As mentioned earlier, no alchemist dared to pat their chest and say that their pill refining would definitely succeed. Refining low-level medicinal pills was infinitely close to one hundred percent success rate, but the higher the level of the medicinal pill—as in, the closer to one’s own alchemy level—the more drastic the increase of failure rate.
Usually speaking, when a low-level Earth Grade alchemist refined low-level Earth Grade medicinal pills, the success rate was about thirty percent, which equaled refining three furnaces worth of pills and succeeding only once.
Therefore, if Xuan Ji Yun chose to refine a low-level Earth Grade medicinal pill and succeeded, then the other alchemists could only admit defeat, but what if he failed? The rate of failure was up to sixty percent, and once he failed, then that was just crap!
So, choosing what medicinal pill to refine was not only based on one’s alchemy level, but also on what the opponents chose.
In this moment, ten alchemists paced before the medicine cabinet and loaded many ingredients into their medicine baskets. However, only they knew in their hearts whether they were refining the related medicinal pills, or whether it was just a smokescreen.
This was a process of fighting a battle of wits and strength.
Only Ling Han didn’t care at all, and just chose the ingredients that were going to be refined.
Unfortunately, inside the medicine cabinet, there was actually no single Heaven Grade ingredient!
It was reasonable. Heaven Grade ingredients were too precious, so how could any be taken out? As everyone knew, there was only three Heaven Grade alchemists now. If Spirit Treasures Pavilion took out Heaven Grade medicinal ingredients out now, what use would it be but to be wasted?
They were merchants, not fools!
Whatever, then high-level Heaven Grade it’d be.
Ling Han casually selected the ingredients and didn’t bother to pay attention to others. Pill refining was just going through the motions for him. His goal was on the martial arts contest six days after—the battle against Xuanyuan Zi Guang to see who was the strongest amongst the younger generations.
He returned to his position, and immediately started the furnace for pill refining.
“Is this guy an idiot, starting to refining now?”
“There are clearly three days, and the first day is definitely a battle of wits to pressure the opponents. Best to get the opponents to make a mistake by choosing high difficulty medicinal pills—then the chances of the furnace exploding would be higher.”
“Looks like north region doesn’t want to win.”
“Last time, they were at the bottom, and probably will be no different this time, either.”
“The first this time is probably south region. Low-level Earth Grade alchemist has an extremely great mental advantage. If he chooses to refine a high-level Yellow Grade medicinal pill, not only will his success rate increase greatly, but it’ll also force the others to choose to refine high-level Yellow Grade medicinal pills. The possibility of the opponents’ furnaces exploding will be extremely high.”
“Yes, Xuanyuan Zi Guang was also roped in by south region. In the martial arts contest, he should firmly obtain the first place.”
“Yin Le’s ability in formations is also impressive; even if he doesn’t get first, he’ll be second easily. Two first places and a second place, that’s definitely the first place this time.”
The elders of Spirit Treasures’ Pavilion commented one after another, but a few people revealed uncertain expressions. For example, Yin Xue Yang looked at Ling Han.
Being able to become a sworn brother with a Shattering Void Tier elite… could he be so simple?
“What, that boy’s handiwork is amazing!” Soon, there were cries of surprise. Although the Spirit Treasures Pavilion didn’t have their own alchemists, their relationship with the Alchemist Society had always been extremely good, so they were able to frequently see alchemists refine pills. Hence, even if they didn’t know how to refine pills, they were able to get some sense of it.
Ling Han’s technique was definitely amazing!
“Experienced!”
“Smooth!”
“Done in one go!”
More and more people saw it and revealed shocked expressions. This youngster was only twenty-four to twenty-five years old, so how could his techniques be so skillful?
“What medicinal pill is he refining?”
“Looking at the ingredients… it seems like the Five Changes Black Jade Pill!”
“This, this, this, isn’t this a high-level Earth Grade medicinal pill?”
“What, this guy’s crazy! He’s refining a high-level Earth Grade medicinal pill?”
The corner of Yin Hong’s mouth twitched as she said inwardly, ‘This guy not refining Heaven Grade medicinal pills is already giving you guys face, or else it’d scare you guys to death!’
Ling Han’s skillful technique, smooth and easy, involuntarily made those watching feel a sense of beauty, as if it wasn’t pill refining, but a master performing an art.
Too wonderful.
After completing the filtering and purifying of ingredients, Ling Han began pill refining.
He was already in the Flower Blossom Tier, and no longer needed Strange Fire’s help to refine high-level Earth Grade medicinal pills; his own strength was enough. His figure moved about as he struck at the pill furnace palm after palm, and fire swirled and patterns radiated like flowers.
This was drawing heaven and earth’s essence within the ingredients to perfectly intertwine the medicinal powers.
“Phew, unbelievable. This guy’s too experienced, could there really be hope of pill formation?”
“From the looks of it now, everything is going on effortlessly.”
“Hiss, there’s going to be another alchemy genius in the world. A twenty year old that’s already a high-level Earth Grade alchemist… it’s extremely like that he’ll advance into the ranks of Heaven Grade.”
“Don’t you guys forget, this guy’s talent in martial arts isn’t bad, either.”
Weirdo!
Ling Han remained unmoved, simply focusing on pill refining. After half a day, dense mist floated above the pill furnace and turned into the appearance of mountains and rivers, fowls and beasts, and so on, extremely marvelous.
“The pill… is about to form!” everyone cried out one after another.
Xuan Ji Yun and the other alchemists even took Ling Han as a celestial. A difference in level in alchemy was the same as the difference of a large tier in martial arts; it was an absolute gap, not to mention that a high-level Earth Grade alchemist was almost at the pinnacle of alchemy, making them want to prostrate in worship.
Chapter 578
Translator: Reverie_ Editor: Kurisu
One day later, the Five Turns Black Jade Pill was refined.
Fortunately, this was only a high-level Earth Grade medicinal pill, so it wouldn’t induce a pill tribulation; however, the quality was too high, still inducing the resonance of heaven and earth, with thunder clouds rolling but without producing actual thunder.
Pa!
Ling Han pat the furnace lid forcefully. Tu, tu, tu , three slippery round medicinal pills flew out of the pill furnace as if they had wings and were about to run away. Starting from Earth Grade medicinal pills, medicinal pills were spiritual, and Heaven Grade medicinal pills could even manifest; normal people couldn’t see through that layer of disguise.
He tossed it casually, and said, “Examine the pills.”
Examining the quality of a pill was obviously a piece of cake for the Spirit Treasures Pavilion—that was what they did. Immediately, three appraisers took the field, examining closely, and soon reached a conclusion.
All three pills reached ten stars in quality; they might be called perfect.
Ling Han still held back, or else reaching thirteen or fourteen stars wouldn’t be a problem.
First, fully deserved!
Xuan Ji Yun and the others sto
pped choosing ingredients, what the heck would they refine for… they walked over one after another towards Ling Han and bowed in respect. Although he wasn’t a Heaven Grade alchemist, high-level Earth Grade alchemist being able to refine a ten-star quality pill… how far from that holy door would he be?
In front of such a future grandmaster, they didn’t have the courage to embarrass themselves.
No one would’ve expected the alchemy contest would end like this!
Other than the north region receiving thirty points, the other four subbranches didn’t receive a single point at all. This meant that as long as north region received forty points in the following two contests, it would be a guaranteed first… well, at least a tie for first.
Ling Han stored the Five Turns Black Jade Pill. Once refined, it belonged to the alchemist, which was something clearly explained earlier. This was also why these alchemists were willing to come; taking other people’s ingredients to refine pills, yet the pills would be one’s own—worth it.
…Especially Earth Grade ingredients; those were ridiculously precious.
He headed straight back and entered the Black Tower again, continuing to study the 10,000 Techniques Return to One and the bone patterns.
The alchemy contest lasted three days, and the formation contest also three days; the martial arts contest was last. Therefore, Ling Han still had five days’ time, and had the confidence to adhere those bone patterns onto the pseudo-Ray.
He cultivated diligently, and five days later, he reappeared from within the Black Tower.
“Ling Han bad bad!” Hu Niu was very discontent; for five whole days, he didn’t play with the cute and beautiful Niu!
“Han Han bad!” Helian Xunxue also followed, and stuck her lip up very high, making one want to go up to kiss it.
Amitahba, how did such a cursed thought arise, truly sinful!
Ling Han shivered, and said, “How’s the formation contest going?”
“Sister Hong only placed third, receiving ten points,” Zhu Xuan Er said, standing on the side.
Ling Han nodded casually. He obviously didn’t care about Yin Hong’s final ranking, but since he participated in the contest, then based on his personality, he would obviously try to win with all his power.
A battle against Xuanyuan Zi Guang to decide who was superior!
Ling Han’s battle intent was like fire. Xuanyuan Zi Guang was truly a young genius that carried a lot of weight, and perhaps was no inferior to those like Sword Emperor in their younger days. In the previous life, Ling Han stood at the top of martial arts, but he couldn’t be called an elite all along. This life, he wanted to step on all other geniuses and ascend to the throne of the strongest.
They departed and arrived at a massive sparring field.
Xuanyuan Zi Guang, Pang Xiang Ming, and the other young geniuses all appeared. A few Ling Han didn’t recognize, but they all emitted shocking presences and could be called a young king.
“Brother Pang!” Ling Han greeted Pang Xiang Ming. Although Pang Xiang Ming’ was somewhat effeminate, his personality was quite straightforward, making Ling Han have a favorable impression of him.
“Brother Han!” Pang Xiang Ming didn’t dare to put on airs and cupped his hands in obeisance; however, he cupped his fists with his pinkies raised, fully displaying his effeminacy.
Although Ling Han and him were both at the Flower Blossom Tier, he already heard that Ling Han refined high-level Earth Grade medicinal pills a few days ago, so wouldn’t that be a high-level Earth Grade alchemist? This could be treated as equal to the Deity Transformation Tier elites.
Ling Han laughed loudly, and said, “Brother Pang, after the contest is over, lets’s drink.”
“Of course! Of course!” Pang Xiang Ming hurriedly nodded in quite the effeminate manner, making Ling Han somewhat uncomfortable.
This guy might really have reincarnated in the wrong body.
“Get ready to begin.” Yin Xue Yang said. “The competition is arena-based, with the first in the previous term guarding the arena first, while the other four families can send people to take the arena; the winner guards the arena. Whichever family can guard the arena till the end will be the first in this time’s contest.”
The previous term’s first place was middle state’s headquarters, so a young lady entered the center of the field, flying directly into the sky to await battle.
Each family could send three people to battle, and obviously had to make sure of their candidates for vanguard and general; no one would deal their strongest card out first. The previous term’s second place was first to challenge the arena. A lanky man walked out, and the fight immediately began.
Soon, the outcome of the battle was decided, with the challenger victorious. Next, the south region challenged the arena.
Ling Han yawned in boredom. The north region was quite the powerful army this time with Ling Han, Hu Niu, and Helian Xun Xue, the three super experts. Ling Han feared the two girls would be too fierce and knock down Xuanyuan Zi Guang right away, so he took the position of vanguard, soon taking the field.
With his strength, if the opponent didn’t deal their trump card, they wouldn’t be his match. Soon, he won eight consecutive matches, forcing the other four families to send out their generals.
“Han Lin, I’ve looked forward to this moment!” Xuanyuan Zi Guang took the field in high spirits like a son of god. “This time, I’ll trample you beneath my feet, and make you taste vividly the taste of failure.”
“Glib talk.” Ling Han picked his ears. “I’m truly beginning to doubt whether you’re truly a martial artist, or an opera singer?”
Xuanyuan Zi Guang was furious. You were the one with a freaking tongue ready at all times, not giving up until you piss people off; how could you have the nerve to talk about him?! In battles between geniuses, attacking the mind was an important segment. So, he immediately pushed down the fury as he didn’t want to lose control now, giving Ling Han any chances.
“The strong speak with their fists!” he said coldly.
“Then why do you blabber so much nonsense?” Ling Han sneered. “Why aren’t you attacking yet?”
Xuanyuan Zi Guang stared at Ling Han with killing intent in his gaze, and said, “For the sake of Lord Feng, I will hold back and not beat you up too miserably!”
“Ha!” Ling Han shrugged, and attacked right away. “Don’t overestimate yourself!”
“Sixth layer of the Flower Blossom Tier!” Xuanyuan Zi Guang groaned. In a few days, Ling Han’s cultivation actually increased very quickly, making him surprised. However, he obviously wouldn’t be afraid. He had the confidence to strike down anyone in the same tier, let alone when he still had the tier advantage—like now.
” Kill 1 !” He raised both palms, and greeted Ling Han.
The two young kings finally fought again. This time, no one would stop them.
Chapter 579
Translator: Reverie_ Editor: Kurisu
Ling Han maneuvered both fists and shot out War Elephant Fists, and an astonishing 21 dragon elephants roared.
This battle was bound to last an extremely long time, so Ling Han wasn’t in a rush to use his fiercest sword art.
Xuanyuan Zi Guang was also very calm; each palm and each style were straight and narrow, unrushed, showing his extremely fine self-cultivation in martial arts.
From the look of the battle now, everyone thought they were friends of many years and were simply sparring without any anger.
Although they exchanged blows two times, it was a simple exchange of a few moves, and both parties didn’t use their trump cards.
As they fought, their anger welled up, and their attacks became fiercer.
Xuanyuan Zi Guang’s palms were like heavy axes; each palm swinging down could shatter even mountains. Vein-like patterns intertwined and martial intent trembled as he began to unleash his power. Every palm he launched had 22 swirling flashes of Qi, their power shocking.
Ling Han wouldn’t be outdone,
either. Though his attainments in fist techniques were inferior to those in sword techniques, they also advanced into the level of 20 flashes of Qi; although he was slightly lower in tier, with the brute force brought by Nine Dragons Tyrant Body Art, he actually didn’t lose out in power at all.
Hong! Hong! Hong!
The two kept exchanging blows—nothing fancy, just comparing power and martial arts comprehension, or in other words, the amount of Qi and its quality.
This was a tight fight; the one who was slightly weaker in strength would be the one to swallow the bitter fruit of defeat.
The two were geniuses of the present age as expected; they were tied in the fight.
“These two people are both so powerful!”
“Amongst the younger generation, how many people could be on an equal level with them?”
“Probably just Yao Hui Yue, Lang Ya Tian, and Dong Ling Er, only a few to count.”
“The youngsters in this generation are really too strong, catching up to the geniuses in their prime.”
The viewers of the battle all commented one after another. Martial arts already entered a flourishing age, and Ling Han’s generation was extremely bright—as if prodigies spilled over, appearing like a gushing spring.
“Hmph, you’re still not worthy of standing by my side!” Xuanyuan Zi Guang said coldly, and struck with another palm as a fire lion surged out like a massive mountain, emitting a shocking presence.
He combined 22 flashes of Qi and unleashed them as one, possessing the power close to a Ray.
Ling Han laughed loudly, and said, “I forgot to thank you for teaching me this move.” He also fired a fist, and a golden dragon elephant surfaced, likewise massive like a mountain.
Examining closely, no matter whether it was the fire lion or the dragon elephant, vein-like patterns interweaved on their bodies, emitting a shocking divine light.
Peng!
The fire lion and the dragon elephant clashed, bursting forth with a dazzling light. It was a collision of martial intents; it turned into a divine sense impact wave, making many Flower Blossom Tier warriors shiver as their minds were rattled under the two’s martial intents.
Alchemy Emperor of the Divine Dao c1-1294 Page 302