by Feng Yise
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 - A Terrifying Opponent
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 w
as 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."
"I feel that Tong Wenshou's refining strength might not be weak. At the very least, it won't be much weaker than the peak condition Xiao Rufeng. And now, Xiao Rufeng is not yet fully recovered. The victor is really hard to determine."
If one said that a match was still luck, after two matches, nobody doubted Tong Wenshou's strength anymore.
The strength of this fellow who lived in the shadow of the genius Tong Wenchang was so powerful that it was terrifying!
"Hahaha! Those fools from the Xiao Family still thought that they could win our Tong Family like this. What a freaking joke! Before I broke through, Wenshou's strength was never much weaker than mine. They actually naively believed that they could win Wenshou by relying on an invalid! Too naïve!" Tong Wenchang burst into laughter.
"Haha! Big Brother Wenshou is unleashing everything he has after staying low profile. This time, he finally let the people of the capital see his brilliance!" Tong Wenhui did not suffer the effects of a setback and was full of smiles with Tong Wenchang.
"Heh heh, but I also never thought that Xiao Changfeng actually arranged for that punk to fight with me. It really makes me very excited!" Tong Wenchang looked at Ye Yuan in the distance with unfriendly eyes.
He had a feeling of being humiliated previously in front of the gates. This time, he was prepared to vent it out properly and thoroughly shatter Ye Yuan's confidence.
As he was talking, he beckoned with his finger. Du Chen who was behind with a vacant look carried tea water in front of him.
Tong Wenchang received the tea and savored a sip. He pointed at his knee and said, "Endless World's trash, quickly give me a massage to loosen up my joints."
Du Cheng's divine soul was being controlled and could only be at the mercy of Tong Wenchang. He bent his body to help massage.
" Sss . . . You pig, what are you using so much strength for?! Want to die?"
As he spoke, Tong Wenchang stomped a foot on Du Cheng's c.h.e.s.t, kicking him far away.
Du Cheng was directly kicked until he vomited a large mouthful of blood. But he still struggled to his feet and returned to Tong Wenchang's side to continue helping his loosen his muscles and bones.
Tong Wenchang had an enjoying look this time and g.r.o.a.n.e.d, "This strength is more like it. Hur hur."
"En? Ji Qing? What wrong with you?" Ever since Xiao Ruyan came back, her attention had been on Ye Yuan all along.
Right then, she suddenly sensed that Ye Yuan's breathing was slightly disorderly and could not help being very curious.
Ye Yuan's expression was normal as he turned his head and said to Xiao Ruyan with a smile, "Nothing. It's just that seeing the final decisive battle, my state of mind is in somewhat of an upsurge; that's all."
Tong Wenchang did not know how terrifying of an opponent he had provoked . . .
Chapter 382 - Who Can’t Laugh?
Xiao Rufeng and Tong Wenchang's match starting to get everyone's attention.
Naturally, there would not be anybody who noticed Ye Yuan's fury, which was constrained to the limits in a corner.
The two people started refining. Tong Wenshou's strength refreshed everyone's understanding once again!
His movements did not have any areas that were the slightest bit sluggish. He practically completed the medicinal pill's refinement in one go!
On the other hand, one could see from Xiao Rufeng's refinement that he was indeed not at his optimal condition. Even so, he still completed the refinement splendidly.
When the two medicinal pills were delivered in front of Yang Xiu, everyone held their breaths once again.
This match was the crucial battle that determined who won and who lost for the two Xiao and Tong families!
The seven great Alchemy King elders evaluated for some time. It was still Yang Xiu who spoke, saying, "What Xiao Rufeng refined is middle-grade. What Tong Wenshou refined is . . . high-grade! This match, the Tong Family wins!"
Xiao Rufeng's head exploded with a buzz.
Lost just like this?
Xiao Family . . .
"Puhwark!" Xiao Rufeng's emotions were too agitated which finally brought out his old injuries, spewing out a mouthful of blood.
"Big Brother!"
"Rufeng!"
Xiao Changfeng and Xiao Ruyan hurriedly supported Xiao Rufeng, only to see his complexion ashen white, looking extremely frail.
"Father . . . Ruyan . . . s-sorry . . . I-It's all . . . my fault!" The self-reproach in Xiao Rufeng's heart could only be imagined.
"Don't speak anymore. I'll send people to bring you back to rest properly!" Xiao Changfeng said.
"Brother, don't talk anymore. You've already done your best!" Xiao Ruyan's tears streamed down.
But Xiao Rufeng shook his head obstinately and said, "No . . . I'm not going back. I . . . I want to see . . . the conclusion!"
"But . . . but . . ." Xiao Ruyan and her brother's feelings were evidently very deep. Seeing Xiao Rufeng like this, her heart ached immensely.
Right at this moment, a palm reached out in front of her. A medicinal pill was held in the center of the palm.
Xiao Ruyan turned around to take a look. Who could it be but Ye Yuan?
"Let him eat it," Ye Yuan said nonchalantly.
Xiao Ruyan lowered her head to take a look and could not help being greatly shocked, saying, "High . . . High-Grade Vast Tuber Essence Stimulating Pill! Where did you get it from, Ji Qing?!"
"Don't Xiao Family guest retainers have this authority? I went to ask for some medicinal herbs and took some time out these two days to refine it. Quickly let him eat it. If this continues, he'll die," Ye Yuan said coolly.
"Oh, okay, okay." Xiao Ruyan hurried fed the medicinal pill to Xiao Rufeng.
Xiao Changfeng was also very astonished. The Vast Tuber Essence Stimulating Pill was a pill formula held only by his Xiao Family. Moreover, it was not a complete version. How did Ye Yuan know?
Furthermore, this boy could actually refine a High-Grade Vast Tuber Essence Stimulating Pill. This . . .
When the Xiao Family recruited Ye Yuan, what Ye Yuan refined was the Jade Dragon Heart Calming Pill, while the refining difficulty of the Vast Tuber Essence Stimulating Pill was way greater compared to the
Jade Dragon Heart Calming Pill.
With Xiao Ruyan's strength, she only barely refined a low-grade. But Ye Yuan could refine a high-grade?
Perhaps . . . the Xiao Family had not reached the end of their ropes yet!
After Xiao Changfeng settled his son down, he came in front of Ye Yuan and said softly, "Little Brother Ji . . ."
But Ye Yuan interrupted his words and said, "No need to promise me anything. This battle, I'll beat Tong Wenchang until he doesn't have the confidence to refine pills anymore in the future!"
Ye Yuan's words were very calm and did not sound like any heroic words. However, Xiao Changfeng felt a chill arise.
He sensed that Ye Yuan was not joking.
Except that . . . Ye Yuan, he was only a middle-rank Alchemy Grandmaster. Could he beat the Quasi-Alchemy King Tong Wenchang until he had no confidence to refine pills in the future?
This sounded rather comical no matter how one listened to it.
But regardless of what, Xiao Changfeng saw the final trace of hope. This was much better than despair!
To be able to refine a high-grade Vast Tuber Essence Stimulating Pill, maybe this Ji Qing could really contend with Tong Wenchang?
Over on the Xiao Family's side, it was deathly quiet. Everyone was like a defeated rooster.
Towards Ye Yuan, they completely did not have any confidence at all. A Middle-Rank Alchemy Grandmaster versus a Quasi-Alchemy King. Are you kidding?
While at the Tong Family's side, there was jubilation all around. Both sides formed a powerful contrasting difference.
"Hahaha! Well done, Wenshou!" Tong Wenchang hugged Tong Wenshou and said happily.
"Haha, just lucky. Fortunately, Xiao Rufeng is not at his optimal condition right now because he failed his assault on the Sea Transformation Realm." Tong Wenshou was very low-profile.
"Oh, Wenshou, you don't need to belittle yourself! I'm all too clear about Xiao Rufeng's level. Even if he's at his peak condition, he might not be able to beat you. Even if he's stronger than you, he's also not much stronger."
Tong Wenshou nodded and said, "En. Next, it will be up to you, Wenchang!"