101: Best of five games, Dandao competition

“……”

The civil and military officials looked at Ji Yuehua, Second Princess of East Zhou, curious about what kind of sparring she wanted.

However, according to custom, typical sparring usually involved civil contests, martial contests, and some unconventional ones.

Ji Yuehua, Second Princess of East Zhou softly said, “The Eastern Zhou youths I’ve brought this time are widely knowledgeable. How about we have a multi-faceted sparring match? A civil contest, alchemy, Restriction, and a martial contest. The civil contest will be split into two parts: poetry and chess. That makes a total of five matches, best three out of five!”

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded slightly. Such a sparring match was not unreasonable and well within acceptable limits.

“Alchemy, Restriction?”

Xie Weilou’s heart stirred. This would be an opportunity to witness something new.

The Xia Emperor smiled and said, “Then let it be as Second Princess suggests. However, since it’s a sparring match, there must naturally be some rewards.”

With a wave of his hand, five items flew out: a scroll, an ancient book, an ancient guqin, a long sword, and a pill.

The Xia Emperor explained, “The scroll and ancient book contain a movement technique and a sword scripture. This guqin and long sword are Spirit Artifacts that I acquired by chance; they are quite good treasures. As for this pill, it’s not simple at all. It’s a Four-Pattern Divine Treasure Pill.”

“A Four-Pattern Divine Treasure Pill!”

A glint flashed in everyone’s eyes.

For cultivators in the Territory Expansion Realm, the Divine Treasure Pill was incredibly important, as it could increase their chances of entering the Dao Repository Realm.

The Divine Treasure Pill was very peculiar; based on the patterns refined by the alchemist, it was divided into one to nine patterns. The more patterns, the stronger the medicinal effect.

Even a One-Pattern Divine Treasure Pill was extremely precious, let alone a Four-Pattern one.

“……”

Xie Weilou glanced at the pill. The one Xie Bian had given him earlier was a Six-Pattern Divine Treasure Pill, which was quite a bit higher in grade than this Four-Pattern one.

The Xia Emperor chuckled, “Best three out of five. Whichever side wins, these five items will go to that side. As for how these items are distributed, the victors of the sparring match can discuss it among themselves.”

Ji Yuehua, Second Princess of East Zhou bowed, “That would be excellent!”

She gently waved her hand.

A young man from Eastern Zhou stepped forward. He was dressed in a fiery red robe, and a strong aura of flames emanated from him.

Ji Yuehua, Second Princess of East Zhou said to the Xia Emperor, “For the first round, let’s spar in the Dao of alchemy. This is our Eastern Zhou’s young alchemist, Chiyan. Can Great Xia send a young alchemist to spar with him?”

Yan Junlin and the others looked at Chiyan, their faces thoughtful, as they had not heard of this person.

They would naturally not participate in today’s matches themselves, at most letting the invited individuals step forward.

Unless Ji Yuehua, Second Princess of East Zhou also participated, then they might consider sparring with her.

The Xia Emperor glanced at the young people present, “There should be young alchemists here today. For the first match, who will step forward?”

“……”

The young people of Great Xia present fell silent.

In such a sparring match, if they performed poorly, it would bring shame to Great Xia and allow Eastern Zhou to gain an advantage.

Thus, even if they wanted to show off today, they dared not step forward casually.

Seeing the silence, the Xia Emperor smiled indifferently, not saying much, but a hint of displeasure flickered deep in his eyes.

Yan Wuhai rose and bowed, “Reporting to Imperial Father, this son has coincidentally invited a young alchemist. How about letting him take this round?”

Beside Yan Wuhai, a young man in a gray robe with an arrogant demeanor stood up. He bowed to the Xia Emperor, “Reporting to Your Majesty, I am Lu Xing, a Holy Courtyard's Disciples. I can spar with the Eastern Zhou alchemist in this round.”

The Xia Emperor smiled and said, “Alright!”

He then looked at Chiyan, “For this round, let’s keep it simple. Refine the pill you are most proficient in. Whoever refines a higher-grade pill wins. We can provide any medicinal ingredients you need.”

“Reporting to the Xia Emperor, I have brought my own medicinal ingredients.”

Chiyan bowed.

Lu Xing cupped his fists and said, “I have also brought my own medicinal ingredients.”

“Good! Then you may begin. You have half an hour.”

The Xia Emperor waved his hand gently.

Chiyan and Lu Xing walked to the center of the hall.

Lu Xing glanced at Chiyan indifferently, saying arrogantly, “No matter what pill you refine, you are bound to lose today. If you know what’s good for you, you should surrender early!”

Chiyan showed a smile, “We’ll only know after competing. I also want to test the strength of a Holy Courtyard's Disciples alchemist. I hope you don’t disappoint me.”

“Ignorant!”

Lu Xing sneered. With a flick of his hand, a bronze alchemy furnace flew before him, and then he took out numerous medicinal ingredients.

Buzz!

He formed a hand seal, and a ball of blue flame instantly appeared in his hand. As soon as this flame appeared, the temperature throughout the entire hall suddenly dropped.

“Beast Flame!”

Everyone glanced at it, showing surprise.

There were many types of alchemical flames. Some alchemists could condense alchemical flames with spiritual energy, or draw upon earth vein fires. Beyond that, more advanced types included Beast Flames and Exotic Flames.

Beast Flames originated from some special demonic beasts. High-grade Beast Flames were extremely rare and sought after by alchemists. Lu Xing’s Beast Flame looked quite extraordinary.

Lu Xing looked at Chiyan, saying with a playful smile, “This is the Beast Flame of a Level Four demonic beast, the Skyflame Python. I heard Eastern Zhou is barren; you probably don’t have such a Beast Flame, do you?”

“……”

Chiyan smiled, taking out a black alchemy furnace and many medicinal ingredients.

Buzz!

Then, a ball of black raging flame emerged from his body. The aura of this flame was extremely terrifying. The moment it appeared, Lu Xing’s Beast Flame immediately trembled unceasingly.

“This is……”

Lu Xing’s expression changed when he saw Chiyan’s flame. He could feel his own Beast Flame trembling in fear, somewhat out of control.

Chiyan’s flame also made him feel an inexplicable palpitation. The grade of this flame was higher than the Beast Flame in his hand.

The Xia Emperor looked at Chiyan’s Beast Flame and mused, “Black Gold Blaze, the Beast Flame of a Level Five demonic beast, the Blazing Black Gold Eagle.”

“It’s actually a Level Five Beast Flame.”

Everyone present showed surprise. A Level Five demonic beast’s Beast Flame was no ordinary item. Lu Xing’s Beast Flame was simply incomparable to it.

Chiyan smiled indifferently, “Indeed, it is the Black Gold Blaze!”

He looked at Lu Xing, “How do you find my Beast Flame?”

“Hmph!”

Lu Xing snorted coldly, “What if the Beast Flame’s grade is higher? Ultimately, it still depends on alchemy!”

“Heh heh!”

Chiyan’s smile was playful. With a flick of his finger, the Black Gold Blaze enveloped the alchemy furnace. He threw a medicinal herb into it, quickly beginning to melt it.

Lu Xing was not to be outdone and immediately controlled his flame, beginning alchemy.

“Alchemist competitions compare alchemy furnaces, alchemical flames, flame control techniques, and pill grades…”

Xie Weilou stared at the two alchemists, feeling a little emotional. In terms of alchemy, he knew nothing. He had to learn all of this!

Who wouldn’t want to get stronger by consuming pills?

“Kid, do you want to learn alchemy? As long as you release me, I can teach you alchemy, artifact refinement, Restriction, array formations, inscription…”

A slightly hoarse, low voice entered Xie Weilou’s mind. This voice came from the ten thousand souls banner.

That old fellow had not yet been refined!