Chapter 514 - 514: Refine Once More

"You insolent brat…"

Someone tried to speak.

However, Yu Liyuan cut him off. He then turned to Chu Qingyun and asked with a serious expression, "Chu Qingyun, I'll ask you this once: had you ever obtained the Pill Formula for the Youthful Appearance Pill before today?"

"Ahem, Chu Qingyun, you should think carefully before you answer. With so many seniors of the Alchemy Dao present, you mustn't speak recklessly."

Just then, Master Kang interjected from the crowd.

He was worried that Chu Qingyun, being young and proud, would force the issue and antagonize so many people, ultimately putting himself at a disadvantage.

"Thank you for the advice, Master Kang."

Chu Qingyun thanked him sincerely before stating with great earnestness, "Dean Yu, esteemed seniors, I have truly never seen the Pill Formula for the Youthful Appearance Pill before!"

"Nonsense!"

"Never seen it? Then how could you concoct an Upper Grade Youthful Appearance Pill in just two attempts!" Elder Huang latched onto Chu Qingyun once more.

Chu Qingyun had grown utterly disgusted with this old man's relentless provocations.

"Why? Hmph. Elder Huang, what a truly profound question."

"In that case, allow me to ask you a question. Why were you able to cultivate to become a Martial Emperor, while the dog I keep at home cannot?"

Chu Qingyun shot back with a sarcastic retort, his eyes fixed on Elder Huang.

Elder Huang froze for a moment, then it suddenly dawned on him just how stupid the question he had asked in his haste had been.

If Chu Qingyun was denying he had ever obtained the Pill Formula for the Youthful Appearance Pill, then being able to concoct it in just two tries naturally proved he possessed the necessary skill and talent.

But even though he'd made a fool of himself, Elder Huang's face still turned livid with rage.

Because Chu Qingyun had actually dared to compare him—a dignified Martial Emperor Level expert—to a dog in front of so many powerful figures from the major sects.

Seeing the mocking and derisive looks shot his way, Elder Huang flew into a rage born of shame and was about to speak again.

However, Zhou Qian, the Saint Extreme Sect's Pill Institute Master, stopped him.

Zhou Qian's brows knitted together as he said in a heavy voice, "Elder Huang, if you spout any more nonsense, you need not return to the Saint Extreme Sect!"

It was a grave statement.

But Zhou Qian certainly had the authority to back it up.

Clearly, Elder Huang's performance today had left Zhou Qian deeply displeased.

Ever since seeing Chu Qingyun, he had been acting like a mad dog, relentlessly hounding him.

Of course, there were certainly reasons for Elder Huang's behavior.

Chu Qingyun had offended him before, which was one reason, but it wasn't the primary one.

Elder Huang was only a First-level Martial Emperor, the lowest tier, and among Martial Emperor Level experts, he was considered quite old. He had long since missed his prime age for cultivation.

Under normal circumstances, he was likely fated to remain an Outer Elder for the rest of his life.

But he wasn't resigned to this fate. Since he couldn't break through in terms of power, he resorted to some underhanded methods.

The Qianshui Dynasty's Zhou Family was very powerful within the Saint Extreme Sect. So, he wanted to suppress Chu Qingyun and use Zhou Jianxiong to curry favor with the powerful Zhou Family.

That way, with the Zhou Family's support, combined with the connections he had cultivated over the years, he might just be able to enter the Inner Sect and become an Inner Sect Elder.

That was why he was so desperately trying to suppress Chu Qingyun today.

He was afraid that Chu Qingyun would actually take first place in the Pill Battle Conference.

If that happened, his plan to use Zhou Jianxiong to curry favor with the Zhou Family by suppressing Chu Qingyun would likely fall through.

After rebuking Elder Huang into silence, Zhou Qian turned back to Yu Liyuan and said, "Yu, I have a method to test whether Chu Qingyun has genuine skill or was just lucky."

"What method is that?" Yu Liyuan asked.

"To have him perform Alchemy one more time, of course."

As Zhou Qian spoke, a scroll suddenly appeared in his hand.

"Is that…" Yu Liyuan seemed to realize something.

"Correct. It's the Pill Formula for the Blood Stabilizing Pill."

"Everyone, this Blood Stabilizing Pill is a type of Elixir that Yu and I researched and developed together two years ago when he was a guest at my Saint Extreme Sect."

"Of course, it's a Spirit Level Pill Formula we stumbled upon by accident while failing to research a King Level elixir. It's completely useless—in fact, it could even be considered a poison—so the two of us never made it public."

"Chu Qingyun, this Pill Formula is known only to myself and Yu. Do you dare to accept this challenge?"

Zhou Qian looked at Chu Qingyun, holding the Pill Formula.

The Pill Formula for the Youthful Appearance Pill, while obscure, was still in circulation, so it wasn't convincing enough proof.

But this so-called Blood Stabilizing Pill had been developed in private by Zhou Qian and Yu Liyuan and had never been shared. If Chu Qingyun could successfully concoct it in one or two attempts…

...then it would be more than enough to prove that he hadn't obtained the Youthful Appearance Pill beforehand, but truly possessed such skill.

'Go again, huh...'

Chu Qingyun couldn't help but laugh inwardly.

With the aid of the Light Card Illusion Realm, it would be no problem at all, let alone one more time. He could do it ten times, even a hundred times!

"Fine, I accept."

"However, Elder Zhou, Elder Yu, this junior takes a long time to interpret a Pill Formula. You are both aware of this, so…"

Chu Qingyun said as he accepted the Pill Formula.

"Don't worry. It's only six hours. We can wait."

Zhou Qian and Yu Liyuan both nodded, showing they didn't mind.

At the same time, a hint of anticipation appeared in their eyes.

'For Chu Qingyun to agree so readily... Could he really possess that kind of skill?'

There were many Alchemists present, so it was easy to gather five portions of the Spiritual Medicine required for the Blood Stabilizing Pill. They were quickly delivered to Chu Qingyun.

After carefully inspecting and identifying each of the ingredients, Chu Qingyun sat cross-legged on the ground. He opened the Pill Formula, closed his eyes, and began to use his Soul Power to interpret it.

The people around him consciously and quietly backed away, giving him a large, open space.

The Pill Formula for the Blood Stabilizing Pill was even more complex than that of the Youthful Appearance Pill.

For Chu Qingyun, however, it only took a little over five minutes to finish his interpretation.

After interpreting the Pill Formula, he naturally kept his eyes closed. Instead, his Heart and Mind sank into his Qi Sea, connected with the Light Card, and his consciousness entered the Light Card Illusion Realm.

A day inside the Light Card was equivalent to just one hour in the real world.

Therefore, Chu Qingyun had ample time—and an endless supply of Spiritual Medicine simulated by the Illusion Realm—to practice concocting the Blood Stabilizing Pill.

Time ticked by, second by second.

Everyone assumed Chu Qingyun was struggling to interpret the Pill Formula.

In reality, however, he was inside the Illusion Realm, calmly and unhurriedly practicing the Alchemy of the Blood Stabilizing Pill.

Of course, repeated cauldron explosions and failures were inevitable.