But Sun Long still didn't expect that after all the preparations he made for this Great Alchemy Competition, the final overall champion was not his person. For a moment, how could Sun Long's heart feel good? What made Sun Long even angrier was that Zhang Hao suddenly disappeared. This made Sun Long furious, knowing in his heart that Zhang Hao was aware of his cheating.

It's important to know that if the opponent reported to the City Lord, then his consequences would obviously be severe. However, Sun Long thought again, although Zhang Hao's alchemy level was lacking, he was considered a smart person and also a timid one. Sun Long didn't believe he had the guts to report to the City Lord. After all, reporting wasn't a good thing for him either.

At this moment, the guard who heard Sun Long's roar didn't dare say anything, only lowering his head in a very fearful manner. The guards had already sent people to search the entire Dancheng, but there was no trace of Zhang Hao. If the opponent had already escaped the city, then obviously they would have no way, because there are many roads outside the city, even many small paths, making it a very difficult task to find the person outside the city.

"Forget it, go down!"

At this time, Sun Long knew reprimanding them wouldn't do any good, clearly those guards had already searched all of Dancheng, but still couldn't find him, suggesting he might have left the city. Sun Long knew if he left the city, it was likely he couldn't be found. However, Sun Long underestimated Zhang Hao, who had disappeared within such a short time, just under an hour.

Don't underestimate his capabilities in escaping; even though his cultivation and alchemy might not be great, he's good at fleeing!

After speaking, Sun Long watched the fearful guard carefully exit the room, then Sun Long slowly walked to the wooden chair by the tea table and sat down. He picked up a cup of tea, but when it reached his mouth, he couldn't help but put it down heavily. Sun Long's face was very displeased; he really didn't expect Ding Lin to be so powerful. To think he couldn't even win despite sending people to cheat, it simply challenged his limits.

Sun Long was utterly resentful of Ding Fan now, knowing that although his plans failed, he was determined to get that Golden Silk Protective Clothing. After this year's Great Alchemy Competition, that clothing belonged to Ding Lin. A trace of viciousness flashed in Sun Long's eyes; he was now just waiting for Ding Lin to leave the city, for as soon as he did, Sun Long could act.

...

Not long after, the award ceremony for the champion of the Great Alchemy Competition arrived. At this time, City Lord Lin Qi, Vice City Lord Sun Long, and the elders of the City Lord Mansion were seated in the judge's award area.

At this time, Elder Wang was greeting these people. Elder Wang knew this year's Great Alchemy Competition was under his management, so he had to entertain these people well. This was the final stage of the competition, and it was the most important stage for the alchemists participating, since many of them were after the rewards.

Especially Elder Herr, who was feeling full of regret watching this scene. Clearly, the champion this year was not him but that Ding Lin, which was beyond Elder Herr's expectations. However, Elder Herr still admired Ding Lin greatly, knowing that his alchemy level and cultivation were beyond his own, and he was so young. Elder Herr found him very impressive.

The white-robed Elder Hu Feng felt similarly to Elder Herr. He also aimed for the champion of the Great Alchemy Competition; otherwise, he wouldn't have participated. Clearly, the white-robed elder's alchemy level was quite excellent, even better than Elder Herr. Such an alchemist evidently didn't need to vie for cultivation resources through the competition.

However, the white-robed elder couldn't have predicted the emergence of Ding Lin in this year's competition. Hu Feng was also filled with admiration for Ding Lin, for he was truly impressive; his alchemy level and cultivation were beyond what Hu Feng could compare with. He was simply outstanding!

Though the white-robed elder Hu Feng felt regret like Elder Herr regarding the competition, getting to know such an outstanding alchemist was not bad.

After all, the elderly white-robed elder knew that Ding Lin was clearly not an ordinary person. Especially considering his future growth, it was astounding, for at just over twenty, he was already at a Grade Nine alchemist level. Who would believe this? But it was the truth. Even Hu Feng had to admit and admire this!

The audience was most excited at this time, as the most thrilling part of the Great Alchemy Competition was the award ceremony. Clearly, many in the audience wanted to witness what the champion reward was, given its ability to attract so many alchemists. Clearly, this year's champion reward must be very generous.

"I heard this year's Great Alchemy Competition rewards are very generous!"

"Yes, I heard that too. The rewards from this competition reportedly are tempting, otherwise so many alchemists wouldn't come to participate!"

"Even Elder Herr participated, which shows the rewards are not ordinary. Unfortunately, Elder Herr didn't win the championship this time!"

"Indeed, it's a pity! But it's lucky that Brother Dalin emerged! Elder Herr lost fairly, as Brother Dalin's strength is not only above Elder Herr's but also those judge elders might not be a match for Brother Dalin!"

"Absolutely right! Brother Dalin is simply a god-like presence!"

"I just don't understand why we've never heard of Brother Dalin before, such an impressive alchemist, never heard of him!"

"You're kidding, right? How many Grade Nine alchemists do you know?"

"Haha, you're right, indeed, I don't know many, just Brother Dalin! Haha… suddenly feeling lucky to know a Grade Nine alchemist, it's simply incredible!"

"Brother Dalin is mighty and domineering! Haha..."

"..."

The crowd beneath the stage was abuzz with conversation, obviously many spectators were eagerly anticipating what the reward for Ding Lin at the Great Alchemy Competition would be. Many were also reminiscing about the way Ding Lin participated in the competition, feeling quite shocked. Clearly, when people now recall Ding Fan's manner during the competition, he was such an impressive presence.

At this time, Elder Wang had been conversing with City Lord Lin Qi and others, and all preparations were ready. It was obvious that the award ceremony for the Great Alchemy Competition was about to begin. But suddenly, a cultivator ran over to Elder Wang and whispered:

"Elder Wang, Ding Lin is missing!"

Elder Wang was taken aback upon hearing this, clearly not expecting Ding Fan to have disappeared at this moment. That was pretty astounding.

You have to know the award ceremony of the Great Alchemy Competition is about to begin, yet Ding Lin is nowhere to be found. How could Elder Wang not be shocked? At this moment, Elder Wang stood up, his eyes fixed on his counterpart, somewhat incredulous, and he asked again:

"What did you say?"

The cultivator, hearing Ding Lin's words, repeated with some difficulty:

"Ding Lin is missing. We've searched several times, and it's very likely that he has left the Great Alchemy Competition!"

At this moment, Elder Wang was shocked to hear this, not anticipating Ding Fan to be missing at this time, even leaving the site of the competition. That was simply inconceivable!

Elder Wang was greatly shocked, wondering if Ding Lin was uninterested in the champion's reward. Elder Wang simply couldn't understand why Ding Lin would leave at such a critical moment, finding it utterly perplexing!

...

At this moment, Ding Fan and He Qianyao were walking on the path to the Jade Maiden Sect.

When Ding Lin heard that He Qianyao had news about Zhou Ruoran, he was obviously thrilled. At this moment, Ding Fan was extremely happy, having clearly obtained information about Zhou Ruoran's whereabouts. This was a tremendously good development for Ding Fan, far more important than the matter of winning the championship in the Great Alchemy Competition, which was truly astonishing.

You have to know Ding Fan has gone to great lengths for finding Zhou Ruoran. When Ding Fan heard that He Qianyao had found information about Zhou Ruoran, the excitement and happiness in his heart were indescribably intense. But when Ding Fan heard He Qianyao say that Zhou Ruoran seemed to be in a bad situation, Ding Fan's heart felt as if it had been stabbed.

To Ding Fan, Zhou Ruoran was his everything. Ding Fan couldn't imagine his future without Zhou Ruoran; it would be terrifying. Therefore, Ding Fan absolutely couldn't accept anything bad happening to Zhou Ruoran.

Ding Fan immediately followed He Qianyao to find Zhou Ruoran. Although Ding Fan had some anticipation for the champion reward of the Great Alchemy Competition — after all, it was the Golden Silk Protective Clothing, an extremely rare treasure. Ding Fan knew that this treasure might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in the Cultivation World.

But compared to Zhou Ruoran, the Golden Silk Protective Clothing seemed worthless to Ding Fan. No matter how valuable it was, it couldn't be more important than Zhou Ruoran to Ding Fan. Zhou Ruoran was someone Ding Fan would sacrifice his life to protect, the weight of Zhou Ruoran in Ding Fan's heart was self-evident.

When He Qianyao heard Ding Fan make this decision, she fully understood Ding Fan's choice, but deep down, she was highly shocked. After all, the champion reward wasn't something an ordinary alchemist could obtain; even cultivators at the Distraction Stage couldn't easily acquire such a treasure.

Yet Ding Fan, for Zhou Ruoran's sake, chose to abandon it without a second thought.

He Qianyao deeply admired Ding Fan's loyalty and kindness, but she was also intensely jealous of Zhou Ruoran. He Qianyao couldn't help comparing herself to Zhou Ruoran, knowing that Zhou Ruoran was clearly more important to Ding Fan.

But He Qianyao couldn't stop herself from comparing.

To Ding Fan, he was not a person without feelings or emotions. He clearly understood everything He Qianyao had done for him. What He Qianyao didn't know, however, was that if she ever encountered danger, Ding Fan would unhesitatingly rescue her, even if it meant sacrificing his own life.