Top-tier Unruly Master

At this moment, the City Lord saw the expressions of the people in the hall and couldn't help but feel deeply shocked in his heart. What on earth was this young man talking about? Just a few words from him had caused everyone to ponder for such a long time. One should know that none of these elders were anything short of formidable, especially in alchemy. Except for Elder Wang, who was a Grade Eight Alchemist, most of the others were Seventh Grade Alchemists.

Alchemists of this level were already quite impressive, yet they still started reflecting upon hearing the young man's words. One should know what these alchemists have not witnessed; especially Elder Wang, who was a Grade Eight Alchemist and still gained an enlightenment in alchemy because of the young man's few words. This was simply unbelievable! Although the City Lord was not an alchemist, he was quite familiar with the field.

He was very aware that improving in alchemy was far more difficult than the improvement in the cultivation of the average cultivator. Not to mention those like Elder Wang, a Grade Eight Alchemist, standing already at high levels, improvements in alchemy were evidently even more challenging. Yet Elder Wang had an enlightenment just because of a few words from that young man, which was extraordinarily rare.

For a moment, even the City Lord gained a whole new understanding of that young man. Clearly, this young man was more formidable than he had imagined. At this moment, an idea suddenly struck the City Lord, but he knew that this thought was of great significance, and he needed to be very cautious with any decision he made. Subsequently, the City Lord began to ponder his idea carefully.

Among everyone in the hall, the one who appeared calm, even with some unpleasantness on his face, was the Vice City Lord Sun Long. Clearly, Sun Long already had a detailed plan in mind, but it was suddenly disrupted by the emergence of Ding Lin. Moreover, Sun Long remembered his son's words about Ding Lin's alchemy cauldron, which seemed extraordinary.

Sun Long knew that the medicine pills refined by the other party were indeed of supreme quality. If it were truly due to the alchemy cauldron, then this cauldron would be too miraculous. However, Sun Long was willing to believe that the alchemy cauldron was not an ordinary object, for the vast Cultivation World holds countless mysteries, nothing to be surprised about. Clearly, he was already eyeing Ding Lin's alchemy cauldron.

After all, possessing that alchemy cauldron himself was evidently a splendid thing. Medicine pills of supreme quality were coveted not only by cultivators like Sun Long at the Distraction Stage but also highly valued by those at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage. These were already top-tier existence among medicine pills.

Clearly, Sun Long had completely set his sights on Ding Lin, and considering that his own son had some disputes with Lin, it was natural for him to find an opportunity to handle the matter. After all, he couldn't let Lin disrupt his plans.

After a while, everyone seemed to have finished thinking. Many of the alchemist elders were shocked, unable to believe this young alchemist had such profound insights into ancient pill recipes in such a short time. Many cultivators greatly benefited in just a short period. At this time, many elders stood up and respectfully thanked Elder Wang:

"Thank you, Elder Wang, for sharing generously; I've benefited greatly!"

"Indeed, thank you, Brother Wang!"

"Thank you, Brother Wang!"

...

For a time, most of the alchemist elders stood up and respectfully thanked Elder Wang. Evidently, Elder Wang's recount of Ding Fan's words was still very useful to these alchemist elders, and the aid was substantial. Elder Wang was not a stingy person. Since he himself had benefited, he was obviously willing to tell everyone else since he had been friends with these elders for many years.

Seeing everyone's courteous attitude towards him, Elder Wang couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed and then slightly shyly said:

"Why thank me! If you want to thank someone, thank Ding Lin! I only shared what he discussed with me!"

Upon hearing Elder Wang's words, everyone immediately fell silent. Initially, they thought Dancheng had discovered an alchemic genius, but now it seemed that the other party was not just a genius but also an exceptionally outstanding alchemist. Some elders present had to admit that this young man's alchemy level even surpasses their own. This was simply unbelievable!

To know that they were nearly a hundred years old, and the other party was merely a young man in his early twenties, yet his alchemy level surpassed their own—this was all too unbelievable! The difference between one person and another was ultimately too great.

"I must confess, somewhat ashamed, that this young man's alchemy level is above mine, making me feel rather embarrassed to be a judge!"

At this moment, an elder's face turned somewhat serious and ashamed, clearly speaking the hearts of most elders. Evidently, many elders already sensed that the other party's alchemy level was indeed above theirs.

"Old Fang's words are true! It's quite embarrassing indeed! I also have to admit that the other party's alchemy level might be even more brilliant than mine!"

"Yes, yes..."

"Indeed..."

...

For a moment, several elders couldn't help but wear extremely serious expressions and said, indicating that these elders were not only exceptional in their alchemy skills but were also very upright individuals. It was clear that some elders had previously misunderstood this young man, mistaking him for a troublemaking clown. Only now did they realize that he was not only a peerless genius but also an incredibly outstanding alchemist, even surpassing their own alchemy levels.

"Even I have to admit..."

At this moment, upon hearing everyone's words, Elder Wang couldn't help but sigh and slowly said. Clearly, Elder Wang's meaning was very obvious, and everyone was shocked. They never expected that even Elder Wang would think that the other's alchemy skill surpassed his own. This was somewhat shocking, considering that Elder Wang was a Grade Eight Alchemist. Could it be that the other was a Grade Nine Alchemist?

Everyone was extremely shocked but dared not admit it. After all, this was quite a blow to them, knowing the young man was just in his early twenties and already a Grade Nine Alchemist. This was simply too shocking.

"There's no need for everyone to be disheartened, although the other's alchemy skill is impressive, the other is, after all, still a contestant, and you are judges. No matter how high their alchemy skill is, the best evaluation is clearly up to us to determine!"

At this moment, an odd voice came, the speaker being Sun Long. Hearing Elder Wang and others' words, he couldn't help but feel very disordered inside. Apparently, he couldn't believe this fellow was so powerful, even surpassing Elder Wang's alchemy level, but Sun Long's heart was clearly very unyielding, and he became even more determined to eliminate this Ding Lin.

After all, this Ding Lin obviously had too much impact on his plan. It must be known that the treasure for the champion of this Great Alchemy Competition was a must-have for him, and he would absolutely not allow this Ding Lin to disrupt it.

At this point, upon hearing Sun Long's words, the cultivators on Sun Long's side quickly started to support Sun Long and speak up for him.

"Yes, the Vice City Lord is right. Even if the other's alchemy skill surpasses all the elders, he's still here to participate in the Great Alchemy Competition, so he has to listen to us!"

"I think so too!"

...

Apparently, the middle-aged men on Sun Long's side couldn't help but speak to everyone. At this moment, the elders with Elder Wang clearly didn't agree, but they said nothing, knowing the words made sense, despite the other's extraordinary talent and even surpassing them in alchemy level, as he still participated in the Great Alchemy Competition.

No matter how young, his alchemy skill surpassing theirs clearly made them uncomfortable. They felt very ashamed, but this was actually a very normal reaction. Clearly, not only them, but any ordinary alchemist in their place would feel it more keenly, as these elders were all exceptionally talented alchemists themselves.

After all, most alchemists were not as skilled as they were. There's no need to mention how an average alchemist would feel in the face of Ding Fan's prowess.

"Everyone, don't lose heart! This is actually a good thing. We are all contributors, the heroes of Donglai Continent, and of the Cultivation World. If we hadn't discovered this legendary alchemy prodigy, this genius alchemist named Ding Lin might very well have been buried and not recognized, Vice City Lord's words may not sound pleasant, but they are indeed true!"

The City Lord saw some disheartenment amongst everyone and said a few encouraging words. He knew that these elders and cultivators present were no children; they were aware of the reality, only experiencing some feelings of defeat. As the City Lord, he need not persuade them, but merely dispelling some negative emotions would be enough.

Though the City Lord knew his words might not have much effect since emotions are not easily dismissed, as the leader of Dancheng, his words carried weight. Even if they didn't fully accept his words, at least they wouldn't think too much either. He also felt that his own plan was gradually maturing, a plan he wished to share with everyone.

The alchemist elders, upon hearing the City Lord's words, seemed somewhat affected, especially as the City Lord had spoken, realizing they could no longer dwell on scattered thoughts.

The City Lord saw that the atmosphere had somewhat improved and said to everyone:

"I've come up with an idea, would you all help me analyze it?"

Hearing the City Lord's words, everyone naturally focused all their attention on him, clearly wanting to hear what kind of idea the City Lord had.

The City Lord, seeing that everyone's attention was on him, spoke up:

"I have decided to directly award the best prize of this Great Alchemy Competition to Ding Lin, presenting the champion's reward directly to Ding Lin! Doing so will demonstrate our sincerity in wanting to maintain good relations with him. After all, the strength of the other party should be clear to all participating alchemists, as he is young, yet his alchemy level is not lesser than Elder Wang's. If the City Lord Mansion can form an alliance with such a talented and top-tier alchemist, it would be extremely beneficial. Besides, for other participating alchemists, it's also obvious they can see the gap between themselves and Ding Lin. I believe no one would oppose this decision. The audience will also understand!"