Chapter 894 - 135: What Is He Going to Do?
Chapter 894: Chapter 135: What Is He Going to Do?
Alchemy Tower.
The entire pavilion is filled with pill furnaces collected by the Li Family from various places or crafted by artifact refiners at great expense.
When Lin Chen followed Li Qin to this place, there were already many people standing in front of the tower.
"That’s Yuan Shengyao."
Li Qin transmitted a message to Lin Chen, and Lin Chen’s gaze also fell on a middle-aged man not far away.
Beside the middle-aged man were several young people, and on the open ground in front of the tower stood many people as well. These were members of the Li Family who had come to watch the contest after receiving the news.
As an alchemist, sometimes one can gain insights by observing the alchemy process of an alchemist stronger than oneself, through watching their alchemical techniques.
"Master Yuan, that’s Xiao Yan."
Li Kai also transmitted to Yuan Shengyao at this moment, and Yuan Shengyao looked at Lin Chen, snorting lightly: "Someone who showed up out of nowhere. Junior Brother Li, if it weren’t for your enthusiastic invitation, I certainly wouldn’t accept such a competition."
"Thank you, Master Yuan, for saving face."
Li Kai pulled a smile onto his face, but inwardly cursed, calling someone Master Yuan, as if he truly considered himself a master.
Earlier, he informed Yuan Shengyao of the elders’ decision, and Yuan Shengyao initially refused, stating he wouldn’t compete with unknown individuals. Only after Li Kai presented a few precious medicinal herbs did Yuan Shengyao agree.
And the loss of these herbs, in Li Kai’s view, was entirely due to Li Qin and that Xiao Yan. As a result, Li Kai looked unkindly at Lin Chen as he approached.
"Your cousin seems to have a lot of hostility towards me."
Lin Chen transmitted to Li Qin, and Li Qin explained: "Originally, he just wanted to take your spot, but after the elders spoke and set the competition, in order for Yuan Shengyao to agree to participate, he probably paid a lot. Thus, he is somewhat dissatisfied. Brother Xiao, don’t mind him."
Li Qin did not hide the dispute between her and Li Kai, including the process of the elders setting the competition, all told to Lin Chen truthfully.
Whether to partake in the competition or not was Lin Chen’s decision.
If Lin Chen were unwilling, then it wouldn’t happen.
But for Li Kai, it’s not so simple. Since this matter reached the elders, if Yuan Shengyao didn’t compete, Li Kai’s actions would be seen as suppressing competitors without considering clan interests, a major taboo in the family.
"I don’t really mind, I just want to see how talented Yuan Shengyao really is."
Lin Chen smiled slightly; he didn’t care, but Yuan Shengyao probably did, as the disdain on his face was hardly concealed.
As an Innate Powerhouse, he’s not someone without guile and generally wouldn’t show emotions so openly. There’s only one scenario for this: either facing close family, emotions need not be concealed, or facing someone deemed unworthy of regard, not caring about their feelings and reactions.
Li Qin chuckled at Lin Chen’s words; she heard the confidence in Xiao Yan’s voice.
Though she didn’t know Xiao Yan’s level of alchemical skill, after spending these days with him, she determined Xiao Yan was no arrogant fool.
One who is not overconfident but dares to gamble for the top ten must certainly have his own assurance in alchemy skills.
At the very least, he should be stronger than Yuan Shengyao, who ranked in the top five hundred in the previous contest.
Unless Lin Chen is completely unaware of the fierce competition in each Artifact Refining Competition, especially the Alchemy Competition, then he might make such bold claims.
...
At this moment, the observing Li Family members also started to discuss in hushed tones.
"Is he Xiao Yan? I’ve never heard of him before."
"Alchemists below master level, aside from a few with master potential, others are rarely heard of. I’ve even never heard of Yuan Shengyao before now."
"Though it’s our first time hearing Yuan Shengyao’s name, according to Li Kai, he ranked in the top five hundred in the alchemy competition of the previous Grand Contest."
"Top five hundred? Doesn’t the Grand Contest only rank the top one hundred?"
A young alchemist from the Li Family looked puzzled, as when did the Grand Contest rank the top five hundred?
"Ahem, the top one hundred are selected by the Thousand Mechanism Sect, the top five hundred are privately ranked based on the performance of eliminated alchemists," an older Li Family member answered in a low voice. But no matter how low his voice, how can an Innate Powerhouse like Yuan Shengyao not hear?
Immediately, Yuan Shengyao’s face darkened even more.
"Now that everyone is here, let’s begin."
Yuan Shengyao ignored Lin Chen as he arrived, directly saying, "No need to refine inside the tower, we’ll do it right here. I heard you possess Innate Fire, so let’s choose to refine the Profound Soul Pill. Let’s see who can produce more Profound Soul Pills in three two-hours."
Hearing Yuan Shengyao’s proposed method of competition, many Li Family members present were shocked.
Alchemists with Innate Fire not only have a higher chance of successful alchemy but also tend to be faster than other alchemists. Yuan Shengyao’s method of competition completely gives Xiao Yan all the advantage.
"I think Yuan Shengyao should win this competition; his alchemical skills are definitely very high."
"Oh, why do you think so?"
"If your opponent possessed Innate Fire, would you suggest such a method of competition?"
"No."
"That’s the way it is. Only with enough self-confidence can one dare to choose this kind of duel."
Listening to the man’s analysis, many members of the Li Family showed a look of recognition. When you think about it, this logic really does make sense.
Now we just have to see if Xiao Yan dares to agree.
No, Xiao Yan will definitely agree; after all, the duel is very advantageous for him.
"Alright."
Lin Chen looked at Yuan Shengyao meaningfully. Although Yuan Shengyao’s facial expression didn’t change when he mentioned refining the Profound Soul Pill, his Divine Soul showed some slight fluctuations. This was thanks to his recent research into the perception of Divine Thought, which allowed him to sense the Divine Soul fluctuations triggered by the emotions of those around him.
He knew perfectly well he had Innate Fire, yet he proposed such a duel that was advantageous for himself, coupled with the fluctuations of his Divine Soul, which could only mean one thing: Yuan Shengyao was extremely skilled at refining the Profound Soul Pill.
Alchemists have star levels that determine the upper limit of the pill grade they can refine.
But apart from that, alchemists also have familiarity and unfamiliarity. Besides the few pills that everyone knows how to refine, some pills are rarely made, and one may not be as proficient as another. This means even within the same star level, efficiency can vary.
The Profound Soul Pill is consumed by Innate Martial Artists to enhance the Divine Soul. It’s not particularly obscure but not mainstream either. The mainstream pill used by Innate Martial Artists to enhance the Divine Soul is the Profound Soul Pill.
The Profound Soul Pill has only seventy percent of the effectiveness of the Profound Soul Pill, and the reason it’s mainstream in the Martial Arts Realm is because the cost of the Profound Soul Pill is only half that of the Profound Soul Pill. Only those with deep pockets will choose to consume the Profound Soul Pill.
However, Lin Chen doesn’t care; perhaps Yuan Shengyao has refined the Profound Soul Pill so often that he’s gained a personal touch.
It’s merely a matter of familiarity!
But I, with the Innate Fire gained from the Cyan Li True Flame, am not someone Yuan Shengyao can compare with.
Once both parties confirmed the pill to be refined, soon a Li Family member responsible for managing the medicinal ingredients brought over the materials for the Profound Soul Pill.
"Rise the furnace!"
With a soft shout from Yuan Shengyao, a flash of light emanated from the storage box he held, and a pill furnace as tall as a person appeared on the ground.
"From the moment the pill furnace lid opens, the alchemy duel begins. Aren’t you going to bring out your furnace?"
Yuan Shengyao noticed Lin Chen still standing leisurely by the side, furrowed his brow, and asked with a sullen face.
"I’m naturally aware of the rules; you may proceed at your leisure."
Upon hearing Lin Chen’s response, anger flashed in Yuan Shengyao’s eyes. He felt Lin Chen’s disdain, as if he believed even if he started a bit late, he could defeat him.
"Be arrogant now, just wait until the results are out, and see if you can still laugh."
Yuan Shengyao opened the lid of the pill furnace and directly threw in the ingredients required for ten Profound Soul Pills that were prepared by the side. Three years ago, a master had found him and tasked him with refining Profound Soul Pills, during which he spent half a year refining a total of ten thousand Profound Soul Pills.
In terms of refining the Profound Soul Pill, he could be said to be highly proficient. Generally, alchemists at this level could attempt to refine at most five pills at a time, but he could accomplish refining ten pills at once, and with less time by a quarter-hour.
In terms of refining the Profound Soul Pill, Yuan Shengyao was confident. Looking at the entire Flame Dynasty, he was definitely an outstanding figure below the Master Level.
Opening the furnace, washing the herbs, igniting the fire...
After completing this series of tasks, Lin Chen still remained motionless on the side, instead showing great interest in observing Yuan Shengyao, as if he were merely a spectator and not a participant.
This scene caused the members of the Li Family to look at each other in confusion.
At this moment, the Li Family elders who were focused with their Divine Thought also engaged in a discussion.
"Is this Xiao Yan still not making a move?"
"Fourth Elder, even you, how long would it take to refine a batch of Profound Soul Pills?"
"A batch would take half a two-hour, but I could refine fifty pills in one batch."
Though the Li Family has three alchemy masters, the other two are merely collaborators, only the Fourth Elder is the Li Family’s own alchemy master.
"Interesting, this Xiao Yan truly piqued my interest. If he can defeat Yuan Shengyao, maybe he can bring a good result to my Li Family this time."
The Fourth Elder’s words prompted the other elders of the Li Family to exchange a glance. Was Xiao Yan truly confident, or just posturing? They would know the answer when the duel ends.
...
A quarter-hour, two quarter-hours...
Li Qin saw Lin Chen still hadn’t made a move, showing a look of doubt in her eyes. She had sent several inquiries via sound transmission, yet always received the response "no hurry."
Lin Chen indeed wasn’t in a rush, and Yuan Shengyao even stopped looking in Lin Chen’s direction since he had already started refining. That meant focusing completely on the task.
Until a faint fragrance wafted out...
Yuan Shengyao’s face finally broke into a smile; at this stage, the pill was essentially refined, now all that remained was letting the pill cool.
At this point, Yuan Shengyao turned his gaze to Lin Chen, ready to mock him upon seeing him still standing with arms folded, but the words got stuck in his mouth because Lin Chen finally took action.
"What... what is he going to do?"
When Lin Chen moved, everyone at the scene was stunned.