Chapter 138 - Failure (1/2)

The mysterious azure flame was what Zhuo Fan had got from the expert in Allbeast Mountain Range. His low cultivation didn’t allow control over even a thousandth of its power.

But one thing was certain. This azure flame was a legendary flame even in the Sacred Domain. So a thousandth was enough to refine a high-grade pill.

However…

Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan watched the top ten alchemists hard at work. Vicious Pill King, his disciple, and Tao Danniang were the only ones relaxed.

They had to have a card up their sleeve to use at the right moment in the finals.

Meanwhile, the azure flame was Zhuo Fan’s hidden trump card. Taking it out so soon would get Vicious Pill King to target him. [Best leave it for last.]

That left him with only one choice, though somewhat volatile.

Zhuo Fan sighed and made his move under the riveted eyes of the audience.

They wanted to see what shocking achievement this amazing genius with a secret refining skill would give them next.

Yet Zhuo Fan simply ignited a red Yuan Qi flame in his palm and threw 5th grade ingredients in using hand signs.

Without the godly secret refining skill, and without using the same refining ability he started with in the second round, the ingredients’ refinement seemed to go nowhere fast.

Zhuo Fan’s display was so plain because the flame he was using was even weaker than all other alchemists.

Those 5th grade ingredients in that weak flame got refined at a snail’s pace. Needing a long time for even a drop to be extracted.

Compared to earlier show of force, Zhuo Fan’s refining time was not only average, but even lackluster! As if all other alchemists’ refining ability here looked far better than his.

Such disparity disappointed everyone. They saw the greatest talent in alchemy climb to the top only to fall back into the mud.

The top ten alchemists watched on with regret and helplessness, but mostly with content.

[This punk’s weakness is finally revealed in the third round.]

Among the snickers, Zhuo Fan’s figure standing in the first spot looked quite bleak.

As if to correlate his inability this round, his smugness was nowhere to be seen.

Xiao Ya was a bit curious, speaking somewhat without meaning to, “What is wrong with Grandmaster Song in this round? He isn’t himself anymore.”

“He-he-he, that’s normal!”

Vicious Pill King took pleasure at his plight, “His refining ability had reached his peak and can go no further.”

Xiaoya asked skeptically, “Elder Yan, what do you mean?”

The other alchemists started letting out a carefree laughter.

“What I mean is that he can only refine low-grade pills.”

Still not understanding, Vicious Pill King was quite patient and enjoyed explaining this to her, “In alchemy, flames are divided into gentle and fierce flames. Common ingredients for low-grade pills use the gentle flame, otherwise the fierce flame will burn them. And when refining high-grade ingredients, the gentle flame falls short.

“But this punk’s cultivation is too low to control the fierce flame. He has no way to refine 5th-grade ingredients.” Vicious Pill King snickered then mocked Zhuo Fan, “This is your weakness. Am I right, brat?”

Ignoring him, Zhuo Fan was still as patient as he was calm, focused on his refining.

“But how did Grandmaster Song refine the 5th-grade Yang Dragon Pill?”

Shaking his head, Vicious Pill King derided, “It was made with 2nd-grade ingredients, forcefully refined then turned into a 5th-grade pill. It is not a true 5th-grade pill. But even I must admit, that refining skill is indeed legendary. If he were to refine 5th-grade ingredients, he could make a 7th-grade pill. What a shame, he-he-he…”

The people looked on with lament at his words.

Their hearts were filled with the odd sense of grief when they gazed upon the lonely yet persevering figure.

No one knew when, but for the thousands of alchemists around watching, Zhuo Fan caught all their attention. The shock Zhuo Fan’s secret refining skill instilled was far too great.

With how lonely he looked now, he made others feel sad.

Vicious Pill King, however, couldn’t be more chipper, casting stones at the helpless, kicking him when he was down. This earned the public’s distaste.

“Grandmaster Song, you can do it! We’re cheering for you!”

At some point, someone cried out in encouragement. After one, many soon followed, and cheers broke out everywhere.

“Grandmaster Song, you’re the greatest!”

“Grandmaster Song, we love you!”