Everyone brought their own pill furnace, hoping to make their performance flawless.
Song Wanníng and Lan Yue exchanged a quick smile, then each leaped onto their platform.
She drew out her Immortal Furnace and set it on the ground.
Just like Dao Qing once said, the furnace didn't have much of an advantage in the lower realm because there wasn't enough immortal qi to power it.
Now that they'd reached the Immortal Realm, it was like the furnace had taken on a whole new life. The moment she revealed it, the surrounding pill cultivators all turned their heads. The divine glow rippling around the Immortal Furnace made it obvious at a glance. This was an extremely rare, top-tier pill furnace.
Many Alchemist couldn't help showing envy, though nobody questioned it. Owning such a furnace was Luck, but it was also proof of her ability.
Only Situ Yue froze the moment she recognized it. Shock flashed across her face, then her expression collapsed entirely. Wasn't this the Immortal Furnace their master found in a secret realm?
Back then, she'd relied on her life-saving grace toward Dao Qing and even tried asking for the furnace.
Dao Qing rejected her on the spot.
She thought the Immortal Furnace was important to Dao Qing, so she dropped the idea. But now the furnace was in Song Wanníng's hands. What did that make her?
An ache rose in her chest out of nowhere. She hadn't done anything wrong, so why did everyone like Song Wanníng more?
Why?
She immediately dropped her gaze so no one would notice anything strange, but tears still welled up.
Lan Yue caught every bit of that, and she couldn't be happier. Before Song Wanníng arrived, Situ Yue's scheming had driven her and her Junior Brothers apart. She remembered every smug look clearly. Seeing her miserable now felt like karma.
Lan Yue pulled her gaze back, her eyes softening as she looked at Song Wanníng.
"The rules for this Pill Dao Tournament are as follows. In the first and second rounds, you'll refine a designated pill. Twenty people will be eliminated each round.
In the third round, you may choose the pill grade yourselves. Advancement will be based on quality, level, and color.
Only three people will remain for the finals. They'll determine the top three."
The presiding elder swept his gaze across all the disciples, his voice carrying clearly.
"The first round's pill is the Soul Stabilizing Pill. Begin!"
With his command, the Pill Dao Tournament officially started.
Song Wanníng lowered her head and looked at the herbs arranged on the table, running through the recipe in her mind.
The Soul Stabilizing Pill was mainly used to steady the Primordial Soul, preventing possession, and protecting oneself when cultivating soul-type divine abilities. In the Immortal Realm, it wasn't extremely rare, but you also couldn't just buy it everywhere.
After confirming the recipe, she began selecting and preparing the herbs one by one. Her practiced movements drew many reactions from the audience above.
Mu Zixu stared at Song Wanníng with a dark look, finding every one of her actions an eyesore.
Feng Jiuxiao found his attitude unbearable. She snorted lightly. "What's that look for, Senior Brother Mu? You stare at Song Wanníng like you want to eat her. A dignified Tianxian picking on a Renxian. That's your idea of poise?"
Everyone understood their conflict, especially since they came from the same world.
People instantly turned toward Mu Zixu.
Even Mo Yang Xiānzūn looked over coldly. He didn't fully grasp their grudge, and the same went for Wang Yang. But seeing Mu Zixu fuss over a junior made disappointment settle in their hearts. Without realizing it, he and Mu Zixu had already taken different paths.
"Hehe, I'm only curious what makes Song Wanníng special enough for Senior Brother Dao Qing to take her as a registered disciple. Senior Sister Feng misunderstood."
Mu Zixu wasn't nervous. He smiled faintly.
But inside, he was furious. Feng Jiuxiao really was brazen, pointing it out so directly.
Feng Jiuxiao laughed again. "Is that so? I thought you were wondering how to get revenge. Seems I overthought it. Only petty, narrow-minded people would fuss over a junior. Isn't that right, Senior Brother Mu?"
She kept smiling, but her eyes were full of mockery.
Everyone else went silent, terrified of being dragged into their crossfire.
Mu Zixu's vision darkened from rage. His fist tightened, and he didn't know if he should respond or not.
"Damn Feng Jiuxiao. So what if she was good at formations? Every day she acted like her tail was touching the heavens."
In the end, the sect master stepped in with a laugh. "We already said it was a misunderstanding. Let's drop it.
I trust Senior Brother Mu understands the bigger picture. He knows how important geniuses are to our Wuji Sect. He'd never do something foolish, right?"
On the surface, the words were in his favor. Underneath, there was a warning.
Mu Zixu could throw tantrums, but he couldn't harbor dangerous thoughts.
They couldn't afford it.
Mu Zixu's cheeks reddened, anger burning hotter. But all he could do was nod stiffly. He couldn't very well admit he wanted to kill Song Wanníng. Mo Yang Xiānzūn watched Mu Zixu the whole time, feeling his heart sink. So he really wasn't over it.
…
Time passed, and Song Wanníng reached the final step of fusion.
For her, the Soul Stabilizing Pill wasn't difficult. With her immortal power circulating smoothly, she stayed calm from start to finish. While others grew pale from exhaustion, her cheeks were still rosy, her energy unshaken.
Many disciples kept glancing her way.
No one expected someone who had just ascended to stay so composed while refining a Soul Stabilizing Pill. Her success rate looked high.
"No wonder Dao Qing Xiānjūn rushed to take Song Wanníng as his disciple. Her talent's insane."
"Yeah, she mastered the refining method in such a short time. That takes comprehension and a strong Primordial Soul. She's the real deal."
Everyone looked at her with envy.
Before long, the topic shifted.
"Hey, why do you think someone with such insane Pill Dao talent ended up offending Mu Xiānjūn?"
"Logically speaking, shouldn't Immortal Mu be thrilled and try to take her as a disciple?"
After all, master and disciple shared honor and shame. With a disciple that outstanding, his reputation would soar.
"Tsk, do you think Mu Xiānjūn tried to take her, but she refused, so he got offended?"
"Huh? For real?"
"Sounds possible. Mu Xiānjūn treasures his face the most."
"No no, I think Song Wanníng must've beaten Mu Xiānjūn in pill refining. That's why he hates her."
Everyone: "…"