Mu Qianjue’s words made Chen Liu furious.
A Purple Pole Crimson Flame Stone overpowering his strange fire was one thing, but to think it could suppress Master Baili’s strange fire—that was nothing but a fool’s dream.
Chen Liu pointed at the Purple Pole Crimson Flame Stone and said loudly, “Our Master Baili’s strange fire is the Heaven-and-Earth Crimson Flame, ranked fifty-third. You light a Purple Pole Crimson Flame Stone, and it suppresses Master Baili’s strange fire? Where’s the logic in saying your strange fire is too high-grade?”
Mu Qianjue’s lips curved slightly, smiling with unrestrained flair. “Then you’ll have to ask your master about that. Who knows, maybe there’s something wrong with his strange fire?”
Mu Qianjue’s arrogant attitude drew a look of appreciation from Yun Hai.
Yun Hai was about to stand up and applaud Mu Qianjue. This young man really had guts—he even dared to talk back to Master Baili.
Baili Kesheng’s captivating eyes turned somber as he met Mu Qianjue’s handsome peach-blossom gaze.
Baili Kesheng’s aura was cold and heavy. He could sense that Mu Qianjue truly did possess a strange fire, and that this strange fire’s level was far higher than his own.
Over the years, he had gone to great lengths and had only found the Heaven-and-Earth Crimson Flame.
Now that a better strange fire was right before his eyes, Baili Kesheng naturally harbored ulterior motives.
After all, a fine horse deserves a fine saddle.
Only in his hands could a high-tier strange fire unleash its greatest potential.
Baili Kesheng decided to let Chen Liu make a scene until Mu Qianjue voluntarily revealed his strange fire.
Otherwise, with Mu Qianjue constantly using the Purple Pole Crimson Flame Stone to mask his strange fire’s aura, it would be very difficult for him to determine Mu Qianjue’s strange fire level.
As for Chen Liu, when he heard that Mu Qianjue actually dared to insult Baili Kesheng, he was secretly delighted. Offending Baili Kesheng meant Mu Qianjue’s end would surely be miserable.
Chen Liu’s attitude grew even more brazen. “Our Master Baili’s strange fire is known to all—the Heaven-and-Earth Crimson Flame, incredibly powerful, absolutely without problems. But you still haven’t explained clearly why the Purple Pole Crimson Flame Stone can burn!”
“Whoosh! I fanned it a bit, and it lit up. Can’t you see?” Mu Qianjue’s eyes dripped with mockery.
Chen Liu felt as if he was being toyed with, but he still suppressed his anger and said, “Mu Qianjue, who are you trying to fool! It’s come to this—is it really so hard to admit you cheated?”
“Do you have proof?” Mu Qianjue, dressed in luxurious brocade, every gesture radiating noble elegance and scholarly charm.
Chen Liu looked at the extraordinarily handsome Mu Qianjue with a hint of jealousy. “Proof? My flame going out is the proof! Hurry up and confess—what kind of despicable tricks did you use?”
A flicker of sarcasm passed through Mu Qianjue’s peach-blossom eyes. “Your own strange fire is too weak, and you blame your opponent’s strange fire for being strong. What a joke.”
Chen Liu: …
Damn it!
He’d met his match. This guy Mu Qianjue was completely impervious to reason. He needed to think carefully before replying.
“Mu Qianjue, are you saying your strange fire is very powerful?” Chen Liu’s rationality returned somewhat.
“That’s right. My strange fire is naturally powerful—otherwise, you should be almost done forming your pill by now, shouldn’t you?” Mu Qianjue deliberately stepped on Chen Liu’s sore spot.
Instantly, a surge of anger rushed to Chen Liu’s head. “Your strange fire is powerful!? Do you even have a strange fire? From beginning to end, I haven’t seen you show any strange fire! You still have the nerve to say your strange fire is powerful—how do you prove it?”
Chen Liu was truly on the verge of passing out from rage. He deeply regretted arguing with Mu Qianjue. If Baili Kesheng hadn’t been there, Chen Liu would have already rushed over to strangle Mu Qianjue.
“Oh.” Mu Qianjue gave a faint, indifferent “oh,” then said lightly, “Why should I prove it? You’re not even worthy of seeing my strange fire.”
Chen Liu: He completely didn’t want to speak anymore!
Mu Qianjue was the real king of sharp tongues!
Qingyun Prefecture had sent Mu Qianjue onto the stage just to mess with his mind, hadn’t they?
The people in the audience had been listening with great interest to the two of them bickering, but when Chen Liu fell silent, they felt a bit disappointed and hoped Chen Liu would speak up again.
The two judges seemed to snap back to reality at this moment, surprise flashing through their eyes. The argument was over just like that?
What were they supposed to do?
After all, the strange fire that had been extinguished belonged to Master Baili. One wrong move, and not only would Master Baili lose face, but Haoling Prefecture might become a laughingstock.
When that happened, Master Baili would surely resent them, and their status in the alchemy world would be in jeopardy!
The two judges wore troubled expressions, hoping Chen Liu would say a few more words to buy them time to think.
But Chen Liu seemed to have been rendered speechless by Mu Qianjue.
The two judges turned to Yun Hai. “Lord Yun Hai, how do you think this matter should be handled?”
“I’m not a judge. Cheating isn’t under my jurisdiction. You two can think it over carefully—I believe in you.” Yun Hai’s tone carried a hint of schadenfreude.
The two judges’ expressions stiffened. They could only cautiously look toward Baili Kesheng.
Baili Kesheng was staring at Mu Qianjue with a half-smile, not even sparing the two judges a glance.
The two judges exchanged a look, and one of them spoke up. “Mu Qianjue, you are only an outside helper for Qingyun Prefecture. You may not interfere with the contestants’ pill refining. You cannot stand by the bellows.”
“Judges, I haven’t interfered with anyone. Besides, Master Baili is also standing by the bellows. People really shouldn’t be so double-standard.” Mu Qianjue’s words dripped with sarcasm.
