Chapter 310: The Difficulty Really Isn’t Ordinary

First place in the Alchemist Competition?

Qi Yuan's request fell upon his ears, and President Chu's expression instantly froze, his eyes widening in some shock.

He had imagined countless possibilities beforehand, and was even prepared to pay a large reward to the other party, but he alone had not predicted that the mysterious Young Master Xu before him would actually make such a strange request.

Could it be that this kid is crazy about showing off?

After being dazed for a moment, President Chu finally reacted, staring intently at Qi Yuan and repeating:

“Young Master Xu's meaning is, you want me to help you seize the Top Spot in this session's Alchemist Competition?”

“Correct.”

Qi Yuan nodded with a composed expression and said calmly:

“As long as President Chu can do it, the matter of completing the Pill Formula will naturally not be a problem. Otherwise, please invite someone more capable, President Chu.”

Realizing that the person before him was not joking, President Chu couldn't help but furrow his brows, thinking to himself:

I heard Master say that behind Xu Fu stands an Alchemy Grandmaster with divine Alchemy skills, whose level is so high that even Master himself is far inferior.

Moreover, this person is very likely that Grandmaster's illegitimate son. If he was taught by that Alchemy Grandmaster, this fellow might really be a hidden expert in Alchemy.

If he has the ability to enter the top three of the competition, and I put in a little effort behind the scenes to give him first place, it wouldn't be much… That way, I can complete Master's entrustment without violating principles too much; it's barely acceptable.

Thinking up to this point, President Chu's expression relaxed slightly as he asked tentatively:

“It seems Young Master Xu also has quite some research in Alchemy. I wonder which school you studied under?”

Qi Yuan shook his head:

“No one has ever taught me Alchemy. Usually, I just refine it for fun on my own.”

Refining it for fun on his own?

President Chu was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, and then he smiled with relief:

“So Young Master Xu is self-taught, I, Chu, am impressed.”

Then, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he tested casually:

“I, Chu, like making friends with young talents like Young Master Xu the most. Why don't we sit and discuss the Dao here, and verify each other's Alchemy path, how about it?”

At this moment, he had already made up his mind to first figure out 'Xu Fu's' depth. If the other party really had the strength to win the championship, then things would be much easier… “Sit and discuss the Dao?”

Hearing this, Qi Yuan seemed to hesitate for a moment before nodding after a long while:

“Since President Chu is willing to grant me your guidance, I shall naturally obey your command with respect.”

After all, he was counting on this President of the Alchemist Association to open a back door and cheat for him. Since a back door was to be opened, it was best to let the other party have a clear understanding of his own Alchemy level as a contestant, so he would know what to expect.

Therefore, he didn't plan to hide anything and must show his most authentic side.

Seeing Qi Yuan's 'confident' look, President Chu did not doubt him and immediately laughed:

“Good! Young Master Xu, please!”

And so, the two sat there and began to talk freely about Alchemy… A moment later, President Chu was rendered speechless, his expression full of oddity.

If this kid isn't deliberately playing dumb and hiding his clumsiness, then he really doesn't know anything.

In other words, this guy who clamored about wanting to be first in the Alchemist Competition is completely a novice white-belt who has just touched upon Alchemy… With this level, he actually dared to ask me, the President of the Alchemist Association, for the Top Spot. Does he have even a shred of self-awareness?

Although he felt disdain in his heart, President Chu suppressed the urge to drive the person away, squeezed out a bit of a smile on his face, and advised:

“Young Master Xu, your request is truly a bit difficult to manage. Can we change it to another one?”

“Whether it's Spirit Stones, Treasure Artifacts, or Cultivation Techniques and Secret Manuals, as long as you mention it, our Alchemist Association will surely do our best to satisfy you.”

There was no other way. If such a character were truly promoted as the champion of the Alchemist Competition, it would be a blatant insult to everyone's intelligence. Would the Alchemist Association still want its reputation and face?

Taking ten thousand steps back, even if he agreed and wanted to guarantee the other party's entry into the finals and win first place, the difficulty really wouldn't be ordinary… In comparison, it would be better to simply smash him with Spirit Stones; after all, the Alchemist Association lacked anything but Spirit Stones.

“I'm sorry.”

Qi Yuan, however, shook his head in refusal without any hesitation:

“I don't need anything. I only want to be first in the Alchemist Competition. If that's not possible, then let's not continue talking.”

These words were spoken with absolute determination, leaving no room for negotiation.

“You…”

President Chu almost spat blood after hearing this, feeling like his head was about to explode with anger.

Since becoming the President of the Alchemist Association, no one had ever dared to use such a tone to negotiate terms with him.

If it weren't for his own Master's strict orders, he would have long ago thrown this ignorant brat out, and incidentally let him know what politeness is.

After taking several deep breaths, President Chu barely swallowed his anger back into his stomach and tried his best to explain patiently:

“Young Master Xu, the Alchemist Competition represents the credibility and facade of the Alchemist Association. Everything is conducted under the watchful eyes of the public. If we mess around, it will be hard to stop the mouths of the world.”

“If it leaks out, it will immediately trigger a shocking scandal, and by then neither you nor I will be able to escape the consequences…”

A faint smile curled at the corner of Qi Yuan's mouth:

“That's easy. Just do things more discreetly so that others can't see the clues.”

“As President, Your Excellency should at least know some methods of back-room manipulation, right?”

Seeing that the other party was completely unyielding and wouldn't budge an inch, President Chu thoroughly gave up the idea of persuasion and instead began to ponder deeply.

He had many confidants in the Alchemist Association and his word was law. If he really wanted to guarantee someone first place in the competition, it wasn't impossible.

But this kind of behavior not only carried huge risks but also required a lot of trouble. If the secret were revealed, the entire Alchemist Association would be pointed at and mocked… On this side, Qi Yuan was also too lazy to waste words and said straight away:

“President Chu, you should consider it carefully first. When you've decided, you can send someone to the inn to notify me. Farewell.”

Seeing Qi Yuan about to leave, President Chu hurriedly urged him to stay:

“Young Master Xu, wait a moment. I, Chu, will have someone arrange a courtyard for you in the headquarters. You rest there for a while, and we'll talk again in the afternoon, how about it?”

Qi Yuan naturally knew that the other party intended to go and seek Zu Chengzhi's opinion, but this also suited his wishes, so he immediately nodded in agreement:

“In that case, I'll trouble President Chu.”

That old fellow Zu Chengzhi was obsessed with studying Alchemy all day long and was indifferent to other matters. He clearly wasn't the type of obstinate moral gentleman and would surely urge President Chu to accept this condition.

With him there, why should I waste more breath?

…Meanwhile.

Demonic Sect.

Miro Palace.

Sect Master of the Demonic Sect Shen Honglian sat high upon her throne, looking down from above at the Messenger of the Nine Nether Sect prostrating below, and said faintly:

“For what matter exactly did your Sect Leader send you to meet this Sect Master?”

The messenger lowered his head and bowed as he replied:

“Reporting to Sect Master Shen, my Sect Leader sent me here to present a heavy gift to your noble sect, hoping you can accept it.”

“Oh?”

Shen Honglian asked with some curiosity, “What heavy gift?”

The messenger replied respectfully:

“In one month, the Alchemist Association will hold an Alchemist Competition. At that time, excellent alchemists from all over the world will gather at the Pill Saint Immortal Workshop.”

“As long as the Five Directions Demonic Domain unites to wipe out the Pill Saint Immortal Workshop in one go, the massive amounts of Medicinal Pills and wealth in the workshop, along with that group of alchemists, will all be in our grasp.”

“My Sect Leader said that as long as Sect Master Shen agrees to this matter, the Yin Sha Sect can take sixty percent of all the spoils from this great battle, while we, the Nine Nether Sect and the Eternal Night Palace, will each take twenty percent.”

“You want to take action against the Pill Saint Immortal Workshop?!”

Hearing this, Shen Honglian's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and a flash of shock passed through them.