Chapter 97 - 96: It’s My Home Field
Chapter 97: Chapter 96: It’s My Home Field
"Ahem!"
At that moment, Xu Nian coughed a few times and then announced, "The refining time is four hours. You may all begin now."
"Time waits for no one."
As soon as the words fell, Duan Ran quickly picked up the Pill Formula. He scanned it with his Divine Thought, committing the refining method to memory, and then began to simulate the process in his mind.
Mi Lifu, on the other hand, slapped his palm on his Pill Furnace. With a sharp cry, he struck it with several Talismans, clearly ready to use his signature skills.
This round of Alchemy was incredibly difficult; they all had to give it their all.
Yu Changsheng, however, frowned slightly as he picked up the main ingredient for the Body Forging Pill: the Blood Tears Fruit.
’A Tier Two Middle Grade Spirit Fruit. With my Alchemy skill, melting it into a Pill Liquid isn’t hard. The key is the time limit and forming the pill.’
It was well known that among the many Alchemy techniques of Jade Cauldron Peak, the Three-coin Fire Refining Technique was the slowest. To finish a batch within four hours, he would have to increase his speed, but doing so would negate the technique’s special advantage: its high Pill Formation Success Rate!
Besides, the Three-coin Fire Refining Technique wasn’t something you could just speed up on a whim!
’What a pain. I’ll start by refining the supplementary ingredients first.’
After reading the Pill Formula, Yu Changsheng immediately felt how tricky this was going to be.
He placed the supplementary ingredients into the Pill Furnace one by one. He wouldn’t use the Three-coin Fire Refining Technique on them, as he couldn’t afford to waste any time!
’I’ll use different Alchemy techniques to refine the supplementary ingredients into Pill Liquid first, and then use the Three-coin Fire Refining Technique to decoct the Blood Tears Fruit. Only then will I have a chance to form a pill within four hours!’
’There’s no room for failure.’
Although Xu Nian had given everyone two sets of ingredients, few of the Alchemists present could complete two refinement attempts in four hours. This meant that the timing of a failure was also crucial. If the first attempt failed too late, they would lose the chance to refine a second batch!
’This time, it’s my home turf, hehehe.’
Hu Liang glanced at the other three, a smug smile spreading across his lips.
He hadn’t refined many Body Forging Pills, but in terms of experience, he was still more seasoned than the others present. He had at least succeeded in forming the pill several times, so he already understood the process and didn’t need to experiment.
’Just watch how I crush you all.’
Hu Liang ignited the fire, tossed the main ingredient into the Pill Furnace, and with a flick of his fingers and a hand seal, the Flame in the furnace enveloped the Blood Tears Fruit!
He had to keep the skin of the Blood Tears Fruit intact, then use his Divine Sense to guide the Flame into threads, continuously melting the pulp and pit inside while keeping the essence tightly sealed within the skin. Once the other supplementary ingredients were refined, he would pierce the skin and merge the Pill Liquids!
This was the refining process for the Body Forging Pill.
Xu Nian stood in mid-air, observing the four Alchemists’ performances. When his gaze fell upon Hu Liang, he nodded in satisfaction.
’As expected of my disciple,’ he thought. ’He entered the right state of mind in just a few minutes. As long as he maintains this process, forming the pill won’t be difficult.’
As for Duan Ran and Mi Lifu, he feared this round would be a difficult hurdle for them to overcome.
’That young fellow named Yu Changsheng has a few tricks up his sleeve. He knows how to play to his strengths.’
’I just wonder how much of that old geezer’s Three-coin Fire Refining Technique he’s actually learned.’
Xu Nian watched Yu Changsheng with a faint smile. To refine a Body Forging Pill in four hours was a great test of one’s Fire Control skill.
His opponent was merely a Qi Refining Cultivator. His Magical Power was inferior to Hu Liang’s, as was his Divine Sense. Xu Nian couldn’t imagine how his disciple could possibly lose this round.
’If he passes by some fluke, we’ll have to proceed to the fifth round: an alchemy duel between those of the same Realm. That would be quite disadvantageous for my disciple. It would be best if he were eliminated here.’
Xu Nian thought to himself, but he wouldn’t resort to any dirty tricks. As an Alchemist, he had his pride and disdained using underhanded methods against a mere Qi Refining Cultivator.
’This is so hard to control. But thankfully, my Divine Sense is powerful enough that I can handle refining a Tier Two Elixir. Otherwise, even processing this main ingredient would be a problem.’
Yu Changsheng let out a breath, having already sent the Blood Tears Fruit into the Pill Furnace for refining.
His refining process was similar to Hu Liang’s, but his Flame was clearly weaker than that of Hu Liang’s Void Fire Alchemy Skill.
Here, he employed Static Fire refining. He used his Divine Sense to send the Static Fire directly inside the Blood Tears Fruit, treating the Spirit Fruit like a miniature furnace. Then, he poured in the various supplementary Pill Liquids, and finally, he would have the Spirit Fruit itself condense into the Elixir.
This method was even more difficult than Hu Liang’s, but it was better suited for Yu Changsheng.
’Now, it’s just a matter of whether there’s enough time.’
Yu Changsheng sat cross-legged before the Pill Furnace, calming his mind, forming hand seals, and controlling the fire.
Meanwhile, the disciples watching outside had already broken into fervent debate, and the betting pools were overflowing with Spirit Stones.
"This round is practically tailor-made for Hu Liang! He’s a guaranteed win! I’m telling you, bet with me, and we’ll all get rich!"
"Trust me, everyone! That Alchemist from Beast Taming Peak has some real skill. He can definitely pull through. One bet to win for a lifetime!"
"I think Hu Liang has a better chance of winning. He’ll probably be the first to form a pill. As for the second, I’m betting on Mi Lifu. The Talisman assistance from Magic Peak makes his Alchemy twice as effective with half the effort—other Alchemists can’t compare!"
"That Yu Changsheng is using the Three-coin Fire Refining Technique. It’s not even certain he’ll have time to form a pill, and you’re actually betting on him? You must be desperate for money."
"Hu Liang will definitely make a comeback this round and take first place!"
"Place your bets, place your bets! The betting closes in one incense stick’s time!"
Hearing the shout from the Inner Sect Disciple running the bets, the disciples present placed their wagers on Hu Liang, though some also bet on Duan Ran and Mi Lifu.
As for Yu Changsheng, very few people believed in him, even though his performance in the previous rounds had already exceeded everyone’s expectations!
Time trickled by.
Xu Nian, still standing in mid-air, watched Hu Liang’s movements and muttered to himself, "A little too hasty, but he should still be able to form two or three pills."
This round of the alchemy competition had no requirement for the number of pills; as long as even one was formed, it counted as a success.
His eyes were sharp, and from his position in mid-air, he could clearly discern the degree of Hu Liang’s control over the heat.
’Duan Ran is probably going to fail,’ Xu Nian thought, his gaze shifting to him as he passed a silent judgment.
As for Mi Lifu, Xu Nian didn’t understand the Talismans of Magic Peak, but he could tell from the joyful expression on the man’s face that forming a pill shouldn’t be a problem.
Then there was the remaining one, Yu Changsheng.
Xu Nian stroked his beard. He couldn’t figure him out. He really couldn’t.
Yu Changsheng was just sitting there quietly, not forming hand seals or casting techniques to control the Pill Furnace. He was just slowly decocting the Elixir with the Sanwen Fire. Xu Nian couldn’t clearly discern the situation inside the Pill Furnace, nor could he use his Divine Sense to scan it. If he did, he would ruin the Alchemy, and Gongsun Yang would be the first one to come after him.
’Time is almost up. I’m afraid forming a pill will be difficult for him,’ Xu Nian thought, shaking his head.
"Success!" Hu Liang roared with laughter. Just as many had expected, he was the first to succeed. He lifted the lid of his Pill Furnace, revealing two round Body Forging Pills inside!
Although their quality wasn’t the best, they were undeniably real!
"Not bad. Two Body Forging Pills, and their medicinal efficacy meets the standard. You are awarded thirty points!" Xu Nian said with a smile. "After this, you should practice refining them more often..."
But before he could finish his sentence, Yu Changsheng extinguished his Flame, brought his hands together, and spun the Pill Furnace.
"Pills formed!"