"We'll bet on the fate of our two factions. If Pan Gate loses, everyone—including me—will unconditionally join your Medicine Gang and submit to your authority," Xiao Jietian declared.
"If you lose, then your Medicine Gang will unconditionally join Pan Gate, including you," he continued.
Han Xian's heart nearly stopped. His pupils constricted violently—he had never expected Xiao Jietian to propose such a shocking wager.
If this were a newly established, minor faction, he might have scoffed at their overestimation. But Pan Gate was no ordinary force. With a Dou Wang of unknown strength and a Rank 4 Alchemist, it was already at the pinnacle of power in the Inner Academy. Few factions could match such a configuration.
Although the Medicine Gang was massive, their monopoly on pills had now been broken. If he could win, he wouldn't just reclaim dominance—he could rise to become a titan among the Inner Academy's forces, far surpassing all others.
Rumors suggested Xiao Jietian had once used Cultivation Room Number One to train, implying a close relationship with the number one on the strong ranking. Without that connection, he wouldn't have been allowed access.
Han Xian frowned and exhaled deeply. "Xiao Jietian… you're not joking, are you? Do you realize this is essentially a life-or-death decision?"
Xiao Jietian smiled faintly, his expression serious. "Naturally, it's real. I have no intention of joking. What, Leader Han—is that fear I detect?"
Han Xian's face turned cold at the provocation. He quickly suppressed the surge of anger, fingers unconsciously drumming on the table. This wager involved the results of years of hard work, and hesitation lingered in his mind.
He studied Xiao Yan's Rank 4 Alchemist robe, calculating carefully.
"I need to ask—will the two of you be representing Pan Gate personally?"
"That's right. Xiao Yan and I—no one else," Xiao Jietian replied calmly, picking up a teacup and taking a light sip.
"What? Leader Han afraid to accept? I thought you were someone important… but it seems you're just so-so."
Han Xian's fingers froze mid-tap. For years, he had been flattered and fawned over. When had he ever suffered such humiliation? His face shifted between green and white. Slam! He struck the table, stood, and shouted:
"I'll bet! I'll bet! Whoever chickens out is a grandson! I'm in!"
A glimmer of satisfaction appeared in Xiao Jietian's eyes. "Leader Han is straightforward. Then let's draw up a contract to ensure no one backs out if they lose."
Han Xian nodded. The two wrote two copies, pressing both handprints and soul imprints on each.
"So… how shall we compete?" Xiao Yan asked.
Han Xian explained, "We'll refine the same pill, starting simultaneously. Quality will determine the winner. If the quality is identical, then whoever finishes first wins."
"As for the prescription, we'll use Elder Hao's from the Inner Academy's prescription management library. It's fair—Elder Hao is the most impartial person in the Inner Academy. You can even ask others to confirm."
Xiao Jietian nodded. He had investigated and verified the fairness himself.
Xiao Yan, seeing Xiao Jietian's agreement, had no doubts. He trusted his Third Brother completely. Even the times Xiao Jietian played tricks on him were all in good humor, often benefiting him in the end.
The three agreed on the time—tomorrow morning—and the location, the North Plaza.
Afterward, they went to find Elder Hao. He was slightly surprised by the wager but intrigued. He immediately agreed, on the condition that he would select the prescription and only announce it tomorrow.
With Elder Hao's agreement secured, the three left.
"You better not lose too badly. I'm really looking forward to seeing you serve under me, haha!"
Xiao Jietian smiled disdainfully. "I'm looking forward to it too. Hopefully, you don't disappoint me—otherwise it won't be interesting. If you back out, I'll take over by force."
Han Xian's face immediately darkened. "It's not decided who will win, hmph!" With a flick of his sleeve, he left without another word.
"We'll be free soon. No more endless pill refining in the dark," Xiao Yan said, laughing as he watched Han Xian retreat. The thought of losing was absurd—his alchemy skills matched or surpassed Han Xian's, and with Tian Ge alone, he was leagues ahead.
"Xiao Yan Zi, ask Yao Lao to get you some good materials. This pill will probably be complex. You've always had large cauldron explosions at every major event," Xiao Jietian advised.
The pill this time was likely the Dragon Strength Pill, notorious for causing huge explosions. Xiao Yan recalled the chaos he'd caused at the Alchemist Convention and other occasions.
Xiao Jietian wasn't teasing him—he genuinely wanted Yao Lao to bring the Black Demon Cauldron for Xiao Yan's use.
The two chatted as they returned to the pavilion.
…
Back at the Medicine Gang's main hall, Han Xian sipped tea, smiling sinisterly. They think I made this decision out of anger or embarrassment, but everything is under my control. A Rank 4 Alchemist whose pills are so mediocre, a rookie who doesn't even dare to wear a robe—how will they possibly defeat me? You're still too inexperienced to challenge me.
He imagined the future glory of the Medicine Gang and laughed, louder and louder, unable to contain himself.
…
Back at Pan Gate, Xiao Jietian informed the others of the challenge. Though some showed concern, no one objected. They were aware of Xiao Jietian and Xiao Yan's alchemy skills.
Xun'er, knowing Xiao Jietian's strength, wasn't worried at all—she had seen him refine Rank 6 pills in the Eternal Heaven World.
Unless Xiao Jietian didn't want to win, it would be almost impossible for him to lose.
"This is my first time seeing a confrontation among Rank 4 Alchemists and above. I have to watch tomorrow," Wu Hao thought excitedly. A battle of Alchemists was far more thrilling than the Arena.
Having tasted the sweet success of selling pills, several others now looked forward eagerly to the even greater benefits that would come after the Medicine Gang was absorbed.