Chapter 2071: Issuing a Challenge

"Waiting for someone? Hmph! I think you're here to cause trouble! This place doesn't welcome you, please leave!"

Zhang Tu at this moment both hated and feared Ye Yuan, only wanting him to leave as soon as possible.

But he dared not provoke Ye Yuan too much; this scourge was too powerful.

Thus, his words were full of contradiction.

Ye Yuan poured himself another cup of wine and drank it, saying calmly, "Don't worry, once I finish my business, even if you invite me, I won't come."

As Ye Yuan drank, the aroma of wine wafted, tantalizing everyone and making their mouths water.

Smelling this wine, the Blazing Fire had no taste at all.

This guy was definitely doing it on purpose.

Inside the tavern, resentment levels rose sharply.

Zhang Tu could clearly see what others were thinking. He wished he could kick Ye Yuan out, but Ye Yuan just refused to leave.

Before long, an old man in gray robes entered the Blazing Fire Tavern.

"Zhang Tu, bring me three jars of Blazing Fire and a few side dishes!" the old man shouted as soon as he entered.

Seeing the newcomer, Zhang Tu was overjoyed and quickly approached, saying respectfully, "Oh, Master Song Cao, it's been a while since you last came!"

Not only Zhang Tu, but others also stood up and paid their respects to the old man upon seeing Song Cao.

Clearly, Song Cao held a high status in Jiuluo Market, known to almost everyone.

Song Cao laughed heartily, "I've been busy with alchemy these days. As soon as I finished, my cravings acted up, so I came straight here. Eh, what a wonderful aroma! Old Tu, have you got a new product? It smells so good!"

After speaking a few words, Song Cao suddenly sniffed; a wine fragrance entered his nose, refreshing his mind.

But at his words, Zhang Tu's face turned ugly, and he stammered, not knowing how to answer.

"Master Song Cao, that wine belongs to that young man over there," someone pointed at Ye Yuan, eager to stir trouble.

Song Cao looked at Ye Yuan with slight surprise, walked over, and said with a smile, "Young man, this wine is excellent. Let me have a taste."

His words carried an unquestionable tone.

Meaning, you give it whether you want to or not!

Seeing this, Zhang Tu felt a secret joy.

Aren't you showing off?

Now that Master Song Cao is asking for wine, let's see if you dare refuse!

Ye Yuan did not look up; he poured himself another cup of Xuyang Zhao and said calmly, "Are you Song Cao?"

Song Cao frowned, displeased with Ye Yuan's attitude, and said in a deep voice, "That's right, I am Song Cao. Young man, this wine..."

Before he could finish, Ye Yuan suddenly produced a letter of challenge and placed it on the table before him.

"A letter of challenge?"

Song Cao was taken aback, then laughed, "Young man, you want to challenge me? Do you know who I am?"

The others were startled. Was this kid crazy?

"Where did this kid come from? Has he lost his mind? Master Song Cao is one of the top three six-star Divine Alchemists in Jiuluo Market, and this brat wants to challenge him?"

"Master Song Cao holds a revered status; how can an unknown nobody challenge him?"

"This kid is desperate for fame, using such a method to attract attention."

"Ah! I get it now. The person he was waiting for is Master Song Cao!"

...

At this moment, someone finally realized and exclaimed.

If it was acceptable that he had instantly defeated the Thunder Blade Wang Heng earlier,

now challenging Song Cao was beyond their comprehension.

After all, this was the Northern Grasslands, where drawing a blade and killing someone was common.

But in the Northern Grasslands, alchemists held an extremely revered status.

The harsh environment and thin spiritual energy of the Northern Grasslands were not suitable for nurturing alchemists.

Thus, whenever an alchemist appeared here, their status would be very high.

Because the warriors here actually had higher demands for pills.

To survive, they had to endure endless battles, naturally requiring more pills.

And Song Cao was one of the three strongest six-star Divine Alchemists in Jiuluo Market.

He almost stood at the peak of Jiuluo Market. Now, a kid from nowhere dared to challenge him at first word—utterly overestimating himself.

Hearing the exclamations, Song Cao said smugly, "Young man, hear that? My strength ranks in the top three in Jiuluo Market; even the top two are not much stronger than me. A fledgling like you wants to challenge me? Hah!"

"The letter is not for you, but for your master, Lone Hong Heavenly Sovereign. You are not qualified for me to challenge." Ye Yuan took a sip of wine and said calmly.

Words that shock the world!

Everyone's jaws dropped, staring at Ye Yuan in disbelief.

Even Song Cao was stunned on the spot.

His master, Lone Hong Heavenly Sovereign, was the strongest alchemist in Jiuluo Market, bar none.

Because he was the only seven-star Divine Alchemist!

Even the other Heavenly Sovereigns in Jiuluo Market addressed Lone Hong Heavenly Sovereign as elder brother.

"Ha... haha, young man, have you lost your mind? Challenge Master Lone Hong? Who gave you the guts?" Song Cao felt this was the funniest joke he had heard today.

In his eyes, Master Lone Hong was a god, a god not to be profaned!

Now, a mere brat wanted to challenge a god—this was intolerable.

Ye Yuan said calmly, "I knew it wouldn't be so easy. How about this: I'll release a flame. If you can extinguish it, I lose. I'll never mention the challenge again and give you a jar of Xuyang Zhao."

"Hahaha..." The surroundings erupted in laughter.

They laughed at Ye Yuan's ignorance, at his overestimation.

Song Cao's eyes showed a playful smile, "Young man, we alchemists of the Northern Lands may not match others in pill refinement, but in flame control, no other place can compare. You want to play with fire against me?"

Ye Yuan said calmly, "Just say yes or no."

Song Cao snorted, "Fine, I agree! If I lose, I'll deliver this letter immediately! But if you lose, this wine..."

What he cared about most was not winning or losing, but the Xuyang Zhao.

This wine was too fragrant.

Ye Yuan casually waved his hand, and a jar appeared on the table.

Seeing this, everyone's eyes nearly popped out.

So this kid had more Xuyang Zhao on him!

Could it be... that this wine was actually brewed by this kid?

Snap!

Ye Yuan casually snapped his fingers, and a small flame wavered as it flew toward Song Cao.

Seeing this, Song Cao laughed, "Is this your flame control? Young man, you're making a fool of yourself! But your wine is really good!"

Amid laughter, Song Cao waved his palm, and a cluster of pale blue flame turned into a fierce tiger, charging straight at the flame Ye Yuan had summoned.

The others also showed disappointment, expecting Ye Yuan to have something impressive, but this was all he had.

Indeed, he was just a charlatan!

Chi...

A soft hiss sounded in the air. The moment the fierce tiger touched the flame, it dissipated without a trace.

The entire venue fell silent!