Chapter 622: Ye Xuan Takes Action

"Pavilion Master Su, are you trying to use your power to bully me?" Xu Wenlin sneered. "Besides, I never said you couldn't have Xiuyi Pavilion investigate. It's just that your own Master Changyuan already examined them and found nothing wrong. Now you want to test them a second time? If you find nothing again, will you demand a third test? At this rate, when will it ever end?"

Su Xiuyi said coldly, "Since this matter originated from our Xiuyi Pavilion, we naturally have the right to get to the bottom of it, clear our name, and give everyone an explanation. Xu Wenlin, weren't you the one demanding justice for your brother? Now you won't let Xiuyi Pavilion investigate? Could it be that these Pills have a serious problem and can't withstand inspection?"

Su Xiuyi took a step forward, his presence overwhelming.

Unable to withstand the pressure, Xu Wenlin retreated a step and roared, "Pavilion Master Su, are you trying to twist the facts?"

"Aren't you the one twisting the facts right now?" Su Xiuyi scoffed. "With so many people here, you don't even dare to allow an inspection, yet you still claim it was a Pill from my Xiuyi Pavilion that killed your man?"

"This..." Xu Wenlin was speechless, but then he retorted angrily, "Hmph, fine, inspect them! But who knows where this Alchemist who just popped up came from? I don't trust him. If there's going to be an inspection, it should be done by Master Hongde of the Ancient Pill Tower."

"No, it must be Elder Yao who conducts the inspection," Su Xiuyi said gravely. He would only trust an inspection by Elder Yao.

Xu Wenlin sneered. "Pavilion Master Su, since this man is your friend, how can he guarantee impartiality? You can invite someone else if you want, but it has to be Master Hongde."

Su Xiuyi retorted mockingly, "And you think this Master Hongde of yours can guarantee fairness? Aren't stories of rivals backstabbing each other for profit common enough?"

Xu Wenlin said coldly, "At least everyone knows Master Hongde. If Pavilion Master Su still refuses, then I'll report your Xiuyi Pavilion to the City Lord's Mansion. You may be powerful, Pavilion Master Su, but I refuse to believe you can act with total impunity in Celestial Capital Prefecture."

It seemed they had reached an impasse.

"Since neither of you trusts the other, just have both masters inspect them together."

Someone in the crowd shouted.

In the end, both sides agreed to have the two masters conduct a joint inspection to uncover the truth.

"I originally had no intention of coming out, but things have reached this point. To prevent Poison Pills from killing more people, I, as an Alchemist of the West District, cannot simply stand by and watch, regardless of whether Pavilion Master Su welcomes me."

Hongde said with false sincerity as he stepped forward.

Su Xiuyi snorted coldly and said nothing more. He turned to Elder Yao. "Elder Yao, it's all up to you now."

Elder Yao nodded and walked up to the Miasma Origin Pills with Hongde. They glanced at each other, a sharp glint in their eyes.

In front of each of them were two Pills. One was a Miasma Origin Pill from Xiuyi Pavilion, and the other was the poisonous Miasma Origin Pill brought by Xu Wenlin.

The gazes of Elder Yao and Hongde instantly sharpened. First, they carefully discerned the appearance, shape, and scent—the physical properties—of the two Pills. Then, they each released a formidable stream of Profound Sense. Their Profound Sense was so pure it seemed to take on physical form as it seeped into the two Pills.

Everyone present watched nervously. The factions from Xiuyi Pavilion and Xu Wenlin, in particular, were so tense they held their breath, their eyes glued to the scene.

"Young Master Ye, do you think Elder Yao will be able to find the problem?"

Luo Min asked Ye Xuan curiously from the side.

Ye Xuan smiled faintly. "Just watch."

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

After about the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, Elder Yao and Master Hongde retracted their Profound Sense at almost the exact same time, each letting out a breath.

"These two Pills were not refined by the same person."

"The ingredients of both Pills are identical. There is no difference. They are undoubtedly from Xiuyi Pavilion."

The two of them announced their findings simultaneously, but their conclusions left everyone utterly shocked.

"What?"

The crowd was dumbfounded. The two masters had reached completely different conclusions.

This outcome made it impossible for anyone to remain calm. It seemed things were taking an increasingly interesting turn.

However, most people were more inclined to believe Master Hongde.

After all, everyone knew Master Hongde. He was a Seventh Grade Alchemist from the Ancient Pill Tower and a famous figure in the West District. But this so-called Elder Yao? No one had ever heard of him before.

Su Xiuyi glanced coldly at Hongde. 'This confirms it,' he thought, 'this whole incident must be a conspiracy.'

"Elder Yao, do you have any proof?"

Elder Yao said, "These two Pills may look the same, but the aura within them is distinctly different. Any Lord Level Alchemist would be able to sense it. They were definitely not refined by the same person."

This so-called "aura" actually encompassed many aspects, but to put it simply, it came down to the flame.

Every Alchemist practices a different Cultivation Technique, so the Profound Fire they form during Alchemy will also be different. Some Alchemists even possess unique flames like Demon Fire or Earth Fire.

When refining Pills, these different flames imbue the Pills with their unique auras. Therefore, even if it is the same type of Pill with the same efficacy, if it is refined by different people, the aura within will still be distinct.

Master Hongde sneered, "I don't know anything about auras. I don't believe in such ethereal, baseless concepts. All I know is that the ingredients in these two Pills are completely identical, and the Miasma Origin Pill is sold only by Xiuyi Pavilion. If they didn't come from here, where else could they have come from?"

Hongde's words undoubtedly pushed Xiuyi Pavilion into the abyss. The crowd grew agitated.

Su Xiuyi looked at Elder Yao, a hint of anxiety in his voice. "Elder Yao, is there anything else wrong with the Poison Pill?"

Elder Yao's expression was incredibly grave. He frowned and said, "Of these two Pills, one is poisonous and one is not. There's definitely a problem. However, I've analyzed them, and their ingredients are identical. I can hardly see any difference."

If even Elder Yao couldn't figure out the reason, Su Xiuyi's heart sank. He had a bad feeling.

Elder Yao also frowned in deep thought, clearly unable to understand why.

Xu Wenlin said coldly, "Pavilion Master Su, do you have anything left to say?"

"I can't believe Xiuyi Pavilion is a place that harms people like this."

"I don't want the Pills I just bought! You have to compensate us!"

"Refunds! I demand a refund!"

The surrounding crowd immediately started shouting. Many were emotional, demanding refunds and compensation. The mob was in an uproar, looking like they were about to tear Xiuyi Pavilion down.

Jiang Huarong and the others began to panic. "Pavilion Master, what do we do now?" they asked nervously.

Su Xiuyi gave a wry smile. He was also at a loss and could only look to Elder Yao.

Elder Yao said shamefully, "Su Xiuyi, my skills are still insufficient. It looks like it's time for Young Master Ye to step in."

"Young Master Ye?"

Jiang Huarong and the others were completely baffled. They clearly didn't know who this "Young Master Ye" was. Was there even such a person in Celestial Capital Prefecture?

"Xuan Ye? Can he do it?" Su Xiuyi asked, a little surprised.

He knew, of course, that Ye Xuan was extraordinary, possessing astonishing skill in formation patterns and Soul Refining. But he had never heard of him being skilled in Alchemy.

"Young Master Ye's skill in Alchemy is several times greater than mine," Elder Yao said with certainty, then looked helplessly toward Ye Xuan in the crowd.

"Elder Yao, it seems that even though you've broken through to the Seventh Grade Lord Level, your grasp of some of Alchemy's fundamentals is still not solid enough."

A light chuckle was heard as Ye Xuan shook his head and walked out from the crowd.

'I saw the entire process clearly. Of the two Miasma Origin Pills, one is poisonous and one is not. There must be a difference between them; it's impossible for there to be no issue at all. The reason Elder Yao couldn't find it must be due to a lack in some area of his knowledge.'

Elder Yao gave a wry smile. "I must ask Young Master Ye to enlighten me."

Ye Xuan nodded, walked directly to the counter, and reached for one of the poisonous Miasma Origin Pills.

"Where did this brat come from? How dare you touch the evidence! Courting death!"

Seeing this, Xu Wenlin snorted coldly and suddenly struck out at Ye Xuan with his palm, his attack vicious.

Suddenly, a hand blocked him. It was Su Xiuyi.

"Pavilion Master Su, what trick are you playing? Are you trying to destroy the evidence?" Xu Wenlin said furiously.

"Su Xiuyi is trying to destroy the evidence! Smash his Xiuyi Pavilion for me!"

The members of the Celestial Wolf Squad immediately began to incite the crowd.

"All of you, be quiet!" Su Xiuyi roared, his voice infused with his Tier Eight pressure. The force immediately sent the blood and qi of everyone present into turmoil, silencing them.

He said coldly, "This man is an Alchemist from my Xiuyi Pavilion, here to inspect this Miasma Origin Pill."

"Another Alchemist? Haha! Pavilion Master Su, do you take everyone here for three-year-olds? You keep demanding inspection after inspection—aren't you just trying to weasel your way out of this?" Xu Wenlin sneered.

A mocking expression also appeared on Master Hongde's face. "It seems Pavilion Master Su doesn't trust me. So young, and he's an Alchemist? He's not a fake, is he? Pavilion Master Su, to shirk responsibility, you're really calling out any old riffraff, aren't you?"

His face was thick with ridicule.

"I know perfectly well whether I'm an Alchemist or not. You, on the other hand... as a Seventh Grade Lord Level Alchemist, you can't even see the difference between these two Pills. I can't help but suspect that *you're* the fake."

Ye Xuan said suddenly, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Me? A fake? HAHAHA!" Hongde couldn't help but burst into laughter. Then his gaze turned frigid, and he snorted. "I haven't just been in Celestial Capital Prefecture for a day or two. Plenty of people know me. This is the first time I've ever heard someone doubt that I'm a Lord Level Alchemist."

"Since you're such the genuine article, then you won't mind if I inspect them again, right? Or are you afraid I'll find something and expose your fraudulent identity?"

"Hmph. Boy, trying to use reverse psychology on me? You're far too green for that. The fact is that Xiuyi Pavilion sold Poison Pills, endangering Celestial Capital Prefecture. Nothing you say can change that. As an Alchemist, I must resolutely put a stop to this kind of behavior and uphold justice."