He actually came!
All of the people inside the palace exchanged glances with each other.
Especially Master Qianyao, who had just declared that Master Liuyun couldn't possibly dare to come to Fire City — his face turned grim. This was practically a slap in his face.
Hmph!
It's better that he came! Once we expose him publicly, let's see where he can hide his face!
Soon after, Master Qianyao coldly laughed again.
This time, it won't be as simple as just losing face for him.
He must be taught a profound lesson, one he will never forget for the rest of his life.
Jiuqu Wanderer also sneered.
The proverb says, people in the same trade are jealous of each other.
Although these several pill-refining masters had never met Master Liuyun before and originally had no grudges against him,
Master Liuyun had simply been too famous and too glorious during this period.
Numerous martial artists had flocked to him seeking pills, spreading his reputation fervently, worshipping him as an idol.
Even several of Central Continent's top-tier forces had sent people to seek pills from Master Liuyun.
As a result, the other pill-refining masters were indirectly neglected.
This was precisely why these pill-refining masters hated Master Liuyun so much.
Please invite him in,
Master Qihuang said slowly.
Immediately, someone ran out to relay the message.
And then.
A carriage slowly entered through the palace gates.
Hmph!
So arrogant!
This scene caused everyone inside the palace to look exceedingly displeased, fury simmering beneath the surface.
One had to know, the people in the palace were either pill-refining masters or highly skilled martial artists.
Every single one of them was no nonentity.
And this Master Liuyun hadn't even bothered to get out of his carriage!
Hmph!
Putting on airs! Get out of that carriage for me!
The tall, slender middle-aged man with abnormally long arms past his knees snorted coldly and reached out, grabbing towards the carriage.
Boom…
A great hand of spiritual energy, resembling a mass of yellow cloud, grabbed towards the carriage.
Crack!
Fengyun Jue, seated on the carriage, swung out his whip with a sharp crack.
Boom!
The whip struck the spiritual energy great hand, actually forcing it to retreat again and again until, finally, it directly exploded.
What?!
That middle-aged man was shocked pale, retreating several steps.
This middle-aged man was called Yuan Sheng. He was an elder from the first-rate Central Continent force, Tongbi Gate, possessing late-stage Mystic Liquid Realm strength. Who could have thought he would be forced back by a single move from a mere old carriage-driver?
Sir, with your strength, you are certainly no nobody in Central Continent!
I ask, what is your true identity?
Yuan Sheng asked solemnly.
Fengyun Jue was dressed entirely as a servant, even wearing a straw hat, making it very difficult for outsiders to recognize him.
Furthermore, during this period, Ye Yunfei had imparted to Fengyun Jue for cultivation some of the exquisite transformations from the Thousand Changes technique, allowing Fengyun Jue to conceal his identity even more effectively.
Dare to be disrespectful to my Master, and don't blame me for being impolite.
Fengyun Jue did not answer Yuan Sheng's question, speaking coldly instead.
Liuyun! You are too arrogant!
Get out of that carriage immediately!
Master Qianyao roared angrily.
Less talk. Didn't you all say you wanted to duel in alchemy with me?
Let's get to the point then.
Don't waste my time.
A voice came from within the carriage.
Outrageous!
Everyone in the palace wore displeased expressions, eyes flashing with anger.
Impudent youth!
Even Master Qihuang flicked his sleeve and rebuked him.
Everyone in this palace were either pill-refining masters or highly skilled martial artists, all people of status and stature. When had any of them ever been treated with such disrespect?
Hmph, it's true that the greater the fool, the more conceited they are!
Liuyun, just wait until you are exposed! Let's see what face you'll have left then!
Jiuqu Wanderer yelled.
You invited me here. Could it be, just to trade barbs with me?
Since that's the case, I'll take my leave.
The voice from the carriage was indifferent.
Then, the carriage turned around and sped off towards the palace exit.
Halt!
Almost everyone in the palace shouted out in unison.
Each person was infuriated to the extreme, their bodies trembling faintly.
Liuyun! A pill duel in Fire City, two days from now! Do you dare?!
Master Qianyao said angrily.
Agreed.
See you in two days.
The carriage didn't stop at all, vanishing into the distance in an instant, a voice carrying back into the palace.
Too arrogant!
He didn't even get out of the carriage! Putting on that disgusting high and mighty attitude with us!
...
Watching the departing carriage, angry shouts rang out inside the palace.
Only now did they remember they hadn't even laid eyes on this Master Liuyun's face yet.
By the way, Master Qianyao, why did you arrange the pill duel for two days later?
We could have held it with him right now.
Master Qihuang looked at Master Qianyao and asked.
That's true.
Everyone else also looked at Master Qianyao.
A pill duel with him now—even if he loses and his true face is exposed by us—there wouldn't be many onlookers.
At that time, if he denies everything and continues to swagger and deceive, there's nothing we could do about it.
Two days from now, when we face him in a public pill duel, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he won't be able to deny or wiggle out of it.
Master Qianyao said with a cold laugh.
Excellent!
Everyone nodded in agreement.
What if... he really is a First-Grade Treasure Pill Master?
Master Qihuang expressed some hesitation.
Heh, I feel there's absolutely no possibility of that.
Just now, although I didn't see that Liuyun with my own eyes, with my Soul Power's perception, he is definitely a young lad, probably not even twenty years old.
How could a young boy like this possibly be a First-Grade Treasure Pill Master?
Master Qianyao said.
Right!
I also used my Soul Power to sense him just now. Master Qianyao's words make sense.
Everyone nodded repeatedly.
Alright then! We'll immediately spread the news. The more people who know, the better!
Two days from now, we will expose this Master Liuyun's true face to everyone!
Jiuqu Wanderer laughed loudly.
Heh heh, once his true face is exposed, I'll make sure to teach him a proper lesson he'll never forget for the rest of his life!
Even if he has a late-stage Mystic Liquid Realm expert as his bodyguard, so what?
I'll send out invitations to my friends right now, asking them to come lend their fists!
Yuan Sheng said with a ferocious laugh.
A short while later, news spread throughout Fire City.
Master Qihuang, Master Qianyao, Master Xinglin, Jiuqu Wanderer, and Master Tianmu—these five pill-refining masters—have made an appointment with Master Liuyun for a public pill duel in Fire City two days from now!
When this news broke, the public was in an uproar.
Master Liuyun was, in recent times, the most celebrated pill-refining master in Central Continent. One could say he was known by everyone.
Whereas Master Qihuang and the other four pill-refining masters were old-fashioned masters in Central Continent, established for a long time, each of them holding an honored position and great influence.
Now, these five old-established masters were inviting a newly risen, widely popular master to a pill duel.
The thick scent of a feud was something everyone could easily detect.
Actually, the five Masters led by Master Qihuang have publicly declared they do not acknowledge Master Liuyun as a First-Grade Treasure Pill Master, believing Master Liuyun is a fraud.
In my opinion, the five Masters' suspicion is quite reasonable. That Liuyun character was never heard of before and only suddenly emerged recently.
He is indeed quite suspicious.
Master Qihuang is from our Alchemy Tower. Since he says that Master Liuyun is fake, he most likely is.
...
Most people supported those five pill-refining masters.
After all, these five masters had been established for a long time, had wider connections, and greater influence.
Not to mention, Master Qihuang and Master Tianmu were both alchemists of the Alchemy Tower, and Fire City was under the Alchemy Tower's territory, so naturally, they had many supporters.
Who says Master Liuyun is a fake First-Grade Treasure Pill Master? I went personally to seek pills from Master Liuyun.
The pills refined by Master Liuyun are of high quality and excellent effect, absolutely first-rate!
Many martial artists who had sought pills from Master Liuyun before supported him.
Very soon, this news spread far and wide, reaching practically the entire Central Continent.
The Alchemy Tower was about to host its grand pill competition conference. So, during this period, a huge number of martial artists were already heading towards the Alchemy Tower. Hearing this news, they immediately set off for Fire City, eager to witness the spectacle.
In everyone's minds, this pill duel was like an appetizer, a prelude to the official start of the Alchemy Tower's conference.
And at this moment.
Inside Fire City, Ye Yunfei, accompanied by Fengyun Jue, was walking through the streets and alleys. For most of the day, they had practically roamed the entire city.
Fengyun Jue followed respectfully at Ye Yunfei's side, filled with questions. He didn't know why his Master had suddenly taken a refined interest and started sightseeing.
Master, you've roamed through practically every main street and back alley in Fire City. Are you looking for something?
Later on, Fengyun Jue finally couldn't restrain himself and asked.
I'm looking for the geomancy node in the earth vein.
Ye Yunfei said indifferently.
The geomancy node in the earth vein?
Fengyun Jue was stunned.