23: The Gamble of the Immortal Family

With an arrogant expression, Lu Chen walked in with his hands behind his back, the four youthful-looking young people behind him not bothering to hide the pride on their Faces.

As an Immortal Family, they had sufficient capital to be proud.

Lu Chen walked to the front without reservation, cast a sharp glance at the Lin Family's area, sneered, and turned to sit in the area belonging to the Lu Family.

"The Lin Family is getting worse with each generation."

As soon as he sat down, Lu Chen spoke snarkily.

Lin Zhishou's expression darkened, and he retorted without hesitation: "That's still better than the Lu Family, which doesn't even have a First-Order Top-Grade Alchemist."

"So what?" Lu Chen sat in his chair, chin lifted, looking at him with disdain: "Within fifty years, my Lu Family will still rank in the top two among the Immortal Families. As for you all?"

Speaking of this, Lu Chen suddenly revealed a mocking smile: "I heard you've fallen so far that you have to trick a Matrilocal Son-in-law to cultivate the next generation, hahaha."

These words caused a commotion among the other Alchemists below.

Recruiting a Matrilocal Son-in-law is a very normal thing, but they were hearing about tricking one for the first time.

Lin Zhishou's aged Face was full of anger; he stared fixedly at the other party, about to erupt.

"The Family Head has arrived!"

Just at this moment, a loud voice rang out.

Everyone, without exception, stood up. Even Lu Chen appeared very respectful.

Outside the door, an old man wearing brocade robes with eyes like torches walked in slowly.

He exuded an extraordinary aura, his bearing was leisurely, and every gesture revealed a superior majesty.

When he appeared, everyone present bowed slightly to show their respect.

The Li Family Head, Li Shuntian, arrived at the head seat in the front, scanned the crowd, and smiled: "Welcome everyone to this Spirit Pill Gathering. Please, everyone, take your seats."

Everyone took their seats.

Subsequently, a middle-aged man walked to the center.

He was the host of this Spirit Pill Gathering and also Li Shuntian's eldest son, Li Zehou.

Following the usual custom, Li Zehou first gave an opening statement, while not forgetting to butter up the Azure Origin Sect.

Immediately after, he began to explain the proceedings of this Spirit Pill Gathering.

Every year, the Spirit Pill Gathering lasts for two days, consisting of a written test and a combat test.

The content of the two duels is decided by the Azure Origin Sect.

The Alchemists sitting below all had serious expressions.

This was their only chance to leap over the Dragon Gate, so they appeared exceptionally focused.

Zhou Luo was also experiencing the Spirit Pill Gathering for the first time, so he was listening just as intently.

However, the disciples of the other Immortal Families appeared very relaxed, as if victory was already in their grasp.

Today is the first day, so it is the time for the written test.

However, the competition will begin in the afternoon, and during this interval, those present can exchange ideas and discuss.

After all, the Spirit Pill Gathering is held only once a year, and those who come are Cultivators with talent in Alchemy; most people would not miss this opportunity for exchange.

Only the disciples of the Immortal Families remained unmoved.

"The Lin Family only brought two juniors this time; it seems you intend to give up on entering the Immortal Sect to study."

Lu Chen looked at Lin Zhishou opposite him with a cryptic smile.

The Lu and Lin Families have been mortal enemies for hundreds of years; if there is an opportunity to suppress the other side, both sides will certainly not let it pass.

Facing the mockery, Lin Zhishou said indifferently: "Since when did the Lu Family become so meddlesome?"

"I'm worried that you, old man, will lose so badly that you'll lose Face. I think you might as well just give up." Lu Chen said, leaning back against his chair.

"Hmph, can having more people guarantee qualification?" Lin Zhishou retorted.

Lu Chen chuckled: "Then shall we make a wager? Let's bet on this Magical Artifact."

As he spoke, he casually flipped his hand, and a silver-white precious sword appeared in his palm, with a golden Spirit Stone embedded in the hilt.

Zhou Luo looked at that Magical Artifact, his mind stirred slightly.

This was a genuine Magical Artifact. Although it required the Qi Refining Fifth Layer or higher to activate, it would definitely fetch a good price if sold for money.

The people from the other Immortal Families were also slightly startled.

They didn't expect that this Lu Family would actually dare to use that Magical Artifact as a wager.

Lin Zhishou looked at that Magical Artifact in silence.

He knew very well that if the other party dared to bring out a Magical Artifact, they must be confident of winning, so he dared not agree easily.

And Lu Chen seemed to see through his thoughts, saying confidently: "How about this? Don't say that my Lu Family is bullying your Lin Family. We won't compare Alchemy; we'll just compare the written test this afternoon."

"If your Lin Family can surpass our Lu Family in the written test, this precious sword will belong to you."

Lu Chen's voice was calm yet filled with power, and with the reinforcement of Spiritual Qi, it landed in everyone's ears.

Everyone stopped their discussions and looked toward the front in astonishment.

Lin Zhishou frowned tightly.

This move by the Lu Family was an open scheme.

If he refused, this matter would inevitably spread throughout the entire Fire Cloud Country, causing a huge blow to the Lin Family's reputation.

But if he accepted, could the Lin Family really win against them?

Lin Zhishou couldn't help but look at Lin Nian beside him, only to find that this kid was actually lowering his head, not knowing what he was thinking.

Looking at Zhou Luo again, he saw that he was actually looking at the opposite side with bright eyes, his Face calm as water.

"Is the Lin Family afraid?" Lu Chen applied pressure again.

Lin Zhishou gritted his teeth, knowing he couldn't avoid it, and immediately took a bottle of Medicinal Pill from his bosom and placed it on the table: "Fine, my Lin Family will bet with you."

"This is a bottle of Wind-Walking Pills, enough to trade for that Magical Artifact of yours."

Wind-Walking Pills, a First-Order Top-Grade Spirit Pill, have great benefits for Cultivators with Wind-attribute Spiritual Roots; after consumption, it can nourish the Spiritual Root and simultaneously significantly increase one's speed.

"Good, let's just ask the Li Family Head to witness it." Lu Chen looked confident.

Li Shuntian narrowed his eyes and smiled indifferently: "Of course."

The Lu and Lin Families would compete against each other and make wagers every year during various skill selections, but this was the first time the two families had brought out such important treasures.

It couldn't help but make everyone feel a bit surprised.

However, this was just a small interlude; for everyone, the written test in the afternoon was the top priority.

The Lin Family area.

Lin Zhishou looked at Zhou Luo and Lin Nian with a grave expression, his tone serious: "Do you have confidence in the written test this afternoon?"

"Grandpa Shou, I..." Lin Nian looked embarrassed.

"Uncle Shou, if we win, will there be a reward?" At this moment, Zhou Luo suddenly asked curiously.

"If you can step on the Lu Family, are you afraid the Family won't reward you?" Lin Zhishou said.

"I understand." Zhou Luo said no more.

Lin Zhishou then tossed an ancient Alchemy book to the two of them: "Read more, don't lose Face for the Lin Family."

...

In the afternoon, after the Li Family servants cleared away the Spirit Food from everyone's tables, several Cultivators with profound cultivation levels entered to prevent anyone from cheating.

After everything was arranged properly, the written test officially began.

The so-called written test is actually testing everyone's understanding of Alchemy.

Of course, it also includes various Alchemy techniques, or Alchemy methods and the medicinal herbs required for a certain Medicinal Pill.

These theoretical knowledge points best reflect an Alchemist's basic ability.

Zhou Luo sat in front of the wooden table, looking at the special white paper that had been distributed.

When his gaze landed on it, the white paper gave off a faint spiritual light, and immediately after, questions appeared one by one.

After glancing over them roughly, he discovered that these questions were, without surprise, all within the scope of a First-Order Alchemist, and he felt confident in his heart.

After all, he had obtained all the knowledge of a First-Order Alchemist.

To him, this exam was no different from an open-book test.

Picking up the brush, he began to answer the questions seriously.