In the vast square, apart from Xiao Yan’s slightly weak laughter, there was no other sound. All those who had heard of the “Three-patterned Qingling Pill” were staring at the young man in shock. Who could have thought that, at this critical moment, this ordinary-looking young man would actually, with his own strength, pull back the championship that was about to slip away!
“Heaven… He was actually refining a Three-patterned Qingling Pill, no wonder he needed to switch flames several times…” The little princess couldn’t help but cover her mouth with her slender hand. In her voice, there was an uncontrollable shock. As an alchemist, she understood better than the spectators how terrifying the failure rate and difficulty of refining this item were.
“This guy… actually hiding a third type of flame?” Liu Ling’s lips twitched, his eyes full of unhidden shock. To refine a Three-patterned Qingling Pill, one needs three different flames. And earlier, the flames Xiao Yan used were only the green and purple ones. Clearly, the latter had hidden his true strength until the very end…
As the situation suddenly turned around, the little princess and others realized that if Xiao Yan’s pill was indeed a Three-patterned Qingling Pill, then the championship would surely be in his hands. After all, even though the Purple Heart Barrier-breaking Pill could be taken twice in succession, the strong temptation of the Three-patterned Qingling Pill to jump three stars would make anyone willing to take the risk! If it were just a two-patterned Qingling Pill compared to the Purple Heart Barrier-breaking Pill, many people might choose the latter because of the same improvement but different costs. But if it were changed to a Three-patterned Qingling Pill, the result would be vastly different. Many would take the risk for the three-star leap! Although the difference is only one star, it should be known that the Three-patterned Qingling Pill is still effective for Dou Ling level experts! In contrast, the Purple Heart Barrier-breaking Pill can only work on Great Dou Masters. Therefore, in this aspect, it is far inferior to the Three-patterned Qingling Pill. So, in the comparison of these two pills, the Three-patterned Qingling Pill will undoubtedly win! Therefore, in this championship, Xiao Yan will be the final victor!
On the high platform, Fahma squinted his eyes, but anyone could see the barely concealed smile in his usually calm eyes. He laughed heartily, and then looked at the pale-faced Yan Li, who was sitting on the ground. “The Three-patterned Qingling Pill and the Purple Heart Barrier-breaking Pill, I’m sure everyone here has heard of them. So, I don’t need to elaborate on which is better, right?”
“Haha, if that’s the case, then I announce that the champion of this Alchemist Conference of the Jia Ma Empire is…”
“Wait a minute!” Hearing the piercing voice, Yan Li, with a pale face, suddenly raised his head and shouted.
Interrupted, Fahma’s brows furrowed, and he coldly glanced at the pale-faced, red-eyed Yan Li. “What do you want?”
“I don’t believe he refined a real Three-patterned Qingling Pill. I want to check it myself!”
“Sorry, according to the rules of the conference, you don’t have the right to check the pills refined by other contestants.” Shaking his head, Fahma said indifferently.
“Heh, what if he just took out a pill that looks like a Three-patterned Qingling Pill to fill the quota? Would that make him the champion? Hmph, I think you are being difficult because I am not from the Jia Ma Empire. But with so many people here today, it won’t be long before news spreads that the Jia Ma Alchemists’ Guild used its authority to prohibit the checking of pills. Then…”
Yan Li’s words caused a stir among the audience. Logically, his request wasn’t too unreasonable.
Hearing the whispers, Fahma’s face darkened. He didn’t expect this guy to be so stubborn even at this point.
“Once the conference is over, find an opportunity to get rid of this scum as soon as we leave the imperial capital,” Elder Jia muttered, his hands in his sleeves.
“If he can leave the Jia Ma Empire alive, I don’t need to be the president anymore.” Fahma’s lips moved, his voice filled with unhidden, cold killing intent. It seems he was truly angered by Yan Li.
“What should we do now? Should we really check? What if Yanxiao’s pill really has some issues… Though the chances are slim, we can’t afford any mistakes in this situation…”
Fahma fell silent. Though he had some confidence in Xiao Yan, who could be sure that the explosion hadn’t damaged the pill internally?
“President Fahma, if he needs to check, then let him check. Otherwise, it would seem like we are hiding something.”
Xiao Yan suddenly lifted his head, smiling at the hesitant Fahma and others.
Hearing Xiao Yan’s words, Fahma was stunned. Looking at the smiling face, he pondered for a moment before sighing, “Alright, let’s check. But the person checking won’t be Yan Li. According to the rules, as a contestant, he has no right to check the pills of others.”
“The inspection team will be selected from the guild elders, of course. However, having the inspection team entirely from our guild would be inappropriate. So, we will also select some reputable free alchemists from within the empire. They will jointly inspect the results in public, so everyone can trust us, right?”
Upon hearing this, Yan Li’s face darkened. Though he wanted to speak again, he forced himself to hold back. He was only relying on the audience’s pressure to force Fahma to form an inspection team. If he continued to be difficult, the audience would likely see through his scheme, and the consequences would be dire for him.
“I don’t believe that after the cauldron exploded, your pill remains undamaged!” Grinding his teeth, Yan Li glared at Xiao Yan, looking like a cornered and desperate wolf.
Shortly after the inspection rules were set, a seven-member inspection team descended from the high platform. These seven were mostly renowned alchemists in the Jia Ma Empire, with levels around Fourth Grade. Therefore, having them as inspectors met with little objection.
Under the gaze of countless eyes, the seven members slowly approached the square. Xiao Yan noticed with surprise that the leader was none other than Otto.
The inspection team first went to Yan Li, took the Purple Heart Barrier-breaking Pill from him, and then each of them inspected it using their soul perception, checking the pill’s rank and any defects.
After nearly five minutes, Otto returned the pill to Yan Li and announced, “Purple Heart Barrier-breaking Pill, successful, no defects!”
“Hmph, we already knew that. Go check that guy’s Three-patterned Qingling Pill!”
Otto gave him a cold glance, his eyes glancing over the Purple Heart Barrier-breaking Pill in Yan Li’s hand. A barely noticeable, strange smile appeared on his lips.
After checking Yan Li’s pill, Otto and the others sequentially inspected the pills of the other contestants, including the little princess and Liu Ling. Their pills, apart from a slightly less pure color, had no major issues.
With the little princess’s pill checked, the inspection team finally came to Xiao Yan’s stone platform under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
Smiling at Otto, Xiao Yan handed over the Three-patterned Qingling Pill.
Otto took it with both hands and whispered, “Good job, kid, well done!”
After receiving the pill, Otto and the others formed a small circle, examining it carefully under the public’s gaze, their expressions somewhat serious.
“Elder Mo, you announce the results this time,” Otto said, passing the pill back and smiling at an elderly man with white hair.
This Elder Mo, although not part of the Alchemists’ Guild, was quite famous in the Jia Ma Empire, as he was also a former champion of the Alchemist Conference.
“Ahh… I must admit, I’m impressed. After seeing so many conferences, this one is the most thrilling.”
The white-haired elder sighed and shook his head. Facing the audience, he paused for a moment before saying, “The inspection is complete. Although it’s a bit embarrassing, I don’t mind. This Rock Vulture’s Three-patterned Qingling Pill, even I could not refine it as perfectly as he did…”
“Though the boy is young, his potential is limitless. I believe he will surpass Gu He in no time!”
Elder Mo’s sudden comment left the entire square in dead silence. Everyone, including Xiao Yan, who was also surprised by the elder’s praise, stared in shock.
Alchemist King Gu He’s status in the Jia Ma Empire was at the peak. For many aspiring alchemists, he was an unscalable mountain! Yet, now, in front of thousands, he solemnly declared that a youth of about twenty would surpass that mountain!
Regardless of the reasons, the name Rock Vulture would surely become famous throughout the Jia Ma Empire!
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