Lucy Sun couldn't figure out what had just happened, but she didn't really take Evan Lin's little tricks to heart.
The gatekeepers were only peak internal-strength cultivators.
Their abilities in the Rowe clan were weak, and they weren't much use.
Once they met the real Rowe clan experts, no matter how many tricks this kid had, they'd be completely useless.
Lucy Sun stepped forward at this moment, just to show off her status in front of Evan Lin and Lily Liang.
She just wanted to tell Lily Liang—
See that?
Those guys who wouldn't let you in? One word from me and they obediently stepped aside.
That's how awesome I am.
She secretly looked down on Lily Liang; back then Lily was so superior in front of her, but now? She still has to watch Lucy's mood.
Lucy Sun didn't give Evan Lin and Lily Liang a chance to speak. She turned and walked ahead with the man beside her, head held high.
"I never thought she'd end up like this."
Lily Liang frowned, feeling more and more uneasy inside.
"Let's go."
Evan Lin moved forward without saying much.
With Lucy Sun leading the way, their path was smooth, and soon they reached the Rowe clan's main gate.
The Rowe clan's main gate was a tall wooden door, a bit like an old mountain fortress, with cement walls encircling the whole area.
Once inside, you could see rows of houses.
The outer houses were mostly two-story wooden buildings, but the deeper you went, the grander the architecture became. The entire Rowe clan was basically a sprawling manor.
"The Rowe clan has lasted for a hundred years. Back in the war era, no one ever broke through this place, and inside there are even hundreds of acres of good farmland. It's a true hidden paradise."
Lucy Sun's voice was loud as she walked ahead, controlling her steps. She turned around, squinting at Evan Lin and Lily Liang: "Never seen a place like this, huh?"
"You two country bumpkins better not get lost. If you mess with the wrong people and get yourselves in trouble, don't expect me to bail you out."
Hearing Lucy Sun's words, Lily Liang was so angry she nearly jumped up.
Lucy was seriously over the top.
Back then, because of Lucy Sun's rumors, the only boy Lily Liang ever liked ended up drifting away from her. Lily never dared to talk about it.
Now Lucy Sun was calling her a country bumpkin?
Seeing Lily Liang grit her teeth, looking so frustrated and helpless, Lucy Sun felt pure satisfaction.
So satisfying.
She used to envy Lily Liang for being born into the Liang family, surrounded by friends. But now?
Now that they're at the Rowe clan, Lucy Sun could play Lily Liang to death however she wanted.
Just like that slap at the very beginning.
But Lucy Sun wasn't in a hurry. She wanted to savor the process, to make Lily Liang see her status in the Rowe clan, see how important she was, and slowly outshine Lily step by step.
Destroy her sense of superiority as a Liang family heiress, then crush her self-esteem, and finally let her die in pain.
That would really feel good.
"This place is pretty nice."
Lily Liang stayed silent. Evan Lin nodded, "It's just a shame."
"A shame? What's there to regret?"
Hearing Evan Lin's words, Lucy Sun sneered, "Don't tell me you're regretting not being born into the Rowe clan?"
"Everyone in the Rowe clan is a born martial artist, strong as hell, way beyond any random nobodies."
"You don't even have what it takes to be a gatekeeper here, seriously. But if you behave, I might let you and Lily stay to pick herbs and clean rooms. That way, it won't feel like such a waste."
At this, the man beside Lucy Sun nodded, "Yeah, that's called making the most of things."
After he finished, he and Lucy Sun exchanged smiles.
So comfortable.
Is there anything more satisfying than showing off in front of people worse off than you?
Just as they were talking—
"Junior Sister Sun, Senior Brother Zhao, you're back."
Not far away, a man and a woman walked over.
The woman was prettier than Lucy Sun, and the man was more handsome than the guy beside Lucy.
As the two approached, Lucy Sun and her senior brother Zhao's expressions changed slightly.
The woman was Chloe Cheng, the man was Tim Xu, and along with Lucy Sun and her senior brother Zhao Rui, all belonged to Master Daniel Ward's line.
Master Daniel Ward is a disciple of the Pill King, and he himself has six disciples under him.
Three men and three women, split into three groups.
The groups compete with each other in alchemy skills. Whoever proves strongest will get a chance for Master Ward's personal guidance in the future.
"We're back. We just arrived, too."
Zhao Rui nodded, and even Lucy Sun didn't bother with Evan Lin and Lily Liang at this point.
"Now that we're all back, let's go."
Chloe Cheng smiled, "Master's probably getting impatient."
"This time, he sent us out to find a pill that would impress him. Tim Xu and I searched for ages, and finally found a unique pill deep in the mountains. Maybe this time, we'll win again."
Chloe Cheng's words weren't heated, but the pressure in them was intense.
Winning doesn't just mean saving face—it means your future.
After all, Master Ward won't stay at the Rowe clan forever. Whoever wins more and shows greater skill will become the Rowe clan's chief alchemist.
As for the losers, they'll end up as servants, taking orders from the winners.
To be honest, Chloe Cheng and Tim Xu win way more often than they lose, while Lucy Sun and Zhao Rui lose a lot more.
"That might not be the case."
Lucy Sun smiled, though she was a little annoyed inside.
"Are these your friends?"
Tim Xu squinted, glancing at Evan Lin and Lily Liang.
"Not really friends—more like old acquaintances."
Lucy Sun's wording was clever, making it clear she didn't care to be associated with Lily Liang and Evan Lin.
"Then let's all go together. You two clearly aren't insiders, but letting you wander around the Rowe clan isn't right either."
Chloe Cheng spoke up: "Also, watch your mouths later. Don't talk nonsense, or I'll cut out your tongues and use them for pill refining!"
Chloe's voice was cold. She could rein in her arrogance somewhat with Lucy Sun, but toward Lily Liang and Evan Lin, her pride was obvious.
Tim Xu was even worse, looking down his nose at everyone, literally.
The four turned and walked off together, not sparing Lily Liang and Evan Lin another glance.
"Are we supposed to go with them?"
Lily Liang was startled by Chloe Cheng. She had to admit, Chloe's aura was pretty strong.
"Of course we're going."
Evan Lin glanced at a nearby building shaped like a furnace. "Perfect timing. I'm curious about the level of alchemists here."
"Let's hope they're not too trashy."