Chapter 284: Chapter 285: The Taunt from Shen Haoran

DRIP... DRIP...

A moment later, a few drops of crystal-clear medicinal liquid dripped from the Dragon Beard Grass. Soon, the entire plant had transformed into a ball of pure Essence of Spiritual Medicine.

Looking at the ball of Essence of Spiritual Medicine, Shen Haoran willed it, and the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian slowly engulfed it. The next step was the second refinement. The refinement of Dragon Beard Grass grew more difficult the further one progressed, as the herb became more sensitive to temperature and its resistance grew stronger.

However, the process was still easy for Shen Haoran. Carefully controlling the temperature of the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian, he waited. A moment later, drops of even purer Essence of Spiritual Medicine were expelled from within the flame.

Meanwhile, Yang Hao was already drenched in sweat. His Golden Pill Furnace had been burned crimson by scarlet flames, and billows of steam continuously rose from within. He had already performed seven refinements. The Spiritual Thought in his Sea of Consciousness was severely depleted, and the Spiritual Power in his body was almost gone.

He glanced back at Shen Haoran, whose eyes were shut tight. Seeing the still-ordinary Pill Furnace that emitted no aura whatsoever, he sneered inwardly. ’Hmph, he can’t even light a fire, yet he dares to compete in Alchemy? Today, I’ll make you accept your crushing defeat!’ With that, Yang Hao’s expression hardened. The crimson Beast Fire in his Pill Furnace flared up once more as he actually began the eighth refinement!

WHOOSH...

Inside the great hall, Yang Hao’s Pill Furnace continuously radiated a terrifying heat that made the surrounding air shimmer and distort. Shen Haoran’s side, however, was as calm as still water, without the slightest ripple. The two of them presented a stark contrast.

After some time, the stick of incense burning at the side finally went out. Tyler looked at the two competitors and announced loudly, "Time’s up! Both of you, stop!"

As Tyler’s voice fell, both Shen Haoran and Yang Hao opened their eyes, removed their hands from their Pill Furnaces, and stepped back.

"Oh my... Brother Yang, what happened to you? We were just refining some Dragon Beard Grass. Why do you look like you just fought the war of the century?" Shen Haoran asked in feigned surprise, looking at the drenched and pale Yang Hao.

Yang Hao’s face darkened as he looked at Shen Haoran, whose expression was unchanged and whose breathing remained even. "Go on, keep up the act," he said. "We’ll see who’s crying when the results are announced!" Yang Hao snorted coldly and returned to Tyler’s side.

"Alright, the test is over. I will inspect the results myself!" Tyler said and began to walk forward, but Han Xu stopped him.

"There’s no need to trouble Chairman Tai over such a trivial matter. Just asking any Elder to come over will do!" Han Xu said with a smile. ’Tyler and Yang Hao are as thick as thieves. If they cover for each other, Shen Haoran will be at a disadvantage!’

"Very well!" Tyler shot Han Xu a displeased look, but the thought of the Sixth Grade Pill Recipe made him suppress his annoyance. He turned to the maid beside him and ordered, "Go and fetch an Elder."

A moment later, a white-haired elder slowly walked over, cupped his fists, and said, "Vice-Chairman, for what reason have you summoned this old man?"

"Elder Hu, I’ve just asked you here to act as a judge," Tyler said, then proceeded to explain the competition between Shen Haoran and Yang Hao.

"Oh, it’s Yang Hao! The Vice-Chairman certainly has a fine apprentice. With his level of Alchemy, who would be so blind as to challenge him?" Elder Hu boomed with laughter as he looked at Yang Hao, his tone dripping with flattery.

Hearing this, Tyler chuckled and said coolly to Han Xu, "Young Master Han, this Elder Hu is a Fifth Grade Alchemist, and a very impartial one at that. There shouldn’t be any problem with him acting as the judge, should there?"

"Heh, as long as Chairman Tai is happy," Han Xu replied with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. ’Judging by Elder Hu’s attitude toward Tyler, it’s clear they’re in the same boat. All I can do now is pray for Shen Haoran. Brother Shen, you’re on your own!’

"Excellent. Since Young Master Han has agreed, Elder Hu, please proceed!" Tyler said, smiling cheerfully at Han Xu.

At these words, Elder Hu stepped forward to Yang Hao’s Golden Pill Furnace. With a slap of his palm, he extracted the Essence of Spiritual Medicine from within.

As the ball of crystalline Essence of Spiritual Medicine flew out, the surrounding air immediately grew humid. A stream of pure Water Attribute Energy radiated continuously from the sparkling essence.

Elder Hu carefully examined the ball of Essence of Spiritual Medicine, a look of delight spreading across his face. He immediately cupped his fists toward Tyler and said, "Congratulations, Vice-Chairman! And congratulations, Nephew Yang Hao! This Dragon Beard Grass has been refined a full eight times! It seems your Alchemy has improved by leaps and bounds once again, Nephew Yang Hao. The day you surpass us old fossils is just around the corner. You truly are the number one talent of the younger generation!" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Eight times! Haha! Hao’er, you’ve done well!" Tyler praised, gazing at the pure Essence of Spiritual Medicine.

Hearing the praise from Elder Hu and Tyler, Yang Hao couldn’t help but hold his head high, his face a mask of arrogance. He shot Shen Haoran a contemptuous glance, as if to say, ’See that? This is my strength. If you want to beat me, come back after practicing for a few more decades!’

Seeing Yang Hao’s smug expression, the corner of Shen Haoran’s mouth twitched. He glanced at his own Pill Furnace, and a flicker of worry crossed his face.

This flicker of worry did not escape anyone’s notice. The corners of Tyler’s and Yang Hao’s mouths curled into cold smirks.

"Brother Shen, are you okay?" Han Xu stepped forward and said. "Don’t worry. Even if you lose, I’ll still choose you!"

"Lose? Who said I was going to lose?" Shen Haoran asked, a look of bewilderment on his face.

"Then why do you look so worried?" Han Xu asked, confused.

At this, Shen Haoran heaved a long sigh and whispered a few sentences in Han Xu’s ear. As he listened, Han Xu’s expression went through a spectacular series of changes. Finally, he shot Shen Haoran an exasperated glare before taking his place beside him with a smile.

Seeing the two of them whispering mysteriously, Tyler snorted. "Elder Hu, open the furnace and inspect it!"

At his command, Elder Hu walked over to Shen Haoran’s Pill Furnace and struck it with his palm!

The moment Shen Haoran’s Pill Furnace opened, a dense wave of Water Attribute Energy erupted outwards, instantly soaking the clothes of everyone present!

Feeling that dense Energy, everyone turned pale with shock. Immediately after, a ball of Essence of Spiritual Medicine shimmering with a faint blue light flew out from the Pill Furnace, presenting itself to all.

"This... This is..." Sensing the pure energy, Elder Hu was too shocked to speak. The faces of Tyler and Yang Hao instantly turned grim. In the entire hall, only Shen Haoran and Han Xu remained composed.

Staring at the unbelievably pure Essence of Spiritual Medicine, Shen Haoran’s words from moments before echoed again in Han Xu’s mind: "I wasn’t worried about losing. I was worried because I refined it too many times and might expose my true strength. I was just going to do it casually, just enough to beat Yang Hao. Who could have guessed he was so pathetic, only managing eight refinements? Wasn’t he supposed to be the number one talent of Luotian City’s younger generation? How can he be so unreliable..."