Nonsense! How could my adopted son be a villain?

The alchemists present all looked on with expressions of amusement.

Seeing the conflict between the two, the alchemist who wanted to curry favor with Gongyang Songfeng seized the opportunity to speak up: "This fellow Daoist seems determined to obtain the Shennong Ranking, which is truly admirable. Since we are fortunate to meet today, why don't we take this opportunity to add some prizes to boost morale?"

His suggestion was met with enthusiastic responses from everyone else, who seemed eager to fan the flames and enjoy watching the drama unfold.

Gongyang Songfeng also glanced approvingly at the alchemist who had made the suggestion, and then smiled at Xu Lingguang, saying, "I was thinking the same thing. I really admire Young Master Xu's confidence in making it onto the Shennong List. I just don't know if he's truly hiding his abilities or just talking nonsense. Would you dare to make a bet with us?"

He was clearly trying to provoke Xu Lingguang, but Xu Lingguang wasn't buying it.

Judging from the reactions of Gongyang Songfeng and the others, he guessed that there was probably some information he hadn't figured out yet. Otherwise, Gongyang Songfeng wouldn't be drooling and waiting for him to fight like a hyena that had only smelled the scent.

Losing a bet is fine, but if you lose to Gongyang Songfeng, just thinking about his smug face makes you feel disgusted.

But if he doesn't accept the challenge, Gongyang Songfeng and his group of people probably won't let him off easily.

Just as Xu Lingguang was frowning and pondering whether to accept the challenge, a clear voice suddenly rang in his ears: "There is no need to fear them. The Shennong Ranking is as difficult as ascending to heaven for ordinary alchemists, but you have received the true teachings of Liuzhu and Yuanjiu, so there is nothing to fear."

That was clearly the sound of Lan Jian.

Xu Lingguang suddenly looked down at the bundle in his arms and saw Lan Jian resting his chin on his arm, looking bored, with his two fluffy ears twitching slightly.

Looking at the reactions of the others, it was clear that no one had heard Lan Jian's voice; only he had.

Xu Lingguang's wavering heart settled down in an instant.

Lan Jian, being a Chenghuang, has lived for countless years and has business dealings with Qianjinlou. He must know many alchemists, so his judgment is unlikely to be wrong.

Besides, even if he loses, he's not Gongyang Songfeng; it's just a competition, and he can afford to lose.

The loss of face today can always be regained in the future.

Thinking this, Xu Lingguang felt a surge of fighting spirit. He pursed his lips, his eyes bright as he stared at Gongyang Songfeng and his group, who were waiting to see him make a fool of himself. He curled his lips in utter contempt and said, "Betting isn't out of the question, but what do you have that's worth betting on?"

His eyes shone, and a mocking smile played on his lips, giving him a disdainful look.

Gongyang Songfeng was already intimidated by his status as the second young master of Wenxianju, and now seeing his expression, he was immediately enraged. His blood boiled and his face turned red as he said, "Of course, the second young master wouldn't be interested in ordinary items as prizes. It just so happens that I obtained a bottle of ten-thousand-year-old stone milk..."

He took out a large, narrow-necked glass bottle from his sleeve and showed it to everyone.

The bottle was only about the length of a finger and the thickness of two fingers. Through the semi-transparent bottle, one could see that it contained about half a bottle of milky white liquid. The liquid was as thick as milk, but it had an unusual luster that made it impossible to look away.

The name of this ancient stalactite sounds ordinary, but it is actually extremely rare.

It was obtained from a stalagmite growing on the snow-capped peaks of the far north. The far north is a place that no one dares to easily set foot in, and this kind of stalagmite is even rarer, possibly taking millions of years to grow into one.

To get this much stalagmite, you would need to harvest at least two stalagmites.

This small bottle is of immense value, needless to say. For alchemists, it is an extremely rare and highly sought-after ingredient.

The alchemists' eyes were glued to the bottle, their gazes gleaming with greed.

If Junan City weren't Gongyang family territory, someone might already be tempted to seize the treasure.

Gongyang Songfeng glanced at everyone's expressions, smugly put away the stalactite, and looked at Xu Lingguang with a half-smile: "So? Dare to bet?"

Actually, he hadn't originally planned to use this ancient stalactite as a prize. His father had gone through great lengths to find it, and it was very useful. He just happened to go and retrieve it today.

But perhaps it was Xu Lingguang's gaze that made him feel humiliated, and he took out the stone milk in a fit of anger.

At first, he was a little uneasy, but when he thought of the unknown secrets of the Hundred Refinement Tower, he calmed down. Even if Xu Lingguang was a god, he couldn't win.

All he needs to do is squeeze enough benefits out of Xu Lingguang and then thoroughly humiliate him.

Xu Lingguang hadn't expected him to bet so much. He slightly raised his chin and glanced at Gongyang Songfeng indifferently: "What's there to be afraid of? Tell me how you want to gamble."

"It's good that you dare to accept the challenge."

Gongyang Songfeng narrowed his eyes and said, "Let's bet on your ranking on the Shennong List. I bet you won't even make it onto the Shennong List."

His words made Xu Lingguang even more certain that there was still some information about the Shennong Ranking that he didn't know, but his face remained unmoved: "That's all?"

Seeing his ignorant and fearless demeanor, Gongyang Songfeng chuckled and said, "That's it."

Xu Lingguang nodded: "Deal."

Gongyang Songfeng felt slightly displeased that Xu Lingguang had agreed so easily, but he didn't think Xu Lingguang would win. He simply chuckled and crossed his arms, saying, "Since the Second Young Master has accepted the challenge, what's your prize?"

He curled his lip sarcastically: "I can't possibly offer this ancient stalactite as a prize, and yet the dignified Second Young Master of Wenxianju doesn't contribute anything, can I?"

Do you think there's such a thing as a bet where you can only win and never lose?

Gongyang Songfeng turned to look at the others, a helpless expression on his face: "Although my Gongyang family is large and powerful, we never want to be taken advantage of."

"Yes, yes, what is Young Master Xu's prize?"

“This betting game is really interesting. I’d like to place some bets too, but I can’t beat Brother Gongyang.”

With everyone talking at once, each offering their own stakes, all betting that Xu Lingguang would not make it onto the Shennong List.

Despite being stared at with schadenfreude by a group of people, Xu Lingguang didn't seem flustered. After a moment's thought, he took out a pill furnace.

"Is the Sun Furnace of Emperor Danhuang Liuzhu inferior to your Ten-Thousand-Year Stone Milk?"

The Xi Ri Furnace has been repaired by Lan Jian. It is no longer dull and lifeless when it was first bought. The furnace body has a soft glow and a subtle charm that is the elixir left by its former owner.

Alchemists are numerous on the Shangyang Continent, but very few can become Alchemy Emperors.

Many alchemists spend their entire lives without ever catching a glimpse of the Alchemy Emperor's essence. Such an alchemy furnace, which retains the essence of the Alchemy Emperor, is a treasure that even high-level alchemists would covet.

Even Gongyang Songfeng, who came from the Gongyang family, had never come into contact with any items related to the Danhuang.

The Gongyang family did have a few old items from the Dan Emperor, but they were all sealed away tightly, so even as the son of the family head, he had no chance to see them.

As expected of Qianjinlou, they even took the alchemy furnace of the Pill Emperor without hesitation.

A burning jealousy rose in Gongyang Songfeng's heart, and his expression became greedy. If he could win back the Sun Furnace, he could not only humiliate Xu Lingguang to vent his anger, but also use the Sun Furnace to curry favor with his father.

This would also save those old fogies from having any complaints about him inheriting the Gongyang family name.

"Okay, then it's settled."

Gongyang Songfeng smiled sinisterly: "For such a large bet, words are not enough. How about we form a contract as proof?"

How do I form a bond?

Gongyang Songfeng took out a contract, his eyes flashing with a determined ruthlessness: "A contract of life and death. Once the contract is signed, if I fail to fulfill it, I will die and my soul will perish."