This early morning.
Minghao City, central square.
The outskirts of the square were already teeming with people, while the core square, a step higher than the periphery, was filled with alchemy furnaces.
At least a thousand!
The scene was extremely spectacular.
And in the north-facing direction, a massive high platform was built, obviously for the bigwigs to sit.
"I'm so excited, Master Pang Qi is about to come out; he's a lifesaver for our family."
"What, you can actually link up with Master Pang Qi?"
"Of course, when I was little, I could eat a lot, and my mother wasn't doing well. If it weren't for Master Pang Qi's elixir…"
"Are you talking about Master Pang Qi's famous pill formula?"
"Yes, although it sounds a bit unorthodox, Master Pang Qi's formula has indeed benefited many children."
"Granted, but I always felt… his original intention should be more than just benefiting children…"
"What do you mean by that?"
"My dad also spent a lot of money to buy one back then, but I obviously didn't eat much as a kid, and it was mostly the nanny taking care of me."
There was a moment of silence around.
"Hey, what are you all talking about! What we need to be concerned with now is who has the best chance of winning the alchemy competition!
"What about the four young prodigies?"
"That's hard to say. Talent in alchemy and talent in cultivation are actually two different things, and the correlation isn't very strong."
"I've heard that Little Princess Chen has been spiritually powerful since she was young, unusual, should be very suitable for alchemy, right?"
"In theory, yes. But whether it works or not, you have to try to know, and every adult understands this principle."
"Bro, that's too much, woof woof..."
Bang—
Suddenly, a massive and scorching pressure surged like a tide, almost suffocating everyone.
Everyone turned their heads simultaneously.
They saw two exceedingly imposing figures, making their way over, surrounded by a large number of the City Guard Army.
It was City Lord Bai Chen and Master Pang Qi!
Bai Chen was a majestic middle-aged man, while Master Pang Qi was a burly old man with white hair and beard, dressed in an elegant alchemy master's robe.
As they approached, the surrounding people stopped their discussions, and the originally noisy and bustling square became silent.
The crowd instinctively made way for a wide path, as the City Lord and Master Pang Qi led the guards up the high platform.
"Everyone knows what day it is today, so I won't say much."
"With Master Pang Qi here in person, this is an opportunity for all you young people; I hope you perform well."
Bai Chen stood on the high platform, looking down, and said majestically, "All the young people present, please take your positions."
Whoosh!
Immediately, a large group of young people, like a dense swarm of ants, rushed towards the thousand alchemy furnaces in the central square.
"Get out of my way!"
"Move aside!"
"This alchemy furnace is mine!"
Clearly, the number of alchemy furnaces was insufficient, so these young people began fighting fiercely.
Bang bang bang!
"Ah!"
"Puh—"
Within a few rounds, many people were injured in the scuffles.
"City Lord, they are fighting on their own, breaking the rules!" someone said indignantly after being knocked away.
On the high platform, Bai Chen said casually, "Master Pang Qi didn't say no fighting; if you can't even secure an alchemy furnace, what elixirs are you going to make?"
Where in the world is there absolute fairness?
The so-called fairness is also something you earn for yourself!
Instantly, those who were injured were left speechless, having no choice but to look at the alchemy furnaces with discontent.
Of course, some weren't discouraged, and after failing to secure one furnace, they started trying to seize others.
Some actually succeeded, but more failed repeatedly, and in the end, with serious injuries, they had to leave dejectedly.
Qin Zi was also among the crowd.
Bang!
With one punch, he sent the thirteenth competitor flying, a young person at the fourth level of the Formation Realm, yet he was still instantly defeated.
Thus, the surrounding young people, who were eyeing the prize, gave up on this target.
He successfully claimed an alchemy furnace.
"Are you Qin Zi?"
At this moment, a slightly arrogant voice rang out.
Qin Zi turned to look at the young man in the yellow garment and replied indifferently, "Yes, that's me."
Whoosh!
Almost instantly, many around turned their attention over.
Qin Zi!
He is Qin Zi?!
The rumored number one genius of Minghao City? Whose talent overshadowed the four young prodigies?
"Hahaha, so it really is you. I am Gao Feng, and I've long heard that Brother Qin is the number one genius in Minghao City. Seeing you today, you're indeed extraordinary,"
the young man in yellow said with ulterior motives.
"You're too kind."
Qin Zi replied indifferently.
"Hmm?!"
Gao Feng was stunned, expecting Qin Zi to hurriedly explain that he wasn't, only for him to continue to praise him.
But unexpectedly, the other party said 'You're too kind!'
What does this mean?
Is he admitting it??
Originally, he came with the intention to heap false praise to crush him, but when the other party admitted it, he felt as if he had swallowed a fly — disgusted.
"Hehe, good! As expected of Minghao City's number one genius, I'd like to spar a bit, if you're willing?"
Gao Feng said with a sarcastic smile.
"Not interested."
Qin Zi replied indifferently.
"Hmm?" Gao Feng frowned, his voice growing cold, "Does Brother Qin look down on me?"
"Yes."
Qin Zi nodded, then revealed a mocking smile, "Or perhaps... you still think you're someone important?"
Slap!
It was like a slap in the face, mercilessly striking the condescending face of the other.
You say I look down on you? Well, I do! What about it!
Who do you think you are?
"You... arrogant!!"
Gao Feng was stunned for a moment, then his expression turned extremely ugly, utterly humiliated and angry.
Usually, when he said that phrase, others would give him face and dare not offend.
But today... when he brazenly put his face out there, he got slapped back.
Consequently, he looked like even more of a fool, his face burning hot.
"I'm not being arrogant, you're just humiliating yourself."
Qin Zi said indifferently, "Don't think that just because you're from the Gao Family, you're superior to others."
"I know the Gao Family is one of the three major families in Minghao City, but you... I really don't recognize!"
Slap slap slap!
Simple words, like several slaps, once again landed on the same spot, almost making his face swell.
"You!!"
Gao Feng wanted to burst out, but suddenly thought of something, and calmed down, sneering:
"You wouldn't really consider yourself the number one genius of Minghao City, right? Have you believed your own hype after hearing enough rumors?"
"Hehe, not even knowing that tall trees catch the wind, and still here being complacent, truly foolish beyond belief!"
He wouldn't easily strike.
Because in his view, starting a fight when arguments fail is the behavior of the weak, and he disdained doing it.
He wanted to use sharp words to leave this sharp-tongued person speechless, humiliated, and then overpower them demonstratively, crushing them completely!
However, Qin Zi heard his words and did not show the slightest anger, instead revealing a playful look.
"Tall trees catch the wind... isn't that right, even joining an alchemy competition attracted such a whirlwind as you."
"But I suspect, this wind… came from the Corpse's Eye."
Corpse's Eye?
Gao Feng was stunned, then abruptly realized what it meant; fury surged to his head, exploding instantly!
"You're courting death!!"
He roared, Gang Energy surging from his body, his right fist striking towards Qin Zi.
What sharp words, what comprehensive crushing, all nonsense, once a person loses their mind, they smash their own face!
Slap slap slap!!