At this moment, everyone's attitude towards Ding Fan had taken a complete 180-degree turn. The previous disdainful looks had turned red with embarrassment, as the medicine pill refined by Ding Fan had severely slapped their faces. Such an excellent young alchemist, whom they had previously dismissed as a troublemaker in the Great Alchemy Competition!

In the hearts of everyone, they were obviously very impressed with Ding Fan, as not just anyone could refine a Supreme Quality Medicine Pill!

At this moment, He Qianyao observed the scene around her, feeling a strong sense of disdain, yet also extremely happy for Ding Fan, and she was quite shocked. Clearly, she did not expect Ding Fan to refine a Grade Nine Medicine Pill!

This was simply unbelievable!

Ding Fan had never refined a medicine pill in front of her before, yet his first refinement resulted in a Supreme Quality Medicine Pill. How could she not be shocked! He Qianyao knew that Ding Fan's alchemy skills were formidable, given Master Nanyang's attitude towards Ding Fan, she knew he must be a very skilled alchemist.

But never did she imagine Ding Fan would be this formidable, creating a Supreme Quality Medicine Pill right off the bat! That's almost defying the heavens!

It wasn't just He Qianyao who was shocked; Sun Hua, in the VIP booth, was also astonished upon witnessing the scene. He obviously did not expect the other party's refined pill to be a Supreme Quality Medicine Pill. This was incredible! For a moment, Sun Hua's anger and recklessness subsided significantly. He understood that if the other party truly was an alchemic genius, it wouldn't be so easy to seize his pill.

After all, given that the other party had refined a Supreme Quality Medicine Pill, even though Sun Hua was not an alchemist, he was well aware of the pill's value and had heard that the pill recipe in this Great Alchemy Competition was an ancient one, further emphasizing the pill's tremendous value.

At this moment, a middle-aged man beside Sun Hua noticed Sun Hua's furrowed brows. Clearly, he had also seen Ding Fan's display. Considering that the other party had refined a Supreme Quality Medicine Pill, it was evident that not only would they not be expelled from the Great Alchemy Competition, but they would likely receive considerable attention, making it difficult to execute their plans.

The middle-aged man then looked at Sun Hua with some resentment, yet respectfully said:

"Young Master, what should we do now? We can't let that boy take advantage!"

Hearing the middle-aged man's words, Sun Hua's face showed a hint of malice, and his brows furrowed as he coldly replied:

"Don't worry, for those who don't respect Sun Hua, they will eventually end up dead! I will go see my father!"

After finishing, Sun Hua swiftly turned around and stormed out of the room.

The middle-aged man watched Sun Hua leave, his heart filled with dark malice. It was clear he already harbored deep hatred towards Ding Fan for being publicly humiliated and unable to retaliate. If this matter wasn't resolved, it could even affect his future cultivation, something the middle-aged man absolutely couldn't accept.

...

Currently, in a very spacious VIP booth, several elders sat solemnly at a long wooden table, all gazing at the scene outside at the Great Alchemy Competition, specifically focusing on Ding Fan's direction, discussing animatedly.

An elder sitting in the center, dressed in luxurious satin, with a vibrant complexion, despite his age, still had child-like features and high spirits, indicative of his powerful abilities. His kind appearance exuded warmth, yet commanded respect. This benevolent elder was Zhao He, the City Lord of Dancheng.

Nearby Zhao He, several elders, obviously some managers and elders from the City Lord Mansion, were conversing incessantly, frequently mentioning "that young man!" and "genius", clearly referring to Ding Fan. The Supreme Quality Medicine Pill refined by Ding Fan had astounded them greatly.

In all of the City Lord Mansion, there wasn't a single one who could refine this Grade Nine "Returning Dragon Pill", yet such a young alchemist managed to complete the refinement in less than half an hour. How could they not be shocked!

"City Lord, this young man seems to be a genius unseen in a hundred years, look, even Elder Wang is very appreciative of him, clearly, such a genius is a true prodigy!"

"This year's Great Alchemy Competition, hosted by our Dancheng, is the luckiest we've ever held, for we've discovered such a world-class genius!"

"Indeed, it's strange! We had never heard of or seen this individual before!"

"Exactly! Such an outstanding young alchemist should be very famous locally or be a disciple of some renowned master, but there haven't been any such reports, and the person is rather mysterious!"

"Seems like this young man is just modest, clearly not showing off, which indicates his great character!"

"Exactly! Exactly!"

...

For a time, several elders in the VIP booth chatted enthusiastically beside Zhao He, evidently very pleased and impressed with Ding Fan. Clearly, such an exceptional genius alchemist was a rare find!

"Indeed, it's quite remarkable. Once the first round of the Great Alchemy Competition is over, let's gather and discuss. I have some ideas."

At this moment, Elder Zhao He heard the elderly man's words around him and couldn't help but smile in response. Clearly, he had some thoughts related to Ding Fan.

The elders around, upon hearing the City Lord's words, nodded in agreement with smiles, fully aware that encountering such an extraordinary alchemic genius, the City Lord would surely take action rather than passively observe. Clearly, the City Lord would make some moves, and the elders could guess that these actions would likely involve finding ways to recruit such an alchemic genius.

However, among the elders, one had a notably stiff smile despite trying to maintain it. This elder was the Vice City Lord closest to Elder Zhao He—Sun Long. His expression was visibly different from the others, showing he had some opinions about Ding Fan's performance.

Of course, the group didn't notice this elder as he concealed it well, and no one discovered it.

Suddenly, a young man entered the room. Initially, his face was filled with seriousness and displeasure. However, upon entering, he immediately put on a very joyful and respectful facade, remarkably similar to Sun Long's way.

This young man was Sun Long's son, Sun Hua.

"Greetings, City Lord and uncles!"

Sun Hua entered the room, showing great respect as he greeted Zhao He and several elders. Upon seeing Sun Hua, Zhao He and the others nodded without saying much, as they all knew Sun Hua despite his notorious extravagant and indulgent lifestyle. Yet, out of regard for the Vice City Lord, they responded with a polite smile.

"Father, I need to talk to you about something."

Sun Hua whispered to Sun Long, obviously not wanting the others to know.

Upon hearing his son's words, Sun Long looked at Sun Hua with a somewhat stern expression. Sun Long understood well that this was a session ordered by the City Lord to view the Great Alchemy Competition, and his son chose such an inconvenient moment to approach him. Clearly annoyed with Sun Hua, he considered blaming him, but observing the son's furrowed brows, it seemed genuinely important. Subsequently, Sun Long spoke respectfully to Elder Zhao He:

"City Lord, I'll step out briefly and return soon."

"Go ahead."

Elder Zhao He glanced at Sun Long lightly and responded nonchalantly.

Sun Long then left the room with Sun Hua, heading to another private guest room, which was quiet, unoccupied, and quite discreet.

"Father, you must avenge me! In Dancheng, there is someone who disrespected your son openly by attacking my subordinates. What should we do?"

Sun Hua spoke with a sense of grievance, even somewhat whiny, knowing that typically his father was very protective. Though his father was strategic-minded, when it came to him, it was undeniable. If someone dared to bully him, Sun Hua believed his father would immediately send someone to obliterate that impostor!

Sun Long, upon hearing Sun Hua's grievance, appeared somewhat helpless. Clearly, he was at a loss with his son's antics and impatiently remarked:

"For such a trivial matter, you don't need to come to me! Go home later and ask Steward Guan to handle it; stop disturbing me!"

Upon hearing his father's words, Sun Hua's heart filled with joy, perceiving his father's decision matched his expectations. He knew Steward Guan's capabilities, a Cultivator in the Spirit Severing stage, ensuring almost any situation could be resolved.

However, Sun Hua realized even with Steward Guan's involvement, dealing with Ding Fan was somewhat tricky, as the opponent was still engaged in the Great Alchemy Competition and wouldn't conclude anytime soon. His visit to his father was precisely for this reason, and Sun Hua, feigning slight pity, told Sun Long:

"Father, but the fellow is continually involved in the Great Alchemy Competition, leaving us unable to make a move."

Sun Long sighed upon hearing Sun Hua's words and then scolded him:

"Are you useless? Just tell me who he is, and I'll find a chance to get him eliminated! It doesn't fit my style at all!"

Upon hearing his father's reprimand, even though it was a scolding, Sun Hua felt immensely proud, knowing his father would assist him. Sun Hua then pointed out towards Ding Fan's direction in the Great Alchemy Competition venue through the floor-to-ceiling glass in the room.

Sun Long impatiently looked towards where Sun Hua pointed, clearly indifferent. He couldn't understand what was wrong with his son; failing to settle just a participant alchemist—how unlike him! To know, in Dancheng, there's no one beyond his capabilities. If anyone dared to offend them, their only fate would be death!