Chapter 55

Zhao Sheng was fine after being pricked nine times, but when Zhao Hao was pricked five times, the elixir exploded. This was not because Zhao Hao was inferior to Zhao Sheng, but rather, he was far superior to Zhao Sheng.

Zhao Sheng had no clue about the technique, and the nine pricks were all in vain, merely poking nine small holes in the elixir.

Zhao Hao, on the other hand, tried to use his inner energy to vibrate the elixir while pricking it, hoping to achieve the desired effect.

Unfortunately, although he was stronger than Zhao Sheng, he still couldn't master the technique of the golden needles.

Zhao Hao stood still, neither retreating nor waving to disperse the dust.

As a result, the dust settled all over his head and face, turning his hair white and covering his face with a layer of white ash, making him look extremely ridiculous.

Zhao Yuan and Zhao Sheng's subordinates, who couldn't stand his previous arrogance, couldn't help but laugh at his misfortune.

With his face covered in white ash, Zhao Hao's eyes glowed like a wolf's, staring intently at Yan Zhege.

At this moment, there was no contempt in his eyes, but rather, a deep-seated resentment and hostility.

This resentment and hostility were not directed at Guangcheng Mountain, but entirely at Yan Zhege personally.

At this person he had never taken seriously before.

Yan Zhege remained calm, not even glancing at Zhao Hao, and instead bowed to Zhao Shili: "Thanks to Prince Jing's suggestion, it was indeed a wonderful competition."

Seeing that Yan Zhege completely ignored his existence, Zhao Hao's pupils constricted slightly.

Sometimes, being ignored is worse than being despised.

Zhao Hao was always the kind of person who became even more arrogant when others were arrogant. How could he tolerate being ignored by Yan Zhege?

His gaze became even deeper.

"Sixteenth Brother, would you like to try a few more times?" Zhao Yuan's seemingly well-intentioned voice sounded in his ear.

Zhao Hao closed his eyes, clenching his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms.

After just one attempt, he knew that the technique of the golden needles was not something that could be learned by mere observation.

Even with his superior alchemy skills, which surpassed those of most people in the world, he couldn't figure it out with just a few trials.

Zhao Yuan looked at Zhao Hao and said calmly, "It seems Sixteenth Brother doesn't plan to continue the experiment? Then what do you think the result of this competition is?"

Zhao Hao's body swayed, and he opened his eyes, not looking at Zhao Yuan at all, but staring straight at Yan Zhege: "I've been hunting geese all year, but today I was pecked by a sparrow..."

He took a deep breath and said, "This time, I lost."

Zhao Hao glanced coldly at Zhao Yuan, unwilling to waste words.

He was one hundred percent sure that if Zhao Yuan were to make a healing elixir himself, he wouldn't even be fit to carry the shoes of Zhao Hao's healing elixir.

But he had boasted so much earlier, and if Zhao Yuan could do it and he, Zhao Hao, couldn't do it better, he would lose.

The current result was that Zhao Yuan could do it, but he couldn't.

Although it was definitely not Zhao Yuan's true skill, it must have been guided by Yan Zhege's internal energy.

Zhao Hao snorted and said directly, "The person I killed earlier didn't provide any valuable information."

"There was only one point: their organization's influence extends far beyond Dongtang and Tian Dongzhou."

"At least, they have a base in Tian Beizhou, but he didn't know the specifics."

Yan Zhege listened and remembered it, but his gaze remained on Zhao Shili.

With a wave of his hand, the Huiri Wheel was retracted, and the spiritual light disappeared. Zhao Shili's gaze seemed to dim slightly.

"Once we return to the capital of Dongtang, we will still need to trouble Prince Jing," Yan Zhege said with a calm smile.

Zhao Shili looked at Zhao Hao, then at Zhao Yuan, and finally at Yan Zhege. His face changed several times before he forced a smile: "Yan Zhege's visit is naturally welcome."

He looked at Zhao Yuan and said solemnly, "Cousin Yuan, it's truly a cause for celebration that you are proficient in the ancient alchemy techniques from before the Great Catastrophe."

"I wonder when this technique can be promoted? Such a method could significantly improve the quality of elixirs produced in Dongtang."

Zhao Yuan bowed and said, "Uncle Jing, as you say, I only have a basic understanding and am still exploring. I plan to report to Father once I have a preliminary plan."

"Once we return to the capital, I will naturally report to Father."

"The Dan Shi Pavilion might conduct a trial promotion first, but ultimately, everything will be decided by Father."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shili's eyebrows twitched, barely suppressing his anger.

The Dan Shi Pavilion, which had already gained momentum due to the dispersion of smoke, would now rise even higher.

As it developed, it was foreseeable that the Dan Shi Pavilion would surpass others and become one of the pillars of Dongtang.

And now, it would have nothing to do with him...

Zhao Shili sighed, realizing he had underestimated Yan Zhege.

He was a grandmaster, and his own son was older than Yan Zhege.

Although Yan Zhege had recently gained a lot of attention for his martial prowess and potential,

Zhao Shili never expected that Yan Zhege would also surpass Zhao Hao in alchemy.

As Mr. Wang had said, Zhao Hao's alchemy skills were among the best in the world.

The level of alchemy skills was related to a martial artist's cultivation, but not as closely as in weapon forging.

To some extent, it was a separate system of knowledge. To master it, one needed both talent and the accumulation of time and effort.

Zhao Shili thought that with Yan Zhege's high martial arts achievements, he would need to focus entirely on cultivation, which already occupied a lot of his time and energy.

Even if he had a good talent for alchemy, where would he find the time to invest?

If it was just a matter of knowing an ancient secret technique, it would be fine, but if Yan Zhege truly had comprehensive and profound skills in alchemy, it would be terrifying and beyond comprehension.

Zhao Shili, who had seen many great events, still felt his worldview and common sense collapsing at this moment.

His face changed several times, ultimately turning into a bitter smile.

At this moment, Zhao Yuan also secretly transmitted a message: "This time, I really owe you, Yan Zhege. I never expected that my sixteenth brother was hiding so deeply."

"I will definitely repay you generously."

"Later, when Father asks about the golden needle technique, I will need your opinion."

Yan Zhege responded, "I will talk to Uncle Shili when the time comes. You can rest assured; the technique can be used by the Dan Shi Pavilion under the condition of controlling the number of people who know about it."

"I understand," Zhao Yuan nodded in agreement. "Rest assured, I won't let Guangcheng Mountain suffer any loss."

Feng Yunsheng stood beside Yan Zhege. "You helped the crown prince of Dongtang, didn't you?"

Yan Zhege put on a very reserved expression. "Hehe, low-key, low-key."

"Good, good, good, low-key, low-key, you're the lowest-key," Feng Yunsheng laughed and shook her head, then asked curiously, "But such a secret technique, won't your Guangcheng Mountain keep it? Even though I've heard that your father and the emperor of Dongtang are close friends."

Yan Zhege looked at her. "You should say 'our Guangcheng Mountain.'"

Actually, Feng Yunsheng had not yet officially joined the sect. She was only promised help by Yan Zhege, and the sect's attitude towards her was still uncertain.

But upon hearing this, Feng Yunsheng smiled brightly. "You're right, it's my mistake, our Guangcheng Mountain."

"Um, that sounds much better," Yan Zhege nodded in satisfaction and then said, "Don't worry, I've already reported the golden needle technique to my father, and the sect has a foundation."

"To squeeze out the Dari Shengzong and Cangmang Mountain in Dongtang, we need to invest some capital."

"Even without today's incident, we had plans in this regard."

"So, I need to take over Zhao Shili's share in the Dan Shi Pavilion."

Yan Zhege snapped his fingers. "I never expected it to be so simple and smooth."

Finally, he looked at Zhao Hao and smiled unscrupulously. "You're a good person, thank you."