Wei Linger’s footsteps were light, like a stalking cat, but the domineering aura she exuded was like a tigress on patrol.
She stopped in front of Li Mengze, her beautiful phoenix-shaped eyes slightly upturned, filled with scrutiny and amusement as she appraised him from head to toe.
Her entourage immediately caught on and spread out into a semicircle, isolating Li Mengze from the others, creating an invisible pressure field.
The surrounding students held their breath, casting sympathetic glances. No one knew what bad luck had caused Li Mengze to be targeted by this she-devil.
“What is your name?”
Wei Linger’s voice was clear and crisp, yet carried a condescending tone, as if she were questioning an ant by the roadside.
Li Mengze sighed inwardly, knowing there was no escaping this trouble today.
He raised his head, met her gaze calmly, and cupped his hands: “Academy disciple Li Mengze, greetings to the county lord.”
His tone was neither humble nor arrogant, clear and gentle, like a pure mountain spring, instantly diluting the gunpowder scent around Wei Linger.
Wei Linger slightly nodded. She had anticipated many possible reactions: someone terrified, begging on their knees, or a blusterer bluffing like that reckless fool earlier.But she never imagined one so serene and indifferent, as if she, the county lord of Qingyang County, were nothing more than a tree by the roadside.
It made her feel as if she had thrown all her strength, only to punch cotton—an indescribable awkwardness.
“Li Mengze?” she repeated his name, a playful curve rising at her lips. “Aren’t you afraid of me?”
Li Mengze thought to himself: “Afraid? How could I not be? I’m afraid of a mad dog.”
Yet on his face was a perfectly measured look of curiosity as he countered, “The county lord is of royal blood, a scion of noble lineage, a glorious presence that shines upon us all. How could I be afraid?”
This retort left Wei Ling’er momentarily speechless.
Her mother was the beloved younger sister of the current emperor, the third princess. Raised in the royal capital, she was born with a silver spoon, always getting what she wanted.
Within the jurisdiction of Songling Prefecture, even the prefect would yield to her.
Accustomed to being the center of attention and ruling with impunity, Wei Linger had never encountered a “weirdo” like Li Mengze before.
He neither fawned nor avoided; he stood quietly like a pine rooted on a cliff, exuding a calm dignity.
Interesting. Truly interesting.
For the first time, a flicker of genuine curiosity sparked in her icy phoenix eyes, like a tigress discovering fresh prey.
“You’re quite impressive.”
Suddenly, she smiled radiantly, like a hundred flowers blooming, adding breathtaking charm to her already stunning face.
She extended a slender, jade-like finger with a delicate gesture: “You’ve successfully caught my attention. How about this: if you’re willing to come to my county lord mansion as my exclusive pill refiner, you won’t have to participate in today’s trial. I guarantee you’ll pass. How does that sound?”
Her words immediately drew gasps from the crowd.
That... was a step straight to the top!
The exclusive pill refiner of the county lord of Qingyang—what did that mean?
It meant boundless wealth, endless rare medicinal materials!
Not to mention that passing this preparatory trial would almost guarantee becoming the official royal pill refiner in the future!
Countless envious and jealous eyes turned toward Li Mengze in unison.
“What luck does this kid have! The county lord actually took notice of him!”
“Yeah, he’s hit the jackpot. From now on, we’ll all have to call him Alchemist Li.”
“Ting, he’s just going to live off her—what’s there to envy?”
Chen Haoran, who had just been whipped by Wei Linger, clenched his fists so tightly his nails dug into his palms.
He looked at Li Mengze with eyes full of humiliation.
Why?
Why did he speak out righteously only to be beaten and humiliated, while this guy, who hadn’t done anything, got such a huge opportunity?
Some scions from prominent families who knew Wei Linger’s true nature sneered quietly, their pity for Li Mengze evident.
“Ha, live off her? More like becoming her plaything.”
“Exactly. You don’t know—this county lord’s temper is terrible. The handsome pets in her mansion either get their legs broken or are tortured beyond recognition within three months. That kid looks too delicate; he won’t last a month.”
Faced with this sudden “olive branch,” Li Mengze’s inner alarm bells rang loud.
He had no doubt that if he nodded, in less than three days, this “mad dog” would utterly destroy him.
He subtly turned his head to avoid Wei Linger’s restless finger, then bowed again with sincere tone: “Thank you for the county lord’s kindness. It is my great honor to receive your favor. However...”
He paused, a suitable expression of difficulty and sincerity crossing his face. “As cultivators, we pursue a clear and unobstructed Dao heart in alchemy.
This trial is both a test and a crucial checkpoint on my cultivation path. If I were to bypass it by relying on the county lord’s power, though it brings temporary convenience, it would leave lingering doubts in my heart, turning into inner demons that hinder future progress in the Dao of alchemy.
I dare not sacrifice the long-term path for short-term gain, nor receive your great favor with a flawed self—that would be the greatest disrespect. If I pass on my own merit, proving my limited talent, I will serve the county lord wholeheartedly then, without hesitation.”
His words were impeccable, expressing gratitude while elevating his refusal to the core cultivator principle of the Dao heart, making it impossible to refute.
More importantly, he left himself an out: if he truly passed, he could serve her later, neither offending nor losing face.
Wei Linger’s brows twitched slightly.
The duck at her lips had actually flown away.
But since Li Mengze grounded his refusal in cultivation principles, forcing him further would be openly destroying a cultivator’s foundation—a grave taboo.
“Ting.”
She snorted coldly, retracting her hand. “Fine. Today I’ll see how much real skill you have. If you fail... hmph, you’ll be my stable boy for life!”
With that, she twisted her slender waist and, flanked by her entourage, strode to the front row, clearly intending to enjoy the “show.”
Li Mengze exhaled deeply, cold sweat unknowingly seeping down his back.
Dealing with this mad dog was more mentally exhausting than refining a batch of pills.
Now that he was on the hot seat, he had to not only pass the trial but do so impressively.
Otherwise, there would be no good outcome.
...........
“Cough, cough!”
Elder Zhao cleared his throat, announcing the trial’s official start.
“Today’s trial is divided into two rounds.”
“Round one: material identification. Round two: pill refining.”
Elder Zhao’s voice echoed clearly across the square.
“In front of each of you are one hundred types of treated medicinal powders. Your task is to, within the allotted fragrant incense time, accurately write down their names, properties, and years on your answer sheet. Each mistake costs ten points; more than three mistakes means immediate disqualification!”
At this, the crowd erupted in murmurs.
One hundred types of medicinal powders!
And all treated! The difficulty was sky-high!
Many powders change subtly in color and smell after being ground, making identification extremely difficult.
Moreover, accurately naming their years required not only literacy but experience and keen eyesight.
Li Mengze stared at the row of one hundred white porcelain bowls before him. Such a test was child’s play for him, having “played” with almost all legendary spiritual herbs in the Hundred Herbs Spiritual Realm.
He didn’t rush to start but closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Breath of the Tree gently flowed, a wondrous connection to nature instantly enveloping the entire table.
The powders, once mundane to his eyes, seemed to come alive.
Some emitted gentle earth-toned glows; others flickered with scorching crimson auras; some twisted with strands of chilling blue mist...
Each herb’s “qi,” their “life rhythm,” became exquisitely clear to Li Mengze’s perception.
“Hm? Interesting.”
A barely noticeable smile curved his lips.
He discovered several powders had been tampered with.
For example, the seemingly “Hundred-Year Stalactite” powder contained less than ten percent “Three-Day Soul Breaker,” an extremely concealed poison that ordinary detection methods couldn’t find. Misuse could cause pill failure or even death.
The powder of “Crimson Flame Fruit” appeared explosive in effect, but its core fire spirit energy had long been extracted by special means, leaving only an empty shell, useless despite its appearance.
“So, the first round tests not just material recognition but also character and discernment.”
Li Mengze understood.
These traps were clearly set by Elder Zhao to weed out those with poor knowledge and restless hearts.
He opened his eyes, picked up his brush, and began without hesitation.
“Dragon Blood Vine, 320 years, warm property, promotes blood circulation and tissue regeneration...”
“Ice Soul Grass, 150 years, cold property, calms the mind and spirit...”
“Three-Leaf Soul Entangling Flower, 50 years, highly toxic, its powder mixed with colorless moss spores, avoid inhalation.”
His brush danced on paper like flowing clouds, leaving only afterimages behind.
In less than half an incense stick’s time, he had recorded all information for the hundred powders, even clearly marking hidden traps and tampering.
After finishing, he put down his brush and closed his eyes calmly, as if certain of victory.
This act naturally caught the attention of Elder Zhao and Wei Linger nearby.
Wei Linger sneered internally seeing him submit so quickly: “One hundred powders, half an incense stick’s time to identify them all? What a dream! Wait for him to embarrass himself!”
Elder Zhao quietly approached Li Mengze’s desk, picked up the densely written answer sheet, and narrowed his eyes sharply.
All correct!
Not only that, every herb’s year was accurate to the unit digit! This was incredible!
Even more shocking was that Li Mengze had uncovered and analyzed every trap Elder Zhao had secretly set, flawlessly and precisely!
These traps were extraordinarily clever, set jointly by several royal elders. Not even some senior officials could spot them all, let alone these young students.
Yet this youth...
He looked again at the young man with closed eyes, his gaze completely changed.
No longer was he judging a junior but struck with the astonishment and joy of discovering a rare gem!
“This boy is a true genius! No, a prodigy!”
Elder Zhao took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his excitement, and gently placed the answer sheet down, having already made his decision.
The first round of the trial ended with mixed feelings all around.
More than half the students were ruthlessly eliminated due to various mistakes.
Chen Haoran barely passed with solid basics but still looked pale, clearly shaken.
When Elder Zhao announced Li Mengze’s perfect score and first place, the entire crowd fell silent.
Everyone looked at Li Mengze like he was a monster.
Especially Wei Linger, whose beautiful face was filled with disbelief.
She herself had barely recognized over eighty, some uncertain.
How could this kid achieve a perfect score?
Without hesitation, Wei Linger said, “Elder Zhao! This person must have known the questions beforehand! Please investigate!”
Faced with this baseless accusation, Li Mengze felt helpless.
No matter how polite he had been earlier, it seemed he had offended the county lord. For such a proud woman, no defiance was tolerated.
Elder Zhao frowned and shot Wei Linger a cold glance: “County lord, you may eat any food carelessly, but you must not speak recklessly. These questions were prepared by myself and several elders at the last moment. There is absolutely no possibility of a leak. I personally graded Li Mengze’s paper; every word is accurate, without error. If you are dissatisfied, you are welcome to check it yourself.”
With Elder Zhao’s words, Wei Linger, no matter how stubborn, dared not publicly challenge a royal elder’s authority.
She could only grit her teeth and swallow her anger, though her gaze toward Li Mengze grew more complicated.
There was anger and unwillingness, but more than anything, a thrill of meeting an equal and... possessiveness.
“Good, very good! I want to see if your pill refining skills are as sharp as your tongue!”