I Tame Beasts by Feeding

Chapter 91: Chapter 90: Five Poison Pill

"A Poison Pill?"

Hearing this, Yu Changsheng picked up the Pill Formula, a stunned look on his face.

The other disciples participating in the Alchemy Conference wore the same expression.

Previous Alchemy Conferences had always involved refining ordinary elixirs—ones that aided cultivation. This was the first time a Poison Pill like the Five Poison Pill had appeared, leaving many completely astonished.

Some even wanted to ask for clarification. After all, a Poison Pill was different from other elixirs, and they, as proper alchemists, had never refined one before!

However, just as they raised their heads, Li Xiuci’s sharp gaze swept over them. He spoke, "This old man has already said that the rules for this Alchemy Conference have changed. Do not rely on past experience. You have only two hours for this first round. Get to it!"

As his words fell, the disciples who had been about to speak were instantly silenced. They lowered their heads and hurriedly began studying the Pill Formula.

Yu Changsheng scanned the Pill Formula with his Divine Sense, memorizing it before simulating the alchemy process in his mind.

The Three-coin Fire Refining Technique was slower than ordinary alchemy methods, but Yu Changsheng was in no hurry to start. Rushing often led to ruined elixirs.

With two hours, he could, at most, make two attempts. Coincidentally, the Alchemy Conference had provided exactly two sets of ingredients.

"The Five Poison Pill... a Poison Pill. I suppose this is my first time dealing with one."

Yu Changsheng muttered, his gaze shifting to the Five Poison Materials beside him.

An Earthen Centipede, a Three-Colored Venomous Snake, a Black-Hook Scorpion, a Single-Horned Gecko, and a Water Toad—all were Tier One Demon Beasts, common species found deep within the Cloud Mist Mountain Range.

"So fast! Duan Ran has already started his alchemy!"

"It’s only been a few minutes! Does he already know how to refine the Five Poison Pill?"

"Hu Liang has started too! Those Inner Sect Disciples are so quick. They lit their fires in one smooth motion."

"As expected, the other peaks can’t compare to Jade Cauldron Peak. When it comes to alchemy, they are truly superior."

"Hehehe, speaking of which, where’s that disciple from Beast Taming Peak who came for the alchemy competition? I’m waiting to see him make a fool of himself!"

"There are nearly a thousand people here. He’s hard to spot. Probably tucked away in some corner."

Outside the stone platforms, some disciples were whispering amongst themselves. Disciples were specifically assigned to maintain order, so the spectators didn’t dare to be too loud.

However, their words still reached Yu Changsheng’s ears.

Yu Changsheng smiled faintly and glanced toward Gongsun Yang and the others on the high platform.

The five Elders sat high on the viewing platform, their Divine Senses blanketing the square and the stone platforms, eliminating any possibility of cheating. Besides, it would be very difficult to cheat while refining a Five Poison Pill.

Gongsun Yang noticed Yu Changsheng’s gaze and gave him a smiling nod. He was clearly very confident in his disciple, believing that a mere Tier One Poison Pill wouldn’t be a challenge for him.

Indeed, the Five Poison Pill was an unfamiliar elixir to most disciples. Upon receiving the Pill Formula, they were at a loss, not knowing how to begin, some even too afraid to try.

But Yu Changsheng was different. His Alchemy Dao had already reached the Tier Two level, and he had achieved mastery in the Three-coin Fire Refining Technique. After simulating the process in his mind, refining this Tier One Poison Pill was a sure thing.

He hadn’t started yet only because he was contemplating whether or not to produce Pill Patterns.

’This is only the first round. No need to rush. If I produce Pill Patterns right off the bat, I’ll draw too much attention. Besides, these disciples aren’t worthy of me getting serious just yet.’

With that thought, Yu Changsheng began. He sent a stream of flame under his Pill Furnace, stabilized it with a spell, and then tossed all of the Five Poison Materials in at once.

"Hahaha, I see that Beast Master! He actually threw all the ingredients in at once! Doesn’t he know that alchemy requires breaking down and refining the ingredients one by one? Tossing them in all together like that... he’s no master. He’s probably just going to burn them."

"I see it too. That technique is just... wow. He probably saw Duan Ran and Hu Liang and tried to copy them, without considering what level they’re at. Sigh."

"He doesn’t even know his own limits. That Beast Master is definitely just here for show."

"None of the other disciples would dare to refine them like that. Look at that disciple from Sword Control Peak—so cautious, as if terrified of not refining the Earthen Centipede in his Pill Furnace properly."

Upon seeing Yu Changsheng’s method, the disciples with some knowledge of alchemy burst out laughing, clearly thinking he was just messing around.

But little did they know, refining everything at once posed no difficulty for Yu Changsheng.

This wasn’t some Tier Two Elixir that required his delicate handling.

’Break down and melt together,’

Yu Changsheng commanded, adjusting the slow fire. The five ingredients gradually dissolved into the flames, swirling inside the Pill Furnace and merging into a black medicinal liquid.

Now, all he had to do was slowly refine the medicinal liquid into elixirs.

Yu Changsheng glanced at the few disciples in front of him and then deliberately slowed down his refining speed.

The Three-coin Fire Refining Technique was inherently slow, but this Poison Pill was simply too easy for Yu Changsheng. Therefore, he intentionally maintained a pace similar to, or even slightly slower than, the others—nothing too out of the ordinary.

"A Formed Pill! As expected, Hu Liang is the first to succeed!"

"His Void Fire Alchemy Skill is so fast! And when the pills form, it sucks away the airflow in the Pill Furnace, causing the Spiritual Qi to surge and improving the elixir’s quality."

"I bet he made at least six Five Poison Pills, and three of them have Pill Patterns!"

As if hearing the exclamations from the cultivators, Hu Liang beamed, a confident smile spreading across his face. He stood up, bowed to Li Xiuci, and said, "Elder Li, this disciple has completed the refinement."

With that, he waved his hand to open the Pill Furnace. A flash of light burst forth, revealing eight elixirs inside, four of which had One Pill Pattern!

Seeing this, Li Xiuci nodded in appreciation and smiled. "Worthy of being Elder Xu’s disciple. Your alchemy talent is truly outstanding. To form eight pills on your first try, with four of them having One Pill Pattern."

The Elder Xu he mentioned was a Guardian Elder of Jade Cauldron Peak, a renowned Tier Three Alchemist. He was also on the viewing platform, seated right next to Gongsun Yang.

Hearing Li Xiuci praise his disciple, Elder Xu’s face flushed with pride.

"It is only because of Master’s excellent guidance that I was able to refine them with ease," Hu Liang said respectfully.

"Mm. You have passed the first round. Fifteen points," Li Xiuci said.

As for whether this was truly Hu Liang’s first time refining the Five Poison Pill, or if Elder Xu had secretly coached him, Li Xiuci couldn’t be bothered to investigate. Such things happened in previous years as well.

To them, the Alchemy Conference was just an activity to pass the time.

A Tier Three Alchemist refined elixirs needed by Golden Core True Masters. A single one of their pills could be worth as much as a precious Foundation Establishment Pill.

Therefore, all they cared about at the Alchemy Conference was the final result; it was merely a tradition they upheld, one that had been held for a century.

"The second one to finish is Duan Ran! He’s done, but I wonder what his Pill Formation Success Rate is."

"The other disciples are all refining frantically now. They must be getting anxious, hahaha."

"More than half the time is gone. Of course they’re anxious. This first round is probably going to eliminate most of them."

"What a shame that it had to be a niche elixir like the Five Poison Pill."

Duan Ran let out a breath and opened his Pill Furnace. Seeing the number of formed pills inside, he felt a flicker of satisfaction.

"Eight formed pills, four with One Pill Pattern. But you took a bit more time. Fourteen points," Li Xiuci announced.

"Thank you, Elder."

He was one point behind Hu Liang, but Duan Ran was not displeased.

He would have more chances later.