Chapter 589, Really Fast

Translator: Silavin

 

From the underhanded tactics employed by the Ouyang Family earlier, it was not difficult to discern that the waters of this Alchemy Manor Summit ran rather deep. Moreover, there would likely be many people targeting him!

 

However, even if this were the case, what did it matter? In order to earn the attention of the Feng Family, anyone who stood in his way would be ruthlessly trampled underfoot!

 

*Dong!* At a certain moment, the crisp sound of a bell resonated and echoed throughout the vast square.

 

At this moment, everyone’s gaze was directed towards the high platform.

 

“Congratulations to all of you for passing through the fierce competition and either maintaining or obtaining your positions on the stone platforms!”

 

Upon the elevated platform, Chen Yun spoke slowly with a smile that made people feel as refreshed as a spring breeze.

 

*Whoosh!*

 

The moment Chen Yun’s words fell, countless people in the spectator stands who had been waiting for a long time burst into excited, unanimous roars. They were cheering for these numerous talented Alchemists who were qualified to remain on the stone platforms.

 

Those who had emerged victorious from nearly a thousand participating Alchemists were without exception individuals of outstanding talent. In the future, these people all had the potential to become pillars of the Heavenly Dragon Imperial Dynasty’s Alchemy!

 

“Phew… the main event is finally about to begin.” Qin Yichen rubbed his ears, which had become somewhat numb from the earth-shattering roars, and murmured softly. At the same time, his gaze turned towards the ten stone platforms in the very centre of the square that flickered with strange light.

 

At present, they still had over a hundred people, while the final stone platforms numbered merely ten!

 

In other words, from the hundred-plus people who had emerged victorious from over a thousand participants, the vast majority would still need to be eliminated before they could ascend to the final stone platforms!

 

Naturally, he understood his own capabilities well.

 

Many people participated in the Alchemy Manor Summit merely hoping to ascend to the stone platforms. Being able to ascend to the stone platforms at the Alchemy Manor Summit would demonstrate their extraordinary abilities.

 

“As everyone knows, identifying medicinal herbs and refinement are the most fundamental and important skills for Alchemists. Therefore, the second round will test your abilities in herb identification and refinement!”

 

“Our Alchemy Council has specially prepared Medicinal Liquid extracted from two hundred types of rare medicinal herbs. You have only half an hour to identify them one by one!”

 

As Chen Yun’s words concluded, the expressions of quite a few people on the stone platforms changed.

 

The ability to identify medicinal herbs was the most basic skill for Alchemists. However, herb identification did not merely reflect an Alchemist’s capabilities, but also the influence of the Forces behind them!

 

After all, without powerful backing for support, no matter how monstrous an Alchemist might be, how many types of medicinal herbs could they possibly recognise through their own efforts alone?

 

Moreover, this herb identification required one to deduce and recognise from Medicinal Liquid!

 

Those whose expressions had turned rather unsightly were mostly Free Participants who had struggled and barely managed to pass the first round. No matter how formidable their abilities might be, they simply could not compare with those who had been cultivated with the full resources of Alchemy Council, various Alchemy Manors, and Major Families!

 

Subsequently, four staff members approached beneath each platform, carrying boxes of jade bottles. Within each jade bottle was a somewhat turbid liquid.

 

“Half an hour begins now!”

 

With the announcement, the remaining twenty-plus participants hurriedly picked up bottle after bottle of Medicinal Liquid and began their identification.

 

During the identification process, some used Spiritual Energy for detection, others observed with their eyes, and there were even those who dipped their fingers to taste small amounts.

 

Within mere minutes, many Alchemists had turned pale. Having examined fewer than ten bottles of Medicinal Liquid, more than half contained substances they had never encountered before. This filled them with despair and made them realise that the ten final platforms might be beyond their reach.

 

During the herb identification process, one young man attracted the attention of countless gazes.

 

This was none other than Qian Zhengchen, who occupied the uppermost stone platform and wore white robes. He could be seen skillfully picking up bottle after bottle of Medicinal Liquid, merely bringing them beneath his nose for a light sniff before casually setting them down. His natural and relaxed demeanour moved countless observers.

 

The Medicinal Liquid specially prepared by the Alchemy Council was certainly extracted from extremely rare medicinal herbs, yet this seemed to pose no difficulty whatsoever for Qian Zhengchen.

 

“Eh, what is Qin Yichen doing?”

 

“Wait! His speed is even faster than Qian Zhengchen’s!”

 

Just as everyone was marveling at Qian Zhengchen’s herb identification speed, suddenly an exclamation rang out. Immediately, gazes shot towards Qin Yichen’s location.

 

Upon the platform, Qin Yichen’s hands continuously picked up bottle after bottle of Medicinal Liquid, merely shaking them before his eyes once before setting them down.

 

This speed was indeed several points faster than Qian Zhengchen’s!

 

This unusual behaviour also attracted the attention of quite a few Alchemists who were identifying herbs. However, upon seeing Qin Yichen’s actions, they merely chuckled disdainfully before withdrawing their gazes.

 

“Pfft, is he identifying herbs?”

 

“Erm, he should be!”

 

“What? You truly believe he’s identifying herbs?”

 

“Of course! Didn’t you see his actions? How could he be faking it?”

 

Amidst the clamorous voices, a discordant voice immediately drew numerous contemptuous gazes.

 

As if encouraged by so much attention, the speaker proudly raised his head, then made a gesture with his hand as if picking up a jade bottle and placing it before his eyes.

 

“It must be: sigh, I don’t recognise this… Sigh, never seen this before…”

 

*Pfft…*

Hearing this sudden change in performance style immediately provoked bursts of laughter. When everyone looked towards Qin Yichen again, their gazes were filled with mockery.

 

It seemed that only this explanation could barely account for why Qin Yichen so rapidly picked up bottle after bottle of Medicinal Liquid only to quickly set them down again.

 

He simply did not recognise them at all!

 

“What a pity. I thought he might enter the final stone platforms!”

 

“What are you thinking? The Ten Corner Alchemy Manor’s results are always poor, and their resources are amongst the worst of all the Alchemy Manors. How high could the herb identification abilities of someone from there possibly be?”

 

“I knew it! That young man must have stepped in dog excrement and obtained some tremendous opportunity, which is why his Spiritual Energy became so formidable. But the fundamental skills of an Alchemist cannot be acquired through mere luck!”

 

“Indeed. Hopefully after returning this time, he’ll pay attention to his shortcomings. When he comes to the next Alchemy Manor Summit, he might just have hope of qualifying for the final stone platforms.”

 

Amidst the continuous clamour, time slowly flowed by.

 

“I’ve finished recognising them!”

 

Suddenly, a soft voice rang out from the platform. Everyone turned to look, and sure enough, it was Qin Yichen with his breakneck speed!

 

“Haha, really fast!”

 

“Could it be that he didn’t recognise a single one?”

 

Seeing him cease his actions, the several staff members also quietly wiped away perspiration. He was too bizarre. How could anyone identify herbs like this? Even the Elders of their Alchemy Council did not possess the ability to recognise herbs with a single glance.