"Tang Sheng, do you really mean to let this brat become the chief alchemist of Baodan Pavilion?"
Zhu Mingyuan's face was so dark it seemed like ink would drip from it.
Tang Sheng's response was light, almost dismissive."Is there a problem?"
"If you want this kid to take my position," Zhu Mingyuan sneered coldly, "you'd better ask your father if he agrees."
"This isn't necessary."
Tang Sheng waved his hand, his tone sharp as a blade."As the future successor of Baodan Pavilion, my words represent his."
"Good. Very good."
Zhu Mingyuan laughed in fury, his teeth grinding audibly."Tang Sheng, I hope you won't regret this decision!"
"Even if this brat beat me just now, it was pure dumb luck. Don't forget—" he raised his voice so all could hear, "—I am the only second-grade high-level alchemist in Baodan Pavilion!"
He pounded his chest with pride."I refine half of Baodan Pavilion's Grade-Two pills! Replace me with this badge-less child, and you court disaster!"
Jiang Chen finally chuckled, a sound so casual it made Zhu Mingyuan's blood boil.
"Do you think being a second-grade alchemist is so impressive?"
His voice turned cold, sharp as a whip.
"It seems you're still not convinced after your loss. Fine." Jiang Chen took a step forward, his gaze locking onto Zhu Mingyuan like a predator. "Let's compete again."
"Take out your strongest skill, refine your highest-grade pill—and I'll make you admit defeat with no room left for excuses."
Zhu Mingyuan's pupils contracted."Boy, is this what you said?"
"Exactly." Jiang Chen's tone didn't waver."If you win, I'll leave Baodan Pavilion this instant—without a word of complaint."
"Fine!" Zhu Mingyuan barked. "Prepare three sets of Qi Gathering Pill materials for me!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
The Qi Gathering Pill—a second-grade high-level pill. Nearing the very peak of Grade Two.
If Jiang Chen wanted to surpass this, he'd need to refine… a third-grade pill.
The thought alone made even the onlookers shiver.
"Brother Jiang Chen…" Tang Sheng whispered, his face tight with concern."Are you certain? He's going for a Grade-Two high-level pill. To defeat him, you'd…"
"…need to refine a Grade-Three pill."
Jiang Chen didn't even blink.
"Prepare his materials."
His confident smile didn't falter."Don't worry. His little tricks won't beat me."
Tang Sheng inhaled sharply.
Could it be…?
Could Jiang Chen actually refine a Grade-Three pill?
Suppressing his shock, Tang Sheng immediately ordered the attendants to fetch the Qi Gathering Pill ingredients.
Zhu Mingyuan inspected the materials, then began.
His movements were careful, every gesture deliberate—he couldn't afford mistakes.
Even so, the first attempt failed when he miscalculated the timing for combining essences, the pill furnace emitting a puff of bitter smoke.
The second attempt went smoother—after meticulous effort, he finally formed a single Qi Gathering Pill.
"Boy," Zhu Mingyuan exhaled with smug relief, raising the finished pill for all to see. "The second-grade high-level Qi Gathering Pill. Let's see how you plan to surpass me this time!"
Jiang Chen didn't even look at the pill.
He simply chuckled, his words ringing through the hall like a thunderclap:
"That's it? You're proud of this?"
He stepped to the furnace, his gaze cutting Zhu Mingyuan down like a blade.
"What's a second-grade pill worth?"
He raised his hand, his tone unshakable:
"I can refine a third-grade pill."