The sudden turn of events, coupled with the attention already focused on Jun Wangchen, drew every gaze in the square toward him.
Feng Fu and Feng Xuan, who stood nearby, also looked over. Both froze when they saw the Herb Paste inside Jun Wangchen's Alchemical Furnace suddenly burn to nothing.
A trace of confusion flashed through Feng Fu's eyes. With Jun Wangchen's ability, he should never have made such a basic mistake as losing control of his flames.
Feng Xuan snorted, a sneer curling his lips as though mocking Jun Wangchen for failing at such a crucial step.
In the Feng Collateral Branch's camp, Feng Mei's expression changed, her face filling with worry and tension.
"Mr. Jun didn't make a single mistake earlier. How could he suddenly..."
"He was so arrogant at the start. It's only natural that he'd fall flat on his face at the end!" Feng Zhua's eyes gleamed with schadenfreude, his expression practically begging for a punch.
Feng Mei's face turned livid. She was about to reprimand Feng Zhua when Feng Qianyuan waved a hand, signaling them not to argue.
Feng Zhua spread his hands, looking only too happy to watch the trouble unfold. Feng Mei's face alternated between pale and flushed as she turned her worried gaze back to Jun Wangchen.
Neither noticed the cold glint that passed through Feng Qianyuan's eyes. Clearly, he already knew the real reason Jun Wangchen's flames had gone out of control.
Beside the Colorless Pill Furnace, the long-bearded elder and the others froze at the sight of the herbs being devoured by flames, all visibly astonished.
With Jun Wangchen's talent and ability, he should not have failed at the final pill-forming step.
The surrounding crowd also began speculating. Many believed Jun Wangchen's outstanding performance earlier had made him overconfident, causing