Section 19: Exposed?
The Hundred Families Alchemist Gathering on Dan Saint Mountain had already entered the final Continent Trial stage.
The one hundred teams, chosen through fierce competition from all corners of Danzhou, had gathered at the Sacred Mountain, the largest in Danzhou’s center.
The competition had been raging for three days.
“The Chen Family has lost again. If they lose one more time, they’ll only rank eighty-ninth.”
“What a shame. Despite having two Masters, Chen Yuqing is still too inexperienced.”
“The Qian Family’s match-up arrangements are excellent, using their numbers to their advantage. The Hundred Families Alchemist Gathering is a team competition; it’s not something one or two people can dominate.”
Amidst the audience’s discussions, the Chen Family’s teams were withdrawing from the arena one after another.
Chen Yuqing’s face was pale. Just moments ago, she had been defeated by a seasoned Alchemy Master. This was not the first time she had tasted defeat.
The Chen Family had progressed smoothly, winning from the County Trial through the Prefecture Trial and then the Province Trial. However, in the final Continent Trial, their fatigue immediately became apparent. Various Hegemons and powerhouses had emerged, each with their own skills. Alchemy Masters were commonplace, no longer eliciting gasps from the audience. Alchemy Grandmasters were the undisputed Kings.
“Brother, who are you looking at? You’re so engrossed, you haven’t blinked,” Yun Xiaoai, disguised as a young man, asked softly, standing on her tiptoes.
She knew her brother’s mission on this trip was to act as the Yun Family’s representative, scouting and recruiting talented alchemists for the clan.
Every year, the eight great hidden families would send personnel to observe at the Hundred Families Alchemist Gathering, replenishing their forces with fresh blood to ensure their enduring prosperity.
However, what puzzled Yun Xiaoai these past few days was why her brother was acting so strangely, ignoring the top ten ranked teams and instead focusing on following the Chen Family’s team.
In Yun Xiaoai’s opinion, the Chen Family’s team’s performance was absolutely abysmal. According to the rules, they would be eliminated if they lost one more match.
The Chen Family team also lacked any exceptionally brilliant talents. Of the two Masters, one was incredibly old and had no potential left. The other, though young, wasn’t particularly gifted, not even as talented as Yun Xiaoai.
Yun Xiaoai found little reason to be impressed.
Her bright, clear eyes darted around. Yun Xiaoai suddenly slapped her forehead, realizing with a “Oh!”, “I get it! Brother, you’ve taken a liking to Chen Yuqing, haven’t you? Are you planning to marry her and make her my sister-in-law? Honestly, though, someone like her isn’t worthy of you. You’re the Yun Family’s number one genius, after all. Of course, if you truly like her, I’ll offer my full support… Ouch!”
She was unexpectedly tapped on the head. Although it didn’t hurt, Yun Xiaoai feigned a pained expression.
As expected, her brother, Yun Baishen, gently reached out and rubbed her forehead. His warm and steady voice followed, “You’re too sharp for your age. What’s Chen Yuqing to me? She doesn’t even catch my eye. However, the Young Master Wuming behind her is someone I can’t quite figure out.”
Yun Xiaoai widened her eyes at his words.
She was well aware of her brother’s strength. Hailed as a once-in-a-millennium genius of the Yun Family, he was already a peak King at the young age of twenty-seven. In alchemy, he was a prodigy, having reached the pinnacle of an Alchemy Master, just a step away from becoming a Grandmaster.
Such a formidable individual was admitting he “couldn’t figure someone out”?!
Yun Xiaoai clicked her tongue in amazement. Chu Yun’s performance in the Continent Trial hadn’t been remarkable, but Yun Xiaoai, being sharp herself, now that her brother valued him so highly, tried to recall and immediately noticed something unusual about Chu Yun.
“My goodness, they’ve had dozens of matches, and this Young Master Wuming hasn’t lost a single one!” she exclaimed softly.
It was either victory or a draw. No matter the opponent, Chu Yun had never been defeated.
An undefeated record!
It was almost unbelievable. To achieve such a streak in the Continent Trial, how terrifying must this person’s strength be?
Could this be a coincidence?
Yun Xiaoai couldn’t help but wonder. But she quickly shook her head. Someone that her brother valued so highly – could it really be a coincidence?
“He’s hiding his strength!” Yun Xiaoai blurted out, as it was the only explanation.
“No, he just hasn’t faced a worthy opponent,” Yun Baishen stated with certainty.
“Someone like me.” He added as an afterthought.
His voice was soft, but to Yun Xiaoai, it was like a thunderclap.
Her brother was excited! Someone who could evoke a fighting spirit in him!
Yun Xiaoai’s pupils dilated, and she found herself staring intently at Chu Yun’s back.
“Oh? Already attracting attention? The hidden families have good eyes then,” Chu Yun said with a calm expression as he walked forward. While he showed no outward reaction, he had already noticed the Yun siblings’ every move.
“That young man has good talent and considerable strength, only one step away from becoming an Alchemy Grandmaster,” Blissful Immortal Consort’s reminder echoed in his mind.
“Even though he’s suppressing his spiritual energy, he should be at the peak King level,” Chu Yun replied in his mind, lowering his gaze. Even an Emperor level expert couldn’t so easily probe another’s true cultivation. But Chu Yun was different; he had pushed the Dao of Humanity to its extreme, and he had an innate, intuitive sensitivity to all humans.
This intuition was more effective than True Intuition and was an embodiment of supreme wisdom.
“Young Master Yun, please wait,” a familiar voice called out from a distance as Chu Yun was discussing plans with Blissful Immortal Consort.
“It’s someone from the Gongsun Family, coming this way,” Chen Yuqing’s eyes narrowed, and her steps slowed involuntarily. At the same time, complex emotions welled up within her.
The Gongsun Family and the Chen Family were like two extremes. The former was on the rise, breaking into the ranks of first-rate families. The latter was a declining old power. Even though Chen Yuqing had led her team into the Continent Trial, it couldn’t change the fact that the Chen Family was in decline, relegated to a second-rate family.
“Young Master Yun, we meet again.” The person addressing him was none other than Miss Gongsun Wan’er of the Gongsun Family. She walked up to Chu Yun and smiled charmingly. Behind her followed several well-known, veteran Alchemy Masters.
“Hello,” Chu Yun replied indifferently, nodding.
He had noticed Gongsun Wan’er earlier. However, Chu Yun and Gongsun Wan’er had only a nodding acquaintance, so he hadn’t approached her. He hadn’t expected Gongsun Wan’er to seek him out.
*Gulp*. Seeing such a beauty approach elegantly, Zhao Fei couldn’t help but swallow.
Gongsun Wan’er was a beauty no less than Chen Yuqing. Compared to Chen Yuqing’s melancholy, Gongsun Wan’er’s vivacity seemed more captivating.
“You know each other?” Chen Yuqing and the others were surprised when Gongsun Wan’er approached Chu Yun.
In their impression, Chu Yun was just a reclusive alchemist, unimpressive in his abilities, a rogue cultivator who usually hid in obscure corners. They hadn’t expected him to be acquainted with Gongsun Wan’er.
Logically, Chu Yun’s current undefeated record should have caused a sensation. But the Chen Family members hadn’t noticed anything.
Apart from the “blind spot” due to proximity, Chu Yun’s opponents in each match weren’t particularly strong, largely due to his placement. The rules of the Hundred Families Alchemist Gathering were interesting. Initially, there were three main members. After the County Trial, one person was recruited, making it four main members. After the Prefecture Trial, another member was added. Now, in the Continent Trial, there were six main members and two reserves.
Among the six, Chu Yun was ranked last among the main members. Sometimes, he wasn’t even a main member, observing as a reserve.
Therefore, in most matches, he would make his appearance leisurely after the outcome was largely decided. Coupled with his low-key demeanor, he often suppressed his performance, giving the impression of a hard-won victory or a narrow draw, in short, nothing remarkable.
Thus, Chu Yun’s acquaintance with the Gongsun Family’s young lady was somewhat surprising.
“More than just acquainted,” Gongsun Wan’er’s smile held a peculiar meaning. “Young Master Yun was once a recruited alchemist of our Gongsun Family. Wan’er was astounded and treated him with the utmost respect for his ability to spew Pill Aura. However, just as my father was about to recruit Master Mubu and assess everyone to select members, he suddenly disappeared. Wan’er was very puzzled. Seeing Young Master Yun today, I wished to ask if there was any improper treatment from our Gongsun Family that caused you to leave suddenly and defect to another.”
Gongsun Wan’er had initially been impressed by Chu Yun’s performance, but later, after consulting with the family’s alchemists, she had an “epiphany” and realized she had been deceived.
She was a celestial prodigy with immense pride. How could she tolerate being tricked?
It was just that, at the time, due to the impending Hundred Families Alchemist Gathering, she was restricted and unable to deal with Chu Yun. Thus, she harbored a deep resentment.
Chu Yun’s sudden disappearance later only solidified her belief that she had been fooled. With no outlet for her frustration, her resentment grew.
Now, she had actually encountered Chu Yun at the Hundred Families Alchemist Gathering. Gongsun Wan’er felt a mixture of surprise and anger. This brat actually dared to participate in the Continent Trial?
He was still up to his old tricks, deceiving others!
What audacity!
The expressions of the Chen Family members changed.
Gongsun Wan’er’s intent was clear. She was accusing Chu Yun of not having strong enough abilities but using trickery to deceive her. Then, fearing exposure by master-level experts, he had secretly fled.
Such fraudulent behavior wasn’t unheard of before.
For a moment, Chu Yun felt all eyes on him.
These gazes were filled with suspicion, indifference, contempt, and arrogance.
Without even guessing, Chu Yun could almost know their thoughts – “So this Young Master Wuming is actually this kind of person.”
“You can’t judge a book by its cover. He does look quite handsome.”
“You can know someone’s face but not their heart. The Chen Family is in decline, and they’ve been tricked.”
Most people only thought this internally, while a few loudly voiced their opinions.
“No wonder we kept losing! It turns out you were the one dragging us down. How detestable!” Zhao Fei’s eyes blazed as he glared at Chu Yun, appearing like a deeply wronged victim.
(To be continued)
