The Path of Immortality: Starts With Creating Water Bear Gu-Chapter 402: Duan Tianwu’s Identity Exposed

After deliberation among the judges, the scores for this round were finalized: Long Yuyao received 92 points, Wang Wu got 91 points, and Feng Shuang scored the lowest with 90 points.

For the first time, a gap appeared between the three geniuses.

"Heh! My apologies, but while Wang Wu’s Emperor Pill, which enhances imperial aura, is impressive..."

"A score of 91 is still too low. In this round, the Qin clan’s genius has once again taken the lead over the Wang clan’s genius."

Qin Shang turned his head slightly and glanced at Wang Hu with a smug expression.

Wang Hu’s face darkened momentarily before he quickly regained his composure. Turning toward Qin Shang, he spoke:

"As expected. The Qin clan truly has extraordinary means. To win a mere bet, you’re willing to go to any lengths—even colluding with the Ancestor Heaven Deceitful."

"How could our clan’s genius possibly defeat the champion of the last Western Region Alchemy Competition?"

Wang Hu placed a Integrity Gu on the table, his expression grim as he stared at Qin Shang and questioned him.

Through multiple rounds of competition, he had noticed that Qin Dan’s alchemy techniques bore an uncanny resemblance to those of the infamous Ancestor Heaven Deceitful from two hundred years ago.

Coincidentally, the Ancestor Heaven Deceitful had just recently escaped captivity and vanished without a trace during an alchemy session.

This deepened Wang Hu’s suspicions. Especially since, despite all his investigations, he had been unable to uncover Qin Dan’s true identity—almost as if he had appeared out of thin air. He was convinced that Qin Dan was none other than the Ancestor Heaven Deceitful himself.

But lacking concrete evidence, he had no choice but to borrow a Integrity Gu from the Qian Clan Chamber of Commerce to test Qin Shang.

If the Integrity Gu glowed, it would prove Wang Hu’s suspicions correct, and the Wang clan could overturn their disadvantage today.

Colluding with a forbidden alchemy Gu master was a grave crime. If this accusation stuck to the Flaming Court Empire, then the Radiant Moon Empire would emerge victorious in this wager.

Upon hearing this shocking revelation, all the judges turned their gazes toward them. The entire hall fell silent in an instant—one could hear a pin drop.

Many people displayed expressions of doubt. Wang Hu was not the only one with suspicions; several veteran alchemists had long harbored similar thoughts. Qin Dan’s alchemy techniques did not match those of a mere Third-grade Alchemist and bore a striking resemblance to the Ancestor Heaven Deceitful’s skills from two centuries ago.

But without evidence, no one dared to voice their suspicions.

Now that someone had openly raised the issue, everyone eagerly awaited the spectacle that would unfold.

Feng Tiancheng smirked.

"So, even the previous Western Region Alchemy Competition champion has entered the fray? And now we have a fourth-grade Alchemist appearing as well? This is getting more and more interesting..."

For the past ten thousand years, only two individuals had ever become fourth-grade Alchemists before turning fifty: the Ancestor Heaven Deceitful and the Ancestor Burning Heaven.

This alone proved that the Ancestor Heaven Deceitful was the greatest alchemist of his era, just as the Ancestor Burning Heaven was in this era.

A duel between these two legendary figures in alchemy—Feng Tiancheng was eager to see whose skills would prove superior.

Without even thinking, he dismissed Long Xuan from his mind.

"Bang!"

Qin Shang slammed his palm onto the table and shouted angrily,

"Stop talking nonsense! Where the hell did you get the idea that he’s the Ancestor Heaven Deceitful?"

"Accusations require evidence!"

Qin Shang stood up, visibly agitated.

This was a charge that the Flaming Court Empire could not afford to bear. If proven, the empire’s collusion with the Ancestor Heaven Deceitful would not only enrage the masses but also provide various factions with the perfect excuse to wage war.

At the decree of the Gu Emperor City, the Flaming Court Empire could be on the brink of collapse.

Even though Qin Shang himself had some doubts about Qin Dan being the Ancestor Heaven Deceitful—given their strikingly similar alchemy techniques—the stakes were too high for him to acknowledge such a thing.

Wang Hu turned his gaze toward the Integrity Gu on the table. Seeing that it did not glow, he frowned slightly.

Had he been mistaken?

Was Qin Dan not the Ancestor Heaven Deceitful but merely his disciple? Or someone who had accidentally inherited his legacy?

No, impossible. Absolutely impossible!

Wang Hu immediately dismissed that possibility.

He would rather believe that Qin Shang was truly unaware of Qin Dan’s real identity than accept that he had been mistaken.

After all, this was a matter of great importance. To avoid any risk of exposure, the collusion with Ancestor Heaven Deceitful was destined to be known only by a select few. It was perfectly normal for Qin Shang to be unaware.

“Hmph! Don’t think that just because the Qin Emperor didn’t tell you about this, you can deceive the Integrity Gu.”

“How difficult can it be to prove this matter? Once the competition is over, I’ll send a group of Gu Kings to test him. Everyone here can bear witness.”

Wang Hu snorted coldly, his gaze landing on Qin Dan, who stood at the center of the palace. A fleeting trace of killing intent flashed in his eyes.

Even if this person wasn’t Ancestor Heaven Deceitful, Wang Hu had already decided—during the test, he would strike with lethal force and eliminate him.

When the time came, he could simply claim it was an accident, an unfortunate mistake. What could the Qin Clan do about it?

As long as this person died, the bet between the Radiant Moon Empire and the Flame Court Empire would be won without a doubt.

This was an open scheme—Qin Shang had no choice but to accept it.

However, how could Qin Shang not see through his intentions? Upon hearing this, he immediately panicked.

He strongly suspected that Qin Dan was indeed Ancestor Heaven Deceitful, so how could he allow Wang Hu to make a move? He instantly erupted in fury:

“I do not agree! No matter whether he is Ancestor Heaven Deceitful or not, you could still deliberately use excessive force and kill him! Who would I turn to for justice then?”

“If Qin Dan dies, our clan will undoubtedly lose this bet. You’re really playing a clever game!”

Qin Shang sneered disdainfully, “Regardless of whether he is Ancestor Heaven Deceitful, so what?”

“Our Flaming Court Empire is completely unaware. He has legs of his own—if he chooses to come here, how could we stop him?”

“If merely participating in the Alchemy Competition alongside Ancestor Heaven Deceitful is enough to accuse us of collusion, that would be unjust! I absolutely refuse to accept such reasoning.”

“The Phoenix Heaven Empire unknowingly allowed Ancestor Burning Heaven to sneak in, so why can’t our Flaming Court Empire unknowingly allow Ancestor Heaven Deceitful to enter? What can you do about it?”

Recalling Feng Tiancheng’s earlier argument, Qin Shang quickly learned from it. He smirked arrogantly at Wang Hu.

Wang Hu’s expression darkened. He hadn’t expected Qin Shang to come up with such a counterargument.

This was the same reasoning Phoenix Heaven Empire had used. Now, even if they confirmed that Qin Dan was indeed Ancestor Heaven Deceitful, they still wouldn’t be able to pin the blame on Flaming Court Empire.

Most of the Flaming Court Empire’s people were clearly unaware. No matter how they investigated, it would be useless unless they could find the person who had truly colluded with Ancestor Heaven Deceitful. Only then could they bring down the Flaming Court Empire.

At this moment, a highly respected elder in the judging panel spoke sternly, “These two cases are identical. Either both Phoenix Heaven Empire and Flaming Court Empire are guilty, or neither of them are.”

“This matter can be discussed later. Right now, the three exceptional talents have successfully created new pill recipe, and nothing is more important than this.”

The elder revealed a slight smile, his gaze filled with anticipation as he looked at the three of them.

Upon hearing this, the judges no longer paid attention to the controversy. Instead, all their eyes turned toward the three individuals, eagerly awaiting the birth of the three new pill formulas.

Everyone had a strong premonition—these three extraordinary geniuses were about to unveil something that would shake the world and bring them an unprecedented surprise.