Song Wanníng rested her chin in her palm, watching Lan Le with smiling eyes that fairly shimmered with mischief. "You tried to help," she said, "yet she shows no gratitude at all."
Lan Le flushed, nearly losing his temper. He had not expected Ye Chuxue to speak so contemptuously—as if he were beneath her notice.
Scowling, he snapped his sleeve. "Your sequence is wrong, that has nothing to do with any so‑called legacy. If you refine pills in that order, of course they turn poisonous."
Gasps rippled through the watching disciples.
"Senior Sister Ye really made a mistake?"
"That can't be right. She inherited the Yaowang Sect's knowledge."
"The whole cultivation world says she is the next great alchemy master."
"Maybe it's an advanced method. Uncle Lan has simply never seen it?"
Most still sided with Ye Chuxue. The name Yaowang Sect carried more weight than Lan Le's opinion.
Lan Le's vision darkened with anger. They were all but calling him ignorant.
"Junior Sister Song, you tell them. Were her steps wrong or not?"
Everyone turned to Song Wanníng. She lounged in her stone chair and glanced at Ye Chuxue's defiant expression.
"Of course she was wrong. I said so from the start. Her process bred heavy pill poison, then she tried to pin it on Li Ruo."
"Impossible," Ye Chuxue cut in, fists tight. "You slander me just to clear Li Ruo. My pills have no flaw."
Seeing his beloved disciple under attack, Gu Qingyuan spoke up. "I trust Chuxue. Let her finish the pill first. We can test it afterward."
"Exactly," Ye Chuxue said, eyes bright with confidence. "Test it, then we will know."
"Tsk." Song Wanníng crossed one leg over the other. "I object. Why should a helpless spirit bird be the test subject? Junior Niece Ye always preaches equality of all life, does she not?"
Her lips curved in a thin smile. "Better that Junior Niece test it herself. That would be fair."
A strange light flickered in her gaze. Each trap was set, one ring after another, a web no moth could escape.
"No," Gu Qingyuan said at once. "I will take the pill."
He trusted Ye Chuxue absolutely, yet he still could not let her risk herself.
Song Wanníng's smile sharpened. "Excellent. Nothing could be better."
Ye Chuxue hesitated, then remembered she could not fail. She promised, "Rest easy, Master, I will succeed."
"I believe you." Gu Qingyuan met her eyes, then stepped back to watch.
Ancestor Liu Lanyi's expression darkened. Gu Qingyuan dared show his feelings so openly… disgraceful. If her old friend were still alive, she would surely sweep the courtyard clean on the spot.
Ye Chuxue steadied herself and returned to the cauldron. Lan Le, offended and ignored, folded his arms and sat aside. If they did not trust him, let them deal with the consequences.
Only Li Ruo slipped to Song Wanníng's side and tugged her sleeve. "Master… can you heal her?"
Following the girl's gaze, Song Wanníng saw Wu Dan still unconscious on the ground. Everyone else had forgotten her.
"She will be fine. Let her sleep. It will teach her not to swallow any pill someone hands her." The answer was cool, but Li Ruo relaxed, admiration bright on her young face.
Song Wanníng caught the shining look and paused. "Too much kindness was dangerous in the cultivation world. This little disciple had much to learn."
With a boom the furnace lid shot sky‑high. Flame roared upward, and a rich medicinal scent filled the air.
"Already? That was fast."
Disciples craned their necks. Ye Chuxue caught the lid, peered inside, and sighed in relief: four mid‑grade fifth‑rank Gathering‑Spirit Pills. The yield was better than before.
Pride lifted her lips. She beckoned the pills into her palm. The Sect Master's eyes glimmered with approval—give Ye Chuxue time and she would surpass Song Wanníng. Then they would see who truly deserved acclaim.
Gasps of admiration circled the courtyard.
"Senior Sister Ye really is amazing.""
She just proved them wrong."
"With talent like hers, who can rival her in alchemy?"
Only Lan Le closed his eyes and refused to look.
"The pills are ready," Song Wanníng said, sitting straighter, eyes bright with something like anticipation. "Gu Qingyuan, do you dare try one?"
Gu Qingyuan sensed danger but could not retreat. Clutching his chest, he walked to Ye Chuxue and lifted a pill from her hand. She felt a flicker of nerves but nodded encouragement.
Bai Yang and An Ze drew closer, tense. If the pill proved harmless, Li Ruo would be condemned.
In full view of the sect, Gu Qingyuan tipped the pill into his mouth. It slid down his throat and dissolved, sending streams of essence racing through his meridians. Color returned to his cheeks, and his aura steadied.
"See?" a disciple crowed. "No problem at all."
"Senior Sister Ye is the real genius."
"She is the number‑one alchemist in the realm."
Cheers rose among the crowd, voices celebrating their champion.