Chapter 374: Being Ignored

Xiao Ruyan fixed her beautiful eyes on Ye Yuan, trying to see if he was lying.

But since Ye Yuan was determined to conceal the truth, how could she see through him?

"You really didn't do it on purpose?" Xiao Ruyan breathed a sigh of relief, yet felt a hint of disappointment.

"I really did it on purpose; you were just lucky!" Ye Yuan said irritably.

"You!" Xiao Ruyan nearly broke down.

"Alright, alright. Here's the pill. Since you're fine now, I'll be going. You said we should exchange ideas, but isn't this all you've got? Refining a pill almost crippled you."

As he spoke, Ye Yuan walked out of the Sihai Tower, not seeing the murderous glare behind him.

Of course, Ye Yuan had done it on purpose, but this wasn't the Boundless Realm, and he didn't want to stand out too much.

If Ye Yuan had wanted to, he could have refined a top-grade Haoling Peiyuan Pill, but Xiao Rufeng had nothing to do with him, and helping Xiao Ruyan this far was already the best he could do.

Although he knew Xiao Ruyan would eventually figure it out, that didn't matter; let her guess.

...

Two days later, the day of the Pill Competition finally arrived.

What Ye Yuan hadn't expected was that the Pill Competition would be held at the headquarters of the Alchemist Association in the Hurricane Realm!

Since his last visit to the Alchemist Association in the Qin Kingdom, Ye Yuan had never set foot in one again.

"Brother Ji, I appreciate your help in this Pill Competition!" Xiao Rufeng slightly cupped his hands toward Ye Yuan.

This was the first time Ye Yuan had seen this top genius of the Xiao family. He appeared refined and scholarly, instantly evoking a sense of goodwill.

However, Xiao Rufeng's complexion was clearly not good. Although he had taken the Haoling Peiyuan Pill, a low-grade one could only barely stabilize his foundation and alleviate the aftereffects of his failed breakthrough.

If Ye Yuan had refined a top-grade or even supreme-grade pill for him, Xiao Rufeng would now have been restored to his peak condition.

But Ye Yuan had no such intention. The Haoling Peiyuan Pill was indeed an extremely difficult third-rank top-grade pill, far more challenging than the Yulong Jingxin Pill.

If Ye Yuan were monstrous enough to refine any pill, it would inevitably arouse suspicion from those with ulterior motives.

In this Pill Competition, Ye Yuan didn't plan to go all out; he only needed to win his own match.

Surely, dealing with the least talented genius of the Tong family would be a piece of cake, right?

Ye Yuan smiled and said, "Young Master is too kind. Since Ji Qing is a guest elder of the Xiao family and receives the family's support, it's only right to contribute."

Xiao Rufeng laughed. "Ye Yuan, there's no need for such formality. I'm a few years older, so just call me Brother Xiao."

Ye Yuan didn't stand on ceremony and cupped his hands. "Brother Xiao!"

At that moment, an unfriendly gaze came from behind Xiao Rufeng—who else could it be but Xiao Ruyan?

But today, besides her displeasure with Ye Yuan, there was also a hint of doubt in Xiao Ruyan's eyes.

Clearly, Ye Yuan had become mysterious in her eyes.

"Ruyan, you truly have a keen eye to have found a pill dao genius like Brother Ji. Heaven has not forsaken our Xiao family!" Xiao Rufeng said to his sister.

Xiao Ruyan shook her head. "What good does finding him do? We're bound to lose this match against Tong Yongchang, and I'm not sure I can beat Tong Yongshou. Even Tong Yonghui is no pushover. Whether Ji Qing can defeat him is still uncertain!"

Clearly, even with Ye Yuan, Xiao Ruyan was not optimistic about today's competition.

Hearing Xiao Ruyan's words, Xiao Rufeng also furrowed his brows. This match, staking the family's fate, was one they could not afford to lose!

In the blink of an eye, the crowd in front of the association gradually grew.

Today's match affected not only the fate of the Xiao and Tong families but also the great changes in the pill industry of the royal city.

Basically, no one was optimistic about the Xiao family anymore.

Many noble families were now eager to take the Xiao family's place.

In the Hurricane Realm, pills were a highly profitable industry.

The Hurricane Realm had scarce resources, and pill prices were several times higher than in the Boundless Realm! Some rare pills could even fetch astronomical prices.

With such a huge market, how could anyone let it slip through their fingers?

"Oh, isn't this Xiao Rufeng, the top genius of the Xiao family? I thought you'd be lying in bed unable to get up, but here you are!" A arrogant voice rang out.

Xiao Rufeng's face darkened at the sight of the newcomer. He snorted, "Tong Wenchang, don't be too smug!"

This person was none other than Tong Wenchang, the top genius of the Tong family!

Tong Wenchang became even more smug. "Heh, of course I'm smug! You'd be better off lying in bed, not having to come out and embarrass yourself. But now you've come right in front of me to make a fool of yourself. How can I not be smug? What do you call this? You're practically handing me your face to slap! Hahaha!"

"You!" Xiao Rufeng trembled with rage.

However, having failed in his breakthrough, being able to show up today was already an achievement; he was no match for Tong Wenchang.

It was a pitiful sight, a hero brought low.

In truth, with Xiao Rufeng's talent, becoming a quasi-pill king was only a matter of time. But as the Pill Competition drew nearer, he couldn't break through, and finally, he couldn't resist taking a risky move and forcing a breakthrough.

But he wasn't favored by heaven, and his attempt failed.

"Oh, right, I heard you've been recruiting guest elders everywhere for this match. Your Xiao family is really pathetic—can't even scrape together three alchemists for the competition. Huh, is this kid your substitute? He doesn't look like much..." Tong Wenchang said with a mocking smile, looking at Ye Yuan.

But Ye Yuan ignored Tong Wenchang's taunts; his attention was entirely on the person behind Tong Wenchang.

That person's eyes were somewhat vacant, clearly not normal, as if lacking his own thoughts.

That person was none other than Ye Yuan's senior brother—Du Cheng!

Ye Yuan forcibly suppressed his excitement, his expression unchanged, and his eyes didn't look in Du Cheng's direction.

But as for Tong Wenchang's words, he didn't hear a single one.

However, in Tong Wenchang's view, his mockery seemed to have sunk into the sea, completely ignored.

This made him lose face.

"Kid, I'm talking to you. Didn't you hear me?" Tong Wenchang said in a deep voice.

Ye Yuan ignored his words again...

"Hahaha, Xiao Rufeng, so you found a fool to take up the challenge! I think you might as well just forfeit today. What's the point of competing?" Tong Wenchang tried to laugh off his embarrassment.

But... everyone looked at him as if he were the fool.

Because even the stupidest person in the Xiao family wouldn't find a fool to participate in such an important Pill Competition.

Seeing no response, Tong Wenchang's face finally couldn't take it anymore, and he reached out to grab Ye Yuan.

This time, Ye Yuan moved...