Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 531 A Second Furnace Ignites

Mu Yuelan stayed quiet for quite a while.

Her eyes shifted between the pair.

From Mu Linyue...

To Bai Zihan...

The astonishment in her gaze gradually calmed.

A subtle smile curved her lips.

"This calls for a celebration."

She declared with excitement.

After all, the Mu Clan now possessed Linyue, who had advanced to Grade-4 Alchemist, along with Bai Zihan.

Two Grade-4 alchemists, neither yet twenty years old.

When other families-especially those of alchemists-learned of it, she figured they'd spit blood from envy.

Even producing a junior at Grade-3 Alchemist level warranted festivities, dubbing them a millennium's genius.

So what of a Grade-4 Alchemist before turning twenty?

Undoubtedly, they ranked as the pinnacle of alchemy talent in history, to her knowledge.

Mu Yuelan's gaze rested on Bai Zihan a bit longer.

A question persisted in her thoughts.

(When did he pick up alchemy?)

(And reach such a high level...?)

Yet ultimately-

She held back from asking.

Because at this moment-

That wasn't the priority.

The priority was the outcome.

And the outcome was plainly evident before her.

That sufficed entirely.

Still, she pondered how to handle him.

His cultivation aptitude was already unleashed, making him the supreme talent under the heavens for cultivation.

And now this?

The proverb warns that pursuing two hares catches neither.

She fretted that splitting focus from cultivation to alchemy might set him back.

Nevertheless, she refused to let Bai Zihan abandon his alchemy gift.

Being an alchemist herself, nothing would thrill her more than her son becoming the top alchemist.

But for the time being, she remained silent.

The choice belonged to Bai Zihan.

Should issues arise later, she'd offer guidance.

But for now-

Let him pursue his passion.

Let him follow his desires.

Her face softened a touch.

"As for the rest..."

She stated evenly.

"I'll talk it over with your father"

Her gaze turned to Bai Zihan.

"And set up private alchemy rooms for you two."

After all, Grade-4 alchemists deserved their own dedicated alchemy chambers.

"For now, keep practicing here."

They both nodded.

Mu Yuelan cast a final glance at them.

Then she pivoted.

Her robes fluttered gently as she departed.

A hush hung for several breaths after her exit. Then it shattered.

Mu Linyue swiveled her head.

Bai Zihan followed suit.

Their eyes locked anew.

The prior reserve had vanished.

"So..."

Mu Linyue began.

A sly smirk tugged at her lips.

"Little Bai, you concealed it masterfully. Practiced alchemy on the sly, huh?"

Her voice held real intrigue.

After all-

Though victorious and pleased-

This mystery captivated her more.

How had Bai Zihan attained such prowess?

Grade-4 marked the divide between elite alchemists and the rest.

The gap in status between Grade-4 and lower was immense.

Many viewed attaining Grade-4 Alchemist as exceedingly tough.

And doing so before twenty was near impossible-no, utterly impossible, and she might be the pioneer under twenty.

Yet another existed: Bai Zihan, who matched it.

This defied logic.

She'd poured her life into alchemy.

With her aptitude, she'd just scraped into Grade-4.

And Bai Zihan?

He'd wasted most of his days lounging, then surged in cultivation.

From her intel-

He lacked time for alchemy study.

So how...

How did he nearly rival her in alchemy?

As for "Little Bai"-

He'd been defeated.

Teasing him was fitting.

Bai Zihan's eyebrows furrowed faintly.

Irritation flashed in his gaze.

But briefly.

Then composure returned.

Sigh!

Anyway, defeat was defeat.

She'd gloat inevitably.

Getting riled up would just amuse Mu Linyue. (Never mind! Never mind!)

He skipped her query.

Instead, he spun toward the furnace.

Mu Linyue blinked.

"Ignoring me?"

Bai Zihan shot her a quick look.

"I'm refining another pill."

He paused.

Half-turned to face Mu Linyue.

"I require some materials."

He stated flatly.

Mu Linyue arched an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

Bai Zihan recited them steadily.

A handful of items.

Absent from the common shelves here.

Items reserved for Grade-4 alchemists and higher.

Mu Linyue's eyes gleamed.

She fixed him with a stare.

Her playful look dimmed, giving way to gravity.

Wordlessly, she flicked her wrist.

A brief glow erupted.

Several jade boxes materialized.

She flung them in his direction.

"I'm not that stingy."

She remarked casually. "But don't waste them."

Bai Zihan snatched them effortlessly.

"Thanks."

He spun back toward the furnace.

Mu Linyue folded her arms.

Her eyes locked onto him, utterly intent.

(Could it be...)

A notion sparked in her thoughts.

(Is he capable of crafting top-tier Grade-4 pills already?)

Before, she had triumphed.

Yet that victory came from an edge—his materials had held him back.

Though she suspected that might have been his utmost, certainty escaped her.

Nevertheless, her lips lifted in a subtle smile.

(No chance...)

She held unshakeable faith in her own abilities.

Even if Bai Zihan possessed great talent—

Outdoing her?

She wouldn't accept that possibility.

And still—

Her gaze never wavered from him.

For now, she genuinely yearned to witness—

Precisely how far this "Little Bai" could push.

Not just Mu Linyue—

Numerous onlookers were utterly absorbed in observing Bai Zihan too. But differing from her, most didn't delve deep into thoughts. They skipped over speculations or boundary tests. They just craved to discover what Bai Zihan would produce next.

After all, in their eyes—

He stood beyond reach.

A Grade-4 Alchemist prior to twenty?

That feat alone had demolished their worldview. If he managed a superior pill now, it wouldn't hit with the same force as earlier.

The astonishment had crested.

Whatever followed was merely beholding the extraordinary persist.

Thus, they observed in silence.

Bai Zihan ignored them entirely.

The myriad stares—

The murmurs—

The hopes—

All irrelevant.

The sole focus he gave was to Mu Linyue.

He stole a sidelong glance at her.

A sly grin tugged at his lips.

(Watch closely!)

One resolve rang in his head.

A Peak Grade-4 pill.

That marked his aim.

Could he aim higher?

Absolutely!

Yet the available materials fell short.

Not sufficient for the true pills he desired.

Besides, this average cauldron might falter under the Qi of a superior pill.

Grade-4 likely pushed its boundary.

In any case, a Peak Grade-4 pill would suffice to clarify one truth.

Mu Linyue's win stemmed from materials, not superior skill.

She prevailed due to that edge.

With that in mind, his look shifted briefly.

And momentarily—

His face eased.

Mu Linyue...

This young cousin of his... (How did she achieve such heights?)

A sincere query emerged in his thoughts.

Unlike him—

She lacked a system. No passed-down wisdom.

No easy paths.

All her achievements came through hard toil.

Bit by bit. Via diligence. Via innate gift. Via unending drills.

Bai Zihan understood his own limits.

Without his gains, even recalling herb traits would torment him.

As for pill refining?

Even now, with his aptitude—

Boosted by the Supreme Dao Bone's sharpened senses and mastery—

It wouldn't suffice. At most—

Maybe after two years...

He could scrape by as a Grade-1 Alchemist.

That was reality.

Thus, it wasn't true he felt nothing.

His respect for Mu Linyue...

Had grown, truly.

If only slightly.

Though her endless taunts kept it from soaring higher.

"What's wrong, Little Bai? Forgotten how to light the flame?"

His eyes sharpened. (Hmph!)

Admiration faded. He'd silence her first.

Bai Zihan advanced.

The furnace blazed anew.

Identical to prior—

Bai Zihan moved ahead without a hint of pause.

All progressed smoothly and seamlessly.

Jade boxes unsealed sequentially. Treasured herbs emerged.

The instant they showed, certain keen-sighted disciples gasped.

Their faces altered.

For this time, unlike before, they could identify the pill Bai Zihan intended.

"Heavenly Essence Condensation Pill..."

A High Grade-4 pill!

This pill held no special fame for extreme challenge or simplicity.

But mastering it—

Confirmed one as a High Grade-4 Alchemist. It would demonstrate Bai Zihan's edge over Mu Linyue.

Success, however... Remained a separate challenge altogether.