Chapter 656 - 650: Overpowering the Heroes

A crazed look filled Shen Haoran’s eyes. That’s right—the Alchemy Technique he was now using was none other than the one created by Elder Yan himself. When Shen Haoran first learned it, he too had been stunned by Elder Yan’s insane method. ’It doesn’t look like Alchemy at all; it’s like he’s just messing around. But then I watched Elder Yan refine a Fifth Grade Elixir in just half a day, and that was with his Spiritual Thought already damaged. I can’t even imagine how terrifying Elder Yan must have been at his Peak!’

Shen Haoran’s immense Spiritual Thought permeated the chaotic mass of Spirit Medicine, covering every inch of it. He pushed the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian to its absolute limit. The terrifyingly high temperature distorted the very space around him. Even with the insulation provided by his Spiritual Thought, the stone platform below couldn’t withstand the scorching heat and actually began to slowly melt.

Under Shen Haoran’s frenzied Refinement, the chaotic pile of Spirit Medicine was gradually purified. A smooth, round Elixir slowly materialized before everyone’s eyes. He had skipped the fusion and Spirit Infusion steps entirely. The sheer speed of it left everyone speechless, able to do nothing but stare blankly at Shen Haoran.

This time, Shen Haoran didn’t deliberately look for his own mistakes. He understood that the more he feared making a mistake, the more likely he was to make one. Shen Haoran had learned his lesson. He forged ahead with the Refinement, unwavering. He believed he would not fail. Indeed, he could not afford to fail!

Having cast aside his burdens, Shen Haoran’s Refinement became exceptionally smooth. The entire process was like the creation of a masterpiece. The audience members who had been cursing Shen Haoran watched the movements of his hands and gradually fell silent. In the end, they couldn’t utter another word, their hearts filled with nothing but admiration for him!

"A miracle! This is a miracle!" the spectators stammered, staring dumbfounded at Shen Haoran. They sensed an unprecedented madness from him, yet within that madness was a core of absolute confidence. He was a walking contradiction, and they couldn’t help but fix their gazes upon him.

The surrounding contestants also stared blankly at Shen Haoran. ’This guy has completely shattered our perception of what an Alchemist is. Aren’t Alchemists supposed to be meticulous, cautious, and steady, taking one step at a time? But all we see from Shen Haoran is madness. He’s an absolute lunatic! The problem is, this lunatic is actually about to succeed in refining a Seventh Grade Elixir! And in a single day! Is this guy even human?’

Within the Spirit Thought Pill Furnace Shen Haoran had constructed, a smooth Elixir was steadily taking shape. Visible rings of Energy radiated from the round Elixir, pushing back the surrounding Fire Spirit Black Obsidian. A faint mist surged out of the Pill Furnace, quickly sweeping across the entire Central Square.

"This Pill Fragrance... He succeeded? That kid actually succeeded!" Upon smelling the refreshing Pill Fragrance, the Martial Artists in the audience cried out, their eyes filled with shock.

"No, wait, he’s still refining it. Hasn’t he succeeded yet?" Seeing that Shen Haoran hadn’t stopped, the crowd grew confused.

"He’s tempering the Elixir!" an Alchemist exclaimed. Tempering an Elixir, as the name implies, is a secondary Refinement process. Normally, an Elixir is considered complete once it’s been refined. Very few Alchemists would choose to temper an Elixir because, unlike Spirit Medicine, an Elixir is a concentration of the Essence of Spiritual Medicine. Further tempering would only diminish its medicinal effects.

"What is Shen Haoran doing? Hasn’t he already finished the Refinement? Is he trying to destroy the Elixir?" Confusion was written all over the crowd’s faces, but there was no one to answer their questions. They could only watch Shen Haoran in silence.

Inside the Spirit Thought Pill Furnace, the smooth Elixir quickly became rough and uneven under the tempering of the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian. A moment later, it became smooth again, only to turn uneven once more. The Elixir repeated this tempering process over and over.

Time ticked by, second by second. The sand in the hourglass dwindled. As the last grain of sand fell, a majestic pillar of Energy erupted from Shen Haoran’s Pill Furnace, shooting straight into the sky. This pillar of light was far thicker than any of the ones that had appeared when the others completed their elixirs. The Energy it contained was so immense it was visible to the naked eye.

After the massive pillar of light vanished, a streak of light shot into Shen Haoran’s hand. Clutching the still-warm Elixir, the corners of his mouth curved up in a satisfied smile.

"The Seventh Grade Elixir, the Great Heaven Creation Pill, is complete!" Shen Haoran raised the Elixir high and announced loudly. Then, he opened his palm. A perfectly round Elixir floated silently above it. But what was truly shocking was the faint layer of mist that enveloped the Elixir.

"A Pill Cloud! It’s actually a Pill Cloud!" There were many Alchemists present, and they recognized the mist around the Elixir with a single glance. A Pill Cloud! The legendary Pill Cloud! All the Alchemists lost their composure, leaping to their feet and staring feverishly at the Great Heaven Creation Pill in Shen Haoran’s hand. Even the Medicine Hall Master, Yao Wuchen, was no exception. His aged face was flushed red with excitement, and his entire body began to tremble.

The Pill Cloud was a myth in the Alchemy Realm. No one could have imagined that Shen Haoran would be able to refine one. But now that they saw the Pill Cloud in his hand, they knew. The competition for Pill Emperor was over. No one could compete with the Elixir Shen Haoran had refined. Never mind that it was a Seventh Grade Elixir; even if Shen Haoran had refined a Fourth Grade Elixir, as long as it produced a Pill Cloud, none of them were qualified to contend with him.

Feng Miaoke collapsed onto the ground, her face a mask of defeat. She muttered over and over, "Impossible... This is impossible! How could I lose? I can’t possibly lose!"

It wasn’t just Feng Miaoke; everyone felt it was impossible. To refine a Seventh Grade Elixir in a single day—and a Seventh Grade Elixir that produced a Pill Cloud at that—was a complete miracle. No, calling it a miracle was no longer enough. This was divine!

With the appearance of the Pill Cloud, who could possibly contend? The surrounding contestants all lowered their heads. No one would object to Shen Haoran claiming the title of Pill Emperor.

Yao Wuchen looked down at Shen Haoran, his face filled with satisfaction. ’To be able to refine an Elixir with a Pill Cloud, Shen Haoran’s future achievements will surely not be beneath my own.’

Yao Wuchen slowly descended onto Shen Haoran’s stone platform. The competition for Pill Emperor was now over, and the result was beyond doubt. By refining a Pill Cloud, Shen Haoran had completely overwhelmed the competition.

"I now declare that the final winner of this competition for Pill Emperor is..." Yao Wuchen announced in a clear voice. The Martial Artists in the audience stared ardently at Shen Haoran, waiting for Yao Wuchen to say his name.

"Wait a moment!"

However, just at that moment, a quiet voice rang out, interrupting Yao Wuchen. Shen Haoran followed the sound with his gaze. His eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing within them as he stared coolly at the Saint Child of Holy Light City not far away.

’So, what was bound to happen is finally here, is it?’