Chapter Twenty: The Great Competition Among Fellow Disciples

  Yaoyao took the jade board and went into seclusion. Outside her mountain cave, Dan Fusheng led several junior brothers to guard it personally, apparently attaching great importance to Luo Danjing's safety.

  But Dan Fusheng and others would never have thought that Yao'er had already smuggled the Dà Lóu Dān Jīng to Lin Xiao. Although Lin Xiao, who seemed to be only skilled in playing with fire, was mediocre in alchemy techniques, he had at least become a master of alchemy in theory. It can even be said that Lin Xiao's theoretical knowledge is already enough to rival all the elders of the Dà Lóu Dān Dao.

  However, no one would believe that the vast and profound Dan classics could be memorized by two monsters in just a moment. So Lin Xiao, the theoretical grandmaster, was still messing around in the Dan room of the Wasteland Sect. Before Ya'er left the sect, Lin Xiao didn't know if Ya'er would advance to a higher level Dan room, so he stayed here as usual.

  In front of several tripod incense burners, flames rose and fell, and strands of medicinal gas and fire gas swirled in the air, vaguely gathering into the shape of a few fierce tigers. This was the "Tiger Spirit Dan" being refined for a specialized physical cultivation sect called the "Vajra Gate". The Tiger Spirit Dan specializes in solidifying the source of vitality, strengthening the body and building a strong foundation for those cultivators who cultivate their bodies.

  The price for refining these seven furnaces of 'Tiger Spirit Dan' was three stalks of thousand-year-old 'Green Fungus' that the Golden Gate sect had unintentionally discovered. This transaction would bring a substantial profit to the Da Luo Dan Dao, so the master ordered his disciples in the Dan room to carefully refine these few furnaces of 'Tiger Spirit Dan', which indeed justified the investment. Lin Xiao, the most skilled disciple in controlling fire techniques in the Dan room, was also assigned to specifically manage the flames for these seven dan furnaces.

  No need to manage the fire of more than 200 dan furnaces, it should be a very relaxing and comfortable task, but Lin Xiao was annoyed by Hua Feng'er who kept whispering behind him, he almost wanted to dive into the dan furnace to hide. Once again, Lin Xiao realized the terror of a resentful woman.

  "Little brother! It's not that Flower Sister is nagging, but you're really being unreasonable! It's just thirteen 'Midnight Orchids', yet you spent half a year and still can't even get the fruit of the 'Midnight Orchid' right. Sigh, you're usually so meticulous and reliable, how come you're so unreliable on this matter?"

  "You should know that 'Zi Ye Lan' is not a particularly rare medicinal herb, and it doesn't require any special techniques to collect. Hua Shijie and Shifu... uh, Hua Shijie entrusted this task to you because she values your caution and reliability, little brother. But look at you, the Zi Ye Lan has bloomed twice, and you haven't even collected a single fruit!"

  "Little brother, are you living up to the expectations I have of you? Are you worthy of the trust I've placed in you? Are you worthy of those ephemeral night-blooming flowers that wither away with the wind?"

  Huā Fēng'er moved a cushion to sit three feet behind Lín Xiǎo, lecturing him in a nagging tone. The nearby alchemists all retreated far away, watching from over ten zhang away with sleeves folded and eyes full of pity, comforting the spiritually bombarded Lín Xiǎo. Anyway, the Seven Furnace Tiger Spirit Dan had already reached its final stage of dan storage, as long as the fire didn't go wrong, these few furnaces of dan medicine would be successfully refined. And with Lín Xiǎo's cultivation and composure, even if seven Huā Fēng'er were chattering in his ear, this dan fire wouldn't go wrong either.

  Lin Xiao's face was expressionless as he played a hand of Ling Jue, his six senses closed off, and the noise from Hua Feng'er had no effect on him whatsoever. It's only been five days, and based on Hua Feng'er's previous performance, she can continue making noise for another ten days. After that, he'll have to endure Dan Xia's scolding again. Just thinking about it made Lin Xiao feel a pang of sadness. Wasn't it just an ingredient for the 'Nourishing Face Elixir'? Why were Dan Xia and Hua Feng'er being so stubborn? Medicinal Herb Sister was so clever, why didn't she have these troubles?

  The final spiritual mantra was released, and the tiger's virtual image made of medicinal gas and fire gas rose to the sky with a silent roar. After a rapid rotation around the alchemy furnace, it transformed into a bright red light that rushed into the furnace. A dull 'boom' sound came from inside the furnace, and several furnaces shook slightly. A pungent and irritating medicinal fragrance suddenly filled the entire alchemy room.

  With a flick of his finger, a stream of spiritual energy shot out, and the furnace fire surged upwards, blasting the lid of the dan furnace several meters high. A string of thumb-sized, bright red dan medicine flew up in the flames with a 'whooshing' sound. Lin Xiao shouted, and some alchemists holding jade bottles collected all the dan medicine. After all the Huo Po Dan was collected, Lin Xiao withdrew his spiritual energy, and the fire in the furnace dissipated. The several lids fell back down with a loud 'clanging' sound. With a suave motion, he brushed off the dust on his sleeve, turned around, and smiled at Hua Feng'er: "Sister Hua, you're here? Ah, these past few days, my junior brother has been busy with many things, I don't know if sister has any instructions?"

  Huā Fēng's face was scrunched up, she gritted her teeth and coldly hummed: "Little Shidi, the things I said a few days ago, didn't you hear them?"

  Lin Xiao put both hands in his sleeves, smiling at Hua Feng'er: "This, I'm not busy taking care of the furnace fire? This, alchemy is a matter of seizing the creation of heaven and earth, can't be careless. This furnace fire, is the most important part of alchemy, this principle, Elder Sister Hua must have understood more deeply than me."

  Hua Feng'er glared at Lin Xiao with a look of indignation, stretched out her right hand and coldly snorted: "Hand it over!"

  "What? What is it that you want, Sister Hua?" Lin Xiao asked foolishly.

  Just as Huafeng was about to jump up and knock Lin Xiao's head, a soft cough suddenly came from the entrance of the Dan room. Danxia walked in slowly with his hands behind his back. All the Taoists inside the Dan room quickly stood up and bowed their heads, respectfully shouting: "Master Danxia, ten thousand years!"

  Lin Xiao and Hua Feng'er also hastily paid their respects, saying in unison: "Master's wife!"

  Danxia's eyes rolled around and she lightly waved her hand at Lin Xiao: "Xiao, come here."

  "Ah, ah!" Lin Xiao obediently walked to Dan Xia's side, with a hint of bitter smile on his face and slightly bowed his head, putting his ear close to Dan Xia's face, preparing to accept Dan Xia's scolding. It seemed like the last time was similar? Because of Yao'er's bowl of medicine, Lin Xiao delayed harvesting "Zi Ye Lan" at the appointed time, after Hua Feng had been noisy for half a month, Dan Xia personally came out to give Lin Xiao a deep lesson on his behavior of promising others but not being loyal. This time, however, it was ten days ahead of schedule? It seemed that Dan Xia couldn't hold back her anger either?

  It's just a beauty pill, why are these two women taking it so seriously?

  Lin Xiao couldn't help but sneak a glance at Danxia, whose skin was as delicate and radiant as that of a 16 or 17-year-old girl. He had no idea what to say or do.

  Danxia didn't say anything to Lin Xiao about the Ziye Lan matter, she just lightly said to Lin Xiao: "Go back, think carefully. I'll give you a seven-day break, and after seven days, you must understand what I gave you thoroughly." Her sharp gaze swept towards the many Taoists in Danfang, all of whom lowered their heads, not daring to look in Lin Xiao's direction. Danxia stuffed a yellow handkerchief into Lin Xiao's sleeve, lightly tiptoed up and patted Lin Xiao's shoulder, whispering with a sly smile: "Don't lose face for your master and mistress, otherwise... how did you grow so tall?"

  Shaking her head, Danxia looked at Lin Xiao with a hint of surprise, furrowing her brow. She beckoned to Hua Feng'er: "Hua Feng'er, let's go. For the next few days, don't come to instruct your junior brother." After a pause, Danxia smiled as if implying something: "After all, there will always be opportunities and time in the future!"

  Huā Fēngér's face sank as he stood up and quickly walked to Dān Xiá's side. As he passed by Lín Xiāo, Huā Fēngér let out a cold hum with an unknown meaning, scaring Lín Xiāo so much that his body shook violently. Dān Xiá's last ominous words made Lín Xiāo glimpse some not-so-bright prospects for his own future.

  After finishing his daily duties, Lin Xiao felt that he had made significant progress in his skills and went to the kitchen to grab a small steamed bun. He ate it on his way back to his small wooden hut. As usual, he held the fire-attribute spirit stone and completed his evening exercises. Only then did Lin Xiao remember the yellow silk cloth that Dan Xia had given him, and he hastily pulled it out of his sleeve to examine it carefully under the moonlight outside the window.

  On the yellow silk was a danfang, a method for refining a rare and mysterious elixir called 'Liangyan Dan'. Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes and compared it to the danfang recorded in the Daluo Danjing in his mind. He found that the danfang on the yellow silk was much simpler, the effect of the refined dan medicine was weakened by about 30%, but the required ling jue was simplified by about 80%, and the success rate of refining the dan was more than doubled. Liangyan Dan is a high-grade elixir that specializes in treating various cold poison injuries. In the Daluo Dan Dao Tian Di Xuan Huang, Yu Zhou Hong Huang Ba Da level of dan medicine, Liangyan Dan is a true top-grade dan medicine, which means it's a high-level dan medicine that can only be refined by the current Dan character generation elder.

  However, this improved Dan Fang, although the effect of the finished product has weakened a lot, it can also allow Lin Xiao's cultivation to refine 'Liang Yan Dan'!

  "Shi Niang gave me this Dan Fang, what is it for?" Lin Xiao stared blankly at the fine and elegant characters on the yellow scroll, after a long time, he shook his head: "Hmmm, Shi Niang must have her own intentions, since she asked me to comprehend it thoroughly, then... comprehend it." When saying the two words 'comprehend', Lin Xiao's face involuntarily showed a strange expression.

  Danxia gave Lin Xiao a seven-day holiday, and the Daoist priests in Danfang didn't bother him. Lin Xiao spent less than an hour to fully comprehend the Danfang, and for the remaining seven days, he took advantage of this rare leisure time to make a quick tour around Huichun Valley. More than two years had passed, and Lin Xiao had been working as a Daoist priest in the dan room without knowing what Huichun Valley looked like. These seven days, however, greatly broadened his horizons - the territory of Huichun Valley was simply too vast!

  Seven days later, Lin Xiao was standing under a high peak in the southeast, quietly watching a life-and-death struggle between a chicken crown snake and an iron clawed rock eagle. Suddenly, he heard the golden bell jade sound of Da Luo Dan Dao summoning all the door people. Lin Xiao was stunned, hurriedly displayed his body method, and rushed towards the direction of Dan Qi Ling Xuan Hall. He jumped out from behind the rocks, but scared the eagle and snake, and the two beasts quickly flew into the air and slipped into the rock crevices.

  Lin Xiao had been sprinting for twenty miles, his face flushed with exhaustion as he arrived at the Dan Qi Ling Xiu Temple. The large square in front of the temple was filled with disciples of the Da Luo Dan Dao, each dressed according to their rank: white-robed were the newly admitted servants; blue-robed were the formally initiated disciples; green-robed like Lin Xiao were those who had achieved a certain level of cultivation and held official positions; apricot-yellow robed were the senior disciples whose cultivation was refined and approaching the Golden Dan stage; pale purple-robed were the elders who had transcended the Golden Dan stage or approached the Yuan Ying stage; deep purple-robed were the true immortals like Dan Rong, who had formed a Yuan Ying, possessed profound mastery of the Dao, and had extraordinary insight into the Da Luo Dan Dao.

  At a glance, there were only five elders wearing purple robes on the Da Luotian Dao, about fifty people wore light purple robes, and there were over three hundred apricot yellow robe disciples. The number of green and blue robe disciples exceeded two thousand, and the rest were all white-clad miscellaneous children who were still in the refining heart period.

  Lin Xiao, who was covered in sweat from running wildly, squeezed into the crowd of Taoist priests with a bit of embarrassment. He vaguely saw that among the elderly standing on the steps of the great hall, Danxia seemed to have glared at him fiercely. Danxia's gaze was full of warning and threat, Lin Xiao looked at Danxia in confusion, not understanding what Danxia was warning him about. But Danxia just glared at Lin Xiao for a moment before withdrawing his gaze, standing quietly on the steps with an air of indifference.

  Lin Xiao cast a pleading glance at Hua Feng'er, who was standing on the stone steps below. Hua Feng'er merely rolled her eyes and made a "good luck to you" gesture towards Lin Xiao.

  After waiting for another incense stick of time, except for the Xunshan disciples and the Taoist priests who were stationed at various key points and couldn't get away, all the disciples of the Daluo Dan Dao had gathered in front of the main hall square.

  A Danfeng Daoist stood at the highest level of the stone steps in front of the grand hall, holding a purple jade ruyi scepter. With a stern gaze, he swept his eyes over the thousands of disciples below and said in a deep voice: "The once-in-a-decade intra-school disciple competition will officially begin tomorrow. All green-robed and blue-robed disciples must participate in this competition. The first-place winner among the green-robed disciples will receive a top-grade flying sword, a defensive treasure, ten pieces of top-grade spirit stone, fifty pieces of mid-grade spirit stone, and two hundred pieces of low-grade spirit stone. The first-place winner among the blue-robed disciples will receive a mid-grade flying sword, twenty pieces of mid-grade spirit stone, and one hundred pieces of low-grade spirit stone."

  "Wow~~~", the teams of Taoists in green and blue robes simultaneously let out a chorus of astonished gasps. The rewards were too rich, and all the Taoists' hearts became lively at once.

  Lin Xiao's heart itched even more, he had been at the Da Luo Dan Dao for over two years, nearly three years, and had only seen his fellow disciples' elder brothers and sisters, as well as many other seniors, casually flying with their swords. However, he hadn't even seen what a flying sword looked like. As for protective treasures, he didn't even know what they were. And that large pile of sparkling spirit stones... Lin Xiao's saliva almost flowed out, perhaps with the help of these spirit stones, he would have hope to break through to the Golden Dan stage?

  Jindan period! Jindan period cultivators with powerful might! Jindan period cultivators who can transform Li Huo True Yuan into San Wei True Fire!

  With the Three Flavors True Fire, Lin Xiao might have the qualifications to enter the Zouzi Number Dan House! At that time, the benefits he would receive would no longer be those low-grade dan medicines of today.

  What's going on with Dan Feng? Lin Xiao's heart skipped a beat, and he casually touched the yellow handkerchief in his sleeve. Then, he looked up at Dan Xia. Standing on the stone steps with an expressionless face, Dan Xia turned her head to look at Lin Xiao, her eyes still full of that fierce and menacing intent. Lin Xiao then looked at Hua Feng'er, who was also staring at him. Hua Feng'er sneered coldly at Lin Xiao, put his hands behind his back, narrowed his eyes, and looked up at the sky.

  Dan Jing Dao Ren coughed lightly and said faintly, "This time's grand competition will still follow the old rules of previous years. All disciples in green and blue robes can choose their own materials to refine a furnace of Dan medicine. The grade of the refined Dan medicine and the success rate of refining will determine the winner. The master of the winning disciple will receive an ancient rare treasure, the 'Baibao Hongniu Clothing', which is close to being a sacred artifact-level protective garment, with great defensive power!"

  The master of the winning disciple can obtain a treasure that has been passed down from ancient times! 'Baibao Hongniu Clothing', just listening to the name is a beautiful and stunning garment!

  The grade and success rate of the elixir made by the participating disciples will definitely be higher or lower! The improved version of 'Inferno Elixir' in Lin Xiao's hand is a real top-grade spiritual elixir, and its success rate is more than twice that of the usual method! Moreover, Inferno Elixir is a purely fire-attribute spiritual elixir, which perfectly matches Lin Xiao's physique, making it much easier to refine!

  "This is cheating! Naked cheating!" Lin Xiao suddenly realized! It turned out that Danxia had taken a liking to the Baibao Hongniu clothes, so she made these strange moves!

  What if Lin Xiao unfortunately loses this competition!

  On the stone steps, Danxia glared at Lin Xiao again with a fierce gaze! In that gaze, there was already an aura of killing intent!

  "Heavens! This Rainbow Cloud Brocade is far more precious than that Rejuvenating Pellet, isn't it?"

  Lin Xiao's back was already drenched in cold sweat. He stared blankly at the nearly thousand Qingyi disciples on the square, who were excited to the extreme, and couldn't help but wail in his heart: "Master, I'm afraid I won't be able to win!" Da Luo Dan Dao had so many disciples, and geniuses weren't just limited to Lin Xiao alone?

  If Lin Xiao loses~~~~~

  Good heavens! Lin Xiao almost collapsed onto the ground!