For the next hour, there were people who would periodically fail in their alchemy refining. The most ridiculous one was someone who wanted to refine a Foundation Establishment realm Five Thunder Pill. To refine this pill, a Dry Thunder Branch was required as one of the main ingredients. Perhaps because his luck was good or maybe because he had sharp eyesight, but the Dry Thunder Branch he chose was the genuine article. However, his alchemy skill was lacking and in the process of refining the pill his furnace exploded. Not only did the fragments of the furnace strike him in the head, leading to him being covered in his own blood, by the erupting power of thunder swelled out for a hundred feet and drew four other bad luck fellows to fail together with him.
The most tragic part of this was that one of those alchemists was actually quite skilled. Just as he reached the final step in refining his pill, he was only able to watch helplessly as his nearly formed pill was crushed by lightning. His anger was so deep that he could eat people alive. If it werenât for Immortal Eclipse Valley stopping him, then that brother who tried refining the Five Thunder Pill might have been torn apart on the spot!
There was nothing one could do about this, it could only be said that oneâs luck was bad. But to cultivators, luck was an important concept. Through time, numerous illustrious supreme elders had bloomed amongst their peers, and what many of them depended on was luck. Alchemists were also cultivators, so even if one suffered a stroke of bad luck and failed, they could only blame themselves.
There was still a quarter hour until the time limit. Qin Yu opened his furnace and six ordinary Essence Augmenting Pills came out. Their quality was neither low nor high.
He rose up, tidied the area, placed the pills into a bottle, and left the cave. A disciple of Immortal Eclipse Valley came and took the bottle, whereupon it would be immediately judged on the spot. As Qin Yu obtained the qualifications to enter the second round of the competition tomorrow, not too far away another alchemist of Immortal Eclipse Valley sneered as he said, âYou didnât use the materials that were provided for you. Men, lead him away!â
The alchemist that collapsed to the floor had a pained expression. Qin Yuâs eyes flashed with pity as he looked at him. There wasnât anything that could be done about stupidity. Immortal Eclipse Valley had casually tossed a pile of materials in front of them so how could it be that they didnât have methods to identify if they were used? It seems this fellow would need to bring his brain with him the next time he came. As people were waiting for their pills to be judged, several alchemists clenched their teeth and withdrew with pale faces.
After the first round, less than 200 of the original 500 plus cultivators were left remaining. To have over half the participants eliminated so quickly could be called astonishing.
The night passed without event.
On the second day, the great alchemy competition continued.
Alchemists couldnât change which cave they used. They needed to use the remaining materials and refine three different types of pills. The time limit was two hours.
Once the rules were announced, the complexions of many people changed!
Qin Yu continued to look through the cave. But, he didnât waste his time. By the time he sat down he had already come up with an approximate alchemy plan.
He carefully looked through the remaining materials and easily found two types of pills that could be made: Blood Clotting Pills and Poison Cure Pills.
These two pills were slightly more difficult to refine than Essence Augmenting Pills. But with Qin Yuâs alchemy skills it wouldnât be a problem at all. However, he soon frowned.
For the third pill, Qin Yu chose to refine a Minor Renewal Pill. This sort of pill was used to supplement magic power. However, he was short on a supportive material, Green Branch Buds. Of course he wasnât truly short on them, but the three Green Branch Buds in front of him were either fake or they were too young and unable to be used for medicine.
Qin Yu shook his head. He could only switch to another type of pill. Time slowly passed and his complexion gradually darkened.
There werenât enough materials!
Based on these remaining materials, only Blood Clotting Pills, Poison Cure Pills, and Minor Renewal Pills could be made altogether. Otherwise, no matter how he switched things around he wouldnât be able to refine three other types of pills.
This was definitely a coincidence because the three types of materials used to make the Essence Augmenting Pill could be matched up with several other materials to make different pills. It could only be said that Qin Yu had a stroke of bad luck when he decided to choose the Essence Augmenting Pill.
His eyebrows furrowed together. Could it be that he would fail because of such a problem?
At the foot of Alchemy Mountain, a daoist came walking over in a hurry. The disciples of Immortal Eclipse Valley quickly bowed.
The onlookers were surprised.
âIs that Immortal Eclipse Valleyâs Daoist Wang?â A cultivator shouted in a hushed whisper. His voice was filled with respect. âHe doesnât have a position in Immortal Eclipse Valley but his status is higher than that of an Elder. It is said that because he failed to break into Nascent Soul, his alchemy breakthroughs have been continually slowed and delayed. Even so, when it comes to alchemy skill, he is ranked amongst the best in Immortal Eclipse Valley.
Eclipse Xin wrinkled his eyebrows. âWhy did you come?â
Daoist Wang waved his hand dismissively, âI just wanted to enjoy the fun.â
Eclipse Xinâs eyes frosted over. âThere are other factors in play during this Grand Alchemy Meeting. Donât stir up any trouble!â
Daoist Wang smirked. âStop staring at me with such a disgusted face, Iâm not scared of you. How long has it been since it started? Did I miss anything good?â
Looking at Elder Zhaoâs darkened face as he had to admit defeat, the several surrounding disciples couldnât even laugh if they wanted to. A person cupped his hands across his chest and said, âReporting to martial uncle, it has been less than a quarter hour.â
Daoist Wang smiled in satisfaction. âGood, good, I didnât arrive late.â
Eclipse Xin coldly said. âJust what did you do? Iâm warning youâ¦â
Daoist Wang interrupted him. âEnough. When I was preparing the materials I played around a bit. Hey, stop staring at me like that, I guarantee that this wonât affect the fairness of the Grand Alchemy Meeting. Itâs just that the little kids who chose the materials I prepared will be tested a bit more.â
Eclipse Xin humphed and didnât speak again.
Daoist Wang beckoned with his hand and several people immediately brought over a chair and a tray of tea and snacks, taking good care in treating him.
As he drank tea and ate a pastry, Daoist Wang narrowed his eyes. âYou young bastards shouldnât bother. Minor perks like this wonât move the likes of me.â
âMartial uncle, what are you saying? We disciples have no other meaning, this is purely from our sense of piety and respect.â
âRight, right, martial uncle you have no direct disciples so just treat us as your own. It is our duty to respect you.â
âMartial uncle, do you need anything? Is it too hot? How about I fan some air for you.â
On the side, Eclipse Xin coldly snorted. The several flattering disciples blanched in pain and quickly fell back.
Daoist Wang continued to eat and drink in his chair, not caring about what happened.
Eclipse Xin lowered his voice. âYou are already old, so why donât you take a disciple? You donât plan on taking your lifetimeâs knowledge of alchemy into the coffin with you, right?â
Daoist Wang shook his head. âItâs not that Iâm not searching but that I havenât found the right person. If I teach an idiot they will only end up mediocre and without any achievements at all. I might as well save myself the energy and not bother.â
Eclipse Xin coldly sneered. âMy Immortal Eclipse Valley has hundreds of outstanding disciples. There isnât a single one of them that catches your interest?â
Daoist Wang raised a finger, âDonât speak anymore, Iâve heard those words so many times that hearing them sends me into a coma. Today, I personally set up a little trap, and if a junior can break free of my trap and I find him pleasing to the eye, then I wouldnât mind taking him in as a disciple.â
Eclipse Xin was shocked. âAre you serious?â
Daoist Wang impatiently said, âWhat advantage is there in lying to you? Just continue watching, youâll see for yourself.â He turned and waved a disciple over. After giving him an order, the disciple appeared on edge and hurried away as if someone had slapped him on the butt.
An hour later, a young Foundation Establishment realm alchemist walked out from his cave, his face filled with resentment. âThere arenât even enough materials, how can we refine pills?â
Whoosh â
Whoosh â
Two Immortal Eclipse Valley disciples flew up and surrounded him. âAre you sure that there arenât enough materials to refine pills?â
The young alchemist shrunk back. âIâm certainâ¦â
Before he finished speaking he was dragged away.
âWhat are you doing? What are you all doing? I still have to refine pills! You prepared insufficient materials so why should I lose because of that!?â The young alchemist struggled.
The crowd began to stir up. Although no one dared to say anything, they all had strange expressions on their faces.
Eclipse Xin shouted in a low voice, âWhat did you do?â
Daoist Wang waved his hand. âWhat are you in such a hurry for? Iâll give you an answer in the end. But first, shut that boy up. And as for anyone else that says the materials are insufficient, bring them over here.â
Several disciples left to follow his orders.
The crowd gradually calmed down. From the actions of Immortal Eclipse Valley, it seemed they had another plan in mind. Many people had their curiosity piqued.
Time slowly passed. Soon, two more alchemists were brought down from Alchemy Mountain. Without exception, all of them came out because of insufficient materials. There was even a proud and arrogant Golden Core realm alchemist who was extremely angry at Immortal Eclipse Valleyâs actions.
âThis is the so-called Grand Alchemy Meeting? You havenât even prepared enough materials so you want to take away my participation qualifications? What a joke!â The Golden Core alchemist laughed as he fumed with anger.
His status was different so it naturally wasnât as easy to seal his lips. As the cultivators from Immortal Eclipse Valley heard this, their complexion became a bit more irritated.
With a cold face, Eclipse Xin lifted his teacup.
Daoist Wangâs lips twitched. Old friend, you canât hide the blue veins sticking out from your hands. In fact, I already know youâre angry! But he said, âShut up. Your name is Zhang Yucheng right? For such a âfamedâ alchemist, itâs hard to believe your alchemy skill is at this level. Itâs best that you hurry back home before you disgrace yourself any further. Are you still not convinced? Then you can quietly wait there until this ends and I will give you a fully convincing answer!â
Eclipse Xin set down his tea. âFellow daoist Zhang, please calm your anger. My Immortal Eclipse Valley naturally has reasons for doing as we do.â
Zhang Yuchengâs face flushed red but he didnât dare to say anything further. He flicked his sleeve and drew backwards. He wanted to see just what sort of explanation Immortal Eclipse Valley would give!
Two hours, one hourâ¦
Some people had already successfully finished their refining and left Alchemy Mountain in a cheerful mood. Beneath the reverent looks of the crowd, they all maintained a calm and indifferent expression. They each believed that they would have a spot to cultivate beneath the Radiant Red Wood!
Behind Daoist Wang there were four cultivators, Zhang Yucheng included. These people had all been brought here because of insufficient materials. Although each one had a look of indignation, none of them spoke much as they waited for Immortal Eclipse Valley to give them an explanation.
Even someone like Senior Zhang Yucheng had said there werenât enough materials so it was definitely Immortal Eclipse Valley that must have made a mistake in preparing them. Although they were forced to give up the competition, they still wanted to see what would happen afterwards.
Humph. Even if Immortal Eclipse Valley was a massive power, they still needed to give an explanation!
Another young alchemist was brought forwards. He cupped his hands across his chest and said, âGreetings great uncle, greetings Martial Uncle Wang.â
Eclipse Xinâs face darkened. âEclipse Yu, you also had insufficient materials?â
Eclipse Yu bitterly smiled. âReporting to great uncle, I put my mind to it for a long time but I still couldnât figure out a method to solve it, so I could only give up.â
Daoist Wang shook his head. âI didnât think that a little boy like you would fail too. It seems I was thinking too highly of these juniors. Hah, how boring.â
Eclipse Yu was dumbfounded.
Daoist Wang said, âYou fall to the back. Iâll explain it to you afterwards.â
Eclipse Xin frowned. âHow many of the materials did you prepare?â
Daoist Wang raised a finger. â30.â
Eclipse Xinâs frown dug deeper. âThat is too few. Like that, how could you possibly choose a disciple that satisfies you?â
Daoist Wang smiled. âAll things have a fate. If someone is destined they will be chosen, but if they arenât destined then what reason is there to try to force it?â
Four hours later the contest came to an end. All alchemists were asked to leave Alchemy Mountain otherwise they would instantly be judged with defeat.
Qi Jiao carefully looked around but she couldnât find Qin Yu. Did he fail? She was momentarily overjoyed. If he failed, that meant he wouldnât be able to approach the Radiant Red Wood. If he couldnât find a chance, perhaps he would give up.
But for some unknown reason, she was also left a bit disappointed in her heart. In the eyes of this young girl, how could such a fierce and amazing person be defeated here?
Whoosh â
A black-robed figure rushed out from Alchemy Mountain, his face a bit white and distressed. Under the dissatisfied gaze of the Immortal Eclipse Valley cultivators, he fell to the end of the pill testing group.
Qi Jiaoâs eyes popped open.
Qin Yu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and let out a long breath. He had made it on time!