Top-tier Unruly Master

He Qianyao saw Ding Fan come out, and couldn't help but feel highly anticipatory about Ding Fan's upcoming performance. As for the beautiful woman who was causing quite a stir in the audience, He Qianyao was not interested. After all, it had nothing to do with her, even though the other person was very attractive. However, in He Qianyao's heart, she still had a certain impression of the beautiful woman, because she was just too stunning.

At this moment, Elder Wang saw Ding Fan come out, and his eyes instantly lit up. Clearly, he had always been looking forward to Ding Lin's appearance, and now the moment had finally arrived. As Ding Fan inadvertently glanced at Elder Wang, Elder Wang couldn't help but break into a bright smile. Evidently, Elder Wang was very friendly towards Ding Fan, as he was not just an alchemical genius; he was beyond being described by such a term. One must know that even Elder Wang's alchemy level didn't dare claim to be more powerful than Ding Fan's. For someone of Ding Fan's age to possess such alchemy skills was truly impressive!

Ding Fan evidently saw Elder Wang's bright smile and returned a faint smile.

Not only did the audience outside witness this scene and have their jaws drop, but the judges in the judge area were also taken aback when they saw Elder Wang's reaction. Evidently, they hadn't expected Elder Wang to be so polite to Ding Lin. One should know that Elder Wang normally wouldn't even smile at the city lord, yet he was beaming brightly at such a young person. This was simply too exaggerated!

For a moment, the judges were shocked, but they clearly understood that although Ding Fan was a young alchemist, his alchemy level was top-notch, even surpassing the older alchemists present. After all, none of the judges dared to confidently claim they could refine a supreme quality medicine pill in less than half an hour, something they simply could not accomplish. Achieving the supreme quality medicine pill was no joke, as obtaining a Lianzi supreme quality medicine pill was incredibly challenging!

Shortly after, Ding Fan followed the other participating alchemists into the Great Alchemy Competition arena. Evidently, the audience outside continued to cheer incessantly. Watching Ding Fan walk into the arena, the audience became even more excited, clearly anticipating Ding Fan's performance in this round of the competition. After all, Ding Lin had given everyone a huge surprise in the first round of the competition.

Moreover, he was known as the legendary youth who revealed the preservation method of the alchemy cauldron. Ding Lin's name had long been spreading widely. However, in face of this Great Alchemy Competition, many people began to worry about Ding Fan's results. After all, regardless of Elder Herr or the suspected cheater Zhang Hao, clearly their pill recipes were highly impressive.

Surpassing them seemed like a daunting task in everyone's mind. After all, Elder Herr had written a pill recipe with nine types of spiritual materials. If it weren't for Zhang Hao's appearance, clearly the second round of the Great Alchemy Competition would have gone to Elder Herr. Not to mention Zhang Hao, people didn't know how he did it; he only refined a third-grade medicine pill in the first round.

Apparently, such a result was very ordinary. But in the second round of the competition, he wrote a recipe with twelve types of spiritual materials, a feat that was simply too unbelievable. Such results left not only the audience in shock but also the judges and even Elder Wang astonished. After all, Zhang Hao displayed only average alchemical talent in the first round.

In the world of alchemy, a rapid advancement of such magnitude within a short time was inconceivable. Therefore, not just the audience but even Elder Wang believed that Zhang Hao must have used some special means to write so many spiritual material pill recipes, clearly indicating he had cheated. However, no one found any evidence of his cheating.

Thus, even though it was known that Zhang Hao had cheated, the competition proceeded normally. Elder Wang was not overly concerned. After all, in the Great Alchemy Competition, no one was a fool. Even without evidence, Elder Wang was confident he could determine whether Zhang Hao was a true genius alchemist or a cheater. However, now was not the time for such reflections; evidently, this revelation would occur towards the end of the competition.

But Elder Wang had high expectations for Ding Fan, wondering what surprises Ding Fan might bring him in this Great Alchemy Competition. Would Ding Lin's results surpass those of Elder Herr, or even Zhang Hao's? Elder Wang truly couldn't say at this moment. Although Zhang Hao cheated, his alchemy skills were roughly comparable to those of an eighth-grade alchemist.

Nonetheless, Elder Wang had a feeling that Ding Lin's alchemy level might even exceed his own. Although this hadn't been proven, Elder Wang's instincts were always quite accurate. Therefore, he wondered if Ding Lin might achieve first place in the second round of the competition. If he truly did, it would indeed be spectacular.

If his score surpassed that of the cheating Zhang Hao, it would certainly be an exhilarating outcome. Elder Wang knew that all would soon be revealed.

At this moment, the audience outside saw Ding Fan enter the Great Alchemy Competition, and for a moment they started to chatter.

"What do you think Ding Lin's results will be this time?"

"Isn't it obvious? He'll surely take first place! That's a given!"

"Not necessarily. You know, Ding Lin is not only facing Elder Herr but also Zhang Hao, who has written twelve Spiritual Material Pill Recipes—an extraordinary achievement. Even if Ding Lin surpasses Elder Herr, he may not surpass Zhang Hao!"

"That's true, but Zhang Hao is just too detestable. To think he wrote so many Spiritual Material Pill Recipes, yet I still have great confidence in Brother Dalin!"

"What good is confidence? Even if Ding Lin is outstanding, he can't possibly write more than twelve Spiritual Material Pill Recipes. That is a level beyond imagination."

"Oh, I'm so worried about Brother Dalin..."

"..."

For a moment, everyone couldn't help but worry about Ding Fan. Although Ding Lin's performance in the first round of the Great Alchemy Competition was a pleasant surprise for everyone, facing Zhang Hao's exceptionally high achievements is clearly something even Ding Fan may not surpass. After all, Zhang Hao's results are ridiculously high—a feat not achievable by any ordinary alchemist, and Ding Lin is still a young alchemist, making everything even more difficult.

At this moment, He Qianyao felt quite anxious for Ding Fan, seeing him enter this round of the Great Alchemy Competition. She naturally understood Ding Fan's ambition; he'd set his sights on the championship. Despite winning the first round, this time was evidently a steep challenge. Even setting aside Elder Herr's remarkable skills, the supposedly cheating Zhang Hao's results are exceptionally high, clearly beyond what an ordinary alchemist can surpass.

Knowing that, even Ding Fan couldn't achieve higher than those possibly cheated results since there was no evidence of cheating; Zhang Hao's score would be handled normally, making it difficult for Ding Fan to outperform him. Consequently, He Qianyao felt increasingly worried for Ding Fan.

Already in the room gathered with other alchemists after the competition ended, Gao Lian looked at Ding Lin through the window, basking in a sense of pride. Gao Lian had previously stepped down from the first position, but his goal was basically achievable: entering the third round of the Great Alchemy Competition satisfied Gao Lian immensely.

Thus, seeing Ding Lin enter the stage, Gao Lian clearly understood his rival was aiming for the top spot in the competition. Yet Zhang Hao conformed excellently to Gao Lian's desires due to his existing scores—even if Zhang Hao cheated. With Zhang Hao's achievements, Gao Lian believed Ding Lin securing the first place was impossible.

Perhaps Ding Lin's record might not even surpass his own, as Gao Lian suspected the reason for Ding Lin's previous first-round win was due to cheating. Obviously, Gao Lian held discontent against Ding Fan—seeing himself as having the world's leading alchemic talent, given Ding Fan was younger but supposedly surpassing his skill was definitely impossible in Gao Lian's eyes.

He looked ahead eagerly to Ding Lin's upcoming performance, expecting to witness Ding Lin's embarrassing moment and realizing the ridiculousness—given the high expectations from the audience and numerous cultivators betting on Ding Lin. If Ding Lin's facade falls, Gao Lian can already anticipate Ding Lin and He Qianyao's miserable ending.

Thinking of this, Gao Lian felt utmost pleasure, wickedly curling his mouth into a smile as he watched Ding Lin outside, clearly excited for the forthcoming events!

At this time, Zhou Ruoran saw Ding Fan and felt extremely thrilled, finally calming down after some time. Zhou Ruoran initially didn't think about Ding Fan's Great Alchemy Competition results. Zhou Ruoran just wanted to rush over to reunite with Ding Fan, but Hao Chun managed to remind Zhou Ruoran, knowing now Ding Fan was still in the competition, preventing an immediate reunion.

Zhou Ruoran understood needing patience now, since the Great Alchemy Competition wasn't a casual contest and carried influence across Donglai Continent. She had heard of Ding Fan's excellent previous performances and rising fame. Clearly, achieving good results meant a great deal to him, improving prospects if he achieved well in this round.

Zhou Ruoran knew reserved Ding Fan's intentions might be to find her, yet still restrained herself, realizing Ding Fan achieving high results would allow inviting him to her Sect. Since an alchemist achieving such results in a medium-sized sect would undoubtedly be treasured, it could honor the sect, offering her a chance to dismiss Hao Chun—considering that by then Ding Fan wouldn't be an ordinary figure, her Sect Master could definitely discern important priorities.