The alchemy competition had come to an end.
The crowd dispersed one after another.
Xiao Ling'er was the quickest to leave.
She exited this small world, immediately joined Duan Qingyao, and then vanished into the crowd.
However…
If someone wanted to find her, it would definitely be impossible to escape detection.
***
In the city.
Many major forces moved upon hearing the news.
Hundred Treasures Pavilion.: "Find a way to keep Xiao Ling'er here. Remember to be polite. If she is willing to join, her treatment here will be ten or even a hundred times better than in the Moon Grasping Sect!"
Grand Martial Alchemist Association: "A prodigy like Xiao Ling'er should naturally join our association. Who is willing to negotiate with her?"
The Liu Family: "Hmph, that Xiao Ling'er indeed has extraordinary talent and comes from the Moon Grasping Sect. The success rate of recruiting her isn't low, but I believe Fan Jianqiang is more suitable!"
"Master, please reconsider. No matter how you look at Fan Jianqiang, he doesn't seem like someone who hides his strength and plays the fool."
"Yes, Master. That kid just got lucky and encountered that one-in-ten-thousand chance."
"You fools know nothing. I believe in fate. As the saying goes, 'Fate first, luck second, feng shui third'... Our Liu Family's strength in Grand Martial Immortal City is only slightly above average, but why have we been able to thrive and stay at the top all these years?! It's because of fate, what you call luck! Good fate is his greatest asset. I am determined to gather luck! Moreover, he is just a rogue cultivator, and the competition to recruit him will certainly be less. Won't that increase our success rate? Go quickly!"
"Uh, understood, Master."
***
"We really underestimated you."
In an inn.
Duan Qingyao smiled wryly. At this moment, her expression was complicated, a mix of surprise and worry.
"It was just a stroke of luck." Xiao Ling'er responded, frowning slightly, "Elder, are you worried that someone will..."
"Yes."
"It's all my fault."
There were some things she found difficult to say.
Because before this, she assumed Xiao Ling'er had just entered the sect not long ago and her cultivation level wasn't high. She never expected Xiao Ling'er to win the championship. In fact, achieving even a slightly decent result would have been seen as a miracle.
Therefore, she hadn't bothered with any disguise and had even registered under their real names.
But who knew Xiao Ling'er would defy the heavens and win the championship in one fell swoop!
At this point, it was too late for regrets.
Duan Qingyao sighed lightly. "In the end, it's my fault. I didn't have enough confidence in you, and I'm too weak. Moreover, our Moon Grasping Sect currently lacks foundation. Otherwise, despite the remarkable rewards and your alchemy skills, no one would dare to act recklessly.
"What a pity… Our journey this time is likely fraught with danger. However, I've already sent a message to the Grand Elder and the others. They will come to support us as soon as possible. This time, we can only do our best and leave the rest to fate. If it really becomes untenable..."
Duan Qingyao hesitated.
Xiao Ling'er resolutely replied, "Master and the sect have treated me like family, without reservation. I will never defect to another sect!"
"Silly child." Rubbing Xiao Ling'er's head, Duan Qingyao said sternly, "If that's the case, our Moon Grasping Sect will stand or fall with you!"
"Elder, I believe there's no need to worry too much."
"Oh?"
"Ahem, during my previous travels, I was fortunate to discover an extremely profound method of disguise and concealment. If we disguise ourselves and leave the city quietly, it's unlikely anyone will notice." Xiao Ling'er hesitated slightly, "However, we must avoid meeting up with the other elders and the Master, or it will only expose us. So, I ask that you, Fifth Elder, inform the Master of this matter and..."
"And what?"
Hearing about a profound method of disguise, Duan Qingyao didn't hold much hope.
There are countless disguise techniques.
But how many can truly prevent detection by those with higher cultivation?
Very few indeed!
However, she couldn't dampen Xiao Ling'er's enthusiasm. She decided to give it a try, and have the other elders nearby to assist if needed. If discovered, they could still fight back.
Xiao Ling'er knew that Duan Qingyao didn't believe her.
She wouldn't believe it if she were in Duan Qingyao's position either.
But she couldn't reveal the existence of her teacher. Instead, she performed the technique, transforming into a hunched, wrinkled old woman right before Duan Qingyao's astonished eyes.
"Fifth Elder, can you still recognize me?"
Duan Qingyao was shocked! "Your appearance is completely different, and even your spiritual aura is vastly changed! I cannot recognize you at all!"
It actually worked?!
In disbelief, Duan Qingyao remarked, "This disguise technique..."
Even with her cultivation two major realms higher than Duan Qingyao's, she couldn't see through the disguise. How powerful was it?
What Duan Qingyao didn't know was that this technique could indeed evade detection up to two major realms higher.
Merely that alone wouldn't be enough, but Xiao Ling'er had Liang Danxia's assistance, which could forcibly alter her spiritual aura. Even those at the sixth realm could not detect her.
As for the seventh realm...
It's unlikely someone at the seventh realm would resort to such underhanded tactics for the rewards of the alchemy competition.
"Do you believe me now, Fifth Elder?" Xiao Ling'er smiled slightly and returned to her original appearance, "I will teach you this method later. For now, please send a message to the Master."
"Alright!" Duan Qingyao nodded, her gloom dissipating, "What do you want to inform the Sect Master about?"
"I've found someone who seems to meet the criteria for becoming a 'personal disciple.' I'd like to request the Master to come and investigate."
"What?!" Duan Qingyao was once again astonished, "Who?!"
"Fan Jianqiang."
"Him?" Duan Qingyao blinked in surprise.
She had also been deceived and had not noticed anything special about Fan Jianqiang, assuming he was merely lucky.
But with Xiao Ling'er's reminder, she suddenly realized.
"Yes, he is timid and cautious. If it's not just luck but rather a deliberate concealment of his abilities... it aligns with the eighth ironclad rule for accepting disciples. The one who acts timid and overly cautious, constantly proclaiming his impending death?" Xiao Ling'er affirmed, "He is definitely hiding his true abilities! As a fellow alchemist, I have a gut feeling that his alchemy skills might be superior to mine! In fact, I believe he purposely held back to avoid winning."
"Why would he do that?"
"To avoid danger… As a rogue cultivator, if he were to win the championship, his situation would be even more perilous than ours."
Duan Qingyao gave Xiao Ling'er a deep look.
Even if she had been slow to realize, she understood clearly now.
"Alright, I'll send a message immediately!"
"This matter... is of great importance."
Like Xiao Ling'er and Liang Danxia, Duan Qingyao and the others didn't understand the basis of the 'ironclad rules for accepting disciples,' but Lin Fan had already proven them once!
Xiao Ling'er standing before her was the living proof!
Therefore, even without understanding, Duan Qingyao would strictly follow the rules!
One Xiao Ling'er had already brought countless surprises to the sect. If there was another, wouldn't it be a double blessing?
But could Fan Jianqiang also possess remarkable alchemy talent?
She was puzzled!
However, her actions did not hesitate in the slightest. She immediately took out a transmission jade talisman to contact Lin Fan and informed him of Xiao Ling'er's discovery and the details regarding the disguise.
***
Within the Moon Grasping Sect.
Lin Fan and four elders were preparing to set out.
Suddenly, Lin Fan flipped his hand and took out the transmission jade talisman.
"Hmm?"
His eyes lit up slightly.
"A cautious fellow, constantly saying 'I'm going to die'?"
He wasn't surprised that Xiao Ling'er had found a method of disguise. With high probability, she had a 'grandfather in the necklace,' so it would be strange if she didn't have such techniques.
But this extremely cautious guy was an unexpected delight.