The Sword God of the Universe
Chapter 522: 7 Formed Pills

Chapter 522: Chapter 522: 7 Formed Pills

Ximang had not expected Jing Yan to actually dare to challenge him. So, for a moment, he was somewhat dazed.

It must be said that Ximang, a Seventh-level Alchemist, had quite a reputation throughout Pill Country. Ever since he had become a Seventh-level Alchemist, many people had fawned over and complimented him, not only people from Youhai Commerce but also those outside who showed him great respect. And now, a young alchemist in his twenties dared to challenge him in alchemy!

Ximang furrowed his brow.

There was a cold smirk at the corner of his mouth, tinged with disdain.

"Kid, I, Ximang, am not someone you can just challenge whenever you wish. However, I can give you an opportunity. I have a disciple named Qiu Fang who is merely a Fifth-level Alchemist, so how about this, you can try competing with him in alchemy." Ximang’s gaze shifted away from Jing Yan.

He was putting on airs.

Ximang simply did not believe that Jing Yan was a Sixth-level Alchemist, and given his status, he was naturally not someone who could be challenged by just anyone. What was his status? What was Jing Yan’s status? If he were to compete in alchemy with Jing Yan, even if he could surpass Jing Yan, there would be nothing worth boasting about.

In his view, the gap between the two was too vast. However, if he outright refused, he was a bit worried about what others might say, and it would also make it difficult for President Qing Ru to back down. Therefore, he would have his disciple Qiu Fang deal with this arrogant young man. His disciple Qiu Fang had exceptional talent in alchemy as well, becoming a Fifth-level Alchemist before the age of sixty.

Across the entire continent, Qiu Fang’s talent in alchemy was also remarkable. Letting Qiu Fang handle Jing Yan would certainly be no problem.

Qiu Fang was also one of the alchemists representing Youhai Commerce in the upcoming alchemy ceremony. Qiu Fang and the others’ participation in the competition used internal slots from Youhai Commerce.

"A Fifth-level Alchemist?" Jing Yan chuckled upon hearing this.

"Yes, a Fifth-level Alchemist. If you can defeat my disciple Qiu Fang, then I, Ximang, will recognize you and apologize to you," Ximang declared in a low voice, decisively.

"Alright, no problem." Jing Yan did not care who his opponent was.

The directors in the Great Hall also showed keen interest, without anyone saying anything further. After all, once Jing Yan and Qiu Fang competed, the truth would emerge. If Jing Yan lost to Qiu Fang, President Qing Ru would probably find it embarrassing to further discuss spending twenty million Spirit Stones to have Jing Yan represent Youhai Commerce. If Qing Ru insisted, they would have every reason to oppose it.

"Alchemist Jing Yan, are you really going to compete with Alchemist Qiu Fang in alchemy?" Qing Ru looked at Jing Yan.

"Yes, President Qing Ru," Jing Yan nodded.

Qing Ru’s eyebrows slightly knitted together, but she did not object. In fact, she was somewhat curious. She trusted Zhou Shangyun in one aspect, but she equally wanted to confirm whether Jing Yan was truly a Sixth-level Alchemist or not. Since Jing Yan was willing, naturally she had no reason to stop him.

Very soon, a man in a yellow robe was summoned.

"I greet the President and all the directors!" The man bowed to Qing Ru and the others.

"Alchemist Qiu Fang, no need for excessive formalities," Qing Ru said with a smile.

"Qiu Fang, I called you here because I have something I need you to do..." Ximang explained the situation briefly.

As Ximang spoke, Qiu Fang’s gaze turned towards Jing Yan.

Twenty-three years old?

A Sixth-level Alchemist?

Qiu Fang shook his head slightly; he did not believe Jing Yan could be a Sixth-level Alchemist. He had been in Pill Country for a long time and had never seen a twenty-something Sixth-level Alchemist. He was not sure if there were any Sixth-level Alchemists in their twenties across the entire Heavenly Origin Continent, but it seemed there were none in Pill Country.

"Alchemist Jing Yan, may I ask what kind of elixir you wish to refine?" Qiu Fang asked Jing Yan.

He was a Fifth-level Alchemist and definitely could not refine a Sixth-level Elixir. If Jing Yan said their competition involved refining Sixth-level Elixirs, then clearly there would be an issue.

After Qiu Fang asked, everyone present turned their gaze toward Jing Yan, waiting for Jing Yan to announce which medicine he would refine.

"Alchemist Qiu Fang is a Fifth-level Alchemist, so please, Alchemist Qiu Fang, make a suggestion," Jing Yan said, his eyes slightly narrowed.

"Oh?" Qiu Fang’s gaze intensified.

Ximang and others were also slightly surprised.

"Then shall we refine the Zhu Ying Pill?" Qiu Fang paused before speaking.

The Zhu Ying Pill is a common fifth-level Elixir. Generally speaking, Fifth-level Alchemists are all capable of refining Zhu Ying Pills. This pill is relatively basic and easier to refine. When a Fourth-level Alchemist is preparing to advance to become a Martial Arts Pill Master, the most common approach is to start with the Zhu Ying Pill; if the refining is successful, it indicates that the Alchemist has successfully advanced to a Fifth-level Alchemist.

"Fine by me," Jing Yan nodded and responded.

Seeing Jing Yan’s agreement, Qiu Fang swung his arm, and a huge black Pill Furnace suddenly appeared in front of him.

As an Alchemist, it was natural to carry a Pill Furnace, and what Qiu Fang had just done was to take out the Pill Furnace from his Sumeru Ring.

Jing Yan hesitated.

He certainly had a Pill Furnace, but it was the Qiankun Pill Furnace. Although the people here likely wouldn’t recognize the Qiankun Pill Furnace, Jing Yan was still afraid of making an error. The Qiankun Pill Furnace was unlike any other; if someone recognized it, the consequences would be difficult to control.

"Jing Yan, where is your Pill Furnace?" Ximang urged Jing Yan, who was still not moving.

Others also fixed their gaze on Jing Yan. Even President Qing Ru focused her attention on him.

Usually, even low-level Alchemists would have their own frequently-used Pill Furnace, let alone those who had reached the Fifth or Sixth-level Alchemist status. For Alchemists, a Pill Furnace was like a weapon to a Martial Artist; when accustomed to one, they disliked changing it. Jing Yan’s Skyfire Sword had been used for a long time until he replaced it with a Dao Artifact Longsword that he acquired from the Wen Family Patriarch.

"President Qing Ru, could you please have someone send over a Pill Furnace?" Jing Yan decided, after a moment of contemplation, not to use the Qiankun Pill Furnace. As his opponent was only a Fifth-level Alchemist, Jing Yan was confident that any Pill Furnace would suffice.

Jing Yan saw nothing inappropriate in his request, but the others around widened their eyes in shock.

This Jing Yan, actually asking President Qing Ru to have a Pill Furnace sent over—did he not have one of his own?

Jing Yan claims to be a Sixth-level Alchemist but doesn’t even have a Pill Furnace? That’s simply ridiculous.

"Jing Yan, if you give up now, there’s still time. Just admit you lied and the Youhai Commerce won’t pursue this too far. After you admit you’re a fraud, you can leave the Youhai Commerce freely. I guarantee I won’t stop you," Ximang frowned and spoke to Jing Yan.

The looks others gave Jing Yan also revealed a tint of hostility.

"President Qing Ru, please have someone send a Pill Furnace over," Jing Yan ignored Ximang and continued to address Qing Ru.

"If that’s the case, don’t blame me for turning against you after the competition!" Ximang’s words were intended for Qing Ru.

"Alchemist Jing Yan, please wait a moment!" Qing Ru’s expression also turned serious.

A Sixth-level Alchemist without his own Pill Furnace—who could believe that?

Qing Ru instructed someone to bring over a Pill Furnace.

While waiting, Qing Ru glanced at Zhou Shangyun; she began to harbor some doubts. She had quite a bit of trust in Zhou Shangyun, but Jing Yan’s current behavior made it hard to believe he could be a Sixth-level Alchemist.

Yet, Zhou Shangyun showed no signs of anxiety. He had absolute faith in Jing Yan. Not just in a contest against Qiu Fang, even if Jing Yan were to compete against Ximang, a Seventh-level Alchemist—as long as it wasn’t a Seventh-level Elixir, Zhou Shangyun believed Jing Yan could defeat Ximang.

The people from the commerce brought in a pill furnace rather quickly. The quality of this pill furnace was not bad either, significantly higher than those commonly seen on the market. Along with the pill furnace, there were also neatly arranged materials needed for refining Zhu Ying Pills.

"Alchemist Jing Yan, may we begin?" Qiu Fang asked as he looked at Jing Yan.

"Yes!" Jing Yan nodded.

Upon hearing Jing Yan’s response, Qiu Fang started to move, channeling Primordial Energy into the pill furnace, and then placed various materials inside it.

Jing Yan, on the other hand, watched Qiu Fang’s actions with a leisurely and casual gaze.

This Qiu Fang, in his proficiency in alchemy, was indeed very good, his foundational skills seemed solid.

"Kid, alchemy isn’t something you can simply mimic on the spot. Don’t waste time; start quickly," Ximang urged, thinking that Jing Yan was planning to copy Qiu Fang’s moves.

But alchemy wasn’t something one could succeed in by mere imitation. Not to mention Sixth-level Elixirs, even First-level Elixirs and those low-level medicines couldn’t be successfully replicated so easily.

Jing Yan chuckled softly and began his movements.

Various types of Spirit Grass were placed into the pill furnace in front of him very casually, as if he was merely tossing materials in without the usual caution that pill masters had when refining elixirs. Keep in mind, even an alchemist like Ximang wouldn’t dare claim a guaranteed success when refining Fifth-level Elixirs.

"Is this supposed to be alchemy?"

"Is he just ruining materials? Who refines elixirs like this?"

"It looks like he’s really a fraud!" whispers echoed.

These voices were quite low, but Jing Yan, with his keen hearing, could clearly make them out.

The smile on Ximang’s face grew ever broader.

Time hurried along, and Jing Yan’s actions came to a stop; he squinted his eyes.

On the other side, Qiu Fang was still continuing. As a Fifth-level Alchemist refining Zhu Ying Pills, he dared not be careless, so he was very meticulous and cautious. It seemed like after Qiu Fang finished refining this batch of pills, it would probably take another two hours.

Another two hours later, Qiu Fang let out a sigh of breath.

Only then did he look towards Jing Yan.

"Hmm?" Qiu Fang noticed Jing Yan had no further movements. Could it be that the refining was done?

Had Jing Yan finished refining Zhu Ying Pills even faster than himself?

"Qiu Fang, extract the pills!" Ximang said to Qiu Fang.

"Yes, Master!" Qiu Fang replied, no longer hesitating, he opened the pill furnace.

Several red elixirs were extracted from the furnace, cohesive and not dispersing. This indicated that Qiu Fang’s batch of Zhu Ying Pills had been successfully refined.

"One two three four..."

"Congratulations to Alchemist Qiu Fang!"

"Ha ha, Alchemist Qiu Fang truly is one of the most outstanding alchemists in the Youhai Commerce. This batch of Zhu Ying Pills produced four pills, incredible!"

"Alchemist Qiu Fang will surely become a Sixth-level Alchemist before he turns a hundred."

"..."

Voices spread throughout the Great Hall.

"Qiu Fang, let me see the Zhu Ying Pills you refined!" Ximang spoke, his face quite proud since Qiu Fang was his disciple and a good performance from Qiu Fang naturally reflected well on him.

"Not bad, not bad, one has reached Second-class, and three are Third Grade, very good!" Ximang nodded in satisfaction after examining Qiu Fang’s pills.

"Jing Yan, have you finished your refining?" Ximang, eager, turned to Jing Yan and asked.

"It has finished," Jing Yan nodded.

"Since it’s finished, then please open the furnace!" A sly smile appeared on Ximang’s lips.

Jing Yan extended his arm, channeled a burst of Primordial Energy, and opened the pill furnace. The Primordial Energy gently tugged at the pills inside the furnace, and they slowly floated out.

"One two three four five six seven..."

"This..."

"Seven pills?"

Above Jing Yan’s palm hovered seven gently floating red pills, a faint wave of energy spreading across them.

The crowd waited for a moment, and to their astonishment, the seven pills did not disperse. That meant Jing Yan had truly refined seven Zhu Ying Pills.

"How is this possible?" Ximang’s eyes nearly popped out.

Qiu Fang, also holding his breath, had a face full of disbelief. His production of four pills was already somewhat beyond his typical performance—usually, when refining Zhu Ying Pills, he would produce two to three pills, and sometimes only one, or even failure was possible. Yet Jing Yan had refined seven Zhu Ying Pills—how could this be?

Ximang, clearly the most impatient person there, didn’t wait for Jing Yan to speak and stepped forward to Jing Yan’s side.

"Let me see these pills!" Ximang reached out.

Jing Yan glanced at Ximang and straightforwardly pushed the pills he held toward him.

Ximang took the pills and began to scrutinize them closely.

The other board members, including President Qing Ru, watched Ximang intently.

"How is this possible, First-class quality Zhu Ying Pills? How is this possible? It can’t be!" As a Seventh-level Alchemist, Ximang naturally would not have any problems identifying the quality of Zhu Ying Pills.

When Jing Yan had taken out the seven Zhu Ying Pills, although he was shocked, he still thought that they might not be genuine Zhu Ying Pills, possibly defective ones. But now, having personally examined them, he was astonished to find that all seven of the Zhu Ying Pills were of First-class quality.

Even the four Zhu Ying Pills that his disciple Qiu Fang had refined only had one that reached Second-class and three that were Third Grade.

Yet the Zhu Ying Pills that Jing Yan refined not only produced seven pills in one batch, but all were also of First-class quality!

After hearing Ximang’s words, the entire Great Hall quieted down, disbelief written on everyone’s faces.

What they didn’t know was that this was still Jing Yan’s more casual attempt at refining. Had Jing Yan truly committed a hundred percent of his focus to refining this batch of Zhu Ying Pills, it was very likely that the batch would have achieved Perfect Quality.