235: Chapter 233 A Stunning Skill

The second day of the trials was even more lively than the first.

After news spread that Fourth-Rank Alchemists were participating, not only did the people of Qingyao City come, but even Cultivators from the nearby provinces rushed over. There weren't enough seats in the square, so many people stood, and some even climbed onto the city walls to watch. The soldiers of the Patrol Camp had to add another ring of fencing around the high platform to prevent people from rushing onto it.

When Yun Ming walked onto the high platform holding the fox, a low murmur of discussion broke out below. Some people recognized him, some didn't, but everyone had heard his name—a Fourth-Rank Alchemist who could produce nine successful batches out of ten for the Heavenly Dew Spirit Nourishing Pill. This reputation had already spread throughout the Alchemy circles.

The Fourth Elder had changed into a more formal Daoist robe today, and his hair was tied up again, making him look much more energetic. Su Mubai was still dressed in white, holding a recording board and standing beside the judges' seats. His expression was more serious than yesterday because they were facing Fourth-Rank Alchemists today; they all had significant tempers, so he had to stay sharp.

The Fourth Elder announced the start of the trials.

The first group of Fourth-Rank Alchemists took the stage, consisting of only three people. Fourth-Rank Alchemists were rare to begin with, and those willing to participate in the trials were even fewer. None of the three were young; even the youngest looked to be in his forties, though in reality, he might be several hundred years old. Each stood before their Pill Furnace and took out their treasured furnaces from their Storage Pouches, each more exquisite than the last.

The first to act was a middle-aged female Cultivator with a cold face, wearing a black Daoist robe. She was refining a Fourth-Rank Low Grade Heavenly Spirit Pill, a type of Medicinal Pill used for breaking through a Bottleneck. Her movements in processing the Materials were very experienced, and her ingredient additions were precise, but her control of the heat was somewhat conservative; she never dared to let the temperature inside the Pill Furnace rise too high. Over an hour later, she opened the furnace to retrieve the pill—it was a Medium Grade. The Fourth Elder gave her a score of seven, and Yun Ming gave her a seven. The female Cultivator glanced at the scores, said nothing, collected her pill, and withdrew.

The second to act was a white-haired old man with a kind face, wearing a gray Daoist robe. He was refining a Fourth-Rank Low Grade Xuanyuan Essence Condensing Pill, which was similar to the Heavenly Dew Spirit Nourishing Pill as a pill for restoring Spiritual Qi. His movements in processing the Materials were slow, but every step was solid. Over an hour later, he opened the furnace to retrieve the pill—it was a Medium Grade, with a slightly better appearance than the previous one. The Fourth Elder gave a score of 7.5, and Yun Ming gave a seven. The old man bowed and withdrew.

The third to act was a burly middle-aged male Cultivator with a rugged face, wearing a cyan Daoist robe. He was refining a Fourth-Rank Medium Grade Barrier Breaking Pill, a top-tier Medicinal Pill used for breaking through a Bottleneck. The difficulty of this Pill Formula was higher than both the Heavenly Spirit Pill and the Xuanyuan Essence Condensing Pill; being Fourth-Rank Medium Grade, it was considered high-level even among Fourth-Rank Alchemists.

Whispers broke out below the stage. Someone had recognized him.

“That is Perfected Huanghe, a famous Alchemist from the Eastern Region.”

“Fourth-Rank Medium Grade? He’s already Fourth-Rank Medium Grade?”

“It's said he just made a Breakthrough not long ago. Coming to this trial might be his way of making a name for himself.”

Perfected Huanghe processed the Materials quickly, added ingredients decisively, and controlled the heat very steadily. His technique was bold and expansive; it didn't look like Alchemy so much as a martial duel. However, every step he took was perfectly timed, without a single error.

Over an hour later, he opened the furnace to retrieve the pill. A crimson-gold pill lay at the bottom of the cauldron, its cloud patterns clear and its pill fragrance rich. High Grade.

Su Mubai brought the pill over, and the Fourth Elder took it, looked at it, smelled it, probed it with his Divine Sense, and nodded. “Eight points,” he announced the score. Yun Ming took the pill, also looked, smelled, probed it with his Divine Sense, and said, “Eight points.”

Perfected Huanghe looked at the scores, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly. He cupped his hands toward the judges' seats and withdrew.

Applause rang out from below the stage.

The first group's trial ended, and the second group took the stage. This group had only two people, both Fourth-Rank Low Grade. Both refined the Xuanyuan Essence Condensing Pill; one produced a Medium Grade, and the other a Low Grade. Their scores weren't high, and the two collected their pills and withdrew with expressionless faces.

The Fourth Elder stood up and announced the end of the trials.

Someone in the crowd shouted, “Fourth Elder, Mr. Yun, aren't you going to show us your skills?”

The voice wasn't loud, but it was clear and reached across the entire square. The square went silent for a moment, and then more people began to chime in.

“That's right! You can't just watch us refine; you have to refine a batch too!”

“We should at least get to see the level of the judges!”

The Fourth Elder glanced at Yun Ming. Yun Ming remained expressionless, holding the fox and saying nothing. Su Mubai stood to the side, feeling a bit nervous. He knew the Fourth Elder had prepared long ago, but Yun Ming had never voiced his stance.

The Fourth Elder smiled and raised his hand to signal for silence. The crowd quieted down. “I had intended to refine a batch today anyway. Please excuse my lack of skill.”

He took out a Pill Furnace from his Storage Pouch and placed it in the center of the platform. The furnace body was entirely cyan-black and covered in intricate formation patterns; it was Fourth-Rank High Grade. A wave of gasps erupted from the crowd. The Fourth Elder began processing the Materials at a steady pace, every step solid. He was refining a Fourth-Rank High Grade Xuan Ying Pill. Over an hour later, he opened the furnace to retrieve the pill; a crimson-gold pill lay at the bottom of the cauldron, covered in cloud patterns with a rich fragrance. It was Medium Grade, but its quality was close to High Grade.

Thunderous applause broke out. The Fourth Elder put the pill away and stepped aside.

“Mr. Yun, it's your turn.” The Fourth Elder looked at Yun Ming.

Everyone's gaze fell on Yun Ming. Yun Ming leaned against the back of his chair, holding the fox, and did not move. Su Mubai's heart rose to his throat. He knew Yun Ming's Alchemy skills were strong, but with so many people watching, if he failed, his reputation would be ruined.

Yun Ming stood up and placed the fox on the chair. The fox opened its eyes, glanced at him, and closed them again. Yun Ming walked to the center of the platform and took the cauldron of all things mother qi out of the map of mountains and rivers, placing it before him. The cauldron was ancient and simple, with three legs and two handles, devoid of extra decoration. The golden crow feather burned quietly inside the cauldron, its flame stable and temperature even.

He took out a set of Materials for the Heavenly Dew Spirit Nourishing Pill. He laid out the herbs one by one, removing roots, peeling bark, extracting juices, and grinding them. His movements were as smooth as flowing water, without a single bit of waste. The crowd fell silent, everyone watching his hands.

He threw the Materials into the cauldron. Under his direction, the golden crow fire slowly rose in temperature, and the heat inside the furnace climbed bit by bit. His Divine Sense probed into the cauldron, sensing the changes in the herbs with minute detail. Adding ingredients, Fusion, and nurturing—every step was done with precise timing and was exactly right.

The crowd below was deathly silent.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the Pill Furnace vibrated slightly, and the lid popped open. Yun Ming reached into the cauldron and took out a pill. It was the size of a longan, entirely crimson-gold, its surface covered in dense cloud patterns, with a rich fragrance and abundant medicinal properties. High Grade.

The crowd below exploded.

“High Grade! A Fourth-Rank High Grade pill!”

“He finished in one batch? And it took so little time?”

“The Heavenly Dew Spirit Nourishing Pill... he actually refined a High Grade in just one go!”

The Fourth Elder looked at that pill and remained silent for a long time. He knew Yun Ming was a powerful Alchemist, but he hadn't expected him to be this formidable. With the same techniques, the same steps, and the same heat, the elder could at most produce a high-end Medium Grade, yet Yun Ming produced a High Grade as if it were nothing. This wasn't a matter of proficiency; it was a gap in talent. Su Mubai stood to the side, saying nothing. He had long known of Yun Ming's abilities, but every time he saw it with his own eyes, he was still shocked.

Yun Ming put the pill into a jade bottle, picked up the fox, walked back to his chair, sat down, and took a sip from his teacup.

“Who else is unconvinced?” Su Mubai asked. No one in the crowd spoke.

The Fourth Elder stood up and announced the end of the trials. The crowd gradually dispersed, and the square became quiet. Yun Ming walked down the platform holding the fox, Su Mubai followed, and the Fourth Elder brought up the rear.

“Mr. Yun,” the Fourth Elder called out to him, “I have a presumptuous request.”

Yun Ming stopped, turned around, and looked at him.

“That Heavenly Dew Spirit Nourishing Pill... could you sell it to me? I will pay double the price.”

Yun Ming glanced at him, took the jade bottle from his sleeve, and tossed it over. “It's yours.”

The Fourth Elder caught the jade bottle, stunned for a moment, and then smiled. “Thank you.”

Yun Ming walked away without looking back, holding the fox. Su Mubai looked at his back and shook his head. “This person, he really is...” He didn't finish his sentence.

The Fourth Elder patted his shoulder. “Let's go, there's still much to be done.”

The two walked down the platform and disappeared into the crowd. The square was empty, with only the sound of the wind blowing across the platform. The trials were over, but the excitement in Qingyao City had not ended. The true storm was yet to come.