Son, Put Your Father To The Test (FF)

"Father, did you hear? The Dragon Snake Gang vanished overnight—every casino, every hall, all empty."

In the main hall, Qin Zi said.

"Oh?"

Qin Chuan raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Hmph! No doubt about it now—the ones who tried to set me up must have been them, and they fled out of guilt!"

Qin Zi snorted coldly, his face full of disdain.

"I never thought the Dragon Snake Gang would stoop so low. They couldn't beat you, Father, so they resorted to such underhanded tactics!"

Qin Chuan didn't reply to this.

He guessed that the Dragon Snake Gang had fled in the night because they feared he would suspect them.

Yet their hasty retreat only made them look guiltier, conveniently taking the blame and bearing the brunt of the accusations.

It was fate.

"You've awakened your special physique and received its benefits. Your cultivation must have increased significantly, right? How are you feeling?" Qin Chuan changed the subject.

"Indeed, my strength has surged tremendously. I never knew I could be this powerful!"

Thinking of his recent progress, Qin Zi perked up and looked to his father as if seeking praise. "I've already reached the fifth level of the Yuan Dan realm!"

"Not bad."

Qin Chuan nodded calmly. This wasn't just him putting on a show—he had been mentally prepared for this.

What's there to be surprised about when it comes to leveling up?

This is standard practice for a protagonist with fate on his side.

If his son had awakened a powerful physique and still remained weak, then that would be surprising.

"Aren't you even a little surprised, Father?"

Qin Zi felt a bit deflated, seeing his father's calm demeanor.

"It's quite normal. I've seen many prodigies in my time. Your level… is decent."

Qin Chuan replied calmly.

Keep up the act—never stop.

Maintaining this effortless air of superiority is essential for reinforcing his image.

This persona needs constant reinforcement, lest it risk falling apart.

Hearing this, Qin Zi felt even more downcast.

So, in his father's eyes, he's just… decent?

But soon, he found his resolve again.

It was as if a fiery determination ignited within him, and he silently vowed, "Father, just wait—I'll make you proud!"

…

Three more days passed without notice.

Contrary to what Qin Chuan expected, after the rumors spread, no so-called geniuses came forward to challenge Qin Zi.

This made him chuckle at himself.

It seems he had underestimated people.

Those geniuses weren't that foolish—they wouldn't just jump into a challenge over a rumor.

On second thought.

If those geniuses had immediately come forward to challenge, it would have been beneath them.

After all, even if they won, so what?

Challenging someone over a rumor—what does that prove? Their genius?

How shallow!!

These geniuses, and the families behind them, likely cared about their reputations, which is why they didn't come to challenge him.

"But… my money wasn't wasted!"

Qin Chuan took a deep breath, narrowing his eyes.

The fact that these geniuses hadn't come forward didn't mean they didn't care about the rumors.

After all, this concerned their reputations. If they didn't respond, it would hang over their heads forever!

So, they were all waiting for an opportunity—a chance to defeat Qin Zi naturally.

And the upcoming opportunity was… the alchemy competition! "Rumble!"

Suddenly, a tremendous noise shook the sky, as if the clouds were rolling, with lightning and thunder!

Countless people looked up.

Qin Chuan and his son also stepped out of their home, looking up.

A golden streak of light shot across the sky, moving so fast it was like an arrow slicing through the heavens.

Wherever it passed, the white clouds instantly turned golden, rolling like turbulent waves.

"Whoosh—"

Finally, the golden streak halted above Minghao City, transforming into a majestic figure bathed in golden light.

"Boom!!"

A towering pressure spread out like massive waves, covering more than half of Minghao City.

"What terrifying pressure!"

"A Nirvana Realm expert!!"

"Could it be… Master Pang Qi?!"

Many people were forced to their knees under the pressure, while others barely managed to stand, their faces full of fear.

Qin Chuan felt the pressure too, but it wasn't enough to trouble him.

"Welcome, Master, to Minghao City. The City Lord's Mansion has prepared a banquet in your honor. Please, grace us with your presence."

From the City Lord's Mansion, more than ten figures soared into the sky, arranging themselves in a welcoming formation.

Leading them, of course, was City Lord Bai Chen, also shrouded in golden light, making it impossible to see his features.

"Thank you for your hospitality, City Lord Bai."

Master Pang Qi's voice was somewhat aged but full of energy, painting a picture of a towering elder in the minds of those who heard him.

He looked down at the vast ancient city below, saying, "The alchemy competition will begin tomorrow. Any young person under twenty who has reached the Yuan Dan Realm may participate."

"You don't need to produce a genuine pill; this is just a test of your talent in this field. If anyone meets the standard, I might take them as my disciple."

After saying this, he flew into the City Lord's Mansion.

Whoosh!!

Minghao City erupted.

Many who had been brimming with confidence now looked disheartened—there were age and cultivation restrictions?!

Meanwhile, others who had little hope before now saw a chance—no prior alchemy knowledge needed, just a test of talent?!

"Hahaha, heaven is on my side!"

"Tomorrow, I will surely take the top spot!"

"With my talent, I'm the undeniable champion. After all, my grandmother always said I was gifted."

"My destiny is mine to control!"

A group of unnamed passersby got all excited, still dreaming of fame and fortune.

"Are you ready?"

Qin Chuan asked his son.

"Mm! Master has taught me the basics of alchemy over the past few days, and I've already managed to produce a Grade One pill!"

Qin Zi said confidently.

He didn't hide the fact that he had a master because, in his mind, hadn't his father long known about his master's existence?

"Just as I thought!"

Qin Chuan's heart tightened slightly. His long-held suspicions were finally confirmed.

There really is an old master in the ring!

However, he was careful to control his expression, not showing any surprise.

He just nodded calmly and asked, "You've already made a pill? Did your master give you the recipe?"

"Mm, it's a recipe my master created himself. It hasn't even been registered with the Alchemist Association yet!"

Qin Zi grinned, happy as could be. "Master said he'd let me register a few recipes with the Alchemist Association. Then, whenever someone uses my recipes to make pills, I'll get half the profit!"

Hearing this, Qin Chuan's face twitched slightly.

In this world, alchemists were incredibly powerful, and those who could create their own recipes were even more so! It's no exaggeration to say that as long as a recipe isn't too shabby, it can set someone up for life.

"Does this mean… in the future, I'll be relying on you to support me? Because right now, your dad is really broke."

Qin Chuan said with a half-smile, looking at his son.

Qin Zi froze for a moment.

Then he cleared his throat. "Ahem… Father, Master said he'll give you a few recipes too—higher-level ones."

"These recipes alone will bring you so much profit every time you visit the Alchemist Association that you'll be rolling in wealth."

Hearing this, Qin Chuan nodded in satisfaction and said, "Thank your master for me. In the future… there will be great rewards."

"Sure thing, Father."

Qin Zi said happily.

Meanwhile, inside the ring, the golden-haired woman blushed deeply, feeling both honored and flustered.

This great man said there would be great rewards in the future! When will that be?

Will it be when his strength is fully restored? What will he be like then?

It's so exciting to think about…

In the future, he will achieve great things!

Mwahaha…