The newcomer was named Xu Yuanzhou. His ancestor, who was at the Nascent Soul stage, was named Xu Yan, and was quite well-known in the Tianyuan Sect. Xu Yan was known to dote on his exceptionally talented descendant, but he would not get involved unless it was a major matter.
That being said, Xu Yuanzhou, being a Nascent Soul cultivator, is capable of solving most problems. Even if he can't solve them himself, many people will come to his aid. Before Xu Yuanzhou can even say anything, others will have already taken care of his troubles.
Elder Wu was also somewhat puzzled by Xu Yuanzhou's purpose in coming: "I don't think the other party can do anything to you. At most, they might say something unpleasant. You're in the alchemy competition. Even if they want to cause trouble before the competition, they shouldn't be targeting you. There's still the competition to come, so there shouldn't be any major conflicts. Just handle it as best you can."
Qi Zhiheng was speechless. He should have investigated the situation of Tianyuan Sect more before coming.
As the two were talking, Xu Yuanzhou led his men into the courtyard.
Elder Wu Yuanyuan spotted the figure and quietly said to Qi Zhiheng, "There are still some people who haven't been settled, so I'll be leaving now." With that, she slipped away.
Qi Zhiheng had no choice but to accept his fate and entertain the visitors.
Xu Yuanzhou was arrogant and domineering. People on the street gave way when they saw him coming, and no one dared to avoid his sharp edge.
"Where is the number one genius of the Slaughtering God Sect? Quickly send someone out to see me." As he approached, Xu Yuanzhou asked directly.
Qi Zhiheng coughed lightly and stepped forward, saying, "Senior Xu, I presume you are looking for me." Although the title of the number one genius of the Slaughtering God Sect was somewhat embarrassing to mention, he was indeed the one being talked about in the sect recently.
"I didn't name names, how did you know I was calling you?" Xu Yuanzhou's tone was mocking and sarcastic.
Qi Zhiheng was not embarrassed or annoyed by his words: "I just heard the description of the person you are looking for. If we are talking about bringing a family, I suppose I, Qi Zhiheng, am the only one in the Slaughter God Sect."
"Is that so? I thought you thought the God Slaughtering Sect was yours for the first time, so you automatically assumed that position." Xu Yuanzhou's tone was full of sarcasm.
Qi Zhiheng cupped his hands and said, "Senior, you are being too kind to me."
Xu Yuanzhou raised his hand to interrupt, saying, "What's with the insult? I came here to see who this person is who the God Slaughtering Sect calls the number one genius. Now that I see him, he's not even as handsome as me."
Qi Zhiheng smiled shyly: "Senior, you flatter me. Actually, I can't be considered the number one genius of the Slaughtering God Sect. It's all because everyone is praising me. Besides, how can a junior who is merely a Golden Core cultivator compare to the demeanor of a Nascent Soul cultivator like you?"
Xu Yuanzhou scoffed, clearly understanding the implication in the other party's words: "You're bringing up the titles of Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators, implying that it's beneath my status for a Nascent Soul cultivator like me to come looking for trouble with you, is that it?"
"I never mentioned that." Qi Zhiheng naturally disagreed, automatically adding in his mind that although it wasn't explicitly stated, the meaning was roughly the same.
He didn't understand why Xu Yuanzhou, a Nascent Soul cultivator, would lower himself to cause trouble for him, a Golden Core cultivator.
"You can rest assured, I, a Nascent Soul cultivator, would not stoop to challenge a Golden Core cultivator like you." Xu Yuanzhou winked at the person behind him, and someone placed a chair behind him, which he then sat down.
As soon as Xu Yuanzhou sat down, Qi Zhiheng felt a sense of superiority.
Qi Zhiheng looked down at the person.
Xu Yuanzhou rested his chin on his right hand, his expression shifting from arrogance to languor. He said indifferently, "Leaving aside your talent for cultivation, I've heard that your alchemy skills are extremely high. I've come here today to ask you for a set of pills."
Qi Zhiheng refused, saying, "Senior, I'm afraid that's not appropriate. The alchemy competition will begin tomorrow. If I start alchemy now, I'm afraid I won't be able to recover my energy by tomorrow."
Xu Yuanzhou gestured behind him, and someone carried out a large box, placed it in front of Qi Zhiheng, and opened the box.
Qi Zhiheng didn't know what the other party meant. He looked into the box and gasped. It was filled with medicinal herbs. This was just the top layer. There was another layer inside, full of spiritual herbs!
Xu Yuanzhou said, "My father is afflicted with a cold poison and needs a top-grade Blazing Flame Pill. I've heard that you are skilled in alchemy and can refine many top-grade pills. Here are one hundred portions of level-four spiritual herbs. If you can refine one top-grade Blazing Flame Pill and give it to me, these pills are yours."
Qi Zhiheng quickly took the box, then changed his tone, saying righteously, "This junior will certainly live up to your expectations!"
Xu Yuanzhou: "..."
Qi Zhiheng coughed lightly and said to the God of Wealth in front of him, "Senior Xu, is it time?"
Xu Yuanzhou said, "If you have free time, you can start refining it now."
Qi Zhiheng smiled and said to Xu Yuanzhou, "Then let's find a place to refine pills."
"Not here?" Xu Yuanzhou sat motionless in the chair, showing no intention of moving.
Qi Zhiheng didn't mind: "Since you have something to say, senior, let's refine it here." With that, he took out a medicine cauldron, picked up some spiritual herbs, and began to refine the pills.
When disciples of the Slaughtering Gods Sect witnessed this scene, they all expressed their indignation on behalf of Qi Zhiheng: "This Nascent Soul Immortal Lord of the Heavenly Origin Sect has gone too far! To actually let Alchemist Qi refine pills in this place, is he trying to make a fool of Alchemist Qi!"
"Hey! Don't talk nonsense! If this gets to that person's ears, we'll be in big trouble!"
"What are you afraid of? We're just transmitting our voices; how could anyone hear us?"
"You don't know this, do you? For someone with strong soul power, it's not difficult to eavesdrop on other people's conversations! You and I are just Golden Core cultivators, so it's probably not difficult for others to hear us."
"Enough! Since Master Qi has nothing more to say, let's leave."
For alchemists, alchemy is a sacred matter, but Qi Zhiheng had no such concept. He did not feel humiliated at all while refining pills here.
His behavior made Xu Yuanzhou underestimate him somewhat. Qi Zhiheng was initially captivated by some spiritual herbs, but then he felt humiliated by being asked to refine pills in such a busy place. Xu Yuanzhou couldn't help but feel that this man's behavior lacked integrity.
He waited quietly for Qi Zhiheng to finish refining the pill.
Qi Zhiheng successfully refined ten pills on his first attempt, including two top-grade pills.
Qi Zhiheng put one of the top-grade pills into a container, held the medicine bottle in his hand, and said to Xu Yuanzhou, "Senior Xu, the top-grade Blazing Flame Pill you requested has been refined."
Despite his outward composure, Xu Yuanzhou was inwardly turbulent. This man had actually managed to refine a batch of pills with ease, and even produced some top-grade pills! It seemed that his assessment of Qi Zhiheng earlier had been too one-sided.
He stretched out his hands and clapped: "Impressive! As expected of the number one genius of the God Slaughtering Sect! His alchemy skills are probably unmatched even by anyone in the Divine Wood Sect."
Qi Zhiheng said with feigned humility, "Senior, you flatter me. How can I compare to the alchemists of the Divine Wood Sect?"
"You're being too modest. If I say you have it, then you have it." Xu Yuanzhou didn't hold back his praise.
"You flatter me, senior."
"Give it to me." Xu Yuanzhou stretched out his hand, seemingly intending to take the pill himself.
Qi Zhiheng paused slightly. When the other party brought him the spirit herbs earlier, it was clearly the other party who brought them up. But now, he was the one who had to take the pills with his own hands.
Qi Zhiheng presented the medicine bottle. As Xu Yuanzhou received the pill, his fingers touched Qi Zhiheng's. A wisp of black mist followed Qi Zhiheng's fingers and disappeared into Qi Zhiheng's sleeve.
Qi Zhiheng, however, seemed completely unaware of this.
Xu Yuanzhou took out the pills and checked them. After confirming that there was nothing wrong with them, he said, "Alright, you thought you gave me a good alchemy performance today? I'm in a good mood, so I won't make things difficult for you." He waved his hand behind him and walked back the way he came, preparing to leave the courtyard.
"This junior respectfully sees you off, senior." Qi Zhiheng said perfunctorily as he saw the person off.
After disappearing from sight, he headed back to his residence.
When Yang Yitian saw him return, he said, "The troublemakers are gone? You weren't given any trouble, were you?"
Qi Zhiheng said, "It wouldn't be fair to call it making things difficult, but I finally understand his intentions."
Yang Yitian asked with some curiosity, "What's the intention?"
A cloud of gray mist rose in Qi Zhiheng's hand.
Yang Yitian was confused: "What do you mean? Isn't this the ability you evolved when you formed your core?"
Qi Zhiheng said, "That's true, but that's not what I want to talk about. What I want to talk about is the thing wrapped in the gray mist." He controlled the gray mist, revealing a wisp of black mist inside. The two colors intertwined, making the black stand out very clearly.
Yang Yitian frowned and asked, "Is this your newly evolved ability?"
Qi Zhiheng shook his head and said, "No, this is a nice gift that Xu Yuanzhou gave me just now." As he spoke, the gray mist in his hand enveloped the wisp of black mist again, gradually entangled and devoured it.
The black mist seemed to be torn apart and swallowed up, and quickly disappeared into the gray mist.
"What is this? Is it good or bad? It's so dark, it probably isn't anything good." After thinking for a moment, Yang Yitian came to a conclusion.
Qi Zhiheng said, "This is a wisp of demonic energy. It tried to enter my meridians just now, but fortunately, my spiritual energy has been transformed into gray mist, so assimilating this demonic energy is not a problem. If it were an ordinary person, they would probably be lurked by this demonic energy, and when it erupts, they would be treated as a heart demon and would not be suspected at all."
Qi Zhiheng finally understood the other party's intention. If it were any other Golden Core cultivator who had come to deal with him, this wisp of demonic energy would probably not have been able to be delivered to him unnoticed. But it was different with Xu Yuanzhou, a Nascent Soul cultivator. Xu Yuanzhou's abilities were above those of ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators. It seemed that the other party had investigated his abilities beforehand. Otherwise, the other party could have easily sent an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator instead of someone as strong as Xu Yuanzhou to make the move.
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