Although Chu Ling'er had only recently arrived in Jade City, she had already heard this name.
Wan Qing was an Alchemist in Jade City, and to be able to associate with Wan Qing meant one had to be at least a Great Grandmaster Realm cultivator, which further highlighted his own status. Even Wen Bing had to show humility and respect.
Wan Qing, though but one man, was equivalent to a powerful noble clan. For he was an Alchemist.
Elixirs crafted by Wan Qing's own hands were coveted even by Great Grandmaster Realm cultivators. And through his elixirs, Wan Qing possessed a vast network of connections and allies.
"It seems Young Mistress Chu Ling'er has also heard of my master's name. It's only natural; no one in Jade City is unfamiliar with my master's name."
Xiao Yan spoke, not bothering to conceal his arrogance tinged with pride.
"In truth, apologizing and making amends to Young Mistress Chu Ling'er today is merely secondary. I heard your younger brother was poisoned?"
Finally, Wen Bing's gaze shifted to Chu Hao. Sensing that he was merely a paltry fourth-stage Qi Refining Realm cultivator, a flicker of disdain appeared in Wen Bing's eyes, yet he still spoke with outward amiability.
"Today, I invited Xiao Yan here concerning the toxin in Chu Hao's body. Xiao Yan has accepted my request and can invite his master, Wan Qing, to refine an elixir to detoxify Chu Hao."
"What? Are you serious?"
Chu Ling'er was moved. Even more than for herself, Chu Ling'er earnestly wished to find a way to cure Chu Hao.
"Certainly, Wen Bing and I are very close. Whatever he asks of me, I will naturally do my utmost."
Xiao Yan continued, then paused for a moment before adding.
"The difficulty lies in this: if Wen Bing needed me to beg my master to treat a wound for him, there would be no issue. But Chu Hao, however…"
Xiao Yan broke off here, but the implication within his words was abundantly clear.
"Young Master Xiao Yan, there's no need for such pretenses. If it's about compensation, then we will certainly pay in full."
Chu Ling'er had also secretly guessed that things would not be so easy.
"As for compensation, let us dismiss it. If you have seen through it, then I shall speak plainly. Wen Bing is one of the most outstanding geniuses in Jade City, and Wen Bing is deeply infatuated with you. He even went so far as to use his influence to ask me to invite my master to detoxify your brother. Wen Bing feels such profound admiration; I wonder what your thoughts are?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Ling'er's face paled.
She fell silent, casting a faint glance at Chu Hao, then steeled her resolve. But just as she was about to speak, Chu Hao interjected first.
"Wen Bing, you no longer need to play these cowardly and dirty tricks. Throwing stones and hiding your hand, then acting the hero to win over a beauty? Do you think your foolish scheme can fool me?"
From the moment he entered this room until now, Chu Hao had not uttered a sound, remaining as still as a block of wood. But once he spoke, his words struck terror into everyone.
"Zhao Feng and Li Ming are actually your people, aren't they?"
"You may think your acting is flawless, but your eyes betray you completely. The way Zhao Feng and Li Ming look at you is clearly one of subservience, proving that you have known each other for a long time, not merely since yesterday."
"Yesterday, I noticed both Zhao Feng and Li Ming looking in one direction a total of seven times. Surely, you were hiding there, observing, weren't you, Wen Bing?"
"You intended to use Zhao Feng and Li Ming to pressure my sister, then leap out to resolve the situation, making her feel grateful to you. Regrettably, I appeared then and shattered this plan, causing it to fail by a hair's breadth."
"You don't need to deny it; someone is bound to know that Zhao Feng and Li Ming are acquainted with you. A few inquiries would reveal the truth."
The smile on Wen Bing's face had vanished at some unknown point. Zhao Feng and Li Ming were utterly terrified.
"You are truly despicable!"
Chu Ling'er stood up in indignation. A moment of thought made her realize Chu Hao's conjecture was logical. Wen Bing was the root cause of everything.
"Well, well, you are indeed clever."
Having been exposed, Wen Bing no longer bothered to conceal anything. His gaze turned as sharp as a blade, fixed intently on Chu Hao.
Chu Hao, far from showing fear, met his gaze calmly, eye to eye. His next words, however, left everyone completely stunned.
"Wen Bing, you set a trap for my sister, cunning and unpredictable. Therefore, two months from now, by the shores of Moonlit Lake, we shall engage in a life-and-death duel."
"This is my challenge. Wen Bing, do you dare to accept it?"
Having uttered the final words, Chu Hao narrowed his eyes, and killing intent erupted.
A life-and-death duel by the shores of Moonlit Lake?
All could see that Chu Hao was not joking. But precisely because of this, everyone, especially those belonging to Wen Bing's faction, felt it was a complete farce.
A Qi Refining Realm cultivator challenging a Great Grandmaster Realm cultivator? To speak of it would surely make no one believe it to be true.
"Ridiculous! What audacity do you possess to challenge Young Master Wen Bing?"
Li Ming immediately scoffed.
"Not knowing your own limits, pitifully absurd."
Zhao Feng chimed in.
"Arrogance and confidence are separated by a blurred line. You, however, are not even arrogant; you are mad."
Xiao Yan spoke with disdain.
If another Great Grandmaster Realm cultivator had challenged Wen Bing, this battle would have been highly anticipated. But compared to Wen Bing, Chu Hao was merely a tiny ant that could be crushed instantly.
No one considered a conflict between a human and an ant to be a "battle."