"Even if he is Sikong Kuang's disciple, so what? Does he know every little thing in this valley? I bet he can't even name a single person here. Why should an outsider be our valley master?" The man's face was full of resentment.
Half of the valley's alchemists held opposing views, as no one wanted an unfamiliar person to run amok in the valley.
"Oh, is that so? I think you'll recognize this." Ye Lanshan produced an item—the Medicine Spirit Jade, the token of the Medicine Valley's valley master.
Ultimately, backed by this token and the shock of her strength, everyone fell silent, their rebellious thoughts quelled.
Outside the valley, the onlookers watched the farce in silence, their true thoughts unknown.
"I ask everyone to stay one more day. Tomorrow, we will hold a grand banquet to celebrate the end of this competition and welcome our new valley master." After Sikong Yanguang finished his final words, the others dispersed on their own.
"Brother Shanluo, congratulations on becoming the Medicine Valley's valley master." Lan Yexin's congratulations were genuinely sincere.
"Thank you."
Ye Lanshan actually admired this person. From their first meeting, he had exuded a gentle, refined aura, valuing family ties deeply. Though cunning, he wasn't hypocritical, carrying himself with the grace of a noble. Even the earlier commotion over the alchemy furnace hadn't sparked any greed in him—only a faint concern for her.
"My father won't let his prize be snatched away. Are you truly ready to face his next attack?" Sikong Feihe asked her gravely. Though he had initially hoped someone would help him escape this dark family, as he got to know Ye Lanshan better, he grew increasingly reluctant to see her hurt.
"Weren't you hoping I'd confront your father and avenge you? Why the worry now?" Ye Lanshan's eyes held a hint of amusement, showing no trace of concern over Sikong Cheng's impending retaliation.
"Yes, I admit I initially wanted to use you to escape this vile family. But now, I don't want you to get hurt at all. Do you understand? I've never seen through my father since childhood—his mind is too deep. You can't beat him." Sikong Feihe spoke earnestly, his gaze tender with an emotion she couldn't decipher.
"I never do things without certainty. Rest assured." Her light words did little to ease his mind, but why would Ye Lanshan truly care about his thoughts?
Unless she changed her mind herself, she would see things through even if the sky fell. As the first step in opposing the Holy Land's schemes and fulfilling her promise, how could she abandon it over a few words from Sikong Feihe?
"Brother Feihe, relax. Shanluo never acts without certainty. No matter how formidable Sikong Cheng is, he can't harm her." Yun Di, emboldened by following Ye Lanshan, even dared to sling an arm around Sikong Feihe's neck.
"But speaking of which, Sikong Cheng is your father. Why do you hate him so much?" Yun Di was genuinely curious—could it be similar to his own experience?
"He doesn't deserve to be called a father." Sikong Feihe said bitterly, "He killed my mother, made me and my brothers fight to the death, and brutally beat my best friend to death before my eyes. How can someone like him be my father? And those disgusting clan members—bullying the weak, fawning on the strong, utterly hypocritical."
"I never imagined your childhood was so tragic." Yun Di now felt sympathy for this man who could kill with a smile, all because Sikong Cheng had forced him into it. Compared to his experience, Yun Di's own life was far better.
"Truly, a venomous man shows no mercy—not even to his own children." Ye Lanshan shook her head in lament. In the cultivation world, she had seen much of human nature, but even the coldest people cherished their offspring. As the saying goes, a tiger doesn't eat its cubs. Someone like Sikong Cheng, who wouldn't spare his own children, was rare indeed.
"Heh, Shanluo? We meet again." As Ye Lanshan sighed, a sinister voice rang out, and Mo Ran appeared before her.
"Is that so? I don't recall ever meeting you, sir." A flicker of darkness passed through Ye Lanshan's eyes.
Sikong Feihe's expression shifted as he stepped forward to shield her. Why was the demon sect's young master here? Unlike him, Mo Ran was truly reckless, acting on whim—the most dangerous kind of person.
"Shanluo, what do you think would happen if I told the Holy Land about your whereabouts?" Mo Ran crossed his arms, his arrogant, flamboyant smile utterly irritating.
"Even if you told the Holy Land, so what? I don't recall offending them." Ye Lanshan pushed past Sikong Feihe, her faint smile unwavering.
"I don't know how you changed your appearance, but I'll never forget the weapon you used."
Indeed, Mo Ran was as insufferable as ever.
"You're as annoying as always." Ye Lanshan produced her dagger again and lunged at him before he could react.
"I've wanted to settle the score over the Twin Fruit for a long time. Didn't expect you to come to me."
She stabbed again and again. Though her strength had grown considerably, Mo Ran hadn't been idle either. Their moves clashed evenly, neither gaining the upper hand.
"Your progress is astonishing. It's only been a short while, and you can match me blow for blow." Admiration flickered in Mo Ran's eyes—truly someone after his own taste.
Ye Lanshan said nothing, focusing entirely on attacking him as if she wouldn't stop until he was minced meat.
As they fought fiercely, no one noticed a cold arrow shooting from the wall.
Just as the arrow was a meter away from Ye Lanshan, Mo Ran suddenly stopped resisting, pulling her behind him. His icy gaze shot toward the wall. The person hiding there flinched, leaking a trace of aura.
"An assassin from the Dark Night Soul." Sikong Feihe frowned. Had his father hired them to kill Shanluo?
"Tsk, the Dark Lord has only been unconscious for a few days, and his underlings are already restless. How can I trust him?" Mo Ran suddenly said something they didn't understand.
"Who's unconscious?" Ye Lanshan's emotions stirred, a rare occurrence.
"The Dark Lord. What, you didn't know? Well, how could you?" Mo Ran masked the complex gleam in his eyes. He had come for the divine-grade alchemist, never expecting it to be Ye Lanshan. This was going to be troublesome.