With this thought, everyone's impression of Yan Qingsang reverted to its original state — they figured he was merely a minor figure in the Yan family, not worth too much attention.
As for Ziche Min, with every question he posed, he had been secretly observing Yan Qingsang. Seeing that Yan Qingsang couldn't answer, Ziche Min felt a twinge of disappointment.
He had originally hoped he might discover a pill-p dao genius. Now it seemed that this Yan Qingsang had perhaps simply been a bit lucky.
Xiahou Ying, seeing Yan Qingsang like this, was quite satisfied. She sneered inwardly: "A waste of the Yan family is a waste after all. He got lucky and jumped around a couple of times, but he's already wilting. For an insignificant ant like Yan Qingsang to steal the spotlight on the first two questions was already impressive enough. Hmph, at least he knows his place..."
Xiahou Ying would have been perfectly content if Yan Qingsang never shone again.
On the fifth question,
So he had to let Yan Qingsang cool down, to keep his momentum from spiraling out of control. Otherwise, if Yan Qingsang drew too much attention, it would be extremely disadvantageous for Jiang Chen as well.
And so, for five consecutive questions, Jiang Chen gave no indication of anything. Yan Qingsang was beside himself with anxiety, but there was nothing he could do.
Soon they reached the eighth question, and Jiang Chen still hadn't made a move.
By this point, the Yaochi Sect had buzzed in for three questions and racked up thirty points. They had overtaken the Yan family to claim first place.
The Feng family, the Beigong family, and the Zhonguang Sect had each buzzed in once, earning ten points apiece.
The Yan family sat in second place with twenty points.
No one seemed particularly surprised by the Yaochi Sect's lead. Clearly, their foundation in pill-p dao gave them a distinct advantage.
The Yan family had only surged ahead thanks to Yan Qingsang stumbling into answers like a blind cat finding a dead mouse, and now they had fallen completely silent with nothing more to show.
This was what everyone expected of the Yan family.
At least, in their eyes, this reflected the Yan family's true level.
Yan Jinnan, who had been feeling sour, found his mood inexplicably improved. The look he cast toward Yan Qingsang was laced with mockery.
"Qingsang, it looks like your good luck has finally run out," Yan Jinnan said with a faint smile. "Good thing I didn't listen to your bluster and put money down."
Yan Qingsang rolled his eyes. "I've got money, so I do what I want. You're talentless, broke, and all you can do is run your mouth — what else are you good for? Waste!"
He showed Yan Jinnan not a shred of courtesy.
Yan Zhenhuai furrowed his brow. "Jinnan, shut your mouth. Right now the family rises and falls together. At a time like this, you still have the mood to spectate?"
Yan Jinnan adopted an innocent expression. "Brother Zhenhuai, I just think Yan Qingsang has ulterior motives — he's deliberately dragging us down and swindling our Heavenly Spirit Stones!"
"Did you put money in?" Yan Zhenhuai asked coldly.
Yan Jinnan was struck speechless.
"Since you didn't put money in, then watch quietly. Even if you don't want to support the family, at least don't embarrass it." Yan Zhenhuai felt a deep sense of disappointment toward Yan Jinnan. How had someone like this managed to land among the family's so-called geniuses? In his heart, Yan Zhenhuai had completely written Yan Jinnan off, crossing his name from the list.
"All right, everyone settle down and listen. This is the ninth question. The ninth question is a Spiritual Medicine combination problem. We will provide twenty-seven types of Spiritual Medicine. From these, you must form your own combinations. If you can complete three pill formula combinations, you may raise your hand to buzz in."
The images of twenty-seven Spiritual Medicine appeared suspended in the air before everyone.
Jiang Chen's eyes swept over them rapidly. His mind raced through calculations, with deductions and inferences cascading one after another. Almost immediately, he reached his conclusion.
This time, however, he turned to Yan Zhenhuai and said, "Brother Zhenhuai, you raise your hand to buzz in. I'll answer this one."
According to the rules, each participating faction could designate only two people to raise their hands, but anyone present could provide the actual answer.
Yan Zhenhuai was slightly taken aback, but seeing Jiang Chen gazing at him with a very serious expression, he didn't hesitate. He raised his hand high.
The reason Jiang Chen wanted to answer personally was simple — he didn't want to expose Yan Qingsang. If this question was answered by Yan Qingsang as well, his performance would become far too monstrous.
So Jiang Chen decided that for this question, he would answer himself.
Yan Zhenhuai's raised hand clearly caught everyone off guard. At this point, people were still deep in study — many hadn't even managed to assemble a single pill formula yet.
Yan Zhenhuai had already raised his hand? Were these Yan family disciples truly about to defy heaven this time?
Ziche Min was somewhat surprised, his gaze settling on Yan Zhenhuai. This Yan Zhenhuai hadn't attended the Ancient Jade Gathering and couldn't have received any inheritance.
Could it be that Yan Zhenhuai had already deciphered this difficult problem so quickly? If he had done so through his own ability, then his talent in pill-p dao was genuinely terrifying.
Under the scrutiny of the crowd, Yan Zhenhuai smiled leisurely. "I raised my hand to buzz in, but it won't be me answering. It will be our sworn brother from outside the family — Shao Yuan."
"Brother Shao Yuan, go ahead." Yan Zhenhuai gave Jiang Chen a slight nod.
Jiang Chen rose to his feet with a faint smile and cupped his fists toward Ziche Min. "Lord Ziche, this question must be one of the ancient celebrated formations — it is called the Three-Nine Gathering of Heroes Formation."