Furthermore, Chu Ning has just recently advanced to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, while Ao Xuan has been at this stage for many years and possesses considerable Divine Techniques.

With such an arrangement of matches, Chu Ning has no certainty of victory in any of the three rounds, unable to maximize Chu Ning’s potential.

But now that the situation is set, he can only proceed as such.

He directly announced: "For the third round, our Jiuhua Sect will have Chu Ning face Ao Xuan."

The white-clad Ao Xuan, upon hearing this, turned his gaze toward Chu Ning.

"I’ve heard that the Chief Steward of Jiuhua Sect’s Alchemy Pavilion in recent years has been replaced by someone named Chu Ning. I hadn’t heard of this name before, are you Chu Ning?"

Upon hearing Ao Xuan’s words, Chu Ning did not mind and turned to Yuan Rongzhang, softly asking:

"Junior Brother Yuan, who is this person? In front of so many Golden Core Elders, how can someone be so rude as to speak out of turn?"

Though spoken softly, everyone on the platform, with their keen senses, could hear clearly.

On Ao Xuan’s arrogant face, a flicker of anger passed, and he wanted to say more.

But Yu Changge had already begun speaking:

"Fellow Daoist Peng, since the participants are decided, please clarify the specific competition rules, Fellow Daoist."

Since Yu Changge had spoken, Ao Xuan naturally could not continue to speak.

He glanced at Chu Ning and gave a cold chuckle.

At this moment, the white-haired Elder Peng slowly nodded and said:

"I have discussed with several fellow Daoists before coming, that the six participants from the two sects will compete in Alchemy, Artifact Refining, and Magical Combat.

For Alchemy, we will provide three kinds of Pill Formulas, and each group will randomly draw one, with each group having half a day, evaluated by Pill Formation Success Rate and Pill Quality."

As if fearing concerns from both sects, the white-haired Elder Peng smiled and said:

"As for the Pill Formulas, rest assured, they are Intermediate Middle Grade and Middle Tier Upper Grade Pill Formulas specially modified by a fellow Daoist within the alliance based on ancient formulas, and have not been circulated outside before.

Sect Leader Yu and Fellow Daoist Ao, what are your thoughts?"

"No objections from Jiuhua Sect!"

"No objections from the Daluo Sect either!"

Upon hearing that neither had any objections, Elder Peng nodded.

He continued: "As for Artifact Refining, considering the time needed for crafting Magical Artifacts, we plan to use another method.

I believe you will find it interesting."

With these words, an unexpected look emerged on the faces of people from both sects as they glanced at him.

The white-haired Elder Peng then smiled and continued:

"I believe you fellow Daoists all know, that Jiuhua Sect and Daluo Sect previously had two friendly senior cultivators who created a method for refining Artifact Refining Materials.

It’s called the Nine Luo Refining Essence Technique, once famous even within the Shuangyun Alliance and Western Alliance Continent."

Elder Peng’s words caused a slight pause among the cultivators from both the Jiuhua and Daluo Sects.

For those not involved in Artifact Refining, it was fine.

But those with some acquaintance in the field knew that this Refining Essence Technique was quite renowned.

However, both senior cultivators perished in internal strife.

The Nine Luo Refining Essence Technique had been lost to both the Jiuhua and Daluo Sects.

No one understood why Elder Peng mentioned it.

A few Golden Core Elders had some guesses, their eyes fixed on the white-haired Elder Peng.

At this moment, he produced a Jade Box, smiling as he said:

"Recently, an alliance cultivator discovered a ruin accidentally and found this Refining Essence Method within it.

As this person hadn’t interacted with the Daoists of the two sects within the alliance, you were unaware of this matter.

Fortuitously, I brought it today."

Upon hearing Elder Peng’s words, jubilant expressions appeared on the faces of cultivators from both Jiuhua and Daluo Sects.

This Wolong Mountain ruin was first discovered by a Foundation Establishment Cultivator within the Cloud Peak Alliance.

As Jiuhua Sect and Daluo Sect were still embroiled in disputes, to avoid pressure on this cultivator from both sects, he was temporarily protected by the Cloud Peak Alliance.

Yet they hadn’t expected that this cultivator not only discovered the ruin but also obtained such a legacy Secret Technique.

At this moment, the white-haired Elder Peng smiled and said:

"The origin of this Secret Technique is known to all, why not let the six participants watch this Nine Luo Refining Essence Method?

Then compete on their comprehension of it, especially in refining the material’s purity.

What do you think of this proposal, my fellow Daoists?"

"No objections!" Yu Changge and Ao Langtian both responded simultaneously.

They both understood the Nine Luo Refining Essence Method, which encapsulated the refining insights of two eminent Artifact Masters from Jiuhua and Daluo Sects.

In a sense, the speed of understanding this method could indeed reflect one’s level of Artifact Refining skills.

Upon hearing this, Elder Peng said:

"Good, then the Artifact Refining competition is settled, with Refining Essence Materials provided by us.

The final round of Magical Combat will depend on one’s abilities. As for its extent..."

"Life and death have their fate!" Ao Langtian interjected directly.

Elder Peng shook his head and said:

"Your grudges are not for outsiders to judge, but as both sects are allies, after all.

Let’s not cause any fatalities, and other restrictions will be minimal.

Sect Leader Yu, Fellow Daoist Ao, what are your thoughts?"

Yu Changge nodded and said, "Let’s follow Fellow Daoist Peng’s suggestion."

Ao Langtian laughed heartily and said, "That would indeed be best. I was just joking before.

You three, remember to hold back a bit."

At this moment, Ao Xuan swept his gaze over Chu Ning, implying profundity in his eyes.

The other two Daluo Sect cultivators looked at Yuan Rongzhang and Lu Jiakang with unfriendly gazes.

Seeing both sides agree, Elder Peng announced: "In that case, let the competition begin."

"For the first round, Lu Jiakang will face Gu Guanlin. Fellow Daoist Li, please randomly choose a Pill Formula."

After Elder Peng finished speaking, a Daoist casually took a Jade Scroll from his hand.

"This is an Intermediate Middle Grade Pill Formula."

Saying this, Elder Peng handed two pieces of Jade Scroll to Yu Changge and Ao Langtian for viewing, then allowed both sides to exchange and verify them.

Only then did Lu Jiakang and Gu Guanlin each take their Jade Scroll along with the prepared Spirit Medicine and fly to the two Alchemy Platforms in the arena.