"Alas, she's just a teenager. I do see promise in her talent; if properly guided, she might become quite remarkable."
Several alchemists offered their opinions, their gazes converging on Jin Bao'er, completely disregarding the processes of others.
Soon, only seven contestants remained on the stage. Others had either lost focus due to the explosions, resulting in ruined pills due to improper heat control, or had been too hasty and lost their composure, or had missed the optimal timing, producing only half-finished pills.
After a few more minutes, the first successfully crafted pill appeared: a third-grade Beast Speech Pill! With a faint aura of demonic beasts, the pill, after affirmation from the judges and alchemists, finally advanced to the third round!
Following closely behind, the second and third successful participants emerged. Only after Xiao Ranqing, standing behind Jin Bao'er, also succeeded did she finally place the remaining three spirit herbs into the alchemy furnace...
This scene utterly disappointed the alchemists in the viewing seats! The herbs placed earlier were nearly formed, and those added later simply couldn't exert their full potential. Even if they were finished, they would be inferior products with poor quality!
This batch of pills... was considered wasted!
Almost everyone thought so!
Even Li Bai Luo couldn't help but frown. He felt this little girl wouldn't do something so foolish, yet the current situation suggested otherwise...
Despite this, Jin Bao'er on stage maintained her own rhythm. It wasn't stubbornness or arrogance, but what the mysterious mighty being in her sea of consciousness had instructed!
"The characteristics of those three weeds cannot be too integrated; otherwise, the duration of the Beast Speech Pill will be very short. A bunch of ignorant brats! They don't even understand such a simple principle! Yet they act so virtuous and venerable!"
Jin Bao'er's hand, holding the "weeds," trembled. She looked helplessly at the spirit herbs exuding spiritual energy in her hand. Well, compared to those in her immortal mansion, they were indeed nothing!
After an unknown period, only she remained on stage. As everyone grew impatient, the alchemy furnace finally emitted a muffled sound.
Jin Bao'er quickly stepped forward to catch the pills. There were a full eight crimson Beast Speech Pills! They faintly emanated the ferocity of demonic beasts, and their number was more than five greater than that of others!!
The judges didn't hesitate this time. They directly took the pills, their shock evident. They looked at the pills, then at Jin Bao'er, almost unable to believe their eyes!
"Third... Third-grade Beast Speech Pill! Eight pills! Pill... Pill formed!"
With this pronouncement, the alchemists in the viewing seats immediately turned to look, staring at the judges in disbelief. Upon sensing the power, they couldn't help but step forward.
A group of people surrounded a box of pills, beginning to ask questions in astonishment!
"This... is this real?"
"How was it done? The process was clearly wrong!"
"This color, this aura... the quality is exquisite!"
Someone who had heard the entire process suddenly had red eyes! They rushed forward to snatch the box, confirming that the pills inside, in both quality and quantity, surpassed their own, and were finally stunned.
"No... No, no! This is impossible! How could he, an unknown nobody, possibly produce such a pill! Cheating! He must have cheated! He must have prepared the pills beforehand and secretly swapped them just now! His qualification should be revoked!"
The alchemist, whose mood was already soured by the sudden action and the snatching of the pills, felt both angry and amused by such slander.
"Heh! Prepared beforehand? Go ahead and prepare one publicly beforehand then! Not to mention that the content of this competition was absolutely confidential, but even if you prepared it beforehand, you'd need time, wouldn't you? Such fresh pills must have been made within an hour, but the competition has already been going on for nearly two hours!"
The young man was anxious and, sensing the alchemist's displeasure, his reason quickly returned. He hurriedly apologized! However, his humble attitude could no longer win him the alchemist's favor!
And all these emotional outbursts were attributed by the young man to Jin Bao'er. He suppressed the jealousy and shame in his eyes...
A total of four people advanced to the third round: besides Jin Bao'er, there were Xiao Ranqing and that young man, and one more person who had remained silent from beginning to end.
The happiest at this moment were undoubtedly the members of the Dragon Tiger Sect! Given their previous achievements, their sect would certainly not be stripped of its alchemist status. Even if they lost the final round, it wouldn't matter!
"Third round! Disregarding everything else, only the result matters! Prepare your own materials. The victor will receive a Nascent Soul stage beast core!"
Upon hearing this, the entire venue erupted in an uproar! A Nascent Soul stage beast core was no ordinary item. Whether used for alchemy, crafting formations, replenishing spiritual energy, or healing oneself, it was a top-tier resource. To slay one was extremely rare!
No one had expected the prize for this grand competition to be so generous! Jin Bao'er was also a little surprised. Nascent Soul stage...
"Thus, the competition will commence..."
"Wait a moment!"
A loud shout interrupted the judge's words, drawing the attention of the crowd. Even the sect leaders in the viewing seats looked over.
The one speaking was the young man who had just lost his composure! His attitude was extremely arrogant!
"I want to make a wager with you! If you have the guts, accept it. If you're scared... you can leave now!"
As he spoke, the young man stared intently at Jin Bao'er, seemingly with absolute confidence in victory!
Facing the sudden provocation, Jin Bao'er finally spoke. Her gaze was sharp, her voice clear and androgynous!
"Oh? What are the stakes? I don't engage in losing propositions!"
After being targeted for so long, she had remained silent. Did someone really think she was afraid?
The young man burst into laughter upon hearing this! He casually took out an alchemy cauldron!
"Haha, good! Courageous! If you can defeat me, I will gladly hand over this top-tier Luochen Furnace! Conversely, if you lose, you shall never refine pills again and will be completely removed from the Alchemy Association!"
This action shocked everyone present!
"Luochen Furnace? The one used by... that person? The alchemy cauldron?"
As one person mumbled, it instantly triggered the memories of others, who all rose in astonishment, their gazes fixed on the Luochen Alchemy Furnace...
Seeing this, the young man's gaze grew even more arrogant. He raised his head and declared haughtily.
"That's right! This alchemy furnace is the personal cauldron of the senior who ascended to the upper realm as a twelfth-grade alchemist hundreds of years ago! My father spent a fortune to retrieve it. Today, I will wager this treasure against your future in alchemy! I will not go back on my word!"
As he spoke, a middle-aged man in the viewing seats suddenly turned pale!
"Rebellious son, what nonsense are you spouting? It's just a competition, you..."
Before he could finish, he was directly interrupted by the young man.
"Father, you don't believe me? I am determined to win this final round! But this person has insulted me twice. I cannot rest until this grievance is avenged!"
Jin Bao'er was stunned by this. She glanced at Xiao Ranqing, then at the agitated young man, the implication clear.
'It was Xiao Ranqing who insulted you, what does it have to do with me?'