"This is not about refining some low-grade Yellow-tier pills, but truly miraculous Profound-tier treasures! Not to look down on you, but even for me, there's a forty percent chance of failure when refining the Profound Water Pill. Let alone you, a mere quasi-Profound-tier alchemist. I fear you'll waste all Governor Chu's medicinal ingredients and won't even produce a speck of dregs!"
"If you back down now and bow before me, I won't make things difficult for you!"
"Otherwise, I'm afraid you, the Pavilion Master of the Pill Pavilion in Tianchu City, will be thoroughly disgraced today!"
Master Chang's words were utterly condescending.
Alchemist Qian and the others, especially Liu Qing Shi, had their cheeks puffed out in anger, their beautiful eyes glaring furiously at Master Chang.
They wished they could refine the Profound Water Pill right now and smash it onto Master Chang's face!
Then, stomp on his arrogant face a dozen times!
To let him know that the alchemy world of Tianchu City was not a place he could trample upon as he pleased.
Unfortunately, a wave of powerlessness washed over them.
This was a Profound-tier alchemist they could only look up to.
The gap between Yellow-tier and Profound-tier alchemists, though seemingly just one level apart, was actually thousands of miles!
Even Liu Qing Shi, who was highly regarded by Master Liu.
Whether she could become a Profound-tier alchemist in this lifetime was still unknown.
Enduring such humiliation from Master Chang, Master Liu took a deep breath and said, "Then I, Master Liu, will boldly ask Master Chang for guidance! If I happen to win, I ask for nothing else, only that Master Chang apologize for his words just now!"
"Heh heh, you're dreaming! My master is a distinguished Profound-tier alchemist of the Flowing Cloud Kingdom's Alchemy Alliance. How could he possibly lose to some minor alchemists from your backwater village!"
"You'll likely never hear that apology in your lifetime!"
Master Chang's disciples, led by Liu Qi Yong, all started shouting, their words incredibly arrogant.
Liu Qing Shi and Alchemist Qian could only fume in anger, unable to retort.
Soon, two exceptionally fine, half-human-tall bronze alchemy cauldrons were set up in front of the reception hall.
"Alchemists, please!"
Chu Dong Hai made a welcoming gesture.
Master Liu politely returned the bow.
Master Chang, however, walked with his gaze fixed ahead, swaggering towards an alchemy cauldron amidst the fawning cheers of his disciples.
One had to admit.
Master Chang did have some skills.
Judging by his first step in handling the alchemy ingredients – his techniques, habits, and procedures – it was truly textbook perfect.
Practically like an alchemy textbook.
Extremely impressive.
Third Young Master Chu Tian Kuang and Sixth Young Master Chu Tian Long sighed in admiration, "Master Chang truly lives up to his name. Just this handling technique alone is enough for other alchemists to study for a hundred years!"
"Indeed, even I, an outsider to alchemy, am amazed. It's simply a pleasure to behold. Profound-tier alchemists are truly renowned!"
"Third Young Master and Sixth Young Master have discerning eyes. My master's techniques are famous throughout the Flowing Cloud Kingdom, how could they be lacking!"
"Heh heh, you two just wait for my master to refine the Profound Water Pill. With my master's personal touch, any pill is within easy reach!"
Liu Qi Yong and the other disciples boasted proudly.
On the other side.
Alchemist Qian and Liu Qing Shi, among others, looked tense, feeling immense pressure and breaking out in a cold sweat for Master Liu.
Chu Tian Ge, walking half a step behind Ling Fan, couldn't help but say, "Mr. Ling, this Master Chang, though extremely arrogant, seems to possess quite formidable alchemy skills."
Ling Fan said faintly, "He's all style and no substance."
With his alchemy skills from his previous life, even a Heaven-tier alchemist would have to bow to him as a disciple.
How could the techniques of a mere low-grade Profound-tier alchemist possibly catch the eye of this Azure Cloud Emperor?
In Ling Fan's opinion, Master Chang's material handling techniques, while seemingly impressive, were actually extremely flashy.
He was merely rigidly adhering to dogma. What use were good-looking techniques if they were impractical?
Moreover, the medicinal ingredients were not properly processed. Many still contained residual toxicity and impurities, which would have endless repercussions.
Instead, Master Liu's straightforward processing method was more efficient and practical.
Chu Tian Ge couldn't help but be taken aback.
A dignified low-grade Profound-tier alchemist was being evaluated as all style and no substance by Ling Fan.
This caught him somewhat off guard.
Meanwhile, Alchemist Qian, Liu Qing Shi, and the others, upon hearing Ling Fan belittle Master Chang, felt a surge of goodwill towards Ling Fan.
They had previously found Ling Fan rather disagreeable.
But this one sentence, when it reached their ears, sounded incredibly pleasing.
This brat might be arrogant, but at least he finally said something they liked to hear!
However, this remark caused Liu Qi Yong, Chu Tian Kuang, and Chu Tian Long to explode.
Especially Liu Qi Yong, who widened his eyes, glared ferociously at Ling Fan, and hissed, "Damn it! Who the hell do you think you are? For someone so young, what do you know about alchemy? How dare you say my master is all style and no substance? Are you tired of living!"
"Come on, here are the materials, show us what 'style and no substance' techniques look like!"
"Damn it, can you even do it? Why are you just talking big!!"
The others also glared at Ling Fan with indignation.
If Master Chang and the other alchemist weren't currently refining, and they were afraid of disturbing Master Chang's process, they would have already attacked.
"Kid, I'll let you prance around for a bit longer. Watch your mouth, and if I hear you spouting nonsense again, I'll beat you so badly you'll regret ever coming into this world!"
Liu Qi Yong fiercely warned Ling Fan.
Ling Fan, however, remained calm, completely ignoring their threats.
These mere nobodies.
Their alchemy was lacking, and their martial arts even more so.
Even ten thousand of them wouldn't be able to harm a single hair on his head.
Time flew by.
The time it takes for one incense stick to burn.
The time it takes for two incense sticks to burn.
...
Master Chang and Pavilion Master Liu were completely immersed in the tense alchemy process, handling ingredients, refining medicinal liquids, extracting and merging, adding auxiliary materials...
Condensing the pill embryo...
All this proceeded in a meticulous and orderly fashion.
Though somewhat monotonous, everyone watched with keen interest.
Especially Master Chang's disciples like Liu Qi Yong, and alchemists like Alchemist Qian and Liu Qing Shi, who watched intently, afraid of missing even a single detail.
Suddenly, a wisp of pill fragrance drifted out from Master Chang's alchemy cauldron.
On the other side, a wisp of pill fragrance also emerged from Pavilion Master Liu's cauldron.
Everyone's spirits lifted.
Is the outcome about to be revealed?
Alchemist Qian and Liu Qing Shi clenched their fists, their faces etched with tension.
But a moment later.
A muffled "poof" sound suddenly came from Pavilion Master Liu's cauldron.
The pill embryo that had just been condensed suddenly exploded.
Master Liu's face immediately showed a bitter smile, and he sighed, his body slumping slightly.
In contrast, on the other side, the pill fragrance from Master Chang's cauldron grew increasingly potent, with visible strands of golden pill energy blooming from the cauldron.
"Rise!"
Master Chang let out a low shout.