It turns out, they were the main characters.

"Where's the papaya smell coming from?"

Mu Zhian hesitated for a moment, then moved closer to Ye Lingxuan. He could vaguely sense a faint fragrance wafting from her dress, mixed with a hint of papaya.

"What are you doing, Brother Mu?" Ye Lingxuan asked shyly, turning her face away.

Mu Zhian reached out and took her soft little hand, lowered his head slightly, and whispered in her ear, "Eating papaya is not as fast as letting me help you."

Although he had been staying at Dexin Garden for the past two days, Ye Lingxuan had not given him any chance to get close to her. Every time he wanted to kiss her after finishing his pill-making practice at night, she would find an excuse to 'slip away'.

Mu Zhian was quite patient, or rather, he hadn't had a proper rest during this period, so taking this opportunity to relax was a good idea.

He also wanted to see whether Lingxuan was more patient or he was more patient.

Let her do it herself when the time comes!

Upon hearing Mu Zhian's offer to help, Ye Lingxuan, who was shy, blushed and lowered her head.

"I was just eating some fruit, Brother Mu misunderstood."

Mu Zhian gave an "oh," seeing through it but not saying it outright, and simply said nonchalantly, "Actually, my little sister Lingxuan is not young anymore, so this is just right."

Although Ye Lingxuan could not be described as having a grand vision, her physical development was indeed quite good. However, compared to Qian'er or Ruoxi, her story became one of heartbreak.

But little did she know that while big is good, small also has its advantages.

Mu Zhian quickly suppressed his teasing thoughts and said, "Today is the alchemy competition. It's been a while since we've been to Canghai Peak, so let's go check it out beforehand."

Ye Lingxuan nodded gently, then seemed to remember something and handed a storage ring to Mu Zhian: "Oh right, Brother Mu, this is for you."

Mu Zhian scanned the storage ring with his spiritual sense, and soon a subtle expression appeared on his face.

"A Grade Earth-level cauldron...? If I remember correctly, this kind of cauldron would cost at least 800,000 spirit stones at the auction house, and it would be priceless, right?"

Mu Zhian politely declined, saying, "If I accept this cauldron, wouldn't I be seen as a gigolo?"

Ye Lingxuan frowned slightly, somewhat displeased: "Brother Mu has helped me so much, what is a mere cauldron compared to that?"

"Instead of worrying about this, Brother Mu, why don't you try to spend more time with Qian'er and me later..."

As she finished speaking, her voice became much softer, and her beautiful peach blossom eyes shimmered with a shy light.

Mu Zhian pondered for a moment, then accepted the storage ring and said with a smile, "Alright, I'll try my best to please Sister Lingxuan after we return from this alchemy competition."

He leaned close to Ye Lingxuan's ear and whispered, "When we get back, I'll take Mugua's place and help Lingxuan..."

Ye Lingxuan glared at him and said softly, "Get lost!"

Mu Zhian was taken aback: "Could you scold me a couple more times?"

Ye Lingxuan: "..."

Ye Lingxuan gave Mu Zhian a reproachful look, as if she were looking at a pervert.

"By the way, Brother Mu, have you decided what kind of pill you want to refine?" Ye Lingxuan suddenly asked.

"of course."

Mu Zhian gave a mysterious smile: "It's a prescription I invented myself."

Even the elegant and refined Miss Ye didn't believe it, and just scoffed.

Someone who has only been involved in alchemy for a short time claims to have invented a new elixir... Ha!

Mu Zhian maintained his mysterious smile and made no offer to explain.

Anyway, she'll know once she gets to the alchemy platform on Canghai Peak.

……

At the summit of Canghai Peak stands an alchemy platform.

In fact, it's not just Canghai Peak; several of the nine main peaks have alchemy platforms, where sect disciples and even elders used to go to refine pills.

Wearing a long white dress, Luo Tan sat in a pavilion on the main peak, holding a cup of tea in her hand, casually gazing at the endless stream of cultivators near the alchemy platform.

On the alchemy platform, many contestants had already gathered, including the Holy Son of the Southern Wilderness and the Holy Maiden of the World Sea.

The private room in this pavilion was also filled with cultivators. Most of them were born with no affinity for alchemy, but that did not diminish their interest in alchemy competitions.

More importantly, even among ancient aristocratic families, alchemists are extremely rare.

Those who were able to participate in the alchemy competition this time, apart from a few who had powerful families backing them, most of the sect disciples did not have much power behind them.

This alchemy competition also provides them with an opportunity to extend olive branches to some of the alchemists based on their performance, inviting them to join their families in the future, or to become guest elders.

If it weren't for Luo Tan guiding this alchemy competition from behind the scenes, it would have been very difficult to gather so many geniuses here.

"Experts see the details, while laymen just watch the spectacle; it's true no matter where you are. Your Majesty, who do you think will win this competition?"

A maidservant stepped forward to pour tea for Luo Tan, then looked at the elegant empress and asked softly.

Luo Tan sat with her legs crossed, her beautiful white dress embroidered with gold thread and printed with blooming flowers, which further accentuated her noble temperament.

She toyed with the teacup in her hand and said calmly, "Cultivators of this age are generally at a similar level in alchemy. The highest grade of pills they can refine should be around the sixth grade. To win, it depends on the details. If one's ability to control spiritual energy and the quality of spiritual energy are high enough, then one should be able to win."

"Is this why His Majesty holds the Holy Maiden of the Forbidden Zone in such high regard?" the maid said respectfully.

"A natural spiritual body has an innate affinity for spiritual energy. Ye Lingxuan's physique is very suitable for both cultivation and alchemy. Moreover, she is low-key and humble, making her an excellent prospect."

Luo Tan, holding a teacup, turned her head slightly to look at the alchemy platform outside the pavilion and the group of young cultivators in front of it, and continued, "However, it is still uncertain whether she will participate in the competition."

"The Holy Maiden of the Forbidden Zone has no shortage of resources, nor does she need anyone's offer... It seems she might not participate." The maid said softly.

“Natural spirits have appeared in the forbidden areas a few times before, but even I have never seen a natural spirit as perfect as her.”

Luo Tan glanced at her casually and said softly, "But it seems that although she has no shortage of resources, she still wants to show herself in front of the person she loves."

A hint of doubt flashed in the maid's eyes, and she looked in that direction.

The area downstairs was much more lively than before, with many cultivators chatting and laughing around a handsome young nobleman. Not far from the nobleman, a girl in a purple dress stood gracefully beside him.

Luo Tan chuckled lightly: "He certainly has a good reputation."

"With the Azure Emperor as his Daoist partner, even the elders of those ancient aristocratic families who are in seclusion have to treat him with utmost respect. No wonder he is so sought after," the maid said softly.

Luo Tan gently stroked the rim of the cup with her fingertips and said leisurely, "Compared to this, I am more concerned about what kind of pill someone who doesn't usually deal with alchemy can refine."

No one who is new to alchemy can possibly produce high-grade pills. Mu Zhian couldn't possibly be unaware of this.

But he still came to participate in the alchemy competition.

Is he just accompanying his sister to go through the motions, or is he planning something else?

However, regardless of whether Mu Zhian wins or loses in this alchemy competition, she is quite interested in this young cultivator.

If he is willing, I will let him stay by my side for a few years in the future and provide him with cultivation resources.

However, on the other hand, when he went to the Abyss that day, the will of Heaven descended upon the Abyss. Was it related to him?

As Luo Tan's thoughts began to stir, the pavilion was already bustling with people.

In a private room, the serene and elegant Senior Sister Lan was silently looking through the window at Mu Zhi'an, who had just arrived near the alchemy platform.

Her expression was calm, her beautiful eyes clear and bright.

"My sister won the Ascension Tournament and not only obtained three Emperor-level medicinal herbs, but also won the right to use that guy... What does she plan to do with them?"

Lan Feiying gazed at her sister with captivating eyes and a charming smile, asking the question.

Lan Mulian, dressed in a white dress with a light blue cloak like a thin veil, exuded a calm and elegant aura. She simply replied, "Junior Brother's right to use... that's just Master's quirky hobby, don't take it seriously."

Lan Feiying chuckled, crossed her legs, and hooked her sexy red embroidered shoe on the toe, saying, "Heh, if you ask him, he will definitely abide by this rule."

"Let alone asking him to do anything, he probably wouldn't refuse even if you asked him to clean your toes with his tongue."

As soon as she finished speaking, she saw her usually graceful and elegant older sister's fair face flush with two shy blushes, revealing a touch of coquettish charm amidst her cool demeanor.

She instinctively pulled her feet back, her beautiful eyes flashing at her: "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Lan Feiying gave a charming smile, then gently stroked the storage ring on her slender finger, and casually asked, "By the way, has the Enforcement Hall reported anything about Ye Yu?"

“There has been no news.” Lan Mulian shook her head gently, her eyes showing a hint of seriousness.

After a sect disciple returned to the sect, his existence was erased without anyone noticing, leaving no trace... Such extraordinary means are something even a terrestrial immortal in the Void Returning Realm might not be able to accomplish.

Lan Feiying gave an "oh" and said indifferently, "Actually, it's fine if he dies. Ye Yu colluded with demon cultivators in private. Even if he doesn't die, he will still be sent to the Law Enforcement Hall for punishment."

Lan Mulian pondered for a moment, then said softly, "This matter is rather strange. The demon cultivators in the demon realm accidentally revealed that Ye Yu was colluding with the Devouring Rhinoceros clan on the border of the demon realm, and it just so happened to reach the sect... It feels more like someone did it on purpose."

Lan Feiying lowered her eyes slightly, her voice soft and alluring: "Whether it was intentional or not, the sect's later investigation has confirmed that Ye Yu did indeed collude with the Devouring Demon Rhino Clan to murder his fellow disciples. Isn't that enough?"

Lan Mulian remained silent.

After a moment, Lan Feiying suddenly said, "He went on stage."

Lan Mulian snapped out of her reverie, turned her head slightly to look out the window, and sure enough, she saw Mu Zhian and Ye Lingxuan following behind a group of alchemists as they took to the stage.

However, Mu Zhian clearly had a very high awareness of avoiding ganks. Although he went on stage side by side with Ye Lingxuan, they did not hold hands at all.

His black robe was embroidered with gold and silver threads, making him look as noble and elegant as a young nobleman. His handsome appearance attracted the attention of countless female cultivators as soon as he stepped onto the stage.

"What grade of pills do you think he can refine?" Lan Feiying asked.

Lan Mulian pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled brightly: "At most, it's only third grade."

As she said this, a faint smile appeared on her lips.

How can someone who has never been exposed to alchemy refine high-grade pills?

Even if Mu Zhian frequently visited the library and Dexin Garden these past few days, it would be impossible for him to refine a pill of too high a grade in just a few days.

Even though she trusted Mu Zhi'an a lot, she didn't have much hope for this junior brother.

I really don't know what my junior brother is getting along with. Could it be that he also has his eye on the eighth-grade pill that Luo Tan gave to the winner?

“If used properly, an eighth-grade pill can even allow one to comprehend a trace of the Dao, preparing one for the future Dao Enlightenment Realm. It is indeed tempting.”

Lan Feiying glanced meaningfully at her sister, rested her chin on her hand, and said with a smile, "However, for this Ascension Ceremony, you obtained one Emperor-level medicinal herb from the Western Regions of the Southern Wilderness, plus the three Emperor-level medicinal herbs given by the sect... which is equivalent to three Grade 8 pills."

"If he comes to you, will you give it to him, sister?"

Lan Mulian raised a beautiful eyebrow and said calmly, "If he really wants it... then it doesn't matter."

"However, given his personality, if I give it to him for no reason, I'm afraid his pride will get the better of him and he won't be able to accept it."

Lan Feiying wore a charming smile on her beautiful face and teased, "There's no such thing as pride or self-respect. I'm afraid even you, sister, would be too embarrassed to say it."

"Otherwise, even just buying a single Emperor-level medicinal herb would be enough."