Amid the lively chatter of the crowd, time gradually passed, after about an hour, two light coughs came from Ye Fenghua’s mouth. The crowd watched as Ye Fenghua’s figure slowly rose to his feet.
Seeing Ye Fenghua stand, everyone knew that the long-awaited alchemy contest was about to begin.
The noisy scene quickly quieted down.
Casting a glance around the plaza, Ye Fenghua spoke slowly, “Everyone, the Youth Spirit Controller Alchemy Contest, held once every five years, now begins.”
His voice wasn’t loud, yet it carried clearly across the entire plaza. As his words fell, the scene erupted with enthusiastic applause and cheers.
“First, let me announce the rules of the contest,” Ye Fenghua continued, “The alchemy contest consists of four rounds. The first three rounds will take place today. The first and second rounds test basic alchemy skills, the third round is a speed alchemy challenge, and the fourth round, the final, will have its rules announced once the qualifiers are determined.”
“Now, all disciples participating in the alchemy contest, please take the stage.”
At Ye Fenghua’s words, the young participants surged with excitement.
This day, under the gaze of thousands, was their chance to realise their dreams, to stand out in the contest, gain the support of major factions, and receive guidance from prominent figures. From this, they could alter their cultivation destinies, leap over the dragon gate, and soar to the heavens.
The moment had finally arrived, one by one, the youths strode confidently towards the stone platform.
Those who could take the stage were exceptional youths who had passed rigorous selections. Amid the roaring cheers and the squeals of young girls watching, a sense of pride welled up in them, their spirited resolve igniting instantly.
“Swish!” “Swish!” “Swish!” …
As the crowd surged towards the stone platform, several figures leapt into the air from all directions, flying towards the centre of the stage.
Entering by flight undoubtedly drew the most attention, signifying that the individual was at least a Third-Grade Spirit Controller, destined to rank high in the alchemy contest.
Even among those who flew, there were distinctions, but the most eye-catching was Ye Yu, soaring from the Spirit Controller section, his demeanor graceful and elegant, standing out prominently in the crowd.
“Let’s head up too!” Lin Xiao glanced at Wu Sha and Xuan Xuan, saying calmly.
Both nodded, following the other youths from the Spirit Controller Alliance onto the stone platform with a low profile.
Lin Xiao’s gaze swept over the scene, by now, all the youths had entered the stone platform area.
There were roughly two thousand participants, with nearly thirty dressed in Third-Grade Spirit Controller attire.
Including those like him who weren’t wearing the marked clothing, the number of Third-Grade Spirit Controllers was likely more than thirty.
As he reached a spot near the centre of the platform, Chen Qing’er and Feng Huo, ahead of him, turned to look his way.
“Young Master Hei Mu, do you have a grudge against our Chen family?” Chen Qing’er suddenly asked.
At her words, Lin Xiao’s expression stiffened.
With his current disguise of aura-mixing powder and mask, aside from Yi Xuanfeng and Ge Mu, no one knew his true background, and those two would never betray his secret.
The Chen family couldn’t possibly connect him to the person Chen Yan had crippled a year ago.
Otherwise, Chen Yan and Feng Lanyue would have shown killing intent the moment they saw him.
Moreover, in the past two days, neither family would have let him reach the alchemy contest grounds so peacefully.
So how did Chen Qing’er know?
At their first meeting, she had seen through his spirit power rank, could it be due to those clear, transparent eyes of hers?
Staring into Chen Qing’er’s eyes, Lin Xiao instinctively made this guess.
Seeing Lin Xiao’s startled reaction, a strange glint flashed in Chen Qing’er’s eyes. She suddenly let out a crisp laugh, “Haha, Qing’er was just joking with Young Master Hei Mu.”
“I didn’t expect Miss Qing’er to jest too,” Lin Xiao replied, though from her eyes, he was certain she hadn’t been joking earlier.
Her words were likely meant for others, to lighten the mood.
“Well, does Little Brother Hei Mu have a grudge against my Feng family too?” Feng Huo sauntered over with a seductive sway, teasing playfully.
Lin Xiao paused briefly, then smiled, “Haha, I have grudges with both your families.”
They might not realise it, but he spoke the truth, he truly bore an irreconcilable enmity with both houses.
“Oh, grudges with both our families, does that mean you want to claim us both for yourself?” Feng Huo teased with a playful smirk.
“I wouldn’t dare,” Lin Xiao shook his head. Her charm was indeed alluring, but he had no such inclinations towards either of them.
“Hmph, him?” Zhou Ruoyi, standing nearby, snorted coldly. Her brother had lost to Lin Xiao, and though she didn’t dare say much now, she’d have eagerly humiliated him otherwise.
But hearing Chen Qing’er, whom her brother adored, being linked to Lin Xiao pushed her to speak up.
Yet Chen Qing’er’s next move left Zhou Ruoyi’s expression frozen.
Chen Qing’er stepped forward, closing the distance to Lin Xiao. Her stunning face leaned towards his side, whispering near his ear, a barrier of spirit power blocking eavesdroppers, “I know you weren’t lying just now, but no matter what, I hope that even if there’s enmity with my family, there’s none between you and me, because…”
She paused there, her face flushing, before turning and walking away.
In that instant, those who witnessed it were stunned, Zhou Ruoyi’s face stiffening completely.
While other areas buzzed with discussion, this spot fell silent…
“Hey, ugly, she wasn’t confessing to you, was she?” Xuan Xuan’s unfiltered voice broke the quiet.
Everyone had been thinking along those lines but wasn’t sure what was said, until Xuan Xuan blurted it out, leading all to assume Chen Qing’er was confessing her feelings to Lin Xiao…
The nearby youths inwardly cursed a thousand times, bitterly wishing they were Hei Mu!
“Bloody hell!”
On the main platform, Zhou Xiong nearly leapt up in rage, his murderous glare fixed on Lin Xiao. If he could, he’d rush down and cripple Lin Xiao right then…
But the occasion didn’t allow it, and he couldn’t beat him anyway, Zhou Xiong’s frustration was enough to make his heart burst.
Chen Qing’er was the one he dreamed of day and night!
Now, seeing her with Lin Xiao…
The thought alone sent Zhou Xiong’s anger boiling over.
