"We'll bet on the fate of our two factions. If our Boundless Gate loses, then everyone, including me, will unconditionally join your Medicine Gang and submit to your authority. If you lose, then your Medicine Gang will unconditionally join our Boundless Gate, including you."
Xiao Tian's words struck Han Xian's heart like a giant hammer, making his spirit tremble. His pupils constricted violently. He had never expected Xiao Tian to propose such a shocking wager.
If it were just a simple, newly established force, Han Xian might have merely scoffed at the opponent's overestimation of their own abilities. But Boundless Gate was different. A Dou Wang whose true strength was still unknown, and a Rank 4 Alchemist — this was already at the pinnacle of power within the entire Inner Academy. No other force had such a configuration. Although his Medicine Gang was incredibly large, their monopoly on pills had now been broken.
If he could win outright, he wouldn't just continue to monopolize pills; he would even leap to become a giant among the Inner Academy's forces, far surpassing all other factions. Recent rumors said Xiao Tian had entered Cultivation Room Number One to cultivate, which meant Xiao Tian and the top-ranked person on the strong ranking knew each other, and even had a very close relationship. Otherwise, she wouldn't have lent out her cultivation room.
Han Xian frowned and took a deep breath. "Xiao Tian, you're not joking, are you? Do you realize this is equivalent to a life-and-death decision?"
Xiao Tian smiled indifferently, his expression serious and solemn. "Naturally, I'm serious. I have no intention of joking. What? Is Gang Leader Han afraid?"
Hearing Xiao Tian throw his own earlier words of provocation right back at him, Han Xian's expression immediately turned cold. However, he quickly suppressed the anger brewing inside him, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the table. This wager involved the fruits of his hard work over many years, so he still felt some hesitation.
He wondered if Xiao Tian was acting on a whim or if he truly had solid backing. Han Xian's gaze fell on the Rank 4 Alchemist robe on Xiao Yan as he calculated continuously in his mind. "I want to ask — will it be the two of you representing Boundless Gate in this contest?"
"That's right. It will be Xiao Yan and I competing. No one else."
Xiao Tian picked up the teacup from the table and took a light sip.
"What, is Gang Leader Han afraid to accept the challenge? I thought you were someone of consequence, but it seems you're only so-so."
Han Xian's finger, tapping on the table, came to a halt. His entire face darkened. For so many years, others had always flattered and fawned over him. When had he ever suffered such indignity? His face alternated between green and white. He slammed the table, shot to his feet, and shouted loudly, "I'll bet, I'll bet! Whoever chickens out is a grandson! I'm betting with you!"
A hint of satisfaction flashed in Xiao Tian's eyes. "Gang Leader Han is indeed straightforward. Then let's draw up a contract now to prevent anyone from backing out if they lose."
Han Xian also nodded in agreement. In the end, the two wrote out two copies of the contract, each pressing their handprint and soul imprint onto them.
"Then how will we compete?"
Seeing that the two had settled the wager, Xiao Yan spoke up, asking Han Xian.
"We will refine the same pill. We'll start refining at the same time, and quality will determine the winner. If the quality is the same, then whoever produces the pill first will win. As for the prescription, we'll use Elder Hao's from the Inner Academy's prescription management library. That way, it's fair to everyone. Elder Hao is the most fair and strict person in the Inner Academy; you can go out and ask around if you doubt it."
Han Xian pondered for a moment, then spoke to Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan.
Xiao Tian also nodded in agreement after hearing Han Xian's words. He knew the plot and had investigated himself, confirming it was indeed true. Xiao Yan, seeing that Xiao Tian agreed, didn't say much or voice any doubts. He trusted his Third Brother one hundred percent. Although his brother sometimes played tricks on him, those were just jokes, and he even gained a lot from them. He was very willing to be tricked in this way — the more, the better.
In the end, the three agreed on the time for the next morning and the location at the North Plaza.
Afterward, the three went together to find Elder Hao. He was slightly surprised upon hearing about this huge wager, but his interest was even greater. He didn't hesitate at all and immediately agreed to the request, but on the condition that he would choose the prescription, and it would only be announced tomorrow. After settling this matter with Elder Hao, the three bid farewell and left.
"You'd better not lose too badly. I'm really looking forward to seeing you serve under me, haha!"
Seeing Han Xian's shifting expression, Xiao Tian smiled disdainfully. "I'm also looking forward to it. I hope you don't disappoint me; otherwise, it won't be interesting. I'm also looking forward to you backing out. That way, I can take over by force."
Hearing Xiao Tian's words, Han Xian's face immediately turned very ugly. "It's not yet decided who will win. Hmph!"
With that, he flicked his sleeve and left without looking back.
"We'll be free soon. Finally, no more endless pill refining in the dark."
Xiao Yan watched Han Xian's retreating back and couldn't help but laugh. As for worrying about losing — what a joke! Not to mention his own alchemy skills were not inferior to Han Xian's, his Brother Tian alone was enough to leave the man several streets behind. He didn't even know how to spell the word 'lose'.
"Xiao Yan Zi, ask Yao Lao to get you some good stuff. The pill to be refined this time is probably not simple. You always have a big cauldron explosion at every major event."
Xiao Tian knew that the pill to be refined this time would likely still be the Dragon Strength Pill. Xiao Yan had caused a large cauldron explosion during the alchemy process before, even creating a huge cloud of smoke.
Xiao Yan scratched his head awkwardly, remembering the cauldron explosions at the Alchemist Convention and other times when he refined pills. Xiao Tian said this not to embarrass Xiao Yan, but so that Yao Lao would bring out his Black Demon Cauldron for Xiao Yan to use.
The two chatted as they walked back toward the pavilion.
…
Back at the Medicine Gang's main residence, Han Xian sat in the main hall. He held a cup of tea, smiling sinisterly, thinking to himself, "You think I made this decision out of anger and embarrassment, but in reality, everything is within my calculations. A Rank 4 Alchemist whose refined pills are so terrible, a rookie who doesn't even dare to wear an Alchemist robe — what will you use to beat me? Your heads? You're still too green to play with me."
As Han Xian thought, he even envisioned the future glory of the Medicine Gang and couldn't help but laugh out loud, then louder and louder.
…
Back at Boundless Gate, Xiao Tian informed the others about the challenge. Although their expressions showed slight shock and worry, they did not object to the matter. Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan's alchemy skills had previously been hinted at to them.
And Xun'er, who was very clear about Xiao Tian's strength, was even less worried. She had seen Xiao Tian refine Rank 6 pills in the Eternal Dream Realm. Unless Xiao Tian himself didn't want to win, it would be difficult for him to lose.
"This is my first time seeing a confrontation between Rank 4 Alchemists and above. I must go and watch tomorrow, no matter what." Wu Hao's heart was boiling with excitement at the thought of the scene. An Alchemist confrontation was much more interesting than the Arena.
Having tasted the sweetness of selling pills for the first time, the others were even more eager for the greater benefits that would come after the Medicine Gang was incorporated.