Xun'er asked softly after Zi Yan left, and the others also cast curious glances.
"You were not mistaken. Her name is Zi Yan, and she is the mysterious number one on the Inner Academy's strong ranking."
Hearing Xiao Tian's words, Xun'er and the others all showed surprised expressions.
"That little girl is the strong ranking number one? She's so young — how is that possible?"
Hu Jia's mouth hung wide open, wide enough to stuff things into, and the others also took a long time to recover. This news was like a bolt from the blue for them.
Xiao Tian smiled softly when he saw their incredulous faces. "She only looks small on the surface, but she's incredibly strong. All of you together aren't enough to beat her. As for the reason, it's not convenient for me to tell you."
Hu Jia, Xiao Yan, and the others looked at each other, their faces full of disbelief.
Just then, a Boundless Gate member responsible for guarding the door walked in and respectfully said to Xiao Tian and the others, "Gate Master and Elders, someone claiming to be from the Medicine Gang has come, saying their Gang Master has something important to discuss with the Gate Master and Vice Gate Master."
"Hmm, tell him we will be there shortly."
After the messenger left, Hu Jia said, "It seems our recent sale of pills has alarmed them. Previously, the Inner Academy's pills were monopolized by them. Now our pills have created a huge impact, so they probably can't sit still anymore."
Every time the pills sold by Boundless Gate were put on display during this period, they were immediately snatched up, and many people even added money to pre-order them. Especially the Clear Spirit Pill, which was very popular. It was a pill that could increase the cultivation time in the Qi Refining Tower, allowing one to cultivate for an extra period every day. Over time, this accumulation would far exceed those who didn't have this pill.
Xiao Tian looked at Xiao Yan. "Xiao Yan Zi, it seems we have work to do this time. Let's go crash their place. Whether we can be free later depends on this. Their Gang Master, Han Xian, is a Rank 4 Alchemist. Since they still dare to come looking for us even after I've revealed my strength, they probably want to have an alchemy duel with us."
"Crashing their place? Competing in alchemy? I like it." Xiao Yan licked his dry lips and said excitedly.
With Xiao Tian's strong support, the current Xiao Yan was no longer as secretive as in the original story, but had become a completely crazy and warlike warrior. Xiao Yan's motto had now become: "I only have one life, so I'll go all out." It had to be said, with no women in his heart, his mindset was simply reckless.
"Xiao Yan Zi, take out your equipment."
Xiao Yan heard Xiao Tian's words and immediately took out his Rank 4 Alchemist attire and put it on. Xiao Tian, however, did not put on his Tier 5 Alchemist attire, fearing he might scare Han Xian off. Otherwise, he would lose out on a lot of benefits.
"The Medicine Gang going up against the two of you probably has the worst luck in eight lifetimes," Xun'er said, coming to Xiao Tian's side and helping him tidy his clothes gently.
The others, seeing the affectionate display between the two, felt their mouths were filled with dog food.
Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan walked directly out of the hall and headed toward the Medicine Gang's station. On the way, the two also competed in movement techniques. Xiao Yan had already learned Three Thousand Lightning Movement. But he still lost to Xiao Tian's Void Piercer Art. Are you kidding? This was a conceptual skill; how could it lose to something from a small Wind and Thunder Pavilion? Xiao Tian had intended to teach it to Xiao Yan before, but Xiao Yan refused, saying he owed Xiao Tian too much and would talk about it later.
The two arrived at the Medicine Gang's station in twenty minutes. During the journey, Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan heard the latest news from the Inner Academy: Fu Ao's cultivation had been completely ruined because of internal issues during his cultivation in the Heavenly Flame Training Pagoda, which led to a reversal of his meridians. Also, Bai Shan, during his breakthrough, had frequently encountered setbacks recently and had been bullied by other senior students, causing him to develop inner demons, eventually becoming disoriented and completely insane. Fu Ao and Bai Shan were eventually sent away from the academy.
Digesting the information they heard along the way, the two looked at the slightly luxurious and spacious Medicine Gang station in front of them. Xiao Yan drooled with envy.
"As expected of a force formed purely by Alchemists, they are indeed well off."
"Indeed, we can make a big haul from here today."
Xiao Tian looked at the Medicine Gang's station with a sinister smile.
"Are you two the Demon King and Vice Gate Master Xiao Yan?"
The Medicine Gang disciple guarding the door saw the two and quickly stepped forward to ask. Xiao Tian nodded lightly.
"Please come in. Our Gang Master is already waiting for your esteemed presence."
With that, he led Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan into the main hall.
Inside the hall, Han Xian saw the Rank 4 Alchemist attire on Xiao Yan, and his expression became slightly solemn. Then, seeing that Xiao Tian was not wearing Alchemist attire, he breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. He's not wearing it, so his rank isn't high, and he can't show it off.
"Please take a seat, both of you. Gate Master Xiao is truly a young talent, already a Dou Wang expert at eighteen, which I truly admire."
Xiao Tian heard the veiled implications in Han Xian's words and couldn't help but sneer inwardly, thinking, You'll have something to cry about later.
"Presumably, both of you are clear about why I've invited you here this time, aren't you?"
Han Xian looked at Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan with a faint smile.
Xiao Tian nodded lightly, signaling him to continue.
"The sale of pills has always been handled by our Medicine Gang. Your Boundless Gate selling pills now has already affected us."
Han Xian's gaze held a hint of displeasure as he spoke in a deep voice.
"What? Does the Inner Academy have a rule that only your Medicine Gang can sell pills, and no one else is allowed to sell them?"
Xiao Tian's hand rested casually on the table, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips.
Han Xian saw Xiao Tian's demeanor and slightly furrowed his brow. "Naturally, there is no such rule. The Inner Academy allows free pill transactions. However, your Boundless Gate selling pills has already affected our interests. I invited you two here this time to resolve this issue."
"So, how does Gang Master Han plan to resolve it? Are we going to duel in the Arena? I can allow all of you to come at once."
Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan exchanged glances, raising their eyebrows at each other.
Han Xian's expression changed when he heard Xiao Tian's words. Xiao Tian was a Dou Wang, and the entire Medicine Gang consisted of Alchemists whose strength was pitifully low. Even all of them together couldn't withstand one kick from Xiao Tian.
"Gate Master Xiao is joking. Our problem is about pills, so naturally, it should be resolved in the way of Alchemists. I wonder if you two dare to accept?"
"Compete in alchemy?"
Xiao Tian didn't speak. Xiao Yan, hearing Han Xian's words from the side, spoke up, glancing at Xiao Tian in the process, not expecting it to be exactly as Xiao Tian had said.
"That's right. We are all Alchemists. If we were to fight like ordinary people with real weapons, it would be too undignified."
Han Xian said calmly, his face full of confidence. He had seen the pills sold by Boundless Gate; their quality was not very good and could not compare to what he refined.
"Of course, there must be stakes in a competition. If you lose, you cannot sell pills in the Inner Academy, and you must give us the pill formulas for the pills you are currently selling. If I lose, I will cede five of the most prosperous trading points of my Medicine Gang to your Boundless Gate."
Xiao Tian shook his head when he heard Han Xian's conditions. He wasn't here for this; he was here for a much bigger goal.
Seeing Xiao Tian shake his head, Han Xian thought Xiao Tian was afraid, and a sneer curled at the corner of his mouth. He said coldly, with a hint of disdain in his voice, "Is Gate Master Xiao afraid?"
Xiao Tian ignored his taunt, smiled faintly, and said loudly, "Not at all. I just think this wager is a bit small. If we're going to play, let's play big."
Han Xian was slightly startled when he heard Xiao Tian's words, not expecting Xiao Tian to say such a thing. A hint of doubt arose in his heart. "Then tell me, how do you want to play?"
Xiao Tian sat up straight, his gaze fixed on Han Xian, and gradually uttered words that shocked him.