Chapter 800: The Unexperienced Alchemy Boy Xiao Wanfeng

At the registration area.

Xu Xiaoshou set out early in the morning and stepped right into the Lian Dan Shi competition site for the refining conference.

But at that moment, he was still arguing with the staff member.

"I'm a tenth-grade Lian Dan Shi," he said seriously, pointing at Xiao Wanfeng. "This is my assistant. Without him, I can't refine any pills!"

Xiao Wanfeng, standing nearby, felt the stares from the people around them and his face burned with embarrassment.

Refining pills was an extremely personal matter. Low-grade Lian Dan Shi couldn't handle major refinements and generally didn't have assistants.

Xu Xiaoshou wanting to bring him in was undoubtedly just for show...

Well, undoubtedly, Xu Xiaoshou was thirsty for attention.

Xiao Wanfeng had never assisted Xu Xiaoshou with refining before; he hadn't even seen him do it. But how could he not know what was on Xu Xiaoshou's mind?

After resting for a couple of days, Xu Xiaoshou was at it again, causing trouble!

The staff from the Lian Dan Shi Association headquarters was quite troubled and hesitated before saying, "But he doesn't have a Lian Dan Shi badge, so theoretically, he can't enter. If everyone were like you, Xu Xiaoshou, the site would be completely packed."

He turned and pointed toward the competition area.

For the Lian Dan Shi conference, anyone with a Lian Dan Shi badge could register.

But people knew their own limits. A tenth-grade or ninth-grade Lian Dan Shi today was just here for a laugh.

They probably wouldn't even make a splash if they competed, so generally, no one wanted to go up and embarrass themselves.

Yet this Xu Xiaoshou from Tian Shang First Building had such a big ego and nerve!

He was going to embarrass himself, fine.

But a mere tenth-grade trying to bring in some random person to embarrass themselves together?

Xu Xiaoshou said angrily, "The Chi Jin Liquid that benefits the people was developed by me! I've poured my heart and sweat into the Lian Dan Shi world, endured explosions from furnaces, and shed blood. And you treat me like this? I can't even bring an assistant?"

The Lian Dan Shi conference today was supposed to be orderly, with all the Lian Dan Shi being low-key and refined. When had there ever been such a commotion?

In no time, a crowd had gathered around.

"Is that Xu Xiaoshou from Tian Shang First Building, the successor of the Ban Sheng?"

"What a nerve! I've never seen anyone so ridiculous. A tenth-grade wanting to bring a refining apprentice in? Does he think he's refining some world-shaking great pill?"

"But Lian Dan Shi do sometimes need assistants, so it doesn't really break the rules, right?"

"More importantly, was that Chi Jin Liquid really developed by him? The stuff from Duo Jin Trading House is amazing—my wife used it and loved it!"

"Yeah, is Chi Jin Liquid really from Tian Shang First Building?"

"Does he sell anything else? I want something powerful..."

The people around whispered and pointed, their attention fully drawn.

"Receiving attention, passive value: 800."

"Receiving suspicion, passive value: 794."

"Receiving contempt, passive value: 682."

Notifications popped up one after another.

Honestly, Xu Xiaoshou had initially planned to enter quietly, grab a trial spot, and leave.

He wasn't the "Sheng Nu Xu Xiaoshou" anymore, and he couldn't show off his signature exploding furnaces or Bai Yan in public.

This was clear from him only bringing Xiao Wanfeng and not Xin Gugu or the others.

But soon, Xu Xiaoshou realized he was wrong.

The Lian Dan Shi conference was the center of attention for everyone!

He had just spent over a million passive points, and he hadn't even tried the new evolution tree feature yet. That thing cost a million passive points per use.

Why not take advantage of the crowd and rake in as much as possible?

"Xu Xiaoshou, you're putting us in a tough spot..."

The staff knew his identity and could only hem and haw, unable to agree.

By now, few in Wang Cheng's established forces didn't know about the Ban Sheng successor, Xu Xiaoshou.

But even though he mentioned that Chi Jin Liquid was his creation, the staff didn't dare let someone who might cause trouble run loose.

"Go ask your Dong Ling president!"

Xu Xiaoshou waved his hand, speaking as if he knew her well. "She'll agree to what I want."

The staff was suddenly stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Xu Xiaoshou glanced at his notifications, thinking to himself that he could wait.

In just this short time, he'd earned tens of thousands of passive points. Today, even if he wanted to keep a low profile, it probably wasn't possible.

Just then, Dong Ling president's voice echoed across the entire venue, quelling the unrest.

"The time has come. The Lian Dan Shi conference begins now!"

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes sharpened as he stared at the staff, his momentum bearing down. "Do you want to delay the real competitors from entering?"

The staff was sweating profusely, unsure how to resolve this.

Suddenly, a young woman pushed through from behind. She wore a Lian Dan Shi robe, had a refined and elegant appearance, and carried the air of a noble lady.

She had a contestant number tag "2379" on her chest, but it was clear she was a high-level figure from the association headquarters. Noticing the situation, she stepped forward after a quick inquiry.

"I'll handle this." She patted the staff's shoulder, her voice clear and melodious like a bird's song.

Some in the crowd recognized her and got excited.

"Yu Chuchu!"

"Look, it's Dong Ling president's disciple, the daughter of the Yu family, Yu Chuchu!"

"A sixth-grade Lian Dan Shi at the Zong Shi level—she's a top contender for the conference championship, if we don't count the elite Lian Dan Shi from other regions."

"Why is she here? Oh, probably drawn by Xu Xiaoshou."

"Ha, Yu Chuchu hates playboys like him the most. I bet she'll kick him out right away!"

"Go for it, Yu Chuchu! We love you!"

"Charge!"

Cheers erupted around them.

Xu Xiaoshou didn't recognize her name.

But the people of Wang Cheng clearly held Dong Ling president's disciple in high regard.

"Yu Chuchu jie..."

The staff turned, saw her, sighed in relief, and quickly stepped back.

Yu Chuchu approached, tilting her head to look at this playboy Xu Xiaoshou. She thought to herself, could someone like him really have developed Chi Jin Liquid?

Recently, Chi Jin Liquid had taken Wang Cheng's Lian Dan Shi world by storm.

Yu Chuchu had used her Yu family's influence to investigate Duo Jin Trading House internally.

She knew better than outsiders that it was created by a young man, and somewhat of a playboy at that!

With the conference about to start, Yu Chuchu didn't overthink it.

Aware of the recent antics of this playboy in front of her, she also understood that as the Ban Sheng successor, he wanted to stand out.

Even the Lian Dan Shi Association had to accommodate that.

"Xu Xiaoshou, right? Take your person and go in. The competition is starting—don't cause any trouble!" Yu Chuchu frowned slightly, her words cool and laced with a hint of disdain.

Meeting in person was worse than hearing the rumors.

Earlier, even with tales of Xu Xiaoshou's playboy ways, she had thought someone who could create Chi Jin Liquid must be extraordinary and talented.

But seeing him today...

The rumors were true!

Bringing a ordinary person into the Lian Dan Shi conference just to draw attention—who could believe such a person refined Chi Jin Liquid?

Yu Chuchu strongly suspected he had stolen someone else's work!

"Receiving disdain, passive value: 1."

Xu Xiaoshou didn't understand why this woman he had never met was disdainful of him right away.

But...

Let her disdain him—it was great!

He chuckled happily, not minding her tone at all, and asked with a smile, "You're Yu Chuchu? Dong Ling president's disciple? A sixth-grade Lian Dan Shi at the Zong Shi level? Wow, so there are Zong Shi-level Lian Dan Shi among our peers? You look so young—impressive!"

His voice was sincere, without a trace of sarcasm, as if it were pure admiration.

Xiao Wanfeng, listening from behind, turned his head slightly, trying to distance himself from Xu Xiaoshou—but it was no use.

This guy just loved to talk...

Yu Chuchu's red lips twitched, swallowing the sarcastic words that almost escaped, and decided not to engage.

"Xu Xiaoshou's full name!"

She picked up a number tag from the table, wanting to record his information without even looking up.

"First name or nickname?" Xu Xiaoshou asked with a smile, bending his knee to get a better look at her delicate, flawless face.

"Real name!" Yu Chuchu lifted her eyes in annoyance, glaring at him.

"Xu Desai."

"Desai?"

Xu Xiaoshou nodded. "My full name is Xu Desai. You can also call me by my nickname, Xu Die."

Yu Chuchu furrowed her brow and repeated "Xu Die," suddenly realizing something was off. Her face flushed red, and she angrily carved "Xu Xiaoshou" onto the number tag before tossing it to him.

"Shameless!"

With that, she turned and walked away.

"Heh heh..." Xu Xiaoshou held the number tag, glanced at the "2381" on it, and tossed it to Xiao Wanfeng behind him.

Xiao Wanfeng caught it quickly, then covered his ears.

Sure enough, the crowd erupted with angry shouts and criticisms...

"Despicable, shameless, vulgar!"

"What a playboy! Is this what a Ban Sheng successor is like? Just this?"

"Xu Xiaoshou, how dare you bully Yu Chuchu? You're only a tenth-grade Lian Dan Shi, and she's a Lian Dan Shi Zong Shi—speak respectfully! How could you treat her like that?"

"But honestly, Yu Chuchu looks so cute when she's angry."

"Waaah, why doesn't Xu Xiaoshou bully me..." The speaker was a dark-skinned, chubby girl who just giggled.

"Urgh!" Everyone around retched.

Xu Xiaoshou led Xiao Wanfeng in, ignoring the insults from the crowd, basking in his "playboy" reputation and raking in a wave of passive points.

He was constantly building a persona completely different from "Sheng Nu Xu Xiaoshou" to prevent anyone from linking his two identities.

As a Ban Sheng successor, this little flirtation didn't even feel that playboyish to him.

He thought he hadn't even gone all out yet!

Playing a irritating character so unlike his usual self...

It was kind of fun?

Once inside the competition area, the view opened up.

The outer edges were packed with people.

At the north end was the judges' panel with eighteen seats.

Nearby was a VIP observation group, filled with high-ranking officials and representatives from Wang Cheng's top powers.

Notably, Hua Song was among them.

When Xu Xiaoshou's "perception" scanned that area, Hua Song was looking at him with a troubled expression.

"This girl..." Xu Xiaoshou thought it was amusing, knowing she must be confused by his shifting identities.

But he didn't make eye contact; he still wasn't sure about this girl from the Jin Zhao lineage's intentions.

Looking further down.

The competition ground was divided into small sections, each separated by formations to prevent furnace explosions from affecting others.

Xu Xiaoshou disliked these public competition setups with barriers, but for a Lian Dan Shi conference, they were necessary.

"So many familiar auras..."

As he focused on the surroundings, on the surface, Xu Xiaoshou could detect acquaintances like Dong Ling and Shi Ti on the judges' panel. In the shadows, he also sensed the hidden Hong Yi and Bai Yi.

His upgraded "perception" was powerful—after all, it was at the Wang Zuo level—so detecting Rao Yao Yao in the void, with her Xuan Cang divine sword on her back, was normal.

Both at the Wang Zuo level, and she wasn't hiding much...

As long as he didn't make eye contact, there were no issues!

Each section on the ground had a number. Xu Xiaoshou circled around and saw the largest was "500."

Clearly, even with the spacious site, it could only accommodate five hundred people refining at once.

As one of the last to register, with a number over two thousand, he figured he'd have to wait several rounds.

After the conference was announced, fireworks signaled the start.

While Xu Xiaoshou observed others, the crowd of Lian Dan Shi around him was observing this audacious tenth-grade Lian Dan Shi.

He was the only tenth-grade in the field...

Was he just here for fun?

As people pondered, Dong Ling president's voice rang out again after the fireworks:

"First, let me introduce the rules of this conference."

"The event has three rounds. The first is the elimination round, selecting the top one hundred."

"The second is the advancement round, selecting the top ten, who will receive Wang Cheng trial jade pendants. As Lian Dan Shi competitors for the Wang Cheng trial, they can bring two guardians below Zong Shi level."

"The third is the final round, determining the champion, who will receive the 'Ping Hu Xiao Qing Hua'."

Dong Ling president paused, giving everyone a moment to breathe.

Sure enough, as soon as the final reward "Ping Hu Xiao Qing Hua" was mentioned, the site erupted.

"Ping Hu Qing Hua?!"

"Isn't that the treasure from Sheng Fu Tu city, one of the nine ancestral trees, the Cang Qiong tree's heavenly fire? Is that the champion's reward?"

"Oh my god, did I hear wrong, or has the Lian Dan Shi Association gone mad?"

"You heard wrong—Dong Ling president said 'Ping Hu Xiao Qing Hua,' not 'Ping Hu Qing Hua'!"

The crowd burst into discussions.

Xu Xiaoshou stood among the Lian Dan Shi, looking puzzled at the excited people around him, feeling completely out of place.

It was as if...

He was the only one in the world who didn't know this common knowledge.

So Xu Xiaoshou turned to glance at Xiao Wanfeng.

Xiao Wanfeng looked just as puzzled as him.

Both were warriors, not pure Lian Dan Shi figures, so they naturally didn't know the basics of the Lian Dan Shi world.

Seeing Xiao Wanfeng's expression, Xu Xiaoshou felt a bit comforted.

He suddenly started breathing heavily, then shot Xiao Wanfeng a disdainful look, as if to say, "You uncultured bumpkin," before turning back.

Xiao Wanfeng: ???

The young man realized something and quickly started breathing heavily too, trying to fit in.

At that moment, Xu Xiaoshou had already moved and approached the only person he knew from his generation.

He gently patted Yu Chuchu's shoulder and said warmly, "My unknowledgeable refining apprentice wants to ask you but is too shy, so I'll ask for him—what's this 'Ping Hu Xiao Qing Hua'? It seems really impressive?"

Xiao Wanfeng: ???

Yu Chuchu jumped in surprise.

She hadn't even noticed when Xu Xiaoshou had approached!

It was as if he were invisible when he wasn't touching her—her spiritual sense couldn't detect him at all...

Glancing down at her shoulder, Yu Chuchu felt like it was tainted.

Honestly, she didn't want to deal with Xu Xiaoshou.

But this question wasn't from him—it was from his innocent-looking refining apprentice behind him.

Yu Chuchu had seen Xiao Wanfeng's expression of embarrassment earlier and knew he was probably just doing his job for the money.

So, she turned to Xiao Wanfeng and explained politely.