"Then, let's proceed!" Ji Yu smiled, and with that, He Lanmin suddenly appeared. "Wait!" He Lanmin exclaimed. "Ji Gongzi, take me with you!"
Ji Yu scolded under his breath, finding it troublesome, but still decided to bring He Lanmin along.
Lan Jie, the son of Lan Ke, the county king of Haoyue Emperor's lineage, lacked talent and skills but always desired to advance. Upon hearing Ji Yu mention that Su Qi possessed a mysterious weapon, Lan Jie grew even more anxious. The seven alchemists following him were also from influential families, considering him their companion.
"Let's go."
"Let's go," the two said in unison.
In an instant, a gust of wind blew past, leaving behind the scent of blood on the ground.
"Qi'er, it seems like they caught up," the Fire Silver Snake remarked sideways, observing the humans chasing them. These greedy and shameless humans had dared to intervene.
"Let them come! It's perfect timing for a confrontation," Su Qi stated confidently. He knew a way to deal with them.
Su Qi's dark eyes shifted, first looking at Ji Yu, then at Lan Jie. He covered his mouth and chuckled, his small shoulders shaking with amusement.
"What are you laughing at, Qi'er?" Huoyin asked, looking at Su Qi with a mischievous smile, his intelligent eyes filled with mirth.
"Naturally, I was thinking about the outcome they'll face soon!" Su Qi replied nonchalantly. He glanced at Ji Yu and Lan Jie, his large eyes occasionally fixed on Ji Yu while also speculating on Lan Jie's identity.
"Hurry up, or we'll be trapped in the Dange," Ji Yu urged, feeling a hint of anxiety. He hadn't expected the snake's speed to be so astonishing!
Lan Jie's gaze turned cold as he swept it over Su Qi, then returned his focus to Ji Yu. "Your magical dragon is faster. Let's take turns attacking Su Qi."
"You make it sound easy, but my spiritual pet's speed has reached its limit," Ji Yu replied, his eyes blazing like fire, glowing with a blood-red hue. What caught his attention was Su Qi's triumphant expression.
"What should we do then?" Lan Jie also grew anxious. Couldn't they, as a group, handle a child?
"Bang... Bang!" Rounded pebbles rained down on Ji Yu and the others.
"Bang!" Lansuke's hair scattered, his face growing even darker.
"What on earth is this?" Lansuke bellowed angrily.
Several people were hit by the stones.
Ji Yu, being more advanced in cultivation, quickly dodged them along with He Lanmin.
He Lanmin was indeed a burden to him, and after a few more strikes, the hat on his head was instantly knocked away, revealing hair as lifeless as dead grass.
Upon witnessing this, He Lanmin was momentarily stunned. The image of the beautiful man in her heart transformed into an old crow's nest, leaving her somewhat unable to accept it.
"Ji Gongzi, your... your hair?" He Lanmin stuttered.
"Shut up," Ji Yu snapped. Did he not know how he looked at the moment? But he couldn't afford to worry about it. He had to obtain the Soul Melting Ginseng now. Otherwise, he would suffer a significant setback in the alchemy competition today. If he didn't act decisively, he would always be overshadowed by the Mu family. If he couldn't secure first place in a few days, he would be restless day and night, unable to eat, drink, or sleep in peace.
"Haha!" Su Qi chuckled while looking at them one by one, his back bent with amusement, resembling a mischievous imp.
"This is so amusing, you bunch of idiots. Don't you want to seize the Soul Melting Pill? Come on then!"
Su Qi declared triumphantly, gazing at the nearing Dange. His happiness only grew.
Once he returned in triumph, would his wife treat him to chicken legs and pig's trotters for another month?
"Damn it!" Ji Yu's heart was filled with determination as he fought back fiercely.
Standing up abruptly, he launched an attack on Su Qi, who was at the fifth stage of the Divine Xuan Period.
Upon seeing this, Su Qi couldn't afford to be careless. The cultivation at the fifth stage of the Divine Xuan Period was no joke, and Ji Yu's cultivation had improved significantly recently.
"Fire Silver, fly higher quickly!"
"Fly for what? We should retreat at this point. That's the power of the fifth stage of the Divine Xuan Period. Your seventh-stage Golden Xuan Stage can't resist it at all. Seize the opportunity!" Huoyin's words were cut off as he swiftly descended.
"Ahhhhh!" Su Qi's shocked cry resounded in the air. The force of Ji Yu's attack at the fifth stage of the Divine Xuan Period flung him into the air and crashed onto the ground, resulting in a massive explosion.
"He's gone," Lan Jie stated angrily. He was unwilling to retreat like that.
"Phew!" Su Qi opened his eyes and found himself floating above the Dange competition field.
"Wow! Huoyin, you're so fast. You left Ji Yu and the others far behind," Su Qi exclaimed.
"Wow! Look at that! Someone spotted Su Qi and Fire Silver.
"Wow! Look at that huge snake!"
"And it's silver."
"The eyes are as beautiful as gems."
People on the ground pointed and discussed Su Qi and Fire Silver.
Even Haoyue Emperor was astonished. He had never seen such a beast pet before.
"It's Qi'er," Mu Yunxuan immediately recognized her son.
"It's Qi'er, mother-in-law," Su Li also spotted his younger brother.
"Qi'er." Su Zimo looked at the silver snake coldly, feeling her body go weak. She would never forget the moment a multicolored snake slithered into her wardrobe back in her hometown in her previous life. When she reached out to grab her clothes, the snake swiftly coiled around her hand, causing her to faint in terror. From then on, any variegated rope reminded her of a snake.
Su Zimo felt her vision blur, and she blinked, hoping to see clearly. However, when she opened her eyes again, darkness engulfed her.
After blinking his eyes sharply and opening them again, Su Zimo was still engulfed in darkness.
A wave of shock washed over Su Zimo as she realized what had happened. Was she blind? The thought terrified her, as she would rather lose her ability to speak than her sight.
Trying to remain calm, Su Zimo bit her lip and sat down on a chair.
"Mother, what's wrong?" Su Li immediately sensed that something was amiss with his mother.
Mu Yunxuan also turned around quickly, concerned for Su Zimo.
Observing her unfocused gaze, Jun furrowed his brows slightly. "Madam, what's happening?"
"I can't see suddenly. It's as if my vision has vanished," Su Zimo calmly accepted the situation and spoke in a composed manner.
"What?"
"What?"
Both Su Li and Mu Yunxuan's eyes filled with worry upon hearing her words.
"Mother..."
"Madam..."
"You should have said something earlier. We were talking while Qi Er was refining the Heavenly Soul Pill," Su Zimo scolded them softly but swiftly.
He Yunting had also overheard their conversation.
"Momo, you can't go blind for no reason. Think, did anyone touch you today?"
"Today?" Su Zimo pondered for a moment, realizing that there had been many people around and she had let her guard down.
Suddenly, a scene flashed in her mind. "I was jostled when I entered. There were so many people, and I didn't pay much attention to it at the time."
Su Zimo blamed herself inwardly for letting her guard down even for a moment in this era.
"Lady, let Yun Han examine you first."
"No need. I said, once Qi Er wins the alchemy competition, he will dispel this poison that has made my eyes blind. It won't affect the rest of my body," Su Zimo stated firmly.
"Mother, Qi Er is back!" Su Li announced as he put away the Fire Silver Snake.
Standing on the stage, Su Qi shouted loudly towards Su Zimo.
"Hmm!" Su Zimo nodded without saying much.
"Second Prince, many people have returned one after another, but they haven't been able to find the spiritual herbs and medicinal materials for Qi Heavenly Soul Pill. Have you gathered them all?" Elder Liu grinned at Su Qi.
"Inform Elder that Qi Er has already obtained all the herbs for the Heavenly Soul Pill," Su Qi replied with a smile. His eyes sparkled like starlight in the night sky, exuding an air of brilliance.
At that moment, Ji Yu and the others also returned, their disheveled appearances giving away the outcome of their venture.
Seeing Su Qi's smiling eyes and proud demeanor, Ji Yu felt an intense urge to tear him apart.
"Alright, we're almost back. It's the perfect time!" Haoyue Emperor's impatience was evident, but he managed to maintain his composure in anticipation of obtaining the Heavenly Soul Pill.
"To Your Majesty's question, Qi Er has already collected all the necessary medicinal materials and spirit grass for refining the Heavenly Soul Pill," Su Zi informed proudly.
"Excellent! Then let the pill refinement begin, shall we?" Haoyue Emperor's face brightened with joy, momentarily forgetting to inquire about the Fire Silver Snake, which could grant ten additional years of life or even immortality, a desire shared by all.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Su Zi quickly saluted.
Elder Liu pointed to the prepared alchemy furnace, prompting Su Qi to walk towards it. Ji Yu and Lan Jie could only watch helplessly, knowing that causing a disturbance now would only expose their inadequacy compared to a mere child. Silence was their best choice at the moment.
"I told you, my grandson is the best! Isn't that right?" The proud gentleman couldn't contain his happiness and his mouth remained agape.
Mu Yufeng also wore a smile on her face.
The queen and Ji Rui glanced at Ji Yu's despondent state and realized that he had failed to obtain the Heavenly Soul Pill. They couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity, knowing they had missed a golden opportunity.
In the crowd, a handsome young man stood out. With his hair tied in a golden crown, narrow and deep-set eyes, high-arching eyebrows that extended to his temples, a prominent nose, and thin crimson lips, he wore a black brocade adorned with a dark dragon pattern. Faint gold cloud patterns could be seen, and his narrow black eyes were fixated on Su Zimo's beautiful jade-like face. She had become even more breathtaking than six years ago—her beauty radiating confidence, pride, and surpassing any woman he had ever seen.