Chapter 2072: Let Me Buy You a Drink

"How is this possible? Master Song Cao lost in the fire duel?"

"That trembling little flame, crushed with a single pat, and Master Song Cao couldn't beat it?"

"Could this kid really be a hidden master of fire control?"

...

Gasps of astonishment erupted around them, clearly no one had expected such a turn of events.

A top-three alchemy master of Jiuluo Assembly had actually lost to an unknown young man.

"Is that all you've got? How disappointing." Ye Yuan said indifferently.

Song Cao was startled, his face turning solemn as he said in a deep voice, "Good lad, I underestimated you! Take this!"

With that, Song Cao formed a hand seal, and his divine flame transformed into a giant hammer, smashing violently toward the small flame.

Boom!

The giant hammer shattered instantly.

Song Cao's expression changed drastically; this time, he was truly shocked.

If the previous move was just a casual attempt, this one had already exerted seventy percent of his strength.

Yet it was so fragile before that trembling little flame?

Wu Ling's small mouth formed an O as she stared in disbelief.

"Brother, is Master Song Cao too careless? This... this is too fake, right?"

Wu Song's face was grave as he shook his head, "I'm afraid it's not just carelessness! That little flame seemed weak to me too, but now it appears the flame has been condensed to the extreme! So to outsiders, it feels neither hot nor imposing. This fire control technique is truly superb!"

Wu Ling couldn't help but look at Ye Yuan. Could this detestable guy actually be a master of fire control?

"Not bad this time, the flame is much more condensed. But... still far from enough. If you're not convinced, you can try again." Ye Yuan said calmly.

In his view, that last move was still acceptable.

Compared to the previous flashiness, Hammer had clearly become more concise.

These alchemists of the Extreme Northern Grasslands often use flames to protect themselves from the cold, and indeed, their fire control skills are far superior to those of alchemists from other regions.

But such strength was still insufficient before Ye Yuan.

After all, his alchemy strength was the best in the Southern Domain.

And what is a fundamental skill in alchemy?

Of course, it's fire control!

In the art of fire control, there are truly few in the world who can surpass Ye Yuan.

“Kid, don't be so arrogant. Watch me, Song, break it for you to see!”

Song Cao gritted his teeth and struck again.

Yet no matter how he wielded his fire-controlling techniques, that trembling little flame remained as unmoving as a small lump of diamond.

After seven or eight moves in a row, Song Cao still could not subdue it, and his face was so gloomy it seemed ready to drip water.

Ye Yuan also grew somewhat impatient and said flatly, "You are too weak. Better invite your master out. As a reward, let me buy you a drink."

With that, Ye Yuan poured a cup of wine and pushed it in front of Song Cao, and immediately a rich fragrance filled the air.

Song Cao's face shifted between gloom and uncertainty, but he sadly realized that he had exhausted all his skills and truly could not do anything to that small flame.

He even had a feeling that even if his master, Lone Swan Celestial Venerable, were here, he might not be able to subdue it!

But soon, he drove this absurd thought out of his mind.

How could that be?

His master was a Seven-Star Alchemy God, invincible in this Jiuluo Assembly!

How could a mere wet-behind-the-ears brat leave even his master at a loss?

Song Cao's attention was quickly drawn by the rich aroma of wine.

This wine, it was so fragrant!

So fragrant that it was impossible to refuse!

Song Cao couldn't help swallowing his saliva, and finally, under the astonished gaze of the crowd, he downed it in one gulp.

"Good wine! Truly good wine! This old man has never tasted such delicious wine!"

As soon as the wine entered his mouth, Song Cao couldn't help but exclaim in heartfelt praise.

He felt a stream of nectar flow into his stomach, then instantly ignite his entire body, causing every pore to open wide.

In his heart, it seemed a blazing sun had risen, warming his whole body.

In comparison, his beloved Blazing Fire seemed like nothing but garbage.

Seeing Song Cao's blissful expression, the crowd no longer doubted the Sun Warmth.

Earlier, everyone had been skeptical, wondering if Wu Song was a shill.

Now that Master Song Cao had personally testified, who could still doubt?

But this only made the martial artists even more covetous of the Sun Warmth.

The agony of seeing it but not being able to drink it was truly unbearable!

"Young man, I've delivered the challenge for you! But this wine..." Song Cao stared fixedly at the small pot in Ye Yuan's hand, his intention clear.

Ye Yuan said indifferently, "I said one cup, and that's it. Don't try that with me. Go back and tell your master: if Lone Swan Celestial Venerable accepts the challenge, and if I, Ji, lose, I'll hand over the recipe for Sun Warmth. Don't look at me like that; with your meager skills, you can't snatch it."

Song Cao's eyes darted around, clearly contemplating robbery.

In a place like Nine Luo Market, there was no justice or law.

If you saw something you liked, you just took it.

As long as your fist was big enough, you could say anything.

"Master Song Cao, just now Thunderblade Wang Heng tried to seize it, and he was punched to pieces!" someone nearby kindly reminded, sensing the tense atmosphere.

Song Cao's expression changed, and he exclaimed, "Thunderblade Wang Heng? He had fused two types of law power, with strength comparable to the fifth level of True God, and he was punched to pieces?"

"Master, with so many people watching, would I deceive you?" the man added.

Song Cao's gaze sharpened, and he realized that Ye Yuan was not to be underestimated.

His eyes darkened as he said, "Fine! I'll deliver the challenge for you, but I hope your alchemy skills amount to more than just a bit of flame control! Farewell!"

With that, Song Cao put away the challenge letter and left directly.

...

News spread quickly!

In the countless millennia of Nine Luo Market's existence, no one had ever heard of anyone daring to challenge Lone Swan Celestial Venerable.

A Seven-Star Alchemy God was a divine master on the Northern Plains, held in the highest esteem.

Now, some unknown brat had appeared out of nowhere, daring to challenge Lone Swan Celestial Venerable!

For a time, the long-silent Nine Luo Market erupted into fervor.

"No way, where did this kid come from? I haven't heard of any remarkable young alchemist in Nine Luo Market!"

"Maybe he came from the Northern Border? An ignorant kid who dares to challenge a Seven-Star Alchemy God. Heh, this should be interesting."

"I heard that kid completely defeated Master Song Cao, Lone Swan Celestial Venerable's top disciple, in a flame duel. I wonder if it's true."

"Heh, probably the kid made it up to boost his reputation, right? Master Song Cao's flame control skills are arguably the best in Nine Luo Market. That kid?"

"But I heard this kid has a type of wine that's extremely delicious! Lone Swan Celestial Venerable accepted the challenge just for that recipe."

...

As the news spread, Nine Luo Market was filled with skepticism.

Because this unknown kid was challenging the god of alchemy in their hearts!

No one believed Ye Yuan had a chance; this was entirely a suicidal challenge.