Top-tier Unruly Master

Making friends with an alchemist is naturally a good thing for a cultivator, especially when it comes to an alchemist like Ding Fan at this moment. His alchemy level has even surpassed that of a Grade Eight Alchemist level, reaching the Grade Nine Alchemist level, which is well-known as a very rare existence in the entire Cultivation World.

Evidently, achieving such an alchemy level is not an easy matter; it's not just something that can be accomplished with effort alone. It also requires a powerful alchemic talent, and everyone knows that Ding Fan is so young, obviously relying on his great talent, a kind of alchemic talent that hasn't appeared for several hundred years!

Therefore, for a cultivator, it would be extremely fortunate to become friends with Ding Fan. After all, having such an alchemist friend means that if you encounter some precious spiritual materials and want to refine a high-grade medicine pill, you would naturally turn to him for help.

For most cultivators, even if they possess precious spiritual materials, wanting to refine high-grade medicine pills is extremely difficult. After all, not all alchemists can refine supreme quality medicine pills. Let's not even mention supreme quality medicine pills; even high-level pills are not something that ordinary alchemists can achieve.

Ding Fan can effortlessly create supreme quality medicine pills, which is simply unprecedented and unparalleled! Therefore, even Hao Chun once had a glimmer of hope in his heart, wishing to become friends with Ding Fan, but he knew that it was quite an impossible task.

In Hao Chun's heart, from the very beginning, he never esteemed Ding Lin, especially when he saw Zhou Ruoran shed tears for him. Hao Chun's anger towards Ding Fan kept rising continuously. Evidently, to Hao Chun, Ding Fan had already become the rival he must eliminate.

Therefore, when Hao Chun saw Ding Fan's alchemy level, although he was shocked, he still felt extremely angry. After all, no matter how impressive the other person is, Zhou Ruoran clearly mattered more to Hao Chun, for Ding Fan was his rival. Hence, in Hao Chun's heart, for no apparent reason, he felt a murderous intent towards Ding Fan.

Hao Chun knew that despite Ding Fan's high alchemy level, he was definitely a novice in cultivation, clearly unable to compare with himself. He believed that wanting to eliminate Ding Fan was an easy task. Yet Hao Chun also had some planning; Ding Fan had already become the focus of the Great Alchemy Competition this time, and his displayed talent was very impressive, making him well regarded by the City Lord Mansion in Dancheng.

Therefore, Hao Chun knew that if he wanted to eliminate Ding Fan, he needed a solid plan. Given Ding Fan's protection in Dancheng, getting rid of him wasn't going to be an easy task.

At this moment, Taozi was stunned upon seeing Ding Fan's performance. She evidently did not expect someone so young to be so skilled in alchemy; it was simply incredible! For a moment, Taozi admired Ranran's judgment greatly; the man Ranran valued was indeed extraordinary!

"Ranran, who is he to you? He's simply amazing!"

At this moment, Taozi looked at Zhou Ruoran full of joy, and then asked.

"He's my husband."

Zhou Ruoran said directly, showing that she didn't want to hide anything, as Taozi was considered a friend, and there was nothing to conceal.

Upon hearing Zhou Ruoran's words, Taozi was taken aback. She looked at Zhou Ruoran's serious yet somewhat sweet expression, realizing that Ranran wasn't joking. Taozi hadn't thought that the Ding Lin mentioned was the husband that Ranran often spoke of; it was simply a bit unbelievable!

Previously, Taozi had heard Ranran say she was married, but initially, Taozi merely thought Ranran used that as an excuse to reject others. But now it seemed Ranran truly had a husband, and it was Ding Lin!

Taozi was somewhat shocked, knowing that Ding Lin was far from simple, showing immense alchemic talent at such a young age. He was certainly a young prodigy, and his achievements in alchemy were not inferior to Hao Chun. Evidently, in Taozi's heart, she preferred Ding Fan more.

Although Taozi hadn't interacted much with Ding Fan, she truly disliked Hao Chun. She believed that any male cultivator would be less annoying compared to Hao Chun.

"Congratulations, Ranran! You've found your husband; now you can be reunited!"

Taozi looked at Zhou Ruoran with some joy and said, evidently addressing Hao Chun as well. Since Ranran had found her husband, Hao Chun's harassment would no longer continue, and even her master wouldn't make Ranran follow Hao Chun.

After all, Taozi knew that a sect as ordinary as theirs could hardly invite an alchemist of Ding Lin's caliber, as he was likely a Grade Nine Alchemist—such alchemists were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns in the Cultivation World. Even Great Gate Sect would require genuine sincerity to invite him.

Taozi understood that her sect was merely a medium sect. Without Ranran's connection, inviting him would be impossible. Moreover, a high-caliber alchemist like Ding Lin isn't someone an average sect can provoke, let alone individuals. People understood that an alchemist at such a level usually had friends who were cultivators in the divine stage or higher.

That was truly enough to be awe-inspiring. To say something frightening, if a small sect accidentally offended such an alchemist, he could casually call upon two individuals to annihilate the sect, as cultivators in the divine stage weren't trifling matters.

For alchemists of that caliber, the cultivators they interacted with were of that level. Only those in the divine stage had sufficient resources to allow the alchemist to refine high-grade medicine pills.

That's why Taozi knew that if Ding Lin was truly Zhou Ruoran's husband, then Ranran obviously wouldn't have to be bothered by Hao Chun. Taozi understood that Hao Chun was so reckless in pestering Ranran and herself because he was a core disciple of the Great Gate Sect. Clearly, in the eyes of the master, this is a kind of resource for the Jade Maiden Sect. Even if Ranran doesn't like the person at all, they couldn't be too harsh with Hao Chun.

But now with Ding Lin, everything's different. Clearly, the master must know that if our sect can associate with a cultivator like Ding Lin, it's far better than associating with a core disciple of the Great Gate Sect. After all, the power of one person like him alone almost matches that of a Great Gate Sect.

Therefore, naturally, Taozi felt happy for Ranran. Previously, she heard Ranran occasionally mention losing her husband. But Taozi didn't take it seriously at the time. Clearly, in her view, it turned out to be true.

Zhou Ruoran heard Taozi's words and then gave a faint smile, yet her little hand involuntarily grasped Taozi's hand. Clearly, Zhou Ruorao was very excited at that moment because finding Ding Fan was simply delightful. After a while, an elder from the Great Alchemy Competition announced the overall scores of the second round. Ding Fan, without any suspense, became the first in this second round of the Great Alchemy Competition.

Afterward, this second round of the Great Alchemy Competition was about to end soon. Meanwhile, Zhou Ruoran felt more excited because she had been waiting for this moment. Once the second round of the Competition ended, she could go straight to find Ding Fan. She couldn't imagine how happy Ding Fan would be upon seeing her.

In no time, the second round of the Great Alchemy Competition ended. As Zhou Ruoran wanted to go find Ding Fan, suddenly a hand pressed on her shoulder.

"Senior Sister?"

Zhou Ruoran turned to look and found Senior Sister staring at her sternly.

Perplexed, Zhou Ruoran wondered why Senior Sister, who's usually not on good terms with her, was seeking her now. With some doubt, Zhou Ruoran asked:

"Senior Sister, is there something you need?"

"There's a matter in the sect. Hurry and return with me!"

At that moment, Senior Sister spoke to Zhou Ruoran with some severity, her gaze revealing a hint of tension, but more so showing an uncompromising attitude.

Seeing this scene, Taozi couldn't help but feel a bit wary. She knew quite well that when she left the sect, there was clearly nothing going on, and what made her feel stranger was that Hao Chun and the others had disappeared out of the blue.

For a moment, Taozi stood beside Zhou Ruoran, clearly disliking her relationship with this Senior Sister as well. She suddenly stood in front of Zhou Ruoran and said to the Senior Sister:

"Senior Sister, Ranran has something important right now. I'll return to the sect with you, and Ranran will follow afterward."

Of course, Taozi knew that for Zhou Ruoran, the most important thing was to find Ding Fan. Clearly, Taozi saw Zhou Ruoran held deep affection for Ding Lin. Moreover, considering that Zhou Ruoran had been separated from her husband for such a long time and finally found him, they had to let Ranran and Ding Lin meet.

Besides, for Taozi, the most crucial point was how coincidental Senior Sister's appearance was. Clearly, there's something odd about this. She's worried that if Zhou Ruoran is dragged back to the sect by Senior Sister this time, it might not be easy for Ranran to see Ding Lin again.

At this moment, Senior Sister frowned, then angrily said:

"No! You both must return. It's the sect's order!"

Senior Sister spoke sharply, then glanced at the few female disciples nearby. The female disciples, clearly signaled by Senior Sister, immediately surrounded Zhou Ruoran and Taozi with cold expressions and a somewhat discourteous attitude.

Seeing this, Zhou Ruoran was stunned, realizing she hadn't expected Senior Sister to treat her this way. Zhou Ruoran knew this couldn't be the sect's idea, knowing her master, the sect leader, treated her very well. Even if there was something important, they wouldn't bring her back in such a manner.

Clearly, Zhou Ruoran also sensed things weren't quite right. She had felt this uneasiness as soon as Senior Sister appeared but didn't act rashly since Senior Sister was indeed the sect's senior sister, deserving respect as junior sister.

However, with things developing to this point, Zhou Ruoran found no reason to be polite with them anymore. Yet, she felt a bit helpless knowing Senior Sister's cultivation was about equal or even higher than hers, and faced with an overwhelming number, the situation wasn't too favorable.