When the sky brightened the next day, an endless crowd streamed into the stands to watch the finals of the alchemy competition.
Without a doubt, the most crowded and lively place in the city today was the competition square.
After the news of yesterday's contest spread among the public, more and more people became excited and decided to come watch. As a result, the area was packed to the brim.
Zhang Yong and Su Ming were stunned when they arrived at the square.
"Haha, I didn't expect you to make it this far. Looks like you really do have some ability." A voice sounded from behind.
Zhang Yong and Su Ming turned around to see the two sisters of the Xue clan.
The girl with blue hair immediately stepped forward and gently tapped her sister's head. "Didn't I tell you not to behave like that? I apologize for what happened that day. I hope we can start over."
An awkward smile appeared on Zhang Yong's face. He cupped his hands and said, "Very well, it was also my fault for acting that way."
The elder sister exchanged a quick glance with her sibling before bowing slightly and smiling. "No need, after all, it would be strange to help your competitors."
At the same time, Xiao Qian and Ku Linan entered the square.
While Xiao Qian headed off to a slightly distant spot, Ku Linan approached the group.
Zhang Yong patted his shoulder gently. "Glad to see you here." Then he turned toward Su Ming. "This is Ku Linan, our new partner in work."
Su Ming smiled warmly and extended his hand to shake"Pleased to meet you, it's an honor to meet a talented person like you."
Ku Linan smiled faintly. "I'm not really one of you. That depends on whether Zhang Yong can fulfill his promise."
Zhang Yong nodded calmly. As a genius, of course Ku Linan had his pride. If not for Zhang Yong's previous performance, he wouldn't have even considered his offer.
Su Ming couldn't help but stare in amazement at Zhang Yong 'Just what kind of deal did he make to get a genius like this on our side?'
Zhang Yong leaned closer to Su Ming and whispered a few words. Su Ming replied in surprise, "Won't that be dangerous?"
Zhang Yong smiled. "It won't be, I have my ways."
He lifted his head. On the second floor, the distinguished guests had already taken their seats. When Zhang Yong's eyes met the Association President's once again, the president gave him a friendly smile, which was rather strange.
Clang!
In that instant, the sound of a bell echoed clearly across the great square.
The hostess stood atop the high platform, her gaze sweeping over the crowd before she announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, today we shall begin the final rounds of this competition!"
As her voice fell, the audience, who had been waiting eagerly for so long, immediately erupted in a thunderous roar of excitement.
Zhang Yong shifted his gaze toward Xiao Qian, who was wearing a faint smile 'As expected of the Son of Fortune, he must be hiding something'
Zhang Yong then smirked as he opened the system window:
(Xiao Qian: At the fifth layer of the Great Master stage. Once just a street beggar, but during an adventure in the mountains, he stumbled upon a treasure that changed his life. He discovered the notes of an ancient alchemist and studied them. The treasure also had the ability to enhance plants in a short time, granting him vast resources. At present, he harbors deep hatred toward the host.)
'Looks like he's the type of protagonist who can pick up a stone on the roadside and somehow it turns out to be a legendary treasure that appears once in a thousand years, Hah, his luck must be immense. Maybe he'll even be useful to me in the future'
(Mission)
(Difficulty: A
Description: Defy the Heavens
Objective: Kill Xiao Qian
Time limit: None
Reward:
– Heaven's Child exclusive item
– Fusion Card)
'I've already accepted this mission. Time to get rid of him'
The hostess clapped her hands, then continued calmly, "The third round will now begin. Contestants, please open the scrolls before you."
At that moment, members of the Association appeared carrying scrolls and medicinal herbs for each participant.
Everyone opened the scrolls and were shocked—the scrolls were written with ink.
Ordinary alchemical recipes were usually inscribed by high-level alchemists using spiritual energy, but this time was different.
Zhang Yong quietly read the formula and examined the herbs. The quantities were three times what was written—clearly, they were giving them only three attempts.
The hostess smiled at their expressions. "As you may have noticed, each participant has been given three sets of herbs to refine a third-grade pill—the Flaming Bone Pill. If you use up all three sets, you will be considered a failure. Only three out of the twenty contestants will advance."
Zhang Yong frowned as he studied the scroll. This was his first time attempting a third-grade pill!
He wasn't confident in his success rate, but if it were easy to refine, would they really have given them three sets of herbs?
Ten minutes later, everyone had started refining except Zhang Yong, who was still thinking deeply. He realized something was off.
After reading the scroll several times, he noticed: the northern serpent's bone marrow contained Yin energy, while the other ingredients were all heavily Yang in nature. The Flaming Bone Pill required massive Yang energy, and if a Yin ingredient like this was added, it would ruin the entire concoction.
Immediately, a foul stench reached Zhang Yong's nose. Black smoke burst from the cauldrons of the other contestants one after another. Their pill refinement had failed.
They had all followed the formula, and of course they knew the danger of mixing Yin into Yang, but the only one who didn't fail was Xiao Qian.
"Zhang Yong! There's a problem with the recipe!" Su Ming shouted.
In that moment, realization struck Zhang Yong like lightning. He grabbed the herbs and swallowed them one by one.
The participants and spectators were shocked. He had eaten raw herbs! They were far too potent for a human body to withstand. Everyone lowered their heads, covering their eyes, waiting for his body to explode. But all that came out was a loud burp.
Zhang Yong closed his mouth. "Oops… where are my manners."
Right away, he understood the real problem—it wasn't in the formula, but in the herbs themselves. They contained far more impurities than normal. Unless carefully purified, the pill would fail. He had discovered this thanks to his sub skill—taste.
At once, Zhang Yong used his mental power to secretly transmit the information to Su Ming and Ku, Linan.
He threw formation flags around his cauldron, then began tossing in the herbs in a specific sequence, initiating his refinement.
The crowd in the stands watched with bated breath. Their eyes moved from cauldron to cauldron, but while most contestants had either failed or were struggling, the cauldron before Zhang Yong remained stable, glowing with a warm, radiant light.
The Association President's eyes lit up with admiration. "So he found the problem… this boy is truly gifted. He is worthy of being the heir to the Heavenly Pill King."
Unlike the others, who were sweating and straining, Zhang Yong remained incredibly calm.
As time passed, the herbs in his cauldron dissolved and merged, forming a thick, bright red liquid. At that moment, he tossed in the serpent bone marrow, and the liquid began to shift quietly.
'According to Wu Ruxian, Yin and Yang merging can be catastrophic, but Yin and Yang can also attract one another. Destroying the balance palm method will do the trick'.
Instantly, golden flames surged from his hands.
On the other side, Xiao Qian suddenly shouted, "Trash, gather around! Witness my true power!"
With those words, he slapped the cauldron. Nine golden dragons burst forth into the sky, soaring majestically before spiraling back down into his cauldron, dancing in harmony around it.
The Association President stood up, shocked. "This… the Nine Dragon Summoning Art!"
His words caught everyone's attention. Gasps of awe echoed through the crowd.
Xiao Qian grinned proudly, reveling in the attention. "As expected. Once this technique is complete, none of you will be able to surpass me."
In contrast, Zhang Yong remained calm, his focus unwavering.
Suddenly, his cauldron trembled, releasing a crimson light that shot toward the heavens, surrounded by golden fiery rings like dazzling stars in a dark night.
"What is that?!" someone cried in astonishment.
Then the crimson light compressed back into the cauldron, returning everything to normal.
Zhang Yong glanced sideways at Xiao Qian, sneering inwardly 'He looks so focused… it'd be such a shame if his cauldron exploded and killed him'
With that thought, Zhang Yong unleashed a wave of the Nightmare King's Skull. The moment it struck Xiao Qian—
His body convulsed violently, as though something heavy had slammed into his spirit.
His eyes widened, sweat pouring down his face. The golden dragons around his cauldron faltered, losing their rhythm.
Suddenly he screamed hysterically. His cauldron exploded from within, sending fiery shrapnel flying in all directions.
It blasted straight into Xiao Qian's face, hurling him across the arena until he slammed into the wall, blood streaming from his head and body.
Zhang Yong immediately extinguished his flame and rushed over, shouting, "Stay back! I'm a doctor, I can check him!"
A referee from the Association was already at his side. Zhang Yong placed one hand on Xiao Qian's wrist and the other on his forehead, his eyes widening in apparent horror as he muttered with a trembling voice, "His spiritual sea… has been destroyed!"
A deathly silence fell over the arena. Nobody had expected such a dramatic turn. Just moments ago, Xiao Qian had dominated the spotlight, and now he lay broken and moaning on the ground.
"Damn it!" Zhang Yong slammed his fist to the ground. "You can't fail like this! Do you hear me, Xiao Qian? Aren't you my rival? Why lose control at the very last moment!" A tear slid down his face.
The referee sighed regretfully. A prodigy had been lost at such a young age. He lifted Xiao Qian's body. "Contestant Xiao Qian will be sent for treatment. The competition will continue."
Zhang Yong walked back with heavy steps, as if grief weighed him down. He kept the pained expression on his face until the very end.
The crowd's gazes toward him were filled with sympathy, pity, and respect all at once.
A prodigy who longed for a worthy rival… even giving up his own refinement to check on his opponent… Zhang Yong's image in their hearts had completely transformed into one of admiration and sorrow.
Secretly, Zhang Yong smirked. The seed has been planted successfully.
(Scales: 70%)
The only ones unconvinced were Ku Linan and Su Ming. Su Ming was already shocked to see Zhang Yong crying, while Ku Linan knew the truth from the night before.
In his heart, Ku Linan decided to acknowledge Zhang Yong. If he had killed Xiao Qian outright yesterday, punishment would've followed. But if Xiao Qian "died" in an explosion before everyone's eyes, nobody would ever suspect a thing.
At the same time, Ku Linan had finished his refinement, earning first place.
Zhang Yong returned to his cauldron to continue. He had already wasted the first set of herbs by eating them, and the second by putting the fire down This was his last chance—if he failed, he would lose completely.
About ten minutes later, Su Ming finished and secured second place.
While refining, Zhang Yong heard the roar of the crowd, their eyes fixed on him.
'This will be easy' he thought coldly, adding the final ingredient with care.
The square held its breath, waiting. A crimson beam shot forth, followed by the same dazzling process as before. Then the red light drew back into the cauldron.
"It's forming…!" Su Ming whispered with excitement, his eyes widening as he watched closely. Many competitors also turned, fear and awe in their eyes.
At that moment, a faint hum came from Zhang Yong's cauldron, like the fluttering of giant butterfly wings. The crimson light thickened, condensed into a glowing flame, and then gradually shrank.
With a soft crack, a golden spark burst forth. When Zhang Yong opened the cauldron, a light-red pill floated out, landing gently in his hand.
The hostess's voice rang out: "Thus, the third round of the competition concludes with Ku Linan taking first place!"
Although the audience felt a twinge of regret—Zhang Yong could have been first if not for the accident—his reputation and place in their hearts had already risen tremendously.