Chapter 99 - 98: Ecstasy and Agony
Chapter 99: Chapter 98: Ecstasy and Agony
"Qi Refining Seventh Layer?"
Mi Lifu’s expression flickered, but he found the condition acceptable. After all, he was only at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, so it was just a drop of two layers.
’He can completely make up for the magical power of those two layers with talismans from the Magic Peak.’
’Hehehe. This rule is most disadvantageous for Hu Liang. Looks like I have a great chance this round. Even if I can’t get first place, second will do just fine!’
Mi Lifu glanced at the pale-faced Hu Liang and gave a sleazy smile, then turned his head toward Yu Changsheng.
’He’s my biggest rival now!’
’He could more or less see through Hu Liang, but as for Yu Changsheng... he still had no idea where the man’s limits lay. He was so unremarkable in the first round, only to shoot up like a rocket in the next few. The man’s disguise is just too good!’
’We’re all at the Tier Two Alchemy Dao. There’s no reason I should lose.’
He had fallen far behind Yu Changsheng in the last round refining the Body Forging Pill, but he wasn’t discouraged. He chalked it up to the unique nature of the pill and his opponent getting lucky. Otherwise, to succeed in refining such an elixir on the very first try? He wouldn’t believe it if his life depended on it!
Elder Huang continued, "The elixir for this fifth round is simpler than those in the previous rounds. Therefore, the number of formed pills and their pill patterns will be the criteria for scoring."
His calm words immediately captured everyone’s attention. ’A simple elixir?’
There hadn’t been a single simple elixir in this whole Alchemy Conference!
They stared at Elder Huang with curiosity.
"This elixir is called the Desire Immortal Pill. It was originally created by Brahma Sound Manor. After consumption, it produces hallucinations, creating an ecstatic, out-of-body experience. It’s now used as a type of aphrodisiac in Brahma Sound Manor. I’m sure some of our disciples who enjoy frequenting certain establishments are no strangers to it, hehehe."
At this, Elder Huang let out a rather indecent laugh, causing some of the female cultivators and female Pill Masters present to blush. The male cultivators around them, however, broke into knowing smiles.
’Elder Huang really lives up to his name!’
"During the refinement process for this elixir, you must pay special attention to the Desire Immortal Smoke produced by the Illusory Scale Powder. Many Pill Masters fail to form the pill because their willpower is insufficient. They are bewildered by the smoke before the pill can form, begin to hallucinate, and ultimately fail while laughing foolishly."
"Here are the Pill Formula and materials for the Desire Immortal Pill. You have eight hours. The score will be based on the number of pills formed in a single batch."
After speaking, Elder Huang distributed the Pill Formulas and materials to the three contestants.
Meanwhile, Duan Ran, who had recovered a bit of strength offstage, wanted to cry but had no tears.
’Why couldn’t the fourth round have been this?’
’He was more familiar with the Desire Immortal Pill than anyone! Back in the day, he and Tang Xing had used this elixir for fun at Brahma Sound Manor more times than he could count!’
’Unfortunately, his luck was just terrible. Otherwise, with this elixir, he was absolutely confident he could have surpassed everyone.’
The disciples in the audience who heard what the competition was about all began to snicker mischievously.
"You think Hu Liang and the others will get so into their alchemy that they start stripping and putting on a show for everyone?"
"Hu Liang isn’t Hu Lang. His Divine Sense is at the Foundation Establishment Level. Even if his Magical Power is restricted to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, a mere Desire Immortal Pill is hardly enough to trip him up!"
"That’s not a given. I remember a Foundation Establishment Alchemist once refined a Desire Immortal Pill in the Alchemy Hall. He ended up stripping naked and giggling at his furnace, almost ending his family line right then and there. The story spread throughout the entire sect, and that alchemist was so ashamed he requested a transfer to another region in Wuzhou."
"Oh, you’re talking about that one..."
"Shhh!"
Perhaps it was because of the elixir Elder Huang had chosen, but the disciples, who had been watching the competition all day, were suddenly full of energy. Their spirits were higher than during any of the previous alchemy rounds. Some even wiggled their hips and grinned like fiends.
"The elixir Elder Huang chose is far too improper, isn’t it? The Alchemy Conference is a century-old tradition. To refine the Desire Immortal Pill on such an occasion is to lose face for the sect," Xu Nian said, frowning with displeasure.
Gongsun Yang shot him a glance and chuckled. "Elder Huang has his own plans. With his venerable status, the sect wouldn’t say a word even if he asked them to refine a generic aphrodisiac pill. What are you worried about?"
Xu Nian huffed, "I’m afraid this will become another joke that spreads, causing the other Five Sects and Three Gates to look down on us!"
"Hahaha, strength is what’s most important. You should stop worrying about pointless things," Gongsun Yang said with a laugh.
"You!" Xu Nian gritted his teeth and said no more.
Just then, another Elder spoke slowly, "There’s a reason for this. It has to do with Brahma Sound Manor. I can’t say more, but in any case, I’m afraid Jade Cauldron Peak will have to refine many more Desire Immortal Pills in the future."
"Oh?" The other elders looked at him in surprise.
But that Elder had already closed his eyes, saying no more.
Meanwhile, on the stone platform, the three contestants who had received their materials were now looking over the Pill Formula.
With his current score, Yu Changsheng was in a comfortable lead, so he wasn’t in a hurry to begin.
First Place: Yu Changsheng, 114 points.
Second Place: Hu Liang, 80 points.
Third Place: Mi Lifu, 65 points.
Compared to Hu Liang, Mi Lifu was clearly more anxious. After all, surpassing Yu Changsheng would be difficult, but he still had a chance to overtake Hu Liang.
The difference in Sect Contribution between second and third place was like heaven and earth!
Therefore, after reading the Pill Formula, he immediately understood the key to the refinement process. He formed a hand seal and cast several Protective Talisman Seals on himself to protect his Divine Sense, bolster his willpower, and grant him resistance to hallucinations.
’These few Talisman Seals should be enough to last me until the alchemy is finished!’
Mi Lifu took a deep breath, lit the fire under his Pill Furnace, and tossed in the supplementary ingredients first. Then, he began adding the main ingredient, the Illusory Scale Powder, little by little.
On the other side, Hu Liang was frowning. Although his Magical Power was restricted to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, his Divine Sense was still at the Foundation Establishment Realm. As long as he was careful, withstanding the hallucinations shouldn’t be a problem.
He glanced at Yu Changsheng, but still felt uneasy. He took a Talisman from his Hundred Treasures Pouch. It was inscribed with the Purifying Heart Spell, which was highly effective against illusions.
’With this Talisman, forming the pills will be no problem. It’s just a matter of whether the quantity and quality can surpass his!’
Hu Liang clenched his jaw, applied the Heart-Clearing Talisman, and began the alchemy process.
Seeing that the other two had started, Yu Changsheng didn’t just sit around either. He casually tossed a supplementary ingredient into his Pill Furnace, wondering how he should ’act’ for this round.
The Desire Immortal Smoke produced during the pill’s refinement might be fatal to other Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment Cultivators, but to him, it was completely useless.
’This is because my Divine Sense is at the Golden Core Level!’
’With such a powerful Divine Sense guarding my mind, I can see right through any illusions the Desire Immortal Smoke might produce. It can’t possibly enthrall me or make me lose control.’
’However, if I refine it too smoothly, it’ll draw too much attention. It’s not just the disciples in the audience; Elder Huang and the other Elders on the viewing platform are all watching us.’
’There are only three people left in the Alchemy Conference. They won’t miss a single strange detail. So, to keep anyone from realizing how special my Divine Sense is, I have to put on an act!’
’What a headache. I’ve never taken such a potent aphrodisiac before. How am I supposed to act this out?’
Yu Changsheng sighed to himself.
He was completely unaware that on the viewing platform, Gongsun Yang’s expression was calm, but inside he was nervous to death. He was terrified that his disciple would have a moment of carelessness, be entranced by the Desire Immortal Smoke, and make a complete fool of himself.