Chapter 575 - 575: Let's See Whose Elixir is Better

The atmosphere in the reception hall instantly became extremely tense.

Just then, a resonant voice suddenly rang out, "Honored guests have arrived, and I failed to give you a proper welcome. Please forgive me!"

As he spoke, a stout, middle-aged man in his forties with a beaming smile like the Maitreya Buddha appeared in the reception hall.

He acted as if he hadn't noticed the incredibly tense standoff and said with a wide smile, "I'm terribly sorry. I had to deal with an urgent matter just now. I've kept all you Fellow Daoists waiting."

However, as he spoke, a powerful wave of pressure erupted from his body, bearing down on Zhao Yuan and Bai Yuting.

The middle-aged man's strength wasn't just at the Qi Listening Realm; he was at least in the Late Stage! The immense pressure caused Bai Yuting's expression to change drastically. He was forced to retreat several steps before the pressure on him eased slightly.

Zhao Yuan also felt the power of the man's aura, but he didn't retreat. With a grunt, he straightened his back and braced himself against the mountain-like pressure!

Ever since he had embarked on the Witch Doctor Dao, the torment Zhao Yuan had endured was countless times greater than this! He had gritted his teeth and borne even that suffering; though the middle-aged man's aura was strong, it wasn't enough to crush him!

This development was completely unexpected by the middle-aged man. He let out a sound of surprise, "Huh?" He was astonished that Zhao Yuan could withstand his pressure and couldn't help but study him for a few extra moments.

Bai Yuting also stared at Zhao Yuan, his eyes filled with shock. He had never imagined that Zhao Yuan could actually endure that powerful wave of pressure. In comparison, being forced to retreat was rather humiliating. At this thought, his expression grew even uglier.

After gaining control of the situation, the middle-aged man retracted his immense pressure. He turned his head and ordered a servant standing nearby, "Why haven't you served our guests tea? Go, bring out my prized tea collection and brew some!" Then, he added with another wide smile, "Please, Fellow Daoists, have a seat!"

"Thank you, Wine King." Bai Yuting cupped his hands and sat back down in his previous seat.

Although he was furious at having been made to lose face, the thought of the Thousand-Day Wine forced him to swallow his anger. After all, he was the one asking for a favor. Of course, in his heart, he had already cursed this middle-aged man with the Cultivator Forum ID 'Wine King' countless times.

After offering their thanks, Zhao Yuan and his three companions also took their seats.

The Bone Woman did not sit. She sheathed her wakizashi and stood behind Zhao Yuan, assuming a guarded, protective stance.

The middle-aged man also sat down and introduced himself with a chuckle. "The title 'Wine King' is an elegant moniker my peers in the industry gave me, so I just used it when I registered my forum account. My family name is Yue, and you can call me Yue Tianchi. May I ask the names of you Fellow Daoists?"

Shang Qu stood up again to introduce Bai Yuting. "Fellow Daoist Yue, this is my esteemed master, the Great Alchemist Bai Yuting, also known as the 'Hundred Herbs King.'"

Yue Tianchi's eyebrows shot up. He rose and cupped his hands, saying, "So it is Alchemist Bai! I've long heard of your great name!"

Bai Yuting finally regained a bit of the adulation he was used to. He smiled, returned the cupped-hand gesture, and replied, "You're too kind, Fellow Daoist Yue. My meager reputation is not worth mentioning."

Yue Tianchi said, "How could you call it a meager reputation? It is clearly a renowned and illustrious one! I truly had no idea you would be coming today. Otherwise, I would have dropped even the most important matters to come and welcome you from afar!"

"You're far too kind, Fellow Daoist Yue." Bai Yuting was all smiles, thoroughly pleased with Yue Tianchi's compliments. He even shot a provocative glare at Zhao Yuan, his meaning clear: 'Kid, now you see how powerful I am? I've refined more elixirs than you've had hot dinners! You aren't qualified to compete with me for the Thousand-Day Wine. If you know what's good for you, get lost. Otherwise, you're going to be utterly humiliated!'

Zhao Yuan just smiled, completely ignoring Bai Yuting's provocation.

Yue Tianchi's gaze happened to turn to them at this moment. He asked with a smile, "And how should I address you, Fellow Daoists? What school do you hail from?"

Ying Ji and the other two rose one after another and gave simple self-introductions:

"Ying Ji, Witch Priest."

"Hao Li, Tripod Food."

"Cheng Haoyu, Dual Cultivation."

Finally, it was Zhao Yuan's turn. He still didn't reveal his true school, sticking to his usual false identity. "Zhao Yuan, Pill Master."

Yue Tianchi exclaimed in admiration, "You Fellow Daoists are all so young and promising!" He then turned to Hao Li and said with a laugh, "It seems we are of the same school. I am also a Cultivator of the Tripod Cuisine School. However, I'm not very skilled at cooking. All my energy has gone into researching wine-brewing. We should keep in touch and exchange pointers when we have the chance."

Hao Li was overjoyed and quickly replied, "That is exactly what I was hoping for."

Being able to communicate with a fellow practitioner of the Tripod Cuisine School was a great boon to one's cultivation! Moreover, Yue Tianchi surpassed Hao Li in age, cultivation, and experience. Hao Li would have to be an idiot to refuse such a great opportunity.

Bai Yuting, however, turned his gaze to Zhao Yuan and said coldly, "You're a Cultivator of the Elixir School? Whose disciple are you?"

Shang Qu spoke even more arrogantly, "My master holds a very high seniority in the Elixir School. Since you're also a Cultivator of the Elixir School, why aren't you kneeling to serve him tea and pay your respects?"

Hearing this, Zhao Yuan couldn't help but laugh.

He was the successor of Wu Peng. If they were truly going to talk about seniority, everyone in this room from the Cultivation Realm would have to kneel and call him Ancestor! He couldn't be bothered to argue with Shang Qu, feeling it was beneath him. He simply said, "You wouldn't know my master's name even if I told you."

Bai Yuting snorted, a look of disdain on his face. In his eyes, Zhao Yuan was clearly afraid to say his master's name. 'And why would he be afraid? It must be because his master is a nobody!'

He stopped paying attention to Zhao Yuan and turned to Yue Tianchi. "Fellow Daoist Yue, can we begin our transaction now? As for these irrelevant people, we should have them leave."

Hao Li was not happy. "Who are you calling irrelevant people? We're also here to trade for the Thousand-Day Wine!"

Bai Yuting sneered and said disdainfully, "Fellow Daoist Yue said that to trade for the Thousand-Day Wine, one needs an elixir that can purify Qi. A few wet-behind-the-ears kids like you, you think you have that kind of elixir? What a joke!"

Zhao Yuan chuckled. "Sorry to disappoint you, but we actually do!"

Bai Yuting's brow twitched, and just as he was about to continue his mockery, Yue Tianchi spoke up. "Fellow Daoists, please don't be hasty. Hear me out. How about this: you both take out your elixirs, we'll see whose is better, and I'll give the Thousand-Day Wine to the winner. What do you think?"

"How will we compare them?" Bai Yuting asked.

"Simple." Yue Tianchi said with a cheerful laugh, "I've invited a highly reputable and skilled Pill Master from the Cultivator Forum. She will be the one to verify and judge your elixirs. I guarantee the entire process will be fair, just, and open!"