Chapter 25: Fang Zijing

Chen Zhao raised an eyebrow.

In the midst of adversity, a lucky omen was like charcoal in snow.

He immediately unsealed the omen.

【Today's Divination · Minor Luck】: You attend the Alchemist Exchange, encounter Fang Zijing and another, are tested and harassed, you astonish all with the Ninefold Control of Essence Art, later receive Li Zhiwei's protection, and exchange with Murong De for a Muchen Stone, which you fuse into the Qingming Naling Sword.

Showing off before others...

He finally understood: mixed benefits and drawbacks—that's Minor Luck.

Being protected by Sister Li is indeed advantageous, but the drawback stems from this very thing.

For Li Zhiwei, a practitioner of the Way of Survival, to personally take a side and defend someone, the Ninefold Control of Essence Art must be extraordinary.

But then, other Inner Sect Disciples will grow envious.

At that point, you'll have escaped the wolf's den only to enter the tiger's lair.

No, that place is unacceptable.

Though he didn't know what a Muchen Stone was, compared to his life, even a spirit stone could be tossed away like a pebble.

Meanwhile.

Heaven Grade Jia You Cave Abode.

Fang Zijing frowned as he paced, his expression shifting between dark and light.

"Li Zhiwei went to save someone yet vehemently denied it—why? No, I must test her tomorrow."

Su Muqing sat sideways, chin propped on her hand, utterly baffled:

"He's merely an Inner Sect Disciple—why should Lord Fang care? If absolutely necessary, have an Elder intervene..."

Fang Zijing shook his head.

"Not just because of her favoritism-prone master, but she herself—a Second-grade Alchemist with a Heterogeneous Spirit Root, a genius who achieved Foundation Establishment without a Foundation Establishment Pill!"

"Even my father can't touch her!"

"Had she not been cold-hearted and avoided karmic entanglements, I'd be certain she'd meddle and snatch my opportunity."

Su Muqing's lips turned slightly pale as she trembled:

"Then why isn't she a True Disciple?"

"There's deep friction between the halls, and even more so among the Elders—True Disciples must be embroiled in the fray,"

Fang Zijing frowned and said:

"Her treatment is that of a True Disciple, but her nature is such—she absolutely avoids danger, especially in sect competitions or secret realm explorations."

According to his knowledge.

This woman won't act unless she sees the rabbit—could Su Wanyao have also promised the Su Family to her?

Dan Tang.

Chen Zhao walked into the hall holding a wooden token.

Inside, all wore black or white robes—about a hundred people total, mostly Alchemists.

Almost all of Tiankui Sect's Alchemists were here.

Compared to other halls, which numbered in the thousands, it was sparsely populated.

Chen Zhao, dressed in white, blended into the crowd, pretending to be an Outer Sect Disciple.

Around him buzzed a crowd; he tiptoed, glancing left and right, listening to discussions on Dan Theory.

He circled once.

Aside from recruiting a few people for Juxian Pavilion, Chen Zhao gained nothing.

The discussants were mostly First-grade Alchemists; their depth fell far short of the Ninefold Control of Essence Art.

But the disciples practicing Alchemy on-site drew Chen Zhao's attention.

"Move, move, you're blocking my flame control."

"Can you even do it, brother? I rub my skin and get bigger pills than you."

"Come on, brother, if you're so good, try it yourself."

In pointing and commenting, one could learn something valuable.

Chen Zhao observed closely.

The troublemakers were mostly Inner Sect Disciples, using techniques from the Basic Dan Scripture, yet hiding deeper layers—clearly they'd studied other Alchemy methods.

Though secretive, these tricks allowed onlookers to learn techniques.

"The atmosphere of experienced guiding newcomers is strong."

Chen Zhao nodded—Dan Tang was truly an academic hall.

Though this "guiding" method was unusual.

Most disciples looked confused; only a few with strong Mental Power could discern subtle differences within the same technique.

And Chen Zhao had read the Dan Theory section of the Ninefold Control of Essence Art—his understanding of these details was far deeper.

He wandered back and forth.

Chen Zhao continuously simulated or verified in his mind, feeling that his success rate for refining Huanglong Pills should now reach around fifty percent.

Not long after.

He had reached the last row.

There, Li Zhiwei, clad in white, stood apart from the crowd.

Before her,

Su Muqing held a black-robed disciple, chatting with him.

Yet Li Zhiwei remained silent, quietly eating Spirit Fruit.

Chen Zhao sized up the black-robed disciple.

The man was refined and scholarly, like him, yet exuded an air of nobility, fanning himself with a folding fan, occasionally drawing glances from female disciples who pointed at him and whispered to their companions.

He must be Fang Zijing.

"Is this Brother Zhao? I never expected our first meeting to be here."

Fang Zijing's eyes held no malice, only warmth.

Chen Zhao silently cursed a smiling tiger, then bowed and smiled:

"Brother Zijing, what do you mean? Must our first meeting not be here?"

"I thought it would be at the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall."

Fang Zijing gently fanned himself, but his gaze flickered toward Li Zhiwei.

She ignored him completely.

Su Muqing saw this, pinched Fang Zijing's waist, and stoked the fire:

"What do you mean by that, Zijing? Though my junior brother is a Registered Disciple, he can still brew Qi Gathering Powder."

"If you doubt it, let him demonstrate it himself—though I wonder how much he's improved since our first meeting."

Her voice rose slightly, and she stole a glance at Li Zhiwei as she spoke.

The senior sister's reaction was notably cold; her brow furrowed slightly, as if deeply annoyed by the disturbance.

Yet when nearby disciples heard someone was challenging someone, they gathered around, and upon learning a Registered Disciple was involved, their interest deepened further.

Where there's a challenge, there's alchemy.

Besides, historically, very few Registered Disciples became Alchemists—Chen Zhao must have something extraordinary about him.

To learn real skills, this corner fell silent.

Chen Zhao took a deep breath.

He released the Pill Furnace.

Controlled the flame, added the ingredients, condensed the pills.

Following the methods of the *Basic Explanations of the Pill Scripture*, he moved methodically yet fluidly.

Shortly after.

Two vials of Qi Gathering Powder were brewed.

"What did you notice?"

Fang Zijing whispered silently.

Su Muqing frowned, scrutinized it closely, then shook her head and whispered back:

"The method from the *Basic Explanations of the Pill Scripture*—it's ordinary... or rather, clean, with no traces of other lineages. Strip away the details, and it's identical to any other disciple's."

"The efficacy is medium to above average, praised for its smooth, natural technique—but still just a novice with slight talent."

Slightly above average, but not outstanding.

The evaluations of all onlookers were astonishingly uniform.

This was exactly what Chen Zhao wanted.

Good enough to be remembered, but nothing more—no dazzling brilliance.

He also stole a glance at Senior Sister Li.

She didn't even lift her head, as if she'd expected this all along.

Chen Zhao exhaled in relief.

Su and Fang would surely find nothing to probe from her.

And his own performance should be beyond reproach.

After the crowd dispersed.

Su Muqing watched the retreating backs of Chen and Li, sighing softly:

"These two are truly cautious—today was a wasted trip."

Fang Zijing, however, smiled faintly and closed his folding fan slightly.

"No, today was quite fruitful."

"Chen and Li don't acknowledge each other, and Li Zhiwei's behavior was extremely restrained—what if they're close, and this was just an act?" Su Muqing frowned.

"Restrained, feigned—it's still a stance,"

Fang Zijing explained calmly, confident:

"It proves Li Zhiwei won't shield him publicly."

"Isn't that already our conclusion?" Su Muqing frowned.

"Different. Chen Zhao holds the entry token—who gave it to him? Li Zhiwei."

"Chen Zhao's alchemy is clean and precise—like someone from Dan Tang. Can we be sure she's not behind him?"

Fang Zijing casually waved his hand, and a tiny ladybug crawled onto his fingertip.

"This is a Qi-Observing Insect—it can penetrate the body and directly observe the flow of meridians."

"Their qi flows steadily—no sign of acting. Yet they've clearly known each other before, yet deliberately keep distance—this proves they're not just acting, but acting well!"

"This instead confirms their bond is shallow—Chen is merely a pawn Li Zhiwei casually placed."

"He can be killed—but Li Zhiwei must never learn it was us."