The alchemy club fell into a stunned silence after Horn's bold proclamation. Cheng Zhi, Liu Na, and the other members were taken aback, while Tang Yuxin and Wang Menglu looked at Horn in confusion.
Horn's straightforward insult triggered a strong reaction from the alchemy club members. Fists clenched, and anger boiled within them as they contemplated teaching Horn a lesson for his audacious remarks.
Attempting to defuse the tension, Wang Menglu quickly apologized on Horn's behalf, claiming he had consumed too much alcohol that morning and was speaking nonsense. However, Liu Na dismissed this explanation, accusing Horn of jealousy and rudeness.
Liu Na continued her verbal assault on Horn, insulting him in return. She even went as far as ordering him to kneel down and kowtow to Mr. Cheng and the alchemy club members. The other club members eagerly joined in, threatening Horn and demanding an apology.
The atmosphere grew increasingly hostile, with the alchemy club members preparing to take physical action against Horn. They challenged his capabilities, urging him to refine an elixir to prove his worth.
"Apologize or face the consequences!"
"Trash like you has no right to insult us!"
"Get on your knees and show some respect!"
The club members' voices merged into a cacophony of threats and demands, creating a tense and confrontational situation in the alchemy club.
Amidst the escalating tension, Horn stood firm in the face of insults, maintaining his composure. Wang Menglu, desperate to salvage the situation, urged Tang Yuxin to cover Horn's mouth to prevent further provocation. However, Horn evaded the attempt, assuring Tang Yuxin that he knew how to handle the situation.
As the confrontation continued, Horn criticized the alchemy club's members, questioning their quality and suggesting poor management on Wang Menglu's part. Wang Menglu, anxious and frustrated, attempted to diffuse the conflict by signaling Tang Yuxin to intervene. Tang Yuxin, puzzled by Horn's actions, expressed her concern through her expressions.
Liu Na, escalating the situation, threatened to quit the alchemy club and establish a new one if Wang Menglu didn't comply with their demands. Wang Menglu's anger flared, unable to comprehend Horn's motivations for causing trouble.
Cheng Zhi intervened, shifting the focus to Tang Yuxin and Horn's relationship. He insulted Horn, labeling him as an incompetent idiot. Cheng Zhi spared Horn's life, citing Wang Menglu's sake, and proposed a chance for Horn to prove himself by making elixirs on the spot. The atmosphere grew even more hostile as the challenge was set.
Tang Yuxin, fueled by a protective instinct, defended Horn, rejecting Cheng Zhi's derogatory remarks. Despite the tension, Horn remained calm, ready to face the challenge laid before him. The alchemy club members eagerly awaited Horn's response, their hostility palpable in the air.
Cheng Zhi's challenge hung in the air, as he offered to become Horn's slave if he could successfully refine a one-star Qi Condensation Pill. The members of the alchemy club, led by Liu Na, pressured Tang Yuxin to defend her boyfriend.
Tang Yuxin, unsure about Horn's alchemical abilities, felt an uneasy silence settle upon her. Liu Na took advantage of the moment, taunting Tang Yuxin and questioning her loyalty to Horn.
Wang Menglu intervened, requesting Tang Yuxin and Horn to leave while she dealt with the situation. Liu Na, unsatisfied, expressed her disbelief in Wang Menglu's decision. Other members of the alchemy club joined in, trying to convince Wang Menglu to reconsider.
Amidst the persuasion, Wang Menglu stood her ground, insisting that she would handle the situation and urging Tang Yuxin and Horn to leave. The club members continued to argue against Wang Menglu's choice, emphasizing the opportunities that would arise if Cheng Zhi were to mentor her.
Feeling the weight of the situation, Tang Yuxin blamed herself for the turmoil. She watched as Horn approached a medicine cauldron, ready to take on Cheng Zhi's challenge without using his intimidating heavenly fire to avoid frightening the onlookers. The tension in the alchemy club reached its peak, awaiting Horn's attempt at alchemy.
As Horn revealed the result of his alchemical process, a strong fragrance emanated from the medicine cauldron. A member of the alchemy club announced in disbelief that Horn had successfully refined ten Qi Condensation pills from a single portion of medicinal materials.
Wang Menglu, Cheng Zhi, and Liu Na were shocked and rushed to inspect the medicine cauldron. The realization that Horn had achieved an exceptional feat left them momentarily speechless.
The air in the alchemy club became heavy with tension. Horn calmly looked at the reaction of the onlookers, his eyes containing a hint of mockery. He had proven his alchemical skills, challenging the preconceptions of those who doubted him.
Wang Menglu, although initially frustrated with Horn's actions, now felt a surge of pride. She had always believed in Horn's capabilities, and his success was a testament to her trust.
Cheng Zhi and Liu Na, on the other hand, were forced to confront their underestimation of Horn. The arrogance that had characterized their demeanor began to waver, replaced by a mixture of surprise and discomfort.
Tang Yuxin stood beside Horn, her eyes gleaming with a sense of vindication for her boyfriend. The atmosphere in the alchemy club hung in suspense as everyone processed the unexpected turn of events.