Son, Put Your Father To The Test (FF)

Time passed.

Two hours had gone by.

In the competition arena, alchemy furnaces occasionally exploded, or the flames in some furnaces suddenly shot up, turning the medicinal ingredients to ash.

As a result, many contestants left in disappointment.

Indeed, being an alchemist wasn't for everyone. The first step of extraction alone had already eliminated many participants.

The fusion process was even more challenging, with some causing explosions and even injuring themselves.

During the transformation phase, many found their concoctions mutating into poisons or foul-smelling substances.

In short, the scene was chaotic.

"Hey, look! The little princess of the Chen family has already completed her pill!"

"Quick, check it out! The color of her pill is changing rapidly, like boiling oil."

"I've heard that the transformation phase requires the use of spiritual power to guide the changes in the medicinal properties, which demands strong spiritual power."

"It's said that the little princess of the Chen family has had extraordinary spiritual power since she was a child. She should be fine."

"This time, she's likely the champion. As for that Qin Zi... ha, he's just a joke…"

"I've finished!"

At that moment, a calm and composed voice rang out, causing the faces of those gossiping to stiffen.

They turned their heads in disbelief and saw Qin Zi's alchemy furnace slowly extinguishing, with a light red pill floating in the air.

The pill's surface was translucent, as if coated with syrup, and bore a few delicate patterns.

"This…"

The onlookers were at a loss for words, as if faint sounds were whispering in their ears.

Slap, slap, slap! Their faces stung a little.

"I've also finished!"

At this point, Chen Biling spoke up.

She wiped the sweat from her forehead, a relieved smile on her face. She had gotten lucky this time.

But when she saw Qin Zi's pill, she was stunned, her eyes widening.

"How is this possible…"

At this moment, Master Pang Qi stood up and said, "Since you've both completed your pills, let me take a look."

Whoosh! He extended his right hand, and a suction force burst from his palm, pulling both pills toward him.

"You've both managed to produce a pill in such a short time, which is impressive. The winner today will become my disciple and, in the future, may even inherit my alchemy recipes."

Master Pang Qi announced.

Gasp!!

The crowd collectively inhaled in shock.

Inheriting alchemy recipes!

That was a huge reward. A single alchemy recipe could provide for a lifetime.

Master Pang Qi possessed a unique alchemy recipe, which, although only of the third grade, was immensely valuable.

Countless alchemists applied to use this recipe every year, producing a vast quantity of highly-priced pills.

This was Master Pang Qi's most famous recipe—the Breast Enhancement Pill!

At this moment, he held both pills in his hands, with Chen Biling's on the left and Qin Zi's on the right.

The pills were similar in color, but on closer inspection, the pill on the right was more translucent and had additional patterns.

"Let me first comment on Chen Biling's pill."

Master Pang Qi looked at the pill on the left and said, "The pill is free of impurities, indicating that the extraction process was done well. The medicinal properties match the recipe, showing good control in the fusion and transformation phases."

"As for the final spirit-locking phase, it's somewhat immature, but it should preserve the pill's potency for two months, which is already quite good."

Then, he turned his attention to the pill on the right.

As he examined it, his brows furrowed, his expression growing increasingly solemn, even a bit dark.

Bang! Suddenly, he crushed the pill in his hand, snorting, "Rubbish! The medicinal properties are out of control—it's turned into a poison pill!"

His declaration sent shockwaves through the crowd.

A poison pill?! Qin Zi's expression shifted, and he protested, "Impossible! I followed your recipe exactly—there's no way it's wrong."

"They followed my recipe as well."

Master Pang Qi glanced at those who had already left the competition, his tone indifferent, "In alchemy, even a tiny mistake can lead to a huge difference."

"Failing in alchemy is not unusual, but if you can't even admit failure, it'll be hard for you to achieve greatness."

Hearing this, Qin Zi's face darkened, and he gritted his teeth, "What makes you so sure I failed? Do you have any evidence?"

He was unconvinced!!

His master had said that his pill was fine, even "pretty good." How could it possibly be a failure?

"Oh? Are you questioning me?"

Master Pang Qi's brows knitted, his eyes radiating authority, and a faint pressure emanated from him.

"Why not?"

Qin Zi fearlessly retorted.

"Ha, an interesting young man…"

Master Pang Qi chuckled, then slowly stood up, looking down at Qin Zi, "You ask what gives me the right. I'll tell you—it's because I'm a fifth-grade alchemist and the vice president of the Royal Alchemists' Association!"

"I may not speak for everything, but when it comes to alchemy, my word carries weight in the kingdom."

"Do you think someone of my status would deliberately make things difficult for a young novice alchemist like you?"

"Or are you suggesting that I'm senile and can no longer recognize pills, that my judgment is inferior to yours?"

"You accuse me of abusing my authority, but is it possible that you're the one being arrogant, unaware of the vastness of the world?"

Qin Zi paused, his resolve wavering. He silently asked the golden-haired woman in his mind, "Master, is there really nothing wrong with my pill?"

"Impossible!"

The golden-haired woman replied without hesitation.

"Then why would he say that? With his status, he has no reason to go out of his way to make things difficult for me."

Qin Zi asked, puzzled.

"Ha… That old man has ulterior motives; his true aim lies elsewhere."

The golden-haired woman sneered.

"Elsewhere?"

Qin Zi was confused.

"Yes, that little girl has a special constitution. The old man is probably targeting her."

The golden-haired woman explained.

"That little vixen?"

Qin Zi asked, surprised.

"Indeed. If I'm not mistaken, she likely has the rare Maiden's Physique, which makes her ideal for… dual cultivation."

The golden-haired woman's voice was tinged with embarrassment.

"What? Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Qin Zi exclaimed.

"Why would I tell you that? Should I have told you that this girl is perfect for dual cultivation and urged you to make a move on her?"

The golden-haired woman rolled her eyes.

She added, "Not only do I disdain pushing you to do such a thing, but even if I wanted to, your father wouldn't agree."

"In his eyes, what hasn't he seen? He wouldn't let his son stoop to such behavior over a mere Maiden's Physique."

In her mind, the image of that great man loomed large.

"You're right."

Qin Zi nodded in agreement. He, too, had no desire to do something like that for some special physique.

Love should be pure.

If I like you, I like you.

If I don't like you, I don't.

What does your physique have to do with it? As the son of an invincible powerhouse, who was a godly being himself, why would he need to pursue anyone for a mere opportunity?

Never!!

Taking a deep breath, he looked up at the imposing Master Pang Qi and said firmly, "You're right. I might be wrong, but so might you."

"But regardless, only evidence can convince everyone. So tell me… why were you in such a hurry to destroy my pill?"

"Heh, as a fifth-grade alchemist, people are naturally more inclined to believe you without evidence. A perfect case of 'dead men tell no tales.' The old are indeed wise."

"But… I'm not convinced!!"

Qin Zi declared loudly.

The crowd was shocked.

This young man dared to confront Master Pang Qi directly—was he courting death? Not only was Master Pang Qi a fifth-grade alchemist, but he was also a Nirvana Realm powerhouse!

"I do not need your approval for my actions. What you think is of no concern to me, and I have no desire to trouble you."

Master Pang Qi looked down at Qin Zi from above, his overwhelming aura washing over the crowd.

"But if you continue to be insolent, I won't hesitate to cut you down on the spot!"

Whoosh! The pressure was intense, scorching, and heavy, laced with traces of killing intent, leaving many struggling to breathe.

Qin Zi's blood boiled as he resisted the pressure, lifting his head with a cold smile.

He was just about to deliver a defiant and grandiose remark.

But at that moment, a stubborn girl's voice rang out, filled with determination and a sense of all-or-nothing.

"Qin Zi, I was wrong!!!"