Chapter 151 - Clinging (1/2)
Going with Xiao Ya’s proposal, the first to start were the five grandmasters who used Yuan Qi flames. They hastily took out their flames and gave a sign of gratitude at the other grandmasters.
Although they were ranked among the best alchemists in Tianyu Empire, Zhuo Fan showed up with his heaven-defying refining skill that made them look as common as muck.
This was clearly showed through the yawns of the crowd.
Their refining resulted in three high and two mid 5th grade pills. Not one could go higher than 5th grade.
The third round had such a grade as the target. Showing it now, in the finals, robbed them of any chance at getting the first place.
They knew of their limits but chose to do it anyway so they could catch the eyes of some powerful clans.
Grinning, Yan Fu patronized, “Master was right after all. Letting those idiots go first was a total waste of time.”
He threw Liu Yizhen a side glance and sneered, “Lu old man, weren’t you bragging about using your 4th level beast flame to freakin press us all down into making a 5th-grade pill?”
“He-he-he, I have no intention to be Pill King. Just getting ahead of a twerp like you and washing away the disgrace is enough.” Liu Yizhen said as he caressed his beard.
Yan Fu seemed to have heard the biggest joke ever, “Ha-ha-ha, old man, losing is losing. What are you doing tacking that cocky tone? Not to mention, my beast flame is stronger than yours. And you still think of besting me?”
“Humph, alchemy isn’t based on flame alone. Last time I lost in terms of speed, but when it comes to refining abilities, I am above you, twerp.”
Liu Yizhen’s hand burned with his beast flame as he threw in all kinds of ingredients. Yan Fu had a constant sneer on his face.
As seconds trickled by, the scarlet flame blazed constantly, illuminating Liu Yizhen’s hard red face. Suddenly, Liu Yizhen spat a blood arrow into the flame.
The fire exploded and a scarlet pill twirled in the air before he caught it.
Liu Yizhen ignored the blood on his mouth as he gasped. He glowered at Yan Fu and revealed a crazy smile as he showed the pill.
“Brat! Tell me, what grade is this?”
Yan Fu stared at the old man and gnashed his teeth in reply. But Xiao Ya yelped, “Grandmaster Liu refined a high 6th-grade pill!”
[Say what?]
The audience was in an uproar. Grandmaster Liu was a 5th-grade alchemist, but he actually managed to refine a 6th-grade pill. This was something not even a fresh 6th-grade alchemist could pull off.
Was it really all because of the 4th level beast flame? Could it be…
Whoosh~
Yan Fu cut their second-guessing short by letting his blue flame out. The raging tongue of flame shined in his pair of eyes as if they themselves contained a deep fire within.
Whoosh~
Ingredients flew into it one after another, refining and mixing. He did it with such practiced ease that it looked no different than eating, earning no few praises.
Zhuo Fan was too awesome earlier, so Liu Yizhen and Yan Fu’s limelight got smothered. People now bore witness to a youth, who, while not as freakish as Zhuo Fan, was by all intents and purposes a genius of alchemy.
He was indeed an expert alchemist hailing from Pill King Hall!
Suddenly, Yan Fu also bit his tongue and spat blood essence. It fused with the blue flame in a blink.
Liu Yizhen’s pupils contracted as his weak body trembled. His lips parted but no words could come out from the sheer shock that grasped his mind.
Whoosh!
The fire vanished and a bluish pill shined. He grabbed it and showed it to Liu Yizhen. Yan Fu was pale and blood dripped from his mouth, painting a gruesome image when coupled with his smile, “Old man, tell me, what grade is this?”
Looking closely, Liu Yizhen shook his head sullenly. He was now too dejected to even reply.
Yan Fu let out an unrestrained laughter.
Xiao Ya flicked closer and looked in shock, “Young master Yan Fu refined a low 7th-grade pill!”
[What?!]
The audience exploded. [There was now another 7th-grade alchemist in the Pill King Hall besides Vicious Pill King? And one so young at that?]
At the side, Tao Danniang couldn’t help sucking her teeth.
[They’re both insane. They have no shot at becoming the Pill King with Vicious Pill King around so why still refine with blood essence? Is their grudge so deep to warrant such illogical action?]
Losing a drop of blood essence meant an injured vitality that could persist through years. If one was careless in their recovery, it could lead to permanent damage, worse would be stunted cultivation.
An alchemist would never use such a method unless the situation was dire.
[Vicious Pill King did it to barely qualify. You two, however, the hell you just up and harmed yourself for some simple refining?]