Chapter 129 - Show of Skill (2/2)

The two looked like they fought over a mere alchemy table but they were engaged in a battle of the mind. Using this chance to throw the other off his game.

No matter how fine and amazing one’s refining skill was, it was useless in the hands of one with a frail mind.

Vicious Pill King was very close to having his inner peace ruined when the self-important Zhuo Fan strutted in. But as he was a veteran in alchemy, he noticed it fast, working hard in quelling the anger in his heart.

The competition resumed. After Yan Fu finished his pill, Tao Danniang followed closely behind. Then came Liu Yizhen and the rest of the twenty alchemists.

As time passed, more and more finished and the ringing never stopped. As the ringing increased, the hearts of the competitors became more chaotic.

Even a 1st-grade pill had a high chance of failure. The many that failed started refining again in annoyance, but time was running out.

Ding!

The hundredth ring sounded and Xiao Ya drew the first round to a close by eliminating the rest.

The ones who were hard at work in refining froze. They doused their flames and dragged their feet up to where the audience were.

There were many 3rd-grade alchemists here but their mind was still lacking, failing to refine even the most basic pill.

Now, the first hundred participants entered round two, with one tiny detail off. It wasn’t Vicious Pill Master in front, but a third rate clan young master, Zhuo Fan.

As a result, the 20th alchemist was kicked from his table.

[Goddamn it! Who said the 20 spots were set in stone? It’s only been the first round and I got kicked by a black horse. Even the Vicious Pill King lost and was now in second place! And all the others along the line as well!]

[Who knows how many great alchemists are getting kicked out this round!]

Whether or not black horses were in vogue in this competition, the audience watched on enraptured for the next kicking.

“Judge!”

Vicious Pill King called Xiao Ya’s attention, “I would like to inspect the kid’s pill and check if it was a 1st-grade pill. I still find it hard to believe someone can beat me at the speed of refining!”

[Yeah, make sure he is not cheating!]

This got the crowd wild. Vicious Pill King was the best alchemist in Tianyu. It was unbelievable how someone just popped in and dethroned him, especially when it was a rotten punk. [He’s been weaned just for a few days and he already mastered alchemy? How is that possible?]

The last one that barely got into the second round was also voicing his complaints, asking for justice.

Xiaoya had no choice as she said to Zhuo Fan, “Young master Song, is it possible for you to refine one more time, letting them see your speed?”

Casting a side glance, Zhuo Fan deadpanned, “No, thank you.”

The crowd went hysterical.

“Look! He’s scared. He doesn’t have the nerve to refine another one for us!”

“I knew he smelled fishy! How could he beat so many great alchemists?”

“He-he-he, he’s done for. Drifting Flowers Edifice doesn’t tolerate cheaters!”

…

All denounce him, while Vicious Pill King and his disciple watched with a cold smile. Tao Danniang shook her head.

She knew the kid wanted to help Drifting Flowers Edifice, but to get caught cheating meant that not even she could save him.

“Child, one’s mind must remain true and not practice vile methods! You will be the one to suffer in the end!” Tao Danniang gave earnest guidance and turned to Xiao Ya, “Change his position from the first to the last.”

Xiao Ya nodded, to the cheer of the crowd. But Vicious Pill King sneered, “Cheating has been found in the Hundred Pill Meeting and you’re only eliminating him? Since when did Drifting Flowers Edifice’s rule become so lax?”

The place got rowdy again. Xiaoya now turned her attention to Chu Qingcheng.

Chu Qingcheng sighed and shook her head. This brat caused endless troubles. Vicious Pill King now had a legitimate reason to end him. Escape looked bleak.

Long Jiu’s group was stunned. [A cunning guy like him could make such a mistake?]

Watching them all with a cold eye, Zhuo Fan yawned, “What gave you the crazy idea that I cheated? I only said that I won’t do it again.”

“That just means you’re scared!” Yan Fu coldly smiled, feeling good kicking someone when they were down.

Zhuo Fan gave a patronizing glance to all of them, “A bunch of idiots. Don’t you know I had a gorgeous lady next to me the whole time? How could I cheat? You only need to listen to how yours truly refined it and you’ll know why it took so little time.”

Zhuo Fan beckoned towards his previous table, “Gorgeous, please tell them the name of my pill and get them acquainted with real skill.”

Whoosh!

They all then whipped their heads towards his supervisor…