Soon, alchemist masters had surrounded them from all sides.
"Look, look—he claims to have refined this pill," the receptionist said loudly, passing the vial from hand to hand.
Each master who examined it sucked in a sharp breath.
"Truly marvellous refinement."
"Yes… yes. I would very much like to meet the master who created this."
But whenever their gazes shifted to Lian, their expressions soured.
"Tsk… this lad has no respect for alchemists," one of them scoffed.
As the commotion grew louder, an elderly man approached from a distance.
He wore white robes trimmed with golden shoulder guards. His hands were tucked neatly into his sleeves, and he walked with effortless grace. A long white beard swayed gently with each step, as though moved by an unseen current.
"What is the meaning of this?" he asked calmly.
"To cause such a disturbance over a single pill."
As he passed through the crowd, his eyes briefly met Lian's.
That single glance sent a chill down Lian's spine.
What startled him even more was the strange sensation as if the old man could see straight through their disguises.
"What's with this old man?" Wang Gu whispered using sound transmission.
"It feels like he can see through our disguises."
"You felt that too?" Lian replied quietly.
"Looks like even a small city like this hides its own masters."
"I can't even tell what realm he's in," Wang Gu added grimly.
"Master Fu."
"Master Fu."
Voices rang out one after another as the crowd parted. Everyone bowed deeply, hands raised high in respect.
"Pai Ying," Master Fu said, his voice calm but commanding, "This is not the way of the Alchemic association. If you wish to test this gentleman, why don't you put something of your own on the line?"
He paused, then continued.
"If he fails to demonstrate any significant alchemical skill, the pill will be yours."
Hearing this, Pai Ying's smile widened uncontrollably.
"But—"
"If," Master Fu interrupted, his tone sharpening slightly, "you are wrong about him, I want you to kneel and apologise publicly for the disgrace you would have brought upon the Alchemical Association."
Silence fell.
The surrounding refiners began to murmur among themselves, their gazes flickering between Lian and Pai Ying as the weight of the wager settled into the room.
"I agree," Pai Ying said, almost too quickly.
The old man merely smiled and turned toward Lian.
"Nephew," he said gently, "if you do not wish to display your alchemical Dao, you may take your pill and leave. No one here is holding you hostage."
His voice was low, yet it carried an edge, sharp and soft at the same time, like a blade wrapped in silk.
Lian met the elder's piercing blue eyes, catching the faint smile hidden beneath his beard.
"I will do it," Lian said calmly, "but only if he wagers something of equal value."
His gaze shifted directly to Pai Ying.
Without hesitation, Pai Ying opened his storage ring and took out an egg.
It was bright crimson, its surface etched with natural golden patterns that pulsed faintly, as if alive.
The moment it appeared, gasps echoed through the hall. Eyes snapped from the egg to Pai Ying, then back again.
"Damn it…" Pai Ying cursed inwardly.
"I didn't want them to find out about this. But with Old Fu watching, I can't wriggle out of this with petty tricks. This is the greatest treasure I have; nothing else will suffice."
His face darkened.
"My, my," Master Fu said mildly, examining the egg from afar.
"To think you possess an unhatched magical beast egg—and of such high order. You are truly fortunate."
His tone held neither excitement nor envy. It was flat, almost detached, as if he were commenting on the weather.
"If you continue feeding it Qi," he went on, "you may form a bond before it hatches. When it matures, it will become your greatest asset."
One of the refiners nearby couldn't hide his awe.
"That aura… I can tell the beast inside is already at Diānfēng Stage One. How enviable. Once it hatches, and with a treasure-grade pill on top of that, who could possibly stop him?"
The murmurs grew louder as gazes shifted back to Lian.
Now, the wager was set.
"How about it then—will you accept the wager, nephew?" the old man asked, a faint sparkle dancing in his eyes.
"Yes," Lian replied instantly.
"Good. Then follow me to the refinement room," the elder said, turning without another word.
Lian spun on his heel and followed close behind. The others trailed after them, flowing forward like waves chasing the tide.
They didn't travel far before the elder stopped before a pair of towering wooden doors. Twin gates of dark wood stood side by side, their surfaces covered in intricate carvings that flowed like living patterns across each panel.
"In we go," Old Fu said.
The moment Lian stepped through, his entire body relaxed.
His Qi surged smoothly through his meridians, gathering and swirling within his dantian. The air was pure—so pure it felt almost unreal, and faint traces of complex arrays shimmered along the walls and floor.
"So, this is how a true refinement chamber feels…" Lian thought.
"It's so comfortable… I feel like I could even refine a superior-rank pill here."
"How do you like the room, nephew?" the old man asked, smiling brightly.
"We've inscribed several arrays to assist with soul control during refinement."
"What a truly wondrous feeling this is…" Lian thought, steadying his breath.
"Tch," Pai Ying scoffed, folding his arms.
"What? Can't speak anymore now that we're finally inside the room?"
Lian didn't answer.
Instead, he reached into his spirit book.
A moment later—
BANG!
The heavy sound echoed throughout the chamber as Lian slammed his furnace onto the floor.
The reverberation shook the room.
"What—?!"
Everyone froze.
Eyes widened. Breath caught. Even the murmuring Qi in the room seemed to hesitate as all gazes locked onto the object before them.
"Hehehe, what a surprise," the old man chuckled.