Top-tier Unruly Master

Ding Fan couldn't help but feel a bit disheartened. To win first place in the second round of the Great Alchemy Competition—wasn't that just daydreaming? It was clearly impossible for him.

"City Lord Sun, with that Ding Lin around, who else could possibly win first place? Isn't this a joke on yourself?"

At this moment, Ding Fan said with great frustration, clearly showing that if he could win first place, he wouldn't have to worry about his own matters. Winning first place would naturally get the attention of many sects, and even if the City Lord Mansion didn't want him, he would still do quite well.

Upon hearing Ding Fan's words, Sun Long couldn't help feeling a bit resentful, clearly because the other had mentioned Ding Lin. If it weren't for Ding Lin's presence, getting the Golden Silk Protective Clothing would have been very easy for him. But with Ding Lin, obtaining it had become extremely difficult.

No matter how difficult it was, he was determined to get that Golden Silk Protective Clothing. He had already instructed the butler to inform his son to take action, and it wouldn't be long before this so-called Ding Lin would perhaps vanish from the Cultivation World.

With that, Sun Long's eyes turned vicious as he said to Ding Fan:

"That Ding Lin won't be participating in the second round of the Great Alchemy Competition! And it won't be long before he disappears completely!"

Ding Fan was stunned upon hearing Sun Long's words. The implication was clear; did the other intend to slay Ding Lin? Ding Fan wasn't a fool, and looking at the other's demeanor, he had begun to piece things together. His heart grew heavier, and he said with a hint of resignation on his face:

"Even without Ding Lin, there are still many alchemists whose alchemy skills surpass mine. Winning first place seems almost impossible."

Upon hearing this, Sun Long chuckled heartily and said:

"Since our City Lord Mansion wants to invite you, we naturally need to show some sincerity. But you also need to live up to our expectations, otherwise, you know what the consequences might be!"

After speaking, Sun Long handed a piece of paper to Ding Fan and continued:

"The content of the second round of the Great Alchemy Competition is to create a pill recipe based on the medicine pill. This is the answer. I had a Grade Eight Alchemist work it out, which cost me a lot of money. This alchemist's level is even higher than that of Elder Wang, so having this recipe should make it easy for you to win first place, right?"

After speaking to Ding Fan, Sun Long looked at him with a wide smile in his eyes.

Ding Fan took the piece of paper, opened it, and indeed saw a list of spiritual materials. Though he couldn't fully comprehend it at first glance, he could sense that the medicine pill to be refined from this recipe was incredibly difficult. He was genuinely shocked, convinced that this might very well be the starting topic of the second round. Having the answer meant he would be a fool not to win first place. However, he was also alarmed at how challenging this recipe was and couldn't understand why this year's Great Alchemy Competition was so difficult. He knew that alchemists below Fifth Grade couldn't refine such a pill, nor discern the recipe for it. It was simply too hard!

"Why is this year's Great Alchemy Competition so difficult..."

Ding Fan couldn't help but mutter to himself. Hearing this, Sun Long felt a bit smug and said:

"The difficulty is high, so the rewards are generous! Can you manage it?"

After hearing Sun Long's words, Ding Fan seemed to understand a part of what he meant. Clearly, he was saying that the rewards for this year's competition were very lucrative. However, there was one thing Ding Fan couldn't figure out. The competition was hosted by the City Lord Mansion, and thus the rewards came from them. If City Lord Sun wanted him to win these rewards, then why not keep them for themselves if they were that valuable? This puzzled Ding Fan greatly.

Ding Fan repeatedly contemplated this question. Seeing the greed in the other's eyes, he suddenly understood something. City Lord Sun was eyeing the rewards of the alchemy competition. That's why he chose him. For a moment, Ding Fan found himself disliking Sun Long even more.

Obviously, if I hadn't figured out the root of the matter, I would still be in the dark. Then Zhang Hao said discontentedly:

"I can naturally help with this! But what's in it for me?"

At this time, Sun Long heard the other party's words and couldn't help but laugh. It was obvious that he found it amusing, but he was also glad that the other party was smart. He immediately said:

"Since you understand, that's good. You're a smart person. Let's be frank, as long as you do as I say, after this Great Alchemy Competition, you can come to our City Lord Mansion. Of course, there will be many sects wanting to invite you, I won't stop you, but you should know your own strength. Obviously, even if you join some great sect, relying on your alchemy level, I think you'll soon be exposed! But our City Lord Mansion will definitely keep you! Make your decision!"

At this moment, Zhang Hao, after contemplating Sun Long's words for a while, smiled and straightforwardly said:

"Alright! We have a deal!"

"Good! I wish us a happy cooperation!"

Seeing Zhang Hao agree so readily, Sun Long was very pleased. The two then discussed some detailed matters. For Sun Long, if Zhang Hao were to win first place in the Great Alchemy Competition, naturally all the rewards had to go to him. Zhang Hao agreed to this, knowing his own strength clearly hadn't reached the point of turning against each other.

He could only cooperate with Sun Long. This way, he could stay in the City Lord Mansion to refine pills. His cultivation resources would be abundant, and he wouldn't have to worry about his future prospects. As long as he worked hard, he would certainly become a formidable alchemist.

Sun Long chose Zhang Hao precisely because of his ambition. Choosing an ambitious alchemist to join his City Lord Mansion wasn't a loss and, under his guidance, if Zhang Hao truly grew to a certain level, it would be a very good thing for him.

Subsequently, the two carefully discussed some detailed matters in Sun Long's room…

...

At the inn where Ding Fan was staying, Ding Fan had already entered a cultivation state. Obviously, the recent Great Alchemy Competition had delayed a lot of time for cultivation. Ding Fan knew he couldn't afford such delays, as he had many things to do and his strength was his greatest backing.

After a while, Ding Fan slowly opened his eyes. With cultivation finished, he already felt he had reached a bottleneck. Since early on, he had been at the Late Nascent Soul Stage, and after prolonged accumulation, he now felt an imminent breakthrough was possible.

However, Ding Fan was troubled by his inability to break through despite long practices. He understood part of the reason; his Divine Vigor was no issue, but he lacked an opportunity. He knew being young, such opportunities normally appear after long intervals. Ding Fan realized waiting might take years, which was unacceptable to him.

Being a great alchemist, he had other methods. He decided to refine a "Qingling Pill," a miraculous pill aiding cultivators in seizing opportunities to breakthrough—a pill Ding Fan desperately needed now.

Then, Ding Fan planned to buy some auxiliary spiritual materials to refine the Qingling Pill, a significantly precious existence requiring special materials. Fortunately, Ding Fan already possessed the main ingredients among the two hundred precious spiritual materials he had, which could be sold for countless Spirit Stones, even millions. His spiritual materials were truly invaluable.

Even a single one was priceless, let alone two hundred.

Ding Fan then went out to buy auxiliary materials and ensured he wore a mask, knowing there were many cultivators in Dancheng who could recognize him. With the mask on, he left directly.

In no time, Ding Fan had bought the materials he needed, which were common and affordable. While outside, he realized the streets were abuzz with discussions about him, referred to as "Ding Lin." So, he knew it was best not to appear frequently because his fame had grown too much.

Moreover, he couldn't freely inquire about Zhou Ruoran and Gusu Qingwen's whereabouts or the Wild Wolf Gang anymore. It was better to stay indoors for now, since he needed to refine pills. While thinking, he realized He Qianyao could be sent to gather news—no one knew her.