Chapter 783: Young Nephew, Be Silent

Feng Wanxi stood beside him, arms crossed, silent—neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

But since the Phoenix Clan's demonic emperor had spoken, everyone tacitly assumed Feng Wanxi had agreed.

Hummm… hummmm…

Jin Gang, the demonic emperor, waved his hand, and a brilliant light ignited in the void.

Instantly, ten thousand zhang around them were lit as bright as daylight.

Countless eyes fixed on He Pingsheng.

He Pingsheng took out his alchemical furnace and began refining the elixir before all eyes.

Under these conditions, cheating was impossible—even if someone tried, not a single demonic emperor would miss it.

"Lords!" He Pingsheng bowed again after receiving the materials. "To prove I did not cheat, could any of you kindly lend me some spiritual liquid? I shall not use my own for this refinement."

What if you later claim my spiritual liquid contained something illicit? Even eight mouths couldn't explain it away.

"Good, good, good…" Jin Gang said. "I have some 【Clear Yin Water】, an excellent blending agent—take it."

A vial was tossed down.

He Pingsheng thanked Jin Gang, then poured the Clear Yin Water into the furnace with a splash.

Boom…

Nine Heavens' Mystic Fire burst forth, beginning to scorch the furnace.

Under the gaze and spiritual senses of all, He Pingsheng retrieved the herbs and placed them into the furnace in sequence.

"This…" a demonic emperor skilled in alchemy immediately noticed: "He Pingsheng's alchemical technique seems unlike the traditional method for refining the 【Offering Spirit Elixir】!"

"Indeed… the order of material introduction is different—nine of the ingredients are in the wrong sequence!"

"The purification technique also appears altered!"

"The fire control is slightly off too!"

"This… could it be…"

"Hah… his basic alchemical method is off by ten thousand miles—how could he possibly produce a supreme-grade elixir?"

"This batch, this old man believes, won't even yield a single successful pill!"

Five or six demonic emperors murmured among themselves.

Many others nodded in agreement.

But He Pingsheng paid them no mind—he continued refining as if alone.

After all, his formula differed fundamentally from the traditional one—it had been enhanced.

Time passed slowly.

Soon, two hours had passed.

Whoosh…

Whoosh whoosh whoosh…

Twelve streaks of light shot into the void.

This time, He Pingsheng did not use his spiritual sense to guide them—he let the pills drift freely through the air.

After several breaths, the pills floated into view.

"This…" someone gasped: "Heavens… supreme-grade… supreme-grade…"

"Truly supreme-grade!"

"One supreme-grade, eleven upper-grade!"

"Sssss…"

"Under all these eyes, He Pingsheng did not cheat!"

"Proof positive—he produced this purely by skill!"

The square erupted in murmurs.

Yet not a single demonic emperor in the void spoke.

But every gaze turned toward the Phoenix Clan's demonic emperor.

The Phoenix Clan's demonic emperor's face twisted awkwardly. He took a deep breath, then spoke hesitantly: "Hmm… it seems… He Pingsheng is indeed exceptionally gifted. After just a few trials, he has already demonstrated the ability to produce supreme-grade elixirs… Truly, heroes emerge in youth!"

"Good!" Jin Gang said. "If the Phoenix Clan has no objection, He Pingsheng's result stands!"

"Lords, prepare for the next trial!"

"Wait…" Dalun Mingwang spoke up: "Didn't we already agree? He Pingsheng proved he didn't cheat—now Feng Wanxi must prove she didn't either!"

"Now… Feng Wanxi, it's your turn!"

Never mind that Dalun Mingwang defended He Pingsheng—within the dream, she had already forged a deep grudge with Feng Wanxi.

It was Feng Wanxi who had threatened He Pingsheng with their child, forcing him to surrender the Dream Stone.

Though his daughter He Yuqing turned out unharmed—and though she was merely a dream-born illusion—in Mingwang's heart, the grudge remained.

Swish…

At Dalun Mingwang's words, every eye turned to Feng Wanxi.

Jin Gang sighed bitterly—another failed attempt at appeasement.

"Hehehe… hehehe…" Feng Wanxi let out a cold laugh. "How absurd."

"I never said re-refining one batch proves you didn't cheat before!"

"You did re-refine one batch—so what?"

"It only proves this batch wasn't cheated—it says nothing about the previous one!"

"Besides—if re-refining proves innocence, must I return to the Stone Platform Stairway, sit in meditation for another hundred years, and re-attain a new divine art to prove I didn't cheat before?"

"Absurd. Your logic isn't just childish—it's laughable."

"Enough!" Feng Wanxi crossed her arms. "Since all the demonic emperors accept your result, I have nothing to say—your score stands."

"But you overestimate yourself if you think I must re-attain enlightenment to prove I didn't cheat."

"I… refuse."

"No one can force me."

"Because… I do not accept your method of proof."

"If you want me to prove myself, you must first prove beyond doubt—convincing everyone, including me—that you didn't cheat."

"Not with this re-refining trick!"

Feng Wanxi crossed her arms, tilted her head forty-five degrees upward, nostrils pointed at He Pingsheng: "Can you prove it?"

He Pingsheng smiled, then drew a deep breath, raising his hand solemnly.

He looked up at the endless void and spoke: "Heavenly Dao, witness…"

"Young nephew, be silent!" The Phoenix Clan's demonic emperor's heart jolted at those four words.

Jin Gang hurriedly added: "Young nephew, absolutely not…"

This is a joke!

Once a Heavenly Dao oath is sworn, the face is truly torn open.

Now that your score is accepted, why fight over meaningless matters?

Even Dalun Mingwang whispered to He Pingsheng: "He Pingsheng, be cautious. If you swear a Heavenly Dao oath, the Phoenix Clan's face will be trampled—this won't benefit you."

"There's still the fourth trial—and the Stone Platform Stairway ascent!"

"I fear they'll still sabotage you then."

"Think carefully."

Far away, Feng Wanxi's face turned deathly pale.

Done.

Swear an oath.

How did I never think of this?

If He Pingsheng swears a Heavenly Dao oath, it becomes undeniable proof.

What do I do?

Swear or not?

Swearing is impossible—falsehoods cannot be sworn true.

But if I refuse, the Phoenix Clan's honor will be crushed beneath his feet.