Chapter 10 I'll Take the Challenge

• "Is this a dream? At just 16, he's managed to refine the Body-forging Pill! What a genius!" Someone gasped in astonishment.
• "This Body-forging Pill looks superior to the ones we're used to. I never thought Sebastian had such hidden skills and knowledge in alchemy! With his potential, he's stronger than anyone with High-soul Veins!" another man admired.
• The core members of the Stones family gathered in the square, filled with envy and admiration.
• On the other hand, Edgar was taken aback, feeling a mix of heartbreak and anger. His expression darkened as he realized he had lost a priceless thousand-year Redmyst Spirit Mushroom. Had he auctioned it, he could have made a fortune in Spirit Dollars.
• The elder of the Stones trembled slightly as he gazed at the snow-white pills in his hand, muttering, "Finally, the Stones have an alchemist!"
• His simple statement sparked excitement among the family members. They were well aware that the Stones had to spend heavily to buy pills from others due to the lack of an alchemist, often facing ridicule from more powerful warrior families.
• But now, with a young alchemist in their midst, it wouldn't be long before he could become an Alchemy King!
• "Edgar, we win the bet. Accept the outcome!" Ronan grinned.
• "Hmph!" Edgar, filled with jealousy and pain, took out a large piece of the Redmyst Spirit Mushroom and handed it to Sebastian.
• At this moment, the members of the Stones no longer dared to underestimate Sebastian. After all, he was already an alchemist at just 16! Many young girls from the side branches were casting flirtatious looks in his direction.
• While those girls looked at Sebastian with starry eyes, some young men were consumed with jealousy.
• Sebastian brushed it off, recalling how those same people had often mocked him before.
• "Don't think you can become the patriarch just because your son can refine pills. You still need to prove your strength to be the patriarch!" Edgar said coldly.
• At that moment, two middle-aged men competing with Ronan for the patriarch decided to withdraw. They recognized that Sebastian, at his young age, could refine Low-earthly Rank pills, signaling a bright future. Angering an alchemist was a foolish move.
• Now, only Edgar and one other man remained in the race against Ronan for the patriarch position.
• Edgar declared, "If you can defeat me and my brother, the patriarch title will be yours!"
• Ronan narrowed his eyes. "Is that a promise? Are we fighting together or one by one?"
• Ronan wanted to take on Edgar and his brother alone. If he could do that, he would surely impress everyone.
• "Single combat; otherwise, it won't be convincing," Edgar stated, as bystanders stepped back to clear space.
• "Let's get started and make it quick," Ronan replied.
• The crowd retreated, sensing the overwhelming power from the duel between the two at the Earthly Seventh Realm.
• After moving to the edge of the square, Ronan and Edgar rushed toward each other with incredible speed. In an instant, their palms collided, testing each other's true energy.
• Edgar radiated fierce true energy, while Ronan remained still, the tense blue veins on his muscles indicating the turbulent energy flowing within him.
• With their palms locked together, they stared intently at one another. The square trembled slightly, and the ground cracked beneath them as violent air currents swirled around, kicking up dust.
• When Ronan shouted, the tremors ceased, the wind abruptly stopping. Edgar was flung backward, spitting blood, while Ronan also staggered a few steps back.
• Edgar crashed to the ground, struggling to rise. It was clear he had lost, yet a smirk lingered on his face.
• Although Ronan emerged victorious, he didn't look good.
• Edgar laughed. "You may have won, but you didn't come out unscathed! You're sure to lose in the next round. Even someone at Earthly Sixth Realm could beat you now!" He laughed again, coughing up more blood, indicating severe internal damage.
• "You've also reached the Earthly Eighth Realm!" Ronan said, covering his abdomen with one hand, surprised that Edgar had advanced that far.
• "Aren't you the same?" Edgar shot back, smirking.
• Both Edgar and Ronan turned out to be at the Earthly Eighth Realm, leaving everyone astonished. It was clear Ronan had sustained serious injuries from their earlier clash.
• And Ronan still had to face Edgar's younger brother!
• Sebastian rushed to support the nearly collapsing Ronan. "Dad, are you okay?" He placed his hand on Ronan's abdomen, channeling pure wood element true energy into him.
• As the invigorating wood element energy surged into his body, Ronan stiffened, astonished at Sebastian's ability, but quickly regained his composure.
• "My injuries are serious. Edgar is determined to inflict harm. Don't waste your true energy!" Ronan said excitedly, realizing his son's true energy was far more profound than he had expected.
• Upon hearing Ronan's words, Sebastian felt a weight on his heart. If Ronan lost, it would spell disaster for their side.
• "It's the second round; let's not delay!" Edgar weakly urged. His face was pale, and despite his injuries, he felt confident that Ronan wouldn't be able to defeat his younger brother.
• Sebastian looked at Edgar, determination shining in his eyes. "I'll take on the challenge!"
• Sebastian's decision to step in for his father caught everyone off guard. They all knew he lacked a Soul Vein, and his strength wasn't impressive. Although he could unleash true energy flames and manipulate them, it was clear he couldn't make up for this in a short amount of time.
• The opponent Sebastian faced was no ordinary fighter. He was at the Earthly Seventh Realm. Many believed Sebastian was making a foolish choice to help his father keep the patriarch's position.
• Ronan was also taken aback. However, seeing the confidence in Sebastian's eyes, he considered whether to allow his son to fight. Given his serious injuries, Ronan felt it was impossible to compete without risking a worse defeat.
• A young man sneered and said, "You don't even have a Soul Vein! How dare you challenge your elder? Even if you can refine some inferior pills, I can easily defeat you! I've reached the Earthly Fifth Realm!"
• That was Haddon, who had previously clashed with Sebastian in the Elixir Emporium. He was Edgar's son.
• For someone his age to reach the Earthly Fifth Realm was indeed impressive, making his arrogance somewhat warranted.
• "Haddon, what if I win?" Sebastian asked calmly, his demeanor showing no sign of craziness.