My father is the main character, but the female leads want to kill me.

"How did Xiao Chong suddenly get to the first place?" Lin Ran asked, rubbing her chin with curiosity.

Just as Mu Shishuang was about to speak, Shangguan Mengqing suddenly said, "Perhaps his battle ended faster than others, or perhaps the opponent he defeated was stronger, so he is temporarily ranked first."

"I think that's how it should be!"

Lin Ran nodded knowingly, then quietly added via telepathy, "The fairy truly lives up to her reputation as my strategist; her intelligence is beyond my reach!"

“Yeah, I think so too. There’s a huge gap between your and my intellect. Old man, try harder!” Shangguan Mengqing said, following Lin Ran’s lead.

Lin Ran: "..."

He finally understood what it meant to shoot himself in the foot. He was just flattering her, but he didn't expect the fairy to be so disrespectful to him, an old comrade. He had to teach this disobedient fairy a lesson tonight!

As one young person after another emerged from the building, those present gradually understood what was going on inside. Just as Lin Ran and Shangguan Mengqing had guessed, the scenes playing in the scroll, including the constantly changing rankings on the black stone tablet, attracted everyone's special attention.

They even set up a betting pool, where people would guess who would win and try their luck. Lin Ran heard about it and went to take a look. He almost took out his spirit stones to bet on his son and make a big profit, but he was caught by Fairy while placing his bet and then ruthlessly taken away.

The two arrived at the ruins plaza, which was now a wasteland. There were hardly any people there, as everyone had set up camp near the black stone tablet, watching the battles depicted in the scroll and the constantly changing rankings.

Lin Ran followed her to the stone house where the fairy had lived. The stone house where the fairy lived was still in good condition and was one of the few stone houses in the square that had not collapsed. However, the inside was in a mess and it would be quite troublesome to clean it up before moving in.

Shangguan Mengqing didn't go inside, but just stood outside looking at the stone house, and said softly, "The things they built are just like this stone house. They look okay on the surface, but the inside is a mess. Do you really think that if you make a big profit, you'll be able to get your hands on the money?"

"Those guys must have some powerful backing, right?" Lin Ran immediately thought of this.

Shangguan Mengqing nodded and said, "The ones behind this are those guys from the Northern Underworld Holy Land. Are you really going to go to war with them for a few spirit stones?"

"Holy crap, such a big force is doing this kind of thing?" Lin Ran was startled. He thought it was just like before, some small and medium-sized forces doing things for their own amusement. He never expected that the Northern Underworld Holy Land would join in this time.

"They act according to their own whims, sometimes righteous, sometimes wicked, so it's not surprising that they get involved in these kinds of things!" Shangguan Mengqing explained.

She definitely knew more about the Northern Underworld Holy Land than Lin Ran. This unique super sect also bore the responsibility of resisting the Void Evil Clan. It hadn't shirked its duties, but its usual actions had really caused a lot of resentment.

"You've reminded me this time. If I were to participate in the secret realm by myself, I would definitely have someone place bets on me, so I could make money from both sides!" Lin Ran teased.

Shangguan Mengqing glanced at Lin Ran and said calmly, "With Qianyi around, do you still have to worry about not having money? She's a sixth-level alchemist!"

"Hey, Qianyi, you've given me quite a few spirit stones, but who would complain about having too many spirit stones? By the way, Qianyi is now a seventh-level alchemist!" Lin Ran said with a smile.

"Seventh tier? When did that happen?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Shangguan Mengqing's eyes. She usually had people collect news about Jiezhou, so she shouldn't be unaware of the news that Qianyi had become a seventh-level alchemist.

Lin Ran rubbed her nose and casually said, "It happened a long time ago. The seventh-grade pill that sealed Shi Shuang was made by Qian Yi. After successfully refining it, she officially entered the ranks of seventh-grade alchemists."

"I really don't know... why would Qianyi, who is so young and has such a talent for alchemy, like an old man like you?" Shangguan Mengqing said.

If she felt no jealousy towards Qianyi, it would make her seem too saintly and magnanimous. She's just a human being; she can't, and never will, be like a saint.

It's surprising that Qianyi, who has such a talent for alchemy, is so devoted to Lin Ran. Even after experiencing many hardships and humiliations, she never gave up. It was precisely because of her unwavering feelings for Lin Ran that Shangguan Mengqing relented and entrusted Qianyi with the Jade Tiger Blood Flame and the secret technique that can fuse multiple heavenly flames.

Hearing Shangguan Mengqing's words, Lin Ran scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly and said, "Maybe it's because I saved her on our first meeting?"

“Tell me your story!” Shangguan Mengqing said calmly.

She suddenly wanted to know the story between Qianyi and Lin Ran.

Lin Ran felt as if the word "danger" had suddenly appeared above her head. This was a death question, much like a current partner asking a story about their ex. For a moment, Lin Ran was hesitant to answer.

"My story with Qianyi is rather fragmented, how about we talk about it another time?" Lin Ran said.

Shangguan Mengqing glanced at Lin Ran, making Lin Ran break out in a cold sweat. Just when Lin Ran thought he was about to face Shangguan Mengqing's judgment, a light-hearted voice entered his ear: "Okay, let's talk about it next time!"

This surprised Lin Ran, but he didn't dare to ask too many questions, fearing that Shangguan Mengqing would bring it up again, which would be bad for him.

Shangguan Mengqing continued walking out, with Lin Ran following beside her. Suddenly, Shangguan Mengqing stopped, as if she had thought of something. She turned to look at Lin Ran and said, "Now that Qianyi has advanced to the seventh-level alchemist, why don't you take Qianyi to participate in the upcoming Continental Alchemist Competition? It's also called the Pill Gathering!"

"This competition is hosted by Medicine Saint Valley. It is said that the top ten in the competition will have the opportunity to obtain a mysterious heavenly fire. Let's take her to see it. With Qianyi's talent, she might shine brightly. It's also an opportunity to enhance the reputation of your Linghua Academy!"

"The Continental Alchemist Competition?!"

……

167. Mysterious Heavenly Fire

Lin Ran was really unaware of this Continental Alchemist Competition, because there was basically no related plot in the original work. For example, the description of Wen Qianyi and her Azure Dragon Clan was also very limited in the original work.

However, it's not that the original version was completely useless. If the original work hadn't given Lin Ran some advantages, she probably wouldn't have done much better than the "Lin Ran" in the original work.

Seeing Lin Ran's blank expression, Shangguan Mengqing knew that Lin Ran was unaware of this matter, so she couldn't help but tease her, "I didn't expect there to be things you didn't know. Where did your experience go, old man?"

"I've never been to Zhongyu Xinzhou, so it's normal that I don't know anything about it!" Lin Ran explained.

He actually intended to visit the Central Region's Xinzhou back then, but because he took over as clan leader ahead of schedule and also brought Qiqin along, and the two had a child, he delayed going to Xinzhou.

Of course, the long journey also played a part. If he returned from that trip, the Lin family would be gone, and he would definitely be considered a sinner.

Now that the Lin family has Li Yuhan's protection in the Li Dynasty, Lin Ran can travel far away with more peace of mind. Moreover, as long as Li Yuhan's Heavenly Fox bloodline grows up, she will at least reach the Undying Realm in the future. With Ou Yunjin's guidance, she might even reach the Saint Realm. Then, the Li Dynasty's dominance over the entire Liezhou will not be a dream.

Given his relationship with Li Yuhan, how could he possibly be afraid of not being able to latch onto her? The Lin family would definitely be able to grow stronger as a result.

Upon hearing Lin Ran say that she had never been to Xinzhou, Shangguan Mengqing's lips, hidden beneath her veil, couldn't help but curl upwards slightly. She recalled that time when Lin Ran saw through her identity at once, while she herself was unaware of Lin Ran's true identity.

At that time, she was already very curious about how Lin Ran knew about the eight super sects and her identity. Later, after she learned about Lin Ran's wife, she guessed that perhaps it was Lin Ran's wife who told her.

But if you think about it carefully, would a wife specifically tell her husband that there is a mysterious white-clad woman in the Sword Sect who wears a veil and is named Shangguan Mengqing?

She knew this might be a very deep secret hidden by Lin Ran, but she wouldn't delve into it. If Lin Ran hadn't known her, perhaps their story wouldn't have happened, and they wouldn't have had much interaction.

If it was because of that secret that the two of them met, then Shangguan Mengqing might have to thank that secret. Without Lin Ran, there might not be a "Shangguan Mengqing" like this today!

Lin Ran then asked, "When did the Continental Alchemist Conference begin?"

"When? Perhaps after this trip to the secret realm is over, you can take Qianyi and start heading towards Xinzhou!"

“Of course, you can also choose to come with me to Xinzhou, and then you can have Qianyi come to find you by herself!” Shangguan Mengqing blinked, looking at Lin Ran with a hint of anticipation.

Faced with Shangguan Mengqing's gaze, Lin Ran couldn't help but look away, coughed a few times, and said, "It's too dangerous for Qianyi to come alone. I'd better go back and bring Qianyi with me when we set off!"

"Oh, what a pity!"

Shangguan Mengqing said with a smile in her eyes, "Old man, if you come with me, we can meet my master together. Didn't you want to ask my master for his approval of our marriage?"

Lin Ran: "..."

He swore that the fairy's heart was absolutely black! He felt that if he really said such words to Meng Qing's master, who was at the peak of the Saint Realm, he probably wouldn't die, but he would probably suffer a fate worse than death. They might even find the most top-level punishment master in the Nine Provinces Continent to torture him severely. Just thinking about it was terrifying.

Seeing Lin Ran's incredibly interesting expression, Shangguan Mengqing's smile deepened. The old man really didn't disappoint her!

Suppressing her slightly cheerful tone, Shangguan Mengqing said, "Old man, why are you silent? Does this mean you agree?"

"Well, I think we need to think this through carefully before making a decision. How about we talk about it another day... Let's talk about the Continental Alchemist Competition first. You said there's a chance to obtain Heavenly Fire, but Medicine Saint Valley has Heavenly Fire and doesn't refine it?"

Seeing the old man slink away, Shangguan Mengqing decided not to pursue him any further. After all, she wanted to give him some breathing room. If she directly asked her master to intervene, she was afraid she would frighten the old man.

Shangguan Mengqing crossed her arms and walked towards the outside of the square, saying, "The Heavenly Flame of Medicine Saint Valley is an unclaimed object. Since discovering the Heavenly Flame, Medicine Saint Valley has made many attempts, but so far no one has been able to successfully refine it. On the contrary, they have lost many high-level alchemists."

"So recently, Medicine Saint Valley announced that it will hold a continent-wide alchemist competition at its own doorstep to exchange alchemy skills and experiences. At the same time, it is also to find a capable person who can refine that Heavenly Flame, thinking that if someone obtains the Heavenly Flame, they can invite them to join Medicine Saint Valley."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ran stroked her chin and said, "The Medicine Saint Valley really has a good plan. It seems that the Heavenly Flame is of a high level. What ranking is it? Otherwise, it wouldn't be able to give the Medicine Saint Valley, one of the eight super sects, such a headache!"

"I don't know what ranking the Heavenly Fire is, I only know that it was sealed by the Medicine Saint Valley, but such a spiritual treasure of heaven and earth cannot be sealed."

"According to my intelligence, Medicine Saint Valley is already losing control of the Heavenly Fire. If the Heavenly Fire is completely unsealed, the entire Medicine Saint Valley will probably be engulfed in flames." Shangguan Mengqing's words carried a hint of schadenfreude.

"Why are you so happy that Medicine Saint Valley was burned down?" Lin Ran asked curiously.

Although Shangguan Mengqing's emotional changes were not very obvious, the two were an old married couple with a good understanding. He could tell that Shangguan Mengqing did not have a good impression of Medicine Saint Valley.

"Older men have such keen intuition!"

Shangguan Mengqing clapped her hands lightly, but to Lin Ran, the fairy's perfunctory clapping seemed more like a sarcastic remark directed at him.

"Actually, it's not some irreconcilable deep-seated hatred!"

Shangguan Mengqing calmly said, "It's those alchemists from the Medicine Saint Valley. Every time we buy pills in bulk from them, they always raise the price. But because we're stuck at the front lines and need pills, we have no choice but to buy them. So we can only watch helplessly as the Medicine Saint Valley makes a fortune from the war."

"Didn't you put pressure on them? Did you teach Yaowang Valley a lesson?" Lin Ran asked, somewhat surprised.

Shangguan Mengqing shook her head and said, "It's no use. We took the lead in uniting several super sects to put pressure on them. In the end, all they did was apologize and lower their prices. And if we push them any further, they'll use their wealth to recruit powerful figures from all over the continent to fight against us."

As the most powerful alchemist force on the entire continent, Medicine Saint Valley truly commands respect and influence. Who wouldn't want a top-tier pill to boost their strength? All it takes is risking one's life for those alchemists to obtain it. So, forget about the threshold; they'd probably wear out the alchemists' homes.

"These alchemists from the Medicine Saint Valley are really scoundrels. Could it be that the rewards for the Alchemist Competition include a chance to obtain Heavenly Fire?" Lin Ran asked with some suspicion.

This Medicine God Valley looks like the biggest and most powerful shrewd merchant in the Nine Provinces Continent. This shrewd merchant went to great lengths to hold an alchemist conference, would he also be stingy?

"That shouldn't be the case. It's said that the top ten will receive very generous gifts of precious medicinal herbs, and the opportunity to harvest the Heavenly Fire is an extra bonus. You can choose not to harvest it. Besides, this is the first time Medicine Saint Valley has held such a competition. If it's not done well, it might ruin its reputation in the future," Shangguan Mengqing said with a light laugh.

Lin Ran imagined that she would bring Wen Qianyi along to participate. Wen Qianyi would compete with the best alchemists from all over the continent for the Heavenly Flame. Such a grand scene should be extremely lively.

"I'll definitely bring Qianyi to the competition on time!" Lin Ran said jokingly. "Maybe Qianyi can even win first place for me, then she'll be the number one alchemist on the entire continent!"

When Lin Ran thought about how the number one alchemist on the entire continent was his woman, he couldn't help but feel a surge of heat in his heart. Was this what it felt like to cling to someone's coattails and live off their wealth?

"And if you stay in the same place, they'll dump you!" Shangguan Mengqing ruthlessly shattered Lin Ran's fantasy.

"No way, I believe Qianyi!" Lin Ran said.

"Instead of believing, you should work hard yourself. Continue cultivating tonight. You've been cultivating for a while now, but your 'Dao' still hasn't improved. You old man, you're really stupid!" Shangguan Mengqing said with a smile in her eyes.

"What can we do? We're just naturally less talented!" Lin Ran said, feeling a little aggrieved.

Who told him he had no talent for cultivation!

"It's okay, I'll take you!"

Shangguan Mengqing smiled softly.

……

168. Mu Shishuang's Premonition

After the battles in the secret realm moved to that building, the number of young people who died in life-or-death duels also increased sharply. Not everyone was like Lin Chong and Zi Kuang, whose duels were not only exhilarating but also gentlemanly.

Some even went so far as to humiliate their opponents in various ways after defeating them. The images of these acts, when broadcast through the scroll, shocked the audience and led them to silently label the forces behind these young people as being closely connected to those forces that could cultivate such individuals.

Lin Ran also happened to see the scenes of those children torturing their opponents, and he couldn't help but feel worried for them. If those children encountered such an opponent, he was afraid that he would not be able to resist slaughtering that force. Even if the opponent had a Dragon Transformation Realm cultivator, he would release Mu Shishuang and kill them all.

Perhaps it was because of Lin Ran's constant prayers that heaven finally gave him a response. Many of the opponents those kids faced were from Tianli Academy.

Even if they weren't facing Tianli Academy, their opponents weren't particularly ruthless. Seeing their opponents concede defeat, they stopped fighting with remarkable gentlemanly manners. After their battle, they amicably handed the talisman to the winner and left.

Lin Ran saw several silver rays of light flying out from the huge building and hurriedly ran over. Chi Sinian, Xiao Qian, Xiao Zhuang and others were among them. He rushed forward and checked their pulses one by one. After confirming that there was no problem, he felt much more relaxed.