95: Refining Grade 4 Elixirs

In the square, numerous First and Second-Grade Alchemists held their breath, staring intently at the peak Third-Grade Alchemists in the center of the arena.

For them, witnessing high-level Alchemists refining pills firsthand was a rare opportunity in itself.

"Is Senior Jiang refining a fire spirit pill?!"

Someone exclaimed in a low voice.

"Didn't he suffer a cauldron explosion a few days ago? How dare he challenge a fourth-grade pill again?"

"Shh! Be quiet! Pill refining is most sensitive to interference!"

Everyone fell silent, but their gazes grew even more fervent.

A fourth-grade pill is not so easily refined!

The way of alchemy emphasizes heat control, timing, and Soul Power mastery; the slightest mistake can lead to the loss of medicinal potency, or worse, a cauldron explosion and backlash!

Jiang Donghua's expression was solemn as he controlled the flames with his fingertips, fine beads of sweat already seeping onto his forehead.

"The fusion of the fire spirit pill's ingredients requires extremely high flame control techniques..."

He silently recited his mantra, his full Soul Power unleashed, carefully guiding the flames inside the cauldron.

"Hiss—"

Suddenly, a subtle abnormal sound came from inside the cauldron, and a wisp of green smoke drifted out.

A subtle abnormal sound emanating from Jiang Donghua's earth spirit cauldron caused many onlookers to instantly hold their breath, their eyes fixed on the Medicine Cauldron.

"It's, it's going to explode again?!"

Someone said tremblingly, clearly remembering the embarrassing scene of Jiang Donghua's pill refining failure a few days prior.

However, only a wisp of green smoke floated out of the cauldron before it immediately returned to calm.

"Phew—"

Everyone let out a long breath.

"It turns out the dregs were just scorched. False alarm."

"Hmph, I thought Jiang Donghua was going to be eliminated so quickly."

Several Third-Grade Alchemists nearby chuckled softly, a hint of schadenfreude flashing in their eyes.

But quickly, their smiles froze.

Because Jiang Donghua's flame had changed!

The originally yellowish-red pill fire now faintly showed a trace of crimson-gold. As the flame surged, it moved inside the cauldron like a living creature, completely incinerating the remaining dregs, leaving not a single trace of impurity!

"This flame is unusual!"

Someone exclaimed softly.

"What powerful Dou Qi control!"

An experienced Alchemist narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice.

"To be able to control the flame to this degree, it requires the Dou Qi support of at least a Great Dou Master level!"

"Great Dou Master?!"

The surroundings immediately erupted in an uproar.

"Senior Sister Bai Zhi, Senior Brother Chen Yan, and Jiang Donghua—it seems all three of their Dou Qi levels have already reached Great Dou Master, right?"

"Hiss~ Great Dou Masters around twenty years old? That talent is simply terrifying!"

The whispering spread like a tide. The way everyone looked at the three people in the arena had shifted from simple envy to deep reverence.

Great Dou Master level Dou Qi, combined with peak Third-Grade alchemy—now *that* is true genius!

Jiang Donghua turned a deaf ear to the surrounding discussion, his entire focus centered on the cauldron.

In the square, the gazes of the numerous Alchemists shifted back and forth between the few top pill refiners. Soon, someone recognized the pill Chen Yan was refining.

"Is that the body protection pill?!"

A Second-Grade Alchemist widened his eyes, his voice slightly trembling from shock.

"The body protection pill? Is that the fourth-grade pill that can make the physique of a Dou Ling Expert as formidable as a magical beast's?!"

"Exactly!"

An older student next to him nodded heavily, his eyes filled with reverence.

"After consuming the body protection pill, physical defense skyrockets for one hour, and the speed of wound healing is astonishingly fast. It is truly a life-saving divine pill in combat!"

Hearing this, everyone collectively gasped.

The body protection pill, a top-tier existence among fourth-grade pills!

Even a Dou Ling Expert, when facing an opponent of the same level, is practically invincible with the aid of a body protection pill!

Inside Chen Yan's Crimson Flame Tiger Cauldron, flames surged, and a faint roar of a tiger could be heard. The medicinal liquid in the cauldron was gradually solidifying, emitting a profound aura.

"As expected of Senior Brother Chen Yan, to be able to refine a pill of this caliber!"

"It seems his chances of winning this competition are extremely high!"

However, just as everyone was exclaiming, a wisp of clear, faint pill fragrance quietly permeated from Bai Zhi's Medicine Cauldron on the other side.

"Huh? This fragrance... the clear spirit profound pill?!"

Someone twitched his nose, and his pupils immediately contracted.

The clear spirit profound pill is a supreme item among fourth-grade pills. After consumption, it can greatly enhance Soul Perception. For an Alchemist, its value is even higher than the body protection pill!

"Senior Sister Bai Zhi is actually refining the clear spirit profound pill?!"

"No wonder her flame control is so exquisite; it must be to ensure the purity of the pill!"

The situation in the arena was constantly changing. Those who originally thought the body protection pill had secured the victory were now plunged into new shock.

Which of the two major fourth-grade pills is stronger?

These two pills might still need to be distinguished, but compared to the fire spirit pill refined by Jiang Donghua, they lost all qualification for discussion.

In the square, the crowd's discussions gradually converged into a unified opinion.

"Looking at it this way, as long as Senior Jiang successfully refines the Crimson-Gold fire spirit pill, first place will surely belong to him!"

"That's right. Although the clear spirit profound pill is good, boosting Soul Power is not very useful for most people, unless they are an Alchemist or an expert specializing in Soul Dou Techniques."

"The body protection pill is indeed powerful, but it is ultimately for saving one's life. Unless one is in a life-or-death battle, when would they normally need it?"

"But the fire spirit pill is different!"

A student said excitedly.

"A Dou Ling Expert takes one and their strength immediately surges by one or two stars! A Great Dou Master takes it and might even jump two or three stars consecutively! Who wouldn't want such an heaven-defying pill?"

The people around them nodded in agreement, their eyes revealing fervent desire.

Indeed, on the Fighting Qi Continent, pills that can directly enhance strength are always the most sought-after hard currency!

Whether in the black market, auction houses, or sect treasuries, once such a pill appears, it is bound to cause a bloody struggle for possession.

However, there were also calmer voices reminding others softly.

"But the fire spirit pill has a fatal flaw: its medicinal potency is too violent. If one cannot withstand the burning sensation, it will not only waste the pill but could also damage the meridians, leaving hidden injuries..."

"Hmph, so what?"

Someone immediately retorted.

"Compared to a tangible increase in strength, what is this small risk? At worst, one can prepare other pills in advance to protect the meridians!"

These words struck a chord with the crowd.

Power is always the most maddening temptation!

Chen Yan and Bai Zhi listened to the surrounding discussions, their expressions gradually turning serious.

They naturally knew that the value of the fire spirit pill far exceeded the body protection pill and the clear spirit profound pill they were refining.

After all, pills that can directly boost strength are the most sought-after hard currency in the eyes of any faction!

"Hmph, so what if he succeeds in refining it?"

Chen Yan sneered inwardly, his gaze fixed gloomily on Jiang Donghua's Medicine Cauldron.

"The fire spirit pill is extremely violent; the slightest carelessness will cause a cauldron explosion. Didn't he fail last time?"

Bai Zhi, however, frowned slightly, pondering internally.

"Jiang Donghua's talent is certainly astonishing, but the difficulty of refining the fire spirit pill is extremely high. Even if he succeeds, the quality might not necessarily surpass my clear spirit profound pill..."

They were all waiting—waiting for a variable!

The way of alchemy is inherently full of uncertainties.

Sometimes, an Alchemist might fail several times consecutively, or even suffer a cauldron explosion, but other times, they might succeed in one go, refining a pill far exceeding expectations!