Chapter 49: The Sky Alchemy Pill Master Competition (1)

"Why is the sky like that? Is it going to rain again?"

Jin Jiezi frowned.

The others also looked around the sky, as if they couldn't understand.

"There's no thunder, and no rain?"

"No wind either?"

Everyone was talking about the last time it had rained.

'Joking around.'

Hou Gong smiled and then spoke.

"Can't you see the white bird circling high up in the sky?"

Everyone looked up at the sky again and finally nodded.

It was a white hawk.

Hou Gong had been carefully monitoring the surroundings ever since the encounter with the Sky Alchemy Pill. Although there had been no threat from the Wuji Assassin Sect since the first day, they had been lingering nearby, and suspicious figures, including those in blue, had been coming and going.

And that white hawk had been following the carriage since the first day. It would fly when the carriage moved, circle around when it stopped, and perch on a distant tree when they stayed at an inn. The Wuji Assassin Sect was clearly waiting for an opportunity.

The Sky Alchemy Pill must have been aware of this.

But these guys, lacking seriousness, were just clowning around.

"Beautiful, very beautiful. The color is truly exquisite."

"Indeed, as Master said. It's very beautiful and exudes a noble aura."

Jin Jiezi exclaimed, and Hang Ma Sanxie added a comment.

"Kyaa, it would taste good if roasted."

"Hmph, even if you roasted it, who would get to eat it?"

Yin Angkai smacked his lips and swallowed hard, and Miao Bingbing scolded him.

From the looks of it, only Miao Bingbing was unaware.

Hou Gong added an explanation for her.

"The Wuji Assassin Sect hasn't given up, and their tracker is following us in the sky. Shouldn't we do our part as well?"

"Huh?"

Miao Bingbing's eyes widened.

"Master Fan, what do you mean? Are you saying that beautiful bird is a hawk sent by the Wuji Assassin Sect?"

Hou Gong only nodded.

The others, who already understood the situation, reacted differently.

"Hehe, it seems to be a tracking hawk. Your keen eye is impressive. On the other hand, it's also a fortunate thing."

"Hahaha, Master! If they haven't given up, what could be more delightful?"

"Should we raise a toast?"

Jin Jiezi laughed heartily.

"I've been cursing the Wuji Assassin Sect for their lack of perseverance, but they turned out to be quite decent."

The Wushan Twin Heroes also changed their stance and praised the Wuji Assassin Sect.

Hou Gong smiled wryly at their obvious wordplay.

These people had been living in the martial world for a long time.

The current members of the Sky Alchemy Pill are not easy to deal with.

They may be strange, but their skills are not shabby.

Except for Miao Bingbing.

At that moment, Jin Jiezi asked.

"So, what do you mean by 'our part'?"

"We need to catch the tracking hawk."

"Eh? Why?"

Jin Jiezi furrowed his brows, as if he couldn't understand.

It wasn't just him; everyone had a puzzled look on their faces, wondering why they needed to catch the bird.

Hou Gong responded with a frown.

Then Jin Jiezi quickly explained.

"I understand the reason, but if we catch the bird, the Wuji Assassin Sect won't chase us anymore. What will happen to us then? We'll be in trouble. We need to give them a chance too. It's not right to be so ruthless, you know."

Jin Jiezi shook his head, as if it was absolutely impossible.

Not just him, but everyone had a serious expression, as if something terrible was about to happen.

Hou Gong raised one corner of his mouth.

"You're taking a long time to say you can't catch it."

Could he not see their usual tendencies?

If provoked and challenged, the situation would change.

These were the same people who had argued over who said more or fewer words when they first met.

The Sky Alchemy Pill's eyes soon turned rebellious.

Hou Gong fanned the flames further.

"If we catch the tracking hawk, the boredom will lessen. The Wuji Assassin Sect will become anxious and act quickly, so there will be no need to lament their absence."

The reaction was immediate.

"Ooooooh! Amazing!"

"That's a good idea."

"Why didn't I think of that? We should have caught it long ago. Indeed, the reputation of the Grand Master of the Heavenly Scripture Repository is not unfounded. People don't call him a genius for nothing."

"Master Fan, why didn't you say this earlier?"

Even Miao Bingbing expressed a firm resolve.

Now the Sky Alchemy Pill's eyes were sparkling.

But that wasn't the end.

For some reason, Miao Bingbing clenched her jaw and took a step forward.

"I have something important to say, so please pay attention."

As everyone's attention turned to her, Miao Bingbing continued.

"I have a proposal for the Sky Alchemy Pill. We've been together for quite some time, but the Sky Alchemy Pill still lacks a leader. If someone finds out, they might curse us for having no hierarchy. So, I think the one who catches the tracking hawk should become the great Sky Alchemy Pill Master. What do you think?"

'What a silly girl. What's this "great Sky Alchemy Pill Master"?'

Hou Gong inwardly sneered.

What kind of group was the Sky Alchemy Pill to have a leader?

It was meaningless...

As he looked around the Sky Alchemy Pill with a disinterested attitude, Hou Gong almost choked.

Whoosh!

The eyes of the Sky Alchemy Pill members were burning with greed.

"Sky Alchemy Pill Master... Great Sky Alchemy Pill Master..."

Jin Jiezi's pupils were shaking uncontrollably.

The eyes of the Three Heroes, Twin Heroes, and beggars were all filled with greed.

"Miao Miss, what a brilliant suggestion."

"Sky Alchemy Pill Master, how cool is that!"

"An open group in public, but a secret Sky Alchemy Pill Master!"

"Haha! An open beggar in public, but a leader in secret!"

Yin Angkai and Xiao Tiankai clenched their fists.

Whether the Sky Alchemy Pill had ever been a secret group or not, it didn't matter in the current situation.

Jin Jiezi stepped forward, flapping his sleeves.

"Respect for the elderly comes first, so I'll go first!"

"Letting an old man go before a young beggar is cheating!"

"Isn't it right to yield to a weak woman?"

"What makes you think Miao Miss is weak?"

The argument over the order quickly turned into a shouting match.

They almost came to blows, but to find a solution quickly, they formed a circle and started discussing in hushed tones.

The order was decided by drawing lots.

The front positions were taken by the Beggar Sect.

Among them, Xiao Tiankai was the first to be chosen.

Xiao Tiankai stepped forward confidently, and Jin Jiezi clasped his hands in prayer, looking anxious.

"Please... please... let it be me..."

Xiao Tiankai looked up at the sky for a moment.

It seemed he was gauging the position of the tracking hawk, then he bent his knees and crouched.

"Oh! Is he going to fly up!"

At the moment someone exclaimed,

Bang!

Dust rose as Xiao Tiankai shot up.

He seemed determined to fly up to the bird's position and grab its neck.

Xiao Tiankai's figure soared to about thirty meters in an instant.

Hou Gong nodded slightly.

Regardless of success, he was impressed.

'Not bad.'

Xiao Tiankai's flight was limited to about thirty meters.

He lost momentum at that point, paused, and then began to descend slowly. As he fell, he called out in disappointment.

"No! Come here, bird!"

Calling out to the unreachable bird, Xiao Tiankai spun and plummeted to the ground. But just before hitting the ground, he twisted his body and landed safely.

Hou Gong gave a meaningful look.

'The foundation of his lightness technique is impressive.'

The explosive acceleration when he shot up was excellent, living up to the reputation of the "Beggar Sect of Lightness and Concealment." The agility and adaptability in his landing also revealed his exceptional talent.

Even a top assassin would find it hard to catch Xiao Tiankai if he decided to run.

Catching the tracking hawk would be good, but even if they didn't, there was another aspect to consider.

Hou Gong wanted to clearly understand the martial arts level of the Sky Alchemy Pill. If the enemy was unknown, it was necessary to know the limits and capabilities of this side.

If the Wuji Assassin Sect was waiting for an opportunity, it would certainly be something fatal and unexpected. Therefore, Hou Gong wanted to use the excuse of catching the tracking hawk to assess the skills of the Sky Alchemy Pill.

"Great kid."

"Almost got it!"

"Running is indeed the Beggar Sect's specialty!"

The Sky Alchemy Pill showered Xiao Tiankai with applause and praise.

Xiao Tiankai grinned, b