Jiang Chen took a brief look and knew that person was not Zhu Feiyang. For Zhu Feiyang was exactly as his name suggested—spirited and radiant—and was seated right next to this man, bearing an extremely strong resemblance to Sect Master Zhu of the Three Star Sect in both appearance and bearing.
He was not the Three Star Sect's foremost genius Zhu Feiyang, yet he possessed an inner aura far more terrifying than Zhu Feiyang's. This made Jiang Chen all the more suspicious.
"If he's someone Senior Sister Bi'er knows, then perhaps his killing intent toward me could be understood as admiration for Senior Sister Bi'er, much like that Wei Qing. But this man has never even met Senior Sister Bi'er. He definitely has no history with her, so naturally there can be no question of romantic interest. This hostility and killing intent is clearly different from Wei Qing's."
Yet, aside from matters of romance, what possible reason could this man have for hating him?
Jiang Chen thought it over, and the only time he had crossed paths with disciples of the Three Star Sect was during the expedition to the Wood Spirit Spring.
But that matter was clearly unknown to the outside world.
Otherwise, the fact that Jiang Chen had killed Elder Wei Wudao of the Carefree Sect would have caused an enormous uproar.
After that, Palace Master Dan Chi, representing the Six Great Sects, announced the categories of the alchemy competition at Illusory Wave Mountain.
First: Fire Control.
Second: Heating the Cauldron.
Third: Cultivating Spiritual Medicine.
Fourth: Alchemy.
In truth, while the level of competition varied across the alchemy world, the content was essentially the same. The difference was that the Illusory Wave Mountain competition clearly de-emphasized theory and focused on practical application.
In reality, this was also a restriction imposed on Danqian Palace by the other sects. After all, Danqian Palace had deep foundations and the most extensive theoretical knowledge.
These competition categories hardly involved any theoretical comparison whatsoever, which was undoubtedly a limitation placed on Danqian Palace.
Of course, Palace Master Dan Chi knew this perfectly well, and also knew that if the other sects had reached a consensus, his opposition would be futile regardless.
So he simply pretended not to notice.
The competition was divided into two groups: the Elder Group and the Genius Group.
After the rules were announced, each sect sent representatives to the stage to swear oaths, pledging not to cheat during the competition and making declarations of fair play.
Once all that was done, the participants announced a brief rest period, with the competition officially beginning in one shichen.
Jiang Chen received a request from Elder Yun Nie, understanding that this time around, cutting corners was not going to be possible. He would have to give his all to claim the championship.
He harbored no objections, really—winning the championship would be no personal disadvantage.
Both Dan Chi and Elder Yun Nie had shown him great kindness. If he could take the championship, it would be a fitting way to repay Danqian Palace.
Jiang Chen sat in his chair, closed his eyes, and used the Heart of Rock to adjust his mental state, completely disregarding all outside factors.
Mu Gaoqi had learned a thing or two by now and modeled every move after Jiang Chen. Seeing him like this, Mu Gaoqi did the same—sitting in place rather than wandering around.
As for Shen Qinghong, the man seemed to be quite the socialite, going around chatting and laughing with everyone, looking as if he had friends all over the world.
Seeing Shen Qinghong carry on like this, Elder Yun Nie sighed inwardly. The boy's martial cultivation talent was indeed exceptional, but this inability to stay composed was always going to be a serious problem.
Just then, from the Carefree Sect's seats beside Danqian Palace, Wei Qing suddenly sprang to his feet and called out: "Everyone, everyone! It's rare for the geniuses of the Myriad Phenomena Region to gather like this. This alchemy grand assembly happens only once in thirty years. We're all young people—there should be a bit of youthful energy about it!"
Wei Qing talked up a storm, but everyone clearly knew this man was not easy to deal with. Despite his eloquence, few paid him any mind. They simply watched him from the corners of their eyes, wondering what scheme the fellow had cooked up this time.
Wei Qing was entirely unbothered. He chuckled and said: "I propose we set up a wager."
The moment he mentioned a wager, quite a few geniuses' eyes lit up. Among geniuses, nobody was willing to concede to anyone else. When gambling was involved, many grew eager to test themselves.
Someone immediately sneered: "Wei Qing, what scheme have you got cooking now? Spit it out."
"Yeah, if you have something to say, just say it. Don't beat around the bush. You people from the Carefree Sect never like to be straightforward—it's annoying to listen to."
Wei Qing laughed: "Seems like everyone's impatient! Very well, I'll be direct then. I just want to ask—how confident are you all that you can win the individual championship at this Illusory Wave Mountain alchemy competition? To put it more bluntly, how many of you sitting here believe you're going for the championship throne?"
The question drew various reactions from those present. About a dozen or so people felt they had the credentials to challenge for the championship.
Each of them sized up Wei Qing, trying to figure out what the man was really after.
Wei Qing threw his head back and laughed: "I propose we set up a championship wager! Since we're all aiming for the top, who's afraid of whom? I, Wei Qing, will throw a brick to attract jade—I'll put up twenty thousand high-grade Yuan Spirit Stones betting on myself to win. Who dares to bet against me?"
"Hmph, bet then! Who's afraid of you? I, Lin Hai, don't buy your act for a second." Lin Hai was the Northern Darkness Sect's alchemy genius, and he had come with championship aspirations of his own.
Shen Qinghong, ever wealthy and confident, certainly wasn't going to pass up a mere twenty thousand high-grade Yuan Spirit Stones. He smiled: "How could such a refined affair do without Shen Qinghong?"
"Count me in!" The Three Star Sect's foremost genius Zhu Feiyang chuckled. He then looked over at the person beside him with a smile—this was the mysterious martial artist who had locked eyes with Jiang Chen earlier, his killing intent unmistakably leaking through.