It turns out, they were the main characters.

"I've never seen you show any interest in alchemy before, so why have you been so keen on it these past few days? Could it be that you're also planning to participate in the alchemy competition after the Ascension Conference?"

Yan Ruyu, dressed elegantly and beautifully, sat in the side hall, her sexy and mature body wrapped in a black robe, and looked at Mu Zhian with a smile.

Her skin was fair and firm, and her eyes shone with a gentle light. She was at the most voluptuous and full age of a woman, exuding a mature charm that a young girl could never possess.

"There are no entry requirements for the alchemy competition. After all, the threshold to becoming an alchemist is extremely high. Since I happen to meet the requirements for becoming an alchemist, I figured I might as well give it a try since I'm just killing time," Mu Zhian said with a smile.

He could not have become an alchemist otherwise, but his Chaotic Body contained the innate Spiritual Body, which is one of the most suitable constitutions for becoming an alchemist.

With a gentle smile, Yan Ruyu immediately said, "That's not a bad idea. You can take the alchemy competition as a training experience."

"However... besides the alchemy competition, one must also pay attention to one's own cultivation."

Mu Zhian nodded sincerely and said, "This disciple will certainly keep it in mind."

The two chatted for a while longer, and then Mu Zhian suddenly asked, "By the way, Master was stuck at the bottleneck of the Void Returning stage for many years. Is he... now?"

"Thanks to the immortal destiny bestowed upon me by the Azure Emperor, that bottleneck has long since been broken."

Yan Ruyu glanced at him charmingly and said, "If it weren't for you, I doubt Senior Qingdi would have bestowed his immortal destiny upon the Liangyi Sect."

As she finished speaking, her expression became more complicated.

She initially chose Mu Zhi'an primarily because of his natural talent as a furnace vessel, but Mu Zhi'an? He, on the other hand, was constantly thinking about himself, her incompetent teacher…

When Yan Ruyu thought of this, she couldn't help but sigh softly and said, "Thinking about it carefully, I really have let you down. When I chose you, it wasn't just because of your talent and ability."

"And they didn't offer you much help, but rather took a liking to you—"

As soon as he finished speaking, Mu Zhian suddenly extended his index finger and gently touched Yan Ruyu's red lips, smiling gently, "Actually, there are some things I know even if the teacher doesn't say them."

Yan Ruyu paused slightly, "You mean..."

"What you know, I may also know, but I just don't mind," Mu Zhian said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Yan Ruyu remained silent for a moment, then a hint of tenderness appeared in her eyes as she took out a simple-looking jade slip from her sleeve.

"This jade slip contains the alchemy insights and experiences of many alchemists in the past. You can crush it, and those insights and experiences will naturally be imprinted into your mind. However, how much you can learn depends on yourself."

These jade slips, capable of directly integrating memories into the brain, are extremely rare and incredibly difficult to craft. Mu Zhi'an, naturally aware of their value, immediately raised his hand in a gesture of respect: "Thank you, Master!"

Yan Ruyu's attitude made Mu Zhian feel a little embarrassed, after all, he had gotten so many things from Yan Ruyu for free.

But Yan Ruyu isn't currently in a bottleneck period and doesn't need his help for the time being. If there's a need in the future, Mu Zhian wouldn't particularly mind sacrificing himself.

After all, the senior members, especially his master, had treated him very well and had given him many favors since he joined the sect.

After chatting with Yan Ruyu for a while, Mu Zhian saw that it was getting late, so he took his leave and headed straight for Dexin Garden.

Curtains hung at each of the four corners of the pavilion to block the wind, and a charcoal fire burned brightly inside, dispelling the chill of winter.

Through the curtains, Mu Zhian could vaguely see a young lady with a classical and elegant demeanor, dressed in a purple dress adorned with colorful patterns.

Mu Zhian concealed his presence and quietly approached Ye Lingxuan from behind. He lifted the curtain and found that the girl was holding a thin book in her hands, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were sparkling as she stared at the book.

He looked both embarrassed and eager to see, like he was secretly reading some unhealthy book.

Mu Zhian was about to go closer to see what this girl was looking at so intently when, just as he got close, the familiar warm scent startled Ye Lingxuan out of her daze, and she turned her head sharply.

Upon seeing a handsome face, Ye Lingxuan subconsciously moved back a little, clutching her books, her pretty face flushed, looking at Mu Zhian with a mixture of annoyance and nervousness: "Brother Mu, why didn't you say anything before coming over? You startled me."

Mu Zhian glanced at the book in Ye Lingxuan's hands and saw that she had covered it up tightly. He couldn't help but laugh and said, "Aren't you a natural spirit? Before, when I tried to tease you secretly, you always noticed. Why were you scared by me today?"

"Also, what book are you reading that you're so engrossed in?"

Ye Lingxuan glanced at him, blushed, placed the book on her lap to cover the title, and snorted softly, "I won't tell you."

"By the way, Brother Mu, what brings you here today? Did you lose interest in Sister Ruoxi and only then did you remember me?"

As she finished speaking, she couldn't help but glance at him wistfully.

Mu Zhian smiled helplessly, "I just wanted to have a chat with you. But since you're not very welcoming, I'll visit you again next time."

After saying that, he got up to leave.

Ye Lingxuan ignored him and turned her face away to maintain her composure.

When Ye Lingxuan saw that Mu Zhian was really planning to leave the villa, she subconsciously bit her lip and silently gripped the Lock of Desolate Time in her sleeve.

The next moment, the Lock of Desolate Time transformed into a golden ray of light and hurtled towards Mu Zhian.

Less than a few seconds later, Mu Zhian, who was bound hand and foot, was thrown back into the pavilion by the Lock of Desolate Time.

"I'm sorry, it seems the Lock of Time doesn't want Brother Mu to go back so soon." Ye Lingxuan gave an elegant smile.

She gently raised her fingertips, causing the Lock of Desolate Time to unlock Mu Zhi'an's restraints.

I pretended to believe it... Mu Zhian leaned close to Ye Lingxuan and sniffed, saying, "You just took a shower? It smells like rose milk."

Ye Lingxuan's pretty face suddenly flushed red. She scolded the boy who liked to tease people and changed the subject, saying, "Brother Mu, did you come to see me about the alchemy competition?"

Mu Zhian put his arm around Ye Lingxuan's slender shoulder, looked at the girl's blushing profile, and smiled, "Actually, it's not just for the alchemy competition, but mainly I wanted to see you and Qian'er."

Ye Lingxuan lowered her eyes, her slender fingers tracing the book in her hand, on which she could vaguely see the character '驭' (yù, meaning 'to control').

She said softly, "Qian'er has been working hard to cultivate since she failed in the last Ascension Ceremony. She should still be in the house right now."

She paused, then looked at Mu Zhian suspiciously and asked, "Brother Mu, you wouldn't be planning to participate in the alchemy competition just because of Sister Ruoxi's Taixu Pill, would you?"

"How do you know everything?" Mu Zhian was somewhat surprised.

"Because it involves Brother Mu, I know a little about it," Ye Lingxuan said with a faint smile.

It seems that only at this time does Ye Lingxuan revert to her usual elegant demeanor as a young lady, appearing calm and composed as if she has everything under control.

It seems that even within the Liangyi Sect, Lingxuan still has some intelligence network of her own... Mu Zhian thought to himself silently.

The forbidden zone couldn't possibly extend its reach into the Liangyi Sect, but Ye Lingxuan, a daughter who had been doted on by the Lord of the forbidden zone since childhood, would naturally be protected by people secretly sent by the forbidden zone. As long as the forbidden zone didn't disturb the disciples of the Liangyi Sect, the Liangyi Sect would turn a blind eye.

"Does Sister Lingxuan know anything about alchemy?" Mu Zhian asked.

Ye Lingxuan glanced at him with a sly look: "Brother Mu, it really is because of Sister Ruoxi..."

As I finished speaking, a strange pang of jealousy welled up inside me.

Before she met Mu Zhian, Ye Lingxuan was always an elegant and reserved beauty. When she met Mu Zhian, she was very polite and addressed him as "Young Master Mu". Even after they became a couple, she maintained the demeanor of a young lady.

However, upon hearing that Mu Zhian was busy with all sorts of things for the Taixu Pill, she felt inexplicably jealous.

"That's because Ruoxi needs the Taixu Pill. If it were my Lingxuan who needed this pill today, I would also find a way to get it for you," Mu Zhian said softly, holding her delicate hand.

"That's what they say, but who knows if it's really true?" Ye Lingxuan frowned and said softly.

However, her clear and bright peach blossom eyes shone with joy and shyness. Under Mu Zhian's expectant gaze, she pretended to be indifferent and said, "The so-called alchemy is not difficult to understand. To put it simply, it is to control the cauldron, inject one's own spiritual energy into the pill, and adjust the heat to refine the pill."

Mu Zhian suddenly realized: "So, the most important thing in alchemy is the quality of one's own spiritual energy and the ability to control it?"

"It's a pity that I can't actively use the spiritual energy in my innate furnace, otherwise wouldn't I be able to refine the highest quality pills every time?" Mu Zhian couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

"If you participate in the alchemy competition on short notice, it's impossible to get a good ranking. Brother Mu is underestimating the difficulty of alchemy."

Ye Lingxuan paused for a moment, then continued, "However, I am also somewhat interested in alchemy competitions—"

As she finished speaking, she deliberately drew out her words and glanced at Mu Zhian casually.

A charcoal fire burned in the pavilion, and her long eyelashes caught the light, making her delicate oval face seem to be bathed in a warm glow.

She slightly raised her chin, revealing her fair and beautiful oval face, and continued in a serious manner, "Since Brother Mu also wants to participate in the alchemy competition, why don't you stay at Dexin Garden for the next few days? That way, it will be more convenient to discuss things."

Mu Zhian stared at her in shock.

Lingxuan is usually so unassuming and never competes for anything, it's unexpected that she has such a domineering side...

After thinking for a moment, Mu Zhian nodded slightly and accepted Ye Lingxuan's suggestion: "That's right. There are only a few days left before the alchemy competition. If we study together these days, it will be much more useful than me working on it alone."

Ye Lingxuan smiled sweetly, but quickly added with concern, "If Sister Ruoxi finds out that Brother Mu has been by my side all this time, will she be angry?"

Mu Zhian shook his head and smiled, "It's alright, I'll explain it to her clearly."

With a heart as vast as Nai Xi's, she still has the capacity to tolerate this much.

After all, this alchemy competition was for her Taixu Pill.

"Oh, right, there's something I need to remind Brother Mu about."

Ye Lingxuan seemed to remember something and suddenly said, "Even I can't guarantee that I can win the alchemy competition, so if Brother Mu plans to participate, he should also make the corresponding preparations, okay?"

"If Brother Mu really wants the Taixu Pill, I will try to find a way for you later."

These words, coming from the Holy Maiden of the Forbidden Zone, naturally carried considerable weight.

Mu Zhian gently stroked Ye Lingxuan's hair and said softly, "Don't worry, no matter who wins or loses the alchemy competition, I will find a way."

If we were to exchange the Heavenly Furnace for the Void Pill... it wouldn't seem like such a bad deal.

Chapter 375 The Alchemy Competition and the Wonderful Uses of Heavenly Spiritual Energy (9K)

That night.

"The so-called alchemy is about one's ability to control spiritual energy, and it also involves the quality of spiritual energy... No wonder there are so few alchemists in the Nine Provinces."

Mu Zhian gazed at the dark-colored cauldron before him, and at a second-grade pill slowly floating out of it, and muttered to himself thoughtfully.

"Sister Lingxuan, what about the pills you refined? Did they fail?" Mu Zhian asked again.

Ye Lingxuan glanced at Mu Zhian, then lazily stretched, her delicate body wrapped in a light purple dress.

Her fair neck outlined a beautiful curve, and her naturally flowing hair complemented her exquisitely beautiful, porcelain-like face.

She channeled her spiritual energy and reached out her hand towards the cauldron.

A rich medicinal aroma wafted from the cauldron, and a fifth-grade pill fell into Ye Lingxuan's hand.

"Although I don't usually practice alchemy, there's no way I could possibly be a match for someone like Brother Mu, who's a complete novice."

Ye Lingxuan slightly raised her snow-white chin, her eyes haughty, maintaining the demeanor of a young lady.

“The same pill, refined using different methods of controlling spiritual energy, can result in pills of one or two different grades,” Ye Lingxuan said.

After explaining in a tone that sounded like she was lecturing someone, Ye Lingxuan glanced at the night outside the window and said, "It's getting late, Brother Mu, you should get some rest too."

As she finished speaking, Ye Lingxuan gently covered her rosy lips with her slender hand and let out a small yawn.

Even monks get tired sometimes, and the simplest way to cope with that is to meditate or sleep, with most monks usually choosing the former.

"I'll go back to the house with Lingxuan." Mu Zhian stepped forward, took Ye Lingxuan's small hand, and gazed at the beautiful girl's flawless face.