The square fell silent under the dark red pill quietly lying in the hands of the black-robed youth. After a long while, the silence was finally broken by an angry outburst. Han Xian rushed towards Xiao Yan, his eyes bloodshot as if he were a gambler who had lost everything: “Impossible, there must be a trick. He must have cheated when the white fog rose!”
Hearing Han Xian’s out-of-control shout, not only did most of the people in the square frown, but even Elder Hao’s face showed a hint of displeasure. Xiao Yan had refined the pill right under his nose. If he had cheated, wouldn’t that be mocking him for being old and blind?
“Student Han Xian, please mind your words. The right and wrong is not for you to decide,” Elder Hao said coldly, casting a glance at Han Xian.
After being scolded by Elder Hao, Han Xian finally regained his composure. Seeing the displeased expression on the elder’s face, he hurriedly bowed and apologized. He was well aware of the power these elders held in the Inner Academy.
Seeing Han Xian apologize, Elder Hao’s face softened a little. His stern eyes showed a hint of unhidden admiration as they turned back to Xiao Yan. Such talent, such character—whoever could take him as a disciple would be truly fortunate.
“Elder Hao, please inspect it. Otherwise, some may not be convinced,” Xiao Yan smiled at Elder Hao and raised his hand slightly.
Hearing this, Elder Hao hesitated for a moment before nodding with a smile. He extended his finger, carefully lifting the fifth-grade pill into his palm. His eyes sparkled with interest. Pills like this had a significant effect even on experts of the Dou Wang level. During a fight, consuming one would yield surprising results.
As Elder Hao inspected the pill, several figures suddenly appeared in the square, leaping onto the stage. They smiled at Xiao Yan and then gathered around Elder Hao, their eyes fixed on the pale red pill, all of them somewhat surprised.
“You old rascals…” Seeing the gathering figures, Elder Hao rolled his eyes and shook his head helplessly. He lifted the pill in his hand and said, “Take a look. It should indeed be a newly refined Dragon Strength Pill. It’s still warm.”
“Yes, it can’t be fake. I’ve seen the old fire master in the Alchemy Department refine this Dragon Strength Pill before. The color and smell are just the same,” an elder with a badge on his chest stroked his beard and nodded, praising.
“Didn’t expect this, this young man has been in the Inner Academy for less than three months, yet he can already refine the Dragon Strength Pill. Even in the Alchemy Department, only a few can do it,” the other elders agreed in admiration.
Listening to the conversation among the elders, Han Xian’s face became even more sullen.
After a brief discussion, the elders finally left the square, but as they passed by Xiao Yan, they each patted his shoulder and said with a warm smile, “Young man, if you need to refine pills in the future, we’ll have to come to you for help.”
For fourth-grade pills, these powerful elders might not care much, but fifth-grade pills were different. Most of these pills could move even the hearts of these elders. Therefore, seeing Xiao Yan’s ability to refine fifth-grade pills, their attitude naturally became much more friendly.
“Hehe, as long as the elders can provide the ingredients, Xiao Yan will do his best,” Xiao Yan responded with a smile, not refusing the request, and then sent them off with smiling faces.
Watching the last elder leave the stage, Xiao Yan let out a sigh of relief. Turning around, he saw Elder Hao’s smiling face. He forced a smile and said, “If Elder Hao needs any help in the future, just let me know. I won’t refuse anything within my power.”
“Hehe, thank you in advance,” Elder Hao’s smile grew wider upon hearing this, inwardly sighing that he had made the right choice in being the judge.
“Cough, Han Xian, you’ve heard the evaluations from the elders. Do you still have any objections?” Turning back, Elder Hao’s face instantly went from a smile to a blank expression as he spoke to Han Xian.
Han Xian’s face now looked like a pig’s liver. After a moment, he shook his head, gritting his teeth, “No.”
Elder Hao nodded slightly and then turned to the crowd below, saying in a low voice, “The competition is over. I declare that in this alchemy competition, Xiao Yan wins!”
“Ooh!” As soon as Elder Hao’s voice faded, the members of the Rock Gate couldn’t help but cheer loudly. Inspired by them, the other spectators in the square also raised their hands and clapped thunderously.
Xiao Yan’s eyes met with Xuner and the others below, and seeing their thumbs up, he couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
“Since you’ve admitted defeat, within three days, you must transfer the five trading spots you promised in the bet to the Rock Gate. And you must also remove the control your Medicine Gang has over the Rock Gate,” Elder Hao said to the glum-faced Han Xian.
“Yes,” although his heart was bleeding, the bet had already been made, and Han Xian could only swallow his teeth and blood. He replied softly, then swept his sleeve and walked down the square. As he brushed past Xiao Yan, he said coldly, “This isn’t over!”
Turning his head, Xiao Yan watched Han Xian and his Medicine Gang members storm off the square, his gaze slowly turning cold.
“Hehe, don’t worry, Xiao Yan. Since I’m the judge, I’ll make sure the bet is fully fulfilled,” Elder Hao patted Xiao Yan’s shoulder and said with a smile.
“Thank you, Elder.”
Elder Hao smiled and toyed with the dark red Dragon Strength Pill in his hand. After a moment’s hesitation, he handed it to Xiao Yan, saying, “This is also your prize. Take it back.”
Although Elder Hao’s hesitation was only a moment, it didn’t escape Xiao Yan’s eyes. He said with a smile, “The formula for the ‘Dragon Strength Pill’ you gave me is much more valuable than this pill. Consider it a gift for you, Elder.”
Hearing this, Elder Hao was slightly moved. After a moment’s thought, he still shook his head and pushed the pill back into Xiao Yan’s hand, saying with a wry smile, “Forget it, those guys are also eyeing the Dragon Strength Pill. If I take it, they might mock me. If you’re willing, refine some more in the future and give one to this old man. I’ll remember it.”
Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment, then took the Dragon Strength Pill and put it into his storage ring, saying with a light smile, “As long as I find enough herbs and refine them, I’ll send you the first one, Elder.”
“Hehe, that’s the spirit… As for the herbs, hehe… The Inner Academy has collected many over the years. The herb storeroom happens to be under my control. Cough, if you ever need anything, come and visit,” Elder Hao said, his words taking a few turns. After finishing, he patted Xiao Yan’s shoulder gently, the meaning only clear to the two of them.
Hearing Elder Hao’s words, Xiao Yan was stunned for a moment, then his eyes lit up with delight. He nodded imperceptibly to the elder. With the strength of the Inner Academy, they must have collected many rare and precious herbs, which were extremely attractive to Xiao Yan.
“Oh, by the way…” After handing the pill to Xiao Yan, Elder Hao suddenly remembered something and said with a frown, “Since your Rock Gate is officially selling pills now, according to the rules, you need to pay two-tenths of the total ‘Fire Energy’ you earn each month to the Inner Academy. That means if you earn one thousand units of Fire Energy in a month, you need to pay two hundred units.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yan was shocked. What was this? A tax? And such a high tax at that? Two-tenths?
“Don’t look at me like that. This is a rule set by the Inner Academy a long time ago,” Elder Hao said, shaking his head helplessly as he saw Xiao Yan’s wide-eyed expression. “Selling pills is a very profitable business, so the Inner Academy needs to have some control measures. Otherwise, all the Fire Energy in the Academy would flow into the pockets of the pill-selling forces. Over the years, the Medicine Gang has also followed this tax rate.”
Xiao Yan let out a bitter laugh and said in a low voice, “But this is too much, isn’t it? Elder, you know herbs are expensive, and refining pills isn’t always successful.”
“I know, but the rules are the rules…” Elder Hao spread his hands, seeing Xiao Yan frown deeply. After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “Alright, in the future, your Rock Gate only needs to pay one-tenth. But don’t spread the word; otherwise, the Medicine Gang, especially Han Xian, might not be happy.”
“Can the Elder adjust the tax rate at will?” Seeing Elder Hao lower the tax with a single word, Xiao Yan was surprised.
“Hehe, the part of the Inner Academy that deals with herbs and pills is under my full control,” Elder Hao said with a smile, though he thought to himself, “Besides, the Grand Elder also instructed me to take special care of you. This isn’t against the rules…”
“Thank you, Elder. In the future, I will definitely present the first refined Dragon Strength Pill to you,” Xiao Yan said, breathing a sigh of relief. Reducing the tax by half was no small amount.
Elder Hao nodded with a smile, saying, “Good. You’ve probably reached your limit with the pill refining today. Go back and rest. Tomorrow, send someone to take over the Medicine Gang’s trading points. Those are good places…”
With that, he turned and left the square.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly and also left the stage, waving at Xuner and the others. A large group of people, under the heated gazes of the onlookers, cheered and surged out of the square.
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