Chen Yuyang looked at Yun Lian, his eyes revealing a hint of surprise.
To smoothly pass the first round, according to Chen Yuyang’s observations and judgment, one would need to at least be at the entry-level Third Grade Alchemist realm.
In other words, Yun Lian, at only seventeen or eighteen years old, had already reached the standard of a Third Grade Alchemist?
That was truly an impressive feat.
After all, not everyone was like himself.
Even among those present today who had reached Third Grade, the average age was over thirty.
As for those who attained Third Grade around the age of twenty or even younger, among the ten thousand alchemists gathered in this square, there were merely three or four such individuals.
By this proportion, out of the one hundred and fifty thousand alchemists participating in this Alchemy Conference, those under twenty who reached Third Grade would total no more than sixty or seventy people.
These sixty or seventy represented the elite of the young generation of alchemists in the Northern Domain cultivation world.
And one of them stood right before him.
Moreover, Yun Lian was among the youngest in that group.
Though the overall gap might not seem great, when it came to perception and talent—some things you either had or you didn’t.
When there were things that some people understood at a glance while others had to ponder deeply, the difference had already begun.
“This little friend, may I ask who your master is?”
Just then, Tai Lingxuan, who had been observing from the side for a while, stepped forward and inquired.
Yun Lian smiled humbly, made a cupped-fist salute to Tai Lingxuan, and replied, “My master is Bai Moran.”
Tai Lingxuan’s pupils contracted slightly, and she couldn’t help but murmur softly:
“It’s her……”
“Master, do you know her?”
Chen Yuyang asked curiously upon hearing this.
Tai Lingxuan nodded slightly.
“Years ago, when I was training outside, I invited her to travel as companions. We had quite a few experiences together, but…”
But later, when the righteous sects joined forces to strike against the Demonic Cult, the Hehuan Sect suffered as well.
Though she and Bai Moran were never enemies, from that point on, the two had no further contact.
Several times during sect gatherings, Tai Lingxuan saw Bai Moran but never spoke again—strangers passing by.
Of course, Tai Lingxuan left those words unsaid.
And now, Bai Moran was already the Vice Sect Master of Luoshen Cliff, her status exalted.
“I never thought my master and Senior would have such a connection.”
Yun Lian, unaware of all this, heard Tai Lingxuan’s words and a strange light flickered in her eyes as she gazed at Tai Lingxuan with admiration.
To this, Tai Lingxuan said nothing more.
The ties between elders were not something she would be petty enough to hold against the younger generation.
Moreover, she felt no anger or resentment about it—if anything, just a sense of the fickleness of fate.
Tai Lingxuan said her piece and then fell silent.
Yun Lian kept glancing over, concerned, but seeing Tai Lingxuan remain quiet, she refrained from further questions and turned her attention back to Chen Yuyang.
“Since our masters are old acquaintances, you and I can be considered to have some connection. So, let’s become sworn siblings. I’ll take the liberty of calling you little brother. What do you say?”
Chen Yuyang’s facial muscles twitched.
“Can I… decline?”
Yun Lian’s smile blossomed like a flower, completely unembarrassed.
Instead, she grabbed Chen Yuyang’s hand and stuffed a few top-grade spirit stones into his palm.
“Be good, little brother. Elder sister didn’t bring anything nice out today, so take these spirit stones as a meeting gift.”
A handful of top-grade spirit stones wasn’t a small gift.
But, unfortunately, Chen Yuyang wasn’t impressed.
Yet, since they were forced on him, it would be difficult to refuse.
Even if he tried, she would probably just insist on the relationship anyway.
Thinking of this, Chen Yuyang helplessly pocketed the spirit stones.
On the side, Lingxi watched this scene, her eyes wide with disbelief, her little expression clearly saying, “I was here first!”
Well, having a conveniently gained big sister and getting tied to Luoshen Cliff didn’t seem like a loss, even if it might not be useful.
After all, more friends meant more paths in life.
“Alright then… Yun—Yun Lian sis?”
Chen Yuyang mumbled softly.
Hearing the word “sis”, Yun Lian’s smile became even brighter and more delighted.
“Good boy. Next time we meet, big sister will bring you something even better.”
Chen Yuyang: “….”
Was this the start of her ‘feeding’ him?
Still, what was up with this woman?
It was one thing to pay attention to him, but now it was as if she was actively seeking a connection.
Could it be that his charm was just too great, and she fell for him at first sight?
Privately, Chen Yuyang couldn’t help thinking of Yun Xiu, the girl who was always pestering him to practice swordsmanship.
This trip to the Alchemy Conference, even if he only took part in the first round, combined with the travel time, would take at least two months.
He wondered how diligent that girl was with her sword practice.
After not seeing her for a while, Chen Yuyang was surprised to find he actually cared.
After all, who wouldn’t like a hardworking child?
Of course, his fondness wasn’t that of romance, but a simple affection toward others.
“Brother Chen, among these people, who do you think has the greatest chance of ranking at the top?”
While he was thinking, Yun Lian continued the conversation from the side.
“Those people…” Chen Yuyang’s gaze swept across the crowd, landing on a few young men around twenty years old.
“The three from the Dan Sect, two from the Qian Kun Sect, and one from Luoshen Cliff. Their techniques are all quite skilled, and their control of the fire is also qualified.”
Chen Yuyang casually commented.
The ones he spoke of were those he had observed as reference points.
Yun Lian glanced briefly at the youths, then smiled:
“They’re indeed excellent, but in my opinion, they’re still not the very best among this group.”
“Oh? Sister Yun, do you have a different view?”
Chen Yuyang put on a look of curiosity and asked.
“Sister Yun…”
That address made Yun Lian’s mouth twitch.
Why did it feel like she’d aged twenty years in an instant?
With a shift in her thoughts, Yun Lian let it go and replied: “If we’re talking about the top alchemists among them, there’s none above Mu Qianxi, the chief disciple under the ‘Qi’ branch of the Dan Sect; Kun Yuan, third disciple of the Qian Kun Sect Master; and my Luoshen Cliff’s favored disciple, Yi Fang. They are all top-tier.”
As she spoke, Yun Lian pointed them out among the ten thousand alchemists gathered.
“Their actions may look simple, but they’re extremely precise, able to multi-task—refining and controlling the alchemic fire at the same time. That Mu Qianxi is even using the highly refined Solar Flame, which is anything but ordinary.”
Chen Yuyang followed her gaze.
He had, of course, already noticed those three.
In terms of skill, they were indeed among the best.
Yet, precisely because they were too outstanding, Chen Yuyang hadn’t used them as reference points.
“So there were such details—before, I never noticed.”
Chen Yuyang feigned surprise, then showed an admiring expression, nodding repeatedly: “Sister Yun, your observations are truly sharp.”
Yun Lian: “Could you stop calling me Sister Yun?”
“Your surname is Yun, you’re older than me, so what’s wrong with calling you Sister Yun?”
Chen Yuyang answered with a naive smile.
Yun Lian: “…..”
She was sure this brat was doing it on purpose.
Forget it, Sister Yun it is… titles don’t really matter anyway.
However, if he could only spot the superficial, that meant his alchemy skills really weren’t that great…
Otherwise, how could he not recognize that the few she pointed out were the true standouts?
Yet, after confirming this, Yun Lian’s curiosity grew even deeper.
What was so strange about this boy?
His strength had risen quickly over this period, but it was still within the realm of understanding.
He didn’t seem to have any powerful artifacts, and there shouldn’t be any strong techniques passed down for men in the Hehuan Sect either.
According to her sister’s information, he’d inherited the sword intent of an ancient mighty figure, and also possessed a special Pure Yang Body.
But with all that, it still shouldn’t have allowed him to kill a Nascent Soul expert across realms.
Let alone be qualified, three years from now, to protect himself and her sister in the great karmic upheaval that would sweep across the Northern Domain.
On this point, Yun Lian was truly puzzled.
She’d sensed long ago that her sister’s fate was reaching its end.
The Holy Church’s leader said that only those with great powers or great karma could alter such fate.
If she and her sister hadn’t already been swept into this storm, with no way out, Yun Lian had honestly considered giving up revenge for Yun Xiu’s sake, finding a secluded place and living quietly.
Yun Lian was eager to unravel his secret.
That way, she could make the proper arrangements and plans to increase the chance of altering fate.
But…
At present, Yun Lian saw nothing amiss.
Her gaze dimmed slightly, the young woman bowing her head.
Chen Yuyang glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.
There was definitely something odd about her.
That question just now had been a test of his skills.
Yet, he still didn’t understand why.
Would knowing his alchemy skills hinder her or relate to her in some way?
However, Chen Yuyang had a strong point—if he couldn’t figure something out, he wouldn’t dwell on it.
He pulled his attention back and continued watching the on-site alchemy.
Soon, Lingxi grew bored.
Alchemy was a time-consuming process.
Even the fastest Gathering Qi Pill took a day or two.
For an alchemist, even if you couldn’t learn from watching others refine, critiquing was a kind of fun in itself.
But for Lingxi, it started off interesting, but quickly became dull.
“Master, how much longer do we have to watch?”
“Yuyang is still observing… Lingxi, if you’re bored, you can return first. Here’s a jade token sealed with my divine sense. If you encounter any trouble, just crush it and I will sense it at once.”
Tai Lingxuan said as she handed a jade token to the girl.
From her manner, it was clear—however long Chen Yuyang watched, she would stay with him that long.