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  Xiao Yu was so furious that she repeatedly stomped her foot. Did this guy have any sense of shame!

  Xiao Yan chuckled and gave her butt a light smack with a crisp 'pa' sound. He ughed, "What are you standing there for? Lead the way."

  "You jerk!"

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  "Well, well, isn't this the renowned Xiao Ning? Bringing so many people here today, are y to give me, Han Xian, a show of force?" In the headquarters of the Medie Gang, Han Xian—the gang's leader, dressed in an alchemist's robe—stood at the forefront of his group with arms crossed, ughing mogly at Xiao Ning across from him.

  Behind him stood many others also wearing alchemist robes. Quite a few were 3rd-tier alchemists, and Han Xian himself was even a 4th-tier alchemist!

  "Han Xian, not only have you started monopolizing medial ingredients at high prices, but you're also selling pills at low prices. Are you pnning to harm us at your own expense? Do you i us both down?" Xiao Ning's face was somewhat gloomy, and the ess in his voice was evident to all.

  As a diligent male member of the Xiao , Xiao Ning naturally earned Xiao Yan's trust. In the absenajor issues, the Xiao Hall was managed by Xiao Ning, Xiao Yue Liang, and Xiao Meng.

  "There are ris on petition in the Inner Academy. The herb-gathering teams and major fas are all willing to sell their medial ingredients to our Medie Gang. Who you bme for that? If anything, you've offeoo many senior students, causing them to be unwilling to cooperate with you.

  "As for selling pills at low prices, we like it that way. What you do about it? If you want to bme someone, bme your own ck of strength. You have only one alchemist and still want to pete with us? Your appetite is too big. Be careful not to choke to death." Han Xian g them disdainfully.

  The Medie Gang had beeing in the Inner Academy for many years and possessed an astonishiwork of es and resources. It could be said that they trolled half of the Inner Academy's assets.

  If they weren't all focused on alchemy and disied iering the Bzing Sky Qi Refining Tower, they could have stayed iower every day just by using Fire Energy to trade for medial ingredients.

  "Thanks for the reminder, but whether we choke or not, you 't stop us." Xiao Ning merely gave a cold ugh at the subtle warning and threat in Han Xian's words.

  Han Xian's expression darkened slightly as he shouted coldly, "Don't think you run rampant just because you have Lin Yan, ranked ninth orong Ranking. Even if Xiao Yan is powerful, there are still people strohan him. I, Han Xian, still invite such people!"

  "That's true. There are certainly people strohan Lin Yan and me. For example, Senior Sister Zi Yan. I just wonder if you get Senior Sister Zi Yan to deal with me."

  At this moment, ughter came from not far away as Xiao Yan and Xun Er slowly walked into the crowd.

  "Little Leader!" Upon seeing Xiao Yan appear, Xiao Ning and the others immediately felt reassured.

  "Oh my, I fot. Senior Sister Zi Yan is still cultivating in the No. 1 cultivation room. How about I help you ask her?"

  Xiao Yan imitated Han Xian's previous expression, his face darkening as he shouted coldly, "Don't think you run rampant just because you ihose ranked sed to eighth orong Ranking. There are still people strohan them. I, Xiao Yan, also invite such people!"

  "You!" Han Xian poi Xiao Yan, trembling with anger. He had pletely fotten that Zi Yan, ranked first orong Ranking, had a very good retionship with Xiao Yan!

  Han Xian was so furious that his cheeks turned red. Having his own words used against him—what could be more humiliating than this?!

  "Xiao Yan, so what if you have a good retionship with Senior Sister Zi Yan? The rgest herb-gathering teams in the Inner Academy belong to the top fas. Among them, the White Gang and the Splitting Mountain definitely won't sell medial ingredients to you. Let's see how you refine pills without ingredients!"

  Xiao Yan looked at Han Xian, who was still stubbornly holding on. Stepping to the front of the crowd, he said coldly, "Fine, you won't sell medial ingredients to me, right? Sinany people are present, I'd like to trouble everyoo help me spread a message.

  "Not only I, Xiao Yan, refihe Marrow Washing Cold Spirit Liquid, but I also refine a spirit liquid called the Marrow Washing Ice Spirit Liquid. This spirit liquid is tier 4, suitable for Dou Spirits, and even se the fire poison from the seventh floor!"

  Even the members of the White Gang and the Splitting Mountain who were at odds with Xiao Yan couldn't remain calm when they heard that he was going to release an upgraded version of the Marrow Washing Cold Spirit Liquid, and this time it was suitable for Dou Spirit experts.

  They uood that Han Xian dared to front Xiao Yan because the pills he sold were only suitable for Dou Grandmasters and held little appeal for the Dou Spirit experts cultivating on the fifth floor and above.

  That's why some powerful fas' Dou Spirit experts were willing to cooperate with the Medie Gang. After all, the Medie Gang paid in real Fire Energy.

  But now, if Xiao Yan could refiier 4 spirit liquids effective against the fire poison on the seventh floor, the euation would be turned upside down.

  It was equivalent to Xiao Yan holding power over the entire Inner Academy's Strong Ranking!

  Just imagihere were still over four months until this year's Strong Ranking Grand petition. Everyoriving to ehe top ten to obtain the Essence Heart Fme for body refining would desperately try to stay in the Bzing Sky Qi Refining Tower for cultivation.

  However, due to the fire poison iower, even those ranked iop ten couldn't stay too long.

  If some iop ten obtained Xiao Yan's spirit liquid while others did not, over a few months, the cultivation gap would iably widen signifitly.

  Take, for example, the sed-ranked Lin Xiuya and third-ranked Liu Qing—the gap between them was minimal, and it was hard to say who would win.

  Xiao Yan's spirit liquid could pletely disrupt this bance. Whoever possessed his spirit liquid could stay in the Bzing Sky Qi Refining Tower cultivating until the Strong Ranking Grand petition.

  One could imagihat ohis news spread, even Liu Qing might have to lower his head to Xiao Yan, hoping he'd sell him enough spirit liquid!

  This was why one should never offend an alchemist. They hold the power of pills!

  Monopolize medial ingredients? Now, Xiao Yan directly monopolized the qualifications for the top ten of the Strong Ranking!

  Xiao Yan couldn't help but chuckle inwardly as he looked at Han Xian wearing a 4th-tier alchemist robe. He guessed that Han Xian dared to be sant because he thought he could only refiier 3 pills.

  Little did he know that he simply found refining tier 3 pills quid effortless.

  "Fire Energy is not required for my Tier 4 Marrow Washing Ice Spirit Liquid. I only ier 5 main medial ingredients. Only three bottles will be sold each day. Those ied e to the Xiao Hall in the m. The highest bidder wins."

  Xiao Yan not only wao ensure his own source of ingredients but also aimed to acquire some high-grade medial ingredients for alchemy to improve his skills.

  Han Xian's legs went weak when he heard Xiao Yan's words. He took a step back as his face became deathly pale. He never expected Xiao Yan to have such a move!

  "Heh, you thought the Marrow Washing Cold Spirit Liquid was my limit? That was merely a downgraded version of the Marrow Washing Ice Spirit Liquid. Is being a 4th-tier alchemist that impressive?" Xiao Yan mimicked Han Xian's earlier demeanor, crossing his arms over his chest.

  Dare to bully my people? I'll sp your fatil it's swollen!

  An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. However you treated my faembers just now, I'll treat you the same way.

  "Cousin Xiao Yan is amazing!"

  "Little Leader's alchemy skills are unrivaled!"

  "Awesome! Boss is incredible!"

  Behind Xiao Yan, the members of the Xiao Hall cheered with pride. This was what it meant to be invincible—showing dominance from the very first move!

  The onlookers began to uand that the Medie Gang had suffered a crushi. It was even possible that their alchemists might defect to the Xiao Hall.

  The oute was already decided.

  Han Xian took a deep breath and stood up when he heard the surrounding discussions. He still had some pride as an alchemist. He gave a cold, proud smile and said, "Xiao Yan, you've merely obtained some precious pill recipes. This time, you've won, but I still want to turables! Alchemy has always been my greatest skill! Do you dare to have an alchemy petition with me?!"

  "An alchemy petition?" Xiao Yan couldn't help but ugh as he looked at Han Xian. "It seems you're very fident in your alchemy skills."

  When it came to alchemy, Han Xian's demeanor became imposing. He ughed proudly, raising his head high, and said, "Do you dare to pete with me? If I lose, I, Han Xian, and the Medie Gang will no longer obstruct your Xiao Hall! If you don't dare to pete, so be it. I, Han Xian, afford to lose!"

  Han Xian's words made many people involuntarily surprised and even shocked. Few expected him to use such a tactic. It would be entirely reasonable for Xiao Yan to dee; with such a signifit advantage noould he o pete?

  "Is this supposed to be a provocation?" Xiao Yan looked calmly at the proud Han Xian and smiled.

  Han Xian ughed arrogantly, "Think whatever you like; whether it's a provocation or not. In short, if I lose to you in alchemy, I will accept defeat wholeheartedly. Otherwise, no matter what, I, Han Xian, will not be vinced!"

  Many onlookers held their breath as they waited for Xiao Yan's decision. If it were anyone else, they would definitely refuse to pete under such circumstances. Xiao Yan currently held an absolute advantage; possessing those pill recipes, he was already in an invincible position!

  With su absolute advahere was nothing more to say.

  "Iing." A glint fshed in Xiao Yan's eyes as he stroked his and ughed. "Sure, how do you want to pete?"

  Xiao Yan's choice left many people dumbfounded. Su approach was simply too audacious, giving up his absolute advantage!

  "This shows that Xiao Yan has immense fiden his alchemy skills."

  "Indeed, since he refiier 4 spirit liquids, he's definitely a 4th-tier alchemist. There's no need for him to back down!"

  Han Xian narrowed his eyes aly rejoiced upon hearing Xiao Yan agree. He said, "Very well. If you lose the petition, not only will the Xiao Hall be prohibited from selling pills iure, but you must also hand over the pill recipes for the Qi Returning Pill, Minor Blood Recovery Pill, and Marrow Washing Ice Spirit Liquid to me. If I lose, not only will I not obstruct you, but I'll also pensate you with ten thousand Fire Energy!"

  Xiao Yan chuckled, "Seems you're after my pill recipes."

  "Hmph, otherwise, if you keep refining the Marrow Washing Ice Spirit Liquid while our Medie Gang ot, the result will be the same." Han Xian wasn't stupid. He khe key y in the pill recipes Xiao Yan possessed. To turables, he o obtain those recipes.

  "Since we're gambling, both sides should be on equal terms. If I lose, I'll do as you say and hand over the recipes unditionally. But if you lose, then your Medie Gang will merge into my Xiao Hall, with me, Xiao Yan, as the leader. Moreover, all members of the Medie Gang ot leave until graduation!" Xiao Yan said with a smile.

  At this moment, everyone suddenly looked at Xiao Yan. Good boy, so this was your iion all along!