As Lu Xuan's colossal hand descended, Yao Feng Old Ancestor's face twisted into an increasingly ghastly pallor. Sweat poured down his face. He knew, deep in his bones, that the White Robe Supreme was a true madman. When others threatened to kill, it was often just bluster. But when the White Robe Supreme said he would kill, he meant it!

Just then, Ye Changfeng rushed forward, "Peak Master Lu... Senior, please show mercy!" After all, this was the Yao Family. Killing a One-rotation Quasi-Dao Supreme here would be a devastating blow to their clan. He knew that if Yao Liuli were present, she would also try to stop it.

Lu Xuan's hand slowly lowered. In that critical instant, a terrifying thought flashed through Yao Feng's mind. The White Robe Supreme wasn't trying to kill him; he was going to Soul Search him! If his memories were laid bare for all to see, the consequences would be catastrophic. The Yao Family would be utterly humiliated! Realizing this, Yao Feng let out a muffled groan, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as he forcibly wiped away the recent memories from his mind.

Seeing this, Lu Xuan merely chuckled, then casually slapped Yao Feng, sending him plummeting into the earth. "Erasing memories, are we?"

Yao Feng, bleeding from all seven orifices, managed a pathetic, defiant laugh as he slowly crawled out of the crater. "White Robe Supreme, I have a clear conscience! Your disciple, Ye Chen, lost fair and square. The Yao Family remains the undisputed number one alchemist power in the Southern Wilds!"

A collective shiver ran through the crowd. They felt the White Robe Supreme was far too overbearing! Was he such a sore loser?

At this moment, Ye Chen calmly stepped forward. "I demand a rematch."

Yao Huanhuan, surprised, asked, "Ye Chen, you're not convinced? Fine, let's compete!"

Ye Chen shook his head, his gaze unwavering as it fixed on Yao Feng. "Where is the strongest alchemist of the Yao Family?"

Yao Feng, still spitting blood, scoffed. "I am the strongest alchemist in the Yao Family right now, and indeed, the strongest in the entire Southern Wilds. What? You want to challenge me?"

Ye Chen's expression remained utterly calm, almost dismissive. "Yes, I will compete with you."

"Hahahaha!" Yao Feng burst into uproarious laughter. The numerous alchemists watching were utterly dumbfounded. Yao Feng was a peak Heaven-tier Alchemist, capable of refining even Quasi-Dao Supreme tier pills. How old was Ye Chen? Barely seventeen! Wasn't this just a young pup trying to show off before a grandmaster? "Young people shouldn't be so hot-headed!" many muttered. Several highly respected alchemists from the Yao Family shook their heads in disapproval. You could call Yao Feng ruthless, but you couldn't deny his skill! The crowd's opinion of Ye Chen plummeted.

"We once thought Ye Chen's talent was heaven-defying, that perhaps in another ten thousand years of alchemy, he might contend with our Yao Family. But now, it seems this boy will never amount to much!"

"As the saying goes, 'The child is father to the man!' With a temperament like Ye Chen's, his Dao of Alchemy is surely doomed to stagnate."

"A master can only guide the way, but the path is yours to walk. Ye Chen, before you refine another pill, I suggest you learn some humility."

At this point, even the alchemy grandmasters from other factions who had previously held Ye Chen in high regard changed their tune. Ye Chen, they concluded, simply lacked the proper character.

In the arena, Elder Cang Li hesitated for a moment, then suddenly spoke up. "You all may not believe, but I believe in Ye Chen. Yao Feng Old Ancestor, could it be that you're afraid to compete with him?" His voice, however, lacked its usual conviction. After all, a seventeen-year-old alchemist, barely out of the 'newbie village' of cultivation, how could he possibly defeat a peak alchemist of the Southern Wilds? Yet, he chose to support Ye Chen. What was the worst that could happen? A loss was just a loss.

Yao Feng Old Ancestor slowly crawled out of the deep crater he'd been slapped into. "Fine, a competition it is. Ye Chen, if you lose, you will spend ten years reflecting on your arrogance in my Yao Family's Sin Valley!"

Ye Chen replied, "I cannot lose. But if you lose?"

Yao Feng Old Ancestor sneered. "If I lose, I'll kowtow three times to you, respectfully, in front of every single person in the Southern Wilds!"

"Agreed," Ye Chen said simply.

Yao Feng Old Ancestor glared at Lu Xuan. "White Robe Supreme, let's wait for the results before you speak again. Ye Chen clearly cheated!"

Lu Xuan merely smiled, a cold, dismissive chuckle escaping his lips. "With your level of alchemy, hehe..." He then casually returned to his recliner and settled back, seemingly unconcerned.

A flicker of anger crossed Ji Fuyao's exquisite face. "This Saint Son's Lineage of the Yao Family is truly going too far." Yao Yan's expression was grim, but he remained silent.

Soon after, Yao Feng and Ye Chen stepped into the designated alchemy chambers. Yao Feng sneered, "Alright, kid, how do you want to do this?"

Ye Chen replied with an air of profound indifference, "I'm going to win regardless. You may proceed as you wish." Yao Feng's face instantly flushed crimson with rage. You arrogant little bastard! he cursed internally. Who the hell are you trying to fool with that act?! Just look at that smug expression... Yet, a faint, mocking smile appeared on his face. "How about we refine Heaven-tier Ninth-grade pills, then?"

"I don't care," Ye Chen said. The onlookers felt Ye Chen was putting on far too much of an act. It was obvious he'd learned this 'arrogant act' from the White Robe Supreme. Learning all the wrong lessons!

Moments later, both Ye Chen and Yao Feng began their alchemy. Yao Feng aimed to refine the Seven-star Spirit Nurturing Pill. This pill, known for its ability to cleanse the physical body and Dao foundation with spiritual essence, was highly coveted even by Quasi-Dao Supremes. Ye Chen, however, chose to refine the Nine-Revolutions Enlightenment Pill. This pill could aid in comprehension and even had a certain probability of helping the user achieve sudden enlightenment!

He summoned his Heaven-Devouring Cauldron. In his palm, the Bone-Chilling Ghost Flame flickered to life, its icy yet scorching white flames illuminating the entire chamber. The white fire surged, beginning to warm the cauldron. Ye Chen meticulously laid out his spirit herbs: Dragon Blood Branch, Wind Profound Leaf, Mud Moss Mold...

This time, Ye Chen made no attempt to conceal his skill. His movements were incredibly profound and mysterious, flowing like a seamless river. Watching Ye Chen's every action, the crowd was utterly stunned. His alchemy techniques were far more profound and intricate than anything they had witnessed before! It transcended their very understanding of alchemy. Every single movement resonated with the Grand Dao of Heaven and Earth, imbued with profound Dao and Rhyme. Beside him, Yao Feng Old Ancestor's movements, though seasoned and practiced, lacked a certain spiritual essence, a vital spark. There was simply no comparison! The onlookers immediately pulled out their ancient jade slips, frantically attempting to inscribe and record Ye Chen's techniques.

Elder Cang Li was utterly dumbfounded. "Little friend Ye Chen, you've been holding back quite a few tricks!" Everyone else instantly shed their previous disdain for Ye Chen. The Yao Family members were left gaping, utterly speechless. With this alchemy technique alone, Ye Chen had already surpassed all Heaven-tier Ninth-grade alchemists! Exclamations of awe rippled through the crowd.

"Too profound! This is the most perfect alchemy technique I have ever witnessed in my life!"

"No wonder Ye Chen dared to challenge Yao Feng Old Ancestor; he truly has the qualifications."

"My apologies, little friend Ye Chen. I was blind to your true talent."

"Even if Ye Chen were to lose, he would do so with honor. I, for one, declare that in this competition of the younger generation of alchemists, Ye Chen has already won!" Yao Huanhuan felt a profound shock deep within her. When had Ye Chen become so incredibly powerful?

A day later, Yao Feng Old Ancestor suddenly roared, "Condense!" Above his head, a five-layered Pill Cloud materialized, ethereal and dreamlike, resembling a celestial realm. The fresh fragrance of the Seven-star Spirit Nurturing Pill wafted out, instantly purifying the air. Around Yao Feng Old Ancestor, Dao and Rhyme surged, a testament to his mastery. A moment later, Yao Feng Old Ancestor slapped his cauldron. Pill Completion! He opened his alchemy furnace, revealing five perfectly formed pills, each shimmering with multiple Pill Halos. A minimum of four-layer Pill Halos!

"Hahahaha!" Yao Feng Old Ancestor burst into triumphant laughter. He saw the crowd still intently inscribing, and a smug satisfaction filled him. It seems everyone learned a great deal from my alchemy this time! A flicker of regret crossed his mind for allowing other alchemists to 'steal' his precious techniques. He had exposed almost his entire strength! Too hasty, too hasty! But then, Yao Feng Old Ancestor noticed something amiss. No one was looking at him. Even the alchemists from his own Yao Family were staring intently in another direction. He had successfully completed his pill refinement, yet barely anyone cheered! This was a Quasi-Dao Supreme tier pill, for crying out loud! And the success rate was incredibly high, yielding five pills in a single attempt!

Yao Feng Old Ancestor's face turned grim. He strode out of his alchemy chamber, his eyes fixed on Ye Chen. "I'd like to see what kind of trick this brat is pulling..." Before he could finish his sentence, his eyes widened in utter disbelief. What... what kind of profound alchemy technique is this?! Shock! His mind could only register pure, unadulterated shock. Suddenly, "BOOM!" Above Ye Chen's head, a magnificent Heaven and Earth Phenomenon erupted!