Ling Fan walked out slowly and took the Xuan Shui Pill from the grim-faced Master Chang.
"You secretly added Golden Vine when you refined this pill, didn't you!"
"This medicinal herb doesn't have any special medicinal effects. Its only use is that during high-temperature quenching, it will adhere to the pill patterns, making the pill patterns appear golden and radiant."
"Even secondary pills of poor quality, or even waste pills, can appear golden and radiant the moment they are out of the furnace, just like top-grade pills!"
With every word Ling Fan spoke, Master Chang's expression grew more unpleasant.
He looked at the gray-haired youth with disbelief. His heart was far from as calm as it appeared.
He believed his method of adding Golden Vine liquid was extremely secretive and that no one had noticed. How had this youth figured it out!
This shouldn't be.
Everyone else was also bewildered.
Why did it feel like what this kid was saying... sounded plausible?
As if it were actually true.
Was it real or not?
Could it be that this kid actually understood alchemy?
Master Chang took a deep breath to steady his nerves.
The effect of the Golden Vine liquid was very realistic.
It was almost identical in color to real pill patterns.
Ordinary people couldn't tell the difference.
Only some extremely powerful and experienced high-level alchemists could discern the truth by sight.
This kid was definitely stumbling upon it by chance!
He would never believe that this kid was a formidable high-level alchemist, even if he were beaten to death.
It was as impossible as the sun rising from the west.
Moreover, although the effect of Golden Vine would gradually disappear with time, it would at least last for two to three days. It wouldn't fail during the period right after the pill was refined.
Besides this, he himself didn't know of any other method of identification.
He figured Chu Donghai wouldn't wait even a day before consuming this pill.
By then, no one would know that this pill was indeed a waste pill!
Master Chang, with a fearless expression, said sternly, "You are talking nonsense, kid. If you quickly cut out your tongue, I'll let you off the hook. Otherwise, I will definitely not let you off easily today!!"
Ling Fan glanced at Master Chang with a half-smile.
Then, he casually tossed the pill into a bottle of medicinal liquid.
It was as if he were discarding trash.
Everyone was shocked by his action.
"You little brat! How dare you throw away the precious pill refined by my master!"
Liu Qiyong rushed forward and retrieved the Xuan Shui Pill from the medicinal liquid.
But the moment he took out the pill, his heart sank!
He stood frozen on the spot.
In his hand, the Xuan Shui Pill, which had thirty-three radiant golden pill patterns, was now dim and lusterless. It seemed to be mixed with countless impurities, appearing mottled and impure...
Everyone also erupted in a clamor!
Such dim and mottled pill patterns...
Indeed, they were signs of a waste pill.
But how was that possible?
They had clearly seen it just moments ago, so how had it changed like this in the blink of an eye?
Could it be that, as Ling Fan said, this pill was a waste pill?
Everyone felt their minds short-circuiting, their thoughts in a mess.
Ling Fan said lightly, "The Dan Gong water can remove the color of the Golden Vine and restore the pill to its original appearance."
Dan Gong water had this effect?
Everyone looked at Ling Fan.
They still found it hard to believe.
But the facts were right before them, exactly as Ling Fan had said, leaving them no choice but to believe.
"Utter nonsense! As a Profound-tier Alchemist of the Alchemy Alliance, even I don't know that Dan Gong water has such an effect. How dare you spout such lies in front of me! You ruined my pill like this, how can I let you off!"
Master Chang's face showed extreme anger, masking his inner shock.
But Ling Fan's expression remained as calm as a still lake. He just looked at him, making Master Chang feel uneasy.
After less than three seconds of eye contact, Master Chang felt guilty.
He snatched the Xuan Shui Pill from Liu Qiyong's hand.
He said to Chu Donghai, "Governor Chu, the pills I refine can never be waste pills. You all saw them when they were produced!"
"Now this kid has used some foul means to make my pill look like this. I don't want to explain further. If you think my pill is a waste pill, find someone else to refine it for you!"
Now it was Chu Donghai's turn to be in a difficult position.
If he accepted it, this pill had been proven by Ling Fan to be a waste pill with high probability.
But if he refused, where would he find a Profound-tier Alchemist to refine a Profound Pill for him?
Moreover, even if this pill was a waste pill, it was still a Profound-tier pill, so it should have some effect, right?
Chu Donghai was desperate.
He took the pill from Master Chang, steeled his resolve, and directly tilted his head back, swallowing the pill.
Everyone watched Chu Donghai nervously.
Whether this Xuan Shui Pill was a waste pill or not would be revealed after he consumed it.
After about the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Chu Donghai's complexion gradually improved. The dark red blood vessels under his skin, caused by the fire poison, had faded considerably.
Master Chang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Just as he had expected.
Although the Xuan Shui Pill he refined was of poor quality, it was still a Profound-tier pill and had some effect.
At least it could pass muster!
Chu Tiankuang and Chu Tianlong also let out a sigh of relief, their hearts finally at ease.
Liu Qiyong and the other disciples of Master Chang wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads, feeling relieved.
Liu Qiyong immediately sneered, staring fiercely at Ling Fan and saying, "Kid, do you still dare to say that my master's pill is a waste pill!"
Other disciples echoed his sentiment.
They looked as if they were going to hold Ling Fan accountable.
But as soon as they spoke, Chu Donghai, who was concentrating on refining the medicinal power of the Xuan Shui Pill, suddenly trembled violently. His face changed drastically, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
Countless dark red patterns spread across his skin. The potent toxicity suddenly rebounded and erupted, making Chu Donghai's condition even worse than before.
His appearance startled everyone.
Liu Qiyong's sneer froze on his face.
He said in disbelief, "There were signs of improvement just now, how... how could this happen!"
Everyone was shocked.
Now the truth was crystal clear.
That Xuan Shui Pill was definitely a waste pill of extremely poor quality!
Just as Ling Fan had said, it not only failed to save Chu Donghai but harmed him, causing the toxicity to erupt with even greater intensity.
"Damn it, what's going on? Does Master Chang's pill not work? Father, Father, how are you!!"
Chu Tiankuang and Chu Tianlong were completely panicked.
"Master Chang, quickly refine another batch of Profound-tier pills to save my father!"
Chu Tiankuang and Chu Tianlong quickly pleaded with Master Chang.
Master Chang felt Chu Donghai's pulse.