At this moment, Ding Fan heard the elder's words and then said calmly:

"Ding Lin"

Ding Fan knew very well that he couldn't reveal his real name now. After all, the matters concerning the Wild Wolf Gang were still unclear, and he didn't know if Dancheng's City Lord Mansion had any connection with the Wild Wolf Gang. If he disclosed his true name.

Moreover, if the Wild Wolf Gang had already colluded with Dancheng's City Lord Mansion, then the subsequent situation in this Great Alchemy Competition clearly wouldn't proceed smoothly.

Additionally, there was already definite suspicion that people from the Wild Wolf Gang were present in Dancheng during this crucial day of the Great Alchemy Competition. Ding Fan believed that if he exposed his real identity, the cultivators from the Wild Wolf Gang would immediately receive the news.

Elder Wang heard Ding Fan's words and quickly extended his somewhat weathered hands to shake Ding Fan's hand, speaking with great respect:

"Hello Brother Ding Lin! It's a pleasure to meet you! You can just call me Elder Wang!"

Everyone witnessing this scene couldn't help but feel another wave of astonishment. Clearly, they hadn't expected Elder Wang to reach such depths with that young man, actively reaching out. It's known that Elder Wang usually doesn't bother to shake hands with anyone!

The fact that he shook hands with this young man is shocking! This could become the second biggest news in Dancheng in recent years. Of course, the biggest news was a young alchemist refining a Grade Nine Medicine Pill in less than half an hour!

Ding Fan saw the elder's demeanor and couldn't help but smile slightly. He then extended his hand to shake hands with Elder Wang, saying calmly:

"Pleasure to meet you."

Everyone witnessing this scene was already numb with shock! What on earth happened today! People couldn't help but feel immensely astonished, never expecting the conversation between Elder Wang and the young man to unfold in such a manner. It's quite incredible!

It's known that Elder Wang treated the young man like he would a respected elder, showing no airs and keeping his demeanor very humble.

How could everyone not be shocked!

"I wonder if I'm dreaming right now? What's with encountering such strange things today!"

"..."

For Elder Wang, inside his heart, he truly didn't view Ding Fan as just an ordinary alchemist. It's known that the achievements Elder Wang made weren't based on luck, but rather on many excellent qualities in himself, notably humility and caution.

Elder Wang knew clearly that even the ancient pill recipe "Returning Dragon Pill," he could only refine it to the Grade Eight level, and that result came after combining efforts with many other alchemists, taking about three days to complete.

Whereas the opponent was not only so young but also refined the Grade Nine "Returning Dragon Pill" in less than half an hour, which is truly remarkable! Elder Wang genuinely admired Ding Fan from the bottom of his heart. He knew that the pill recipe he kept would never leak.

Even though in other sections of the Great Alchemy Competition there might be cheating, the first round involving the "Returning Dragon Pill" would never have such a situation, because Elder Wang knew this ancient recipe always stayed with him. Some participating alchemists knew the recipe, but it's so complex that no one could remember it.

Elder Wang was very clear about this point, and considering the pill refined was Grade Nine, there was no possibility of cheating—since the results far exceeded the standard answer.

Thus, Elder Wang understood that it could only mean one thing: the young man was a highly skilled, hidden master, clearly having alchemy skills superior to his own. While observing Ding Fan refine the medicine, Elder Wang had noticed some oddities.

To Elder Wang's eyes, Ding Fan's refining methods were quite unusual, leading many to think he was fooling around; even Elder Wang almost thought so himself. As a Grade Eight Alchemist, naturally observing others' alchemy showcased things that the mediocre couldn't see.

He had already noticed that although Ding Lin's alchemy methods were somewhat peculiar, the results often achieved more with less effort. The rich medicinal aroma from earlier had already shocked Elder Wang, leaving him feeling incredibly amazed. Because he was a cautious person, and obviously at that time, everyone wasn't having high expectations towards the opposite party, he said nothing and chose to watch the situation quietly.

As expected, the final result gave Elder Wang and everyone a big surprise!

Actually, for Ding Fan, he understood that he obviously couldn't easily refine this Grade Nine Medicine Pill, but it wasn't something impossible for him either. However, this time, he managed to refine it in less than half an hour, which was somewhat inconceivable even to Ding Fan himself!

Ding Fan knew that the credit evidently belonged to that alchemy cauldron. Naturally, without the formations within it that saved most of the time for refining spiritual materials, it clearly wouldn't have been possible to refine it so quickly.

Of course, Ding Fan felt there was no need to explain this, lest people find out that his alchemy cauldron was a treasure, which would undoubtedly invite trouble.

Subsequently, Elder Wang learned that Ding Fan was called Ding Lin. He pondered repeatedly, ultimately confirming that he had never heard of this young man, which piqued his curiosity about Ding Fan even more. Following that, Elder Wang pulled Ding Fan to sit down on the spot and bombarded Ding Fan with one question after another.

Ding Fan had a good impression of the elder, so he didn't refuse. As long as the questions weren't about his private matters, Ding Fan answered them one by one. Naturally, what Elder Wang was most interested in was the alchemy questions.

Evidently, Elder Wang was very curious about Ding Fan's previous series of unusual alchemy methods, wondering exactly what kind of alchemy techniques could lead to such rapid alchemy, and knowing this was an ancient recipe for the "Returning Dragon Pill," how did he understand how to refine it with just one glance? How was it refined, and was there any difference with their refinement methods...

In no time, Elder Wang's questions bombarded Ding Fan like a rapid-fire cannon. Ding Fan didn't show any sign of impatience and answered some of the questions. He found the old man opposite him genuinely nice, even telling Elder Wang all about the formations inside his alchemy cauldron.

Obviously, when Elder Wang heard about Ding Fan's alchemy cauldron, he was greatly shocked. He wasn't taken aback by how powerful Ding Fan's cauldron was, but rather, he didn't expect Ding Fan to be well-versed in formations too, which greatly surprised Elder Wang. Inevitably, he started asking about Ding Fan's cultivation.

Clearly, there were some things Ding Fan couldn't say, so he ultimately declined politely. Elder Wang understood Ding Fan's intention, feeling a bit guilty for unintentionally prying into his private matters. Immediately, Elder Wang sincerely apologized to Ding Fan.

Ding Fan graciously forgave him.

The old and the young were chatting enthusiastically. At this moment, everyone, including many participating alchemists, was completely stunned by this scene between Ding Fan and Elder Wang. Obviously, no one had ever seen Elder Wang like this before, nor had they expected Elder Wang to get along so well with the other, so passionately and enthusiastically. For a time, although the participating alchemists were initially very shocked, they soon felt very helpless.

At this moment, most of the participating alchemists hadn't yet completed the first round of the Great Alchemy Competition, and thus couldn't help but feel a bitter taste in their hearts. The situation beside Ding Fan was definitely a stimulus for them. Some alchemists had yet to figure out the competition's pill recipe, but this person had not only finished with a supreme quality medicine pill but was also chatting with Elder Wang. Comparing people truly highlights a vast difference!

Some participating alchemists had just started refining their medicine pills, and undoubtedly, their speed was worlds apart from Ding Fan's. However, they were relatively self-aware, knowing they couldn't compare with a genius, and so they tried their best to concentrate and not let Ding Fan's situation distract them, focusing solely on refining their medicine pills.

Especially Elder Herr, who had initially looked down on Ding Fan, deeming him a clown seeking attention. But the facts proved that not only was the other not a clown but an unparalleled alchemic genius, while he himself seemed like a clown now, fumbling with his pill refinement amidst their conversation.

In the judge area, those judges were evidently shocked by Elder Wang's behavior, unable to believe how Elder Wang could chat so much with that young man. Many present were people who frequently interacted with Elder Wang, and they felt Elder Wang seemed to have used up all his words for the next year on that young man.

The elder judge naturally understood Elder Wang's current feelings, as the young man was indeed an extraordinary alchemic genius, and it was natural for Elder Wang's current behavior to be unusual. However, some staff members found themselves in a dilemma, as clearly, Elder Wang and Ding Fan's conversation was starting to interfere with the other alchemists' normal competition.

But Elder Wang was the chief judge, and the competition was essentially decided by him. Hence, many staff members could only turn a blind eye to it, while those unfortunate alchemists near Ding Fan had to endure it.

The participating alchemists around Ding Fan felt extremely bitter but dared not harbor even a shred of resentment. Knowing Elder Wang was the chief judge and their competition results hinged on his decision, they dared not utter a word of complaint.

At this time, Ding Fan and Elder Wang continued their amiable chat, completely ignoring the alchemists around them. Ding Fan was aware that these people had spoken quite a bit of mockery and ridicule when he was refining, so he certainly wasn't going to kindly suggest relocating their conversation with Elder Wang.

The ones fearing most in their hearts were undoubtedly those young cultivators from the City Lord Mansion earlier. Seeing Ding Fan and Elder Wang chatting so amiably now, cold sweat continually dripped down their backs, realizing if they had indeed clashed with him earlier, their end would be unimaginable!

Elder Wang not beating them to a pulp would be letting them off easy!