Chapter 541: Ding Tong's Invitation

"Humph, even though Jiang Chen isn't of the Demon Race, there's obviously something suspicious about his bloodline. Can't you all see it?" Wei Wuying was still somewhat unconvinced.

Wang Jianyu nodded: "Indeed. Though it is human bloodline, there are other strange components within it. In my view, this bloodline is still suspicious."

The Patriarch of the Sacred Ape clan from the Great Saint Hall suddenly laughed: "The two of you should stop opposing for the sake of opposing. Martial cultivators fusing with beast clan bloodlines is extremely common. Nearly every disciple of our Great Saint Hall has a bloodline like this — are you going to investigate each and every one of them?"

Finally, someone had stood up to speak a fair word.

The Sacred Ape Patriarch sighed: "This bloodline is extremely rare. In my view, it is a truly remarkable bloodline. No wonder Jiang Chen's talent in the Dao of Alchemy is so exceptional. Perhaps it has much to do with this bloodline!"

The Sacred Elephant Patriarch also sighed: "Brother Dan Chi, you've truly stumbled upon a treasure. Would you be willing to transfer this young man Jiang Chen to our Great Saint Hall? Name any price you wish! The bloodline in Jiang Chen is perfectly suited to the style of our Great Saint Hall."

Dan Chi chuckled, but firmly refused: "Great Patriarch, if you wanted anything else, I might reluctantly part with it. But Jiang Chen — I went so far as to oppose the Nine Sun Heaven Palace for his sake. How could I give him up so easily?"

The Sacred Elephant Patriarch seemed to have anticipated this answer and let out a soft sigh: "What a pity! It seems our Great Saint Hall needs to look further afield as well. This time, Dan Qian Palace has found the treasure."

Wei Wuying had played the villain for nothing, but still wouldn't give up: "Jiang Chen may be fine, but Ding Tong's bloodline still needs an explanation."

Ding Tong's bloodline was quickly analyzed as well.

To everyone's surprise, although Ding Tong did not possess any Ancient Demon Race bloodline, his bloodline aura was extraordinarily powerful — surpassing every genius in the entire Wanxiang Domain.

Ding Tong's blood vitality was vigorous, his bloodline brimming with life force. The intensity of this bloodline utterly exceeded the limits of the Wanxiang Domain. It didn't seem like something the Wanxiang Domain could possibly nurture.

"Most peculiar! How could such a high-caliber bloodline appear in the Wanxiang Domain?" The Sacred Ape Patriarch looked at Ding Tong with suspicion.

Ding Tong merely gave a cold snort. Even facing these sect powerhouses, he always wore that same arrogant expression.

Jiang Chen also found it strange — just who was this Ding Tong, anyway?

Sect Master Zhu of the Three Star Sect coldly snorted: "I wonder whether Ding Tong's bloodline contains any Ancient Demon Race bloodline? If it doesn't, then this farce can be considered over, can't it?"

Wei Wuying was utterly mortified. He had been the loudest one clamoring all along. Yet the results showed that neither Jiang Chen nor Ding Tong possessed Demon Race bloodline, even if both their bloodlines were somewhat unusual.

As long as it wasn't Demon Race bloodline, there was no excuse to bar them from participating. After all, martial arts geniuses each had different bloodlines and varying talents — no one could guarantee that every single person's bloodline was purely human without a trace of impurity.

Even their own Carefree Sect regularly absorbed the bloodlines of various poisonous creatures to enhance their resistance to toxins. When it came to bloodlines, the Carefree Sect's bloodline was definitely more on the sinister side.

Dan Chi gave Wei Wuying a cold, sidelong glance and sneered: "Sect Master Wei, you must be quite disappointed now, aren't you?"

Wei Wuying, with his thick-skinned shamelessness, laughed heartily: "I'm actually quite relieved. Two young geniuses who don't carry Demon Race bloodline — that is a blessing for our Wanxiang Domain."

Dan Chi glanced at Wang Jianyu and said lightly: "Old Wang, you played the villain for nothing, didn't you?"

Wang Jianyu coldly snorted: "I had no selfish motives. I acted out of pure justice and have a clear conscience."

Even Jiang Chen couldn't help but scoff. These old foxes truly grew more shameless with age — they were obviously suppressing rivals, yet insisted on wrapping it all in the banner of righteousness.

With the storm over, the day's competition entered a rest period.

That night, everyone retired to their respective rest areas.

Jiang Chen had learned that the Elder Division's competition was equally fierce. Elder Yun Nie's formidable alchemy skills had only earned him second place.

An elder from the Xiaoyao Sect had actually edged out Elder Yun Nie by a slight margin, leaving the Dan Qian Palace elder team feeling a touch disheartened.

Fortunately, the Genius Division had performed superbly. Including Jiang Chen, every member had posted excellent results. Shen Qinghong had the lowest score among the four, in fact.

But even that lowest score was enough to secure seventh place, thanks to a tiebreaker advantage in cumulative points.

First place, fourth place, sixth place, seventh place. These results were nothing short of staggering. It could be said that the Genius Division had not only kept pace with the competition but had pulled far ahead.

Palace Master Dan Chi gathered everyone to boost morale: "Ladies and gentlemen, alchemy competitions depend on many factors. That elder from the Xiaoyao Sect who performed so prodigiously in the Elder Division is rumored to have absorbed a Heavenly Fire. This is one of the supreme fire sources between heaven and earth. Though its ranking isn't particularly high, its power is something you can all imagine. So his temporary claim to first place in the Elder Division is nothing more than a stroke of luck. Our Dan Qian Palace's overall performance still holds the advantage."

"In the Youth Division, every one of you performed excellently. I am extremely satisfied. If you can maintain this edge, Dan Qian Palace can still seize the Huanbo Mountain Alchemy Grand Championship by a commanding lead."

Palace Master Dan Chi then turned to Jiang Chen: "Jiang Chen, with outstanding talent like yours, it would be stranger if no one were jealous. I hope this bloodline test won't put undue pressure on you."

Jiang Chen smiled calmly. "This kind of desperate move hardly warrants a laugh."

Palace Master Dan Chi praised him with a grin: "Good — that's the bearing of a true commander. The calmer you stay, the more helpless they become. In the end, all they can do is seethe with envy."

"Mu Gaoqi, you've brought great honor to Dan Qian Palace with your performance this time. Elder Yun Nie's decision to take you as his disciple was truly prescient."

Mu Gaoqi gave a good-natured grin: "The third round on Spiritual Medicine is my strong suit. I'll seize this opportunity to solidify my position and aim even higher."

His astonishing result in the second round — the Cauldron Heating stage — had been entirely thanks to Jiang Chen. The Nine-Nine Return to True Fire that Jiang Chen had taught him, he had only grasped one-third of.

Yet that alone had allowed him to dominate the second round, rocketing to second place in the Cauldron Heating results!

It had also catapulted his overall ranking from tenth place straight up to fourth.