Alchemy Sovereign Against the Heaven
Chapter 162: Refusal

Chapter 162: Chapter 162: Refusal

A small jade box appeared in Mo Wangchen’s hand. He raised it slightly to show the crowd and, after a moment, opened it.

Subsequently, a faint medicinal fragrance filled the air, causing everyone to be momentarily startled. Upon smelling the aroma, they felt an immediate surge of vitality.

"This is..."

Jun Muqing, too, smelled the faint medicinal fragrance. After a slight pause, she furrowed her brow.

"This Pill is called the Youth Pill. I believe Empress Yun is already aware of its effects..."

Mo Wangchen smiled and then handed the pill to a maid who had already approached him, letting her deliver it to Empress Yun.

"It truly is the Youth Pill!"

After hearing Mo Wangchen’s words, Jun Muqing immediately realized it. The moment she smelled the pill fragrance, it had felt very familiar.

"The Youth Pill?!"

"The Alchemist Alliance’s gift is actually a Youth Pill?!"

"When the Youth Pill was first auctioned, it fetched a price of ten million. Such a price was astronomical, and after that first one, the Alchemist Alliance never put another up for auction. It’s indeed a treasure with a price but no market!"

The crowd was astonished as they watched Empress Yun, on the high platform, receiving the Youth Pill from the maid, their eyes revealing fervent admiration.

"This is the Youth Pill."

After taking the jade box, Empress Yun joyfully took out the pill, examining it with delight, but then she suddenly remembered something and turned her gaze to Mo Wangchen. "I once mentioned that I wanted to meet the master who developed the Youth Pill. Could it be..."

"In response to Empress Yun, that person is me!" Mo Wangchen replied with cupped hands.

"What?!"

"He’s the master who developed the Youth Pill?"

"How could it be possible? The Youth Pill had never appeared before until the last auction, its first emergence. I originally thought the kind of Alchemy Dao Master who could develop such a miraculous pill would be an alchemist with profound expertise accumulated over many years, but to think..."

It was no wonder the crowd was surprised. The Youth Pill had caused a great sensation back then, with many speculating about what kind of Alchemy Dao Master could create it. Yet, to their astonishment, the one who developed the Youth Pill turned out to be a mere eighteen-year-old youth!

"It was him! How could it be?!"

In the crowd, Jun Muqing, standing not far from Mo Wangchen, also widened her eyes in disbelief.

Previously, she had obtained the Youth Pill and had already taken it. Jun Muqing clearly noticed that after consuming the Youth Pill, her skin and appearance had undergone significant changes, making her look even more dazzlingly beautiful.

For this reason, Jun Muqing always held a certain admiration for the mysterious master who had developed the Youth Pill.

Yet ironically, the person she admired turned out to be the same useless young master whom she once looked down upon...

"Who would’ve thought! A prodigious young talent emerged from our Yun Country’s Alchemy Dao! Elder Ling, you’ve certainly hidden him well. If not for today, I wouldn’t have known our Yun Country had such an Alchemy Dao prodigy!"

Emperor Yun expressed great joy, standing up with a smiling face and looking at Mo Wangchen. "The Mo Family raised a son like you. You indeed deserve a great reward from Yun Country. I hereby place Fangtian City under the jurisdiction of your Mo Family, making you the City Lord Mansion, enjoying the status of nobility!"

"What? Make the Mo Family the City Lord Mansion of Fangtian City?!"

"This is a great favor! Among hundreds of cities in Yun Country, only a dozen or so have a City Lord Mansion. It’s unexpected that the Mo Family could receive such a privilege, allowing them to obtain significant resources from the Royal Family every year!"

After Emperor Yun’s words, the guests at the banquet cast envious glances toward Mo Wangchen.

"City Lord Mansion..."

Similarly, Jun Muqing furrowed her brow. She hadn’t expected that after learning of Mo Wangchen’s Alchemy Dao talent, even Emperor Yun would want to draw in the Mo Family!

Conversely, Yun Yi’s gaze toward Mo Wangchen was filled with cold laughter. "What of the City Lord Mansion? In this way, the Mo Family will become a part of the court, making it even easier to deal with them!"

Around them, some harbored envy, while others showed disdain, such as the Yang Family. Though Emperor Yun’s move aimed to win over the Mo Family, the fact that the Mo Family became the City Lord Mansion of Fangtian City also meant that, even if Mo Wangchen achieved success, the Mo Family could only maintain control over Fangtian City and couldn’t extend their influence into Yunge City.

As Yun Country’s Capital, Yunge City naturally was the most prosperous place, and the Yang Family was one of the five major families—a mere City Lord Mansion was hardly a threat!

"Your Majesty’s kindness is appreciated..."

Amidst everyone’s attentive gaze, Mo Wangchen contemplated momentarily. He finally took a deep breath and cupped his hands, continuing, "But I must apologize, for I cannot accept the favor."

"What? He actually refused?"

The audience was taken aback, their faces showing confusion.

"Hmm?"

Similarly, Emperor Yun slightly furrowed his brow, seemingly displeased. His intention to win over the Mo Family was clear, yet he hadn’t expected Mo Wangchen to dare refuse publicly.

Emperor Yun, of course, was already aware of the matters between the Mo Family and Jun Family, including Jun Muqing’s visit to the Mo Family to break off the engagement. He didn’t consider the past issues between Jun Muqing and Mo Wangchen much significant.

"Why?" Emperor Yun asked, his voice somewhat low.

This was the first time someone had refused his favor!

"Perhaps His Majesty is unaware, but Jun Muqing and I have already signed a death contract. Soon, she and I shall face off on the Life and Death Platform at Yun Chu Academy. To be honest, given Jun Muqing’s reputation as the number one genius, I feel an immense pressure. I am not confident in defeating her and fear that if I perish in the battle, I will be unworthy of His Majesty’s favor."

Mo Wangchen’s explanation was merely an excuse to refuse.

Should the Mo Family become the City Lord Mansion of Fangtian City, it would inevitably mean being under the Royal Family’s control. He inherently had enmity with the Crown Prince and Jun Muqing.

"Death contract?"

Hearing Mo Wangchen’s words, Emperor Yun immediately frowned, gazing toward Jun Muqing and Yun Yi. Evidently, he was unaware of this matter.

"Your Majesty, this issue is too complicated to explain briefly, but the battle is already set. On the Life and Death Platform, Mo Wangchen and I will certainly decide life and death."

Jun Muqing stepped out, not revealing the reason for their duel on the Life and Death Platform. The root of the matter lay in the Jun Family’s intent to deal with Mo Wangchen since the initial assessments.