C14 They Actually Wanted to Compete in Alchemy with Me!

As Yang Na grappled with uncertainty about what to do next, Sect Master Yang stepped in and defused the looming crisis.

Observing Yang Na, the spitting image of her mother, Sect Master Yang's heart was a tumult of emotions. He had narrowly defeated his Junior Brother, the Medicine King, for the leadership of the Elite Wound Sect. That victory had been by the slimmest of margins, but it had secured his position as sect master.

In a rage, his Junior Brother had left to found the Medicine Sect. Their master was incensed upon learning of this, viewing it as a grave betrayal. He forcibly brought the defiant disciple back, condemning him to a life confined to the back mountain.

Yang Na was the offspring of that Junior Brother and a Junior Sister, bearing an uncanny resemblance to her mother in every gesture. Sect Master Yang was clueless about any deal that might have been struck between his Junior Brother and their master. When he inquired about how the Medicine Sect intended to handle the situation, the master had remained silent.

Consequently, Yang Na's mother had risen to become the current leader of the Medicine Sect, and it seemed Yang Na was poised to be her successor.

"Su Ping'an, what are you doing? Apologize to the distinguished guests of the Medicine Sect this instant," Sect Master Yang commanded with a stern face.

Despite his efforts to remain composed, Sect Master Yang was still unsettled. The Medicine Sect might not be the strongest, but their enigmatic alchemy had earned them a formidable reputation, which he could not help but respect.

His focus now was on elevating the Elite Wound Sect; he had no time to dwell on bygones.

Caught off guard by the sect master's stance, Su Ping'an seethed with resentment. He had been accused unjustly and sought out for a confrontation without any attempt to discern the truth.

Witnessing Yang Na's haughty demeanor only fueled Su Ping'an's indignation. "Why should I? She was the one who provoked me first, and now you expect me to apologize to her? Ridiculous!" he spat out bitterly.

Yang Na, accustomed to being adored within the Medicine Sect, was not pleased by his insolence. "You're the one who started this mess, and now you dare to slander me? With the Sect Master present, you can't just twist the truth," she retorted with an air of superiority.

Sect Master Yang found himself in a tight spot. On one hand, he had a distinguished guest at his doorstep, and on the other, a prodigious disciple from his own sect. He was at a loss for how to defuse the situation.

Rubbing his forehead in frustration, he cautiously tried to smooth things over.

"Miss Yang, perhaps we can downplay this incident. I offer my sincerest apologies on behalf of our sect," Sect Master Yang proposed, his face betraying no emotion.

Yang Na was taken aback. The Elite Wound Sect was a major force, and yet its Sect Master was willing to go to such lengths.

Su Ping'an felt a stir of emotion. He had assumed Sect Master Yang had it in for him, but now he saw a different side to the man.

What Su Ping'an didn't realize was that Sect Master Yang's actions were influenced by the Medicine Sect's extensive connections, not by any personal regard for him.

"Sect Master, there's no need for such gestures. Since I'm at the heart of this matter, I'll take responsibility for any solution you propose," Su Ping'an stated calmly.

Yang Na reassessed the young man before her, impressed by his maturity. She couldn't let herself be outdone.

"The Medicine Sect was built on our mastery of medicinal arts. Would you dare to challenge me in the art of alchemy?" Yang Na declared, brimming with confidence.

This played right into Su Ping'an's hands; he hadn't expected her to suggest such a condition.

[Mission: Accept Yang Na's challenge and emerge victorious. Reward: One Fiend Pill Fragment. Do you accept?]

"Accepted!"

With a decisive tone, spurred by the system prompt in his mind, Su Ping'an responded.

"What's the challenge? Your Medicine Sect may have its roots in pharmaceuticals, but I'm not intimidated!"

In that moment, Su Ping'an was flooded with a mix of feelings, having not anticipated an encounter with someone from the Medicine Sect.

If only he knew that the sect master they revered was buried in the back mountain, Yang Na might have been driven to extremes against Sect Master Yang.

Sect Master Yang felt a sense of resignation. He had confined Su Ping'an to the back mountain in hopes of tempering his fiery spirit, but to no avail.

With a sigh, he decided to let fate take its course, hoping it wouldn't provoke an extreme reaction from the Medicine Sect.

Casting a helpless glance at Su Ping'an, he departed with composure. As the Sect Master, he knew he couldn't show undue favoritism.

After Sect Master Yang departed, a buzz of conversation erupted among those present.

"Do you think Su Ping'an can really take on an expert from the Medicine Sect? Either way, we're in for quite a spectacle today."

"Su Ping'an is just biting off more than he can chew. The Medicine Sect is the founding father of pill crafting; no one else even comes close."

"Well, you never know. Su Ping'an did manage to overpower Hee Wudao earlier, so a miracle might just be in the cards."

Amidst the chatter, Su Ping'an remained the picture of serenity. He had the system's boost on his side, not to mention the legacy of the Medicine King. This girl was hardly a challenge for him.

Yet, to his surprise, Su Ping'an had accepted the challenge, earning a newfound respect from Yang Na.

Still, as a true Medicine Sect descendant, he was leagues above these minnows and was bound for victory.

Watching the Elite Wound disciples eye him, he spoke with a generous spirit.

"Now that you've accepted my challenge, feel free to set your terms. I will honor them all," Yang Na declared with unwavering confidence.

This shifted Su Ping'an's view of her; he had expected her to press her advantage, but instead, she had handed him the choice.

Su Ping'an approached Yang Na, speaking with nonchalance.

"Since you're the one who suggested a pill refining contest, go ahead and lay down the rules. When faced with overwhelming power, nothing else matters," he stated coolly.

His words dropped like a bomb among the onlookers, who hadn't anticipated such bravado from Su Ping'an, sparking a wave of criticism.

"Less boasting, more humility, please. It'd be a shame to lose face later on."

"The Medicine Sect has built its reputation on pill mastery. You'll be left with nowhere to cry when the time comes."

"We might as well brace ourselves for a Medicine Sect smackdown. This is a real blow to the Elite Wound's pride."

The crowd seemed to have already envisioned Su Ping'an's defeat, their words tinged with defeatism.

Yang Na, taken aback by his audacity, pondered her next move.

Currently, I'm only capable of crafting green-grade pills, and I doubt this kid has the skills to pull it off. Let's make that the benchmark.

"How about a challenge? Whoever succeeds in refining a green-grade pill will be declared the victor."

This declaration sent another massive shockwave through the crowd; they hadn't anticipated that she would raise the stakes so high.