Who would have thought that Liu Dong would be so stupid as to slander Ling Xiao in front of so many witnesses?
After he died, he could not be buried in the Purple Sky Sect, and he would still be expelled from the sect. His body would be thrown out to feed the spirit beasts.
Nangong Changle did not expect this result, and a wave of guilt welled up in his heart. He knew that he had wronged Ling Xiao, but as a peak master, even if he did something wrong, no one would dare to say anything. He would also not apologize to a disciple who had been expelled from the peak.
However, Ru Chang did not have the face to stay any longer.
He had caused such a big commotion, and he had thought that his disciple had died unjustly, but the truth was that his disciple deserved to die!
Just as Ru Chang was about to leave the main hall, Mu Huai called out to him, "Elder Zhu, you wronged my disciple, and you want to leave just like that?"
Ru Chang panicked and said apprehensively, "I … I really didn't know either."
Indeed, he had been miserably deceived by his disciple.
"Hmph, I can't be bothered to argue with you, but Elder Zhu, don't leave yet. I still have something to say." Mu Huai coldly snorted and then said to Yun Xiong, "Sect Master, my disciple, Ling Xiao, wants to apply for the True Disciple examination. I sincerely ask for Sect Master's approval."
Yun Xiong was stunned for a moment and asked, "True Disciple examination?
That kid has reached the Spirit Master Level? "
"He has reached the Spirit Master Level." Mu Huai smiled proudly and then said, "However, he did not apply for the Martial Artist examination, but for the Alchemist examination."
As soon as this was said, Nangong Changle smiled bitterly in his heart, "What should come will come."
Previously, Ling Xiao had already reached the point of perfection in cultivating second-grade pills. Now that he had broken through to the Spirit Master Level, he could definitely refine third-grade pills. Yet, Ling Xiao had chosen the Alchemist examination to lose face for their Medicine Peak.
This caused others to think that it was unwise for Medicine Peak to reject a third-grade alchemist. Moreover, he was so young, and his future was limitless.
Nangong Changle seemed to have already thought of this.
Yun Xiong glanced at Nangong Changle before saying, "Permission granted to Ling Xiao to apply for the examination. Alright, if there's nothing else, everyone can leave."
"Sect Master, Ling Xiao is a disciple of Wood Flag Peak. He's taking the test to become a true disciple of the alchemist. It's not easy for me to make a conclusion about the alchemist's rank, so I hope that Sect Master and the various elders can bear witness. Ling Xiao once said that he has admired the various elders for a long time, and he hopes that the various elders can give him some pointers. I hope that Sect Master can fulfill his wish," Mu Huai said to Yun Xiong as he bowed.
This time, all the elders were interested.
Mu Huai's words were clearly saying that Ling Xiao wanted to challenge someone like Chang Yi in front of them to pass the true disciple test.
Before Yun Xiong could express his opinion, Ru Chang stood up and replied, "Sect Master, I have no objections to Elder Mu's suggestion."
Although he did not expect Ling Xiao to challenge him, would he be afraid of Ling Xiao?
He had already advanced to the third rank for several decades. If he had broken through to the king rank, he would have become a fourth rank alchemist a long time ago.
Would he lose to a Rank Three Alchemist who had just advanced?
That was absolutely impossible.
Zhu Ru Chang already wanted to say something. Since Ling Xiao was so arrogant, then he would directly fulfill his wish. When the two of them were refining pills, he would ruthlessly give Ling Xiao a show of strength, completely destroy his confidence, and make him forever stop at the third rank.
"Alright, since the various elders have agreed, then three days later, in the martial arts arena, Wood Flag Peak's disciple Ling Xiao will take the test to become a true disciple of the alchemist. The various elders will bear witness, Elder Nangong will be the main judge, and the various elders and I will be spectators," Yun Xiong said in a deep voice.
"Many thanks for Sect Master's approval." Mu Huai bowed in thanks, but he was not happy at all.
This request was made by Ling Xiao. At that time, he had opposed it with all his might, but Ling Xiao had insisted on his suggestion.
Mu Huai had no choice but to agree to this precious disciple of his. In his heart, he hoped that this disciple of his would not shoot himself in the foot.
… …
In a quiet and secluded courtyard.
Two young girls, who were like lotus flowers emerging from the water, were whispering to each other.
The two girls both had beauty that could topple cities. One was dressed simply and elegantly, and her fragrant skin was dewy and smooth. The other was dressed in a white veil, and her beautiful eyes were cold and elegant, like a snow plum with thorns.
Weren't they Yun Mengqi and Bing Ruoshui?
"Senior sister, that bastard is back. Why don't you go find him?" Bing Ruoshui asked.
"Why should I go find him? Wouldn't that make me lose face?" Yun Mengqi said, not speaking from her heart.
Ling Xiao had been missing for half a year, and she had been worried for a long time. Now that he was back, she couldn't put down her pride and go see Ling Xiao. Her heart was very conflicted.
A complicated look flashed through Bing Ruoshui's beautiful eyes, and she said, "Senior sister, if you can't put down your pride, I'm afraid that this man will have a change of heart sooner or later."
Yun Mengqi opened her jade lips and wanted to say something, but in the end, she didn't say anything. Instead, she stood up and punched out with one hand.
Rumble!
A large tree broke in response.
"If he dares to have a change of heart, I'll kill him!"
"Forget it, let's not talk about that. I heard that in three days, he'll be competing with the various elders in alchemy. It can also be considered a test to become an alchemist's true disciple. I think it will be a bit troublesome for him," said Bing Ruoshui indifferently.
"That bastard's just too arrogant. Elder Zhu has already been at the third rank for a long time. As long as he breaks through to the King rank, he'll be able to become a fourth rank alchemist. He's just asking for trouble by challenging Elder Zhu," Yun Mengqi said somewhat angrily. She then smiled and said, "But I'm sure he'll give everyone a pleasant surprise."
"You trust him that much?" Bing Ruoshui asked in surprise.
"Yes, although he's a bit narcissistic and arrogant, I believe he won't do something he's not confident in. Let's just wait and see." Yun Mengqi clenched her fists.
She couldn't help but recall the scene at the bottom of the mountain abyss. She would never forget it for the rest of her life.
When Bing Ruoshui saw Yun Mengqi like this, she didn't know why, but a sour taste appeared in her heart.
…
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
It was unknown who spread the news of Ling Xiao challenging Zhu Ruchang, but now everyone in the sect knew that Ling Xiao would be taking the alchemy test to become a true disciple, and that he would be competing with Zhu Ruchang.
But now, all the attendants of the sect seemed to have been injected with chicken blood, and they all wanted to come and watch the battle.
This was an alchemy competition that was hard to come by every ten years. If they missed this opportunity, who knew when they would get another chance.
Moreover, they also wanted to see why Ling Xiao from Wooden Flag Peak was so confident that he dared to challenge Elder Zhu, who had already been a third rank alchemist for decades.
It wasn't time for the competition yet, but the arena was already filled with people.
"Look, the sect leader and all the elders have arrived."
"I didn't think that this exam would alarm so many elders. Looks like there's going to be a good show."
"Isn't that right? It's a good thing we received the news early, otherwise we would have missed it."
As the sect leader, Yun Xiong, as well as all the elders of the peaks, arrived one by one, causing many people to whisper.
Sitting in the middle, Yun Xiong looked at the black mass in front of him and frowned, "What's going on?"
Beside him, the Peak Lord, Xu Jiannan, replied, "I don't know who leaked the news, but everyone knows about this test, so …"
"Sect leader, should we call them off?" Scarlet Flame Peak's Peak Lord, Zhao Mingyuan, asked.
"Forget it, since they're here, let's let them witness our new genius alchemist." Yun Xiong relaxed his brows.
At this moment, Zhu Ruchang also walked into the arena.
Right now, he seemed to have adjusted his state of mind. He walked with his hands behind his back and his head held high. He looked like an elder with a strong demeanor.
Three of his disciples followed behind him, and all of them had arrogant expressions on their faces.
As alchemists, they received the best treatment no matter where they went. They were also respected by everyone in the sect, and no one would be dissatisfied with their arrogance.
However, there were some people who disliked Zhu Ruchang's way of doing things.
Zhang Li was one of them. He was one of the elders of Scarlet Flame Peak and the junior of the Peak Lord, Zhao Mingyuan. He was also the elder who knew that Zhu Ruchang was always against Ling Xiao in Firefire Valley.
"Senior Mu, your Wooden Flag Peak has gained a good disciple. I think that kid Ling Xiao will definitely make Zhu Ruchang lose face." Zhang Li smiled at Mu En.
Mu En was the senior of the Wooden Flag Peak's Peak Lord, Mu Huai.
"Haha, you're right. That kid won't do anything carelessly. In the future, if your Scarlet Flame Peak needs to refine pills, you don't need to ask old man Nangong, just come to our Wooden Flag Peak. I'll give you a twenty percent discount." Mu En happily stroked his beard.
"Senior Mu, that's not very kind of you. You should at least give a thirty percent discount." Zhang Li joked.
At this moment, Nangong Changle stood at the center of the field and loudly said, "Where is the disciple of Wooden Flag Peak's Ling Xiao?"
Nangong Changle called out, but when he didn't see Ling Xiao walk out, he repeated his call.
Elder Zhu stood on the viewing platform and laughed, "Looks like he doesn't dare to come. What a cowardly tortoise. What a disgrace to alchemists."
"Cowardly tortoise? Who are you calling a cowardly tortoise?" A clear voice rang out. Many attendants lined up, and a figure slowly walked up.
"Cowardly tortoise, I'm calling you a cowardly tortoise!" Ruchang didn't react in time.
Who would have thought that his words would cause a wave of laughter?
Ruchang's face darkened, and he immediately roared at the person who had come, "Bastard, you … you're calling me a cowardly tortoise?"
Wasn't that person Ling Xiao?
Today, he was different from his usual self. He wore a rusty robe with strange patterns on it and walked out. He seemed to be in high spirits and his aura was high.
"I'm sorry, Elder Zhu. I'm calling you a cowardly tortoise, not you. Why are you angry?" Ling Xiao said with a wicked smile.
"You …" Ruchang wanted to retort, but Nangong Changle said, "Stop arguing. Everyone's here, so let's prepare for the test. Ling Xiao, as long as you can refine a third-grade medicinal pill, you can become a true disciple. As for the elders, they'll give you some pointers."
"Don't worry, Elder Nangong. I'll definitely get the elders to give me some pointers," Ling Xiao said indifferently.
Nangong Changle couldn't tell that Ling Xiao was angry, so he ignored him and called out, "The test begins."
However, at this moment, a faintly discernible voice rang out. "Hold on. My Wooden Flag Peak's disciple is taking the test to become a true disciple. How can I not come and take a look?"
As soon as the voice finished speaking, a shadowy figure appeared in front of Yun Xiong and the others.