Daily Intelligence: From Miner to Dao Ancestor of Alchemy and Talismans

"Brother Li, you've eliminated 80% of the rogue cultivators in the first round, well done!" Xue Wuyai's laughter carried a hint of ruthlessness. "However, three rogue cultivators have advanced to the second-tier alchemy level. These three are quite capable, keeping them around will be troublesome."

"Don't worry." Li Mo's voice was laced with disdain. "In the second round, I'll have the judges lower their scores. Even if they manage to advance by sheer luck, you can have them dealt with after the second round to eliminate any future trouble. As for those Tom, Dick, and Harry who barely made it, they're not worth mentioning. They'll be eliminated in the next round on their own, so there's no need to waste your time on them."

The two exchanged a smile, their smugness and ruthlessness clearly transmitted through the courtyard wall.

From beginning to end, they never mentioned the old rogue cultivator called "Old Xu" who barely made it to the next level.

This nobody they considered insignificant was, in fact, the only person in this alchemist conference who saw through all their schemes clearly.

The morning sunlight filters through the branches and leaves of the courtyard, casting dappled shadows.

Xu Yuan had just finished his morning lessons and was preparing to devise a strategy for the second round of the competition when a soft knock came from outside the courtyard gate. The sound was gentle, yet carried an unmistakable solemnity.

His fingertips instantly pressed against the second-tier Void Rift Talisman at his waist, and his divine sense spread out along the restriction, instantly clearing the situation outside the door.

There were only two people outside the door. The one in the lead was Su Qingyao, the young master of Baicaotang. She was dressed in a green dress and had no guards with her. She was accompanied only by a maid carrying a wooden box. There was no murderous aura or ambush on her. She even concealed her spiritual power completely and did not have the slightest intention to offend anyone.

Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. He had concealed himself extremely well, disguising himself as a down-on-his-luck old cultivator the entire time. He barely made it into the next round, and even the referees didn't bother to give him a second glance. How could Su Qingyao have found this place? And even found his villa with such precision?

He didn't open the door immediately. He first activated the defenses of the courtyard to confirm that there were no signs of eavesdropping or spying before removing the outer layer of defenses and opening the courtyard door.

The courtyard gate opened, and Su Qingyao saw Xu Yuan behind the gate. She immediately bowed and performed a standard alchemist's salute, her tone respectful and without a trace of the arrogance of a noble lady: "Fellow Daoist Xu, I apologize for disturbing you by coming here so abruptly. I hope you will forgive me."

"Master Su, you've got the wrong person, haven't you?" Xu Yuan maintained his hunched posture, his voice hoarse, and feigned timidity as he shrank back. "I'm just an ordinary rogue cultivator, I wouldn't dare trouble Master Su."

He was still testing the waters, not revealing a single piece of his hand.

Upon hearing this, Su Qingyao smiled gently, looked up at Xu Yuan, her gaze clear and knowing: "Fellow Daoist, there's no need to hold back. In the first round of the competition, Danwang Valley tampered with the public alchemy furnace, causing nearly a hundred rogue cultivators to be eliminated due to furnace explosions. Only three people in the entire arena managed to advance unscathed. Fellow Daoist, you appeared flustered throughout, yet your control of the alchemical fire was as steady as a rock. Even the most minute purification of medicinal herbs was flawless. This is something that a first-level alchemist and a rogue cultivator at the third level of Qi Refining could never achieve."

She paused, then added, "Moreover, to possess the highest-level Black Gold Card of Baodan Tower and reside in the most central courtyard of Baodan Tower's backyard, there are very few 'ordinary rogue cultivators' like this in the entire Blackwater City. I have no ill intentions in contacting you, fellow Daoist; I simply wish to make a deal with you and form an alliance."

Xu Yuan's timidity gradually faded, and his hunched back straightened slightly. He stepped aside to let Su Qingyao pass, leading her into the main hall of the courtyard, closing the gate to block all outside views.

"What kind of alliance does Hall Master Su want to forge?" Xu Yuan sat on the stone bench, his tone calm and without the slightest ripple, still not revealing any of his secrets.

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Su Qingyao dismissed the maids, closed the hall door, and the smile on her face slowly faded, leaving only cold hatred and solemnity: "I have a blood feud with Danwang Valley for killing my father. Three years ago, at the Alchemist Conference, Danwang Valley used the exact same method to tamper with my alchemy furnace, causing it to explode and severely injuring me. I died less than half a year after returning home. Since then, Danwang Valley has suppressed Baicaotang in every way. Now, in the Blackwater City alchemy market, Baicaotang can't even get 30% of the market share."

"In this Alchemist Conference, Li Mo has laid a trap. He not only wants to win the championship, but also to completely crush Hundred Herbs Hall and allow Pill King Valley to completely monopolize the alchemy market in Blackwater City. I am weak and alone, and I can't fight them at all."

She looked up at Xu Yuan, her gaze earnest: "I wish to form an alliance with you, fellow Daoist. We will share intelligence, support each other, and together expose the conspiracy of the Pill King Valley and deal with Li Mo. If one of us becomes the final champion, we will share the Foundation Establishment Pill formula. You may use all the alchemy materials, formulas, and resources of the Hundred Herbs Hall for free, without any restrictions."

However, when seeking survival through honest means, the greatest mistake is to be overly trusting. There's no such thing as a free lunch; the more attractive the offer, the more wary you should be of potential traps.

Xu Yuan did not immediately agree, but simply nodded: "I understand Hall Master Su's sincerity. This matter is of great importance, please allow me to consider it tonight, and I will give Hall Master Su an answer tomorrow."

Su Qingyao didn't press the matter. She knew that someone who could escape unscathed from the Danwang Valley trap and remain so well hidden would not easily trust others. She stood up, bowed to Xu Yuan, left a communication talisman from Baicaotang, and then turned and left with her maid, without any hesitation or lingering, demonstrating her tact and composure.

After seeing Su Qingyao off, Xu Yuan immediately reactivated all the restrictions in the courtyard to confirm that there were no traces or eavesdroppers before sitting cross-legged on the stone bed and quietly waiting for the system intelligence to refresh at midnight.

He had to first confirm whether Su Qingyao was telling the truth or not, and whether this alliance was an opportunity or another trap.

At midnight, the familiar system notification sounded in my mind right on time.

[Ding! Today's intelligence has been updated.]

[Bai Bao: Su Qingyao's father, Su Changhe, was ambushed by Danwang Valley at the Alchemist Conference three years ago. His alchemy furnace exploded, causing him to die from severe injuries. Su Qingyao has an irreconcilable hatred for Danwang Valley. At this Alchemist Conference, Su Qingyao is only here to suppress Li Mo and avenge her father. She has no malicious intent and has no collusion with the Blood Fiend Sect or the Evil Cultivator Alliance.]

Xu Yuan looked at the intelligence report and finally felt relieved.

The intelligence was exactly as Su Qingyao had described. She did indeed have a blood feud with Danwang Valley, but she had not colluded with the Blood Fiend Sect. This alliance was without any traps and was a genuine win-win situation.

Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately used the communication talisman left by Su Qingyao to send her a message, inviting her to meet him at the villa early the next morning to discuss the details of the alliance.

The next morning, Su Qingyao arrived at the appointment on time, alone, without bringing anyone with her.

"I agree to form an alliance with you." Xu Yuan got straight to the point, without beating around the bush. "But I have two conditions: First, the alliance is only for Danwang Valley and this Alchemist Conference, and will not involve any other grudges; second, my identity and my background must not be revealed to anyone, including anyone from Baicaotang."