The invitation from the City Lord's Mansion steward carried an undeniable politeness, yet it was subtly sharp.
Qing Xue frowned slightly, her ice-blue eyes sweeping over the steward. She replied coolly, "Thank you for the kind offer, but my companion and I have urgent matters to attend to, so we cannot attend the banquet." She instinctively felt the invitation was not simple; with her Master absent, it was better to avoid trouble.
Yu Yin also gently shook her head, politely declining, "Steward, you are too kind. We are merely ordinary cultivators and dare not presume to associate with the Young Master."
The steward's smile remained unchanged, but his gaze deepened slightly: "Why must the two young ladies be so modest? Just now in the Market Town, this young lady pointed at Yu Yin, showing a discerning eye in identifying the Crimson Cloud Grass, revealing extraordinary Pill Dao knowledge that is truly admirable. Our Young Master has always cherished talent, especially favoring outstanding figures in the Pill Dao, and this invitation is sincerely extended for friendship, with absolutely no other intentions."
He paused, his tone carrying a barely perceptible pressure: "Moreover, the Moon Gaze Tower has already prepared a modest banquet, and the Young Master is waiting. If the two of you leave now, wouldn't that cause our Young Master to lose face? Within Qingyang City, surely no one would wish to defy the City Lord's Mansion's authority, right?"
The mix of soft and hard tactics in his words made Qing Xue's gaze turn colder. Yu Yin also felt the pressure and subconsciously moved a step closer to Qing Xue.
Just as the atmosphere became somewhat stagnant, a gentle, smiling voice interjected:
"Steward Wang, why force the issue? Since the two young ladies are unwilling, they must truly have important matters. A gentleman does not force others against their will."
The group looked toward the sound and saw a young man walking over slowly, dressed in a fine blue robe, handsome in appearance, and possessing a gentle demeanor. He looked to be in his early twenties, his complexion carrying a slight, unhealthy paleness, but his eyes were bright and spirited. His Cultivation Level was around Qi Refining sixth layer. Behind him followed two guards whose auras were steady and whose eyes shone sharply; both possessed Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivation!
"Young Master!" Steward Wang immediately bowed respectfully upon seeing the youth.
This person was Murong Bai, the only son of the City Lord of Qingyang City.
Murong Bai waved his hand at the steward, his gaze falling upon Qing Xue and Yu Yin. His eyes lingered on Yu Yin's face for a moment, flashing with a hint of astonishment and curiosity, but this quickly transformed into a gentle smile: "I am Murong Bai. I heard just now that a young lady in the Market Town possessed sharp eyes to identify a rare herb, which sparked my admiration, hence this presumptuous invitation. I hope the two young ladies can forgive my abruptness."
His attitude was humble and his manners impeccable, completely different from the steward's assertiveness, making it difficult for anyone to feel ill will toward him.
Qing Xue's expression softened slightly, but she remained vigilant: "Young Master Murong is too polite. My sister and I truly need to return to our Sect to report our duties and cannot stay long."
"Oh? May I ask which Sect you two hail from?" Murong Bai asked casually, his gaze sweeping over their plain moon-white disciple robes, which bore no identifying marks.
Qing Xue and Yu Yin inwardly tensed. The Reincarnation Sect had just been established, and their Master had instructed them to keep a low profile, so they naturally could not reveal their affiliation easily.
"A minor sect from the wilderness, not worth mentioning," Qing Xue replied vaguely.
A sharp glint flashed in Murong Bai's eyes, but he did not press the matter. He smiled, "Since that is the case, I shall not insist on keeping you. However, in three days, the City Lord's Mansion will host a 'Minor Alchemy Gathering,' inviting young Alchemists from around the city to exchange and spar. The prizes are quite generous. Since this young lady showed talent in the Pill Dao, why not come and display your skills? It would certainly be an elegant affair."
He took out two gilded invitations and handed them over: "These are the invitations. If you two have time, you are welcome anytime."
This time, his invitation was more formal and allowed them room to choose.
Qing Xue and Yu Yin exchanged a look. Refusing once could be coincidence, but refusing again might genuinely offend the City Lord's Mansion. Furthermore, Yu Yin genuinely needed to exchange knowledge with others to verify what she had learned.
Qing Xue pondered briefly and accepted the invitation: "Thank you for the Young Master's kind intentions. If my junior sister is free then, she might come to observe."
She did not close the door completely.
Murong Bai did not mind and smiled faintly: "I await good news. You two young ladies, please proceed."
He stepped aside to clear the path with an elegant posture.
Qing Xue and Yu Yin nodded slightly and left the Market Town without further delay.
Watching their retreating figures, the gentle smile on Murong Bai's face gradually faded, and a look of amusement flashed in his eyes.
"Reincarnation Sect... Investigate," he commanded faintly to the guards behind him.
"Yes, Young Master."
...
Returning to the Reincarnation Sect, they reported the matter to Elder Leng Wei.
Leng Wei showed no reaction on her cold face after listening: "The City Lord's Mansion... the Murong family. Their ancestor once produced a Nascent Soul cultivator. Although they have declined now, their foundation remains, and they even have some ties with the Azure Cloud Sect. Murong Bai is rumored to have been frail since childhood but exceptionally intelligent, especially skilled in management. His invitation to Yu Yin targets her Pill Dao potential, and perhaps he also wishes to use this to probe the reality of our Sect."
She looked at Yu Yin: "Do you wish to go?"
Yu Yin hesitated slightly, looking at Qing Xue, then at Leng Wei: "Disciple... Disciple wishes to try. Master taught me the Pill Dao, and I wish to verify what I have learned. Moreover..." She pursed her lips, "If I can win the prize money, perhaps I can acquire some resources for the Sect."
Her thoughts were meticulous; she never forgot that the Sect was newly founded and lacked resources.
Leng Wei nodded: "Since you wish to go, then go. Qing Xue will accompany you. I will detach a wisp of my Divine Sense onto Qing Xue's sword to guard against unforeseen accidents."
"Thank you, Elder!" Yu Yin said gratefully.
Qing Xue also clenched her fists: "I will protect my junior sister well."
Three days later, at the City Lord's Mansion, in the Pill Fragrance Courtyard.
The courtyard was already fully prepared, with dozens of exquisite Alchemy Platforms neatly arranged, surrounded by Spectator Seats. All the notable young Alchemists in Qingyang City, as well as representatives from various major families and powers, were almost all present—a grand gathering indeed. The Lin Family was naturally represented, led by a senior Alchemist from the Lin Family. When he saw Yu Yin entering alongside Qing Xue, a look of disbelief and gloom flashed in his eyes.
Murong Bai, as the host, sat in the main seat. His complexion was still pale, but his bearing was composed. He saw the two young women and smiled, nodding in acknowledgment.
The rules for the Minor Alchemy Gathering were simple: unified basic Medicinal Herbs would be provided, and participants were required to refine the highest quality Qi Recovery Pill within one hour. The Qi Recovery Pill is the most common first-tier Pill, but precisely because it is common, it best tests an Alchemist's fundamental skills, fire control techniques, and understanding of Medicinal Properties.
As the competition began, various colored flames ignited above the Alchemy Platforms, and the scent of medicine permeated the air. Most Alchemists were using ordinary mortal fires or low-grade beast fires, which required considerable effort to control.
Yu Yin summoned her Wood Spirit Heart Fire. The moment the vibrant, life-filled emerald green flame appeared, it drew countless astonished gazes!
"What kind of fire is that? I've never seen it!"
"Such a peculiar color, yet it emits no scorching heat?"
"Who is this woman? She looks completely unfamiliar."
Even Murong Bai in the main seat showed a surge of intense interest in his eyes.
Yu Yin held her breath, concentrating, ignoring the surrounding discussions, fully immersed in her task. Her technique was still slightly clumsy, but every step strictly followed her insights. Under her control, the Wood Spirit Heart Fire acted like a docile spirit, slowly burning away impurities from the Medicinal Herbs while maximally preserving their Activity and medicinal efficacy.
In stark contrast to the scenes at other Alchemists' stations where violent medicinal power and occasional scorch marks were evident, the process of merging the medicinal liquid at Yu Yin's Alchemy Platform appeared exceptionally peaceful and smooth, even emitting a faint fragrance of grass and wood.
As the hour neared its end, Alchemists began successfully forming Pills one after another, most achieving low or mid-grade quality.
The moment Yu Yin's Pill Furnace opened, three streams of emerald light shot toward the sky! She had prepared beforehand and collected them in a Jade Bottle.
The Pill Fragrance was intoxicating and refreshing!
An old Alchemist responsible for judging quickly stepped forward, took the Jade Bottle, and carefully examined the Pills inside. His eyes immediately widened, and his voice trembled:
"Qi... Qi Recovery Pills, three of them... all, all Supreme Grade! The Pills possess spiritual patterns, their Medicinal Properties are perfect! This... how is this possible?!"
Supreme Grade Qi Recovery Pills!
The entire venue instantly erupted in an uproar! To refine Supreme Grade Pills using basic Medicinal Herbs was not merely a matter of skill, but a manifestation of innate talent!
All eyes focused on the green-skirted girl holding the Jade Bottle, looking somewhat overwhelmed.
The reputation of an Alchemy genius spread like wildfire!
Yu Yin entered the sight of various powers in Qingyang City in the most dazzling manner possible.
Meanwhile, in the corner, the Alchemist from the Lin Family looked so gloomy he seemed ready to drip water. He stared fixedly at Yu Yin, then glanced at the cold-tempered Qing Xue beside her, and at the uniform moon-white robes they wore.
Reincarnation Sect...
In his heart, a strong sense of unease arose, along with a trace of... indescribable greed.
Chapter Seventeen End