Chapter 136, - Secret Art That Shakes the People (1/2)

In the arena, Xiao Ya was pacing back and forth, her brows locked in deep thought.

Many alchemists started turning in their pills, qualifying for the next round. But regarding the first place, she was still uncertain what to do.

It was a spot that could only be taken by either Grandmaster Song or Vicious Pill King.

While Vicious Pill King’s 4th-grade pill was held in her hand, Grandmaster Song’s pill turned into a waste after cutting it in two. How could she possibly judge this?

Despite not being so erudite, the fading pill was a 5th grade pill. But why did it drop grades? What was up with that?

Without getting to the bottom of it, she couldn’t make a call

If she put Grandmaster Song in first place, she wouldn’t know how to explain if the need arose. Putting Vicious Pill King first would earn the scorn of the top ten alchemists.

As if saying this lady was too green and unable to see the pill’s secret. What vexed her most was Vicious Pill King also looked at her the same.

She was thoroughly stuck.

This was her first time in all her years of judging that she encountered such a problem.

She could only turn to Liu Yizhen, pleading for guidance. She found him the most amiable among the top ten grandmasters.

As for Zhuo Fan and Vicious Pill King – one smug, the other an iceberg – it was best to ignore them. Meanwhile, she avoided asking Aunt Tao or Yan Fu as they might play favorites.

“Grandmaster Liu, could you please explain to me what is so great about Grandmaster Song’s pill?”

Liu Yizhen bowed to Zhuo Fan first.

It was a gesture of respect to seniors among alchemists. Liu Yizhen was among the ten best alchemists in the empire. Yet, he has never bowed, even to Vicious Pill King.

He was convinced Zhuo Fan’s refining skill was a cut above everyone here. He was on another level.

This bow made everyone drop their jaws. Even the amateur alchemists. They knew Zhuo Fan was amazing, but not this much. Until Liu Yizhen, a grandmaster bowed to him as a junior.

Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, not expecting the old guy to disregard his own reputation and nodded.

This nod had another meaning.

Among alchemists, secret skills were passed down through the generations, never divulged. If someone guessed some points about a pill, they could not speak without the owner’s explicit accord. It would be a gross form of disrespect.

Cutting all ties at best, or fighting to the death at worst.

Liu Yizhen bowed in respect and Zhuo Fan nodded his assent.

Liu Yizhen smiled, “Young miss, Grandmaster Song’s skill is beyond amazing. Did you know that Grandmaster Song’s secret refining skill is the legendary long lost skill, Sacred Dragon Evocation?”

What? Ancient secret skill?

The people froze in shock!

Even Long Jiu’s group, as well as Huangpu Qingyun’s, they all went slack jawed.

The ancient refining skill had been lost for so long they became legends. It was inconceivable how such a legendary skill would appear in the hands of a youth.

The people started to get excited, watching with shining eyes.

Xiao Ya looked at Zhuo Fan incredulously. She found him too young at first. But now, he could compete with Vicious Pill King, and make everyone speechless.

But it went far beyond that. He used an ancient secret refining skill, one long lost in legends.

That was why the proud Vicious Pill King conceded. Who could contest with an alchemist that used an ancient secret refining skill?

“But Grandmaster Liu, why did Grandmaster Song’s pill turn to waste like this?” Xiaoya bit her lip and rushed to ask for an answer.

Shaking his head, Liu Yizhen showed great veneration, “This is exactly what made Grandmaster Song’s pill so miraculous. It wasn’t fading, but used by all of us instead.”

What?!

His words sent ripples of shock through the audience.

Liu Yizhen continued, “A normal pill, regardless of grade, could only use 50% of its ingredients’ effect. But the ancient secret skill Sacred Dragon Call was said to make use of everything they had. Everything was refined. Once eaten, it would immediately dissolve.”

“That golden mist coming from the pill was its true essence. If someone swallowed it, it was the same as a 5th-grade pill. But it was instead dispersed to the surrounding, and everyone else benefited from it. Now, it has been used up, it is no different than left over material. This is why I immediately felt deep regret when I said you could split the pill.”

“I see. I now understand why I felt so energized after breathing in the pill’s aroma!”

They all agreed and looked at Zhuo Fan with admiration.

“Grandmaster Liu, why did the grade drop?” Xiao Ya asked her most pressing question. This had to do with judging who was in first place.