The sky was turning a pale white, like fish bellies.
At dawn, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged on the mountain peaks, and many disciples had already begun their day's cultivation.
At the foot of the main peak, in a secluded place where spring water flows, lies a lush and verdant cave.
Adorned with blooming flowers, the pavilions and towers are exquisitely constructed. In a conspicuous side courtyard, a young man slowly stopped circulating his martial spirit. As the last wisp of spiritual energy in the room was absorbed into his body, the young man opened his somewhat dark eyes.
After a night of rest, Qin Xin's mental energy was fully restored, and his body had reached its peak condition.
Gently pushing open the door to the courtyard, Shui Qingxi and the others were already waiting at the door. They looked somewhat tired, as if they hadn't rested all night.
Let's go!
Qin Xin glanced at the somewhat worried girls and said softly.
The group then left the cave and headed towards Kunmen Square. They walked in silence, with Shui Qingxi seemingly resenting Qin Xin for being too arrogant, and her demeanor was low throughout.
Even Ya Ru, who usually loves noise, was much quieter today.
Before even reaching Kunmen Square, a cacophony of noise swept into our ears.
Today, Kunmen Square was much more lively than usual. Even though he only glanced at Kunmen Square from a distance, Qin Xin noticed that many inner courtyard disciples had the insignia of the other seven sects on their robes.
It's likely that all the visitors to the Kunmen Sect are there to see how a greenhorn like Kong Bai makes a fool of himself. After all, Kong Bai is a disciple of Huo Sheng, a seventh-grade alchemist, and has a very high reputation among the eight sects of the inner courtyard.
As soon as they stepped into Kunmen Square, Qin Xin and his group attracted the attention of many disciples. After all, Shui Qingxi, Qin Xue and the other girls were among the best in terms of figure and looks in the Eastern Wilderness Academy, so they were naturally recognized by many people.
Feeling the intense gazes sweeping over him, Qin Xin felt a little uncomfortable. After casually glancing around, he noticed that the Eighth Elder, still dressed in a black robe, was now sitting on a high platform suspended in mid-air by iron chains.
"Qin Xin, you're such a troublemaker."
As Qin Xin and his group were about to enter the square, a familiar figure walked towards them.
Looking at the bald-headed youth, who was holding a string of Buddhist beads but wearing a Taoist robe with a ? symbol on it, he was clearly a disciple of the Dui Sect, one of the Eight Sects.
Qin Xin smiled and said, "Sanjie, it seems the food in the inner courtyard is quite good. You've gained weight. You've even reached the eighth level of the Awakening Realm."
When they first entered the inner courtyard of the Eastern Wilderness Academy, Sanjie was only at the fourth level of the Awakening Realm. Qin Xin was not too surprised by such a cultivation speed, after all, he had a six-star Martial Spirit.
"I say, Qin Xin, you're too monstrous! It's only been a year since we last met, and you're already at the seventh level of the Awakening Realm, and you're also an alchemist. Sigh, your cultivation speed is truly infuriating."
Sanjie fiddled with the prayer beads in his hand, speaking with some emotion.
"How are Shi Shan and Jiang Xinghai doing lately?"
Qin Xin suddenly remembered that Shi Shan and Jiang Xinghai, who had entered the inner courtyard together, had both entered through the Xun Gate, but after scanning around, he did not find them.
"I don't know why, but Jiang Xinghai disappeared not long after he entered the Xun Sect. Shi Shan went to his cave to search for him many times but couldn't find him. As for Shi Shan, he has now entered the second level of the Qi Sea Realm and comes to the Dui Sect to show off to me from time to time."
Sanjie pouted, clearly annoyed by Shishan's harassment, "Do you know that Lin Jinglei is already at the fifth level of the Qi Sea Realm? It seems that he has been favored by a peak master in the Gan Sect."
"Oh?" Qin Xin was slightly surprised. It was not surprising that martial artists below the Qi Opening Realm could break through quickly with enough cultivation resources and the guidance of some powerful figures. However, after entering the Qi Sea Realm, their cultivation would not be so rapid. What he did not expect was that Lin Jinglei's cultivation would improve so quickly after obtaining a spiritual weapon in the Luoshen Gate Ruins, even surpassing Shi Shan.
"I was really shocked when I heard yesterday that you were going to compete with Kong Bai in refining pills. I wanted to bring Shi Shan along, but that guy left the inner courtyard to do a mission," Sanjie said, stroking his smooth head.
"It's good that you're here. Let's have a good get-together after the competition," Qin Xin said, patting Sanjie on the shoulder.
Afterwards, Qin Xin introduced Shui Qingxi and the others to Sanjie. However, from Sanjie's constantly changing expressions, Qin Xin could tell that this guy was not pure in his heart and did not look like a monk at all.
The group arrived at the center of Kunmen Square, which was now completely surrounded by disciples from the inner courtyard. Cheers and shouts of encouragement rose and fell, but they were all supporting Kong Bai.
"Oh, I didn't expect you to actually dare to come!"
Upon seeing Qin Xin and the others arrive, Kong Bai, who was already waiting, raised an eyebrow and deliberately flicked the alchemist badge on his chest.
"If you dare to come, why shouldn't I!"
Seeing Kong Bai in this state, Qin Xin couldn't help but mock him directly.
"Hmph! All you know is how to talk big. You'll be crying in the competition later!" Kong Bai replied disdainfully in a low voice.
"Since this is a competition, to be fair, I will set the questions for this test."
The Eighth Elder, who had been sitting cross-legged on the high platform, slowly rose and walked down from the platform that was suspended in mid-air. His body was surrounded by powerful aura fluctuations, which were somewhat intimidating.
"To ensure fairness, I have specially invited the Eighth Elder to act as a notary. However, the Eighth Elder must not show favoritism towards the Kun Sect disciples."
When the Eighth Elder arrived, Ruan Yuan, who was standing to the side, greeted him with a fawning smile.
"I would never do such a despicable thing!"
After the Eighth Elder's somewhat aged voice gave a light rebuke, two streams of light shot out from his sleeves and landed in the hands of Qin Xin and Kong Bai respectively.
"The competition will take place in this square. The pill formulas you all have are the same, all of them are fourth-grade primary pills, Five Elements Condensing True Pills."
"The time limit is half a day. The winner will be determined based on the speed of pill refining and the quality of the finished pill. Do you two have any objections?"
An aged voice echoed throughout the entire square.
"No!"
Qin Xin and Kong Bai nodded in response.
"Alright, sign this contract. This is your bet!"
The Eighth Elder casually waved his hand, and a piece of paper with black and white writing appeared in front of the two of them. "This is to prevent you two from cheating after losing. If you have no objections, just sign your names."
As Qin Xin gathered his true energy and prepared to write his name on the paper, an old voice suddenly entered his ears, "Boy, are you confident? That Kong Bai is a fourth-grade beginner alchemist. If you lose, the main peak will probably be closed again."
"What's wrong? Are you afraid to sign?"
Just as Qin Xin paused upon hearing the Eighth Elder's telepathic message, Kong Bai immediately uttered a mocking voice from the opposite side.
The Xunmen disciples who followed behind him all joined in the mockery, and many even directly insulted the Kunmen disciples, drawing rebuttals from the crowd.
"Why wouldn't I dare? It's just that I'm afraid that if I lose, I'll cheat like last time."
Qin Xin chuckled softly, and with a flick of his wrist, his name was directly signed on the contract. Seeing Qin Xin's confidence, the Eighth Elder said nothing. A beam of light flashed, and the ingredients for the six Five Elements Condensing True Pills were divided into two portions and floated in front of the two of them.
"Let's begin then."
The Eighth Elder's aged voice slowly drifted out from his mouth.
As soon as he finished speaking, a stream of clear water swept through Kong Bai's hand, and an ancient alchemy furnace appeared in Kunmen Square. The moment the furnace was opened, a fiery aura swept out.
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