Chapter 697 - 704: Let Him Experience What a True Genius Is

Could the speculation get any more absurd?

It was simply outrageous!

"But seriously, the Wood Immortal Monarch ascended long before Song Wanning was even born. How on earth did they end up with a grudge against each other?"

"Yeah, it’s driving me crazy just thinking about it!"

Everyone was incredibly curious. After all, by any normal logic, the two should never have even crossed paths.

Of course, no one dared to imagine that Song Wanning would have dared to oppose Mu Zixu’s Divine Thought back in the Lower World.

The more the crowd speculated, the more excited they became, quickly weaving an aura of mystery around Song Wanning.

Mu Zixu stared at Song Wanning the entire time. Though he detested her, watching her fluid, graceful movements, he had to admit that Song Wanning’s talent for alchemy was truly exceptional.

’In such a short time, she can already refine a Soul Stabilizing Pill with ease...’

’Even he had spent a considerable amount of time on it back in the day.’

At this thought, Mu Zixu’s mood soured even further.

Time flew by, and the first round gradually came to a close.

The first round was primarily designed to help the alchemy disciples build confidence, so the requirements to enter the second round were not high.

Even so, more than ten people still failed, unable to successfully refine their elixir pills.

When Wu Wang saw that Song Wanning had actually succeeded, his heart grew heavy.

’This woman really does have some skill. No wonder Master repeatedly warned us to be careful.’

’If we really mess this up, we’ll lose all face.’

Thinking this, he made a point to remind Feng San and Ouyang Lin, "Be careful of Song Wanning."

"I saw her. Her complexion is rosy, and she doesn’t show the slightest sign of exhaustion."

’Her condition looks even better than ours!’

Hearing this, Feng San glanced at Song Wanning, a flicker of contempt in his eyes.

"It’s just a Soul Stabilizing Pill. Anyone with hands can refine one!"

"The next round won’t be so easy!!"

He snorted coldly, speechless at Wu Wang’s cautiousness.

’Wu Wang is acting like a scared bird over a single Song Wanning. That’s all the nerve he has.’

’After all, while I can’t speak for other things, alchemy is definitely our strong suit. There’s no way Song Wanning can catch up.’

Wu Wang: "..."

His expression darkened, and he turned his face away in annoyance.

’That idiot. He actually has the nerve to look down on me.’

’When he loses later, he’ll be the one crying!!’

On the other side, Situ Yue looked at her elixir pills with satisfaction, a trace of confidence finally appearing on her face.

’Although I didn’t have much of a foundation at first, my talent is high, so I succeeded with ease.’

’What does Song Wanning have to compete with me?’

However, before the smug smile could fade from her lips, she heard the Deacon Elder announce, "Song Wanning, two Top-grade Soul-Stabilizing Pills!"

The moment he finished speaking, the entire hall was stunned.

The smile on Situ Yue’s face froze instantly, and her entire being radiated disbelief.

Mu Zixu and his disciples’ expressions also changed drastically as they looked at Song Wanning in astonishment.

"How is that possible? She refined Top-grade Soul-Stabilizing Pills?"

Feng San rushed over in a few steps, refusing to believe it, and peered into her pill furnace.

Two perfectly round Top-grade Soul-Stabilizing Pills lay there, without a speck of medicinal residue around them.

There wasn’t even a trace of fragrance; it was all sealed within the elixir pills.

He stood there, stunned. He remembered how it had taken him decades to barely refine a primary-grade Immortal Pill to top-grade quality.

How could he accept that Song Wanning had succeeded on her first try?

The spectating disciples also gasped endlessly, their gazes on Song Wanning growing brighter and brighter.

They had originally thought she was just someone who got in through connections, but Song Wanning shattered their perceptions time and time again, showing them her true strength.

’With this level of skill, she’d be snatched up by any Sect!’

’Our Wuji Sect really got a bargain!’

"Hahaha, not bad, not bad at all! Wan Ning’s talent is truly astonishing!"

"It seems our Wuji Sect will soon have another Alchemy Grandmaster!"

The Sect Master was overjoyed, looking at Song Wanning as if she were a precious treasure.

The surrounding elders also showered Daoqing with praise and envious looks.

Daoqing didn’t deny it, but he couldn’t help but feel smug.

’This is nothing. There’s more to be surprised about later!’

Ever since he started guiding Song Wanning in her alchemy, he had been more amazed than any of them.

Daoqing glanced again at Mu Zixu, who was so angry he was radiating a cold aura, and a smirk tugged at his lips.

’It’s about time Mu Zixu felt what a true genius looks like.’

’Let him have a taste of self-doubt, too.’

Suppressing a malicious grin, he continued to watch the competition.

And so, in the first round, with over ten failures plus a few disciples who refined low-quality elixir pills, a total of twenty people were eliminated.

These people walked off the stage with dejected expressions.

...

"Second round: Refine the Violent Burst Pill!"

The Deacon Elder once again announced the start of the competition, and the group of disciples began the second round of alchemy.

The Violent Burst Pill was a type of elixir pill that allowed one to break through their limits in a critical moment. It had extremely strong side effects but was a bestseller!

After all, in a crucial moment, it was a life-saving elixir pill.

The refinement process for the Violent Burst Pill was more complex, and the requirements for impurity removal were much higher.

The better the quality of the elixir pill, the smaller the side effects.

If one could achieve top-grade quality, the side effects would be almost negligible. If such a pill appeared, it would surely be fought over.

Song Wanning looked at the ingredients on the table but didn’t rush to start. Instead, she began to mentally sort through the pill recipe.

Because the requirements for the Violent Burst Pill were very high, she planned to run a simulation in her Sea of Consciousness first to ensure there would be no mistakes before she began.

And so, on a high platform bustling with busy people, Song Wanning sat alone, cross-legged, looking particularly conspicuous.

Seeing this, the disciples all sighed.

"As expected, Song Wanning’s time since ascending is still too short. Being able to refine the Soul Stabilizing Pill must be her limit."

"Yeah, what a shame. I was hoping to see her refine a top-grade Violent Burst Pill. I would have definitely paid a fortune for one!!!"

"How could that be possible? The refinement process for the Violent Burst Pill is extremely complex. Although its grade isn’t considered high, many Pill Masters dislike refining it. You’re hoping for a top-grade elixir? It would be great if she could even produce a high-grade one!"

"Right, the True Disciples of the two Immortal Monarchs should be able to refine high-grade Violent Burst Pills."

Even though it seemed Song Wanning had hit her limit, they fully acknowledged her strength. They just felt it was a bit of a pity.

On the stage, the cold aura around Mu Zixu finally dissipated, and a hint of delight unconsciously appeared in his eyes.

’I knew it. No matter how skilled Song Wanning is, there’s no way she could have learned to make the Violent Burst Pill so quickly.’

’The slightest mistake could cause the furnace to explode.’

’But this person really knows how to put on an act. She’s cut from the same cloth as Daoqing!’

"Senior Brother Daoqing, why has Song Wanning stopped moving?"

"Isn’t she a genius? Don’t tell me she can’t even make a Violent Burst Pill?"

He deliberately feigned a surprised expression, mocking Daoqing with sarcasm.

Daoqing shot him a glance. "What’s the rush?"

’This Mu Zixu just loves to make me uncomfortable.’

"Heh, even if she can’t, we can understand."

Mu Zixu let out a dry laugh, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.