Chapter 277: Chapter 278: You young people should communicate more

Translator: 549690339

“Speak!”

Zhong Daoquan nodded and said that the person who came was one of the elders in charge of the Elixir Sect’s competition, and behind him followed the rest of the sect elders. It looked like they had encountered a major issue; otherwise, they would not have summoned so many elders to come together.

“Today, during the Elixir Sect’s competition, we encountered a prodigy capable of using ancient alchemy to create an item called Huazi. Upon inhaling it, one can greatly enhance a cultivator’s comprehension abilities in a short amount of time; even for our cultivation levels, it has a miraculous effect!”

The elder, still out of breath, told them everything about Li Xiaobai’s performance in the great hall.

The other elders nodded in agreement. This was indeed a serious matter. Not to mention that this elixir could affect cultivators at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage, but the mere act of ancient alchemy itself was worth their careful study. If they could comprehend even a fraction of it, it would be a qualitative leap in the advancement of their alchemy skills.

“Sect Master, none of us have ever heard of this ancient alchemy. According to Elder Fang’s description, the production process of Huazi is not complex. If we can unravel its secrets for the sect’s use, it would surely benefit the Elixir Sect greatly!”

“Indeed, merely grinding Enlightenment Tea Leaves into powder and wrapping it cannot possibly have such an extraordinary effect. There must be some critical step involved. I suggest that we capture that prodigy and acquire the method of making Huazi – that’s the best strategy!”

The elders all gave their advice; this was a great opportunity for the sect’s development, and since the person in question was currently on the Elixir Sect’s territory, it would be harder to act if he fled to one of the other two Great Sects.

Zhong Lingxiu quietly kept her mouth shut, knowing that this was a serious sect matter, and her father would not be able to spare people to indulge her whims now.

Just as she was about to stand up and leave, she suddenly heard Zhong Daoquan ask.

“What’s the prodigy’s name? Whose disciple is he?”

“Reporting to the Sect Master, his name is Li Xiaobai, a cultivator who emerged from the wilderness of the Northern Region and has some connection with Elder Tianwu,”

the elder said.

Zhong Daoquan opened his mouth, not expecting it to be that Li Xiaobai again. Zhong Lingxiu, who was preparing to leave, suddenly lit up with excitement.

“Father, this Li Xiaobai possesses valuable treasures. If we could employ them for our sect, it would surely take the disciples of the Elixir Sect to the next level!”

“Father, please order the capture of this Li Xiaobai and extract the method of making Huazi under severe torture. I am willing to accompany the uncles and elders on this mission!”

Zhong Lingxiu’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Early arrivals don’t compare to timely ones; this was Li Xiaobai’s own doing, and she could not be blamed. The adage that a person is not guilty for carrying a treasure, but possessing a treasure invites trouble, was something she was eager to teach him.

“Well then, the interests of the sect come above all else. Send the word out, immediately seal the Elixir Sect, and if necessary, activate some of the sect’s grand formations. We must capture Li Xiaobai, and since Elder Tianwu has gone to the frontier and cannot return for now, there is no need to worry.”

Zhong Daoquan pondered for a moment and made his decision promptly.

In the face of interest, everything he had said to Zhong Lingxiu could be considered idle talk. If there was something of value to be developed on Li Xiaobai, it had to be secured.

Otherwise, once the other two Great Sects discovered the secret he carried and joined in the struggle, it would complicate matters.

“Understood!”

The elders turned and vanished on the spot.

Zhong Lingxiu also followed suit, unwilling to miss this rare chance.

…

Outside the Elixir Sect’s great hall, waves of cultivators, waiting for their turn in the alchemy test, gathered together, creating a bustling, sea of people, not much different from when they had entered.

Li Xiaobai, accompanied by Liu Feii, walked out of the great hall, and the crowd instantly fell silent.

When Elder Yao had emerged earlier, they were already aware of what had transpired inside. According to the alchemists present, Elder Yao was able to craft fifth-grade elixirs even in his withered age, showing that his skills were still sharp. The cultivators admired him greatly.

They took Elder Yao as the benchmark in their hearts.

However, the person who garnered the most attention was Li Xiaobai, who had swiftly risen to the top of the alchemy rankings. Rumors about Li Xiaobai were often seen in the Immortal Spirit Daily, describing him as a dark horse who had risen unexpectedly, surpassing most of the prodigies.

Now he was even famously powerful on the ground list!

Originally, some thought it was an exaggeration, but having seen him today, he truly is a genius. The first place in the alchemy rankings is not something just anyone can obtain. Previously, Yao Chenzi had topped the list with a seventh-grade elixir, with Immortal Xi Yao placing second with a sixth-grade elixir.

Now that both of their rankings had fallen, didn’t it mean that Li Xiaobai and Liu Fei had each produced elixirs surpassing the seventh-grade? The sudden emergence of two such unknown prodigies caught them off guard!

“They’re coming out, they’re coming out, that’s Li Xiaobai, and the one beside him is Liu Fei!”

“A handsome man and a beautiful woman indeed, it’s just too bad the name sounds so cheap. Begging for a quick death, Li Xiaobai. If this person wasn’t a genius, I really would want to go up and smack him a couple of times!”

“Hehe, with your cultivation level, I’m afraid you’d be asking for a beating if you went up.”

“This year is exciting, overshadowing the alchemy prodigies of previous years. This dark horse is ridiculously dark, and the Saint Heir from Fire Qilin Cave has also arrived. It’s truly a clash of the titans!”

“Isn’t that the truth…”

The cultivators fell into a buzz of whispers, Liu Fei flushed red with embarrassment, this being the first time so many people had gathered to discuss her.

This feeling of being the center of attention gave her a bit of a thrill.

The big shots had not deceived her; she really had been swept off her feet this time!

Li Xiaobai walked slowly, the surrounding cultivators making way for him. At that moment, he seemed to be enveloped in an aura.

“Brother Li is immensely talented, and his alchemy skills surpass others, reaching the top of the list. He truly is incredible. I wonder who Brother Li’s mentor is, and if there might be an opportunity to exchange some pointers?”

Li Xiaobai, eager to leave the Elixir Sect to participate in the remaining two competitions, was approached by several young men, the leading one saying with a smile.

After glancing over the group, Li Xiaobai spotted Xi Yao among them and realized that this person must be Yao Chenzi, the previous number one.

Being overtaken by a nobody like himself must have unsettled the man, a hint of displeasure visible in his eyes. This so-called exchange was nothing more than a courteous facade; the man was probing for Li Xiaobai’s secrets.

But Li Xiaobai was in a hurry to leave the Elixir Sect, and it was obvious the other was looking to stir up trouble. If it were a matter of courtesy first and force later, that would be one thing, but if someone with great power were to suddenly capture him, that would be a bit much to handle.

With a casual clasping of his hands, he said in a somewhat disdainful manner, “It was merely a stroke of luck. Xi Yao is my disciple. There will be opportunities for the young to exchange and interact.”

Without another word, he walked past the group and continued on his way out.

Yao Chenzi’s expression suddenly froze. As the pride of Medicine King Hall, he was a figure who was admired by all. In public, Li Xiaobai had utterly disregarded him and moved on without giving face.

If he were to let Li Xiaobai walk away like this, he would become the laughingstock of cultivators everywhere.

Quickly stepping forward to intercept Li Xiaobai: “Brother Li, please wait a moment!”