Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 551 From Victory to Humiliation

Mu Linyue's cauldron vibrated intensely.

A deep, resonant hum emanated, more profound than any sound previously heard.

And then, a potent surge of Qi erupted.

"..."

Several spectators snapped to attention.

Their countenances shifted.

"That... this aura..."

"Something's not right-"

The cauldron's lid quivered.

Clang!

The lid was dislodged.

A wave of medicinal fragrance billowed outward.

The surrounding Qi was drawn to it, as if by instinct.

"...Could it be... a Grade-4 pill?"

Someone whispered in disbelief, remarking that the Qi they sensed was demonstrably more potent than that of a Grade-3 pill.

"Grade-4?! At her age?!"

"She's only eighteen!"

"Damn... a Grade-4 alchemist at eighteen?"

"Isn't that even more monstrous than Huo Shenyu's talent?!"

Observing the powerful Qi emitted, everyone concluded that Mu Linyue had successfully refined a Grade-4 pill.

While the reaction would have been less intense for any other participant, the fact that it was Mu Linyue-a teenager-made it a monumental shock.

This would signify her shattering Huo Shenyu's prior record and her becoming the youngest Grade-4 alchemist recorded.

Exhilaration surged through the ranks of the Desolate Heaven Empire.

"Hmph! Give her a few more years, and she might surpass Huo Shenyu!" "Then let's see who's arrogant!"

For a fleeting moment, their preceding despair was supplanted by mounting anticipation.

Previously, they had endured humiliation, feeling looked down upon for lacking a prodigy comparable to Huo Shenyu.

But now?

Everything had been transformed.

Yet, not all were caught up in the celebration.

Among the higher-ranking alchemists...

Silence descended!

Their brows knitted in concentration.

Their eyes narrowed.

Because the sensation they perceived... did not align with the conclusion reached by the others.

"This... this Qi..."

"It's too dense..."

"Even that Grade-5 pill that Huo Shenyu refined wasn't this powerful-"

A shiver coursed through their veins.

An improbable notion began to form-

Then was swiftly dismissed.

'Impossible...'

"There's no way..."

'She's too young...'

'No one at her age could possibly refine a Grade-5 pill...'

One by one, they rejected the thought, unwilling to entertain such a terrifying possibility.

It was already astounding enough that Mu Linyue could refine a Grade-4 pill. If it were anything higher...

They lacked the words to adequately describe such prodigious talent.

Some theorized that it was merely an exceptionally vigorous or unstable pill, accounting for the overwhelming Qi and fragrance.

Huo Shenyu's demeanor also underwent a change.

It wasn't that he was convinced Mu Linyue had refined a Grade-5 pill-but even the mere suggestion of her achieving Grade-4 Alchemist status at this tender age ignited his fury.

His gaze remained fixed upon Mu Linyue's cauldron.

Still, he tried to reassure himself.

He would still emerge victorious in this competition, and her reaching grade-4 didn't automatically guarantee she could reach Grade-5 faster.

Gradually, the intense light within the cauldron began to stabilize.

The powerful aura condensed.

Then, Mu Linyue extended her hand.

And from the depths of the cauldron, a pill ascended.

It floated gently into the air.

It was utterly flawless.

A soft luminescence pulsed across its surface, layer upon layer, as if it were breathing.

Mu Linyue caught it with practiced ease.

Then she turned and presented it for all to behold.

Silence fell!

The alchemists-

The other cultivators-

Even Huo Zhouchen-

All found their eyes widening in unison.

Shock!

Disbelief!

Horror!

Meanwhile, those unable to ascertain its grade frowned, their confusion evident.

"What... what is it?"

"Why is everyone reacting like that?"

"I can't tell... what grade that pill is..."

The extended silence was finally broken by a trembling voice.

"...Top-tier..."

Gulp!

As if unable to fully grasp the reality before him, even while witnessing it clearly-

"Top tier Grade-5 pill."

BOOM!

It was as if thunderous explosions reverberated within every mind.

"What?!"

"How is that possible?!"

"It isn't Grade-4... but Grade-5?!"

The shock spread like an uncontrollable wildfire.

Those who had been unable to discern its grade earlier now finally understood.

No wonder the high-grade alchemists had exhibited expressions as if they had witnessed something

impossible.

Because they truly had.

All gazes swiveled towards Mu Linyue.

She stood serenely, as if no extraordinary event had occurred.

Then, in a steady voice, she announced.

"This is a Top-tier Grade-5-Heavenly Verdant Soul Refining Pill."

The pill rested in her palm, emanating a gentle yet overwhelming aura, its very presence

far surpassing anything most had ever encountered.

"...Top-tier"

"...Grade-5"

Some repeated the words unconsciously, as if desperate to convince themselves

of its reality.

In the meantime, Huo Shenyu's expression contorted with disbelief.

"That's impossible!"

His voice pierced the silence with sharp intensity.

"You're lying!"

Every gaze swiveled in his direction.

The accusation lingered in the charged atmosphere.

For a fleeting moment, the crowd found his words to be plausible.

How could someone so young possibly concoct a Grade-5 pill? Even the highly regarded Huo Shenyu had only barely managed to achieve Low-tier Grade-5.

And he was already hailed as a once-in-a-generation prodigy.

Mu Linyue? Of all people?

And at just eighteen years old?

Attaining Top-tier Grade-5?

It sounded utterly preposterous, completely unbelievable.

Just then-

"Pfft-"

A stifled laugh escaped.

"Hahahahaha!"

Bai Zihan made no attempt to suppress his amusement this time around. His laughter erupted, clear and ringing, laced with derision.

He then directed his attention squarely at Huo Shenyu.

"Oh? Young Master Huo, can't stand to be defeated?"

A wide grin stretched across his features.

"What a profoundly sore loser you are!"

Those words landed like a sharp blow.

Huo Shenyu's countenance flushed crimson with wrath.

"You-!"

His spiritual Qi surged subtly, his tone becoming pointed and strained.

"This is simply not possible! There must be some mistake!"

Huo Shenyu desperately sought any logical explanation or justification, but none presented themselves.

He then instinctively turned-

(Father must surely know!) "Father-"

"Enough!"

Huo Zhouchen's icy voice sliced through the clamor, arresting all speech.

"She is-"

But before he could articulate further-

"Shut your mouth! Have you not embarrassed yourself sufficiently already?"

Huo Zhouchen's voice was frigid, imbued with a palpable fury that left Huo Shenyu paralyzed. His words caught in his throat, unspoken.

Never in his entire existence had he been subjected to such a severe reprimand from his father.

Huo Zhouchen's discerning gaze settled upon the pill clutched in Mu Linyue's hand.

While others might harbor doubts and uncertainty, how could he – a distinguished Grade-7 alchemist – possibly err in identifying the grade of a Grade-5 pill?

That particular pill was unequivocally a Top-tier Grade-5 pill. "Tsk! Tsk! Where has your arrogance vanished to now? Do you still presume you have emerged victorious?"

Bai Zihan continued his taunting, adding further insult to injury.

Huo Shenyu yearned to retort, but observing his father's stoic reaction, he understood the undeniable truth.

Consequently, what words could he possibly utter now? "It appears some among you still harbor reservations."

Bai Zihan addressed the assembly once more, a faint smile gracing his lips. "In that case, how about this?"

He pivoted to face Huo Zhouchen directly.

"Grandmaster Huo, do you too concur that Mu Linyue's pill is not a Top-tier Grade-5 pill?"

This question was deliberately posed to Huo Zhouchen, precisely to elicit a specific response.

Huo Zhouchen's brow furrowed slightly, yet he maintained an air of necessary composure.

His gaze remained fixed on the pill held within Mu Linyue's grasp.

Then, with a measured tone, he spoke.

"It is indeed a Top-tier Grade-5 pill."

Absolute silence descended!

There was no longer any conceivable space for disbelief.

Those pronouncements emanated from a prominent Grade-7 alchemist.

From Huo Zhouchen himself. The sheer authority behind his words annihilated any lingering skepticism.

And at that precise moment, the final, tenuous thread of denial frayed and snapped. Bai Zihan's lips curved into a subtle smirk.

He then slowly turned, his gaze systematically sweeping across the assembled crowd.

Across the faces of those who had so readily lauded Huo Shenyu. Across those who had prematurely declared the competition's conclusion. His voice resonated, distinct and unhurried.

"Now then... do all of you still maintain that Huo Shenyu is the victor?"

The very individuals who had spoken with such unwavering conviction mere moments prior now stood utterly transfixed.

Their expressions rigid, their faces flushed with profound embarrassment.

Their earlier pronouncements reverberated within their minds like a chorus of mockery.

Every single sentence now felt like a self-inflicted slap.

However, the individual enduring the most acute humiliation was undeniably Huo Shenyu.

His fists were clenched so tightly they threatened to shatter.

The sheer arrogance he had so openly displayed moments ago...

The unshakeable certainty.

The triumphant declaration.

All of it now seemed akin to a jester proclaiming himself emperor.

That lofty arrogance had transmuted into the most profound mortification.

And Bai Zihan, clearly, had no intention of letting this opportunity pass.

"Tsk... tsk..."

He clicked his tongue with a light, almost dismissive sound, his expression brimming with overt amusement.

"What has become of you? You were so assured just now, proclaiming it pointless to continue and declaring yourself the winner!"

His eyes bore into Huo Shenyu's, alight with thinly veiled mockery.

"Do you still cling to that same foolish delusion?"

Huo Shenyu's jaw was clenched so tightly it ached.

His entire frame quivered almost imperceptibly, a testament to the searing rage and deep humiliation consuming him.

In his entire life, when had he ever experienced such a calamitous level of disgrace?