The sound is clear and cold, like the gurgling spring water tapping on mountain rocks, incredibly pleasant to the ears.

Everyone was slightly stunned, even Xu Fan opened his eyes wide in disbelief, gazing in the direction from where the sound came.

At one end of the square, a girl of around seventeen or eighteen slightly panting, as if she had run over, stood there, her extremely pretty face full of determination.

The newcomer was none other than Song Ling'er, who had quite a good relationship with Xu Fan!

Song Ling'er was extremely low-key within the base, because she always focused on alchemy, coupled with her somewhat introverted personality, so she was not well-known among everyone.

At this moment, even as Song Ling'er stood here, the crowd still couldn't call out Song Ling'er's name, nor did they understand why Song Ling'er had the courage to dare to block Mu Lao and the four Zhiwei Realm experts' will.

"Song Ling'er! Why are you not participating in the alchemy assessment, and came running here? Hurry back!"

As an Elder of the Elixir Pharmacy, Yi Lao naturally recognized Song Ling'er, and although he was equally doubtful at this moment, he still reprimanded with a stern face.

Yi Lao's perception of Song Ling'er has always been pretty good, so at this moment, he only reprimanded without punishing her. Had it been anyone else daring to block Mu Lao and the others in this way, Yi Lao would have surely acted directly and killed them.

"Ling'er! Go back quickly!"

Xu Fan also sternly reprimanded Song Ling'er.

Earlier, Xu Fan was slightly panicked partly because he didn't expect Song Ling'er to appear at such a time, and partly worried about Song Ling'er's safety.

Xu Fan was all too aware of his situation; it's impossible to change things just because of Song Ling'er's appeal, and Song Ling'er might even risk her own life as a result.

That's why Xu Fan deliberately put on a stern face, urging Song Ling'er to leave quickly.

"No! Xu Fan, don't worry! With me here today, no one can harm you!"

Not only did Song Ling'er ignore Xu Fan's words, but she also rushed over to firmly block Xu Fan, staring directly at Mu Lao and the others, her small face full of determination.

"Silly girl..."

Seeing Song Ling'er like this, a wave of warmth surged through Xu Fan's heart. This base is controlled by the Hidden World Families, hence everyone is cold and ruthless.

Yet within this base, Xu Fan befriended Qin Fei, met the Grey Wolf Team, and Song Ling'er.

These people have sincere hearts and are genuinely honest to Xu Fan.

Seeing Song Ling'er's petite and frail yet incredibly determined figure, Xu Fan's face also showed a bit of emotion.

"Haha."

A cold laugh echoed, Mu Lao's face turned frighteningly gloomy, "Are the young people today all so reckless?"

"Or is it the case that, being close to vermilion makes one red, and being close to ink makes one black? Anyone related to you, Xu Fan, becomes this abhorrent?"

Song Ling'er's appearance certainly caught Mu Lao and the others by surprise, but it had not the slightest impact on the final outcome.

Such a mere Song Ling'er, such an alchemy apprentice, dares to obstruct the four Zhiwei Realm experts?

If she dares rebel, killing her will suffice.

"What a pretty girl, and she chooses to rebel with that traitor Xu Fan, what a pity..."

Mu Lao's sinister eyes moved off Song Ling'er and coldly uttered a single word, "Kill!"

Boom!

Three terrifying auras surged forth, Xie Lao and the others' mouths curled into cold smiles, waves of spiritual power gushed out, considering crushing both Xu Fan and Song Ling'er together.

Their intention was to completely disregard Song Ling'er and directly crush her along with Xu Fan!

"Arrogant! Stop at once!?"

A rebuking voice echoed, drawing everyone's gaze, as an elderly man with white hair strode swiftly towards them.

"Mu Elder! Are you four dare to act against an alchemy prodigy?"

"Moreover, this little girl is someone Pill Divine Valley itself has chosen, what exactly are you old fellows planning to do?"

The elderly man's words left everyone rooted to the spot.

Alchemy prodigy? This girl, who seems barely seventeen or eighteen, is indeed an alchemy prodigy? The recent dragon roar was caused by her?

The white-haired elder did not even glance at the shocked crowd, his elderly face now filled with a kind smile, "You are Song Ling'er, right? What a beautiful name!"

"Ling'er, why didn't you wait for the assessment to finish and ran over here alone?"

This white-haired elder even facing Mu Lao and others, did not show any partiality, but while addressing Song Ling'er, his words carried a faint hint of appeasement.

"Reporting to Elder Niu, my brother was besieged by the four Base Elders during the competition, hence I hurried over here."

Song Ling'er, neither humble nor haughty, steadfastly stood in front of Xu Fan, unwilling to move half a step.

Song Ling'er's presence here is naturally because she's been concerned about the situation here; the square of the competition and the site of the elixir assessment are not very far apart, so Song Ling'er was well aware of the situation here.

However, Song Ling'er didn't rush over at the beginning to protect Xu Fan amidst the siege. Song Ling'er was clever, merely an alchemy apprentice herself; rushing up would only add chaos to Xu Fan's plight.

Therefore, upon realizing Xu Fan was in danger, Song Ling'er bypassed the long line of apprentices at the front, and directly rushed to the very front to start crafting elixirs.

Elder Niu, responsible for the assessment, surely wouldn't allow such an incident, yet before he could expel Song Ling'er, seeing the materials she picked and her crafting techniques, he stood agape.

A girl of barely seventeen or eighteen years old is actually crafting Fourth Grade Elixirs! Even Elder Niu himself is merely a Third Grade Alchemist!

The path of elixirs tests one's aptitude even more than cultivation! Elder Niu's status as a Third Grade Alchemist is incredibly prestigious, but encountering an apprentice aiming to craft Fourth Grade Elixirs, how could he not be alarmed?

What alarmed Elder Niu further was Song Ling'er actually succeeded! Moreover, she triggered a dragon roar!

Such an occurrence, Elder Niu had never witnessed in all his years.

Within a year, crafting Fourth Grade Elixir! This girl's aptitude for elixirs is simply stunning!

Holding the Fourth Grade Elixir in his hand, Elder Niu couldn't return to his senses for a long time, and when he finally did, he stood stunned again.

That small girl who crafted the Fourth Grade Elixir was gone…

Without hesitation, Elder Niu abandoned his assessment duties and rushed urgently in Song Ling'er's direction!

A girl with such terrifying talent, her future achievements surely sitting at the world's pinnacle! And Elder Niu, being the first to discover Song Ling'er's talent, how could he miss such an opportunity?

As long as he could establish a connection with this girl, in the future…

Just as Elder Niu was thinking this, he saw Xie Lao and the others about to strike Song Ling'er.

In an instant, cold sweat covered Elder Niu's entire back.

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