Xu Peng was still laughing, feeling pleased that he had publicly mocked Fang Chen in front of so many people. However, the next moment, he felt a sharp pain in his cheek, followed by an overwhelming force that sent him flying several dozen feet into the air.

The crowd was stunned.

At that moment, a light sigh was heard. "Young Master Bai, Xu Peng was just a bit inappropriate when speaking. Why must you take action publicly? Are you disregarding the rules of the capital?"

Everyone then realized that the one who had acted was Bai Qingming, and it was he who had slapped Xu Peng into the air.

Seeing Bai Qingming ready to strike again, in mid-air, the figure in the void could only wave his sleeve, channeling his spiritual energy to separate the two.

Bang!

Xu Peng crashed heavily onto the ground, taking several breaths to regain his senses. He covered his face and looked at Bai Qingming in a mix of shock and anger. "What right do you have to hit me?!"

"Just because you talk too much," Bai Qingming replied with a smile. "He is the Void Immortal Sword Sect’s sword leader. He isn’t someone a lowly bird like you can defame. You should consider your standing before you make sarcastic remarks. Who do you think you are?"

The crowd fell silent.

Not a single person came to Xu Peng's aid. They all felt it was best to remain uninvolved.

They weren’t particularly afraid of the Void Immortal Sword Sect, but offending them over such a trivial matter would be unwise. These sword cultivators were quite formidable, and anyone who dared to oppose them would have to think twice.

Moreover, Bai Qingming's background was not limited to just the Void Immortal Sword Sect; he also had the support of Immortal Peak King from the South Continent!

At that moment, a streak of golden light shot through the air, moving so fast that many cultivators at the Fusion Realm found it hard to track. Bai Qingming laughed heartily and immediately slashed out with his sword, unleashing a terrifying sword intent that transformed into a long rainbow, directly colliding with the golden light.

Puff…

Several drops of blood splattered in the air.

Bang!

A massive golden wing fell from the sky, its dazzling golden feathers now stained with crimson blood.

A figure appeared next to Xu Peng.

It was Xu Tiankun. He had now lost his left arm and looked pale. He was glaring intently at Bai Qingming.

The crowd collectively gasped in shock, especially the Fusion Realm cultivators present. They exchanged glances, each reflecting a sense of solemnity deep within their eyes. Ř𝘈ɴȱ฿Ęṧ

"Uncle Tiankun!"

Xu Peng's expression tightened as he looked in disbelief at the severed arm.

Xu Tiankun was an elder of the Green Elephant Sect, hailing from the Peng Clan. After many years of cultivation, he had reached the peak of the Dao Union Realm and successfully overcame all three Calamities. He was just a half-step away from becoming a Profound Immortal.

It had to be said that the Peng Clan were known for their swiftness!

How did Bai Qingming sever Xu Tiankun’s left arm with only a single move?

How could sword cultivators be this powerful!

The crowd quickly realized that Bai Qingming, who had returned after years of wandering, had completely mastered the Netherland Intent!

This was why Xu Tiankun couldn’t even receive one of Bai Qingming’s strikes!

Xu Tiankun glared coldly at Bai Qingming. "Bai Qingming, there are rules in the capital. You attacked Xu Peng without cause, and now you've severed my arm. You need to give me an explanation."

"Weren’t you the first to attack now? Did you not intend to attack? Perhaps I misunderstood," Bai Qingming replied with a grin. "But… your chicken wing is severed; it’s just a matter of picking it up and reattaching it. What kind of explanation do you need?"

His smile widened even further. "In the future, offer your juniors some good words of advice. If they pick a fight with the disciples of the Void Immortal Sword Sect, they might just get a beating. But if they mess with our sword leader, they might…"

His smile grew even more sinister. "lose their entire family."

The crowd felt a chill run down their spines; it was an overt threat! If it had been any other cultivator making such a threat, they might not have taken it seriously.

But when these words came from the mouth of a sword cultivator, everyone had to weigh them carefully.

Xu Peng’s face turned ashen, while Xu Tiankun's expression grew darker. After a moment of silence, he stooped down to pick up his severed arm, channeling spiritual power into the wound, and it healed almost instantly.

Xu Qingsong silently watched Bai Qingming, a flicker of jealousy passing through his eyes.

Both he and Bai Qingming were geniuses of the same generation, yet now Bai Qingming could sever the arms of Fusion Realm cultivators with a single sword strike, while he remained stuck at the Fusion Realm, unable to break through.

With Xu Peng as a cautionary tale, no one dared to utter a word; everyone fell silent, watching intently.

On the high platform, Era Immortal King seemed to pay little attention to the trivial matters below, simply smiling as he quietly observed Fang Chen. Fang Chen was clumsily refining the pill in front of him, giving everyone the impression that he might make a mistake at any moment.

After an unknown period of time, Fang Chen finally withdrew the alchemical fire and handed the pill to Era Immortal King. To the onlookers, Fang Chen's awkwardness contrasted sharply with Ji Liang's skill, making it clear that Fang Chen had already lost this round. However, no one dared to mock him just yet.

Era Immortal King took the pill from Fang Chen, examined it for a moment, and then nodded before starting to evaluate the pill refined by Xia Ji. "This pill has ten parts of impurities, and you managed to refine eight of them away. Your talent in alchemy is commendable."

"Ten parts of impurities reduced by eight?"

The people knowledgeable about alchemy squinted slightly, looking at Xia Ji with curiosity. Although they could achieve similar results now, they had immersed themselves in this field for many years. Xia Ji was only a junior who hadn't even formed a Golden Core.

Era Immortal King then turned to Ji Liang and smiled. "You must have put in a lot of effort in your studies, right?"

Ji Liang respectfully nodded. "I have been practicing at home."

"Well, you managed to reduce nine parts of impurities," Era Immortal King remarked.

Nine of the ten parts were purified?

Everyone felt like they already knew the outcome.

Shockingly enough, the Era Immortal King turned to Fang Chen, light shining in his eyes, and said, "You don’t seem to have much experience with alchemy, but your control over your internal energy far surpasses everyone at your level. You got rid of all the impurities in the pill. You can enter my Desolate Academy to learn alchemy."

Ji Liang's smile gradually stiffened. "He reduced al-all of it?"

Bai Qingming laughed heartily. "Little Fang, no wonder the Heavenly Cloud Emperor has taken notice of you. Look at this, you're talented not just in swordsmanship but also in alchemy!"

Xu Peng and the others had looks of shock on their faces, unable to believe it. "How is that possible...? Ji Liang actually lost to him?!"

Originally, Ji Liang was the favored candidate for this spot; His alchemy skill should’ve overwhelmed the others. But now... Fang Chen had unexpectedly snatched it away!

Era Immortal King glanced at the four who had passed. "You four, follow me."

He waved his sleeve, and each of them received a wasted pill.

That was a failed pill made from thousands of spiritual materials, one the Era Immortal King had crafted personally. Although they couldn’t benefit from it by consuming it, they could research and analyze it, providing significant insights into alchemy.

Receiving those four pills signified that they had earned the recognition of the Era Immortal King and the qualification to enter the Desolate Academy.

In a flash of light, Era Immortal King and the four of them disappeared, while the high platform, formed from spiritual veins, also quietly vanished.

Ji Liang and Feng Ya stood expressionless, staying silent for a long time.