Zi Lingling retracted the steps she was about to take and asked in surprise, "Why?"
Feng Mo seemed to have some reservations. He smiled meaningfully and said, "Nothing, it's just the rules!"
However, Nian Youyu was a straightforward person. He scoffed, "Bullshit rules! They're like whores wanting to erect a memorial archway, that's them!"
Zi Lingling and Ye Lingyuan exchanged glances, saying with interest, "Old Nian, you seem quite resentful! Who are 'they'? Tell us."
Feng Mo tugged at Nian Youyu's sleeve, trying to stop him from continuing.
But Nian Youyu ignored him. He pulled Zi Lingling back to sit down and then said, "Little girl Zi, the reason Old Mo beat around the bush and said so much is because he doesn't want to offend anyone."
"But I'm not afraid! Let me tell you, the so-called Pill Dao Discussion Conference is, in essence, an act of thievery!"
"Oh?" Zi Lingling became interested and said, "Old Nian, tell me more!"
"Alright!"
Nian Youyu responded and continued, "Girl, as an alchemist, you should know the importance of pill formulas to alchemists, right?"
Zi Lingling nodded.
Pill formulas were extremely precious, treasures to every alchemist. Except for disciples and family, they were rarely passed on to outsiders.
This was why Zi Lingling's former act of writing many pill formulas for the Situ father and son had made them so excited.
Of course, only a "nouveau riche" like Zi Lingling would treat pill formulas casually and give them away.
Most alchemists had very limited pill formulas and were stingy about sharing them with others.
This was not just a matter of sectarianism, stagnation, and factional disputes, but also due to human selfishness.
As humans, people liked to hoard good things for themselves, which was a human failing.
Nian Youyu continued, "Pill formulas are the lifelines of alchemists. Completing a fragmented pill formula requires countless efforts."
"And the Pill Dao Discussion Conference, while claiming to be a pill dao exchange, is actually a process for some people to seize the hard work of others."
"Seize it?" Zi Lingling asked in surprise, "Isn't it said that once a pill formula is completed, any alchemist can have it for perusal?"
Nian Youyu rolled his eyes and said, "Perusal? Heh! Perusal comes at a price!"
"Even for a fragmented pill formula, others might not get a glimpse of it. Because those who can see a fragmented pill formula must... hehe!"
"And during the discussion process, they only discuss the missing ingredients. They won't reveal all the known ingredients on the pill formula."
"Furthermore, once the pill formula is completed, it will be recorded by the Alchemist Guild. Except for a few people who participated in the discussion, others will have no details."
"Of course, to view the pill formula, one must join the Alchemist Guild! This is why outside forces rarely manage to recruit alchemists."
"Therefore, the Pill Dao Discussion Conference is just a facade. The real purpose is to obtain the pill formulas painstakingly verified by those individuals, and then use these pill formulas as bait to lure those outside the Alchemist Guild to join it."
Zi Lingling's brows furrowed involuntarily after hearing this.
To her, pill formulas were just paper. The "Emperor's Medical Canon" contained thousands of them.
Therefore, before the cataclysm, she didn't mind revealing some to leave behind a pill dao inheritance for Azure Star.
Of course, the premise was that these pill formulas would be public resources, accessible to anyone not of ill intent.
Now, it seemed she had underestimated humanity's ability to scheme, deceive, and form factions.
Zi Lingling thought for a moment and asked, "Did you join the Alchemist Guild because of this?"
Feng Mo sighed and nodded.
Nian Youyu also nodded and said, "Without advanced pill formulas, we wouldn't be able to break through!"
Zi Lingling understood and said, "I see!"
After speaking, she sat down quietly, waiting for the Pill Dao Assembly to begin.
"Lin'er, you aren't planning to target the Alchemist Guild, are you?" Ye Lingyuan transmitted telepathically.
Zi Lingling smiled and transmitted back, "Ye Lingyuan, you truly are my confidant. Nothing I do can escape your notice!"
Ye Lingyuan raised an eyebrow and transmitted again, "Can I assume you're complimenting me?"
Zi Lingling smiled and transmitted, "This Princess Consort is indeed complimenting you. Are you proud?"
Ye Lingyuan's lips curved, "Of course I'm proud! But I'm curious, what do you intend to do with the Alchemist Guild?"
"Straighten what is crooked, and kick out what cannot be straightened!" Zi Lingling's voice gained a hint of coldness.
"Kick?"
Ye Lingyuan asked in surprise, "Lin'er, are you planning to bring the Alchemist Guild under your command?"
Zi Lingling looked up at the eastern sky and said, "Ye Lingyuan, our time is running out. With the imminent catastrophe, all of us must unite to have a chance to overcome it."
"Once the war breaks out, healing will require pills, and replenishing energy and stamina will also require pills. At that time, the importance of pills will become evident."
"Therefore, alchemists are an indispensable force. And the improvement of alchemists' abilities has also become very important. If they are allowed to remain stagnant and selfish, it will affect the entire war effort."
"Moreover, after the cataclysm, we will have to leave Azure Star. The more strength and inheritance we can leave behind for Azure Star, the better."
"After all, the 'Emperor's Medical Canon' that I cultivate also owes a debt to the Ancestral God, and I have even merged with half of his Chaos Heart. Therefore, even if I fear trouble, I must rectify the Alchemist Guild."
Ye Lingyuan looked at Zi Lingling in surprise. He hadn't expected her to have such a profound reason for wanting to bring the Alchemist Guild under her command.
It seemed he still underestimated his little princess consort.
"I support you!"
Ye Lingyuan's brief five words gave Zi Lingling even more confidence.
Zi Lingling smiled, leaned on his shoulder, and closed her eyes to rest.
Soon, an old man in his sixties stepped forward and said, "I am Feng Ruyi, the President of the Alchemist Guild of Central City. I welcome everyone to participate in and witness the triennial Pill Dao Conference. I now declare that the first round of the Pill Dao Conference, the Discussion Assembly, has begun!"
"Now, please have Elder Nangong announce the rules for the Discussion Assembly!"
After Feng Ruyi finished, he stepped down.
Then, an elder with a white beard walked onto the stage and said, "The first round, the Discussion Assembly. The venue is set at the Pill Dao Ascending Platform. The competition method is to complete fragmented pill formulas. The one who completes more formulas with higher accuracy wins!"