Time flew by, and a week passed in the blink of an eye. After a week of closed-door cultivation, Ye Qingchen finally emerged from his room. Although he had yet to personally concoct an elixir, he was fully confident about the upcoming Alchemist Apprentice Competition.
"Young Master, Xiao Xiao believes you will definitely emerge victorious this time. Go for it!"
Xiao Xiao had been waiting at the door since early in the morning. Seeing Ye Qingchen emerge, she hurried over to cheer him on. In her heart, her Young Master was an omnipotent figure. It didnât matter that the Alchemist Apprentice Competition had been moved up a week; she believed he would win the championship no matter the circumstances.
Ye Qingchen fondly stroked Xiao Xiaoâs head and said with a smile, "Then Iâll take my little Xiao Xiaoâs auspicious words to heart."
Xiao Xiao squinted, clearly enjoying the gesture. "Young Master, Iâve prepared a meal for you. Thereâs still an hour before the Alchemist Apprentice Competition begins. Please have something to eat first."
Ye Qingchen nodded, and Xiao Xiao quickly went to set the table and serve the dishes.
Just as he sat down, Ye Ying hurried over in a fluster. She called out from outside before Xiao Xiao could even open the door, "Qingchen, are you up? The Alchemist Apprentice Competition is about to start! We need to get going!"
Hearing Ye Yingâs voice, Ye Qingchen couldnât help but shake his head, a warmth spreading through his chest.
Although Ye Ying was always so direct, he knew everything she did was out of consideration for him.
As soon as Xiao Xiao opened the courtyard gate, Ye Ying rushed inside. Seeing Ye Qingchen calmly eating his meal, she said anxiously, "Qingchen, how are you still in the mood to eat? I just passed by the main square, and it was already packed with people! Why arenât you worried?"
Ye Qingchen smiled. "Donât worry. The competition lasts for a full day. If I donât replenish my energy, I wonât be able to hold out."
As he spoke, Ye Qingchen tore off a chicken leg and handed it to Ye Ying. She took it without hesitation and started gnawing on it, completely unconcerned about her image.
While eating heartily, Ye Ying said, "Qingchen, Iâve already made some inquiries for you. There are three favorites to win the Alchemist Apprentice Competition this time. Two of them are Inner Sect Disciples, Wang Cong and Wang Peng. Both possess immense Alchemic Talent, but because they were previously obsessed with cultivation and didnât properly hone their alchemy skills, they havenât yet reached the standard of a First-Grade Alchemist."
Xiao Xiao handed Ye Ying a bowl and chopsticks and asked curiously, "Ye Ying, I thought only Outer Sect Disciples could participate in the competition. Why are Inner Sect Disciples joining in?"
Ye Ying sighed and explained, "Xiao Xiao, you have no idea. The top three finishers get promoted to Inner Sect Disciple, but thatâs just a minor benefit. The most coveted prize is the generous reward from the Sect Master himself.
"In the Qingyun Sect, cultivation resources are what everyone desires most. Although the monthly stipend for Inner Sect Disciples is generous, the competition among them is equally fierce, so they naturally wonât pass up any opportunity to acquire more."
Ye Ying explained this while still working on the chicken leg, occasionally picking up pieces of meat with her chopsticks and placing them in Ye Qingchenâs bowl.
Ye Qingchen nodded, not particularly concerned about Wang Peng and Wang Cong.
Even though theyâre Inner Sect Disciples with access to alchemy resources a hundred times better than any Outer Sect Disciple, I have the Pill Emperorâs Heart Sutra and the inheritance from Elder Fen Tian. Those are beyond comparison. Though Iâm still an Outer Sect Disciple, I have no reason to fear them.
Ye Ying seemed to remember something. She put down her chopsticks and continued, "Qingchen, thereâs one other person you need to watch out for. Heâs the acknowledged favorite to winâitâs almost a foregone conclusion that heâll be this yearâs champion."
Hearing this, Ye Qingchen asked curiously, "Whatâs his background? How did he become the top favorite in a place as full of talent as the Qingyun Sect?"
It was no wonder Ye Qingchen was curious. To surpass Inner Sect Disciples like Wang Peng and Wang Cong and become the top favorite meant this personâs status and abilities could not be underestimated.
Ye Ying put down her bowl, wiped the grease from the corner of her mouth, and explained, "His name is Liu Ming, and he comes from a renowned alchemy family in the Northern Desolate Country. He possessed exceptional Alchemic Talent from a young age and was specially recruited by the Qingyun Sect as an Inner Sect Disciple. But Liu Ming is proud and ambitious. He refused the offer to become an Inner Sect Disciple directly, insisting on working his way up to become a Core Disciple of the Qingyun Sect through his own efforts."
Ye Qingchen nodded. The Liu Family was the most famous alchemy family in the Northern Desolate Country, and that reputation alone meant Liu Ming could not be underestimated.
Whether in terms of alchemical prowess or the sheer breadth of his knowledge, Liu Ming, who has been immersed in it since childhood, is definitely my strongest rival for the championship title.
Xiao Xiao, however, was unfazed. In her eyes, as long as her Young Master competed, he was guaranteed to win. After Ye Ying finished speaking, she declared, "It doesnât matter if theyâre Inner Sect Disciples or from some alchemy family! As long as the Young Master competes, heâll defeat them all."
After all, Xiao Xiao knew he had spent his week of closed-door cultivation comprehending the Pill Emperorâs Heart Sutra. While she didnât fully understand what level of alchemy the sutra entailed, the fact that Yao Yue had presented it with such gravity meant it was no ordinary technique.
Xiao Xiaoâs remark settled Ye Yingâs nerves considerably. Seeing Xiao Xiaoâs brimming confidence, she couldnât help but add, "Qingchen always manages to work miracles. I believe heâll win the championship this time and be promoted to an Inner Sect Disciple for sure."
The three of them chatted leisurely as they devoured every last bite of food on the table. Ye Qingchen rubbed his slightly full stomach.
Xiao Xiaoâs cooking skills have really improved lately; her dishes are getting more and more delicious.
"Ye Ying, Xiao Xiao, letâs go," Ye Qingchen said, standing up and heading for the door.
Ye Ying and Xiao Xiao exchanged a glance and followed him out.
As the Qingyun Sectâs grand annual event, the Alchemist Apprentice Competition drew everyoneâs attention. Most disciples had already rushed to the venue early to claim a good spot as close to the stage as possible. Consequently, Ye Qingchenâs group barely encountered anyone else on their way there.