Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 546 If I Compete, It's Bullying!

As the aspirants stepped forward and occupied their positions, the hall's ambiance underwent another subtle alteration.

Low whispers began to circulate throughout the gathering as individuals commenced their discussions.

gazes scanned the assembled young alchemists.

"Huo Shenyu is unquestionably the frontrunner to clinch the victory," one voice declared.

"Naturally! He has maintained his status as a Grade-4 alchemist for numerous years... who can ascertain his current proficiency?" another questioned.

"Furthermore, let us not forget his origins from the Vermillion Pill Empire. His foundational strength is beyond the comparison of others."

Numerous heads of agreement were nodded.

Huo Shenyu stood composedly amidst the participants, his robes swaying gently, his demeanor exuding confidence.

However, he was not the sole focus of attention.

Many eyes then shifted toward another figure.

A young man adorned in deep blue robes stood serenely, his aura contained yet unwavering.

"That is Yan Ruichen, hailing from the Azure Cloud Empire."

"Did he not achieve Mid Grade-4 status just last year?"

"Indeed. While not as widely celebrated as Huo Shenyu, it is rumored that his command over flames is exceptional."

In close proximity, yet another individual captured notice.

A woman garbed in elegant green vestments, her expression a picture of tranquility and intense focus.

"Qi Meiling, representing the Jade River Empire."

"She is renowned for her meticulousness. Whispers suggest her pill success rate is astonishingly high."

"Although she too has only recently attained Mid Grade-4, she may prove to be a formidable opponent."

The hushed conversations persisted.

Names were uttered.

Reputations were deliberated.

Capabilities were juxtaposed.

Each of these individuals, a prodigy in their own right.

Then-

A set of eyes deviated towards the Mu Clan's contingent.

"And what of the Mu Clan?"

"Do they possess anyone capable of contending with those brilliant talents from the other Empires?"

Then-

"Mu Linyue undoubtedly stands out as the most gifted."

Many turned their heads to observe.

Among the contenders, Mu Linyue stood in quietude.

"She managed to break through to Grade-3 before reaching the age of twenty. That alone signifies monstrous talent."

"Grant her an additional ten years, and she will undoubtedly dominate the entire younger generation." "However, in the present moment, where Grade-4 alchemists vie for supremacy, she is not yet prepared!" Though the acknowledgment of Mu Linyue's status as a premier prodigy and perhaps the most talented was undeniable, her youth and lack of experience rendered her unprepared for this particular arena.

Their attention instead gravitated towards a few more seasoned participants. Among them-

A man in his early forties, his presence steady and imbued with experience.

"Mu Chenhai. A Grade-4 alchemist who has maintained his level for years. While his innate talent may not rival Mu Linyue's, he is nonetheless a genius in his own right."

"And let us not forget Mu Yansong. He also ascended to Grade-4 status just last year."

"These two... they might stand a chance."

The volume of the voices lowered somewhat.

"Achieving victory may be improbable... but at the very least, one hopes that our Desolate Heaven Empire's alchemists do not suffer a crushing defeat."

This sentiment did not stem from a lack of faith in their Empire's alchemists, but rather from the overwhelming strength of their adversaries.

Huo Shenyu!

Yan Ruichen!

Qi Meiling!

Particularly Huo Shenyu. Rumors circulated that he was already capable of refining top-tier Grade-4 pills, implying that any contender aiming for victory must at least match that caliber. Consequently, the contest was primarily between those at Grade-4, with Grade-3 participants merely attending for the sake of participation.

As for Grade-5, no individual under the age of fifty had ever attained such a pinnacle. Bai Zihan also positioned himself aside, observing with casual detachment.

His gaze swept over the assembled participants—not with the intensity of scrutiny, but with a mild, detached interest, as if witnessing a performance rather than a competition in which he could engage.

He was already aware of the eventual victor, though he sensed that Huo Shenyu might be concealing a hidden capability.

Mu Linyue, situated not far from him, paused for a moment before

moving closer.

She regarded him, a flicker of bewilderment in her eyes.

"Are you not participating?"

Her voice, while not overtly loud, was far from soft.

Before offering a response, he cast a glance around, surveying the other participants.

"If I were to join, would that not be considered excessive bullying?"

His tone was tranquil.

Matter-of-fact.

As if articulating an entirely self-evident truth.

Yet, his voice carried adequately.

And within a hall teeming with cultivators-

It was more than sufficient to be heard.

Subtle undulations spread through the assembled crowd.

Countenances shifted.

Some grew rigid.

Others knitted their brows.

A select few even betrayed hints of derision.

(Excessively arrogant...)

(Can he even comprehend his own words?)

(Does he equate alchemy with combat prowess?)

Although no one dared to voice their dissent openly, especially after witnessing his earlier handling of the Vermillion Pill Empire's delegation-

Their internal thoughts were far from complimentary.

In their estimation, Bai Zihan had strayed into the realm of ignorance.

Yes, he possessed formidable power.

Yes, he commanded significant influence.

But alchemy?

That was an entirely distinct discipline.

And here he was, claiming that competing with Grade-4 alchemists would be

"bullying"?

Most could only shake their heads inwardly.

However, not everyone thought so.

Within the Mu Clan, several elders exchanged knowing glances.

They know Bai Zihan is capable of refining Grade-4 pills.

Even if winning against monsters like Huo Shenyu might not be guaranteed-

He would absolutely be able to compete.

Mu Linyue, on the other hand, didn't react with surprise at all.

She had personally seen Bai Zihan refine even Grade-6 pills. Compared to that, this so-called competition... really did seem beneath him.

After a brief moment, she simply nodded.

"I understand!"

Mu Linyue thought that she might be able to compete with Bai Zihan. Even

though she know she wouldn't win, she could show her progress to him.

"Good luck! Though I don't think you would need it."

Bai Zihan said. Meanwhile, not far away, Bai Xueqing watched the scene unfold.

Her lips twitched slightly.

"His mouth is still so pretentious..."

She muttered under her breath.

She also knew about Bai Zihan's previous attempt at alchemy, which-mildly put-could be called a failure, and more accurately, a disaster.

As she also had Mu Clan's blood, she too tried alchemy, although she wasn't too

interested.

She was also a genius at learning and could refine Grade-1 pills without any

problem.

Now that she was stronger, with a bit of practice, she didn't think Grade-2 pills

would be a problem either.

Anyways, she believed-just like many others-that Bai Zihan was just saying

things.

After all, if he could, he would participate. Not to mention the fame-those two Grade-7 pills alone were worth it.

"Heh... bullying? He isn't even eligible to participate and dare make such a big

claim."

Yan Ruichen said mockingly.

His gaze drifted toward Bai Zihan, calm yet carrying a trace of amusement.

His tone wasn't aggressive, but it wasn't respectful either.

He would have said more if it weren't for giving face to Grandmaster Mu.

Nearby, Qi Meiling also glanced over.

Her eyes lingered on Bai Zihan for a brief moment before she spoke lightly.

"Well, ignorance is bliss. He doesn't even know how difficult it is to refine even

a Grade-1 pill."

Her voice was gentle, but her words were sharp.

"Sigh... looks like all the rumors about him being heroic were just false. Tsk, I

even thought he looked a bit handsome."

She muttered to herself in disappointment.

It was clear that she also thought that Bai Zihan was looking down on them.

Several others from the competing group let out faint laughs.

Not loud.

Not blatant.

But enough to show what they thought.

To them-

Bai Zihan had overstepped. Perhaps he was unrivaled in combat.

Perhaps his influence was terrifying. But here, this was alchemy. And he dared to say he would "bully" Grade-4 alchemists?

Even Huo Shenyu wouldn't dare to be so audacious.

On the other side, Huo Shenyu said nothing. Well, what he wanted to say, others had already said.

Bai Zihan was too arrogant for his own good. He didn't like him the moment he

humiliated his father-and now even more so.

(Hmph...)

He didn't want to waste time thinking about some arrogant and ignorant young master.

Because today-

He will crush all these so-called geniuses.

Not just the Desolate Heaven Empire, but every empire here.

He would show them-

The true gap.

The difference between them...

And himself.