“Coming soon. Sikong Yue said she needs to prepare some things. The Lightning Demon King’s daughter has exceptional talent, especially in pill refining; she may well surpass your granddaughter Tie Yun Shan. This time she aims for the Yellow-grade advanced apothecary certificate.”
Lin said with a smile.
“Sigh, that girl is only seventeen, is she not? One truly compares and despairs. My dear granddaughter counts as a genius too, yet beside her, she seems mere dabbler to master, not even the same league.”
Tie Mu said this, then suddenly spotted Ling Xiao heading to the assessment zone and asked in surprise, “Young brother, you entered too?”
“Naturally. I am here for the apothecary certificate as well.”
Ling Xiao said flatly, then stepped into the cordoned area.
Moon Woman stood alone, like a lotus rising unsullied from the mire, bathed in rippling waters yet free of vulgarity: to be admired from afar, not profaned.
“What an arrogant lad. Seems he gives you no face at all, Master Ironwood.”
Lin chuckled.
“Cannot blame him. My precious granddaughter just offended him outside.”
Tie Mu said with a wry smile.
“No wonder. Offend him, little matter. But slight the woman at his side, and trouble brews. She is an expert; her exact cultivation eludes me, but she is no trifler.”
Lin warned.
“I know that full well.”
Tie Mu sighed.
“Show me that young man’s details.”
Lin said to the green-clad woman behind him.
“Ling Xiao, sixteen, human. Lineage: Yuan Zun.”
The green-clad woman answered at once; all records stayed etched in her mind.
“Sixteen! Fine lad. So young, and a disciple of Yuan Zun? Did that master take such a pupil before his end?”
Lin paused, sensing the details hid depths.
“The Yuan Zun you mean: once hailed the association’s finest apothecary ever? Died entering the Chosen Giant Gate?”
Tie Mu asked.
“Precisely him.”
Lin nodded. “Whether truly his disciple remains doubtful. Over these years, I have seen many impostors trading on Yuan Zun’s name. Either the lad was duped, or he lies himself.”
“And if true?”
Tie Mu smiled.
“Impossible. Unless the boy’s talent matches Sikong Yue’s, why would Yuan Zun deign notice him?”
Lin shook his head.
“Hehe, perhaps.”
Tie Mu too thought reaching Sikong Yue’s level unlikely, yet hoped to witness it.
The lad stood right there; truth would out soon enough.
Truth was, neither looked down on Ling Xiao. Association records showed most apothecaries attained Yellow-grade junior around thirty.
Genii, about twenty.
Like Tie Yun Shan.
Sikong Yue was outlier of outliers, no yardstick for the norm.
They doubted Ling Xiao another such rarity.
Too many outliers ceased to be outliers.
Thus they even reckoned his odds low for Yellow-grade junior, let alone Sikong Yue’s heights.
“President, Vice-President, apologies; I am late.”
As Tie Mu and Lin discussed Ling Xiao, a voice cool and aloof rang out.
The tone evoked Ji Ming Kong for Ling Xiao.
Once, Ji Ming Kong spoke to all in such vein.
Another lofty female powerhouse?
Ling Xiao smiled faintly and, with the others, turned to the voice’s source.
Sikong Yue.
Stunning indeed in looks; in beauty, she rivalled Moon Woman now.
Her air of utter disdain and chill lent the girl a singular allure.
Nearby men’s bulging eyes told it plain.
Even Ling Xiao inwardly praised.
What a supreme temptress, and utterly unique.
Likely from sea clan and human blood, her features differed from human beauties or sea clan ones.
Her hair an odd blue, bright yet silken smooth.
Human folk rarely bore such hue, save dye or some special martial art.
Beside Sikong Yue, Tie Yun Shan seemed plain.
Though plain, she lacked nothing.
Especially that cascade of watery blue tresses, truly eye-catching.
Killing intent!
As Ling Xiao observed Sikong Yue, a chill gaze fell upon him suddenly.
He turned swiftly to find Moon Woman’s eyes laced with ice and displeasure.
“Hehe, who knew Moon Woman Sister could feel jealousy too.”
Ling Xiao felt utter delight within.
He adored Moon Woman deeply, yet long puzzled her feelings for him.
Her dashing ten thousand li to save him could pass as elder sister’s care for brother.
But jealousy arose solely from man-woman affection.
“Not late at all. Time just right. To the assessment zone first; the test begins soon. I hope news of your father’s death does not sway you.”
Lin sighed.
Word of the Lightning Demon King’s slaying in the Divine Phoenix Empire had reached the demon capital long ago.
All found it shocking.
Few on Tianlong or Divine Phoenix continents could fell the Lightning Demon King.
Oddly, the report gave only the death, no details of how.
“Fear not, President. It will not affect me. After birth, I never saw him anyway.”
Sikong Yue said flatly, then walked to the assessment zone.
Ling Xiao knew full well why his slaying of Sikong Zun spread incomplete.
Some shielded him, unwilling for True Demon Empire or sea clans to learn he did it.
Others, for face: if known a nameless youth slew Sikong Zun, would that not make the death too ignoble?
Slain by an obscure nobody.
Humiliating.
Thus both sides tacitly omitted Ling Xiao’s name.
“Few candidates today. All begin together. By number tags to the cauldrons. Yellow-grade junior apothecary test has one task: refine a Yellow-grade junior pill alone.”
With all arrived, Lin explained the rules. “Materials from over there. Any we hold, take. But dream not of the priceliest. Such rarities scarce even for us.”
