Nine Evolutions of the True Spirit

Chapter 266: The Alchemists

Li Mao-Lin was shocked, he didn’t think Li Xiu-Zhu would answer on behalf of Lu Ping. He was worried this would offend Lu Ping, which could lead to him intentionally losing the Alchemy Conference as revenge.

Just as Li Mao-Lin was thinking how to save the situation, he suddenly noticed that Lu Ping was looking at her with admiration for her courage.

Lu Ping said, “Senior Yue, you only talked about what will happen to me and Li Clan if you win, but you didn’t say what if this junior won by chance. What about then, what will you and Shangguan Clan do if you lose?”

Yue Jiang-Rui and Clan Head Shangguan felt this was hilarious, they looked at each other and laughed.

Clan Head Shangguan shook his head hypocritically and said, “Young man, your ambition is commendable, but one should be modest and cautious. This time, Senior Yue will teach you a lesson, one that you will certainly benefit from in the future.”

It seemed like he had already decided on Lu Ping’s defeat, and so didn’t take his words seriously.

Lu Ping wasn’t angry. With the usual smile on his face, he asked again, “Senior, I’d still like to hear what will happen if you lose?”

Shangguan Hao, who was watching him with a hostile gaze, suddenly became furious and said, “Brat, who do you think you are? You’re just a little alchemist, an ant-like figure, how dare you bargain with Master Yue and the Shanggguan Clan!”

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Lu Ping didn’t say anything, but looked at Yue Jiang-Rui with a cold smile. The latter’s face gradually turned red.

Yue Jiang-Rui naturally knew the meaning behind the cold smile, he suddenly sneered and said, “Clan Head Shangguan, I’m grateful that your clan has been helpful, but your son needs to watch his mouth. Or perhaps, he represents your clan’s opinion?”

Shangguan Hao was dumbfounded, not knowing why Senior Yue, who had always been pleasant to him, would suddenly turn to scold him. Even though he didn’t understand, his father was not ignorant.

Alchemists were known to be eccentric and quirky savants. They were internally divided and always fought amongst themselves, but then wouldn’t hesitate to protect one of their own from outsiders. Moreover, the most intimidating part about alchemists was not their strength, but their connections and networks with other cultivators.

Clan Head Shangguan turned to scold Shangguan Hao, “Watch your manners, son! Alchemists are not those you can simply address. Don’t you ever say that again.”

After a pause, he added, “Don’t even think about disrespecting any alchemists.”

Shangguan Hao was feeling indignant after getting scolded for no reason, and even more ashamed and embarrassed when he saw Chilian Ying laugh unrestrainedly. Even the ladylike Li Xiu-Zhu was smiling.

Yue Jiang-Rui wasn’t feeling good either, the situation had gone out of his control. He only raised the challenge as he thought his reputation could intimidate Lu Ping and scare him off, which would let him vent his jealousy and achieve a sense of satisfaction.

He certainly didn’t expect Li Xiu-Zhu would be daring enough to accept the challenge on behalf of Lu Ping. On top of that, not only was Lu Ping not scared of him, he would even go to such lengths to agree to the Bet of Cauldron. This made him feel like the juniors were looking down on him. Worst of all, Shangguan Hao’s interruption didn’t give him the chance to find a workaround for the situation.

But Yue Jiang-Rui didn’t think too much, there was no way he would lose to a young alchemist. Not to mention that he was the one who started this, so it would be shameful if he backed down now.

At this time, several cultivators from other parties passed by them. Many stopped to watch the show. However, almost everyone recognized Yue Jian-Rui, so they naturally viewed Lu Ping sympathetically. They saw him as nothing more but a young and hot-blooded alchemist who had overestimated his capabilities to challenge Yue Jiang-Rui.

This undoubtedly made things more difficult for Yue Jiang-Rui. If he backed down now, everyone would know that he’d been scared off by a young alchemist, and there would be no place for him in the East Ocean anymore.

“Fine, if I lose, I’ll let you take my cauldron too. I’ll also never concoct pellets for anyone again!” Yue Jiang-Rui declared. His face was red, and his voice was loud, as if he was making an oath.

The cultivators cheered loudly, excited to see the two alchemists entering the Bet of Cauldron. The loud cheers attracted even more cultivators to the scene and the news soon spread quickly.

In just a few moments, almost everyone in Qian Yuan City knew about the Bet of Cauldron between Yue Jiang-Rui, the best Quasi-Master Alchemist in the East Ocean, and Lu Jiu, a young and unheard-of alchemist.

With his usual placid smile, Lu Ping turned to Clan Head Shangguan and asked, “Clan Head Shangguan, what about your clan?”

Yue Jiang-Rui already agreed to the bet, so Clan Head Shangguan couldn’t back down either. Otherwise, not only would the Shangguan Clan offend Yue Jiang-Rui, the clan would also lose its reputation in the Northern League.

Clan Head Shangguan was also decisive. “The Shangguan Clan has a high-grade Infernal Stones Spirit Mine. If we lose, the Li Clan can take it away; if we win, the Shangguan Clan will use it as a betrothal gift.”

The audience cheered even louder.

Shangguan Hao was anxious, What? No matter the outcome, the Shangguan Clan will still have to hand out the spirit mine? This is a loss-making deal!

“Father, this—”

“You shut up!” Clan Head Shangguan snapped in a low voice.

…

“Senior Martial Brother Qi, this Li Clan’s alchemist is so arrogant. Yue Jiang-Rui is known as the best Quasi-Master Alchemist, how can some unknown alchemist from nowhere compare to him? This time, the Li Clan trusted the wrong guy.”

Wang Yi-Shan said gleefully while looking at Li Mao-Lin and Lu Ping from the distance.

“Hmph, you’re still laughing? Shanggguan Clan’s promotion is already guaranteed, while the Li Clan is declining in power. Li Xiu-Zhu is its only next generation; if she marries Shangguan Hao, their clan will eventually take over the Li Clan. Do you think your Wang Clan or the Zhang Clan can stand against them at that time?”

“Then why does Li Mao-Lin look so reluctant, isn’t this good for the Li Clan?” Wang Yi-Shan asked with a sarcastic smile.

Senior Martial Brother Qi didn’t bother to explain, but looked to the other side. This is just the beginning, the real deal hasn’t even started yet…

——

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