Following the gazes of the gathered Alchemists, Xiao Fan and the others turned their attention to the green-haired Alchemist.
Noticing everyone's eyes on him and feeling Tang Zhen's gaze, the green-haired Alchemist broke out in a thin sheen of cold sweat. A trace of regret stirred in his heart, but at the thought of the Alchemists supporting him, he stiffened his resolve again and looked at Tang Zhen.
"What is it, fellow Daoist Ku Rong? Do you have some advice for me?"
Feeling the man's gaze, Tang Zhen narrowed his eyes slightly. Vast energy emanated from his body, lending him an air of authority even without anger.
Gulp...
Feeling Tang Zhen's aura, the green-haired Alchemist he had called Ku Rong tensed. Recalling what had happened inside the formation, he showed a trace of resentment before saying, "Valley Master Tang, if you had already chosen your candidates, you could simply have said so. Why use this contest to humiliate us?"
As Ku Rong spoke, his expression kept shifting, revealing a trace of anger, as though Tang Zhen had done something that outraged heaven and man alike.
"Humiliate?"
Tang Zhen looked taken aback at Ku Rong's words, puzzled by the humiliation he spoke of. Exchanging a glance with Xiao Fan, he seemed to understand something. He turned back to Ku Rong, the irritation stirred by the accusation giving way to amusement.
"Wasn't that what you did?!"
Seeing Tang Zhen's smile, Ku Rong became even more convinced that Tang Zhen had secretly tampered with the contest. He stepped forward, pointed at Xiao Fan and Xiao Yan, and said, "Two greenhorn brats! I refuse to believe they could have become Sixth-Tier Alchemists at such a young age. Besides, even if they had, how could they have lasted so long inside the nine dragon thunder