by <unknown>
This second round of competition, she solved a total of 11 types of spirit medicines from the three kinds of medicinal pills, while Tong Wenhui only deconstructed nine types.
Xiao Ruyan won again!
But, the most critical was still the third round, which was pill refinement!
As an alchemist, the most important was naturally pill refinement. Hence, the weight occupied by pill refinement in the Grand Pill Assembly was also very huge.
In the Grand Pill Assembly, each person had to finish competing in the three rounds before the winner could be determined.
And all of the variables surfaced in this third round of pill refinement!
Even if the first two rounds were losses, as long as one completely thrashed their opponent in the third round of refining, they could similarly be victorious!
The so-called complete thrash was one party completely crushing the other party in terms of medicinal pill quality. Or one side successful refined the medicinal pill while the other party failed.
If the difference in quality between the two people was not great, it was naturally the one who won the two rounds consecutively prior to this that won.
And during this process, the opinions of the judges were actually very important. Therefore, that was why the Wind Emperor appointed the neutral Alchemist Association to host it.
Of course, everyone could see the quality of the medicinal pill. The use of the judges would only surface under the situation where the difference was extremely minute.
"The medicinal pill that the two of you are going to refine is . . . Tier 3 high-level medicinal pill, Jade Pith Ice Clear Pill," said the Quasi-Alchemy King.
Among the Tier 3 pill formulas, some pill formulas were made known to the public and also publicly acknowledged to be extremely hard to refine medicinal pills. This Jade Pith Ice Clear Pill was one of those.
Seeing this pill formula, the expression on Xiao Ruyan's face changed.
The refining difficulty of this Jade Pith Ice Clear Pill was very high. Xiao Ruyan just happened to be weak in refining this sort of medicinal pill. At most, she only had 30% certainty of refining it out.
And on the other side, a pleasantly surprised look appeared on Tong Wenhui's face. Evidently, this medicinal pill suited his taste!
Xiao Rufeng frowned and said, "Why did this topic come out? The Jade Pith Ice Clear Pill just happens to be a medicinal pill that Ruyan is weak at. This battle . . . is not going well!"
Xiao Changfeng's expression was also very grave as he said, "The Jade Pith Ice Clear Pill's requirement towards fire control is very high. But Ruyan's weak point is fire control. It's really quite troublesome."
Xiao Ruyan came before the medicinal cauldron and took in a deep breath. But her eyes involuntarily looked towards Ye Yuan and discovered that Ye Yuan was currently smiling at her.
Suddenly, Ye Yuan's finger moved slightly, forming a seal.
Xiao Ruyan could not help being stunned when she saw the situation. She thought to herself, "Wasn't this the seal that he struck out when I was refining the Vast Tuber Essence Stimulating Pill? What does he mean?'
Xiao Ruyan suddenly thought back to the feeling on the day when she was refining the Vast Tuber Essence Stimulating Pill. Although she was dog-tired at that time, that sort of feeling was very subtle.
"Could his meaning be . . . to let me find the feeling on that day when I was refining the Vast Tuber Essence Stimulating Pill? But . . . I tried several times afterward and kept being unable to find that sort of state!" Xiao Ruyan thought to herself.
Calming down her emotions, Xiao Ruyan finally started to move and refine the Jade Pith Ice Clear Pill.
Preparing the herbs and refining the medicinal embryo, these were all not difficult things to Xiao Ruyan.
On this step, she did an even more outstanding job than Tong Wenhui!
What Xiao Ruyan was most worried about was the refinement. She really did not have much assurance.
"I must refine the Jade Pith Ice Clear Pill! Even if it's only a low-grade! Tong Wenhui's level is most likely at most just refining out a middle-grade pill even if he's adept at this kind of medicinal pills. As long as my medicinal pill isn't too poor, I'll win" Xiao Ruyan gritted her teeth and secretly made her resolve.
Xiao Ruyan beckoned with one hand. The medicinal embryo flew into the medicinal cauldron.
The flames gradually rose. Xiao Ruyan began the Jade Pith Ice Clear Pill's refinement!
Chapter 380. Counterattack |
Although she pulled out all stops to refine the Jade Pith Ice Clear Pill, not long after it started, Xiao Ruyan's rhythm became somewhat disorderly.
Refining was a task that exhausted mental strength immensely. The aspects that needed to be taken care of was far too many.
This was only refining a Tier 3 medicinal pill. When Ye Yuan was refining Tier 9 medicinal pills in his previous life, that was simply a colossal project. Refining a single medicinal pill for a month was something normal.
But, to the present Xiao Ruyan, the Jade Pith Ice Clear Pill was still an enormous challenge to her.
Everyone present was an expert. One look and they knew that Xiao Ruyan's condition was not quite right.
"Ruyan this little girl has talent, but she is still too young in the end!" An Alchemy King elder evaluated her skill.
"Fire control requires very exquisite essence energy control. It isn't the work of a single day. For Ruyan this lass to be able to perform to this step is already very not easy."
"Yeah. The path of fire control doesn't have shortcuts. One can only become very meticulous through large amounts of practice. Tong Wenhui is several years older than her in the end. In this aspect, he's performing better than her."
"Looks like the victor is already determined in this match."
Those few elders clearly did not think optimistically of Xiao Ruyan, because signs of her defeat had already appeared.
Alchemy King experts were Alchemy King experts after all. Even if they were questioned by Ye Yuan, their strength and vision were still right there.
Xiao Ruyan felt that she was straining more and more. The medicinal pill inside the medicinal cauldron also became increasingly unstable, with the possibility of becoming a useless pill at any moment.
But right at this time, she suddenly sensed a seal being struck into the medicinal cauldron unseen, making her jump in fright!
In her panic, Xiao Ruyan nearly caused the medicinal pill in the medicinal cauldron to be ruined.
"En? What's with Ruyan, this lass? The essence energy undulations earlier were so intense that it nearly ruined the medicinal pill."
"Yeah, just a little more. But . . . even so, it would probably be very difficult for her to rescue this medicinal pill too, right? It's almost certain that it will be refined into a useless pill."
"I've seen this lass refine pills before. Although her skills are still lacking, a mistake like this shouldn't have appeared. Could it be that the mental pressure is too great?"
Xiao Ruyan's little incident was enough to make many people choke up from fear.
One had to acknowledge that everyone liked beautiful women.
Not only was Xiao Ruyan beautiful, but her alchemy talent was also exceedingly high. Everyone naturally liked her even more.
Although the Xiao Family's influence was weak, it did not stop everyone from viewing her positively.
For these Alchemy Kings to compare Xiao Ruyan to Tong Wenchang, it could be seen just how positively they viewed Xiao Ruyan.
Hence, when they saw that Xiao Ruyan actually made such an error, quite a few people heaved a sigh while wringing their hands.
However, Xiao Ruyan in the midst of refining not only did not have the slightest hint of remorse at this time, but she was also excited to the point she was about to scream out.
"It's this sort of feeling! It's this sort of feeling! I found it! I found it!" Xiao Ruyan was wildly elated in her heart.
This sort of feeling was pre
cisely the sort of feeling when Ye Yuan injected the seal while she was refining the Vast Tuber Essence Stimulating Pill.
When she was refining the Vast Tuber Essence Stimulating Pill previously, she was also in a total mess from the beginning, all the way until Ye Yuan threw in that seal, guiding her into a subtle rhythm.
Later on, Xiao Ruyan also tried it out a few times, wanting to find that subtle feeling of fire control. But all of it failed.
All the way until Ye Yuan gesticulated that hand sign at her just now, Xiao Ruyan finally ascertained that Ye Yuan's seal was absolutely intentional!
Her refining the Vast Tuber Essence Stimulating Pill was no coincidence at all. Ye Yuan helped her to refine the pill!
Therefore, she had been following the path from that day when she was refining the Vast Tuber Essence Stimulating Pill from the very beginning and kept wanting to find that feeling back then.
Now, she finally found it!
"Oh? Not only was Ruyan that lass not affected by that mistake just now, she gradually entered the most optimal state instead!"
"It's true! This lass seems to have gotten a knack for it. Her fire control ability seemed to have gone up a huge step!"
"Hiss . . . The medicinal pill is on the verge of taking form soon. She's actually about to refine successfully. Truly inconceivable!"
According to past experiences, for such a major fault to happen during the refining, it could only refine a useless pill. Wanting to salvage the situation in the later stages was something virtually impossible.
However, Xiao Ruyan did it!
"Condense!"
Xiao Ruyan gave a light cry. The medicinal pill formed!
The result was that Xiao Ruyan actually finished earlier than Tong Wenhui!
Xiao Rufeng could not conceal the euphoria in his heart and cried out, "Well done, Ruyan!"
Although Xiao Changfeng did not speak, one could tell from his expression that he also felt very surprised and pleased by this result.
Except that Xiao Ruyan was not looking at them but at Ye Yuan who was at the side instead; her eyes filled with gratitude.
Ye Yuan raised a thumbs up at her and returned a faint smile.
At this time, Xiao Ruyan did not have the cold haughtiness from a few days back but looked like a little girl who received a praise from her lover instead; her cheeks turned red.
When Xiao Changfeng saw this scene, he involuntarily frowned. But he did not say anything.
It was just that Xiao Changfeng could not help being secretly very puzzled. Could it be that Ruyan being able to refine this medicinal pill was also due to Ye Yuan's credit?
This boy . . . What on earth was his background?
Before long, Tong Wenhui also refined successfully. The remainder was left to the seven Alchemy Kings to make a verdict.
The two medicinal pills were placed before the seven Alchemy Kings. The few people consulted for a while. Yang Xiu opened his mouth to say, "What Tong Wenhui refined is middle-grade Jade Pith Ice Clear Pill, while Xiao Ruyan's is low-grade. The third round, Tong Wenhui wins."
Talking up to here, everyone held their breaths.
Now, it would have to depend on whether or not Tong Wenhui's medicinal pill could thoroughly suppress Xiao Ruyan's. If it could completely crush hers, he still had a possibility of obtaining victory.
Only to see Yang Xiu pause for a moment, then opened his mouth again to say, "But, the medicinal pill that Tong Wenhui refined just barely managed to reach the level of middle-grade, while Xiao Ruyan's Jade Pith Ice Clear Pill is already infinitely close to middle-grade. Hence, collating the results of the three matches, Xiao Ruyan wins!"
"What? How is that possible? Such a large mistake happened to Xiao Ruyan in the middle. The final completed medicinal pill actually infinitely approaches middle-grade?!" Tong Fangshuo blurted out.
Yang Xiu's brows knitted and he said unhappily, "Family Head Tong, are you also questioning us old fellows? If you don't trust this elderly self, you can come and see yourself. You're also an Alchemy King. It's unlikely that you can't even distinguish the grade of the medicinal pill, right?"
Yang Xiu was filled with pent-up anger. Today, he was repeatedly questioned by people. As an Alchemist Association elder, since when had he suffered such treatment?
But towards Xiao Ruyan's performance, Yang Xiu was also very shocked inwardly.
Such a large mistake happened, but not only did Xiao Ruyan not refine a useless pill, she even raised the quality of the medicinal pill to such an extent. It was truly mindboggling.
Tong Fangshuo had an awkward look. He hurriedly waved his hands and said, "Elder Yang misunderstood. I'm not questioning the few of you, it's just . . . it's just . . ."
Yang Xiu waved his sleeves and interrupted his words, saying, "Come, men, bring these two medicinal pills before Family Head Tong and let him see for himself whether this old man is lying through my teeth or not!"
Chapter 381. Terrifying Opponen |
Tong Fangshuo looked at the two medicinal pills before his eyes and was silent for a long time.
"Family Head Tong, I wonder if I, Yang Xiu, talked nonsense or not?" Yang Xiu asked in a voice dripping with sarcasm.
Tong Fangshuo had an awkward look as he said, "It's this Tong's yardstick of a petty man. I hope that Elder Yang is magnanimous enough to forgive."
"Humph!" Yang Xiu gave a cold snort and spoke no more.
Over on this side, the Xiao Family members also heaved a long sigh in relief. The first battle was really won in a rather thrilling manner.
If not for Ye Yuan coming forward at the crucial moment to point out the mistake of the seven great elders, Xiao Ruyan would have already been defeated now.
The problem was that the Xiao Family simply could not afford to lose the first two matches. As long as they lose one, this Grand Pill Assembly would not have any need to continue either.
"Well done, Ruyan!"
"Ruyan, you're truly my Xiao Family's fine daughter!"
. . . . . .
For a moment, Xiao Family members' praises gushed forward like floodwaters.
But Xiao Ruyan was very indifferent. She did not have much good impression towards these family elders.
"Ji Qing, thank you!" Xiao Ruyan came in front of Ye Yuan and gave thanks solemnly.
Ye Yuan chuckled and said, "It's Miss Ruyan that is impressive. What has it got to do with me? Alright, take a rest first. The match later is about to begin."
Xiao Ruyan nodded slightly and sat back onto her seat.
Xiao Family, many people's complexions were ugly. The feeling of being disregarded by Xiao Ruyan made them very displeased.
And this sort of unhappiness was also carried forward to Ye Yuan.
Right at this time, Yang Xiu said, "Alright, the second battle begins now. Xiao Family's Xiao Rufeng versus Tong Family's Tong Wenshou."
Xiao Rufeng stood up. Xiao Changfeng instructed, "Keep cool. Take down this match and deny Tong Wenchang the opportunity to step onto the stage and we'll win!"
Xiao Rufeng nodded and stepped onto the stage directly.
And on the other side, Tong Fangshuo similarly stopped Tong Wenshou and exhorted, "Wenshou, teach Xiao Rufeng a good lesson for me and let everybody see just how great your improvement is!"
"Yes, Family Head!"
Watching Tong Wenshou's departing back view, Tong Fangshuo smiled coldly and said, "Xiao Changfeng, do you think that by marshaling soldiers in rank for battle like this can catch me off-guard? In front of absolute strength, you're just a joke!"
. . . . . .
The second battle.
The development of the battle situation exceeded everyone's expectations!
Xiao Rufeng was the Xiao Family's number one genius. Even if he was not at his peak condition right now, his strength and experience should still surpass Tong Wenshou.
Yet, when the battle started, Tong Wenshou was unbelievably powerful, making everyone drop their glasses.
The first
match, constituting medicinal pills, Tong Wenshou actually identified all of the spirit medicines and even wrote down three more answers than Xiao Rufeng in the constituting medicinal pills part.
Everyone was staring openmouthed!
The Xiao Family members were completely scared out of their wits. Even Xiao Changfeng had a grave expression too.
Tong Wenshou's strength surpassed everyone's expectations.
"A dark horse! This is absolutely a dark horse!"
"Xiao Changfeng racked his brains in scheming, but he probably never expected that Tong Wenshou's strength was actually formidable to such an extent!"
"Even if Xiao Rufeng's refining condition was not at his peak state, his foundation skills are still there. He's actually totally suppressed by Tong Wenshou!"
"There's a good show to watch now! I wonder if Xiao Rufeng can salvage the situation at the back. If he can't make a comeback, then the Xiao Family is utterly finished."
For a moment, whisperings sounded out inside the hall. Tong Wenshou's performance astounded everybody.
The situation which should have been a one-sided win actually had a drama-like change appear.
Xiao Rufeng was also unbelievably stunned. A deep sense of defeat came over.
He was already completely beaten down by the Tong Family's number one genius, Tong Wenchang. If he could not even win the number two Tong Wenshou, then wouldn't he, the Xiao Family's number one genius, become a joke in the capital?
Xiao Rufeng gritted his teeth and thought to himself, I must make a comeback at the back! I can't lose! If I lose, the Xiao Family will be utterly finished! I absolutely can't lose!
Indeed, Xiao Rufeng finally regained one round in the second match.
Except, Xiao Rufeng's advantage in the second match was negligible. He only wrote one more type of medicinal herb than Tong Wenshou.
Not only did this sort of result fail to let everyone feel his spur, but it also affirmed Tong Wenshou's might instead!
"The final round. One can tell that Tong Wenshou's basic skills are very solid. It's just who knows what will happen when he really refine pills."
"Looks like all these years, Tong Wenshou has been covered up by Tong Wenchang's radiance the entire time! The Tong Family's number two genius actually has such strength. Winning the Xiao Family twice in a row is also something within reason."
