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**
As Cao Ying saw the scene before her, that enchanting and delicate face of hers curved into a teasing smile.
"This little girl is so shy she doesn't even dare come to ask me for her gift."
At the side, Lin Feng couldn't help but laugh and shake his head when he saw Dan Chen's bashful expression. Judging by that look, it seemed this girl didn't oppose the marriage.
At this moment, Cao Ying shifted her attention toward Lin Feng, the corners of her pink lips curling playfully.
"Oh? Our great Master Lin Feng, staring so intently at Sister Dan Chen—are you that eager to marry her already?"
"You know, woman, you're perfect in every way—except you were born with a mouth."
Seeing her focus switch to him, Lin Feng turned his head toward her, his eyes glancing over those moist, rosy lips, and said regretfully.
Hearing that, Cao Ying immediately flared up in mock anger.
"Hey! What kind of man talks to a girl like that?"
"Just being honest."
Lin Feng waved his hand casually. Then, he reached into his robe and took out a simple-looking storage ring, tossing it to Cao Ying.
As it landed in her hand, he explained, "Inside are a few golden puppets, and three rare pills that can enhance soul power."
The moment she heard it contained the puppets she wanted, as well as those mysterious pills capable of strengthening the soul, Cao Ying's beautiful eyes instantly lit up in surprise.
"I didn't think there were actually pills on the Dou Qi Continent that could boost soul power. I've never even seen one before!"
As she spoke, she immediately wanted to take one out to examine.
After all, for alchemists like her, seeing a pill they've never encountered before was like having thousands of little cats scratching at their hearts—it was impossible to resist. Naturally, she wanted to study it carefully.
"The main ingredient of that pill is a soul bodies. Of course, you haven't seen it before," Lin Feng muttered silently to himself, before quickly stopping her hand just as she was about to take out the pill.
Under her puzzled gaze, he explained softly, "There are too many people around right now. Wait until you're somewhere safe before you take it out."
Hearing that, Cao Ying's crimson eyes swept around the area.
Only then did she realize she'd been too eager to see the pill and completely forgotten she was still in the middle of the Pill Gathering. Letting out a small, scented sigh, she reluctantly pressed down her curiosity and tucked the ring away in her robes.
"Whoosh~"
Just then, the gray spatial portal ahead rippled once more. A dozen figures shot out in succession, landing upon the spacious clearing.
"Xin Lan!"
Spotting a graceful figure in light-blue attire among them, Lin Feng immediately waved and called out.
"Husband."
When she saw him, a bright smile bloomed on Ye Xin Lan's breathtakingly beautiful face. With a light leap, her lithe, graceful body swept through the air and landed softly not far from Lin Feng.
"The second round hasn't started yet. Let's wait a bit first," Lin Feng said with a gentle smile as he reached out to stroke her silky blue hair.
"Mm."
Hearing that, Ye Xin Lan nodded slightly, then picked a clear spot and sat down cross-legged.
"Hmph~"
When Dan Chen saw Lin Feng stroking another woman's hair, her small mouth immediately pouted, her heart filled with displeasure.
This guy not only forgot her gift, but even left her standing off to the side.
"Chen'er, don't be upset. Your gift isn't something that can be shown off here. When it's just the two of us later, I'll give it to you," Lin Feng said softly beside her ear, noticing her mood.
"Really?"
Her beautiful eyes instantly brightened, her voice full of surprise.
"Of course. How could I ever forget my lovely Chen'er?"
Just as Lin Feng was comforting his soon-to-be fiancée, the gray spatial portal ahead began to ripple once again, and another large group of people emerged.
Among them was a man wearing a black alchemist robe, a peak seventh-tier alchemist badge gleaming on his chest. As soon as he landed, his eyes swept around.
When he spotted Cao Ying sitting close beside Lin Feng, the man's gaze instantly flashed with a surge of killing intent.
Since childhood, he had displayed extraordinary talent in alchemy and was taken in as a disciple by one of the Outer Pill Tower's Grand Elders.
It was during that time that he met the brilliant and stunning Cao Ying. From the very moment he laid eyes on her, he had made up his mind to marry this woman—beautiful, powerful, and talented.
Since, at that time within the Pill Tower, aside from the female alchemist Dan Chen, there was no other genius comparable to him, Song Qing naturally believed that only he and Cao Ying were a perfect match.
From then on, he had regarded Cao Ying as his future wife. But now, the woman he considered his own was sitting so close to another man—Lin Feng!
In an instant, he felt the burning humiliation of a husband being betrayed.
"Damn you, Lin Feng," Song Qing fumed inwardly, his heart seething with rage. "How dare you flirt with Cao Ying right under everyone's noses? You'd better pray I don't get the chance, or you'll regret it!"
"And you, Cao Ying, you slut! You always act so cold and distant toward me, yet the moment you see another man with stronger talent, you go off and shamelessly seduce him while I'm not around! Once you marry into the Song Clan, I'll make sure you pay for this!"
Song Qing's teeth ground together audibly as vicious thoughts swirled in his heart.
But then he remembered—Lin Feng was now an eighth-tier alchemist and at least a Half-Step Dou Zun level powerhouse. With Song Qing's strength as only a peak seventh-tier alchemist and a Seven-Star Dou Zong, he didn't stand a chance.
So, swallowing his fury, he turned away and began walking toward the other contestants—clearly preparing to gather allies.
Meanwhile, just as he started recruiting people, the Elder who had been sitting near the entrance to the Pill Realm, seemingly dozing this whole time, suddenly opened his eyes.
His dim gaze swept across the crowd before he spoke weakly, "Time's about up. From this moment on, you may enter the Pill Realm. But before you go in, each of you must come to me to receive a mission list, a map of the Pill Realm, and a space stone."
He paused for a brief moment before continuing.
"In the list are the medicinal ingredients you are required to find inside. Only by collecting every listed herb will you be considered to have successfully passed this round."
"As for the map, I don't need to explain much. The locations of the Pill Realm's exits are clearly marked. Once you've gathered all your ingredients, head to the marked exit to submit your task."
"The space stone is a life-saving item. If you encounter a situation where your life is in danger, just crush the space stone, and you will be automatically transported out of the Pill Realm. However, anyone who uses it will immediately lose their qualification to continue the competition. Understood?"
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