Chapter 1041: Someone Cut In

"Master, you... are you sure you want me to start practicing from first-level alchemy?" Gu Yue looked at Xiao Ruyan with pleading eyes, his face bitter.

Xiao Ruyan looked at Gu Yue with disdain and said, "Your master and I both practiced this way. If you don't want to, you can quit!"

Gu Yue was stunned. He had thought Xiao Ruyan was deliberately retaliating for his past behavior, setting this hurdle to make things difficult for him.

What was there to practice in first-level alchemy?

Who was he, Gu Yue?

He was a distinguished Dan Zun, a master who had won three thousand four hundred and twenty consecutive matches in Yun Gao City, with an extremely solid foundation. Did he really need to practice such childish stuff?

But he hadn't expected that Xiao Ruyan and the others had also practiced this way!

Gu Yue couldn't help but look at his uncle-master Ren Dong, who nodded and said, "Senior sister isn't lying to you. Our expressions back then were exactly the same as yours now."

Gu Yue was speechless and couldn't help asking, "Then... how far do I need to practice this?"

Xiao Ruyan said, "Once you've cultivated all first-level alchemy techniques to the legendary realm, you can start practicing second-level alchemy, and so on. But before you practice second-level alchemy, I will re-explain the pharmacology of first-level pills to you."

Gu Yue blinked twice, his eyes full of disbelief.

"First-level pills, pharmacology? What... what is there to learn?" Gu Yue was truly speechless.

He pursued the ultimate in the Dao of alchemy, just like Lord Qing Yunzi! But the master he had just taken was making him start from the beginning!

Was she treating him like a novice?

Xiao Ruyan snorted coldly and said, "What? Look down on first-level alchemy and first-level pills, don't you? It doesn't matter. You're just a nominal disciple now anyway. I still have many things to practice myself. If you don't want to train, get lost!"

With that, Xiao Ruyan and Ren Dong turned and left, starting to practice the Five Elements Heavenly Language Art not far away.

Seeing this, Gu Yue was inwardly surprised.

He didn't immediately start practicing first-level alchemy but instead observed his master and uncle-master from the side.

Gu Yue was very puzzled. Xiao Ruyan and Ren Dong had already cultivated the Five Elements Heavenly Language Art to the legendary realm, so why did they continue to practice it?

He just watched, and then saw the two of them practice the Five Elements Heavenly Language Art over and over again.

Such boring and tedious training was something he had never seen before.

Ten times, fifty times, a hundred times... five hundred times!

The more Gu Yue watched, the more shocked he became. The two showed no sign of stopping, just practicing again and again.

When they were tired or exhausted, they casually took pills and sat down to recover. Once recovered, they would continue practicing.

As for Gu Yue, they simply acted as if he didn't exist.

Gu Yue finally understood why Xiao Ruyan and Ren Dong, though younger than him, had already surpassed him in strength!

Diligence!

What they competed on was not talent, but diligence!

He also finally realized that Xiao Ruyan wasn't joking with him!

His master and uncle-master must have started from first-level alchemy.

That is, the two of them had already cultivated all alchemy techniques up to the fifth level to the legendary realm!

How much time and effort did that require?

Gu Yue dared not even think about it!

In terms of talent, Gu Yue was confident he was no worse than anyone! He even felt that his talent surpassed that of Xiao Ruyan and Ren Dong.

But the fact that he had lost to them was undeniable!

He thought correctly; if this trend continued, the gap between him and his master and uncle-master would only grow larger.

At this point, he finally understood why Ji Qingyun was a figure admired by alchemists.

Without a doubt, Lord Qing Yunzi's alchemy talent was terrifying. However, the effort behind his success was something no one else could see!

Without countless refinements, even with his high talent, he could never have won over five thousand eight hundred matches!

If someone more capable than you works a hundred or a thousand times harder, how can you not lose?

Gu Yue took a deep breath, cast all distracting thoughts out of his mind, and slowly began the starting posture of the Small Formless Art.

...

While Xiao Ruyan and the other two were immersed in intense training, Jiang Taicang was hopping mad.

"My lord, those guys are going too far! They knew you were collecting Ancient Spirit Pentafragrant Herb and Jade Emerald Sacred Stamen, but some bastard bought up all of those herbs in the city!"

These two herbs were crucial for Jiang Taicang and Wu Luo to recover their strength, so he was naturally very anxious.

Ye Yuan was slightly surprised and said, "Oh? Are there many Ancient Spirit Pentafragrant Herbs and Jade Emerald Sacred Stamens?"

Jiang Taicang said, "To be honest, these two herbs were scarce before, but recently, for some reason, many rare herbs have appeared on the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Ancient Medicine Garden, including these two. I've inquired, and two Ancient Spirit Pentafragrant Herbs and one Jade Emerald Sacred Stamen appeared in the city recently. But shortly after you sent out the message, someone cut in. It's clearly someone opposing you!"

Ao Qian frowned and said, "It's best if they're available, but don't force it if they're not! Since my lord has promised you, he won't go back on his word! Now that the forces in Yun Gao City are complex and your identity has been exposed, it's hard to avoid enemies like Jian Wushuang. Making too many enemies won't do us any good!"

Hearing this, Jiang Taicang realized he had been too impatient and said awkwardly, "This... Taicang was inconsiderate. I hope my lord won't blame me."

Ye Yuan waved his hand and smiled, "Just some clowns! Since they dare to bully me, they must be ready to face my wrath! Since my identity is exposed, even if I avoid them, they will find ways to come after me. Since these two herbs have appeared, naturally we should retrieve them. This opening of the Ten Thousand Ancient Medicine Garden is unusual. With your strength increased, our safety will be better ensured."

Ye Yuan's words made Jiang Taicang very excited.

"But... who could have done this? I've inquired for several days but found nothing." Jiang Taicang said gloomily.

These days, Yun Gao City was a gathering of various forces, with many experts. In comparison, their group was still a bit weak.

Ye Yuan said, "Judging by the timing, it shouldn't be Jian Wushuang. It seems someone is secretly causing trouble. Forget it, if we can't guess, let's not guess. We'll go ask and find out."

With that, Ye Yuan got up and walked out.

Jiang Taicang was startled and followed, asking, "My lord, I've inquired for several days but found no clues! The sellers don't seem to know the buyer's identity either. Who do we ask?"

Ye Yuan smiled and said, "In this Yun Gao City, who knows the city best?"

Jiang Taicang shook his head blankly. Ye Yuan smiled and walked out the door directly.