âNot good!â
Mei Chaofen exclaimed quietly, rushing forward two steps before abruptly freezing in place.
When it came to the art of alchemy, she was no match for GuanGuan. Even if she noticed something amiss at this point, what help could she possibly provide? All she could do was fret helplessly from the sidelines.
Ji Yourongâs face changed drastically, a look of tension locked on the alchemical furnace in GuanGuanâs hands.
To everyoneâs shock, GuanGuanâs furnace began to vibrate intensely. Although the movements were small, they felt like a heavy hammer repeatedly striking everyoneâs hearts.
Little Fatty shot out at the first tremble of the furnace, and from a considerable distance in Plum Blossom Sky, he poked his head out, casting a worried glance at the scene.
GuanGuanâs alchemy explosions were not unheard of. The previous times were bearable, especially the last time when Yang Zhen and Little Fatty were blown away, not to mention Yang Zhenâs Apricot Flower Residence was destroyed. Even now, Yang Zhen was homeless.
Worried, Little Fatty shot a glance at Yang Zhen. When he saw no fear on Yang Zhenâs face, he was slightly taken aback and gradually walked out.
As the furnace was on the verge of losing control, GuanGuanâs face gradually turned white. With a determined bite of her teeth, she turned to look at Yang Zhen.
Seeing GuanGuanâs move, everyone began to look at Yang Zhen as if they had seen a ghost.
Mei Chaofenâs eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Yang Zhen. Ji Yourong, upon seeing GuanGuanâs movements, couldnât help but wish she could pry open Yang Zhenâs mouth and force him to speak.
Women are indeed paradoxical creatures: one moment asking Yang Zhen to shut up and the next urging him to speak.
Ji Yourong gave Yang Zhen a fierce look!
GuanGuan had invested all her energy into alchemy for a long while, making a significant contribution to Heavenly Snow Holy Domain. What few people knew was that GuanGuan felt incredibly lonely.
Ji Yourong looked at GuanGuan, whose face was as white as a sheet and whose gaze held an almost begging look toward Yang Zhen. She wanted to say something but held back.
Despite her renowned status in the Heavenly Snow Holy Domain, GuanGuan had no real friends other than Ji Yourong. Since the two werenât always together, GuanGuan often spent her time speaking to herself, to the mirror, to her furnace, or to the various celestial and earthly treasures.
Now that GuanGuan was seeking help, a sense of urgency gripped Ji Yourongâs face, but like Mei Chaofen, all she could do was anxiously look on from the sidelines.
âYoung Friend Yangâ¦â
âYang Zhen⦠Kaixin!â
Mei Chaofen and Ji Yourong nearly spoke at the same time, Ji Yourong even almost blurting out Yang Zhenâs name.
Yang Zhen took a deep breath and only spoke when GuanGuan was losing control completely. âZhen Gen Wood Gate, Kan Qian Water Gate, Kun Dui Fire Gate, Li Xun Metal Gate. The center is Earth, the remaining year is Metal â¦â
Alchemy was a process of rearranging the five elements among celestial and earthly treasures. As long as the arrangement of these elements was controlled, even if it failed, it wouldnât result in a disastrous explosion. Yang Zhen didnât elaborate on GuanGuanâs troubles. Instead, he explained the theory and arrangement of the five elements according to the Bagua theory from Planet Azure. GuanGuan, with her talent, would understand enough.
As expected, the surrounding crowd was bewildered, not knowing what Yang Zhen meant. GuanGuan, however, let out a gasp, her eyes flashing with excitement, her hands suddenly stilled and then she directed two streaks of Wood Attribute True Essence to strike the Zhen Gen Wood Gate, keeping the Wood Element within the gateâs scope.
Boomâ!
A dull sound echoed out, causing Little Fattyâs face to change drastically as he shot out again.
âI did it!â
GuanGuan shouted with joy, her face filled with gratitude as she looked at Yang Zhen. âHow did you do it?â
Yang Zhen replied with a beaming smile, âI didnât do it, you did!â
What a joke! The Bagua Diagram that has the majority of beings on the Blue Planet looking utterly baffled can even control the quality of a furnace load of elixir?
Yang Zhen didnât delve further in his explanation. If the five aspects were incorporated into the Bagua Diagram, a horrific formation could be fabricated, one so complex it would drive anyone mad.
Whatâs so significant about a tactic that merely controlled the five aspects?
Everyone was astounded as they stared at Yang Zhen, and then at GuanGuan, whose elixir furnace was gradually calming down. They all gasped.
Especially the practitioners outside the Plum Blossom Sky of the Heavenly Snow Holy Domain, they gazed at Yang Zhen in disbelief, exchanging glances. They were even more ecstatic than the inhabitants of the Heavenly Snow Holy Domain.
Little Fatty was particularly delighted as he made his way to Yang Zhen, laughing heartily. He patted Yang Zhen on his shoulder hard, âWell done Yang Kaixin, youâre quite impressive! Why didnât you come by earlier? If you were here a few days earlier, I wouldnât have been blown away day after day.â
Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter. Even Mei Chaofen failed to stifle a chuckle, and looked helplessly at GuanGuan.
GuanGuanâs face turned slightly red, acknowledging that she had caused quite a panic these past days.
Yang Zhen glanced at Little Fatty without responding then turned to GuanGuan, âYou need to modify the Five-Aspect Gate according to the elixir refining progress. Figure out the rest of it on your own. I canât ⦠Iâm not sure how to proceed.â
âThank you, Yang Kaixin. Iâm so relieved!â GuanGuanâs face displayed significant relief. Ji Yourong watched this, dumbfounded, and looked at Yang Zhen with an odd expression.
Ji Yourong couldnât remember the last time GuanGuan was this happy. She never saw GuanGuan laugh joyously like this before.
Mei Chaofen looked at Yang Zhen with a puzzled expression, âTo think that Yangâs understanding of elixir refining is even more profound than GuanGuanâs. Who was your mentor?â
Upon hearing this, everyone went silent and their gaze focused on Yang Zhen.
Concern etched on her face, Ji Yourong was worried about Yang Zhenâs response.
Yang Zhen didnât have a mentor. Mei Chaofen based her inquiry solely on her curiosity about Yang Zhenâs past. If Yang Zhen fabricates a tale, Mei Chaofen would be more curious, and if his past, even his present, was examined closely, his true identity would be revealed. If Yang Zhenâs true identity was revealed, wouldnât that throw the Heavenly Snow Holy Domain into chaos?
Ji Yourong urgently glanced at Yang Zhen, with her eyes signaling him not to say anything reckless.
Ignored her and responded smilingly, âI have no guild or mentor. I am just a rogue practitioner. Thanks to Holy Maiden Ji for giving me the Honorable Heavenly Snow Token, I was able to access the Heavenly Snow Holy Domain.â
âHmm?â
Stunned, Mei Chaofen looked at Ji Yourong, âDo you two know each other?â
Finding no escape, Ji Yourong nodded, âYes.â
Seeing that Mei Chaofen had turned her attention to Ji Yourong, Yang Zhen received a glare from her. Ji Yourong turned her head, apparently leaving the rest of the explanation to Yang Zhen.
As expected, a somber expression crossed Mei Chaofenâs face as she turned to Yang Zhen, âYou are quite an accomplished rogue practitioner, which is rare indeed. Whatâs even more astounding is your talent in elixir refining.â
At this point, everyone realized the gravity of the situation. Even Little Fatty was now staring at Yang Zhen with a serious expression.
The atmosphere became tense.
Then, Yang Zhen finally spoke under the watching eyes of everyone. âIt was a stormy night and I was wandering alone on a mountain behind my houseâ¦ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Yang Zhen continued to spin his tale with complete sincerity!