Chapter 2565: Borrow Me Some?

For two full days, Ye Chen did not emerge from the bamboo grove.

It was only on the third night that dark clouds gathered over Ziwei Dao Fu, accompanied by flashes of lightning and thunderous roars. This was not a human tribulation, but the Dan Lei for pills—three kinds at once: one purple, one gold, and one silver. The three pills shone strikingly amid the Dan Lei.

"Three kinds of Dan Lei?"

"No need to guess, he must have refined three Ba Wen Dan in one furnace. Ye Chen is truly extraordinary."

"Anyone who can defeat Dan Jun is no ordinary person."

That night, exclamations of surprise echoed endlessly. Many who were asleep were awakened, staring in astonishment at the scene. Even through the haze, they could see the three pills undergoing tribulation. The Dan Lei was fiercely powerful, its rumbling shattering the quiet of the night.

"I underestimated you after all." Bi Xia gazed from afar, shaking her head with a smile. She knew these were the pills Ye Chen had refined for her, giving him nine days, yet he finished in just three. Dan Jun's loss to him was no surprise; Ye Chen's alchemy skills were far superior.

That night, countless people rushed over, eager to see the three Ba Wen peak-level pills, but they were all turned away at the entrance.

It was unclear when the thunder finally subsided.

Ye Chen waved his hand and caught the three pills, barely glancing at them before casually stowing them in his storage bag.

"Senior, you've been watching for three days—why not come in and have a seat?"

Ye Chen pulled out a flask of wine, speaking leisurely. He had long sensed someone hiding outside the barrier. He had spent three days refining the pills, and that person had been observing for just as long.

As he spoke, a figure materialized, effortlessly crossing the barrier and appearing in the bamboo grove. He wore white robes, had white hair, and a white beard, exuding an air of immortality and profound Dao essence. He was a genuine peak Zhun Di—none other than Dan Zong from Dan Shen Dian.

"You possess the strength to defeat Dan Jun."

Dan Zong spoke calmly, though his heart was filled with shock beneath his serene exterior.

He had watched for three days, witnessing Ye Chen's alchemy techniques and mastery, which seemed heaven-defying. Ye Chen could refine three Ba Wen peak-level pills in one furnace—a feat Dan Zong could barely achieve, but not with Ye Chen's effortless ease, without any sign of strain.

An alchemist like Ye Chen could rival his own senior brother, the Dan Shen. How could Dan Jun not lose? Even Dan Zong himself might not win.

"Xian Jun, your late-night visit—what brings you here?" Ye Chen asked with a smile.

"I hope, my young friend, that you will return Dan Jun's Wan Mie Xian Yan to Dan Shen Dian. We will not treat you unfairly."

"I'm afraid that will disappoint you, senior." Ye Chen brushed off the dust from his shoulder. There was no way he would hand over the Wan Mie Xian Yan—it had already merged with him and couldn't be separated. Besides, he was counting on it to fuse with his Chaos Fire.

Yet, he harbored no ill will toward Dan Zong. At least this elder hadn't used his status to intimidate, and his eyes held no contempt—only warmth, like a kindly grandfather. In terms of character and demeanor, he outshone Dan Jun by far.

"In that case, this old man wishes to have a duel with you in alchemy." Dan Zong stroked his beard. "If I win, you return the Wan Mie Xian Yan. If I lose, I will pass on a Jiu Wen Dan formula to you. What do you say, Ziwei Xing Jun?"

"This humble one doesn't want the formula—I want your Xian Huo instead."

"Very well." Dan Zong agreed readily, then glanced to the side. "Bi Xia Xian Zi, please serve as our witness."

"Old Daoist, if you lose, don't go back on your word." A faint laugh echoed as Bi Xia Xian Zi gracefully entered, her steps light and elegant.

She had come to collect the pills and unexpectedly stumbled upon this alchemy duel. It was quite entertaining—Dan Jun had failed, so his mentor had come to seek revenge. Thankfully, she wasn't one to spread gossip, or the news would draw a massive crowd to the Upper Heaven Immortal Realm.

"Understood." Dan Zong smiled, his demeanor relaxed.

"And you—if you lose, don't cause any trouble." Bi Xia Xian Zi glanced at Ye Chen. As the impartial witness, she would favor neither side.

"Understood." Ye Chen replied with a smile, equally composed.

"Very well, you two may begin." Bi Xia Xian Zi stepped back, reinforcing the barrier with secret techniques to conceal any signs. This was an alchemy duel, after all—no outsiders should interfere. She would simply observe the outcome.

A hum resonated as Dan Zong summoned his pill furnace, radiating silver light and etched with ancient divine patterns. It was not just a furnace but his life-bound artifact, forged from immortal iron and refined over countless ages, now imbued with its own Dao essence and spirituality.

Another hum followed as Ye Chen brought out his furnace—the same one he had used against Dan Jun. It paled in comparison to Dan Zong's, several grades inferior.

While warming his furnace with Xian Huo, Ye Chen glanced at Dan Zong's materials, noting their abundance and rarity. Several were unfamiliar to him, including some extinct immortal ingredients.

"What pill is he refining?"

Ye Chen murmured to himself. Unable to identify Dan Zong's materials, he couldn't tell what pill was being made—at least a Ba Wen peak-level one, possibly even Jiu Wen.

This made him uneasy. He was unbeatable below Jiu Wen, but if Dan Zong produced a Jiu Wen Dan, it would be a disaster—the difference of one pattern was like night and day.

"This old fellow is no match for Dan Jun—be careful." Bi Xia Xian Zi sent a mental message. Though impartial, she secretly hoped Ye Chen would win, perhaps due to her connection with Yue Xin.

Ye Chen fell silent and gathered his own materials. As long as it wasn't Jiu Wen, he could handle it. He had underestimated Dan Shen Dian—truly a gathering of talents.

In comparison, Da Chu's Dan City fell far short. Just looking at the flame levels, most alchemists there used true fire, while in Dan Shen Dian, at least three in ten possessed Xian Huo, and their cultivation was impressive enough to crush Dan City.

As for alchemist ranks, even Dan Zun or Dan Huang might not beat Dan Jun, let alone Dan Zong. And the legendary Dan Zu—Ye Chen had no idea of his alchemy prowess.

"Little one, a Ba Wen Dan won't beat this old man." Dan Zong remarked casually, deducing Ye Chen's intent from his materials.

"The outcome isn't decided until the end."

Ye Chen smiled, deploying his Zhoutian power to envelop his furnace, blocking Dan Zong's view.

Dan Zong narrowed his eyes—truly impenetrable. Even Bi Xia Xian Zi couldn't see through it, leaving both peak Zhun Di astonished at the profundity of Ye Chen's concealment method.

"If one Ba Wen Dan isn't enough, I'll make two. If two aren't enough, I'll make three."

Ye Chen thought to himself. That was his strategy—not just one pill, but using quantity as an advantage in this duel. Even people feared being ganged up on, let alone pills; he could overwhelm through sheer volume.

With that in mind, he checked his storage bag.

Oh? Not enough materials.

This was awkward. He could gather enough for two Ba Wen peak-level pills, but the third was short a few kinds.

Helplessly, he chuckled and sent a message to Bi Xia: "Senior, could you lend me a few alchemy materials?"

The moment she heard it, Bi Xia, who had just sipped her tea, spat it out and eyed Ye Chen up and down, her gaze seeming to say: You're short on materials and still challenging an alchemy duel? What a waste of time.

"I'm still missing a few." Ye Chen laughed dryly, sending her the names of the materials. "Consider it a loan from me."

Bi Xia Xian Zi read them and shrugged. "What a coincidence—I don't have those."

"Don't kid around—you definitely have them."

"Nonsense, I really don't."

"No need to whisper—say it out loud. It makes no difference." Dan Zong interjected leisurely, an expert at eavesdropping and a faithful listener throughout.

Bi Xia Xian Zi coughed dryly.

Ye Chen laughed awkwardly.

"How about this old man lends you a few?" Dan Zong smiled at Ye Chen.

"How could I impose?"

"Exchange them for the Wan Mie Xian Yan."

"It's a good thing I'm not a Zhun Di."

Ye Chen took a deep breath, determined to keep the Wan Mie Xian Yan. Trading that Xian Huo for materials? Was Dan Zong out of his mind, or was he? This old man was amusing—if he were a Zhun Di, he'd definitely teach him a lesson.

Dan Zong said no more—it was just a tease. In an alchemy duel, who would help the opponent? Only a fool would.

Bi Xia Xian Zi's expression was a mix of amusement and exasperation. What had she gotten herself into, coming here in the middle of the night for this nonsense?

Ye Chen also fell silent. Jokes aside, the duel had to go on. Only by refining three Ba Wen peak-level pills could he secure victory. With just two, it would be risky—who knew what level of pill Dan Zong was making?

As he hesitated, a layer of Xian Guang suddenly enveloped him.

The moment it appeared, both Dan Zong and Bi Xia narrowed their eyes. As peak Zhun Di and Xian Jun, they recognized it instantly—the light of borrowed power.

In other words, someone was lending power to Ye Chen.

Ye Chen's eyes lit up, glancing instinctively at the void. Caught up in the duel, he hadn't noticed—the barrier to the Heavenly Realm had lifted.

No doubt, it was the Ren Wang lending power. He could return to Da Chu now.

"Heaven truly leaves no path blocked."

Ye Chen smiled. Short on materials? No problem—he'd go home and find them. Da Chu had plenty of talents; he could gather enough for three Ba Wen peak-level pills and crush this old man.

Whoosh!

Under the watchful eyes of Dan Zong and Bi Xia, Ye Chen vanished in a flash, leaving his humming furnace behind, now fallen silent.

For a moment, the purple bamboo grove was eerily quiet. Dan Zong's mouth twitched, and Bi Xia's expression was priceless as they stared at the spot where Ye Chen had disappeared. In the middle of an alchemy duel? And this twist?

Bi Xia Xian Zi turned to Dan Zong. "How about we reschedule?"

"The pill is already in process—there's no stopping it." Dan Zong replied calmly. "If he can't produce the pills, then this old man wins."

Bi Xia Xian Zi rubbed her brow, knowing he wouldn't agree, and said no more. She only hoped Ye Chen would return soon; otherwise, he'd lose to Dan Zong for sure. In an alchemy duel, he should have blocked the borrowing—now, what a pity if he lost.

Dan Zong, however, was quite pleased. You go your way, I'll refine mine. This duel had one goal: win back the Wan Mie Xian Yan and restore Dan Shen Dian's honor. The process? It didn't matter at all.