Boundless Sea Peak. A sky pavilion.

Within the pavilion, numerous sect disciples and scions of the Eastern Realm’s Primordial Clans were gathered, enjoying tea and discussing the Dao while waiting for the pill refining competition between the two young men to begin.

Pill refining competitions weren’t uncommon, but both Ye Yu and Nigati were exceptionally talented in alchemy among the younger generation. Moreover, many were interested in the Nine Cauldrons Pill they were about to refine.

However, most were simply there for the spectacle, wanting to witness the Southern Wilderness visitor’s abilities.

In a clean and elegant private room, Mu Zhi’an leaned back in his chair, sipping tea as he watched the two figures on the platform with amusement.

Before Ye Yu stood a dark red cauldron with intricate patterns. It was clear that he had acquired this new cauldron after Mu Zhi’an’s departure, likely through some ‘fortunate encounter’.

So Ye Yu is still the chosen one favored by the Heavenly Dao… As soon as I leave, he stumbles upon another opportunity.

Mu Zhi’an observed the red cauldron, a hint of envy in his eyes.

He could sense the power contained within it. It was no ordinary cauldron, likely obtained during a sect mission.

Based on his previous assessment, Ye Yu was likely favored by the ‘Heavenly Dao’, which was why he continuously encountered fortunate encounters.

Although Mu Zhi’an had intercepted several of those opportunities before, as soon as he left, new ones appeared for Ye Yu.

He’s like a walking treasure chest… Mu Zhi’an thought to himself, then turned his attention to the Southern Wilderness’s Holy Maiden sitting opposite him.

She wore a fiery red, low-cut dress with beautiful black patterns. Her smooth hair was simply tied up with a hairpin and adorned with a beautiful ornament, highlighting her delicate features.

Combined with her ample bosom, she was no less stunning than the other girls Mu Zhi’an knew.

The only difference was that she seemed rather frail, as if she were in poor health.

However, despite her seemingly weak appearance, her silver eyes radiated confidence.

“Thank you for accompanying me today, Young Master Mu. If it weren’t for you, I probably wouldn’t have found Boundless Sea Peak,” Regina said, her voice filled with sincere gratitude.

Mu Zhi’an shook his head and smiled. “Miss Regina, you’re a guest here. It was my pleasure to help.”

Regina smiled faintly. “You’re truly a kind person, Young Master Mu.”

Although she said that, Mu Zhi’an had actually brought her to Boundless Sea Peak after being ‘threatened’ by her. They both knew this, but neither of them would mention it now.

Mu Zhi’an took a sip of tea and asked, “Is there anything else you need, Miss Regina? If not, I’ll be heading back soon.”

Regina looked at him with a smile. “Since you’re already here, why not stay and watch the pill refining competition? It won’t take long.”

She crossed her legs, her toes playing with a delicate embroidered shoe. She glanced at the two figures on the platform and asked, “Who do you think will win, Young Master Mu?”

Mu Zhi’an pondered for a moment, then said, “Ye Yu.”

Although Ye Yu wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, he was born with the Heavenly Dao’s favor. He was the type of person who, even if he couldn’t stand on his own, the Heavenly Dao would force him to his feet.

Moreover, Ye Yu had the old man residing within him. If necessary, he could let the old man take over his body and complete the pill refining process.

“Nigati is one of the top pill refiners in the Southern Wilderness, and he’s at the sixth-grade Core Formation Realm… In that case, you believe Ye Yu can win, Young Master Mu?” Regina asked, her chin resting on her hand as she looked at him with amusement.

“How about we make a bet?”

Mu Zhi’an took a sip of tea and chuckled. “Why are you people from the Southern Wilderness so fond of making bets? You bet on the Ascension Ceremony, and now you want to bet on the outcome of someone else’s pill refining competition?”

Regina’s beautiful eyes gazed at him. Her long hair cascaded down to her waist. “I don’t usually gamble, but I’m feeling a bit adventurous today,” she said with a gentle smile.

Mu Zhi’an pondered for a moment. “What’s the wager?”

Regina took a sip of tea and said slowly, “I know you’re curious about me, or rather, about the Southern Wilderness. If Ye Yu wins, you can ask me three questions, and I’ll answer them truthfully.”

“If Nigati wins… you’ll answer three of my questions.”

“What do you think, Young Master Mu?” She looked at him intently.

Mu Zhi’an shook his head slowly.

“Are you afraid, Young Master Mu?” Regina asked, a hint of provocation in her voice.

“I am curious about the Southern Wilderness, but it’s not essential for me to know its secrets.” Mu Zhi’an set down his teacup and smiled gently. “If Ye Yu wins, you’ll answer three of my questions, Miss Regina.”

“If Nigati wins, I’ll answer three of your questions, but you’ll also have to answer three of mine.”

Regina: “?”

For a moment, a terrifying aura emanated from the seemingly frail young lady, but seeing the innocent smile on Mu Zhi’an’s face, she suppressed her anger and said as calmly as possible, “Isn’t that a bit unfair, Young Master Mu? Where’s the fairness in this wager?”

This wager… If Mu Zhi’an won, she had to answer his questions. If he lost, she still had to answer his questions… What kind of bet was this?

Mu Zhi’an shook his head and chuckled. “It’s quite fair.”

“I’m curious about the Southern Wilderness’s secrets, but I don’t necessarily need to know them. But what about you, Miss Regina?”

The Innate Celestial Furnace was a tempting constitution for any female cultivator. Normally, a proud and talented individual like Regina might ‘disdain’ using it for cultivation.

However, judging from her initiative in approaching him and her current behavior… it seemed she still needed it.

Since they weren’t on equal footing, the wager couldn’t be fair either.

Under Mu Zhi’an’s gentle gaze, Regina calmly picked up her teacup and took a sip.

Setting down the cup, she pursed her lips and said slowly, “Alright, we’ll do as you say, Young Master Mu.”

Boom!|

A thunderclap echoed in the sky, causing many cultivators to look up.

This sound signified the establishment of their wager. As soon as Regina agreed, it triggered a resonance with the Great Dao, sealing the agreement.

The outcome of their bet now rested on the pill refining competition between the two young men below.

As their wager was established, the atmosphere in the pavilion became even livelier.

“Ye Yu is only at the second-grade Core Formation Realm, yet he dared to accept Nigati’s challenge. Even if he can’t win, his courage is admirable.”

“Pill refining is linked to one’s cultivation level, but the second-grade Core Formation Realm is enough to refine a sixth-grade pill. Ye Yu might not lose.”

“Nigati, a visitor from the Southern Wilderness, is already causing trouble just days after arriving at the Two Polarities Sect. I hope Ye Yu wins.”

“That’s not entirely fair. The Nine Cauldrons Pill formula should go to the highest bidder. Nigati didn’t do anything wrong,” a straightforward voice said, siding with Nigati.

The conflict between Nigati and Ye Yu stemmed from a single Nine Cauldrons Pill formula.

Ye Yu had negotiated a price and was about to buy it, but Nigati had swooped in and purchased it with a higher offer… Although it wasn’t very ethical, what merchant wouldn’t want to sell their goods for a higher price?

This was why this person supported Nigati.

“If Ye Yu wins, the Nine Cauldrons Pill formula will still be his. Is Nigati that confident in his abilities? Why would he offer such a wager?” someone wondered.

“Hey, have you considered that he might be doing this to attract someone’s attention?” A sudden voice revealed the truth.

The discussion died down.

After a while, someone said, “Speaking of which, three people came from the Southern Wilderness, and one of them seems to be their Holy Maiden…?”

“The Southern Wilderness’s Holy Maiden is very beautiful… Perhaps Nigati’s pill refining competition is just a way to impress her?”

This statement shifted everyone’s attention from the ‘pill refining competition’ to the ‘Southern Wilderness’s Holy Maiden’.

Gossip was timeless, especially in the cultivation world, where entertainment was scarce, and most days were spent in monotonous meditation and cultivation.

Chatting about such things was a form of relaxation.

As the pill refining competition began, the cultivators discussed the Southern Wilderness’s Holy Maiden while watching the two figures on the platform.

Mu Zhi’an sipped his tea leisurely, glanced at the two contestants, and said with a chuckle, “Miss Regina, you’re quite popular. Even in the Eastern Realm, many are talking about you.”

It was understandable. Regina, with her exotic beauty, proud personality, and high status, naturally attracted the attention of many men who desired to conquer her.

In Mu Zhi’an’s opinion, she would look stunning in a nun’s habit, her alluring figure accentuated by the tight clothing, appearing both forbidden and seductive.

“It’s all because of my appearance,” Regina replied, neither arrogant nor humble.

Then, her gaze fell upon the two figures on the platform.

Although she was at a disadvantage in this wager, if she could confirm Mu Zhi’an’s constitution, it wouldn’t matter if she revealed some information about the Southern Wilderness.

Time passed silently. Half an hour went by.

Boom!

A buzzing sound came from Ye Yu’s cauldron, followed by a faint medicinal fragrance.

Even those within the pavilion could smell the potent aroma.

Rumble…

Almost as soon as the pill within Ye Yu’s cauldron formed, a pill also materialized within Nigati’s cauldron.

Their progress was almost identical!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay