Chapter 700 - 707: Feng San Was Shocked

’This good-for-nothing, incompetent fool!!’

But no matter how furious he was, he had to maintain his image.

Mu Zixu suppressed the fury in his heart and said as calmly as possible, "With the same set of alchemy materials, it is indeed possible to refine two Violent Burst Pills. However, it requires profound expertise—skill on par with a Grandmaster!"

’I have to be the one to say it. That’s the only way to save face from this loss.’

’Otherwise, my reputation will be shattered.’

"WHOA—"

"Did I hear that right? What did the Wood Immortal Monarch just say?"

"Our Wuji Sect only has four Alchemy Grandmasters in total... and two of them are recluses who spend all their time in seclusion. But Song Wanning just ascended..."

"Exactly! No matter how you look at it, there’s no way Song Wanning could have the skills of a Grandmaster!!!"

The disciples’ expressions changed as they looked at Song Wanning.

Could it be that Song Wanning had actually cheated?

Mainly, her cultivation wasn’t high enough to support the abilities of a Grandmaster.

There was only one other possibility, then: Song Wanning had cheated.

Feng San’s train of thought followed the same track as the other disciples. His first reaction wasn’t to think about how skilled Song Wanning was, but that his master’s words were proof that she had cheated.

He grew agitated at once, pointing a finger at Song Wanning. "I knew it! You really did cheat!"

"Song Wanning, I can’t believe how despicable you are! A loss is a loss, but to resort to cheating..."

"If I were you, I’d be too ashamed to show my face!"

He snorted, his eyes growing even more arrogant.

"How can you face Master Daoqing’s nurturing and high hopes after doing something like this?"

Situ Yue also snapped out of her shock, a flash of delight crossing her eyes.

’Song Wanning actually dared to cheat. She’s insane.’

’Let’s see how her master and the others can protect her now!’

Facing the doubtful gazes from all around, the corner of Song Wanning’s mouth twitched into a sarcastic smirk.

"Master Mu, it seems your disciple isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed."

She pointed at Feng San’s head. "Or were your words just now meant to imply that I cheated?"

’It would be a joke if an Alchemy Grandmaster couldn’t even make a simple judgment like that.’

She knew Mu Zixu wouldn’t dare spout nonsense. After all, with Daoqing right there, he couldn’t get away with any deception.

Being questioned again, Mu Zixu’s expression darkened. This Song Wanning was truly relentless.

’Doesn’t she just want me to admit how skilled she is?’

’Hmph!’

Mu Zixu suppressed his irritation and explained to the crowd, "What I meant was that Song Wanning’s alchemy has already reached a level approaching that of a Grandmaster."

"She did not cheat!"

’Cheat in front of so many powerful figures? Does Song Wanning have a death wish?’

’Or does she think we’re all just dead weight?’

’Only a moron like Feng San would think that way.’

’This should have just been a moment for amazement. But now, it just makes my disciple look completely ignorant and utterly foolish.’

Mu Zixu’s words instantly silenced the entire plaza. Even the Sect Master and the elders were filled with utter shock.

’Song Wanning has only been ascended for a little over a year, and her skill is already approaching a Grandmaster’s level?’

’Is this some kind of joke?’

In that moment, the Sect Master and the elders suddenly realized how limited their own understanding had been. Could such a peerless genius really exist?!!!

’No, we must protect Song Wanning at all costs!’

’Nothing can be allowed to happen to her.’

Daoqing was also grinning from ear to ear.

’That’s my disciple for you. Astonishing, isn’t she?’

’Hahaha—’

If the occasion weren’t so formal, Daoqing would have loved to let out a few hearty laughs.

Meanwhile, the disciples below were gradually recovering from their shock. Their eyes, now filled with nothing but utter astonishment and awe, fixed on Song Wanning with a fervent intensity, as if trying to see right through her.

Feng San’s expression, however, had frozen completely. His eyes were wide with disbelief.

"How could this be..."

’Master would never lie to help Song Wanning.’

’So... she really did refine these Elixir Pills herself?’

’How is that possible...’

Ouyang Lin and Wu Wang were also completely stunned.

With a move like this, Song Wanning had practically locked in her victory in advance.

’Approaching a Grandmaster... what did that even mean?’

’That was a level nearly on par with their own masters.’

’What was the point of them even competing anymore?’

It was as if they couldn’t hear anything else. The only thing ringing in their ears were the three words: "approaching a Grandmaster."

"Junior Sister Song, you’re incredible!"

"I know, right? I always thought my own talent was pretty good, but now I finally understand what Master meant when he said there’s always someone better out there."

Several of her senior brothers gathered around Song Wanning, their eyes filled with joy.

They felt a sense of shared glory in Song Wanning’s incredible skill.

Lan Yue was also beaming, feeling proud on Song Wanning’s behalf.

Song Wanning’s expression remained calm, but deep down, she was very pleased.

’Mainly, seeing Mu Zixu’s frustrated expression was incredibly satisfying.’

’But she knew full well that her own level was nowhere near that of a Grandmaster. She had only managed this with the help of the Blood Lotus and the Bodhi Tree Spirit!’

"Sect Master, should we continue the competition?"

The Deacon Elder asked helplessly.

’Song Wanning is already the champion, isn’t she?’

"Continue? Of course, we’ll continue!"

The Sect Master slapped his thigh, his eyes filled with mirth.

’He wanted to see more of what Song Wanning could do!’

"Yeah, we have to continue!"

"Go, Junior Sister Song!!! We’re rooting for you!"

The disciples began to cheer as well, their eyes full of admiration for Song Wanning.

Song Wanning smiled at the crowd, which immediately drew a wave of joyful cheers.

Everyone understood a simple truth: you must never offend a Pill Master. On the contrary, you had to curry favor with them!

Song Wanning was already so skilled. In the future, she would surely be able to refine many high-grade Elixir Pills.

If they built a good relationship now, it would be easier to ask her for Elixir Pills in the future!

In an instant, everyone’s minds began to race with possibilities.

Seeing this, the Deacon Elder immediately announced the list of eliminated disciples.

Because the Violent Burst Pill was so difficult, more than twenty people were eliminated this round, leaving only ten remaining.

Nearly all of them belonged to the two major lineages.

But no one found this strange. After all, these few were the most talented Pill Masters of the new generation.

"For the third round, you may all refine an Elixir Pill of your own choosing. You must provide your own Medicinal Herbs."

"There is no requirement for the pill’s grade. In the end, we will select the top three to advance to the final."

After briefly explaining the rules, the Deacon Elder immediately went to stand near Song Wanning’s platform to watch the competition.

Everyone had just witnessed the rise of a genius, and his own heart was pounding with excitement.

Soon, the third round began.

Song Wanning remained unhurried. She took the Medicinal Herbs from her Storage Ring and laid them out one by one.

’In this round, she planned to challenge herself. She had already made her point, so there was no need to keep showing off in the same manner.’

’It would be better to test her own limits under pressure. She might even gain some new insights.’

She quickly got to work, following her Pill Recipe.

Feng San was still in a daze. He couldn’t stop himself from glancing over to see what Song Wanning was doing and which Elixir Pill she was choosing to refine. As a result, he began to fumble, making one mistake after another.

Wu Wang noticed and quickly sent him a mental message, but Feng San had clearly been hit hard by the revelation. He wasn’t in the right state of mind at all!