Our Eternal Life Research Institute needs to apprehend a few individuals, such as Xu Mu.

"That's right, I know a thing or two about alchemy."

Xu Mu began to operate skillfully. In truth, he didn't need to leave; all these materials were in his storage space.

But with so many experts present today, he decided to keep a low profile and deliberately made a trip outside.

While formation masters are undoubtedly powerful, in terms of status and demand, alchemists hold a higher position.

Xu Mu himself knew formations, but there was no need to compete using the same skill set.

His plan this time was just to show a small glimpse of his ability, casually refining a few Marrow-Cleansing Pills would suffice.

"Impossible! An alchemist requires absolute control and perception of Qi. How many people in the entire Dragon Nation can do that?"

Cui Yu looked at Xu Mu, shaking his head vigorously. "You can't possibly be an alchemist!"

Wei Jingzhi and Guo Wenmo had already jumped down from the high platform.

The two of them stood right in front of Xu Mu, watching him work.

Jiang Sheng also came over at this point. Every alchemist was a famous figure, wasn't they?

And most were of considerable age. If Xu Mu could truly refine pills, then he had found a real treasure.

"Let's make three pills this time."

Xu Mu was already preparing to finish up. He kneaded three pills with his hands and tossed them into his small alchemy furnace.

Then he threw the furnace into the fire. Within minutes, the furnace turned fiery red.

"Is that Fire Sunwood?" Wei Jingzhi asked.

"Correct."

Xu Mu nodded. Sensing the time was about right, he directed his hand towards the flames.

Whoosh!

Stimulated by his Qi, the flames before him began to burn violently.

It lasted a full twenty minutes before Xu Mu withdrew his Qi, allowing the flames to return to normal.

After a period of gentle simmering, Xu Mu retrieved the furnace from the fire.

The fiery-red furnace gradually faded, returning to its original wooden form.

Xu Mu picked up the furnace and took out the three pills inside.

"All done."

He handed all three pills to Wei Jingzhi.

Wei Jingzhi, in turn, passed them to Guo Wenmo and Jiang Sheng.

All three examined the pills in their hands, which seemed to have a subtle luster.

"What kind of pills are these?"

Wei Jingzhi inquired.

"Marrow-Cleansing Pills,"

Xu Mu explained.

"What? You can actually refine Marrow-Cleansing Pills?"

Guo Wenmo asked, looking at the pills.

"You say they're Marrow-Cleansing Pills, so they are?"

Cui Yu walked over from a distance. "Anyone can knead a pill by hand."

"That's precisely why I specifically chose to refine Marrow-Cleansing Pills. After taking them, the effects are the most immediately apparent."

Saying this, Xu Mu looked at the surrounding crowd. "Among everyone present here, whoever has never taken a Marrow-Cleansing Pill before, I'll let you use one for free today."

Hearing this, many were tempted and started running over.

Even within sects, Marrow-Cleansing Pills were only given to disciples with decent talent.

They had seen clearly earlier that Xu Mu used all rare and precious materials. Even if he had charred them, the medicinal efficacy should still be there.

"Alright, you three got here first. Everyone else, please go back."

Guo Wenmo pointed at three people in the distance.

These three individuals were in their twenties or thirties. They walked over, each bowing their head to Xu Mu.

"Thank you, Brother Nepotism... I mean, Brother Xu Mu."

"I believed you were a master from the very start."

"I'm different. The moment I saw you, I knew you and Miss Jiang were a match made in heaven."

...

"Enough talk. One pill each."

Guo Wenmo first gave the pill from his hand to one of them.

Jiang Sheng and Wei Jingzhi also handed theirs to the others.

"Please take off your shirts,"

Xu Mu said to the three.

"Alright."

The three men all bared their torsos.

After swallowing the pills, they felt their bodies grow somewhat warm, their pores seeming to open up.

After just one minute, one of them began to exude a black, sticky liquid from his pores.

"Such potent efficacy. It took effect in just a minute,"

Wei Jingzhi said, his face full of astonishment.

As time passed, the other two also began to discharge impurities from their bodies.

Seeing this, Cui Yu's expression turned ugly.

He naturally knew that alchemists were even rarer than formation masters.

Xu Mu's current score was the same as his, so the winner was obvious.

"Brother Xu Mu!"

Seeing this, Jiang Huihui directly jumped from the high platform, pouncing towards Xu Mu.

Thump!

Jiang Huihui crashed into Xu Mu, knocking him to the ground.

[Favorability +40]

She truly hadn't expected the matter troubling her to be resolved by Xu Mu.

Jiang Sheng, seeing this, also revealed a gratified smile, then said loudly, "The outcome of this match should be quite clear now, shouldn't it?"

"Indeed. The winner this time is Xu Mu,"

Wei Jingzhi added.

The onlookers all around were abuzz with discussion.

This 'Nepotism Brother' was too domineering—powerful, skilled at painting, and, crucially, an alchemist.

Now, almost everyone felt that it was the Jiang family who was marrying up.

Not only those outside, but the important figures on the high platform also came over to cozy up to Xu Mu.

"Xu Mu, I am Lü Chuan, the Grand Elder of the Golden Light Hall. Would you be interested in joining us?" Lü Chuan invited with a smile. "I will apply for you to enter the Elder Council directly."

"Xu Mu, I was wrong before. Seeing my grandson injured, I was blinded by anger. I'm actually a very reasonable person,"

Xue Dongsheng hurriedly apologized.

Not just them, but other important figures from various sects also introduced themselves one after another.

They understood clearly that even if Xu Mu's alchemy skills never progressed further, he would become a highly sought-after asset.

Every sect needed Marrow-Cleansing Pills, but those alchemists charged exorbitant prices.

Yet Xu Mu could refine them. Even if he only ever refined Marrow-Cleansing Pills in the future, he would be treated as an honored guest by any sect.

"Thank you all for your high regard. I have my own sect. All my decisions still require my master's approval. My apologies,"

Xu Mu politely declined them one by one.

Lv Pinlong and Xue Kaixuan both had eyes full of jealousy.

This Xu Mu deserved to die.

Was it just because he knew alchemy?

Cui Yu, head lowered, came before Jiang Mingzhuo and knelt on the ground. "Master, I have disappointed you."

"Rise. Losing to an alchemist is understandable,"

Jiang Mingzhuo gently waved his hand. His purpose in having Cui Yu come this time was to find a way to marry Jiang Huihui off.

He knew very well that Jiang Huihui disliked the martial arts competition for marriage.

Rather than marrying someone else, it was better to marry his own disciple.

Cui Yu was a good man. As her uncle, he certainly wouldn't do Jiang Huihui wrong.

But from the moment he saw Jiang Huihui trying to pull Xu Mu away earlier, he knew she already had someone she liked.

Even if Cui Yu had won in the end, he would have made him leave Jiang Huihui alone.

"Alright, Cui Yu, you may leave now. What is about to happen next might implicate you,"

Jiang Mingzhuo revealed a faint smile.

"Yes."

Cui Yu acknowledged and left without hesitation.

"Brother Zhuo, what's going to happen later?"

Zhang Que, who was beside him, asked curiously.

"Our Eternal Life Research Institute is going to apprehend a few people. For example, Xu Mu,"

Jiang Mingzhuo said with a smile.

"Brother Zhuo, are you insane? He's Brother Shou's son! His biological son!"

Zhang Que growled in a low voice.