction when they saw that they had arrived so late.

Those who noticed Yan Yumin knew she was a Nascent Soul cultivator, while those who didn't, upon seeing the grade of the flying boat, immediately fell silent.

The disciples in charge quickly came over to register Tang Hao and Luo Kedi and arranged for them to sit on the lotus platform in the lake.

While waiting, Tang Hao casually glanced at the lake and its shore, seemingly admiring the scenery.

Just now, as soon as he arrived, he sensed some connections, but he was not surprised because the identities of those people were very clear: the Nan siblings, Shen Mengyao, and others.

What he wanted to see was a flash of black and red light that had just crossed his vision—a light of malice carrying murderous intent.

Tang Hao initially thought that the black and red malice must have come from Yan Yunsheng of the Free and Unfettered Sword Sect.

When his gaze swept over, he saw a beautiful young woman with a voluptuous figure and affectionate eyes.

He couldn't believe that in just a few days, the presentable Yan Yunsheng could transform into such a beautiful and charming woman.

'Who is this person? What grudge do they hold against me?' He quickly reviewed his memories, comparing them with the female cultivators he had a mortal feud with, but found no one who matched.

His gaze swept over her naturally, not lingering on her for long: 'Either she's concealing her true identity using some secret technique, or I killed her closest relative?'

"No, wait," Tang Hao was taken aback.

He doesn't seem to have actually killed many people, and even fewer when he was traveling under his original identity.

'It should also include situations that seriously infringe upon the other party's interests, causing them to feel humiliated, etc.'

Three locations quickly came to mind: the Dongliu merchant ship, Cangyun City, and Shengjing.

Then, several names came to Tang Hao's mind: Jiang Yourong, Wei Yingmo, Hua Guigui, and Shi Buyu.

He immediately ruled out Hua Guigui and Shi Buyu.

Needless to say, Hua Guigui is already one of us. Moreover, as a disciple of the master, she can't easily come out, and even if she does, she'll only try to please us.

The master remained silent, and a hint of embarrassment flashed in Tang Hao's eyes: 'It wouldn't be her either. The [Heart-Imprinting Mirror] can detect malice, and it can also easily conceal it.'

"As for Wei Yingmo, we weren't even on the same battlefield at the ancestral hall in Cangyun City. Even if she harbored ill will towards me, it shouldn't be this deep," Tang Hao quickly analyzed.

He glanced at the lakeside again out of the corner of his eye: 'Kui Yingmo is a Core Formation cultivator, while this young woman at least looks to be at the Foundation Establishment stage.'

In the end, he settled on one name: Jiang Yourong!
'It's only because I, your humble servant, have always been kind to others. Otherwise, which powerful expert nearing the Core Formation stage doesn't have countless enemies? How could they so easily and quickly identify their enemy through the process of elimination?'

A hint of smugness flashed through Tang Hao's mind. The enemy had moved from the shadows to the light, and with his current status and cultivation level, there was nothing to worry about.

Meanwhile, by the lake.

The moment Jiang Yourong saw Tang Hao and Luo Kedi arriving by boat, an uncontrollable hatred and murderous intent rose in her heart!
'Where's one missing?'

She glanced around, but did not spot the refined-looking disciple.

"Two it is fine, but at this exchange meeting, I, the Lord of Joy, will make sure you don't leave alive!"

Upon seeing Tang Hao and the other person, Jiang Yourong's mind involuntarily conjured up images of the inhuman torture she had endured in recent months.

Back in Dongliu Immortal City, she was rescued by a senior member of the sect in the area.

He even received a Foundation Establishment Pill as a reward from the other party, which allowed him to advance to the Foundation Establishment stage.

But in order to repay the kindness of saving his life and giving him medicine.

Day and night, she endured the lash of his bestial lust and his insane humiliation.

He lived a humiliating life for several months, like a plaything.

Until recently, when that person finally got tired of playing with her, he finally decided to release her.

Jiang Yourong narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly, using this to conceal the murderous intent within.

One reason for coming to the Free and Unfettered Sword Sect was to receive instructions from the sect, but the key reason was the speculation that Tang Hao and others would also come.

She carefully avoided Tang Hao's gaze, her fists clenched so tightly her palms ached.

'Even if it means ignoring the sect's orders, I will make them pay the price. Death? No, no, no, that's too easy on them. I'll make them my concubines, tormenting them day and night!'

Looking at the two people on the flying boat, Jiang Yourong had already begun to fantasize about the process of making them suffer, and a wicked and lewd smile couldn't help but appear on her lips.

Inside the waterside pavilion.

After registering the information, the disciple in charge warmly invited, "Elder Yan, Elder Mei, you two can take this fellow Daoist into the waterside pavilion to rest for a while." Then, he turned to Tang Hao and Luo Kedi and introduced them to each other.

"Fellow Daoist Tang, Fellow Daoist Luo, these are your talisman tokens. Infuse them with your divine sense and magical power, and a spiritual light will guide you to the corresponding lotus platform. Once the competition begins, you can use these tokens to open and close the water curtain barrier."

He paused briefly and reminded, "It should be noted that you are allowed to use your own spiritual medicines and materials during the competition. However, there is a recording array on the lotus platform, so do not try to fool the competition by directly using pills."

After speaking, the disciple stood with his hands at his sides, seemingly having finished explaining the matter.

Tang Hao and his companion noticed that the other person's eyes were secretly glancing at Yan Yumin.

They were used to this; hadn't they noticed how many eyes were secretly watching her from the waterside pavilion?

But...brother, can you finish your business first?
"Fellow Daoist, what is the topic of the competition?" Luo Kedi had no choice but to cough lightly to remind him.

The disciple in charge looked over, startled: "A contest?"

"The question, oh, right! The question!" His face flushed red, and he frantically rummaged around, seemingly looking for something.

I was acting quite professionally just now, and after I relaxed, how did I end up like this?

The group exchanged bewildered glances; the contrast between their previous and subsequent behavior was truly striking.

The elder in charge of the Free and Unfettered Sword Sect finally couldn't stand it anymore and shoved him aside.

Then, he pulled a uniquely shaped wooden box from under a nearby table.

"This alchemy competition involves three aspects: deciphering alchemy formulas, refining elixirs, and innovating medicinal formulas. The final rankings will be determined by a comprehensive score," the elder in charge quickly explained.

He shook the wooden box in his hand, and a series of clanging sounds came out.

"This is the first challenge: deciphering the pill formula from the box. It contains a wide variety of rare pills. Whichever one you draw will unlock the formula for that pill."

As he spoke, he handed the box to the two of them, indicating that they could draw one.

Tang Hao raised an eyebrow. This was just like opening a blind box.

Without thinking much, he reached his hand into the hole at the top of the box.

My forearm reached in halfway and immediately touched a cool, refreshing bottle.

The elixir bottles in the box were not rigidly placed inside, but rather floating and moving around.

Just like the one he encountered, because Tang Hao didn't make any further moves, the bottle actually floated away wobbly after that collision.

"interesting!"

He chuckled softly, rotated his elbow, and tentatively reached out to touch the surroundings. Instantly, he felt the tactile sensation of the pill bottle in his hand again.

Without hesitation, he grabbed it and pulled his arm out of the wooden box.

Upon first glance, one discovers that the pill bottle is not only opaque, but even divine sense cannot penetrate it, making it impossible to discern the appearance of the pills inside.

Noticing his actions and expression, the elder deacon first moved the wooden box to the side, indicating that Luo Kedi should take it.

A smile appeared on his face as he explained, "To be fair, the pill bottle cannot be opened before the competition officially begins. The restriction on the pill bottle will only disappear after the lotus platform water curtain barrier is opened."

As soon as he finished speaking, Luo Kedi also pulled out a bottle of pills from the wooden box.

As expected, it was exactly the same as the one in Tang Hao's hand, both of which were sealed by a restriction.

"Are you worried that someone might break the rules, recognize the pills inside, and then reveal it to their own disciples participating in the competition?" Luo Kedi nodded to indicate that he understood.

The elder in charge simply smiled, without offering any response.

After placing the wooden box back under the table, he continued, "As for the pill refining question, there are no restrictions other than that you can only refine it once. The final score will be based on the grade and quality of the pill."

"We can provide all or part of the medicinal materials. Fellow Daoist, you can choose to pay with an equivalent amount of spirit stones, or offset the cost with a portion of the pills produced upon success," the elder added.

Upon hearing this, Luo Kedi's eyes lit up, and he immediately said, "I want to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill, and I need your sect to provide a complete set of medicinal materials."

Having just advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage, he had not yet mastered the second-tier pill formula. The Foundation Establishment Pill was the highest-grade and most difficult-to-refine spiritual medicine among the pills he could refine.

"can."

The elder in charge smiled and nodded, his expression unchanged, and gestured to a disciple in charge, who immediately took out a storage bag and handed it over.

Clearly, there were quite a few participants who chose to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill, and the Free and Unfettered Sword Sect was well prepared for this.

As for their purposes, some are like Lao Luo, while others are probably trying to seize an opportunity to build a foundation.

"Fellow Daoist, what about you?" The elder in charge turned to look at him.

Tang Hao actually had no choice. He wanted to use the alchemy competition to advance the construction of the Nightmare Kingdom, so he naturally had to have an outstanding performance.

'The incident at Fengyi Palace just now has proven that merely showing off does not help advance the progress at all.' He thought quickly.

Trying to organize my thoughts: 'What the Nightmare Kingdom needs is feedback. Based on the limited case analysis so far, it seems to be something like having their expectations met. The question is, what feedback is there when they're proven wrong?'

Thinking of this, Tang Hao raised his eyes slightly to look at the other party, smiled and nodded, saying, "The [Golden Elixir Jade Rejuvenation Pill] requires the complete set of medicinal materials. Thank you for your trouble!"

His pupils contracted involuntarily. The elder in charge glanced at Yan Yumin and Mei Zhen, then gave him a deep look before saying nothing. He gestured to a disciple beside him to fetch the medicine.

Tang Hao's choice was reasonable, and the elder in charge, intimidated by Yan Yumin's Nascent Soul power, did not dare to say anything more.

Those who watch the spectacle or even participate in the competition have fewer reservations.

For a moment, a low, buzzing noise filled the air above the entire lake.

"This guy actually dared to refine the Golden Elixir Jade Rejuvenation Pill on the spot. Isn't he afraid of losing everything, even his underwear?"

"Tsk, could it be that he's trying to seize the opportunity to form his core? But I think he's still far from achieving that."

"If one has a chance to reach the Foundation Establishment stage, one can try the Golden Elixir Jade Rejuvenation Pill, which is many times more difficult than the Foundation Establishment Pill. If this is truly the first time refining it, the chance of success is extremely slim. This kid has miscalculated."

For a time, there was nothing but pessimistic talk.

However, some people, like the Nan siblings, still held a glimmer of hope for Tang Hao.

"Back then, when he was refining nine different pills at the same time, none of us were optimistic. But the results of the first batch directly certified him as a gold-medal alchemist," Nan Lianzhu murmured to himself.

She gazed at the young man on the flying boat from afar: "Today he is going to refine the Golden Elixir Jade Rejuvenation Pill. Reason tells me that he cannot succeed, but I still hope that he can."

Nan Liansong, who was on the nearest lotus platform, also looked on with a look of reminiscence upon hearing this and nodded slightly.

"He has mastered a new alchemy technique, and he must be carrying a mission from the sect. He must have made this choice with confidence."

If the Nan siblings' confidence was based on the shock that Tang Hao had once brought them, then...

This unconsciously raised their expectations of him, to the point that, to some extent, it could be considered blind faith.

The confidence that the other three people had in him stemmed entirely from reality.

Bai Jue and Yan Yumin had both heard Tang Hao recount the details of his trip to Shengjing, and Helian Jinxi himself was a participant in that journey.

All three were fully aware of his involvement in helping Helian Chengyu refine elixirs.

Knowing that Tang Hao had already mastered it is one thing, but believing that he could master it again is quite another.

After all, alchemy is never 100% successful, and they were all a little apprehensive.

"The last question is about an innovative elixir formula. Whether you choose an improved version or something entirely new, feel free to experiment. As long as you successfully create the elixir, you will receive a score."

The elder in charge couldn't help but glance at Tang Hao again, and finally said, "Good luck to you!"

(End of this chapter)