Lu Chen walked in with an arrogant expression, his hands clasped behind his back. The four youth behind him made no effort to conceal their pride.
As members of a Longevity Family, they had more than enough capital to be proud.
Lu Chen walked unceremoniously to the front. Sweeping a sharp glance toward the Lin Family’s seating area, he let out a cold sneer before turning to seat himself in the Lu Family’s designated section.
“The Lin Family truly grows worse with each passing generation.”
No sooner had he sat down than Lu Chen spoke in a voice dripping with sarcasm.
Lin Zhishou’s face darkened. Without hesitation, he fired back, “Still better than a Lu Family that cannot even produce a single top-tier first-rank Alchemist.”
“And what of it?” Lu Chen leaned back in his chair, tilting his chin up as he looked down at Lin Zhishou disdainfully. “Within fifty years, my Lu Family will still rank among the top two Longevity Families. As for your clan?”
At this point, Lu Chen’s lips curled into a mocking sneer. “I heard you have sunk to the level of tricking live-in sons-in-law just to cultivate your next generation. Hahaha!”
This remark caused an immediate stir among the ordinary alchemists seated below.
Taking in a matrilocal husband was standard practice, but tricking one was something they had never heard of.
Lin Zhishou’s weathered face flushed with fury. He stared fixedly at Lu Chen, on the verge of erupting.
“The Family Head has arrived!”
Just then, a resounding voice echoed through the hall.
Without exception, everyone rose to their feet. Even the arrogant Lu Chen showed a respectful expression.
An elder dressed in splendid brocade robes stepped slowly into the hall, his eyes as bright as torches.
He exuded an extraordinary aura, carrying himself with an effortless, transcendent grace. Every movement and gesture radiated an air of absolute authority.
As he came into view, everyone present bowed slightly in deference.
Li Shuntian, the Family Head of the Li Family, made his way to the seat of honor at the very front. He scanned the crowd and smiled warmly. “Welcome, everyone, to this year’s Spirit Pill Gathering. Please, be seated.”
The guests took their seats.
Soon after, a middle-aged man stepped into the center of the hall.
He was Li Zehou, the eldest son of Li Shuntian and the host of this gathering.
Following the established custom, Li Zehou began with an opening speech, making sure to flatter the Qingyuan Sect in the process.
Next, he began to outline the proceedings of the Spirit Pill Gathering.
The gathering would last for two days, divided into a theoretical test on the first day and a practical refining test on the second.
The specific content of both assessments was decided by the Qingyuan Sect itself.
The alchemists seated below listened with solemn expressions.
This was also Zhou Luo’s first time attending the gathering, so he listened with equal concentration.
In contrast, the youths from the other Longevity Families looked completely at ease, as though victory were already in their hands.
Since today was the first day, the theoretical test would take place in the afternoon.
In the meantime, the attendees were free to mingle, discuss, and exchange ideas.
After all, the Spirit Pill Gathering was held only once a year. It brought together many cultivators who possessed a talent for alchemy, and most were loath to miss such an opportunity to make connections.
Only the descendants of the Longevity Families remained aloof, keeping to their own circles.
“The Lin Family only brought two juniors this time. It seems you have already given up on securing a spot to study at the Immortal Sect,”
Lu Chen said, looking across at Lin Zhishou with a half-smile.
The Lu and Lin families had been bitter rivals for centuries. Neither would ever pass up an opportunity to humiliate the other.
Facing the blatant mockery, Lin Zhishou replied placidly, “Since when has the Lu Family become so fond of poking their noses into others’ business?”
“I am merely worried you will lose too miserably and disgrace your ancestors, Elder Shou. If you ask me, you might as well just withdraw now,” Lu Chen retorted, leaning back against his chair.
“Hmph. Does having more people guarantee success?” Lin Zhishou countered.
Lu Chen chuckled softly. “Then how about we have a wager? We can bet this Magical Artifact.”
With a casual flick of his wrist, a silver-white sword appeared in his palm. A golden Spirit Stone was embedded in its hilt.
Zhou Luo’s heart stirred slightly at the sight of the weapon.
This was a genuine Magical Artifact. Although it required at least the fifth layer of Qi Refining to wield, it would surely fetch a handsome price if sold.
Members of the other Longevity Families were also visibly startled.
They had not expected the Lu Family to be bold enough to put up a Magical Artifact as a stake.
Lin Zhishou stared at the sword in silence.
He knew very well that since Lu Chen dared to offer a Magical Artifact, he must be highly confident in his family’s prospects. Lin Zhishou did not dare to accept lightly.
As if reading his mind, Lu Chen said confidently, “Let it not be said that my Lu Family is bullying the Lin Family. We will not compete in actual refining, but rather on the results of this afternoon’s theoretical test.”
“If your Lin Family’s score surpasses my Lu Family’s in the theoretical test, this sword is yours.”
Infused with Spiritual Qi, Lu Chen’s steady, powerful voice carried clearly to every corner of the hall.
The surrounding conversations ground to a halt as everyone turned to look toward the front in astonishment.
Lin Zhishou’s brow furrowed tightly.
This was an open trap.
If he refused, word of his cowardice would inevitably spread throughout the entire Fire Cloud State, dealing a severe blow to the Lin Family’s reputation.
Lin Zhishou glanced at Lin Nian, only to find the boy hanging his head, lost in whatever anxious thoughts he was having.
When he looked at Zhou Luo, however, he found the young man staring at the opposite side with bright, focused eyes, his face as calm as still water.
“Is the Lin Family afraid?” Lu Chen pressed again.
Gritting his teeth and knowing he had no way out, Lin Zhishou drew a jade bottle from his robes and slammed it onto the table. “Very well. The Lin Family accepts your wager.”
“This is a bottle of Gale Pills. It is more than enough to match your Magical Artifact.”
Gale Pills were top-tier first-rank Spirit Pills that offered immense benefits to cultivators with wind spiritual roots. Once consumed, they could nourish the spiritual root while greatly boosting the user’s speed.
“Excellent. We shall ask the Li Family Head to bear witness,” Lu Chen said with absolute confidence.
Li Shuntian narrowed his eyes and smiled faintly. “Of course.”
While the Lu and Lin families frequently clashed and made bets during various competitions, this was the first time they had wagered treasures of such high value, leaving the onlookers thoroughly intrigued.
Yet this was merely a prelude. For everyone else in the hall, the afternoon’s theoretical test remained the true focus.
Over in the Lin Family’s seating area…
Lin Zhishou looked grimly at Zhou Luo and Lin Nian, his tone exceptionally grave. “Are you two confident about the theoretical test this afternoon?”
“Grandfather Shou, I…” Lin Nian muttered, looking highly embarrassed.
“Uncle Shou, if we win, will the family give us a reward?” Zhou Luo asked out of curiosity.
“If you can trample the Lu Family underfoot, do you honestly think the family would withhold rewards?” Lin Zhishou replied.
“I understand,” Zhou Luo said, pursuing the matter no further.
Lin Zhishou tossed an ancient text on alchemy to the two of them. “Study this closely. Do not disgrace the Lin Family.”
In the afternoon, once the Li Family servants had cleared away the spiritual food, several high-stage cultivators entered the hall to stand guard against cheating.
Once all preparations were complete, the theoretical test officially began.
The so-called theoretical test was designed to evaluate the examinees’ depth of understanding regarding alchemy.
Naturally, this included various refining techniques, methods, and the precise formulas of specific pills.
This theoretical knowledge was the ultimate reflection of an alchemist’s foundational skills.
Sitting at his wooden table, Zhou Luo looked down at the specialized white parchment that had been distributed.
As his gaze fell upon it, the parchment shimmered with a faint spiritual light, and rows of questions began to manifest on its surface.
After a quick scan, he found that all the questions fell strictly within the scope of first-rank alchemy. A surge of confidence filled his chest.
After all, he had already inherited the complete knowledge of a first-rank alchemist.
To him, this exam was no different from an open-book test.
Picking up his writing brush, he began to write down his answers with careful precision.