Divine War Pill Emperor

Zuo Siming challenged Jiang Chen.

He didn’t want to let Jiang Chen off the hook so easily. Although he couldn’t touch Han Yinghua for the time being, he could still put Jiang Chen in his place.

Hearing that Zuo Siming wanted to challenge him, Jiang Chen remained silent.

Seeing this, Zuo Tu immediately stepped forward and demanded loudly, “Jiang Chen, are you scared?”

“Don’t worry, my brother will go easy on you.”

Zuo Feng and the others all looked at Jiang Chen, trying to pressure him into competing with Zuo Siming.

After all, Zuo Siming was a prodigy of the Zuo Family. Now that he was a One-Star Supreme Refiner, he was a force to be reckoned with. Even in the wider Artifact Refining Realm, he was considered a rare talent.

Zuo Feng himself had been certified as a One-Star Top-Grade Refiner. With another year, he too could reach the Super Grade.

The two of them were the Zuo Family’s pair of prodigies.

Zuo Feng was naturally confident that his brother, Zuo Siming, could easily defeat Jiang Chen.

Especially since Jiang Chen had only just been certified as a One-Star Supreme Refiner.

As the crowd watched on, many began to whisper among themselves.

“The Zuo Family’s prodigy, Zuo Siming, challenged that kid. He’s probably no match for Zuo Siming.”

“This is going to be a good show. I just hope the kid doesn’t lose too badly.”

“Zuo Siming became a One-Star Supreme Refiner a year ago. He’s probably about to become a Two-Star Lower-Grade Refiner by now. He’ll definitely crush this kid.”

Just then, Han Yinghua glanced at Jiang Chen.

She stepped forward to get him out of the predicament.

“Zuo Siming, what’s so impressive about challenging Jiang Chen? If you have the guts, compete against me, Han Yinghua.”

“Don’t think I’m afraid of you.”

Han Yinghua was the daughter of the Patriarch of the Han Family, an Artifact Refining Family, and had become a One-Star Supreme Refiner long ago.

She was every bit Zuo Siming’s equal, and the Magical Treasures she refined were even slightly better than his.

After all, she couldn’t just stand by and watch so many people from the Zuo Family gang up on Jiang Chen.

Besides, the Zuo Family and her Han Family were old rivals, the two great families constantly at odds with each other.

In recent years, the Han Family had been on the back foot.

However, the difference in strength between them wasn’t that great.

The Han Family might even be able to turn the tables and overpower the Zuo Family, thanks to Han Yinghua.

Zuo Siming grew annoyed.

“Han Yinghua, if you want to compete, fine. It’s not like I’m afraid of you. But I don’t have time for you right now.”

“Stay out of my business.”

“This kid picked on a member of my Zuo Family, so I have to teach him a lesson.”

“Hah. Do you really think the Zuo Family is a pushover?”

Zuo Siming’s gaze fell on Jiang Chen, his eyes filled with scorn.

“Well, kid? Got cold feet?”

“Are you that pathetic?”

“And you think you’re worthy of the title One-Star Supreme Refiner?”

He kept taunting Jiang Chen, trying to provoke him into accepting the challenge.

Jiang Chen abruptly lifted his head and shot Zuo Siming a cold glare.

“Fine,” he said suddenly. “I accept your challenge.”

“Name the time and place.”

Jiang Chen wasn’t one to shy away from trouble. Now that an Artifact Refiner had challenged him, he was curious to see just how skilled his opponent’s Artifact Refining Technique truly was.

His own Thousand-Hammered Refining Skill was already a superior technique.

‘Besides, this is a chance to observe the Zuo Family’s Artifact Refining Technique firsthand. I can compare it with my own. It might even be helpful.’

When Zuo Siming saw that Jiang Chen had actually accepted his challenge, he burst out laughing.

‘Finally, the taunts worked.’

He smirked. “Very good. I’ll give you that, you’ve got some spine.”

“We’ll compete tomorrow afternoon at the Artifact Refiner Guild. Then, in front of everyone, I’ll show you the true power of the Zuo Family’s Artifact Refining Technique.”

Zuo Siming was brimming with confidence. ‘We’re both One-Star Supreme Refiners, but with my family’s Artifact Refining Technique, defeating him will be easy.’

“I look forward to seeing your family’s technique.”

Jiang Chen said indifferently.

With that, he scooped up Little Xixi and walked out of the Artifact Refiner Guild.

The crowd behind them erupted in a clamor.

Han Yinghua paused to think for a moment, then hurried after Jiang Chen.

Outside the Artifact Refiner Guild, Jiang Chen noticed Han Yinghua following and frowned slightly.

He didn’t say anything, however. She had just stepped in to help him. ‘Of course,’ he thought, ‘she definitely wants to recruit me into the Han Family.’

Sure enough, Han Yinghua didn’t disappoint.

She walked up to him and said, “Sir Jiang Chen, won’t you reconsider joining the Han Family?”

“If you join us, you can focus on honing your Artifact Refining Technique with peace of mind. The Han Family won’t restrict your freedom.”

Artifact refining was also an incredibly expensive pursuit.

All the necessary materials cost a great deal of money.

By joining a great family, one would no longer have to worry about materials and could focus solely on honing their artifact refining technique.

The benefits were obvious, but it would also mean having to serve that family.

Jiang Chen would never let anyone restrict his freedom.

He shook his head. “I’m sorry, I prefer to remain independent.”

Han Yinghua seemed to have expected this.

A flicker of disappointment crossed her face, but she quickly added, “In that case, I won’t insist.”

“But if you ever need help with anything, feel free to come to the Han Family.”

“In Xingyuan City, the Han Family has considerable influence. We are by no means weaker than the Zuo Family.”

Han Yinghua knew when to press and when to yield. Since Jiang Chen was unwilling to join the Han Family, she wouldn’t try to force him; she knew that would only create resentment.

So, she decided to get on his good side, regardless of whether he joined the Han Family or not.

After all, building a good relationship with a One-Star Supreme Refiner who had such immense potential could only be a boon for the Han Family.

“Alright. If I need anything, I’ll come to the Han Family.”

Jiang Chen didn’t refuse her offer outright. ‘I do need Artifact Refining Materials,’ he considered. ‘With the Han Family’s connections and years of experience in both Xingyuan City and the Artifact Refining Realm, they could certainly obtain rare materials more easily than I could on my own.’

Han Yinghua was very satisfied.

“Then I shall take my leave.”

Han Yinghua bid him farewell and turned to leave.

After walking a short distance, however, she turned to look back in the direction Jiang Chen was heading.

‘This Jiang Chen,’ she thought to herself, ‘is certainly full of pride.’

‘He won’t be easy to win over.’

‘Oh well. Some things can’t be forced.’

Carrying Little Xixi, Jiang Chen returned to Chenxi Pavilion.

The duel with Zuo Siming was set for the next afternoon. He mulled it over for a moment, organizing his thoughts.

Then, he looked down at Little Xixi.

Little Xixi raised her small head and looked up at Jiang Chen.

“Daddy, is Xixi cute?”

“You’re not cute at all,” Jiang Chen said coolly.

He was thinking about how Xixi had recognized the Bright Stone at the Artifact Refiner Guild—a material even he wasn’t familiar with, yet she had identified it instantly.

“Daddy, you’re so mean! How could you say Xixi isn’t cute?”

“I’m ignoring you now.”

Little Xixi turned her head away in a theatrical huff, pouting.

But when she saw that Jiang Chen wasn’t paying her any mind…

…she gave up on being angry and hugged his leg.

“Daddy, what are you thinking about?”

“Can you tell Xixi?”

Jiang Chen stroked Little Xixi’s head.

“I’m waiting for someone. They’ll be coming to find us tonight.”