Chapter 591, Taking Down One Round

Translator: Silavin

 

“What the heck is going on? Keeping us in suspense like this!?”

 

Seeing this Elder’s actions, the audience who had originally been watching with an attitude of enjoying the show seemed to sense something was amiss. On the high platform, the eyes of the two great figures, Dan Xuan and Chen Yun, also narrowed slightly.

 

Finally, after letting out a long breath, this Elder’s eyes slowly opened. However, those with sharp eyes were astonished to discover that within this Elder’s eyes, there seemed to be a crystalline gleam.

 

“In all the Alchemy Manor Summits I have witnessed, there have been five or six occasions, but someone like this, I am seeing for the first time!”

 

A somewhat grave voice slowly emerged from the Elder’s mouth. Upon hearing these words, quite a few people could not help but burst into laughter. Never mind five or six Alchemy Manor Summits, even in the records of Alchemy Council, no one would dare to be so wilful at an Alchemy Manor Summit!

 

“Ten minutes’ time, Medicinal Liquid from two hundred rare medicinal herbs, all completely correct. Had I not witnessed it with my own eyes, I would truly doubt the authenticity of this matter…”

 

Amidst the waves of mocking laughter, this Elder’s voice did not pause in the slightest but slowly resounded throughout.

 

“…”

 

As his words fell, the originally clamorous entire square suddenly fell silent. Each person who had originally been ridiculing Qin Yichen now seemed as though gripped by an invisible giant hand around their necks, their faces flushed red, yet unable to utter a single sound.

 

The hundred or so fellow competitors were also wearing expressions of bewilderment at this moment. Having identified the Medicinal Liquid themselves, they were most clearly aware that these two hundred types in the Medicinal Liquid were each refined from rare medicinal herbs. To recognise them all required profound knowledge!

 

The arrogant expression on Qian Zhengchen’s face also restrained itself slightly, and within his eyes, a trace of surprise flickered.

 

After quite a long time, that deathly silence was finally broken by heavy breathing, while whispers constantly arose.

 

“Less than ten minutes, all identified correctly. This… how is this possible!”

 

“Even the Elders of Alchemy Council wouldn’t be this extraordinary, right?”

 

“Indeed, how is this possible!?”

 

These whispered conversations quickly transformed into waves of doubt. Less than ten minutes to identify all two hundred types in the Medicinal Liquid; this was simply too exaggerated.

 

However, they had no idea that if not for fearing his feats would be too shocking to the world, Qin Yichen would only need a single glance to know those two hundred types of herbs. Even the age and quantity of the medicinal herbs would all be known to him!

 

If he did not possess even this most basic skill, could he have become a renowned Alchemy Saint in his previous life?

 

“Elder Wu, Elder Lin, you also go and examine this!”

 

On the high platform, Chen Yun frowned. Finally, facing the countless waves of doubt, she still spoke. Subsequently, behind her, two elderly men nodded and also walked down the high platform, proceeding towards Qin Yichen’s direction.

 

Originally, results announced by the Alchemy Council would never be questioned by anyone, especially when spoken from an Elder’s mouth. However, this result was truly incomprehensible to many. Chen Yun’s action was also to prove the fairness and impartiality of the Alchemy Council!

 

Moments later, those two Elders also finished their examination. The shocked expressions on their faces showed no trace of deception, which immediately caused those waves of doubt to be completely extinguished. Shortly afterwards, the sounds of doubt were thoroughly replaced by exclamations of amazement reserved for the strong.

 

“Damn. From the first round, I knew he was unfathomable. Just like I thought this would play out!”

 

“He is too terrifying. This kind of ability… Without decades or centuries of accumulation, how did he achieve this!”

 

“Compared to this, even Qian Zhengchen falls short, no?”

 

“This is merely the most basic herb identification. Alchemy itself involves far more than just identifying and distinguishing herbs!”

 

…

 

Finally, in the second round’s herb identification, Qin Yichen took first place with absolutely crushing results!

 

Regarding this score personally verified by three Elders, no one dared doubt it any longer. Many people who had originally not favoured Qin Yichen, when looking towards him again, no longer had that mocking expression in their eyes. There was only awe and reverence for the strong!

 

“As everyone knows, in Alchemy, the refinement of medicinal herbs is an extremely important step. The next test will examine one of the most fundamental skills of Alchemy Masters… refinement!”

 

“The final scores of herb identification and refinement will determine whether you can ascend further!”

 

Just as many people were recovering from their earlier shock, at Chen Yun’s indication, an Elder behind her stepped forward, and his voice resounded from the high platform.

 

Simultaneously, a row of golden-armoured guards, each pair carrying a Pill Furnace, placed them upon twenty or so stone platforms.

 

“These are the Pill Furnaces our Alchemy Council has specially prepared for you. Each Pill Furnace has the same effect. Beside the Pill Furnaces, the medicinal herbs for testing have also been prepared. What you need to do is refine them to your utmost limit in the shortest time possible!”

 

“Similarly, you have an hour’s time. The final results will be ranked by the number of cycles in your refinement and the degree of purity!”

 

As the words concluded, another two golden-armoured guards carried over an hourglass and placed it in the centre of the square.

 

“Very well, begin!”

 

With this declaration, the hourglass was turned over, and the twenty-odd competitors on the platforms immediately sprang into action.

 

However, upon seeing the item prepared for them this time, many competitors’ hands could not help but violently tremble.

 

In the jade boxes beside the Pill Furnaces lay fruits that were entirely crimson red. Were it not for a faint fragrance, from a distance one would truly suspect these might be stones that had just flowed from molten lava.

 

“Crimson Rock Fruits! My God, Alchemy Council is truly generous!”

 

“To completely purify a Crimson Rock Fruit, one needs to be at least an Earth Grade Alchemy Master!”

 

“Indeed, ordinary Spiritual Rupture Realm Alchemy Masters would not even begin to complete one cycle of refinement!”

 

“Haha, this time, it seems quite a few people will be embarrassed!”

 

In the audience stands, there was no shortage of knowledgeable individuals. Upon seeing those Crimson Rock Fruits, exclamations immediately arose.

 

Crimson Rock Fruits were fruits that grew in molten lava. Due to the characteristics of their growing environment, these fruits were more resistant to burning and simultaneously more difficult to refine and purify!

 

For this Summit’s refinement round, the time given to everyone was merely an hour!

 

In an hour, ordinary Spiritual Rupture Realm Alchemy Masters would do very well to complete even one cycle of refinement of a Crimson Rock Fruit!

 

To avoid the embarrassment of not completing even one cycle of refinement, most of the Alchemy Masters on the platforms hastily began refining.