Chapter 701: The Pill Gathering Begins

Just as Mateo's Spirit Sense surged into the Jade Pendant.

A beam of Spirit Light suddenly shot out from the Jade Pendant, transforming into a translucent face.

Seeing this face.

Mateo's expression froze.

This is...

That Qi Refining First Layer servant!

Just as Mateo was filled with shock and suspicion, he suddenly saw a faint smile emerge on that translucent face.

Immediately following, a soft voice suddenly entered his ears.

"Explode~"

Boom~

Following this sound, the Jade Pendant in front of him exploded with a bang.

A violent force far exceeding the one just moments ago raged outward.

Mateo retreated in terror.

However, he had only just retreated several dozen zhang when he was overtaken and submerged by the surging force.

Then, in the midst of his horror, he was instantly vaporized.

Two days later.

Wang Jianqiang's body shook, a tyrannical force diffused from within his body, and was then retracted into his body.

He slowly opened his eyes, a faint smile appearing on his face.

Nascent Soul Middle Stage.

He stood up tall.

After greeting Zhou Yun, he left this Small Space.

He walked down the mountain all the way.

Along the way, snatches of discussion drifted over.

"Have you heard? When Mateo, ranked eighteenth in the Inner Sect, was refining a Magic Treasure, the Magic Treasure suddenly went out of control, and he was blown to death."

"No way? How could Mateo make such a low-level mistake?"

"Who knows, but that is the result of the sect's investigation."

"Tsk tsk... A generation's prodigy actually died so stiflingly, alas~"

Hearing the constant chatter from those around him.

The corners of Wang Jianqiang's mouth couldn't help but curl up; he seemed to be in an excellent mood, and his footsteps even became a bit lighter.

Not long after.

He left this first peak of the Inner Sect and quickly headed toward the Outer Sect area.

After arriving at the Outer Sect area.

He climbed a mountain peak with practiced ease and arrived at Zhou Qingyu's residence.

With a thought, he opened the passage leading to the internal space.

He lifted his foot and walked in.

In a Pavilion within the Small Space.

Zhou Qingyu was sitting cross-legged, her beautiful eyes closed.

Suddenly.

She opened her eyes, took out a Sound Transmission Talisman to listen for a moment, and then a look of surprise appeared on her face.

She rose and walked out of the Pavilion, seeing a figure head-on.

After seeing the person who arrived, a smile appeared on her face.

Then she asked in confusion, "Wang Daniu, you aren't helping Eldest Young Miss over there, why did you suddenly think of coming back here to me?"

Wang Jianqiang smiled, "Sister Qing Yu, I didn't come back on my own accord today; I was instructed by Eldest Young Miss to specifically bring a good thing for Sister Qing Yu."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingyu's expression shifted, and she smiled, "What good thing?"

Wang Jianqiang waved his palm, and an exquisitely crafted Jade Pendant appeared.

Seeing this Jade Pendant, Zhou Qingyu was stunned.

The Maple City Pill Gathering had a great reputation among the circle of Alchemists within the Beast Taming Sect, so she naturally recognized the Alchemy Conference Invitation Jade Pendant.

"The Maple City Alchemy Conference Invitation Jade Pendant, this thing is extremely rare, how do you have one?"

As she spoke, a look of surprise appeared on Zhou Qingyu's face.

Wang Jianqiang smiled and told Zhou Qingyu about meeting Yang Yuntian while helping Zhou Yun purchase Medicinal Herb seeds.

As for Mateo blocking his path midway, he still deliberately concealed it.

After hearing the ins and outs, Zhou Qingyu's eyes curved, and she began to smile.

"Yang Yuntian actually used an Alchemy Conference Invitation Jade Pendant to trade with you for ten Snow Spirit Grass seeds!"

"He is truly generous."

"But as the number one Alchemist of the Inner Sect, he does have the capital to be this generous."

Wang Jianqiang nodded, a deep sense of reverence and longing appearing in his eyes, "His bearing is indeed extraordinary; I don't know if I will have the chance to become an Alchemist like him in the future."

Hearing Wang Jianqiang's words, Zhou Qingyu felt a pang of pity in her heart.

Given the talent for Alchemy displayed by Wang Daniu.

Were it not for the limitation of his Five Elements Spiritual Root, once he stepped onto the path of Alchemy, his achievements might not be beneath those of Yang Yuntian.

It is just a pity...

She sighed inwardly, a look of encouragement appearing on her face, "Wang Daniu, you must cultivate diligently in the future. As long as you can successfully reach Foundation Establishment, I will pass on the methods of Alchemy to you. When that time comes, you will surely be able to become a respected Alchemist."

Wang Jianqiang seemed to be affected, his confidence ignited, and he nodded heavily.

Zhou Qingyu smiled upon seeing this, then changed the subject, "With this Invitation Jade Pendant, I can attend the Pill Gathering."

"The Pill Gathering rules state that every attendee may bring one companion."

"Would you like to go to the Pill Gathering to see it for yourself?"

Wang Jianqiang was stunned upon hearing this, then reacted.

He nodded, his face full of surprise.

Evening.

Wang Jianqiang returned to Zhou Yun's residence.

He informed Zhou Yun via a Communication Talisman that he had already given the Pill Gathering Invitation Jade Pendant to Zhou Qingyu.

Afterwards, he returned to his room and continued to cultivate.

One day, early morning.

Wang Jianqiang was cultivating when he suddenly received a message from Zhou Qingyu.

"Zhou Qingyu is here, wanting to pick me up to attend the Maple City Pill Gathering?"

After reading the contents of the Communication Talisman, Wang Jianqiang was startled, only then remembering that today was the day the Maple City Pill Gathering was to be held.

He got up and walked out.

Not long after.

Wang Jianqiang and Zhou Qingyu left Zhou Yun's Small Space, and under the cover of Zhou Qingyu's power, they sped away outside the Beast Taming Sect.

Maple City.

The only city within a radius of a thousand miles outside the Beast Taming Sect.

It was only thirty miles away from the Beast Taming Sect.

After leaving the Beast Taming Sect, Wang Jianqiang and Zhou Qingyu went straight into Maple City.

"Have you heard? Today is the day of the triennial Pill Gathering."

"Of course I've heard. The Pill Gathering is a grand event in our Maple City; every time it is held, numerous prodigies from the Beast Taming Sect descend."

"I really want to go into the Pill Gathering to see it~"

"Dreaming? How many geniuses of the Beast Taming Sect want to attend this Pill Gathering and can't find a way in, and you? I'm afraid you're thinking a bit too much."

After the two walked into Maple City, the streets were filled with topics about the Pill Gathering.

From this, it can be seen.

The influence of this Maple City Pill Gathering, founded by Yang Yuntian and the others, is indeed impressive.

The venue for the Pill Gathering is located on a huge Square in the center of Maple City.

At this moment.

The idle personnel inside the Square had already been cleared out.

The edge of the Square was surrounded by a circle of Cultivators maintaining order.

Further out were individual checkpoints.

At each checkpoint, there was a Cultivator constantly verifying the identities of those attending the Pill Gathering.

Further out still were large crowds of onlookers.

Although they were already very far from the Square and could not see the scene inside clearly.

It still could not block their curiosity about this grand event in the slightest.

Zhou Qingyu and Wang Jianqiang arrived at the edge of the Square.

The two looked at the many figures waiting for their identities to be verified.

They were not in a hurry to enter the Square, but stood still behind the crowd.

Waiting silently.

"Eh, I wondered who it was, isn't this Zhou Qingyu?"

Just as the two were waiting.

A voice suddenly came from one side.

Wang Jianqiang turned his head to look, and immediately saw a familiar figure walking toward them.

Ximen Qi?

Wang Jianqiang's heart stirred, and the name of the person appeared in his mind.

At the same time.

Ximen Qi had already walked up to the two, his gaze pausing on Wang Jianqiang.

His gaze looked normal, but how sharp was Wang Jianqiang's perception?

He clearly detected a trace of undisguised malice in his eyes.

Immediately after.

Ximen Qi's gaze shifted to Zhou Qingyu, a look of mockery appearing on his face, "Zhou Qingyu, you were so decisive back then, I thought you were quite arrogant; aren't you still wanting to come and attend this Pill Gathering?"

"It's just a pity that this Pill Gathering isn't something just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can enter."

"Without my help, you can only stay outside this Square and be a spectator from afar."

Zhou Qingyu frowned upon hearing this.

Before she could speak.

A woman beside Ximen Qi suddenly reached out and hugged Ximen Qi's arm.

"Junior Brother Ximen, is this the idiot woman who refused your good intentions for the sake of a servant?"

The woman spoke in a coquettish voice while looking at Zhou Qingyu.

Seeing that Zhou Qingyu's beauty was even above her own, a flash of jealousy crossed her eyes, and she sneered.

"Tsk tsk, the skin is quite nice, no wonder Junior Brother Ximen values you so much."

"It's just a pity that you don't know how to cherish yourself, actually getting together with a lowly servant."

"I really don't know if you've been starved for too long, or if you're just this unpicky, and anyone will do."

When she spoke, she deliberately raised her voice.

It immediately attracted a large number of gazes looking for excitement.

At this moment.

Both Zhou Qingyu and Wang Jianqiang could clearly feel pairs of eyes with strange meanings scanning back and forth over them.

Wang Jianqiang seemed unable to bear Zhou Qingyu being slandered, and a look of anger appeared on his face.

Just as he was about to speak, Zhou Qingyu suddenly grabbed his palm.

Wang Jianqiang's expression paused, and he looked at Zhou Qingyu.

Zhou Qingyu shook her head, and her calm voice rang out in Wang Jianqiang's mind, "That woman is an Inner Sect Disciple, don't be impulsive."

"If we clash with them rashly, we will suffer."

"But~"

Seeing that the usually timid and fearful Wang Jianqiang seemed to want to say something more, Zhou Qingyu felt a warmth in her heart.

She shook her head at Wang Jianqiang again.

She was not afraid of these two.

Even if these two were given more courage, they would not dare to do anything to her in front of so many people.

But Wang Jianqiang was only a servant and was not protected by the sect.

If a conflict really broke out and something unfortunate happened.

Even if she could ask her elder sister to help take revenge, what would be the use?

"Let's go."

Her gaze swept indifferently over Ximen Qi and the female Inner Sect Disciple beside him.

She pulled Wang Jianqiang and walked forward.

Zhou Qingyu's disregard made Ximen Qi and the woman beside him frown at the same time.

Immediately after.

When the two saw that Zhou Qingyu was actually walking into the Square, their expressions both changed, revealing looks of astonishment.

"Junior Brother Ximen, didn't you say she didn't receive an invitation?"

The female Inner Sect Disciple beside Ximen Qi couldn't help but look at Ximen Qi.

Ximen Qi shook his head, "She definitely hasn't received an invitation, and as for the Alchemy Conference Invitation Jade Pendant, the quantity is extremely small, so it's impossible for her to get one."

"In that case, is she trying to fish in troubled waters and sneak into the Pill Gathering?" The female Inner Sect Disciple's expression shifted, revealing a look of mockery.

Ximen Qi clearly had a similar thought, and as he looked at the backs of Wang Jianqiang and Zhou Qingyu, a look of playfulness appeared on his face.

Sneak into the Pill Gathering?

This Zhou Qingyu was afraid she was thinking a bit too much.

It was true that she was an alchemy genius, but one had to see who she was being compared to.

In front of Senior Brother Yang Yuntian, her talent was not worth mentioning.

Want to sneak in?

The outcome was destined to be public expulsion and total loss of face.

At this moment.

He seemed to have already seen the scene where Zhou Qingyu was expelled and then regretted refusing him back then.

A sense of pleasure filled his heart.

"The two of you, stop."

Under the playful gazes of Ximen Qi and his companion, Zhou Qingyu and Wang Jianqiang had already arrived in front of a Cultivator responsible for verifying identities.

After seeing the two, that Cultivator raised his hand, "Are the two of you invited to participate in this Pill Gathering? If so, please state your names."

"If not, you must rely on an Alchemy Conference Invitation Jade Pendant to enter."

Hearing the words of the verification personnel, Zhou Qingyu flipped her palm and took out a Jade Pendant.

The verification personnel took the Jade Pendant, and after carefully checking it, nodded.

He returned the Jade Pendant to Zhou Qingyu.

"The Jade Pendant is authentic, the two of you may enter."

Zhou Qingyu looked at Wang Jianqiang, "Wang Daniu, let's go."

Wang Jianqiang nodded.

Afterwards, the two passed the verification personnel and walked into the Square.

"Wait!"

Just at this moment.

A voice suddenly came over.

Zhou Qingyu frowned, and her footsteps came to a halt.

Seeing this, Wang Jianqiang also stopped and looked back.

Ximen Qi had appeared beside the verification officer at some unknown time.

He pointed his finger at Zhou Qingyu and Wang Jianqiang, saying to the verification officer, "I suspect their Alchemy Conference Invitation Jade Pendant is fake."

Hearing Ximen Qi's words.

Wang Jianqiang remained calm on the surface, but was already secretly laughing in his heart.

He watched this scene with great interest.

Waiting for Ximen Qi to continue his performance.

Zhou Qingyu's expression turned cold, and she did not speak.

Outside the Square.

The Cultivator responsible for verifying the identities of Zhou Qingyu and Wang Jianqiang heard this, and a flash of dissatisfaction crossed his eyes.

However, after seeing the Identity Token of an Outer Sect Disciple of the Beast Taming Sect at Ximen Qi's waist, he suppressed this dissatisfaction out of wariness.

He patiently explained, "Daoist Friend, we verification personnel have all received professional training and know the Alchemy Conference Invitation Jade Pendant like the back of our hands; it is impossible for us to judge incorrectly."

Ximen Qi shook his head, "I can be certain that her Alchemy Conference Invitation Jade Pendant is definitely fake; you must have misread it."

"You are only a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator with limited vision; it would be better to let someone stronger come and re-examine it."

"This..."

"Why haven't you gone to find someone yet? I have a close relationship with Senior Brother Yang Yuntian, the organizer of the Pill Gathering, and have an obligation to help Senior Brother Yang Yuntian supervise the order of the Pill Gathering."

"If there really is an oversight and some shameless scoundrels have snuck into the Pill Gathering, can you bear that responsibility?"

Upon hearing Ximen Qi mention his close relationship with Yang Yuntian, the verification officer's heart skipped a beat.

He no longer dared to be negligent.

With a hesitant expression, he looked at Zhou Qingyu and Wang Jianqiang, "Two Daoist Friends, please wait here for a moment."

Zhou Qingyu gave Ximen Qi a cold look and nodded, "Fine."

The Cultivator responsible for identity verification breathed a sigh of relief.

He then called over a few guards to temporarily watch this entrance.

He trotted along the entrance and into the Square.

After that staff member left, Ximen Qi looked at Zhou Qingyu with a face full of mockery, "Zhou Qingyu, I really didn't expect you to be so bold as to dare to forge even Senior Brother Yang Yuntian's Alchemy Conference Invitation Jade Pendant."

"Today, I will definitely make you lose all face."