After all, the Alchemy Skill required to produce each additional Masterpiece Pill in a single batch grew exponentially.

For a batch of ten, even he, an Upper Grade Alchemist, could only just barely manage to produce three Masterpiece Pills.

He estimated that producing four would likely require a Tier Two Alchemist at minimum!

Any more than that was exceedingly difficult. Each additional Masterpiece Pill represented the ultimate control over the Flame, the ultimate utilization of Medicinal Materials, and the ultimate understanding of the Alchemy Dao... It was a completely different level of skill!

Thus, Xu Qianyan offered a rare word of praise.

Hearing such high praise, Lü Bailian’s eyes lit up with pleased surprise. This result was beyond his own limits.

He had surpassed himself.

Normally, he could refine one Masterpiece Pill and six to eight Middle-Upper Pills.

This time, however, the immense pressure had instead transformed what would have been a Middle-Middle Pill into a Middle-Upper Pill.

’This time, I’ve secured an unbeatable position.’

The pressure on Lü Bailian vanished. His first batch had been decent, but it had put him behind by one Middle-Upper Pill.

Now that he had pushed his abilities to their limit, even if Lin Changheng managed to refine eight Middle-Upper Pills in his third batch, he couldn’t possibly win. Given the results of the previous batches, Lü Bailian’s perfect third batch would seal the victory.

In his view, Lin Changheng had only reached the Entry Tier three or four years ago—much later than him. His foundation was inherently weaker. Even with a sudden burst of inspiration, there was no way he could achieve "one Masterpiece, nine Middle-Upper Pills," a feat Lü Bailian himself had only accomplished through a stroke of genius!

’This is a sure win!’

A similar thought crossed the minds of most people present, especially those who understood the Alchemy Dao.

’Lin Changheng is sure to lose now. It’s a shame Alchemist Lü had such a breakthrough on the third batch...’

Murmurs of pity could be heard.

Lin Changheng, of course, heard Xu Qianyan’s announcement. Facing the furnace fire with his back to the crowd, a faint arc appeared on his otherwise calm face.

In response, the Flame within the furnace flickered a little more actively...

But it went unnoticed by all.

「A quarter of an hour later.」

The Elixirs were ready.

"Hm?"

As Xu Qianyan took the Elixirs to begin his evaluation, he let out a sudden exclamation of surprise. All eyes immediately snapped in his direction.

A sense of foreboding bloomed in Lü Bailian’s heart.

Miss Xu, meanwhile, took the opportunity to cast an interested glance at Lin Changheng. He remained perfectly composed, his back as straight as a pine tree, simply waiting.

His eyes betrayed no emotion, not even a hint of basic longing.

’Interesting.’

Then, Xu Qianyan spoke up. "Heh, Alchemist Lin’s batch is also quite good..."

Lü Bailian felt as if a basin of cold water had been dumped over his head. The sense of foreboding grew, and then he heard the inevitable words: "One Masterpiece Pill, with the remaining nine all being Middle-Upper."

"What?"

The arena immediately filled with the sound of sharp, surprised gasps.

’They’re tied again?’

This was the second time!

"Both Pill Masters are exceptionally talented, but Alchemist Lin has a slight edge. The Middle Grade Alchemy Secret Transmission is his."

Xu Qianyan’s voice rang out slowly, delivering the final verdict.

The crowd erupted. Did this mean that the slight, one-pill difference in Alchemist Lü’s first batch had actually led to his defeat?

What a shame.

It would have been one thing if his Skills were simply inferior, but Alchemist Lü truly seemed to be lacking a bit of luck. If his first batch had been as good as his second or third, this wouldn’t have happened.

In terms of actual ability, he wasn’t necessarily weaker than Alchemist Lin...

"Thank you for the match."

Lin Changheng ignored the murmurs of the crowd. His expression as placid as ever, he gave Lü Bailian a cupped-fist salute, nodded to Miss Xu, and then followed a Middle Grade Alchemist away from the arena.

Lü Bailian hadn’t anticipated this outcome and was feeling dejected, but seeing Lin Changheng’s salute, he roused himself to return the gesture.

Still, he wasn’t too discouraged. After all, such a minuscule difference could easily be overcome.

He just felt it was a shame to have come so close to the Middle Grade Alchemy Inheritance, only to have it slip through his fingers...

Soon, a group of people gathered around him, offering words of comfort and encouragement.

Others lamented his loss on his behalf, sighing with regret.

"Thank you, seniors and friends, for your words of comfort and encouragement. Alchemist Lin has built a deep foundation, and it has finally paid off with this Secret Transmission. I was not his equal."

"Please, speak no more of luck. To do so is not only disrespectful to Alchemist Lin, but it is also a slight against me."

"...A loss is a loss. I was not as skilled, and that’s all there is to it. I can accept that!"

Lü Bailian suddenly broke into a smile, then his expression turned solemn as he spoke words that stunned most of the onlookers. With that, he turned and departed without a second glance.

"Such magnanimity! Truly a man of character!"

Watching his upright back recede into the distance, someone recovered from their shock and sighed in admiration.

...

Lin Changheng was unaware of everything that transpired in the competition hall after he left.

He had followed the Middle Grade Alchemist to the Scripture Hall, located just outside the Gui Feng Dojo.

As promised, he received a simple, ancient-looking Cyan Jade Scroll.

"The Restriction on this scroll will be lifted for three days. During this time, you may not leave, nor may the Jade Scroll be taken from this room. You are to memorize and comprehend its contents here."

"How much you manage to memorize, and how deeply you comprehend it, will depend entirely on your own ability and perception. Do you understand, Alchemist Lin?"

The Middle Grade Alchemist who had led him here gave a few brief instructions before turning and leaving. It was a tall, thin Steward who then added the detailed admonishments.

He remembered this "Alchemist Lin." The man had previously exchanged for an incomplete Upper Grade Technique in the hall; he was a bit stubborn and wouldn’t listen to advice.

So this time, after stating the essentials, he said no more and leisurely departed.

"Understood. Thank you for the guidance, Senior."

Lin Changheng gripped the Jade Scroll, pressed it to his forehead, and began to inspect its contents.

’If the Xu Family hadn’t been fighting the Chen Family on the frontier, and if they hadn’t been attacked from the rear, losing a Middle Grade Alchemist in the process... and if there wasn’t a successor within their own clan,’

’...they never would have been forced to offer this to one of their Named Honored Guests.’

’And even then, they were stingy enough to only offer it to a single person.’

’This was the drawback of the family-clan model—they hoard their own treasures and only pass them down to their own kin.’

’The Sect model was much more open, but the bonds weren’t as tight as those of blood.’

’Each had its pros and cons, I suppose.’

’Taihe Pill Scroll Secret Manual!’

Five large words appeared in Lin Changheng’s perception. ’The name has a certain grandeur to it.’

Then, he submerged his consciousness into it and began his study.

After a long while, Lin Changheng removed the Jade Scroll and rubbed the bridge of his nose. ’This Middle Grade Alchemy, though built upon the foundations of Lower Grade, is several times more profound.’

’But for someone with my current level of perception, it’s difficult, but not overly so.’

’The few difficult points could either be overcome with enough time and effort, or I could bother Ink Master for some guidance.’

Lin Changheng smiled, unconcerned. ’There are always more solutions than problems.’

’If worst comes to worst, I can just wait for the Origin Treasure Seed’s second Spirit Stealing.’

’It’s already at [Spirit Stealing: 70/100]. At the latest, I should be able to nurture the Second Layer of the Origin Treasure Seed in a little over a year. My perception will reach a new level then!’

「Three days later.」

The Restriction on the Jade Scroll automatically reactivated, interrupting Lin Changheng’s meditation.

It was no matter, however. He had already finished memorizing all the information it contained right at the beginning, so he wasn’t worried about losing anything.

After swearing the required Daoist Oath not to divulge its contents, Lin Changheng emerged from the Scripture Hall. He was immediately struck by the sunlight he hadn’t seen in three days and couldn’t help but narrow his eyes.

When he opened them again, he saw clouds churning in the vast, high sky. A cyan-feathered Spiritual Crane flew out from a nearby Dao Field, soaring over the mountaintop with a beat of its wings. Its long, clear cry echoed as it ascended into the highest heavens.

Lin Changheng let out a soft laugh and stepped fully into the brilliant, heavenly light.