“Perhaps. I never claimed to be a high-level yellow-grade alchemist. However, back in the Tianlong Continent, the local branch of the Alchemists’ Association only had the authority to award me a high-level yellow-grade badge.”
Ling Xiao truly did not want to pretend to be weak in order to triumph over the strong. Unfortunately, he genuinely had no opportunity to advance his alchemist rank.
An Lian was utterly shocked. He looked at Ling Xiao and said, “I am a man of my word. Since I lost to you, I will slap myself four times in front of everyone.”
“Wait a moment.”
Ling Xiao called out. “Four slaps might not be enough, I’m afraid.”
“What!”
An Lian’s face grew even darker.
Elder Ancestor Changle also felt slightly displeased. Ling Xiao was being a bit too unforgiving.
“Fine, then I will slap myself ten times.”
An Lian gritted his teeth.
“Senior An Lian has misunderstood. As long as you admit your mistake, there is no need for the slaps. Earlier, I only wanted you to understand that one should never judge people through a crack in the door, as it is easy to underestimate them. Since you already know you were wrong, I am not an unreasonable person.”
Ling Xiao smiled.
Making An Lian slap himself would not bring him much satisfaction. Instead, it would only make the man hate him deeply. There was simply no need for that.
Ling Xiao was not the type to press an advantage relentlessly, unless the other party went too far. Only then would he truly explode.
“An Lian, your tolerance is not even as good as that of a child.”
Elder Ancestor Changle chuckled.
“The ancestor speaks truly. This subordinate knows his error.”
An Lian reflected on his earlier attitude. He had been determined to make Ling Xiao look foolish, yet Ling Xiao had won and even spared him face. Otherwise, if he had slapped himself in front of so many people today, he truly would have no face left in the future.
“As for the results of this test, I believe there is no need for me to say more. Ling Xiao takes first place with ten formulas, Dan Qing second, Jiluo Yu third. All twenty-one participants passed the test, which shows that our previous list was quite reliable.”
Elder Ancestor Changle smiled. “However, I must say the unpleasant words upfront. Those who did not rank in the top twenty may well be stronger than you. Ling Xiao is a special case, and he is certainly not the only one. Today’s test was merely an examination. Tomorrow’s alchemy convention will be the real feast. I hope you do not embarrass yourselves, or embarrass me.”
“Yes!”
Those who ranked in the top twenty were all strong and highly confident. They would never allow a second Ling Xiao to appear.
They had lost to Ling Xiao in today’s test, but at tomorrow’s alchemy convention, they absolutely could not lose, and did not want to lose.
“Very well. That is all for today. Go back and rest well. Tomorrow, bring out your true abilities!”
“Yes!”
The participants bid farewell to An Lian and Elder Ancestor Changle, then departed.
They were also aware that major figures from the alchemy world would arrive tomorrow. Therefore, some of their best techniques and trump cards would only be revealed then.
Even though they had lost to Ling Xiao in today’s test, it did not matter much. They could win it back tomorrow.
“Brother Ling, wait a moment!”
Just as Ling Xiao was about to leave, Dan Qing stopped him.
“What advice do you have, Brother Dan Qing?”
Ling Xiao asked calmly.
“Advice? I dare not offer any. I am merely surprised. It turns out Brother Ling is so formidable. In the past, I truly failed to recognise a gem.”
Dan Qing said with a smile that did not reach his eyes.
“You flatter me. It is just a minor skill. I have merely read a few more books and know a bit more. Nothing impressive.”
Ling Xiao remained indifferent.
“Hahaha, Brother Ling is truly modest. However, in my view, Brother Ling must have known the test questions in advance. After all, the ancestor values you so highly.”
A fire burned in Dan Qing’s heart.
It was the fire of jealousy.
Even with the facts right in front of him, he could not believe, could not accept, that Ling Xiao was stronger than him.
Thinking of how Ling Xiao had been brought by Elder Ancestor Changle, he convinced himself that Changle had informed Ling Xiao of the questions beforehand. That was the only way Ling Xiao could have performed so well.
That was the only explanation!
He believed that during the official alchemy convention, Elder Ancestor Changle absolutely would not, and could not, do such a thing. The questions for the official competition would only be proposed by three heavyweight alchemists at the start of the event.
Advance knowledge was simply impossible.
He was certain that without Elder Ancestor Changle’s help, he would definitely surpass Ling Xiao. He could not possibly lose to an unknown figure like Ling Xiao.
People are like that.
Originally the genius in the spotlight, always coming first. Then one day, they suddenly encounter someone much younger who outperforms them greatly.
This throws their mindset off balance. So they find many seemingly reasonable excuses to convince themselves and feel better.
Typical self-hypnosis.
Ling Xiao smiled. He had seen this kind of thing many times.
From the Ling family to Yunkong City, then to the Yuehua Sect. Every time he, a nobody, achieved good results, a few geniuses would jump out to find fault with him.
So for Dan Qing’s words, he could not even be bothered to explain.
He merely smiled and said, “Whatever makes Brother Dan Qing happy. Believe what you will. Farewell!”
Any explanation now would not be accepted by the other party. On the contrary, they would think he was making excuses.
He, Ling Xiao, had no interest in such thankless efforts.
It would be better to wait until the alchemy convention and use facts to shut the man up completely.
There is a saying that goes well: if you can take action, do not talk.
To slap someone’s face, use facts. That way, it hurts more!
With a light chuckle, he turned and left.
Staring hard at Ling Xiao’s retreating figure, the fire in Dan Qing’s heart burned even fiercer.
“Just wait, Ling Xiao. Not only will I take the championship of the alchemy convention, I will also make Feng Ming Piaoxue marry me right in front of you!”
Yet the next moment, he saw Feng Ming Piaoxue chasing after Ling Xiao.
“Ling Xiao, wait. I have something to say to you.”
Feng Ming Piaoxue flew over like a beautiful butterfly, her face brimming with an excited smile.
Dan Qing felt as if his heart was being wrenched by something. It hurt.
“Damn Ling Xiao. For the hatred of stealing my wife, I will never rest until one of us is dead!”
He had not married Feng Ming Piaoxue, nor had Ling Xiao pursued her.
Yet in Dan Qing’s mind, Ling Xiao had committed the crime of stealing his wife. He did not know where this anger and hatred truly came from.
“Dan Qing, do you hate him?”
Only Elder Ancestor Changle and Dan Qing remained in the hall. Changle suddenly appeared beside Dan Qing like a ghost and asked with a smile.
“Dan Qing dares not.”
Dan Qing shook his head.
“It is best not to hate him. He has no interest in Piaoxue, so there is no fundamental conflict between you two. Provoking him brings no benefit. Take care of yourself.”
Elder Ancestor Changle shook his head. Whenever he thought of Ling Xiao’s domineering aura during the street battle that day, he worried for Dan Qing.
Could anyone who offended Ling Xiao come to a good end?
