232: Chapter 230 Alchemy Trial

When the Fourth Elder walked into the courtyard, Yun Ming was drinking tea.

Su Mubai followed behind, entered the courtyard gate, and nodded to Yun Ming.

He had thought the Fourth Elder would get straight to the point, perhaps even directly propose a sparring match.

So Su Mubai took the initiative to break the silence.

“Mr. Yun, this is the Fourth Elder of Xuanhuang Pill Mansion.”

He then turned to the Fourth Elder, “Elder, this is Yun Ming.”

The Fourth Elder cupped his hands. “I’ve heard much about you.”

Yun Ming returned the Bow.

Only then did the two truly get acquainted.

The Fourth Elder leaned back in his chair, looking at Yun Ming, not rushing to speak.

He picked up his teacup and took another sip, then put it down, his gaze lingering on Yun Ming's face for a few breaths before he slowly began. “Mr. Yun, this old man has come this time because I wish to host an Alchemy trial in Qingyao City.”

Yun Ming picked up his teacup and took a sip. “A trial?”

“Yes,” the Fourth Elder said. “Xuanhuang Pill Mansion has recently been interested in expanding Alchemy exchanges in the Zifu Immortal Dynasty, and coincidentally, the Third Prince also needs to recruit talented individuals. This old man wants to set up a trial ground in Qingyao City and invite Alchemists from various places to compete. Firstly, to witness the young talents of the Zifu Immortal Dynasty, and secondly, to recruit wise individuals for the Third Prince.”

Yun Ming put down his teacup and leaned back in his chair. “What does that have to do with me?”

The Fourth Elder smiled. “This old man heard that Mr. Yun is a Fourth-Rank Alchemist, and wishes to invite Mr. Yun to serve as a judge.”

Yun Ming shook his head. “Not interested. I need to Cultivate, I don't have time.”

The Fourth Elder was not in a hurry. He picked up his teacup, took another sip, and slowly put it down. “Mr. Yun, don't be so quick to refuse. This old man knows that Mr. Yun dislikes appearing in public and dislikes socializing. But for this trial, the judge doesn't need to do too much. Just sit on the high platform, observe the Medicinal Pills refined by the contestants, and give a fair and just judgment.”

Yun Ming still shook his head. “I'm not good with words and easily offend people. Please find someone more capable.”

The Fourth Elder smiled. “Mr. Yun is too modest. This old man has been in Xuanhuang Pill Mansion for decades and has seen many Alchemists. This is the first time I've seen someone with such a high pill formation rate as Mr. Yun. After Su Mubai returned, he described Mr. Yun's Alchemy process in detail. The techniques, steps, heat control, and Divine Sense were exactly the same as what we teach at Xuanhuang Pill Mansion. But the pill formation rate was so much higher. This old man is very interested. As for offending people, Mr. Yun is a favored person by the Third Prince, why would you be afraid of offending people?”

Yun Ming didn't speak. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and put it down.

The Fourth Elder took out a Jade Slip from his sleeve and placed it on the table. “Mr. Yun, this old man can represent Xuanhuang Pill Mansion and promise—if Mr. Yun is willing to serve as a judge, after the trial, Mr. Yun can freely borrow and read the Alchemy insights of Xuanhuang Pill Mansion.”

Yun Ming's hand paused. He looked at the Jade Slip, silent for a moment. “Freely borrow and read?”

“Freely.” The Fourth Elder nodded. “As long as it's a Pill Formula, insight, or note collected by Xuanhuang Pill Mansion, Mr. Yun can read whatever you want. There are no restrictions. This includes the Alchemy notes of several Grand Elders, some lost Pill Formulas, and the insights of our Xuanhuang Pill Mansion's Ancestral Masters throughout history. As long as Mr. Yun wants to see it, you can borrow it.”

Yun Ming picked up his teacup and took another sip. He didn't agree immediately, but remained silent for a long time. The Fourth Elder didn't rush him, slowly drinking his tea. The fox lay on Yun Ming's lap, its nine tails dangling, swaying. The courtyard was quiet, with only the rustling of wind through the leaves.

Yun Ming put down his teacup and looked at the Fourth Elder. “Just being a judge?”

“Just being a judge.” The Fourth Elder nodded. “On the day of the trial, Mr. Yun and this old man will sit together on the high platform. After the contestants finish refining their pills, they will present the Medicinal Pills. Mr. Yun will observe the appearance, smell the pill fragrance, discern the medicinal properties, and give a score. This old man will also give a score. The average of the two will be the final result.”

Yun Ming thought for a moment. “How many people will judge?”

“Just the three of us,” the Fourth Elder said. “Too many people lead to disagreements, which is troublesome. Three people are easy to discuss with.”

Yun Ming thought again. “Is the time set?”

“A month from now,” the Fourth Elder said. “This old man will send people to prepare. The venue, registration, rules, and rewards will all be handled by Xuanhuang Pill Mansion and the City Lord's Mansion. Mr. Yun only needs to be present on the day of the trial.”

Yun Ming nodded. “Alright.”

The Fourth Elder smiled. He stood up and cupped his hands towards Yun Ming. “Then it's settled. This old man will go back and prepare. See you in Qingyao City in a month.”

Yun Ming also stood up and cupped his hands. “See you in a month.”

The Fourth Elder did not linger. He turned and left the small courtyard with Su Mubai.

Yun Ming watched their departing figures, knowing full well that Xuanhuang Pill Mansion was still very curious about why his pill formation rate was so high, and this Fourth Elder was probably here to test him.

However, these people were destined to return empty-handed, because his pill formation rate did not rely on any technique or operation, but was entirely due to luck.

But since there was such a good opportunity to freely borrow and read the Alchemy insights of Xuanhuang Pill Mansion from all generations, he had even less reason to refuse.

Meanwhile,

Su Mubai followed behind the Fourth Elder. Although he had some doubts about the Fourth Elder's actions, he didn't ask much. He believed that the Fourth Elder must have his reasons for doing so.

After leaving the alley, Su Mubai only asked, “Elder, where are we going next?”

“The City Lord's Mansion.” The Fourth Elder walked slowly, hands behind his back, his tone calm. “To organize a trial, we must first inform the City Lord.”

The two arrived at the City Lord's Mansion. The Fourth Elder announced his identity, and the steward in the mansion quickly went to report. City Lord Feng Boyong personally came out to greet them and invited them into the main hall.

The Fourth Elder explained his intentions: to hold an Alchemy trial, invite Alchemists from various places to compete, and recruit talented individuals for the Third Prince. The judges would be the Fourth Elder of Xuanhuang Pill Mansion, Su Mubai, and Yun Ming.

Feng Boyong listened, then fell silent for a moment. “This is a significant matter. Organizing a trial will inevitably lead to a mix of good and bad people. This lord needs to consult the Third Prince.”

The Fourth Elder nodded. “That's proper.”

Feng Boyong took out a transmission talisman and inscribed the matter onto it. The talisman transformed into a streak of light and disappeared into the sky. In less than half an hour, the transmission talisman flew back. Feng Boyong crushed the talisman paper, and the Third Prince's voice echoed in his mind— “Full support.”

Feng Boyong turned around and cupped his hands towards the Fourth Elder. “The Third Prince said, full support. Whatever is needed, the City Lord's Mansion will fully cooperate.”

The Fourth Elder also cupped his hands. “Thank you.”

Over the next month, Qingyao City became bustling.

The City Lord's Mansion erected a high platform in the city square. The platform was built of bluestone, three zhang square, with four coiled Dragon stone pillars standing around it, and the banners of Xuanhuang Pill Mansion hanging from their tops. Hundreds of seats were set up on both sides of the high platform for guests and participating Alchemists. Temporary shelters were also built around the square for Cultivators who had traveled long distances to rest.

Just a few days after the announcement was posted, people began arriving from various places.

The first to arrive were the Alchemists from Fengyin Province itself. They were close by and well-informed, with some setting off on the very day the announcement was posted. Some came riding Spirit Beasts, some arrived on flying boats, and some flew alone on their swords. Upon reaching the city gate, they presented their identity tokens, registered their names, cultivation levels, and Alchemy ranks, and were then led to inns near the square.

Then came Alchemists from neighboring provinces. They had traveled for several days, covered in dust, but full of vigor. There were Loose Cultivators, Disciples from small Sects, and even Elders from large Sects. Their cultivation levels ranged from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core, and their Alchemy ranks from second-tier to third-tier. Some brought apprentices, some brought assistants, and some came alone.

Finally, people arrived from even more distant places. Some came from the Eastern Region, some from the Southern Region, and even some from the Northern Region's Ice Plains. They had traversed half of the Zifu Immortal Dynasty just to participate in this trial.

The inns in Qingyao City were full. From east to west, from south to north, all inns displayed

The restaurants on the streets were booming. Previously, there were empty seats even during meal times, but now there were long queues from morning till night. The restaurant owners were all smiles, and the waiters were constantly busy. Even the small vendors selling tea and fruit on the street increased, with their shouts rising and falling.

The city's market also became lively. Stalls selling Medicinal Pills, Materials, Magical Artifacts, and Spirit Beasts lined the streets from end to end, packed tightly. Some were haggling, some were exchanging Alchemy insights, and some were arguing over whose Pill Formula had a higher pill formation rate. They argued until their faces were red, neither willing to concede.

The Patrol Camp soldiers doubled their patrols. During the day, they maintained order on the streets, and at night, they patrolled outside the city with torches. City Lord Feng Boyong personally took charge, dispatching a group of Cultivators to assist. He feared trouble due to the large crowd and also worried about ill-intentioned individuals sneaking in.

The high platform in the square grew more exquisite each day. The City Lord's Mansion invited Formation Masters to set up soundproofing and protective Formations around the platform. Carpenters were also invited to build several rows of neat seats. Several Pill Furnaces were borrowed from the Alchemy Hall for contestants who did not bring their own. The content on the notice board was also updated, adding participant guidelines, a list of judges, and detailed reward rules.

By the end of the month, Qingyao City was overflowing with people. Long queues formed at the city gates, and entering or leaving the city took half a day. The Patrol Camp soldiers were constantly busy, and even City Lord Feng Boyong personally oversaw the city gates. The tent area outside the city also became lively. Some were refining pills in front of their tents, some were discussing the Dao, and some were drinking. Bonfires were lit in piles, their flames illuminating half the sky.

Qingyao City had never been this lively before.

Of course, even though Qingyao City was as bustling as a festival these days, with a cacophony of voices and constant traffic, minor frictions were inevitable. The profession of an Alchemist inherently emphasizes tranquility and composure, yet paradoxically, this group of people often had the most volatile tempers. They usually secluded themselves in their Alchemy Rooms, accompanied by furnace fires and medicinal Materials, sitting for days and nights, accumulating a belly full of frustration and stubbornness. In such a crowded place, even a small spark could ignite an explosion.

Even with the Patrol Camp soldiers doubling their patrols, and even with City Lord Feng Boyong personally issuing an order to

Like these two in front of him.