https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-339-Shocking-the-Crowd-Astonishing-Everyone/12932081/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-341-The-Three-Time-Champion-Dan-Chen-s-Fame-Spreads/12932083/
Chapter 340: Am I Really Not as Good as Dan Chenzi?
Chapter 340: Am I Really Not as Good as Dan Chenzi?
On the high platform of the Alchemy Grand Competition, an intense atmosphere spread as Lu Chen successfully processed the Return to Origin Cicada Molt, leaving no room for doubt.
Each alchemist's heart grew heavier.
Someone had already taken the lead!
Among them, the three alchemists who initially chose to start with the easier first-tier medicinal ingredients and process them ahead of time were the most anxious.
They had already processed the Azure Star Grass, Sky Blue Aloe, and Crimson Flame Spirit Ginseng.
However, when faced with the two second-tier medicinal ingredients, they encountered difficulties.
The Blue Smoke Jade was still manageable.
But processing the Return to Origin Cicada Molt was a huge challenge before them.
Not everyone could multitask.
They couldn't possibly process the ingredients in their hands while simultaneously monitoring Lu Chen and Pill and Sword Sage's entire refining process.
Even Xuan Yunzi could only realize his mistake by observing a glimpse of Lu Chen's process, understanding he had taken the wrong path.
Then, he reanalyzed the medicinal properties and followed Lu Chen's approach.
The benefit of this was getting back on the right track, but at a slower pace.
However, the others weren't so lucky.
They had missed the opportunity to learn from Lu Chen's processing of the Return to Origin Cicada Molt.
There was nowhere to learn from now.
For a moment, these early birds froze in place.
Among the remaining participants, the Fu family's alchemist stared at the failed Return to Origin Cicada Molt in the Crystal Cauldron, deep in thought.
He first looked at Lu Chen, then at the unhurried Pill and Sword Sage, and finally at Xuan Yunzi.
After a long while, he made his decision.
With only three sets of ingredients and one failure, the margin for error was already low.
He decided to first process the remaining four ingredients separately to obtain the corresponding finished products.
Then, he would attempt to process the Return to Origin Cicada Molt with the last set of ingredients.
As for the method, he had already grasped some insights from Xuan Yunzi.
This could be considered learning from Lu Chen.
Compared to his calm decision, another person wasn't as composed.
Watching Lu Chen, who enjoyed the admiration of the crowd, Huang Hezi lowered his head to examine his own failed Return to Origin Cicada Molt.
Although he had preserved most of the essence energy, the cicada molt hadn't achieved the "clear and bright" state.
In other words, it contained a large amount of impurities! Undoubtedly, it was a failed product.
It couldn't be used for pill concocting!
"How could this be?"
"According to the medicinal properties, my processing method was correct!"
"Where did I go wrong?"
"How did Dan Chenzi succeed? Why did he succeed?"
"In terms of age, experience, and background, he shouldn't have been the first to succeed!"
Huang Hezi, agitated and frustrated, stood there, his aged body trembling.
As a result, he couldn't even decide to change his approach and ensure the processing of the first four sets of ingredients.
The reason for his loss of composure was that Lu Chen, a loose cultivator whom he had completely looked down upon, had surpassed him in the path of alchemy, which he prided himself on.
This blow was truly unacceptable for Huang Hezi, who had dedicated his life to the path of alchemy.
Especially when Pill and Sword Sage completed the processing of the Return to Origin Cicada Molt and handed it to the elder, who deemed it qualified.
His composure began to falter.
"In this first round, I believe I'm not weaker than anyone, and I came here aiming for the top spot."
"Why am I now so far behind?"
No one gave him an answer.
In this world, some have talent, some have "opportunities," and some possess the decisiveness to act when necessary.
Without these qualities, one's achievements are limited and easily foreseeable.
The Supreme Alchemy Institute Elder glanced at the disoriented Huang Hezi and shook his head slightly.
Although he was a second-tier alchemist, he only received the title of one of the Azure Pill Seven Sages after the age of two hundred.
Truly exceptional alchemists would have been invited to join the Supreme Alchemy Institute at a much younger age.
This Huang Hezi! He was indeed lacking!
"On the contrary, Dan Chenzi's foundation in alchemy is too terrifying!"
In his eyes and those of the thousands of cultivators in Qingdan Valley, Lu Chen's hands moved slowly yet swiftly as he processed the remaining three sets of ingredients.
At times, he seemed like a butterfly fluttering among flowers, graceful and elegant.
At other times, he resembled a skilled washer by the river, gently cleansing the clothes.
His seemingly unworldly alchemy technique, when applied to the Crimson Flame Spirit Ginseng, became warm and tender, as if the Spirit Art was cooking a delicious meal, and clouds of steam rose.
Lu Chen spent half an hour processing the Return to Origin Cicada Molt.
During this time, he also effortlessly processed the Azure Star Grass using the Pure Heart Hand Technique.
Now, when processing the remaining three ingredients, his speed skyrocketed.
When all the processed materials were handed over to the Supreme Alchemy Institute Elder, only one incense stick's worth of time had passed.
"Azure Star Grass, perfect!"
"Sky Blue Aloe, perfect!"
"Crimson Flame Spirit Ginseng, perfect!"
"Blue Smoke Jade, perfect!"
"Return to Origin Cicada Molt, perfect!"
Looking at the composed Lu Chen, the Supreme Alchemy Institute Elder took a deep breath.
"Five sets of ingredients, all perfectly processed, and the fastest overall time!"
"Tao Family's honored Dan Chenzi, ranks first in the alchemy competition!"
In the moment he gave his immediate evaluation, countless people held their breath in anticipation.
When he announced the word "first," the breath they had been holding back burst forth.
Luo Chen stood on the high platform, his excellent eyesight allowing him to clearly see the countless disciples' lips twitching below.
Although there was a sound-blocking formation in place, most cultivators were adept at reading lips, a minor trick.
Even if he couldn't hear, at this moment, the outside was surely bustling with voices soaring into the clouds!
This was good!
Sufficiently impressive, it could establish his reputation as Dan Chenzi.
Merely a Fire Spirit Lord, at the Foundation Establishment stage, couldn't be called a champion.
Only this Dao name, Dan Chenzi, could allow him to transcend realm restrictions, communicate with higher-level beings as an equal, in his status as a Pill Refinement Grand Master!
And this, was merely the beginning!
"Since it's completed, go rest! There are two more rounds, the most exhausting two matches. You must prepare."
The Supreme Elder of the Great Pill Institute spoke thus.
Luo Chen clasped his hands in a fist and bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Elder, for your guidance. I'll go prepare now."
Seeing his politeness, the Supreme Elder couldn't help but stroke his beard, revealing a benevolent smile.
The previous animosity and dislike had long vanished without a trace!
Reaching out to open the formation, he said, "The second round, let's strive harder!"
Luo Chen nodded.
This old man, was still quite nice.
Clearly not a Pill and Sword Sage of Qingdan Valley, he had won against their sect's disciple, not only without resentment, but also with kind words of encouragement.
When he stepped out of the formation, countless rays of light landed on him.
The other Grand Transmitters on the several other high platforms also looked at him with different meanings in their eyes.
Some were astonished, some scrutinizing, some curious, some disdainful.
Among them, there were those interested in him.
Of course, there were also those with malicious gazes, furious and embarrassed, which Luo Chen could also sense.
He ignored them all, his wide sleeves and sash flowing as he stepped into a sea of cheers and congratulations.
Passing through the crowd.
A woman in a high position revealed a smile towards him.
Luo Chen slightly nodded, then headed towards the rear quiet room.
...
Not long after Luo Chen left.
On the Pill Refinement platform, the second-place finisher also quickly appeared.
It was none other than Dan Yangzi.
With a calm and steady manner, he was the second to complete the Return to Origin Cicada Molt.
This most difficult step was accomplished.
The subsequent few materials, for him, weren't particularly difficult.
It took slightly more time than Luo Chen, but he soon produced the finished product.
When delivering the materials, the Supreme Elder's expression was somewhat complex as he looked at him.
"Why bother coming?"
Dan Yangzi remained silent and left without a word.
In his expression, there seemed to be not a trace of vexation for placing behind Luo Chen.
"Next should be Xuan Yunzi, then Fu Huai."
"As for Huang Hezi, with such a solid foundation, why is he last because his mind is in disarray? These years of pill refinement, where has his refinement gone?"
...
The outside world's disturbances were no longer related to Luo Chen at this moment.
He curiously glanced at the Spirit Incense that Tao Yisheng specially sent over.
Leisure Fragrance!
An incense developed by the Southern Mountain Man of the Tao family, could quickly restore a weary divine soul and uplift one's mood.
Not only that, but when cultivators were meditating, they could instantly enter a state of tranquility.
A seemingly ordinary incense, but with a remarkable effect on restoring cultivators' states, a Spirit Incense.
A faint chrysanthemum fragrance wafted around his nose.
Tao Wan actually had good intentions!
Luo Chen no longer paid attention to Leisure Fragrance, but focused on the two pill formulas in his hands.
The second and third rounds were both competitions in pill refinement.
The difficulties of these two pills weren't high.
Even that Second-Rank Dustfall Pill, after Luo Chen used the system's entry-level knowledge, could be easily refined.
"Therefore, the subsequent two rounds, for me, fundamentally held no difficulty."
"Others, even with the terrifying pill refinement talent of Dan Yangzi, previously exhausted by half a month of continuous battles, had little time to research pill formulas, and couldn't possibly be my opponent."
"Thus, my only opponent is myself!"
...
The second round of pill refinement gave a short rest period.
But since Luo Chen was the first to finish, he rested for a full hour.
When he stepped onto the Pill Refinement platform again, with a clear mind and ample energy, he clearly noticed that half the pill refinement masters in the arena weren't in perfect condition.
"They didn't rest enough!"
While he observed others, naturally, others observed him.
After all, he was the absolute winner of the first round!
Still without any sect inheritance, a loose cultivator pill refinement master.
Under such scrutiny, to strongly defeat them, how could he not attract attention?
Dan Yangzi glanced at Luo Chen, then expressionlessly looked at the pile of materials before him.
He had already prepared to refine pills alone.
Xuan Yunzi wasn't flustered, looking at Luo Chen, and even kindly nodded at him.
He seemed unaffected at all.
He was the third to complete the competition.
After stepping down, he didn't receive too much scolding from He Yuanqing.
The fact that he had destroyed the previous erroneous materials, and the decision to choose a new path, was proven correct.
He Yuanqing could not possibly reprimand others in front of everyone, and instead, Huang Hezi took the initiative.
At this moment, he lowered his head, filled with anger and nowhere to vent.
In the previous round, he only managed to secure sixth place.
Afterwards, although Shangguan Yan did not reprimand him, the doubting gazes from others were far more unbearable than being slapped.
"This time, I absolutely cannot lose!"
"That Dan Chenzi is arrogant and conceited, not asking for help to assist in pill refinement. I will definitely be able to suppress him!"
"The humiliation of the previous round will be returned in this one!"
At this moment, he secretly instructed the two people beside him, "Later during pill refinement, assist me with all your might, there absolutely cannot be any mistakes!"
The two people's expressions turned slightly tense, and they hurriedly nodded.
This scene not only unfolded upon Huang Hezi, but also upon the other pill refiners.
Most of the assisting cultivators by the pill refiners' sides were two or three people.
On the entire competition ground, only Luo Chen and Dan Yangzi had empty sides, lonely and alone.
Many cultivators outside naturally also discovered this situation.
As a result, they discussed it animatedly.
"It is understandable that Senior Brother cannot ask for help from the Herbal Apprentice Furnace Worker, as the second round has been restricted."
"Why is it that Dan Chenzi is also alone? Didn't the Tao Family support him?"
"It is also possible that he is the type to habitually refine pills in seclusion, accustomed to acting alone."
"All are possible, otherwise, where did he cultivate such divine pill refinement skills?"
"Just like this, his pill refinement speed will likely be left behind by others!"
Facing these discussions, the nine people on the field pretended not to hear.
Everyone's gazes fell upon the Great Pill Institute Elder.
Time has arrived!
"The second round's second match, refine first-rank Spirit Beads, ten portions of materials for each person, and terminate upon completion."
"The requirement for pill formation is at least low-grade. All substandard products are considered failures!"
"Now, the competition begins!"
After the order was given, everyone started moving.
Among them, the two people with the most commotion were clearly Dan Chenzi and Dan Yangzi.
Both people had no helpers, and they entirely relied on themselves to deal with those semi-finished materials.
Therefore, the commotion was quite significant.
The two people's operations once again amazed everyone.
"Such smooth material handling, such skilled pill refinement!"
"One heart for multiple uses, simultaneously handling three portions of materials, this Dan Chenzi alone is enough for three people!"
"Senior Brother is also not inferior, his fire control skills are excellent!"
Luo Chen was too busy to pay attention to others.
While handling the materials, he simultaneously manipulated the earth fire, slowly roasting the pill cauldron.
When heating reached a certain extent, he directly added some semi-finished materials into the pill cauldron.
This peculiar scene once again attracted the Great Pill Institute Elder's attention.
"Is he refining while processing the pills, is he also handling the medicinal ingredients? Such requirements for fire control have reached an extremely strict level. How could he have such confidence?"
The Great Pill Institute Elder's eyebrows slightly furrowed.
But gradually, he saw the key.
"Using fire to fuse the essence, and using the essence to control the fire!"
"His actions are not merely borrowing the earth fire to refine pills, but have already fused the external earth fire with his spiritual power, controlling it as if it were his own arm."
"This child not only has a terrifying level of proficiency in foundational pill refinement, but has also reached an extremely profound level in controlling the pill fire."
"Like this, Dan Yangzi will likely be left behind."
Seemingly just as he had expected.
If Dan Yangzi and Luo Chen's speed were still comparable before.
In the later pill refinement stage, Luo Chen relied on his skilled fire fusion techniques. With one heart for multiple uses, he gradually widened the gap.
It was not that Dan Yangzi was inferior.
Rather, the other party usually refined pills using the Purple Apex Heavenly Flame, and now, not allowed to use this great killing technique, he could only use conventional means to refine pills.
But he was only slightly slower than Luo Chen, and his speed was still faster than others with helpers!
"If there are no unexpected circumstances, the top three have already been secured by Dan Chenzi and Dan Yangzi."
"The three rounds' top five victors, approximately adding Xuan Yunzi, this good seedling, only leaving two spots for others to compete for."
For the Great Pill Institute Elder with rich pill refinement experience.
Merely through some details, the subsequent victory and defeat trends have already been roughly determined.
Indeed.
As expected, with the transmission of some pill fragrance from Luo Chen's pill cauldron, many things were self-evident.
The closest, Huang Hezi, naturally also smelled that pill fragrance.
Not from his own pill cauldron, but from the one he regarded as his greatest enemy, Luo Chen.
At that moment, his expression seemed somewhat absent-minded.
How could this be?
I still have helpers, and I am still inferior to Dan Chenzi?
A vague thought floated in his mind.
No wonder Tao Wan looked down on me.
Am I truly inferior to Dan Chenzi?
(End of Chapter)
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