261: The formal alchemy competition begins

At the same time, Qin Yue also spoke:

"Jingyu, Miaoling Pavilion needs your help!"

Her gaze was clear, merely seeking help in the tone of a friend.

Lin Jingyu smiled, signaling Qin Yue with his eyes not to worry.

For him, participating in the Pill Refining Grand Competition might not be a bad thing.

While showing off one's brilliance might invite the danger of 'the tallest tree in the forest being the first to be felled by the wind'.

It was also an Opportunity.

He looked up, meeting Feng Xixi's gaze, clearly seeing the anxiety and anticipation in her eyes, along with an undeniable sincerity.

"Good." Lin Jingyu slowly uttered a single word, his voice soft but carrying a resolute determination.

"I promise you. When does it start?"

Upon hearing this, an uncontrollable look of pleasant surprise instantly burst forth in Feng Xixi's beautiful eyes, as if a huge stone pressing on her heart had finally fallen.

She excitedly took a step forward, her tone becoming much lighter:

"The finals are tomorrow! Although time is tight, I believe in your ability! You can come to Miaoling Pavilion; I've already ordered people to prepare the best Alchemy room and various spiritual materials for you to familiarize yourself with the environment and adjust your state."

Lin Jingyu, however, shook his head, his expression calm:

"No need. On the Dao of Alchemy, Comprehension Ability and a calm mind are paramount; external environment is secondary. I will prepare myself.

Shopkeeper Feng only needs to inform me of the specific rules of the competition, the known information about the opponents, and... the type of Medicinal Pill Miaoling Pavilion hopes I will refine."

Feng Xixi was slightly startled, then relieved, her estimation of Lin Jingyu rising a few notches. This calm demeanor, unfazed by major events, far surpassed his peers.

"Alright! In that case, I won't disturb your cultivation. This is the relevant Jade Slip, please keep it safe."

She handed a pre-prepared Jade Slip to Lin Jingyu, gave a few careful instructions, and then, filled with anticipation and a sense of relief from a heavy burden, hurried away to arrange subsequent matters.

Watching Feng Xixi's retreating figure, Lin Jingyu caressed the Jade Slip in his hand, his eyes profound.

A new challenge lay before him. Instead of fear, a faint sense of eager excitement rose within him.

Perhaps this was an Opportunity to test his Alchemy achievements and pave the way to a broader world.

Qin Yue and Yun Momo, however, stayed behind.

Although they had also fought alongside Feng Xixi.

Lin Jingyu was closer to the two of them.

The three of them enjoyed drinking, tea, and delicious food together, feeling very happy.

Yun Momo, with shining eyes, looked at Lin Jingyu, her affection seemingly overflowing.

She had heard Qin Yue recount the thrilling events in the Secret Realm.

And Lin Jingyu's deeds of turning the tide and saving everyone made her yearn even more.

She deeply regretted not having gone in with them.

She had really wanted to enter back then.

But Feng Xixi had rejected her.

Qin Yue, meanwhile, watched the two with a beaming smile. In her heart, Lin Jingyu had long surpassed ordinary Geniuses.

He was more than enough for the Yun Family's direct daughter, and perhaps even comparable to the Chosen Daughter, Yun Xiangyao.

The next day, in the central square of Southeast Market Town.

The crowd was like boiling water, the clamor soaring to the sky.

In the center of the square, twelve white marble platforms, each one zhang square and tall, stood majestically. On them were neatly arranged twelve Pill Furnaces of various designs, all extraordinary.

These were Second-Rank Pill Furnaces provided by the Southeast Market Town.

Of course, Alchemists could also use their own Pill Furnaces.

The ground fire vents at the bottom of the furnaces were already open, emitting scorching heatwaves that made the foreheads of spectators near the front of the platforms sweat.

Around the platforms, powerful protective light screens had risen, shimmering with colorful light, isolating any potential energy fluctuations from within.

Outside the light screens, in the best viewing seats, representatives of almost all the influential forces in Southeast Market Town were present.

Shopkeepers of Medicinal Pill shops, Clan Chiefs of cultivation Families, experts among Loose Cultivators... they bowed and exchanged greetings, smiling, but when their eyes met, an almost imperceptible scrutiny and rivalry often flashed.

Lin Jingyu followed Feng Xixi through the crowd to Miaoling Pavilion's exclusive seats.

"Jingyu, you're here." Seeing Lin Jingyu, Feng Xixi's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly, and she forced a smile.

"This time... we truly owe you. Elder Liu's matter was an accident; now, Miaoling Pavilion's hope rests on you."

She pointed to an old man beside her with a pale face and weak aura.

Lin Jingyu looked at Elder Liu, seeing his dim eyes, clearly indicating severe injuries; standing there was already a struggle.

Lin Jingyu nodded slightly in greeting: "Shopkeeper Feng, rest assured. Elder Liu, please recover. Lin, will do my best."

Elder Liu arduously cupped his hands, his voice weak: "I am ashamed, truly I have failed Miaoling Pavilion. Thank you... Young Friend Lin." His eyes, however, held a trace of imperceptible doubt and worry, clearly skeptical of whether this 'young man' Lin Jingyu could bear such a heavy responsibility.

Accompanying Lin Jingyu in the competition was a sallow-faced middle-aged man.

This Pill Refining Grand Competition had changed its rules, becoming a team competition, meaning the final score would be the sum of both participants.

The team with the highest score would take first place.

So it was not just an individual fighting alone, but a team competition requiring cooperation.

Just then, a voice as clear as a bell resonated throughout the venue, silencing all the noise: "Silence!"

An old man in a profound black Daoist robe with white hair and beard slowly ascended the high platform. He was none other than Zhou Hao, the highly respected President of the Alchemist Association of Southeast Market Town, a Foundation Establishment Stage Second-Rank Alchemist, and the chief judge of this Grand Competition.

His gaze was like lightning, sweeping across the entire venue, and an invisible pressure quickly quieted the square.

"Today marks the finals of our Southeast Market Town's triennial Pill Refining Grand Competition! Twelve strong teams will compete for the title of Pill Dao Champion!

I believe you all know the rules, so I won't elaborate. I only wish for all Alchemists to showcase their abilities and compete with style! Now, the first round, spiritual liquid purification, begins!"

With his command, twelve participating Alchemists quickly ascended the high platforms, each selecting a Pill Furnace and taking their positions. Lin Jingyu, representing Miaoling Pavilion, calmly walked to a cyan Pill Furnace inscribed with cloud patterns.

The first round tested basic skills: within a specified time, use three designated raw spiritual materials, each with different attributes and many Impurities, to refine spiritual liquid with the highest possible purity.

"Dong!" A bell chimed, and the Timing started!

The Alchemists on stage immediately began to move, lighting fires, warming furnaces, adding medicine... their techniques varied, but all showed a hint of tension. The spectators below held their breath, their eyes closely following.

Lin Jingyu, however, was unhurried. He first lightly touched the furnace wall with his palm, feeling the heat of the ground fire and the characteristics of the Pill Furnace's material, then he activated the ground fire.

Under his precise control, the flames were like docile spirits, evenly enveloping the Pill Furnace.

After adding the spiritual materials, his fingers moved like dancing butterflies, striking out intricate and elegant incantations, controlling the subtle changes in the heat.