Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 533 Threat To An Empire!

"Who knows? In any case, I've never witnessed Bai Zihan getting taught by anyone, nor has he ever brought it up."

Mu Yuelan replied.

Even if she wasn't constantly by Bai Zihan's side, she tracked nearly all his activities.

Bai Tianheng hadn't spoken of it either. If Bai Zihan were genuinely studying alchemy, he certainly would have let her know.

"Anyway, he'll definitely show up one day. We just have to stay watchful for it."

Mu Qingyuan stated.

If a Grandmaster like that desired to conceal his identity and not reveal himself, they needed to honor his choice.

They could only seek to build ties with Bai Zihan's master once he chose to appear.

All the elders nodded their assent.

"Then, what do we do with the news of their breakthrough to Grade-4 Alchemist?"

One elder inquired anxiously.

For a prolonged instant—

Silence reigned.

The hall, moments ago buzzing with astonishment, plunged into profound quiet.

Mu Qingyuan's fingers drummed softly on the armrest.

His eyes dropped a bit, lost in contemplation.

The elders traded looks.

None hurried to break the quiet.

For they grasped the shared truth.

This achievement couldn't be proclaimed loudly yet.

Not at this stage.

Not as they once would.

Had it merely been a jump to Grade-3—

The news would already blanket the Desolate Heaven Empire.

Exactly as with Mu Linyue three years prior.

Proclaiming it boldly!

Flaunting it widely!

Boosting their prestige!

Declaring to all that the Mu Clan birthed a millennium's rare genius.

Yet Grade-4...?

No more a feat to trumpet casually.

It spelled peril.

Mu Qingyuan's gaze grew somber.

"Our foes hearing this would spell grave danger. Lock down the information! It must not escape the Mu Clan!"

His tone rang with unchallenged command.

The elders nodded at once.

Without doubt.

The logic stood clear.

Mu Linyue's prowess was already freakish.

Now it posed a risk to the equilibrium of mighty factions.

Should word leak out—

Admiration wouldn't be the sole response.

Fear would follow.

And fear...

Often bred ruthless measures.

Particularly from the empire claiming supremacy in alchemy across the lands—

An empire founded on alchemical might—

The Vermilion Pill Empire!

There, above all trades—even cultivation—alchemy alone grants true honor and rank.

An Immortal Realm expert pales beside a Grade-5 Alchemist in stature.

Grade-6 and higher? They command near-royal reverence, wielding vast sway and authority.

Grandmaster Alchemists form the empire's core strength.

Even Immortals bow to their decrees without fail.

Teeming with alchemists, it draws traders seeking premium pills at bargain rates.

This fueled their economic surge; militarily outmatched by Desolate Heaven Empire, yet their wealth surpasses.

Their arrogance...

Their essence...

Their supremacy...

All rooted in unrivaled alchemy rule over the Eastern Region.

For ages, they reigned supreme.

Untouched.

Unrivaled.

Thus—

Mu Linyue threatens them deeply.

A prodigy hitting Grade-4 before twenty...

Not even in Vermilion Pill Empire has such arisen.

There, she'd shine as a peerless talent.

That's the peril.

She hails from elsewhere.

Let such a genius flourish—

Alchemical balance could tip.

Should Mu Linyue press on—

Should she eclipse their finest, as her talent suggests—

Their long-held crown—

As Eastern Region's top alchemy empire—would shatter.

They won't permit it.

She endangers not one soul or group, but a whole realm.

For such peril, assassination looms certain. They'd dispatch agents across borders, sparing no cost.

The odds of action were high.

Mu Linyue's advance must stay hidden.

As must Bai Zihan's.

For now—

They transcended mere promising youths.

They were forces poised to redefine regional alchemy's destiny.

Beyond outsiders, internal rivals like Zhao Clan and Li Clan might strike back. Even the Imperial Family bore watching.

Should the Mu Clan, now allied with the Bai Clan, boost their power even more,

how could their rivals simply stand by?

They would surely aim for Mu Linyue too.

When it came to their own selfish gains,

they cared little for the nation's welfare.

Therefore, they had to ensure this information stayed hidden.

"Yuelan, tell those two to practice alchemy only in secret. They must

avoid showing their skills to anyone else, no matter what."

***

Meanwhile, over with Bai Zihan, the mood was totally reversed.

The flames in the furnace blazed steadily.

Bai Zihan had already produced over four High Grade-4 pills.

Every single one-

Flawless and perfect.

The initial shock on their faces had faded long ago.

In its place lingered deep silence.

Not from doubt-

But from intense concentration. All eyes locked onto him.

No disciple uttered a word.

None dared to look away for a second.

Everyone focused on observing, hoping to pick up some insights from Bai Zihan.

Even those unable to fully comprehend his methods stared hard, eager to catch any bit of it. Such moments were rare indeed.

Refining Grade-4 pills demands huge difficulty and total concentration.

That's why private chambers are provided, and watching Grade-4 pill refinement isn't everyday even in the Mu Clan.

This chance was invaluable for anyone below Grade-3 in alchemy.

Mu Linyue herself grew utterly absorbed.

Her arms, previously folded in arrogance, had dropped down.

Her eyes sharpened with focus.

All the prior teasing...

The sneers...

The rivalry...

Vanished from her thoughts.

Now filled with pure admiration.

Unmixed and genuine.

For she grasped it best among them all-

Just how tough Bai Zihan's feat really was.

High Grade-4 pills...

Not merely one.

But over and over.

As though it cost him nothing.

Her fingers clenched faintly without thought.

Her mind raced.

(What control...)

(What accuracy...)

No way to pretend this.

Nor gain in a day.

And gradually-

Her view of Bai Zihan shifted.

She'd always dismissed him.

Not for his identity-

But his demeanor.

To her, he appeared to scorn alchemy.

Blind to its profoundness.

Its elegance.

Its challenges.

But now- beholding him at the furnace...

Fully engaged. Utterly devoted.

Unswayed by distractions.

Not sloppy at all- That notion crumbled.

(He truly loves alchemy... same as me.)

That thought alone fit.

Talent by itself fell short. To hit this peak-

To craft such pills-

Demanded passion and toil.

Endless sessions of training.

Bai Zihan, unaware of Mu Linyue's inner turmoil, felt thrilled instead.

(Grandmaster Alchemist skill delivers for real!)

He'd only tried Grade-4 pills so far, far from testing limits, yet it felt impressive enough.

Higher-grade attempts would wait until materials arrived.

Soft footsteps resounded in the hall.

The doors swung open.

In walked Mu Yuelan.

Her eyes scanned the space swiftly, noting the furnace, the faint pill scent... and the dazed looks everywhere.

Then they settled on Bai Zihan and his pills.

A hint of approval flashed in her gaze.

Wasting no time, she lifted her hand.

Two jade tokens materialized.

"I've prepared private alchemy rooms for you both."

Her tone stayed even as she flung one to Bai Zihan and one to Mu Linyue.

"Grade-4 Alchemists like you won't use public areas anymore."

They each snatched their token. But before more words-

Mu Yuelan's face hardened.

Her stare swept over the crowd. "Hear this clearly!"

Her words weren't shouted.

Yet they held unbreakable authority.

"Nothing from today escapes these walls."

Dead silence!

Total and swift.

"Not to friends. Not to mentors. Not even family."

Some disciples tensed up instinctively.

Mu Yuelan's gaze sharpened.

"Should a whisper escape... you know what follows."

She left it hanging.

No need to elaborate.

All got the point.

Heads nodded at once. None risked ignoring it.