Chapter 565: Chapter 565: Lin Xuan Takes the Stage!

The Tower Master announced loudly, "Now, I invite a representative from the Nine Nether Alchemy Alliance to come forward and perform alchemy."

Instantly, cheers erupted from the Nine Nether Alchemy Alliance’s side.

"Master Qingyou, we’re counting on you!"

"Is there even a need to compete? With Master Qingyou’s skills, he’ll surely sweep the competition."

"The Sun Alchemy Alliance is no match for us!"

They cheered relentlessly, exuding immense confidence. The surrounding onlookers were swept up in the atmosphere and began to shout excitedly as well.

"What’s the point of competing? Just declare the Nine Nether Alchemy Alliance the winner already!" someone shouted.

"Who can possibly stand against Master Qingyou’s prowess?"

Amidst the roaring cheers, Qingyou stepped forward and arrived in the center of the field. A massive stone platform stood there, upon which were four items: three portions of medicinal materials and a scroll. He opened the scroll and found it contained the pill recipe for the Wuyou Elixir. Master Qingyou was already intimately familiar with this recipe, but he still pretended as if he were seeing it for the first time, examining it with intense seriousness. After half a day passed in this manner, he finally set down the scroll and began the alchemy.

With a wave of his hand, he summoned an alchemy furnace. He opened its lid, tossed one portion of medicinal materials inside, and then unleashed a top-grade Spiritual Fire, enveloping the ingredients to begin melting them. Everyone in the crowd watched intently.

Other Alchemy Masters in the crowd remarked, "As expected of a fourth-rank master! His technique is so adept."

"Indeed. I heard the Wuyou Elixir is a new formula, so Master Qingyou has likely never seen it before."

"Yet his movements are fluid and seamless, as if he’s practiced it countless times."

"All one can say is that his prowess in the Alchemy Dao is simply terrifying."

"That’s right. I can’t imagine anyone from the Sun Alchemy Alliance who could possibly compare with Master Qingyou."

In the center of the arena, Master Qingyou melted the medicinal materials in the furnace into a liquid, then began the purification process. He painstakingly purified the essence of each ingredient, removing all impurities. Although the process was lengthy, it didn’t feel that way to the crowd. To them, it seemed like only a moment had passed before Master Qingyou had completely purified all the medicinal liquids.

Next came the fusion of all the medicinal liquids—the most challenging step. This time, even the elders from the Pill Tower began to discuss it amongst themselves.

One elder said, "This step is the most crucial for the Wuyou Elixir."

"This fusion stage has hidden pitfalls. The slightest carelessness will result in instant failure."

"Indeed. I wonder if Qingyou can navigate those pitfalls and succeed in the fusion."

At the platform, Master Qingyou’s expression grew serious. These next steps were indeed of the utmost importance. However, having practiced this for a year, he already knew all the critical points. He easily avoided the hidden pitfalls. Inside the alchemy furnace, the medicinal liquids rapidly fused, gradually forming the embryonic shape of an elixir.

Soon, the rich fragrance of an elixir wafted out. The surrounding crowd grew tense; success or failure hinged on this final moment. Qingyou’s fingers danced in the air as the flame beneath the furnace suddenly erupted with fierce intensity, like a volcano. Before long, the flame died down, and a single, perfect elixir appeared inside the furnace.

With a wave of Master Qingyou’s hand, the elixir flew out of the furnace.

The crowd roared. "He did it! He actually succeeded!"

"Heavens, he succeeded on the first try!"

"That’s unbelievable!"

They exclaimed in amazement again and again.

The members of the Nine Nether Alchemy Alliance cheered even more enthusiastically.

"Fantastic, he succeeded!"

"I knew it! Master Qingyou is invincible! His participation guarantees victory."

"Hahaha, our victory is assured!"

"That’s right, I don’t think there’s any need to continue. It doesn’t matter who the Sun Alchemy Alliance sends out now."

"No one is a match for Master Qingyou!"

"Qingyou! Qingyou!" The crowd chanted his name with feverish excitement.

The other elders of the Nine Nether Alchemy Alliance were utterly shocked. Although they knew Qingyou would succeed, they never expected him to do it on the first attempt. His luck was truly incredible; it was as if the heavens themselves were on their side. The entire process took only two days, which was undoubtedly the fastest Qingyou had ever refined this elixir.

Even the people from the Pill Tower were stunned.

"He completed it in a single try. Isn’t that just unbelievable?"

"Qingyou’s luck is truly extraordinary."

"It’s not just luck; his skills are also top-tier."

"I feel he isn’t far from reaching the intermediate fourth-rank."

"You could even say he’s on the verge of a breakthrough. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to refine the Wuyou Elixir so quickly."

The Tower Master nodded slightly. Clearly, this outcome had exceeded his expectations as well. It seemed the victor of this competition had already been decided. At this moment, everyone—from the Pill Tower, the Nine Nether Alchemy Alliance, and the spectators—believed that Master Qingyou’s victory was certain.

For the Sun Alchemy Alliance to defeat Master Qingyou, they would need an intermediate fourth-rank Pill Master. But were Pill Masters of that rank so easy to find?

The thunderous cheers from the crowd shook the very heavens. On the other side, however, the area where the Sun Alchemy Alliance was gathered fell into a deathly silence. They were truly and utterly shocked.

Wan Er’s face turned pale. She sighed and said, "Young Master Lin, I’m not asking for much anymore. Just please do your best." She had been so confident before, certain that Lin Xuan could win. But now, that confidence had vanished. Master Qingyou’s performance was simply too flawless. He had succeeded on his first try, and in only two days. Even if Lin Xuan could successfully refine the elixir, it would likely take him far longer than two days, which would still mean defeat.

Lin Xuan simply smiled. "Don’t worry, I’m confident." My skills in the Alchemy Dao far surpass Qingyou’s. Besides, I have two Anomalous Fires! How could I possibly lose?

At the front of the arena, the Master of the Pill Tower stood up and looked toward the Sun Alchemy Alliance. "Next," he declared, "I invite a representative from the Sun Alchemy Alliance to come forward and perform alchemy."

Everyone turned their heads toward the Sun Alchemy Alliance. Qingyou’s gaze fell on Situ Hang; in his mind, Situ Hang was the one who would step forward for this duel. But soon, he froze. Situ Hang remained seated, not moving an inch. What’s going on? Qingyou furrowed his brow. Why isn’t Situ Hang moving? What is he waiting for?

Beside him, members of the Nine Nether Alchemy Alliance began to mock, "I bet he’s scared. He doesn’t dare to come out and compete."

"Of course! He’s no match for Master Qingyou."

"Coming out now would only lead to failure and embarrassment. It would be better to just concede."

Hearing this, a smirk tugged at the corner of Qingyou’s lips. Is my opponent going to lose without even fighting? Truly cowardly. He doesn’t even dare to make a move?

On the other side, Situ Hang also didn’t stand up. Instead, his eyes were wide as he stared intently at the Sun Alchemy Alliance. He, too, was eager to see just who this expert backing them was. He watched as someone from the Sun Alchemy Alliance section stood up and began walking toward the center of the field. Upon seeing who it was, Situ Hang frowned. Beside him, Huo Yuner was completely astounded.

Heavens, what am I seeing? Lin Xuan is actually getting up and walking onto the stage! What is that kid doing? Is he going to perform alchemy? What kind of joke is this? It’s one thing for him to boast, but does he really think he’s a fourth-rank Alchemy Master? Him, stepping up to perform alchemy? Is he even worthy?