"Hmph, Xia Sheng, your words may sound like you're rubbing salt in the wound, but they're exactly what I wanted to say. I, Wuchang, don't owe the heavens, don't owe the earth, and I don't owe anyone a favor!" Wuchang added immediately after.
Zhuang Bufan laughed. "Your Highness, what's yours is yours. There's no need to decline!"
Lan Xun didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Yang Kai wiped the cold sweat from his brow. "The way you're all talking, it sounds like I absolutely must succeed in refining that batch of Supreme Marvel Pills. Otherwise, wouldn't I be letting down the princess's kind intentions?"
"What, you lack confidence?" Lan Xun raised her elegant eyebrows and asked.
"It's not that I lack confidence." Yang Kai smiled faintly. "It's just that... no alchemist can guarantee they'll succeed every time they refine pills. Just to be safe, let me ask — what happens if I fail?"
"I'll kill you!" Wuchang stared at him coldly.
"That's a lot of pressure." Cold sweat dripped from Yang Kai's forehead.
Lan Xun laughed. "Just do your best."
As she spoke, she had already handed her Emerald Blood Fungus to Yang Kai. He took it, inspected it, and nodded. "This one of yours checks out, Your Highness. Its medicinal age is at least eight thousand years — more than sufficient for refining. Moreover... judging by its color and harvesting marks, it doesn't seem to have been obtained from the Land of Four Seasons."
"That's right. I brought it along with me. It's been in my space ring for several years now," Lan Xun replied.
"Good, all the materials are now gathered." Yang Kai stuffed the Emerald Blood Fungus into his space ring without another word, looked around, and called out, "Do any of you still want me to refine another batch of Dao Origin grade spirit pills to prove my abilities?" He paused briefly, then continued, "I'll say this upfront — I'm willing to prove it, but as you all know, alchemy is extremely draining. If I fail to refine the Supreme Marvel Pills because of it, I won't take responsibility!"
The moment those words left his mouth, everyone frowned.
Because Yang Kai was absolutely right.
If they wanted him to prove his abilities, he would have to refine a batch of Dao Origin grade spirit pills! But doing so would put an enormous strain on his energy and concentration. And in one day, the Supreme Marvel Lotus should mature, at which point Yang Kai would need to fire up the alchemy furnace again. In other words, he would have to refine two batches of spirit pills within two days — such intensive work would be unbearable for any Dao Origin grade alchemist.
Being anything less than peak condition would definitely affect the refinement of the Supreme Marvel Pills.
"In my opinion, there's no need." Lan Xun smiled gently. "The reason that proposal was made earlier was simply because we weren't yet certain whether Brother Yang was truly an alchemist. But now, I believe everyone can confirm it. If Brother Yang weren't an alchemist, how would he know the recipe for the Supreme Marvel Pills, and how could he have identified the medicinal age of the Emerald Blood Fungus in such a short time?"
"Your Highness makes a valid point!" Zhuang Bufan nodded. "From the mere fact that Brother Yang was already preparing refining materials before we even arrived, there can be no doubt that he is a Dao Origin grade alchemist. Brother Yang, please rest well, and when the Supreme Marvel Lotus matures tomorrow, you can begin the refinement!"
"In that case, I'll take you at your word and get some proper rest!" Yang Kai immediately seized the opportunity. As he spoke, he sat down without another word and closed his eyes to recharge his spirit!
Although some remained suspicious, with Lan Xun and Zhuang Bufan's words spoken beforehand, even those harboring doubts didn't dare voice them openly. They could only wait until tomorrow, when everything would reveal itself.
The scene quieted down abruptly.
The warriors who had gathered here each found their own spots, sitting cross-legged in meditation, trying to restore themselves to peak condition.
Because everyone knew perfectly well — if Yang Kai failed the refinement, that would be one thing; he alone would bear everyone's disappointment and fury. But if he succeeded, then aside from the one Supreme Marvel Pill that would be given priority to Lan Xun, the remaining pills would truly be up for grabs through any means necessary!
Before such a tremendous opportunity, even if Wuchang, Xia Sheng, Zhuang Bufan, Xiao Chen, and others stood in their way, no one would back down!
Miss this chance, and many would never advance to the Emperor Sovereign Realm in their entire lifetimes. But with this opportunity, many could break through ahead of schedule.
The locations where everyone chose to rest seemed deliberately chosen as well, forming an invisible perimeter around Yang Kai and the Supreme Marvel Lotus — as if to prevent him from fleeing.
Wuchang in particular had no intention of resting at all. He simply sat cross-legged, keeping his eyes fixed on Yang Kai the entire time. Should Yang Kai make any suspicious move, he would be ready to react in an instant!
This was also the most important reason everyone had agreed to let Yang Kai refine the Supreme Marvel Pills rather than seizing the Supreme Marvel Lotus right now!
There was only one Supreme Marvel Lotus! No one had the confidence to snatch it — not even someone as wild and defiant as Wuchang.
Rather than engage in a fight they had no confidence in winning, it was far better to let Yang Kai refine the pills. That way, their hopes would increase dramatically. And with Yang Kai's mere first-stage Dao Origin cultivation, under the watchful eyes of so many experts, there was no way he could flee after completing the refinement.
Everyone understood this as clearly as a mirror, so they waited calmly for tomorrow's arrival, letting Yang Kai refine the Supreme Marvel Pills!
"Senior Brother, things aren't looking good." During the rest period, Xiao Baiyi suddenly moved close to Xia Sheng and transmitted through his divine sense.
"I know!" Xia Sheng replied without showing any emotion. "Don't worry, I've already made arrangements. Once Brother Yang succeeds in the refinement tomorrow, we can fight our way out together and escape toward the exit. Our junior brothers and sisters are all waiting there to receive us."
"No wonder I didn't see the others arrive — they were all waiting at the exit?" Xiao Baiyi's face showed a look of sudden realization.
Xia Sheng grinned. "How could a treasure like the Supreme Marvel Pills be allowed to fall into the hands of other sects? When the time comes, just have Brother Yang cooperate with us."
"What if he doesn't cooperate?" Xiao Baiyi asked.