Chapter 580 - 580: Extraordinary Youth

Everyone stared at Bai Yuting in astonishment.

It wouldn't have been strange for anyone present to speak up for Zhao Yuan, but it should not have been Bai Yuting.

From the very beginning, he had been at odds with Zhao Yuan. During the competition over the Elixirs' effects, not only had he been sarcastic from start to finish, but he had also been repeatedly humiliated! Logically, when Shan Han proposed having her grandfather re-examine the Purifying Qi Pills, he should have been the most supportive. So why did he object, and even take the initiative to concede?

Something was definitely not right about this!

Bai Yuting realized he had misspoken, but his reaction was swift. He put on an embarrassed expression and said with a wry smile, "I'm mainly just afraid of seeing Elder Shan…"

His hesitant demeanor reminded everyone of the earlier scene where he boasted about being friends with Elder Shan, only to be mercilessly exposed by Shan Han.

Everyone relaxed, assuming he had spoken up for Zhao Yuan and even conceded because he was afraid that if Elder Shan came and found out what had happened, he would be publicly humiliated and his reputation ruined.

Ying Ji sneered, "You should have thought of that before. If you hadn't been running around swindling people under Elder Shan's name, you wouldn't be so scared now, would you?"

Yue Tianchi, however, said, "Let's have Elder Shan come and test it again. After all, this result is just too astonishing. Alchemist Bai, rest assured, we will absolutely not mention your matter to Elder Shan."

He clasped his hands in a salute to Zhao Yuan, Shan Han, and the others. "Everyone, please give me some face and don't make things too difficult for Alchemist Bai. He is my guest, after all. Besides, I believe that after this incident, Alchemist Bai will be more careful in the future and will no longer use Elder Shan's name."

Since Yue Tianchi had spoken, Zhao Yuan and the others naturally had to give him face.

Shan Han snorted coldly and said, "Rest assured, my grandfather only has eyes for Elixirs. He couldn't care less about your affairs. But from now on, you are forbidden from using my grandfather's name to swindle people. Otherwise, I have plenty of ways to ruin your reputation!"

Bai Yuting was meek and subservient, appearing genuinely frightened by Shan Han's words.

Only Zhao Yuan noticed that something was off about Bai Yuting.

His intuition told him that Bai Yuting wasn't afraid of Elder Shan! 'He must have some other motive. That's why he doesn't want Elder Shan to come!'

Zhao Yuan replayed Bai Yuting's earlier outburst in his mind. He felt that the crucial part was Bai Yuting urging Yue Tianchi to bring out the Thousand-Day Wine at the end.

'Why is Bai Yuting so against Elder Shan coming? Why is he rushing Yue Tianchi to bring out the Thousand-Day Wine?'

'Could it be that he thinks he can't trade for the Thousand-Day Wine, so he's planning to take it by force?'

Zhao Yuan's brow twitched. The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed, and the more suspicious Bai Yuting appeared.

But he couldn't voice his suspicions. Since Bai Yuting hadn't actually tried to steal the wine, speaking up would likely result in being accused of slander. He could only remain secretly vigilant. He took out his phone, typed out a message, and sent it to the four-person group chat he shared with Ying Ji, Cheng Haoyu, and Hao Li.

Hearing their phones chime, Ying Ji and the others took them out for a look. They saw not only Zhao Yuan's suspicions but also his warning. Without a change in expression, they put their phones back in their pockets and secretly raised their guard.

Meanwhile, Shan Han called her grandfather and explained the situation, especially the astonishing efficacy of the Purifying Qi Pills.

"A Purifying Qi effect as high as ninety-five percent? How is that possible! Was there a mistake in the test? Didn't you retest it?" Elder Shan's astonished voice came through the phone.

Shan Han replied, "I tested it twice. The first time it was ninety percent. I suspected an error, so I tested it again, and the result was ninety-five percent."

"Oh?" On the other end of the line, Elder Shan's eyebrows raised.

He knew his granddaughter's abilities very well. After all, he had taught Shan Han himself, step by step. He was certain that while Shan Han might make a mistake on one test, she would absolutely not make mistakes on two consecutive tests, especially not ones this drastic.

'Could it be? The Purifying Qi effect of that… Purifying Qi Pill… is really as high as ninety-five percent?'

'That's just unbelievable!'

His curiosity successfully piqued, Elder Shan quickly asked, "Where are you guys?"

Shan Han gave him the address of Yue Tianchi's villa, and Elder Shan immediately replied, "Wait there. I'm on my way!"

Elder Shan was indeed fast. In less than an hour, he arrived at Yue Tianchi's villa. Yue Tianchi personally greeted him and led him into the reception hall.

As soon as he saw Shan Han, Elder Shan asked, "Where is it? The Purifying Qi Pill you mentioned?"

Shan Han pointed to an Elixir resting on a piece of silk and replied, "This is the Purifying Qi Pill."

Elder Shan immediately walked over. While putting on gloves, he asked, "Are the testing tools all here?"

"They're all here!" Shan Han replied.

"Excellent!" Elder Shan nodded. He said no more and began to focus intently on testing the efficacy of the Purifying Qi Pill.

After more than ten minutes, he put down the Purifying Qi Pill and let out a long breath.

Although he tried his best to remain calm, his slightly trembling hands betrayed the shock and excitement in his heart.

Elder Shan raised his head, his gaze sweeping over everyone present before finally landing on Bai Yuting.

He said excitedly, "This Purifying Qi Pill, it was you who made it, wasn't it, Fellow Daoist? This has been a true eye-opener for me! There's no mistake—its Purifying Qi efficacy has indeed reached the astonishing height of ninety-five percent! From this miraculous Purifying Qi Pill alone, it's clear your abilities have reached the point where you could establish your own school, Fellow Daoist! I am thoroughly impressed. I wonder when you might have some free time? I have many questions I'd like to ask you!"

Bai Yuting's expression was a little awkward.

Shan Han, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, quickly tugged on Elder Shan's sleeve and whispered, "Grandpa, you've made a mistake. He's not the one who made the Purifying Qi Pill."

"Huh?" Elder Shan was stunned. He clearly hadn't expected to make such a blunder. His expression turned very awkward as he hastily asked, "Then who did make this Purifying Qi Pill?"

"It was made by this gentleman, Alchemist Zhao." Shan Han introduced Zhao Yuan to her grandfather.

"What? *He* made the Purifying Qi Pill?" Elder Shan's mouth fell open, his face a mask of disbelief.

Because Zhao Yuan was simply too young!

At his age, most people were still apprentices who hadn't even completed their training. Even with an Elixir Recipe in hand, they wouldn't have the skill to successfully craft an Elixir!

After confirming that Shan Han had not misspoken, Elder Shan's gaze toward Zhao Yuan now held not only shock but also a newfound appreciation and respect.

He sighed in heartfelt admiration, "Truly an extraordinary young man!"