Starting as a supporting character in Doupo

Page 416

"What mistake was made?"

Xiao Fan glanced at Zi Yan with surprise and said, "A wealthy alchemy genius taking his mischievous younger sister out, what's so suspicious about that?"

"But you're not a cultivator at all..."

Zi Yan began to speak, but then her words caught in her throat. After all, she had been completely misled by Xiao Fan's monstrous speed of advancement. Even she, who had initially been lured in by Xiao Fan's "candy," had almost forgotten that Xiao Fan was actually a high-ranking alchemist.

"Who are you calling naughty?!"

Zi Yan suddenly realized what was happening, glared fiercely at Xiao Fan, then looked him up and down. Realizing she couldn't beat him, she could only sulk and follow behind him, trying to stomp on his heels, but Xiao Fan managed to dodge each time.

Under Xiao Fan's powerful soul perception, the medicinal fragrance left on the two young men became his guide. After about half an incense stick's time, Xiao Fan saw a circular archway in front of him and knew that he should have arrived at his destination.

Leading Ziyan through the archway, they entered a beautiful garden with clear water in the center. Above the water was a very spacious pavilion with many seats, which was already bustling with people.

“The scenery is nice.”

Xiao Fan glanced at her and then led Zi Yan straight toward the pavilion.

There was only one path leading to the pavilion. Two graceful maids were arranged to wait there. After giving Xiao Fan a graceful bow, they guided him and his companion to their seats.

Zi Yan followed behind Xiao Fan without saying much, while Xiao Fan observed the many alchemists in the pavilion.

More than a dozen alchemists were already seated inside the pavilion, sizing each other up. Some of them knew each other before and were chatting happily.

Xiao Fan also learned from their conversation that the gathering was hosted by Cao Ying of the Cao family, and the invitees were all alchemy geniuses from various affiliated forces of the Cao family.

Cao Ying had only recently returned to the Cao family from Danta.

Cao Ying, as the number one genius of the Cao family, was known as a witch. Her talent for alchemy was naturally terrifying. It is said that when she was born, the fluctuation of her soul power almost caused her mother to die. Subsequently, she became a genuine alchemist at the age of seven, became an inner disciple of the Pill Tower at the age of fifteen, and two years ago, at the age of twenty, she was already a seventh-grade alchemist.

Based on the speculations of many alchemists present, after two years of cultivation in the Pill Tower, Cao Ying's alchemy skills should have reached the advanced level of the seventh rank or even the peak.

Without wasting too much time, people gradually took their seats in the pavilion, and almost everyone had arrived, except for a few empty seats.

Just then, someone in the alchemy room outside exclaimed in surprise. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a young girl slowly walking towards them from not far away.

With her beautiful hair styled back, fair skin, delicate features, and slender figure, Cao Ying exuded an aura of cold arrogance that drew everyone's attention. This was Cao Ying, known as the enchantress of the Cao family.

Cao Ying walked through the crowd without looking to either side and landed in the main seat. She then addressed everyone, saying, "I apologize that I, as the host, am a little late. Please forgive me."

Although that's what he said, he didn't seem to apologize at all.

However, the alchemists present were not surprised at all, since they had already heard some rumors about Cao Ying. They smiled at each other and then moved on from the matter.

As Cao Ying took her seat, one delicacy after another was brought to the table by the Cao family's maids. However, although they were all rare and exquisite dishes, no one touched their chopsticks. After all, in such an occasion, eating was merely a formality...

"Slippery..."

Just then, everyone suddenly heard a chewing sound. They looked up and saw a very handsome young man eating heartily at the food on the table.

Seeing the young man wolfing down his food, many alchemists suddenly felt that the food on the table was quite delicious and wanted to try it. Even Cao Ying, who was sitting in the main seat, looked at Xiao Fan. However, when she saw Xiao Fan and Zi Yan, a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes.

“Uh…” Xiao Fan noticed everyone’s gaze, took a sip of the drink on the table, wiped his mouth, and said somewhat embarrassedly, “Hehe, it’s mainly because the food that Miss Cao had prepared was quite delicious, and I love food, so I couldn’t resist. If I have disturbed you all, please forgive me.”

After speaking, Xiao Fan smiled at everyone and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

Seeing Xiao Fan's kind expression, no one said anything more. Cao Ying, who was in the main seat, smiled slightly on her originally cold and beautiful face and said to Xiao Fan, "Since this friend likes it so much, I will have the maid prepare another one."

"Thank you, Miss Cao."

Xiao Fan cupped his hands in greeting to Cao Ying, then said, "You all just continue what you're doing, don't worry about me."

Among the many alchemists seated, a young man in fine clothes saw Xiao Fan repeatedly stealing the spotlight and a hint of annoyance flashed in his eyes.

After all, such gatherings are meant to be a place for them to showcase themselves and deepen the relationship between their families and the Cao family. But before it even started, this kid kept standing out, seemingly attracting Cao Ying's attention, which naturally made him quite resentful.

"Hmph, I wonder which family they belong to, to make such a fool of themselves at such an important occasion as the Cao residence, acting like some vulgar street ruffian who's never seen delicacies before!"

Hearing the merciless rebuke, everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw the elegantly dressed young man in the crowd.

"This seems to be the young master of the Qi family. He's only twenty-four years old, yet he's already refined a sixth-grade pill. It's said that he's only one step away from becoming a seventh-grade alchemist!"

"That's right, Qi He (book reader name Haha), the young master of the Qi family in Lingfeng City, is rumored to have begun his attempt to break through to the seventh-grade alchemist realm..."

ps.

Happy Chinese New Year! To all my readers on Migu, if you have any votes or anything like that, I'd love to have some too! (blushing)

Chapter 168 Making a Bet with Cao Ying

Seeing that everyone's eyes were on him, Qi He pretended to be profound and composed, but a hint of excitement flashed in his eyes.

The commotion of the crowd naturally reached his ears. As everyone recounted their glorious deeds, Qi He subtly glanced at Cao Ying above. Seeing that he had successfully attracted Cao Ying's attention, Qi He secretly sighed that he was simply a genius. All he had to do was denounce this unknown kid, and he could gain the favor of the Cao family. It was a golden opportunity.

"Wow!"

Qi He flicked his sleeves, stood up, and glanced at Xiao Fan with a hint of disdain. However, when he saw Zi Yan behind Xiao Fan, a flash of amazement appeared in his eyes. Even compared to Cao Ying above, she was more beautiful. What captivated Qi He even more was Zi Yan's purple hair...

In that instant, Qi He made up his mind. Regardless of whether he could win the beauty's heart in the end, he would definitely deepen the Cao family's impression of him. When the time came, he would definitely cherish the beauty behind this kid.

"Cough cough."

Qi He coughed a few times, cupped his hands in greeting to Cao Ying, and then smiled and nodded to the surrounding alchemy rooms, saying, "Hehe, I am Qi He of the Qi family. I apologize for disturbing your enjoyment. However, I am a little annoyed that such a street ruffian has infiltrated Miss Cao's carefully prepared gathering. That's why I spoke up. I hope you will forgive me."

Qi He didn't wait for anyone to speak. After all, with the power of his Qi family, even among the families of the Cao family, they were all top-tier. In addition, his own talent was not weak. So apart from the Cao family members, everyone else was just his foil.

"Haha, no problem."

Sitting in the main seat, Cao Ying watched Qi He's actions, a hint of displeasure flashing in her eyes. However, she did not interrupt him. After all, among the many alchemists present, although such gatherings were arranged by their families, she did not recall having a guest like Xiao Fan.

Now that Qi He is helping her test the waters, she doesn't mind.

Qi He was even more excited to receive Cao Ying's affirmation.

His gaze towards Xiao Fan carried a hint of superiority. He unleashed his powerful soul force, pressing towards Xiao Fan.

"Hiss, what terrifying soul power..."

"Just as rumored, Qi He's soul power is far inferior to that of an ordinary sixth-grade high-level alchemist. He is probably only one step away from becoming a seventh-grade alchemist!"

............

As Qi He unleashed his soul power, the alchemists present exchanged bewildered glances and engaged in heated discussions. Apart from Cao Ying, none of the others dared to claim that they could definitively defeat Qi He.

but.........

Qi He frowned as he looked at Xiao Fan, who remained completely unmoved under his soul pressure, but he didn't delve into it, assuming that Xiao Fan had some kind of protective magic treasure. He then said, "Miss Cao organized this gathering to provide an opportunity for the alchemy geniuses of our aristocratic families to exchange ideas. However, in my opinion, a vulgar person like you is not worthy of staying here. If you cannot defeat me, you should get out of the Cao family as soon as possible!"

As Qi He finished speaking, a smug smile flashed across his face.

This move not only praised the Cao family's painstaking efforts but also subtly pointed out that everyone present was a genius in alchemy. Finally, it directly targeted the young man in front of him, firmly placing himself on the side of righteousness and giving him the advantage!

While Qi He was speaking, Xiao Fan did not stop what he was doing. He ate all the food on the table and then tore off the legs of two unknown magical beasts and handed them to Zi Yan behind him.

Finally, seeing Qi He finish his clownish performance, Xiao Fan also finished the food in front of him. He looked up at Qi He standing in the middle of the room and shook his head.

Without any visible movement from Xiao Fan, the crowd only sensed a soul fluctuation even more profound and terrifying than Qi He's, emanating from Xiao Fan's body, like a giant dragon, sweeping over the assembled alchemists.

"Hiss! This oppressive force!"

"This...this soul power...it must belong to a seventh-grade alchemist!"

"I originally thought Qi He had used this opportunity to curry favor with the Cao family, but now it seems that Qi He has probably kicked a hornet's nest!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone looked at Xiao Fan with inscrutable expressions.

Among those present, Qi He was undoubtedly the one who looked the most distraught.

"impossible!"

Qi He sensed Xiao Fan's soul strength, a look of panic appearing on his face, and disbelief rising in his heart. He said to Xiao Fan, "Absolutely impossible!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Qi He seemed to have found an outlet for his frustration. He pointed at Xiao Fan and said with delight, "I understand now, you must have been faking it!"

Immediately, Qi He's face turned extremely gloomy, and he said to Xiao Fan, "Now, let me tear off your hypocritical facade."

"Buzz!"

As soon as Qi He finished speaking, his soul power crushed towards Xiao Fan. This was a full-force attack from a sixth-grade peak alchemist who was about to break through to the seventh grade. Apart from Cao Ying, no one present was confident in withstanding it.

As the two were about to clash, no one dared to blink, afraid of missing such a spectacular moment.

Meanwhile, Cao Ying, sitting in the main seat, looked at Xiao Fan with a glint in her eyes.

Unbeknownst to everyone, she had already reached the peak of the seventh-grade alchemist level, so she could naturally sense that Xiao Fan's soul fluctuations had reached the seventh-grade alchemist level. Moreover, even among seventh-grade alchemists, his soul power fluctuations were not low.

For a moment, Cao Ying felt a sense of excitement, as if she had met her match. For the first time, she felt a sense of recognition for this kind of gathering organized by her family. After all, Cao Ying could only feel excited when she regarded such a genius as her opponent.

However, Cao Ying became even more curious about Xiao Fan's background.

Although she had been cultivating in the Pill Tower and hadn't been involved in family affairs much, she naturally knew who was attending this gathering since it was being held. However, she didn't recall anyone named Xiao Fan, so she became somewhat interested in his identity and wondered what his purpose was in participating in the competition.

In the arena, as Qi He began to make his move, everyone felt a sense of threat emanating from their souls. When they looked at Xiao Fan, they found that Xiao Fan remained calm, as if he were about to be attacked, and was not himself at all.

"boom!"

Finally, a terrifying soul storm erupted between Qi He and Xiao Fan. Then, to everyone's astonishment, Qi He was instantly sent flying like a tattered sack, flying out of the pavilion and landing in the pond.

"Sigh~~"

Looking at Xiao Fan, who was sitting in his seat as if nothing had happened, and Qi He, who had fallen into the pool and whose life or death was unknown, the many alchemists looked at Xiao Fan with a hint of horror.

"Slap slap slap..."

Just then, the many alchemists suddenly heard a round of applause. Looking in the direction of the sound, they saw Cao Ying, sitting in the main seat, with an excited smile on her face, staring at Xiao Fan as she clapped her hands and approached Xiao Fan's seat.

"Such a powerful soul fluctuation! Your alchemy skills must have reached the advanced seventh rank, right?"