The demonstration skills of Zhao Huai and Lan Anran soon came to an end.
They were extremely fast in their movements, using the same ordinary spiritual herbs that Zhao Shuning and the others had used before. But in less than a moment, they had perfectly fused those herbs together. The pills they refined were not only much smoother and rounder in appearance than those refined by others, but also of a much higher rank.
There is always someone better, and this saying really makes sense.
After their demonstration, they received thunderous applause from the audience below.
Zhao Huai and Lan Anran bowed politely to the audience.
Then, in full view of everyone, Zhao Huai walked towards the top ten contestants.
"Is Senior Brother coming to guide us?"
"I heard that Senior Brother Zhao is a disciple with extremely high talent in the sect and has even received personal guidance from the Emperor."
"Sure enough, great people are always approachable."
The first - place winner in this competition was a sixteen - year - old girl named Lan Yan, Lan Anran's younger sister.
Lan Yan had the elegant and dignified appearance of a well - bred young lady. Most of the alchemists present had a secret admiration for a girl like her. During the competition, Zhao Shuning also took a few extra glances at Lan Yan.
To be honest, her appearance was the type that Zhao Shuning liked. Having such a beauty around, one could look at her whenever bored or uncomfortable, and it would surely lift one's mood.
Zhao Shuning had also observed Lan Yan carefully during the competition. Her strength was indeed much stronger than his.
"Lan Yan is Lan Anran's sister. We only heard about Lan Anran before, but we never expected his sister to be such an outstanding alchemist."
"This Miss Lan has really hidden her talent well."
Seeing Zhao Huai walking towards Lan Yan, Lan Anran quickly followed. He whispered, "Zhao Huai, don't have any thoughts about my sister."
But Zhao Huai ignored Lan Anran and walked straight ahead.
At first, Lan Yan was a bit at a loss. After all, the young man who could demonstrate skills with her brother must be very powerful. Moreover, Zhao Huai had a gentle and refined appearance. So Lan Yan had a secret fondness for this senior brother named Zhao Huai from the bottom of her heart. When she was at the Lan family, she had heard her father mention Zhao Huai and was specifically told not to provoke this person easily when she got to the sect. Now, as Zhao Huai walked towards her, her heart was pounding like a deer.
Lan Anran reached Lan Yan's side first. He stood in front of Lan Yan and said to Zhao Huai, "If you have something to say, say it at the sect. My sister is extremely beautiful, but this is a public place. It might be inappropriate for you to show your affection so openly."
"Brother, what are you talking about?" A blush flew across Lan Yan's face.
This sight made those adolescent boys even more infatuated. Such a beauty could easily attract others' attention anywhere. Moreover, Lan Yan was not just a pretty face; her strength was there for all to see. The fact that she won the first place in this competition proved that she was definitely not a vase.
Zhao Huai frowned.
"Get out of the way."
"Zhao Huai, what are you going to do?"
Zhao Huai frowned even deeper. Fortunately, Lan Yan was sensible and gently pulled Lan Anran aside.
"Brother, don't be like this. Maybe Senior Brother Zhao has something to talk to me about?"
At this time, Zhao Huai glanced at Lan Yan. Then he said, "Thank you."
"You're welcome. Senior Brother Zhao is looking for me for—" Before the three words "what thing" could come out, Zhao Huai actually walked past Lan Yan towards the back.
Lan Yan looked a bit uncomfortable. Lan Anran was also completely confused.
Zhao Huai walked to the last row and looked at the little girl in the corner. He said softly, "You're here."
Zhao Shuning beamed with excitement.
"Brother, it's been a long time."
Zhao Huai smiled slightly, and his good - looking eyes were filled with warmth.
Zhao Shuning gave a light leap, and Zhao Huai skillfully caught her in his arms.
"Brother, did you miss me?"
The tenderness on Zhao Huai's face overflowed. "Of course. I knew that little Ning'er would come to Chang'an City to find me."
Everyone was stunned. What was the relationship between this little girl and Young Master Zhao? Judging from their intimate appearance, could they be...?
A strange look flashed across Lan Yan's face at this moment. She looked at Zhao Shuning and then at Zhao Huai. She felt as if everyone's eyes were on her. It seemed that she was a laughingstock.
Lan Anran said, "Yan'er, don't think too much."
"I know, brother."
Rong Yan felt a sour feeling welling up in her heart when she saw this reunion of the siblings. She wanted to leave, but her feet uncontrollably walked towards where Zhao Huai and the others were.
Yes, even now, she still couldn't convince herself.
Zhao Shuning also noticed the black - clothed woman walking towards her. When she got closer, she took off her veil.
Zhao Shuning was surprised. "Boss Lady, why are you here?"
Zhao Huai said, "You two know each other?"
The audience below gasped again. No way! What on earth was the background of this new little girl? Even the well - known black - market boss lady in Chang'an City had a connection with her?
Zhao Huai put Zhao Shuning down, but his hand still held hers.
"Brother, let me introduce you. This boss lady is my great benefactor. When I came to the city, I almost lost my life. Fortunately, the boss lady saved me."
Zhao Huai raised his eyes and looked at Rong Yan.
Rong Yan felt that this was the most serious look Zhao Huai had ever given her.
He said, "Thank you."
Rong Yan smiled. "It's okay. It was just a small thing."
"You saved little Ning'er, which is very important to me. In the future, if the boss lady has any trouble that I, Zhao Huai, can help with, just let me know."
Rong Yan nodded. In fact, she didn't want this either. She didn't want Zhao Huai to get closer to her just because of gratitude. But Rong Yan didn't know what to do. She didn't know how to make this white - clothed young man stop being so distant from her.
"Boss Lady, thank you. If it weren't for you, I might not have survived until now, and I wouldn't have been able to see my brother."
Rong Yan said, "Do you have a place to stay now? My Chunhui Pavilion always welcomes you back."
But Zhao Huai slightly blocked in front of Zhao Shuning and refused. "No need. Now that little Ning'er is by my side, I won't let such a dangerous thing happen again."
Rong Yan forced a smile awkwardly.
"Well, that's good then."
Not long after, a voice came from behind the curtain.
"Zhao Huai, Lan Anran, come forward."
"Yes."
Feng Zhan looked at Yan Ruyu, whose eyes were filled with anger, and joked lightly, "No way. Didn't you say they were siblings? Are you uncomfortable just because they held hands for a while?"
"Even if they are siblings, they've been holding hands for too long."