He had always looked down on others, yet today someone looked down on himself so much.
This infuriated him, but the young man's power was too bizarre; even a King realm expert was no match for him.
He dared not obstruct Mu Qingling any further, only vowing inwardly to regain his honor and personally cripple the boy's limbs.
Xuan Kong emerged from the Sanyang Auction House at some unknown time, watching Mu Qingling's departing back.
The corner of his mouth curved into a devilishly charming arc, as if contemplating something.
Mu Qingling had no time to spare for others. She found an inn, retired to her room, and began preparing for the alchemy competition.
"Little girl, are you really going to participate in the alchemy competition on Xin Ci's behalf?" Elder Han asked.
Though he knew of Mu Qingling's formidable strength, he had never seen her refine pills before and was unaware of her background.
Mu Qingling smiled faintly, "Don't worry. As Xin Ci's second personality, I possess all that he does!"
Upon hearing this, Elder Han's face broke into an appreciative smile. This little girl was indeed extraordinary.
Although he still didn't fully comprehend why Xin Ci had two personalities within him,
He believed this little girl's personality was undoubtedly an exceptional existence.
"If that's the case, then we shall proceed as you say."
"Mhm!" Mu Qingling nodded.
Subsequently, Mu Qingling entered secluded cultivation in her room for a month.
During this period, Mu Qingling continuously practiced alchemy and adapted to Xin Ci's body.
Since Xin Ci had already met with Yan Hongde and others, Mu Qingling did not transform into her female form and competed using Xin Ci's original body.
Although this would limit her strength, allowing her to only wield at most a one-star King realm spiritual power.
However, this was an alchemy competition, and the use of soul power was unrestricted.
A month later, the alchemy competition officially commenced.
The alchemy competition was held in the central plaza of Danling City.
This alchemy competition was considered one of the major events in the entire Eastern Continent, thus its scale was grand.
Many alchemists from the Eastern Continent would gather in Danling City and attend as spectators, as it was a rather interesting affair.
"Xin Ci, you're here! We've been waiting for you!"
As soon as Mu Qingling walked into the plaza, Yan Hongde and Baicai rushed to meet her.
"Elder Yan, Senior Sister Baicai, are you also participating in the alchemy competition?" Mu Qingling asked with a smile.
"Only I am participating in the alchemy competition. This little girl is merely here to witness the event, as the minimum requirement to compete is a three-star alchemist, and she's still far from it," Yan Hongde said with a laugh.
Baicai pouted unhappily and retorted, "What do you mean! I'm not that bad. I'm already a two-star alchemist, and perhaps I'll be able to participate in the next alchemy competition!"
"Is that so, Senior Sister Baicai? Then I shall look forward to it," Mu Qingling said, gazing at Baicai with a smile.
Baicai's cheeks puffed up as she looked at Mu Qingling, huffing, "Junior Brother Xin, can you not call me by my full name? Can't you just call me Senior Sister Bai?"
"Alright, Senior Sister Baicai."
"This kid, why is he so annoying!" Baicai glared hatefully at Mu Qingling, grumbling inwardly.
Mu Qingling found the little girl's name amusing and couldn't resist teasing her.
"By the way, Junior Brother Xin, you should have received your alchemist certification, right? Hurry up and show it to me."
Baicai urged, her face filled with anticipation.
Mu Qingling nodded and took out her alchemist certification.
When Baicai saw the alchemist certification in Mu Qingling's hand, she froze, her pretty face flushing red.
She looked at Mu Qingling and asked in disbelief, "Junior Brother Xin, you broke through so quickly? A four-star alchemist!"
Yan Hongde, who was nearby, was also taken aback. He immediately took the alchemist certification to examine it.
"You brat, you sure know how to fool people. You said you hadn't refined pills for a year, yet your alchemy level hasn't decreased but has instead improved," Yan Hongde glared at Mu Qingling.
"Heh heh..." Mu Qingling chuckled dryly.
Baicai stood there dumbfounded, a look of disbelief on her face.
She thought her talent was quite good, reaching two-star alchemist before the age of eighteen.
Yet, this young man, who was around her age, was already a four-star alchemist. It was truly a case of comparing oneself to others and feeling one's blood boil.
Was this fair to others?
Yan Hongde nodded with satisfaction. He patted Mu Qingling's shoulder, "Good, good! You truly are a student of my Four Symbols Academy. Hahaha..."
Mu Qingling scratched her head with a bitter smile, saying nothing.
"Oh, come on, Yan Hongde. What good students can your Four Symbols Academy possibly have!"
A sarcastic voice rang out. A purple-robed elder walked over.
The elder had an ordinary appearance, but his eyes were sharp. Beside him followed a young man with an arrogant expression.
As these two looked at Mu Qingling and the others, their eyes were filled with mockery and disdain.
Seeing these two, Yan Hongde's heart seethed with anger. However, he retorted mockingly, "Old Ghost Han, when did you start taking dogs as disciples? Why are you in such a hurry to bite as soon as you arrive?"
Hearing Yan Hongde's words, the elder surnamed Han's face turned ashen. He snorted, "Who are you calling a dog?"
Yan Hongde scoffed, "Who do you think? Aren't you a dog?"
Mu Qingling and Baicai watched the two argue incessantly, not interjecting, instead observing the elder named Han Xiwen with interest.
Han Xiwen's gaze swept from Yan Hongde and, upon seeing a token hanging on his chest, a flicker of surprise crossed his face.
"Five-star alchemist!" Han Xiwen's tone was filled with astonishment.
"Haha, what do you say, Old Ghost Han? Know who's the boss now?"
Upon hearing Han Xiwen's surprised tone, Yan Hongde couldn't help but raise his head and laugh heartily.
"Yan Hongde, I underestimated you. But do you really think that with just you, a half-baked five-star alchemist, you can defeat the alchemists of my Fire Feather Sect in the alchemy competition?" Han Xiwen sneered, his gaze towards Yan Hongde filled with contempt.
"Tch, we'll see about that!" Yan Hongde snorted dismissively.
"Let's go, Senior Brother Yang. If we stay with people from the Four Symbols Academy for too long, perhaps our alchemy skills will also deteriorate," Han Xiwen said to the purple-clothed young man beside him.
Senior Brother?
Hearing Han Xiwen address the purple-robed man as Senior Brother, Yan Hongde and Baicai were both stunned.
Even Mu Qingling had initially assumed the young man was Han Xiwen's disciple, and was surprised to learn he was a Senior Brother.
However, they were unsure of the purple-robed man's actual strength.
"Mhm, let's go," the purple-robed man, called Yang Hao, replied softly, and then followed Han Xiwen away.
Seeing Yang Hao's retreating back, Yan Hongde frowned, feeling that Yang Hao was not as simple as he seemed.
Mu Qingling glanced in the direction Yang Hao had disappeared, then looked at Yan Hongde and asked, "Elder Yan, who were those two people just now?"