This wager over the Water Moon Mind-Heart Pill was clearly larger in scale and higher in stakes than any of the preceding ones.
Even the old monsters of the Yaochi Sect had been stirred. Nearly every major alchemy figure in the sect had turned out, and they had even invited several prominent alchemists from outside as well.
None of them believed that the Silver Vein Herb could replace the Illusory Spirit Herb. In their eyes, this had long been accepted as established truth across Myriad Abyss Island. How could someone overturn it so easily?
The wager was held at a neutral venue.
Leading the Yaochi Sect's side was Ming Dou the Old Immortal, one of the sect's genuine old monsters—a being who had lived for countless years. In the world of alchemy, he was universally acknowledged as the Yaochi Sect's foremost authority.
The fact that Ming Dou the Old Immortal had personally taken charge spoke volumes about how seriously the Yaochi Sect treated this matter.
"Fellow Daoist Zi Che, this old man arranged this wager with absolutely no intention of offense toward the
Even before Zi Che Min, Ming Dou the Old Immortal had every right to carry himself with airs. After all, his age far exceeded Zi Che Min's. He had entered the world of cultivation long before Zi Che Min had. By seniority, one could even call him a predecessor of Zi Che Min.
Zi Che Min offered a faint smile. "Fellow Daoist Ming Dou, you speak the truth. The truth does deserve to be upheld. So then—what exactly constitutes the truth? Today happens to be a fine occasion to settle the matter once and for all."
The two spoke politely enough, but beneath the courtesy lay a current of rivalry.
Ming Dou the Old Immortal let out an odd laugh. "Precisely. Today we shall settle this once and for all. With so many titans of alchemy watching, no one can play any tricks."
"Now then, let us get to the matter at hand. Fellow Daoist Zi Che, please invite Shao Yuan to the stage."
Zi Che Min wasted no more words. He turned his head and gave
Since these people had come looking for trouble, Jiang Chen saw no reason for excessive courtesy.
Ming Dou the Old Immortal studied Jiang Chen, and a flicker of aloof pride appeared on his aged, wrinkled face.
"So young," Ming Dou remarked, adopting the tone of a seasoned elder.
Jiang Chen offered a mild smile. "Old Immortal Ming Dou, your name suits you well. You truly carry the bearing of an immortal."
"Young man, I have my doubts regarding this Water Moon Mind-Heart Pill affair. Back when you were at the Xiahou family, what sort of sleight of hand did you employ to secretly swap the Silver Vein Herb for the Illusory Spirit Herb?"
"Old Immortal Ming Dou, you are mistaken. The Silver Vein Herb was the optimal choice—why would any substitution have been necessary? It is your Yaochi Sect that has been propping up the Illusory Spirit Herb as though it were some precious treasure."
Jiang Chen could read between the lines all too well. Ming Dou's words carried a venomous intent, plainly accusing him of using trickery to pass off a counterfeit as the genuine article.
Naturally, Jiang Chen showed no inclination toward politeness, and fired back in kind.
"Heh heh, the young fellow has a sharp tongue," remarked another figure Ming Dou had invited—a prominent figure in the alchemy world—who spoke up with a cold rebuke.
"Indeed. Some young people possess a bit of talent, but if it isn't applied to the proper path, it amounts to nothing more than fleeting clouds. Young man, I hear you have already taken shelter under the Eternal Sacred Land, and that Fellow Daoist Zi Che will guide you henceforth. That is your good fortune. I hope you will learn from Fellow Daoist Zi Che how to conduct yourself. Certain underhanded tricks are best avoided. The world of alchemy brooks not a single grain of sand."
This speaker's tone was even more condescending, dripping with the arrogance of age. He made no bones about calling Jiang Chen's methods underhanded.
Zi Che Min, however, did not wait for Jiang Chen to retort. He cut in with a calm smile: "Fellow Daoists, there is no need to frighten the young. When a young person has ideas—even if they may not be entirely correct—they should be encouraged. If all one does is intimidate and suppress, it will chill a young person's drive to strive, and others may see it as bullying one's juniors."
Who was Zi Che Min? His seniority in the alchemy world was not especially great, but he had the Eternal Sacred Land standing behind him. That gave him all the backing he needed when he spoke.
In truth, he found these old men's behavior utterly distasteful.
Since both sides had agreed to a wager, they should simply prove their skill through their respective abilities. There was no need for such undignified verbal posturing.
Jiang Chen, for his part, took it in stride. He smiled and said: "Lord Zi Che, a sharp tongue has never defeated anyone. I used to think only young people were fond of such verbal sparring. Today, however, has been quite an eye-opener. I'll say it again—I will teach them through practice how things really are."
Jiang Chen was, in all honesty, quite irritated with these people. But in a setting like this, he had no interest in a war of words. He wanted a quick resolution—prove his point and be done with this tedious contest.
If it had not been for Zi Che Min's insistence, he would have had absolutely no interest in attending.
It had already been proven once. What was the point of proving it again?
Moreover, whether these people accepted the truth or not was something Jiang Chen simply did not care about. If they refused to acknowledge a truth, that only proved their own foolishness.
What was there to prove to a bunch of fools?
"All right, all right, verbal disputes serve no purpose. Why don't both sides begin now?"
"Yes, let's begin!"
Many alchemy representatives had been invited this time, and the majority were neutral. They wanted to watch the spectacle, to witness this clash between titans.
Jiang Chen lifted his eyelids slightly. "Let's begin."
"Bring forth the materials. Both sides, please verify."
The materials were brought out. Aside from the difference between the Illusory Spirit Herb and the Silver Vein Herb, everything else was identical.