Chapter 100 - 99: Commit to the Act
Chapter 100: Chapter 99: Commit to the Act
"Who do you guys think will be the first to successfully refine it?"
"This Desire Immortal Pill is no easy task. If you ask me, Hu Liang is the one with a real shot!"
"Hahaha, haven’t you lost enough already? You’re still willing to believe in him? Everyone, listen to me: bet on Yu Changsheng, and you’ll have wealth to spare!"
"Yu Changsheng’s Realm is only the Qi Refining Seventh Layer. Even though everyone’s Magical Power is suppressed to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, his Divine Sense can’t compare to Hu Liang’s, who is at Foundation Establishment."
"Mm, that’s right. I don’t think Yu Changsheng has much of a chance either. If anyone’s going to succeed, it’ll be Mi Lifu. Just look at how many Talismans he’s got on him. He’s totally safe!"
"As for Yu Changsheng, look at his Status now. He looks completely dazed. It’s going to be tough for him."
As he spoke, an Outer Disciple who was very pessimistic about Yu Changsheng’s chances shook his head.
"Realm? You guys still believe in that? You have to remember, Elder Gongsun used the Three-coin Fire Refining Technique to concoct a Tier Three Elixir when he was only at the Qi Refining Peak!"
"The Desire Immortal Pill is just a Middle Grade Tier Two Elixir. Yu Changsheng, who refined the Body Forging Pill, will have absolutely no problem. Anyone who believes me should bet on him!"
"Hmph, then I’ll just wait to see him make a fool of himself. I’d like to see if he can actually succeed!"
The Outer Disciple snorted coldly and placed his bet on Hu Liang. The others around him exchanged glances and ended up following his lead.
Meanwhile, the disciple who was optimistic about Yu Changsheng sighed. Only a handful of others joined him in betting on Yu Changsheng.
"You all deserve to lose. After everything I said, you still bet on Hu Liang."
"Hehe, the incense stick has burned down. All bets are closed, all bets are closed."
The Inner Sect Disciple running the betting pool chuckled as he tallied up all the Spirit Stones.
The breakdown was roughly seventy percent on Hu Liang, twenty-five percent on Mi Lifu, and five percent on Yu Changsheng.
「In the arena.」
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Hu Liang’s movements were fast and skillful. Each time he added the Illusory Scale Powder, a muffled thud could be felt from within the Pill Furnace.
A faint mist curled around the Pill Furnace. Light and shadow seemed to flow within it as the figures of women drifted before Hu Liang’s eyes.
However, Hu Liang had a Heart-Clearing Talisman on him, so these minor illusions had no effect on him whatsoever.
After witnessing the effect of the Desire Immortal Smoke, the corner of Hu Liang’s mouth curled up.
’Is that all it is?’
His confidence also gave the disciples watching from the sidelines a boost of faith in him.
In contrast, Yu Changsheng’s expression was a bit odd.
It was as if his thoughts weren’t on the Pill Furnace at all, but rather on the drifting figures of the women.
’This effect is a bit too crude, isn’t it? The films from a certain country are more direct.’
’Well then, I suppose I’ll force myself to cry out a few times.’
HISS! HISS! HISS!!!
Yu Changsheng lifted his head and let out a few feigned gasps.
Although the illusions were quite realistic, Yu Changsheng didn’t feel the slightest bit moved. This was only because the women were wearing too much.
That’s right. Even though the illusory women drifting out were covered by nothing more than a few silk ribbons, in his eyes, they weren’t even as eye-catching as some of the nightclub women from his previous life.
’The people of this world really can’t let loose, can they? Even in illusions created by an Elixir.’
But as he continued the Alchemy process and his thoughts began to wander, the effects of the Desire Immortal Smoke intensified considerably. It was as if it had read his mind and begun to manifest the various images of celestial fairies he held in his heart.
Only Yu Changsheng could see these illusory scenes in their entirety; the disciples outside could only see small, fragmented glimpses.
But even these small glimpses were enough to make the disciples’ eyes go wide as their vitality surged.
The Female Cultivators were so angry they stomped their feet.
"This guy... he’s exceptionally talented!"
"Are those positions real? Can a person even do that?"
"I think it should be fine. Why don’t you go ask the female disciple next to you?"
"If you want to die, go ahead, but don’t drag me down with you. I’m just going to enjoy the show."
"It’s over. That Yu Changsheng is definitely captivated. Look at his unblinking stare—he must be trapped and unable to pull himself out!"
"Hehe, if it were me, I wouldn’t want to pull out either."
Beside them, a short, squat disciple gave a sleazy smile.
More and more people were paying attention to Yu Changsheng, simply because his Desire Immortal Smoke was more potent than the others’. Some disciples practically craned their necks, trying to take a deeper whiff.
But there were also many watching Mi Lifu. Those people had bet their entire fortunes on him; how could they have the mind to watch Yu Changsheng!
"Hold on, hold on, you’ve got this!"
Amidst the prayers of some disciples...
Mi Lifu took a deep breath and exhaled a puff of mist, within which were hidden several Talismans.
After these Talismans merged into the Desire Immortal Smoke, it was as if a giant hand had seized it by the neck, forcefully suppressing the wicked thoughts and illusions.
’Toward the end of the refining, the Desire Immortal Smoke that drifts out will definitely double in effect. With these Talismans, even if I can’t resist, I can at least catch my breath. Formed Pill!’
Mi Lifu felt much more at ease. He then looked toward Yu Changsheng and thought to himself.
’That guy shouldn’t be so easily bewitched.’
Everyone else thought Yu Changsheng had already fallen for the trap, but Mi Lifu knew that his opponent definitely still had his wits about him, because he saw no trace of wicked thoughts in Yu Changsheng’s eyes!
’His willpower is stronger than I imagined.’
’Even though he has a foolish grin and his gaze is wandering, his actions haven’t become erratic. Moreover, his Alchemy process is still moving forward.’
’Compared to him, Hu Liang is the one who’s more likely to have problems. Hehehe, the Desire Immortal Smoke isn’t so easily blocked. Trying to rely on a Heart-Clearing Talisman? You’d be better off relying on your own willpower!’
’External objects are, after all, just external objects. The moment he chose to believe in an external object, he was already on the path to failure.’
Mi Lifu sneered, then placed the remaining Illusory Scale Powder into the furnace. A large plume of Desire Immortal Smoke immediately billowed from the Pill Furnace, but it was quickly brought under control by his numerous Talismans.
These Talismans originated from his own power, his Magical Power—a world apart from Hu Liang’s Heart-Clearing Talisman!
’This is the final hurdle. Success or failure hangs on this one moment!’
Mi Lifu formed a hand seal and pointed, and the flames in the Pill Furnace intensified significantly.
On the other side, Yu Changsheng rotated his stiff neck, then secretly glanced at Hu Liang and Mi Lifu.
Because the Desire Immortal Smoke had little effect on him, his speed at refining the Desire Immortal Pill was much faster than when he’d refined the Body Forging Pill. He was already close to the Formed Pill stage, but to blend in a bit, he was still controlling his pace.
At the same time, in an attempt to increase the number of pills and try to produce One Pill Pattern, he was using a Static Fire to slowly brew the Illusory Scale Powder.
’As long as your Divine Sense or willpower is strong enough, the difficulty of refining this Elixir is just too simple.’
Yu Changsheng withdrew his gaze, speaking with a hint of resignation in his heart.
And his subtle movements were also noticed by a few disciples outside, leaving them utterly baffled.
"Huh? How is he still holding on?"
"Yeah, just a moment ago he had a look of pure enjoyment, hands moving but hips still. It looked like he was about to give in, but now he’s suddenly back to normal!"
"I thought we were going to see a spectacular performance, but he just controlled the Pill Fire with his hands. Is his willpower really that strong, completely focused on the Elixir?"
"Even if his willpower is strong, it doesn’t mean the Desire Immortal Pill he refines will be any good. Look, Hu Liang is about to reach the Formed Pill stage. His speed is way faster than his!"
Amidst the disciples’ chatter, all eyes focused on Hu Liang.
On the viewing stand, Xu Nian smiled and stroked his beard.
"Not bad."