C111 Come Out!

Zhang Chen let out a shout, his eyes blazing with fury, yet he was powerless to act.

Both he and Wu Mengna were ranked on the prestigious Strong List.

The distinction lay in their positions: Wu Mengna at thirtieth, and Zhang Chen at twenty-third.

Despite his higher standing, his true strength languished at the bottom of the list, even falling short of Wu Mengna's.

His rank was owed to his status as a disciple of the Pill Refining Hall's Master and his prodigious talent in alchemy. These factors secured his unchallenged twenty-third spot.

Being an elite disciple was a mark of distinction.

Once Wu Mengna placed her bid, the rest of the Inner Sect disciples withdrew, unwilling to compete.

Zhang Chen conducted his pill refining in full view, seeking both attention and a higher selling price.

But Wu Mengna's arrival threw a wrench into his plans.

A First Pattern Spirit Gathering Pill typically fetched 20,000 contribution points.

With competitive bidding, it could soar to 25,000 or beyond.

Yet, Wu Mengna intended to use her status as an elite disciple to snap up the pill for just 15,000 contribution points.

After all his painstaking efforts, Zhang Chen stood to earn little and actually incur a loss.

And this wasn't the first time Wu Mengna had resorted to such tactics.

How could he not be incensed?

But his strength was insufficient.

Moreover, his master rarely intervened in the squabbles of juniors.

Wu Mengna, too, had her own powerful support.

Zhang Chen was truly at a loss to counter her.

"Indeed, it's me!" Wu Mengna said with a cold laugh, continuing unabated.

"The bidding's over. Hand over the Spirit Gathering Pill."

"Today's my lucky day. To think I'd snag a First Pattern Spirit Gathering Pill!"

Many disciples seethed at the scene, yet none dared voice their anger.

"Wu Mengna, don't push it!" Zhang Chen barked.

"I haven't crossed any lines. These are the Pill Refining Hall's rules, and I've followed them to the letter," Wu Mengna retorted with a cunning smile.

"Just give me the Spirit Gathering Pill. As a Pill Refining Hall disciple, you wouldn't break the rules, would you?"

Zhang Chen fixed Wu Mengna with an icy stare, his jaw clenched in determination. Despite the tension, he proceeded to offer the jade bottle.

Suddenly, a voice laced with mockery cut through the air.

"I'll offer 20,000 contribution points!"

All eyes swiftly turned to the speaker, murmurs rippling through the crowd.

"Who is this guy? He looks like a stranger!"

"I'm not sure, but he's asking for trouble by crossing Wu Mengna!"

"Indeed. Not only is Wu Mengna ranked 30th on the Strong List, but her brother Wu Jie is the 9th. The Sect Seniors hold him in high regard—he's likely to be promoted to a Core Disciple soon!"

"The last person who crossed Wu Mengna ended up crippled by Wu Jie's men, bedridden for six months. What fate awaits this one?"

"He's done for, that's for sure."

The buzz of conversation grew, though kept to a hushed tone.

Everyone seemed to agree: Lin Xuan's days were numbered.

Expressions of pity, regret, and smirks spread across their faces.

Wu Mengna turned her attention to Lin Xuan, sensing his presence—clearly weaker than hers. He appeared not even to have reached the Condensation Spin Stage, and her eyes showed nothing but contempt.

"Are you certain you want to oppose me?"

"Isn't it the Pill Refining Hall's policy? The highest bid wins. Are you suggesting we break the rules?"

The defiant response came from Lin Xuan, who let out a derisive chuckle.

"Excellent!"

Wu Mengna's face clouded over at Lin Xuan's retort.

"Do you recognize this token?"

"You might be a mere ordinary disciple, unfamiliar with me, but surely you recognize this token, right? I'm giving you one final opportunity. Bow and apologize now, and I'll spare you today."

"Otherwise, you're doomed!"

With that, Wu Mengna produced a black token edged in silver—her Strong List Token.

"Wu Mengna, don't be hard on him. I'll sell you the Spirit Gathering Pill!" Zhang Chen interjected with a frosty shout.

"I'll overlook this incident. I'm taking the Spirit Gathering Pill for 10,000 contribution points!"

Wu Mengna let out a mocking laugh.

"Don't be a bully, Wu Mengna!"

Zhang Chen spoke through clenched teeth.

He hadn't earned any contribution points, and to make matters worse, he'd lost some materials.

"If you're not interested, then let's drop it."

Wu Mengna's indifferent tone was accompanied by a more pronounced sneer on her face.

Zhang Chen's expression shifted, and he seemed on the verge of acquiescence.

It was then that Lin Xuan interjected once more.

"Mr. Zhang, there's no need to worry. She can't touch me!"

Lin Xuan declared with a cool smile.

"I possess a token even mightier than yours!"

With that, Lin Xuan flipped his right hand, revealing a token.

It closely resembled Wu Mengna's, yet the number inscribed on it was different – '28.'

The crowd fell silent at the sight of the Strong List Token in Lin Xuan's hand, their eyes wide with disbelief.

A flurry of intense discussion followed.

"Is that really a Strong List Token, or could it be a fake? I don't recall anyone by that name on the Strong List."

"Ridiculous! It has to be real! Who in the sect would dare to counterfeit a Strong List Token? Besides, that aura of authority can't be faked!"

"Isn't the twenty-eighth rank held by Senior Brother Hu Yuanhua? How did this guy get his token?"

"I'm just as puzzled. Maybe he defeated Hu Yuanhua in a challenge? The Strong List does have a rule that if you defeat an elite disciple, you claim their token."

"True, that rule exists, but it's practically obsolete, isn't it? Have you ever seen an Inner Sect disciple successfully challenge and defeat a Strong List Senior Brother?"

"But that's the only plausible explanation, right? Unless Senior Brother Hu gave it to him willingly?"

"That would be even more absurd!"

The disciples' discussions were filled with incredulity as they stared at Lin Xuan, unable to fathom how this newcomer came to possess a Strong List Token.

When Wu Mengna caught sight of the Strong List Token in Lin Xuan's hand, a hint of apprehension flickered in her eyes, and she scoffed:

"Who are you, and how did you come by that Strong List Token?"

"The sect rules clearly state that only elite disciples are entitled to hold a Strong List Token. The reason I have this token should be obvious, shouldn't it?"

"And who might I be?" Lin Xuan said with a sneer. "I am Lin Xuan. Does that name ring any bells for you?"

"Lin Xuan?" Wu Mengna's expression froze, momentarily at a loss for words.

But then, with a look of sheer incredulity, she turned to Lin Xuan, her eyes wide with astonishment, and blurted out, "The same Lin Xuan who's been with the sect for just over a month?"

"Unless there's another Lin Xuan I'm not aware of, then yes, I'm the one you're referring to," Lin Xuan responded icily.

A hush fell over the onlookers. Their eyes grew wide as they gazed at Lin Xuan, a mix of fear and disbelief written across their faces.

"This can't be happening!" Wu Mengna murmured to herself, her voice tinged with disbelief at the revelation.

Even Zhang Chen, standing behind the pill furnace a short distance away, was rooted to the spot in shock.