Myriad Dragon Divine Sovereign

Cai Cheng was momentarily at a loss for words, but he was also a clever person. After a brief pause, he immediately said, ”Regarding the Cyan Garden Bulrush that Master Miaoxuan placed just now, there’s something I don’t quite understand. Why must the Cyan Garden Bulrush be refined after the Ninefold Winding Lotus? And during the concoction, why burn the inner purple region first, before the outer cyan region?”

Many in the crowd who understood the Alchemy Dao nodded to themselves and turned their eyes toward Miaoxuan.

Miaoxuan smiled faintly. ”The Ninefold Winding Lotus is a Junior-Level Emperor Grade Heavenly and Earthly Treasure,” he said. ”It has tremendous efficacy, its inner Essence is dense, and its properties are gentle. Normally, when using the Ninefold Winding Lotus to concoct a pill, you can refine it whenever you wish. However...”

At this point, Miaoxuan looked down at the crowd from Danxuan Peak. ”Huoo Qilian, you explain. Let’s hear how well Elder Zhang’s prized disciple has cultivated the Alchemy Dao.”

The moment Miaoxuan finished speaking, a young man strode forward and declared in a loud voice, ”Although the Ninefold Winding Lotus has gentle properties, it also has some unusual traits. For instance, it will undergo a strange transformation if it encounters a Heavenly and Earthly Treasure with the Gold Attribute. A moment ago, when Master Miaoxuan was concocting this Top-grade Returning Fragrance Pill, he first placed Illusory Cloud Sand into the Pill Furnace.”

The crowd nodded in agreement as they listened to Huoo Qilian.

”As for this Illusory Cloud Sand, I’m sure everyone knows it’s made from grinding Illusion Cloud Stone into a powder. And though it comes from the stone, we all know that Illusion Cloud Stone is a Gold Attribute gemstone. Therefore, if the Ninefold Winding Lotus and Illusory Cloud Sand are left together for too long, especially when catalyzed by flame, they will undergo a strange transformation. The Cyan Garden Bulrush is, for one, a necessary ingredient for the Returning Fragrance Pill, and for another, it also serves to protect the medicinal properties of the Ninefold Winding Lotus.”

After speaking, Huoo Qilian cupped his fists toward Miaoxuan.

Cai Cheng, standing to the side, clapped and cheered loudly. ”Excellent! Well said, Senior Brother Huoo! Your words were astonishing—it’s like a sudden enlightenment!”

The onlookers couldn’t help but chuckle as they watched Cai Cheng.

Seeing this, Huang Zishan cursed under her breath, ’What a useless fool. It would’ve been better if he’d never even shown up. Such an embarrassment.’

Miaoxuan nodded, then said, ”Chen Cuicui, you come and explain the method for refining the Cyan Garden Bulrush.”

Another woman stepped out from the Danxuan Peak contingent. She was quite pretty, with the demure air of a girl from a respectable family, which inspired a sense of tender affection in others.

Chen Cuicui looked at Miaoxuan and said respectfully, ”There are multiple methods for refining the Cyan Garden Bulrush; the specific one depends on the pill being concocted. Master Miaoxuan is creating a Mid-Level Emperor Grade pill, the Returning Fragrance Pill. The effects of the Returning Fragrance Pill are relatively mild and balanced, so burning the most volatile inner region first before burning the milder outer region allows the stabilization process to complete more quickly.”

A handsome young man stepped forward. ”Well said,” he added. ”In truth, the inner region is more difficult to refine, while the outer region is easier. I believe Master Miaoxuan wishes to concoct the Returning Fragrance Pill quickly, which must be another important reason. Otherwise, with Master Miaoxuan’s skill, it would make no difference which part he refined first.”

”Oh, I see! So that’s another reason,” Chen Cuicui said, suddenly understanding. She then smiled at the young man. ”Thank you for the explanation, Senior Brother Sunx.”

This man was Sunx Shijun of Danxuan Peak, the very person admired by Zhu Qingyun (Zhu Qingyun is a character who appeared alongside Nangong Xin; for details, see ”The Flair of a Single Sword” in chapter 314).

Miaoxuan stroked his beard, nodding with a smile. ”Indeed. Sunx Shijun is absolutely correct.”

Hearing Miaoxuan’s confirmation, the crowd looked at the disciples from Danxuan Peak with admiration, nodding in silent approval.

Wen Qingye, seeing this, couldn’t help but smile and shake his head. His gaze met Huang Zishan’s, who happened to be looking right at him.

Seeing this, Huang Zishan first put away the Sumeru Mustard Seed in her hand, then shouted, ”What is it, Wen Qingye? What are you shaking your head for? Do you believe what Senior Brother Sunx said was unreasonable?”

An idea struck Mo Qing as she saw this, and she chimed in, ”That’s right, Wen Qingye. Why are you shaking your head? I hear you’re also fond of the Alchemy Skill. If you have some unique insight, you might as well share it. We could all benefit from your instruction.”

Yum Baobao’s large eyes darted. She instantly understood that the two were trying to deliberately make trouble for Wen Qingye in public. Growing anxious, she rushed in front of them, her cheeks as red as ripe apples, and shouted, ”You two, stop trying to stir up trouble! Hmph! Childish! So childish! Baobao thinks you’re being really childish!”

Mo Qing was stunned for a moment. Looking at Yum Baobao before her, she began to laugh. ”Oh my god, you’re calling *me* childish?”

At that moment, however, Sunx Shijun turned to Wen Qingye, his tone haughty. ”Junior Brother Wen, you were shaking your head earlier. Is there some guidance you wish to offer?”

Sunx Shijun had also seen Wen Qingye shake his head and had been quite displeased, though not enough to cause an outburst. Now, however, Huang Zishan and Mo Qing’s words had thoroughly unsettled him.

Wen Qingye laughed and pointed to the Sumeru Mustard Seed in Huang Zishan’s hand. ”It seems she has another Returning Fragrance Pill in her Sumeru Mustard Seed. Since we’re still on Danxuan Peak, I suppose I still have a chance to snatch it.”

Huang Zishan’s expression changed at Wen Qingye’s words. ”This Top-grade Returning Fragrance Pill is for Brother Mingkong!” she said hastily. ”You can stop daydreaming!”

Sunx Shijun’s expression turned cold. ”Wen Qingye, speak plainly. Don’t change the subject and bully a defenseless woman. If you feel I’ve said something wrong, then just point it out.”

”That’s right! Wen Qingye, all of us from Danxuan Peak are here. If you have some ’guidance’ for us, go ahead and say it!”

”What’s the matter? You have the guts to make veiled remarks, but not to debate the Alchemy Dao?”

”Wen Qingye, step forward! Our Senior Brother Sunx is more than willing to debate you!”

Sunx Shijun’s eyes were fixed on Wen Qingye, his tone growing ever more aggressive.

Seeing this, both Huang Zishan and Mo Qing felt an inexplicable surge of delight.

”Brother Wen...” Yum Baobao said, tugging on Wen Qingye’s sleeve.

”You want me to speak?” Wen Qingye raised a hand, cutting Yum Baobao off. He looked at Sunx Shijun and let out a sneer. ”Fine. I’ll offer some ’guidance’ to your Senior Brother Sunx!”

The crowd erupted.

Wen Qingye’s words were like a spark, instantly setting the entire Danxuan Peak contingent ablaze.

Huang Zishan couldn’t help but burst out laughing when she heard him. ”Hahaha! Wen Qingye truly doesn’t know his own limits! Sunx Shijun is a High-Level King Grade Alchemist and the favorite disciple of Danxuan Peak’s Master, Chuu Qi. And Wen Qingye actually wants to ’guide’ him?”

”Wen Qingye?” Mo Qing narrowed her eyes and snorted. ”Hmph. That bastard. What an arrogant bastard.”

Chen Cuicui clenched her delicate fists, saying angrily, ”He’s so unbelievably arrogant! Everything Senior Brother Sunx said was perfectly reasonable—even Master Miaoxuan was nodding in agreement. What right does *he* have to shake his head?”

Huoo Qilian nodded as well. ”He’s certainly not afraid of talking a big game. I have no idea where he gets all this confidence from.”

All eyes turned to Wen Qingye, each gaze carrying a strange light.