Chapter 24: Eccentric and Carefree, Overly Cautious?
Chapter 24: Eccentric and Carefree, Overly Cautious?
The spectators on the viewing platform were abuzz with discussion.
Numerous alchemists were silent, focusing intently on their tasks.
However, their performances varied greatly.
Some were flustered, their faces tense, fearing any slight mistake.
Others remained exceptionally calm, their movements graceful and effortless, exuding confidence as if everything was under control.
Xiao Ling'er had been observing carefully, especially the handling of medicinal herbs she had never encountered before. But she wasn't paying attention to just anyone.
She ignored those who were flustered and panicked, instead focusing on those who were composed and serene...
Learning from the masters!
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Xiao Ling'er closed her eyes. The various scenes she had witnessed replayed in her mind like a revolving gallery.
"So that's how it's done."
"The key to enhancing the pill success rate with these auxiliary herbs is the Quintessence Flower."
She whispered to herself, "Extracting the essence of the Quintessence Flower, utilizing its inherent properties of the five elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—and then blending the other auxiliary herbs in an almost perfect state, achieving the harmony of the five elements."
"By harnessing this five-element harmony, it aids in pill refinement. Although it may slightly diminish the medicinal properties, the success rate of pill formation will significantly increase."
"Indeed, it doesn't seem too difficult. As long as the balance of the five elements in these auxiliary herbs is maintained."
"At least, it shouldn't be a problem for me."
Finally, Xiao Ling'er took action.
Bang! She casually clapped her hands, and the pill furnace lid flew off instantly.
Her swift and graceful movement caught the attention of those around her.
But Xiao Ling'er froze for a moment, sticking out her tongue.
"I almost forgot to hide my abilities."
So, she began to demonstrate.
Ideally, she should have used her essence energy to levitate the lid, then added the herbs and replaced the lid, which would have been efficient and impressive.
However, at this moment, she released her essence energy, allowing the lid to fall to the ground with a loud ding.
The surrounding alchemists: "O.O"
"Whew~"
A chorus of gasps filled the air.
Xiao Ling'er's face turned red, and she hurriedly tossed herbs into the furnace.
Seeing her flustered, the audience lost interest.
With such a performance, she wouldn't even make it past the first round!
But Xiao Ling'er was delighted, appearing flustered yet actually having everything under control.
During the process, she even chatted casually with Liang Danxia, "Teacher, in your opinion, are there any alchemists here who could become formidable rivals?"
"Of course."
Liang Danxia confidently replied, "Among a million alchemists, while the majority are ordinary, there are bound to be some exceptional ones."
"I've been in seclusion for many years, so I'm not too familiar with the current situation, but based on their performances, there are three who deserve attention."
"Oh?"
"Please tell me, Teacher!"
Xiao Ling'er was intrigued.
"Follow my guidance with your divine sense. Do you see him? The man wearing a feathered crown to your left."
"His entire pill refinement process is graceful and fluid. His control over various herbs and his mastery of fire control are extraordinary. He should be considered a formidable rival!"
"And the red-haired, red-clothed woman behind you. If I'm not mistaken, the technique she cultivates is from the Fire Virtue Sect. While the Fire Virtue Sect is renowned for their artifact refinement techniques, this woman has taken a different path, mastering fire control and achieving remarkable success in pill refinement."
"Her control over herbs may be slightly lacking, but when it comes to fire control, you are not yet her match."
"They are the ones!"
Xiao Ling'er realized that she had noticed them before!
"Who is the third person...?"
"The one on your right, that guy who seems not very bright and even more flustered than you."
"Huh?"
Xiao Ling'er was taken aback, but quickly understood, "Teacher means he's also pretending to be weak to lure his opponent into a false sense of security?"
She observed carefully but couldn't spot any flaws.
"I can't see it, Teacher."
Liang Danxia's expression turned solemn, "That's precisely why you should be more vigilant. He's hiding his abilities well, and his acting is excellent."
"But I'm certain his overall alchemy skills aren't much weaker than yours. This guy is extremely odd...and his cultivation level is questionable."
"Questionable cultivation?"
Xiao Ling'er examined him closely again, but the man who appeared to be simple and honest, and not very bright, was clearly only at the first level of the Essence Condensation Realm.
Even if he was hiding his cultivation, it shouldn't be so well-concealed that even the teacher couldn't see through it, right?
"This guy..."
She frowned slightly, "He's indeed quite odd."
Although she wasn't sure of the reason, if the teacher said so, it must be true.
"Indeed, he's peculiar. Remember to be cautious around him."
"Yes, Teacher."
...
Soon, half an hour passed.
One after another, alchemists began their attempts, with most of the early starters succeeding due to their sufficient skills. Only a small number failed, flopping in their attempts, feeling especially frustrated.
But as time went on, the failure rate increased linearly.
Some succeeded in alchemy but didn't reach the third-rank.
Others couldn't even manage to form pills.
Some even...directly caused their furnaces to explode, and there were quite a few of them.
Xiao Ling'er waited until the last ten breaths before she reluctantly started her attempt, managing to produce three third-rank Essence Condensation Pills with great difficulty.
It was indeed a very reluctant success, but it was enough to advance to the second round.
Afterward, she glanced at the peculiar and simple-looking alchemist, only to find him still struggling to put out the flames of his furnace.
It wasn't until the very last breath that he finally managed to extinguish the flames, opening the furnace to retrieve the pills.
Two pills...Xiao Ling'er couldn't tell if they were second or third-rank Essence Condensation Pills, and the unstable auras on them made her mouth twitch.
Two auras were normal, but the third one flickered, appearing and disappearing unpredictably...as if it might extinguish at any moment.
Finally, it stabilized, but it was noticeably dimmer than the other two auras.
"He's really going overboard with this act, isn't he?"
Xiao Ling'er was speechless. If it weren't for the teacher's reminder, she might have been truly deceived!
Logically, acting like me should be enough to avoid attracting attention, right? But this guy?
Isn't he being overly cautious?
Hmm?
Wait, overly cautious?
"Very familiar, as if I've heard of someone like this recently?"
However, no matter how hard she racked her brains, she couldn't recall where she had heard of such a cautious person, so she could only give up.
It was at this moment that the Seventh Dao Convergence Realm cultivator took the stage again, saying, "Those who advance, stay. Those who are eliminated, leave."
These ten simple words instantly divided the million alchemists into two camps.
What surprised Xiao Ling'er was that in just the first round, nine out of ten were eliminated!
Now, there were less than a hundred thousand alchemists left.
The peculiar and simple-looking guy was among those who advanced.
(End of Chapter)
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