Fantasy, starting with a treasure bowl

"I didn't expect this guy to have a hidden trick up his sleeve...!"

Mondo secretly rubbed his stomach.

It should be noted that the Heavenly King Qi-Replenishing Pill is not only one of the best among fifth-grade pills, but it is also quite difficult to refine. Even some veteran fifth-grade alchemists dare not guarantee a 100% success rate.

At present, Guo Tianlin is only a quasi-fifth-grade alchemist, yet he was able to refine the Heavenly King Qi-replenishing Pill in one go, which is enough to show his superb alchemy skills!

"The Heavenly King Qi-Replenishing Pill is not only a top-tier fifth-grade elixir, but it also possesses the dual effects of 'enhancing vital energy' and 'replenishing qi.' Ordinary martial artists who ingest it can significantly increase their dantian's vital energy while simultaneously nourishing their life force, thereby prolonging their lives and even becoming immune to all diseases..."

Seeing Guo Tianlin open the furnace and collect the pills, Zhang Miaoling also lightly raised her hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Old Meng, it seems we both underestimated this man..."

"If this trend continues, I'm afraid it won't take more than ten years, at most five, for this person's alchemy skills to surpass ours and become second only to Brother Xu."

"Hehe, as expected of the ancestral secret technique of the Guo family of the Northern Wei Kingdom, the 'Dual Spirit Distraction Spell' is truly an eye-opener."

At this point, Zhang Miaoling smiled again, her tone playful, seemingly without much competitive spirit.

However, compared to the composure of his dream girl, Mundo looked serious and showed no sign of relaxation.

After all, he is not only a dignified sixth-grade alchemist, but also one of the vice presidents of the current alchemist guild, and a senior figure known as the "One-Eyed Alchemist". If he is surpassed by a junior who has been in the guild for less than five years, he will have no future in the martial arts world!

Outside the hall, in the center of the square

Swish!

With a wave of his hand, Guo Tianlin summoned the Heavenly King Qi-Replenishing Pill that had just been refined in the cauldron into his palm. His expression remained arrogant and unchanged, as if he had long been accustomed to it.

"The quality of the finished pills is 91%, with an impurity rate of almost zero. Although only two Heavenly King Qi-Replenishing Pills were produced this time, making the overall quantity somewhat scarce, their overall quality is still considered perfect!"

Guo Tianlin glanced briefly at the two Heavenly King Qi-Replenishing Pills in his right palm and nodded secretly. At the same time, his ambition swelled up. "With the mediocre skills of these people, they can only refine some trashy fourth-grade pills at best. They are no match for me!"

"As for the ultimate winner of this alchemy competition and Princess Luochuan herself, they are also my for the taking!"

Thinking of this, Guo Tianlin's gaze shifted again, looking at Consort Ren Xuan on the high platform outside the Qianqing Hall. Then, a fiery covetous glint appeared in his eyes, as if he had already regarded the latter as his own possession.

After all, everyone present knew that as long as one could win the championship in this pill-refining competition, one would not only gain the favor and reward of Emperor Ren Tianxing of Dongyun Kingdom, but also marry Princess Luochuan and become a prince consort that everyone envies!

"This guy... he's asking for it!"

Faced with Guo Tianlin's burning gaze, Ren Xuanfei frowned slightly, a hint of disgust flashing across her pretty face.

It wasn't that she had any grudge against Guo Tianlin, but rather that his gaze was far too lewd, like a rogue trying to harass an innocent young woman, which made Ren Xuanfei feel extremely uncomfortable.

In addition, while Guo Tianlin was refining the Heavenly King Qi-replenishing Pill, he kept stealing glances at Ren Xuanfei not far away, and his gaze remained fixed on the latter's full and perky chest the whole time, which greatly diminished Ren Xuanfei's impression of him.

"Fei'er, what's wrong?"

Seemingly noticing that Ren Xuanfei's expression was somewhat abnormal, Ren Tianxing turned his head to look at her, somewhat puzzled.

"Uh, Father, I'm alright...!"

Ren Xuanfei shook her head and casually made up an excuse, saying, "Hmm, maybe it's because I've been standing outside for too long, and I suddenly feel a bit tired..."

"My dear concubine, it's all my fault for being so careless; I forgot to consider your health... Guards!"

With an apologetic look on his face, Ren Tianxing lightly flicked his dragon robe and said in a comforting tone, while beckoning the eunuchs and palace maids around him to come forward.

"His Majesty!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several eunuchs and palace maids approached respectfully, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

"You lot, quickly help the princess down to rest."

Ren Tianxing looked solemn, as if he was afraid something might happen to his precious daughter.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing the imperial decree, the eunuchs and palace maids quickly helped Consort Ren Xuan to her feet and then led her into the palace to rest.

"I had heard some rumors before that His Majesty's affection for Princess Luochuan was not only unique, but even surpassed that for the current Crown Prince and all the other princes born of the same rank. Now that I have seen it with my own eyes, the rumors are indeed true."

Seeing Ren Tianxing nervously sending someone to escort Ren Xuanfei away, Xu Liancheng, who had been watching the alchemy competition, smiled knowingly.

"Ahem, please excuse my rudeness, Brother Liancheng. My daughter has always been frail, and I was merely worried about her health..."

Faced with Xu Liancheng's teasing, Ren Tianxing merely coughed dryly, showing no displeasure whatsoever.

After all, although he was the emperor of Dongyun Kingdom and a supreme ruler above all others, he was nothing compared to Xu Liancheng in front of him. Xu Liancheng was the number one medicine king of the four kingdoms of Lingnan, and even Ren Tianxing could not afford to offend him.

Moreover, Ren Tianxing and Xu Liancheng had a good personal relationship. Even though he was nearly a hundred years old, he could still maintain such a youthful appearance, all thanks to the sixth-grade Rejuvenation Pill that the latter had personally refined.

"Brother Liancheng, I've heard that this Guo Tianlin is a young junior who only joined your association five years ago. He's only in his early thirties now, yet he's actually able to refine a fifth-grade Heavenly King Qi-replenishing Pill. He's truly a prodigy in the art of alchemy..."

Seeing Xu Liancheng smile silently, Ren Tianxing changed the subject and said with a sigh.

Although he was initially very fond of Lu Feng as his prospective son-in-law, after witnessing Guo Tianlin's superb alchemy skills, he also developed a slight interest and curiosity in Guo Tianlin.

After all, geniuses always attract attention, especially since Lu Feng did not choose to participate in this alchemy competition.

In his opinion, Lu Feng probably wanted to be a scumbag, which is why he deliberately didn't participate in this pill-refining competition in order to avoid being chosen as the prince consort.

This also greatly displeased Ren Tianxing.

"Heh, could it be that His Majesty is also interested in this person's background?"

Seeing Ren Tianxing take the initiative to inquire about Guo Tianlin's background, Xu Liancheng smiled slightly, his tone meaningful, as if he had expected this.