Standing before Ye Yu was the talented disciple from the Southern Wilderness whom Mu Zhi’an had met once before. He didn’t know his name.


    At the back of the crowd was the Southern Wilderness’s Holy Maiden, her pale skin and delicate aura evoking a sense of sympathy.


    What a coincidence. Is this another classic protagonist face-slapping scene…? Mu Zhi’an wasn’t in a hurry to leave. He held Bai Ruoxi’s hand and joined the crowd to watch the drama unfold.


    “Nigati, I discovered the Nine Cauldrons Pill formula first and was about to make a deal. Aren’t you being a bit unreasonable?” Ye Yu said, looking at the talented young man from the Southern Wilderness.


    “Whoever makes the deal first gets it. Isn’t that how it should be?” Nigati chuckled and put the Nine Cauldrons Pill formula into his storage ring, ignoring Ye Yu’s glare.


    Mu Zhi’an’s eyes flickered as he listened to their confrontation and the surrounding disciples’ chatter. He quickly understood the situation.


    The Two Polarities Sect had always been a relatively free and open sect. With the Ascension Ceremony approaching, cultivators from all over the Nine Realms had arrived early.


    These cultivators brought with them special medicinal herbs and formulas unique to their respective realms.


    Before the Ascension Ceremony, many cultivators would trade or barter with each other.


    Ye Yu had discovered the Nine Cauldrons Pill formula from a cultivator and was about to bargain for it, planning to buy it for 200,000 Spirit Stones. However, this talented young man from the Southern Wilderness had snatched it away with a higher offer.


    With Ye Yu’s personality, he naturally couldn’t accept this, leading to the current confrontation.


    “I smell the classic scent of conflict and face-slapping…” Mu Zhi’an thought to himself.


    However, Ye Yu was only at the second-grade Core Formation Realm. How could he compete with Nigati? Sёarch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He could roughly tell that Nigati was at least at the sixth-grade Core Formation Realm.


    Second-grade versus sixth-grade… Unless Ye Yu summoned the old man residing within his body, he had no chance of winning.


    “I know you’re unhappy, Young Master Ye, but this is the Two Polarities Sect. Causing trouble here would be disrespectful to the sect.”


    Nigati paused, a cold smile curving his lips. “If you’re truly dissatisfied, how about we settle this with a pill refining competition?”


    “If you win, the Nine Cauldrons Pill formula will be yours, Young Master Ye. In addition, I’ll compensate you with 500,000 Spirit Stones.”


    He continued, “If you lose, you only need to give me a pill formula of equal value to the Nine Cauldrons Pill. How does that sound?”


    Ye Yu sneered. “I’d be delighted.”


    The crowd gasped, their eyes filled with amusement and curiosity.


    A pill refining competition between Pill Emperors!


    It wasn’t uncommon in the cultivation world, but Nigati was a sixth-grade Pill Emperor and at the sixth-grade Core Formation Realm. How could Ye Yu, a mere second-grade Core Formation cultivator, possibly win?


    However, Ye Yu was an inner disciple of Drunken Dream Peak. According to other disciples, he was an exceptional talent. Perhaps he could truly create a miracle?


    News of their pill refining competition quickly spread.


    Nigati subtly glanced at the Southern Wilderness’s Holy Maiden at the back of the crowd.


    She was undeniably a beautiful and alluring woman. Dressed in an exotic red dress, her round and dignified face exuded an air of elegance and composure. Her slightly pale skin made her appear delicate and fragile, evoking a protective instinct.


    She seemed to be interested in the pill refining competition, a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes.


    Seeing this, Nigati smiled faintly.


    He knew his plan had worked.


    He had challenged Ye Yu to a competition to attract the Holy Maiden’s attention. Knowing that she wasn’t interested in ordinary battles, he had proposed a pill refining competition instead.


    He could use this opportunity to get closer to her…


    As the Holy Maiden of the Southern Wilderness’s Divine Temple, Regina was a revered figure. Her future status would be no less than the current Three Pillar Deities. If he could win her heart… his future would be bright.


    As Nigati was about to look away, he suddenly noticed something and his gaze fell upon the young man in the black and gold robe at the back of the crowd.


    He frowned slightly.


    After returning, the Holy Maiden had instructed them to secretly investigate Mu Zhi’an. She seemed to be quite interested in him, which naturally displeased Nigati.


    But he didn’t dare to disobey her.


    Seeing Mu Zhi’an now, accompanied by two beautiful women who were no less stunning than the Holy Maiden, filled him with envy.


    However… a mere third-grade Core Formation cultivator posed less of a threat than Ye Yu.


    At least Ye Yu was a Pill Emperor, while Mu Zhi’an was nothing.


    Sensing Mu Zhi’an’s gaze, Nigati sneered contemptuously and looked away, flying towards Boundless Sea Peak on his sword.


    There was a pill refining platform at the peak of Boundless Sea Peak, perfect for a pill refining competition.


    Many people also headed towards the nearby pavilions, planning to enjoy the competition while sipping tea.


    Mu Zhi’an’s smile remained unchanged.


    He understood the meaning behind Nigati’s gaze.


    However, this matter had nothing to do with him, and he didn’t want to get involved. He held Bai Ruoxi’s hand and was about to leave.


    Meanwhile, Regina, as if sensing something, turned her head slightly.


    “Mu Zhi’an, huh…”


    She murmured his name, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.


    His Primordial Spirit was ordinary, and his cultivation level was only at the third-grade Core Formation Realm. Logically, he shouldn’t be able to attract so many beautiful women… And the presence she had sensed in the Garden of Heavenly Harmony was definitely not at the Core Formation Realm, or even the Nascent Soul Realm.


    Who was this Mu Zhi’an? Why would a powerful being be secretly protecting him in a small courtyard…?


    Regina looked at Mu Zhi’an’s Primordial Spirit and his Vessel, her eyes filled with confusion.


    As the crowd dispersed, she withdrew her gaze and was about to leave.


    Suddenly, she saw a wisp of alluring purple Spiritual Energy flash before her eyes. She tilted her head, her eyes first filled with curiosity, then confusion.


    Then, her eyes widened, and her lips parted slightly as she stared at Mu Zhi’an in shock.


    After a moment, she snapped out of her daze. Her gentle and melodious voice, laced with urgency, rang out,


    “Young Master Mu, please wait!”