Soul Emperor Martial God

The subsequent rankings were announced one by one.

Fourth and fifth places were taken by two other Sword Masters.

Sixth, seventh... down to thirty-sixth place.

The first round of the competition would eliminate half of the participants.

Out of 72 alchemy prodigies, only half, or 36, would advance to the second round.

At that moment, Elder Mu stood up and announced loudly, "The first round, the battle of Fire Control, has ended."

"The second round of the competition will be called Random Refining."

"The location is beneath the Medicine Tower."

"The top 36, follow me."

"The bottom 36 may join their elders to watch."

"Or they may leave Medicine King Valley now."

After saying this, Elder Mu turned and led the way.

Xiao Yi, Jie Mo, and the other top 36 followed him.

As for the bottom 36, although reluctant, they still followed.

Even though they missed the second round, going there to learn was still beneficial.

After all, their trip to Medicine King Valley was not in vain.

The Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures they obtained from the Medicine Field were a valuable asset.

Most importantly, they had operated the iron giant.

To practice their Fire Control Ability.

After this time, their Fire Control Ability would definitely improve.

Thus, the bottom 36, although discontent was evident on their faces, soon faded.

Only one person's expression was extremely distressed.

It was the Wanshan Sword Master.

With his capabilities, advancing to the second round should have been easily within reach.

And moving into the third round should have been effortless.

Yet, he was eliminated in the first round.

Upon returning to Wanshan County, he would undoubtedly become the laughingstock of the entire county.

This undoubtedly infuriated him and even brought about resentment.

His resentment wasn't directed at Ye Ming, who obtained all his treasures.

But rather at Yi Xiao and Jie Mo.

"Purple Flame Yi Xiao, Jie Mo," Wanshan Sword Master seethed internally.

"If I don't avenge this great vendetta, I swear I'm no longer human."

"Once I join the Sword Sect, and my Cultivation improves—"

"I'll settle the scores with you slowly."

Wanshan Sword Master thought to himself, clenched his teeth, and still followed the group.

In his view,

Sky-splitting Sword Sect, being the Martial Arts Holy Land of the entire Flame Martial Kingdom,

His entry as a Sword Master would surely be valued and nurtured.

And Yi Xiao was just a Demon Hunter, Jie Mo just the son of a Commandery Prince.

Given time, he would far surpass the two of them.

Little did he know, his thoughts were merely a joke.

...

The second round of the competition would be held beneath the Medicine Tower.

The third round would be inside the Medicine Tower itself.

Currently, beneath the Medicine Tower.

A crowd of alchemical prodigies, renowned alchemists, waited.

Elder Mu then directed his deacons to transport batches of ingredients to the location.

Before long, everything was ready.

Elder Mu announced loudly, "The second round, Random Refining."

"36 participants, please come forward to draw your pill recipes."

"Each person will draw three."

After saying this,

The top 36 went forward to draw their pill recipes.

The Medicine King Valley deacons had already prepared the drawing box.

Within the box, there were three hundred pill recipes.

Grades ranged from mid-grade fifth-grade to advanced sixth-grade.

There were also 10 special elixir recipes, placed at the peak of sixth-grade.

Each person would draw three pill recipes.

The outcome of this round,

Depended on the success rates of the three pill recipes.

If their success rates were the same, then the amount of ingredients used would be considered.

If the amount of ingredients was also the same,

The final ranking would then be determined by the quality of the elixir.

Inferior, qualified, good, perfect—these were the four grades of elixir quality.

However, this round did involve some luck.

If one drew three fifth-grade pill recipes, the refining would be easier.

If they drew sixth-grade elixirs, it would be more troublesome.

If they drew special recipes, it would be almost impossible to refine.

...

Of course, this round mainly tested

The alchemists' familiarity with various pill recipes and their depth of alchemic knowledge.

Many of the recipes in the box were obscure elixirs.

At least, for the ordinary young alchemical prodigies.

These obscure elixirs were mostly unheard of by them.

If an alchemist was familiar with a lot of recipes, had heard of or even personally refined them, that was naturally good.

If they hadn't heard of or made them before, they would have to study the recipes themselves.

This then tested their depth of alchemical knowledge.

The deeper the alchemical knowledge, the easier it would be to study the recipes.

This round of competition required strength, talent, and luck, none of which could be lacking.

...

Once all 36 people had drawn their pill recipes,

Each person's three recipes

Would be hung by the deacons on a large wooden board beside them.

For recording.

Xiao Yi looked at his three pill recipes.

His brow immediately furrowed.

Even the Alchemists watching the competition drew a sharp breath.

"That Purple Flame Yi Xiao, he's really out of luck," remarked one middle-aged Alchemist.

"The first pill recipe, a Sixth-grade Basic Earth Origin Pill."

"That one is still manageable."

"It was heard that he had successfully refined it during the final Alchemy competition in his own county."

"The second one, a Sixth-grade Advanced Pure Earth Origin Pill."

"He's in trouble now."

For any base-level Elixir, if it becomes a Pure Elixir,

it is elevated to an advanced Elixir within that grade.

For example, a Mysterious Profundity Pill, which is a Fourth-grade Early Stage.

But a Pure Profound Cave Pill becomes a High-level Fourth-grade.

Some well-known Alchemists around started shaking their heads.

"Refining a Sixth-grade Pure Elixir is extremely difficult."

"The Five Elements Attributes are arranged very complexly."

"Moreover, each refining session requires fresh specialization if the attributes of the Demon Beast Core differ."

"You must consider all sorts of different variations."

"To craft a Pure Earth Origin Pill, you need at least a Sixth-grade advanced Alchemist."

"To be confident of successful refinement."

"Let alone these young folks."

"Even us, the seasoned Alchemists."

"Probably only a few among us, including Elder Mo, can confidently refine it."

The focus of everyone shifted.

When they saw the third pill recipe.

The way they looked at Xiao Yi had changed.

It carried a tinge of pity and regret.

"The third pill recipe, Heavenly Will Pill."

Elder Mo's face immediately turned solemn.

Then, shaking his head.

"With Purple Flame's Alchemy Technique, he should have made it to the third round."

"But looking at it now, his luck is too bad."

"Unless something unexpected happens, this will be his stopping point."

Heavenly Will Pill is one of those ten special elixir recipes.

Positioned at the Peak of Sixth-grade.

Most importantly, this type of Elixir is extremely rare and highly effective.

Heavenly Will Pill, as the name suggests.

When Martial Artists consume it, they can sense the Heavenly Dao and fathom the will of heaven.

Within half a day, they enter the absolute state of Unity of Heaven and Man.

Greatly beneficial for Martial Artists in overcoming their bottlenecks.

What's terrifying is that the effects of this pill can be stacked.

For example, consuming ten Heavenly Will Pills amplifies the effect tenfold.

Rumor has it that many years ago, an heir of a major force in the Flame Martial Kingdom.

Reached a bottleneck at Earth Element Third Layer, unable to breakthrough for ten consecutive years.

But, after consuming thirty Heavenly Will Pills,

His bottleneck was instantly shattered.

And below Earth Origin Ninth Layer, he faced no more bottlenecks.

Afterward, the heir consumed a large quantity of Pure Elixirs.

Without any bottlenecks, his cultivation soared six layers within a week,

Reaching Earth Origin Ninth Layer.

That instance of the terrifying effects of Heavenly Will Pills left the world astounded.

Of course, this elixir, requiring dozens of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, all being rare,

And its extremely difficult refinement process.

Even Elder Mo, reputed as the First Alchemist beneath Seventh-grade,

Had no confidence in refining it.

Only a Seventh-grade Alchemist, with profound techniques,

Might possibly refine it.

No wonder, everyone now lost confidence in Purple Flame Yi Xiao.

At that moment, the Deacon of Medicine King Valley delivered batches of ingredients to Xiao Yi.

Normal pill recipes provide five sets of ingredients per recipe.

If all fail, there will be no more chances to refine that pill.

Considered a complete failure.

For special pill recipes like Heavenly Will Pill, only two sets of ingredients were given.

Simply put, the materials for Heavenly Will Pill are too precious.

Medicine King Valley would not provide too many.

Meaning, while others had fifteen sets of materials,

Xiao Yi only had twelve sets.

Xiao Yi's eyebrows furrowed deeply, his mind whispering, "Earth Origin Pill and Pure Earth Origin Pill are not a problem."

"It's this Heavenly Will Pill that's troublesome."

Suddenly, the audience exclaimed again.

"What's the matter?"

"Jie Mo and those two Sword Masters, their third pill recipe also turned out to be Heavenly Will Pills."

"Could it be that, due to bad luck, the top four of the previous round must stop here in the second round?"

Elder Mo and others commented.

Wanshan Sword Master, standing by, sneered coldly.

"Yi Xiao, Jie Mo, seems I don't even need to deal with you. You're already falling short here."

Unexpectedly, Elder Mu suddenly stood out.

He announced loudly, "Whoever draws a fifth-grade pill recipe, has a half-day limit to refine it."

"Those who draw a Sixth-grade advanced pill recipe, have two days to ponder over it."

"Those who draw the special Heavenly Will Pill recipe."

"Will receive the guidance of four elders from Medicine King Valley, dedicated to teaching for three days."

"Within these three days, you may ask anything freely, and we will withhold nothing."

"During these three days, you may also access the Medicine King Valley treasure vault."

"You may consult any Alchemy books or experiences within elder-level privileges."

Upon hearing this, everyone present changed their expressions.

Looking at Xiao Yi, Jie Mo, and the two Sword Masters, their gazes turned to pure envy.

...

...

The third update.