Chapter 652 - 646: Failure

The pockmarked Elixir floated quietly inside the Pill Furnace. If this were a Sixth Grade Elixir, all it would need is to be continuously warmed by the flame. Refining a Seventh Grade Elixir, however, required using Spiritual Qi to shape it and perform a Spirit Infusion.

Shen Haoran took a deep breath, his gaze gradually growing focused. His immense Spiritual Thought began to slowly envelop the pockmarked elixir. He was extremely careful, as if tending to a newborn child, terrified of making the slightest mistake.

His Spiritual Thought enveloped the pockmarked Elixir as faint Spiritual Qi began to pour into it. As Shen Haoran’s Spiritual Qi flowed in, the uneven Elixir slowly started to become smooth and round. Its pockmarked surface began to fill out, and a faint medicinal aroma drifted up from within the Pill Furnace.

Seeing this, a hint of joy touched Shen Haoran’s face. He continuously rotated the Elixir in the furnace, simultaneously warming it with the flame and infusing it with Spiritual Qi. He was meticulous, not missing a single spot, and could even feel the Energy fluctuations emanating from within the Elixir.

HUMMMMM...

As Shen Haoran continued to infuse it with Spiritual Qi, the Elixir grew perfectly round. After a short while, the once-pockmarked Elixir had transformed into a smooth, lustrous sphere. A rich medicinal fragrance battered the walls of the Pill Furnace, as if trying to burst out.

’Success!’ Shen Haoran cheered inwardly. But before he could truly celebrate, the newly formed Elixir began to tremble violently under his gaze. It started to swell rapidly, then suddenly burst apart. A powerful wave of Energy instantly surged out, crashing against the furnace walls.

CLANG...

A crisp metallic clang rang out. The Energy contained within a Seventh Grade Elixir was immense. Fortunately, Shen Haoran’s Pill Furnace was no ordinary item and barely withstood the impact. The massive wave of Energy slammed against the furnace wall, then shot toward the heavens with even greater speed, kicking up a fierce gale.

The massive disturbance immediately drew everyone’s attention. Seeing Shen Haoran’s dejected expression and the cloud of black powder ejected from the Pill Furnace, the crowd knew his attempt at Refining the Elixir had failed. The commotion from his station had simply been too great. Of all those attempting to refine a Seventh Grade Elixir, Shen Haoran was the very first to fail.

"Tch, and I thought he was so incredible. Turns out he’s the first to fail. And that’s even with the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian helping him!"

"Exactly! His technique of refining fifty Spirit Medicines at once left even me stunned. I thought he’d be the first to succeed, but instead, he’s the first to fail. What a surprise!"

"Even if he has the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian, and even if he can refine fifty Spirit Medicines at once, he’s still no match for our goddess, Feng Miaoke! In the art of Alchemy, our goddess has never backed down from anyone!" The discussions rippled through the stands as all eyes quickly shifted to Feng Miaoke.

The huge commotion from Shen Haoran’s station had also caught Feng Miaoke’s attention. She glanced down at him, a disdainful smile playing on her lips.

"Hmph. I told you, you’re nothing but a pathetic clown. Your performance ends here. Now, the stage is mine," Feng Miaoke said coolly, her gaze sharpening. The next moment, she slammed both hands onto the crimson Pill Furnace before her. Immediately, a Vermilion Bird formed from crimson flames shot skyward, its resonant cry echoing throughout the Central Square.

All eyes turned to the crimson Vermilion Bird soaring toward the heavens. Everyone shot to their feet, their gazes fixed fervently on Feng Miaoke up on the high platform. The vast majority of the crowd were her devoted admirers, and their excited faces, illuminated by the crimson flames, looked even more frenzied.

The crimson Vermilion Bird shot into the sky, swelling to an immense size as it flew. Soon, a colossal Vermilion Bird that blotted out the sun was spreading its wings and crying out in mid-air. The sight stunned the entire arena.

After soaring to the heavens, the crimson Vermilion Bird swiftly dove back down, hurtling toward Feng Miaoke. As it descended, the flames enveloping its body rapidly receded. By the time it reached her, it had transformed into a perfectly round, crimson Elixir, which spun gracefully in the palm of her hand.

"Seventh Grade Elixir, the Vermilion Bird Mysterious Origin Pill, successfully refined!" Feng Miaoke declared, holding the crimson Elixir high and gazing arrogantly down at the crowd. At that moment, in the entire Central Square, she was the most dazzling star. This was her stage, she was the protagonist, and everyone else was merely a supporting character!

"It’s the Vermilion Bird Mysterious Origin Pill! That’s a Seventh Grade High Level Elixir!"

"As expected of our goddess, Feng Miaoke! She’s incredible! The title of Pill Emperor is as good as hers!"

Cries of admiration rose from the stands, the crowd’s eyes filled with fanaticism as they looked upon Feng Miaoke. Up in the air, the Elders of the Medicine Hall gave her a thumbs-up, not stingy in the least with their praise. To successfully refine a Seventh Grade High Level Vermilion Bird Mysterious Origin Pill in a single attempt was a testament to Feng Miaoke’s incredible strength. Even the great Yao Wuchen couldn’t help but nod in approval.

"Brother Feng, your Miaoke is truly a phoenix among mortals!"

"Indeed! She’s undoubtedly the best of the younger generation. It’s truly impressive!"

The Patriarchs around Feng Qingwu couldn’t help but chime in with praise, and Feng Qingwu was unable to hide the broad smile spreading across his face.

Feng Miaoke savored the feeling of being the center of attention. Her phoenix-like eyes swept coolly over the other contestants, revealing a trace of disdain. Her gaze finally landed on Shen Haoran. ’I want to see his expression right now,’ she thought. ’Is it shock? Or regret?’ She even had the urge to walk down there, stand right in front of Shen Haoran, and humiliate him ruthlessly!

But when her eyes found Shen Haoran, her proud expression instantly soured. His gaze wasn’t on her at all. He was simply looking down, his face a mask of serenity, apparently lost in thought.

She was being ignored. Feng Miaoke was being ignored by Shen Haoran yet again. Even at this moment, when all eyes were on her, Shen Haoran still hadn’t deigned to give her a single proper glance. Feng Miaoke’s fists clenched tightly, her expression turning dark. Everything she had done was to make Shen Haoran understand that she was an insurmountable peak and that he was nothing but a pathetic clown in her presence. But Shen Haoran? He didn’t even acknowledge her existence. This felt like the ultimate disgrace to Feng Miaoke. It was a blatant, naked humiliation!