Chapter 269 Pill Battle

Shen Wen smiled, said no more, and turned to walk toward his own Alchemy platform.

Just then, a hearty laugh rang out from the crowd.

"Hahaha, what a fine 'no-stone-grain'."

"I have lived for so many years, yet this is the first time I've heard such a novel way of cursing."

The crowd automatically parted to make a way.

A figure in a gray robe walked out slowly.

It was a burly old man with white hair and beard, a square face, and bright, piercing eyes.

He wore a plain gray cloth robe without any decorations, yet he possessed an aura that commanded respect.

"It's Senior Tian Leizi!"

"Tian Leizi, one of the Dan Ta Three Giants?"

"It's him! Why has he come here?"

A chorus of gasps rang out from the crowd.

Tian Leizi, one of the Dan Ta Three Giants, was a genuine Five-Star Dou Zun and also a Grade 8 Alchemist.

Shen Wen and Cao Xiu turned at the same time and cupped their hands in greeting to Tian Leizi.

"Greetings, Senior."

Tian Leizi waved his hand and walked between the two Alchemy platforms with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the faces of Shen Wen and Cao Xiu.

"I am here today to watch the excitement," he laughed. "Since you two youngsters are competing, someone needs to ensure fairness. I'm volunteering myself; you don't mind, do you?"

"Senior is too kind," Shen Wen said.

Cao Xiu also hurriedly said, "With Senior presiding, nothing could be better."

Tian Leizi nodded and, without wasting words, went straight to the point.

"Since this is a competition to refine Medicinal Pills of the same tier, it must be fair. The medicinal ingredients, Alchemy cauldron, and flame must all be the same. We will only compare Alchemy techniques."

He looked at Shen Wen, his gaze holding a hint of inquiry. "Grandmaster Shen, your heaven burning cauldron is an ancient relic, and the Fallen Heart Flame is even listed on the strange fire ranking list."

"If you use those, it wouldn't be fair to Cao Xiu. Are you willing to switch?"

Shen Wen shrugged indifferently. "As you wish."

A flash of admiration crossed Tian Leizi's eyes.

He turned to Cao Xiu. "Cao Xiu, what about you? Do you have any requirements?"

Cao Xiu took a deep breath, suppressed the slight awkwardness in his heart, and shook his head. "Junior has no objections either."

"Good."

With a wave of Tian Leizi's hand, two identical Alchemy cauldrons flew out from his storage ring and landed steadily on the two Alchemy platforms.

They were two ordinary Tier 7 alchemy cauldrons made of bronze, with nothing special about them.

Immediately after, he took out two sets of medicinal ingredients and placed them on the stone tables beside the two Alchemy platforms.

"These two sets of medicinal ingredients are identical in appearance, age, and weight. You may check them yourselves."

Shen Wen and Cao Xiu each stepped forward, gave a cursory glance, and nodded.

Tian Leizi then took two Jade Slips from his robe and handed them to the two of them.

"This pill is called 'Mysterious Yang Pill,' a Tier 7 Intermediate pill. Its effect is to increase Cultivate speed; its medicinal power is gentle and can last for a whole month."

He paused, his tone becoming solemn.

"The melting and refining of this pill's ingredients are quite complex, requiring a high understanding of medicinal properties. I will give you two hours."

"One hour to study the Pill Formula and one hour for contemplation and deduction. After two hours, you will both simultaneously open your cauldrons for Alchemy."

"Understood." Shen Wen took the Jade Slip.

Cao Xiu also nodded and accepted it.

Tian Leizi looked at the sun. "The timing starts now."

As soon as he finished speaking, Cao Xiu immediately sat cross-legged, pressed the Jade Slip to his forehead, and sent his Soul Power into it to begin carefully studying the Pill Formula.

Mysterious Yang Pill.

He had heard of this Pill Formula.

It was said to be an obscure Medicinal Pill left behind by some Senior; its effects were unique, but refining it was extremely difficult.

There were many traps in the combination of medicinal ingredients; the slightest carelessness would lead to a cauldron explosion.

Precisely because it was obscure, it was even more suitable for testing true skill.

Cao Xiu sneered in his heart.

No matter how powerful Shen Wen was, this was his first time encountering this Pill Formula. While Cao Xiu hadn't refined it before, he had heard his grandfather mention the key points of this pill in his early years, so he had some impression of it.

Two hours was enough.

He composed himself and focused entirely on studying it.

Time passed minute by minute.

The surrounding crowd also quieted down, waiting silently.

Just then—

*Chii—*

A slight sound of rising flames broke the silence.

Everyone was stunned.

They looked toward the sound, and then their eyes widened.

Shen Wen had stood up at some point, his right hand hovering over the Alchemy cauldron. A wisp of flame surged from his palm and fell into the cauldron.

Then, with a wave of his left hand, dozens of medicinal ingredients on the stone table simultaneously floated into the air. As if drawn by an invisible hand, they were cast into the Alchemy cauldron in an orderly fashion!

"This... he's starting already?!"

"How long has he been looking? The time it takes to drink a cup of tea?"

"Weren't they supposed to have an hour to study the Pill Formula? Is he finished?"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

The crowd instantly erupted into a commotion.

Cao Xiu was also jolted from his immersion. He looked up at the opposite Alchemy platform, and then his whole body froze in place.

Shen Wen had already begun.

Moreover, it wasn't a trial or preparation; he had gone straight to the main task.

Dozens of medicinal ingredients tumbled and melted within the flames. Every step was as smooth as flowing water, as if he had refined it thousands of times before.

"He... he's finished reading?" Cao Xiu murmured, his eyes full of disbelief.

Tian Leizi was also stunned for a moment. Then, with a slight frown, he walked quickly to the side of Shen Wen's Alchemy platform, his gaze falling on the ingredients being cast into the cauldron.

A moment later, a flash of astonishment crossed his eyes.

The types, quantities, and order of the medicinal ingredients were exactly as recorded in the Pill Formula, without the slightest error.

Furthermore, after each ingredient entered the flames, it was precisely controlled within the most suitable temperature range, while simultaneously undergoing preliminary melting.

"This..."

Tian Leizi took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart.

He had lived for many years and seen countless geniuses.

But someone like Shen Wen, who only took a few glances at the Pill Formula before starting, with every step as precise as a textbook... it was the first time he had seen such a thing.

This couldn't be explained by talent alone.

This was a Prodigy.

Shen Wen seemed oblivious to everything around him.

He was entirely focused on the cauldron, his Soul Power acting like countless eyes, simultaneously monitoring the changes in every single medicinal herb.

The wonders of the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart were displayed to the fullest at this moment.

Ordinary Alchemists studying a Pill Formula would need to deduce it word by word, understanding the characteristics of every herb and the purpose of every key point, then simulate it countless times in their minds before daring to start.

But he was different.

The Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart allowed his perception and deduction abilities to reach a terrifying level.

The moment the Pill Formula entered his sight, all the information was as if carved into his mind.

He didn't need to "understand"; he only needed to "see."

To see the changes of every herb in the flames, the reactions during every Fusion, and the potential consequences of every step of the operation.

This ability had already surpassed the scope of talent.

It was more like... instinct.

He closed his eyes, allowing the medicinal power to flow within the cauldron, a slight curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.

This Mysterious Yang Pill was indeed somewhat interesting.

The combination of medicinal properties was clever, and there were quite a few traps.

But for the current him, it was merely a matter of a few extra glances.

Time continued to flow.

One hour passed.

Cao Xiu finally put down the Jade Slip and began to close his eyes in deep thought, deducing the Alchemy steps.

His brow was tightly furrowed; he shook his head from time to time and then nodded, clearly still struggling with certain key points.

Another hour passed.

Cao Xiu opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and stood up.

He looked toward the opposite Alchemy platform, and then—

His pupils suddenly constricted.

Within Shen Wen's Alchemy cauldron, the medicinal power had already begun its Fusion.

A faint pill fragrance drifted out from the mouth of the cauldron, spreading across the entire square.

"He... he's almost finished refining?" Cao Xiu's voice was dry.

Tian Leizi stood to the side; hearing this, he glanced at him without speaking.

But the meaning in that look was already clear enough.

Cao Xiu grit his teeth, stopped looking at the other side, and turned to face his own Alchemy cauldron, forcing himself to compose his mind.

He raised his hand, and a wisp of green flame surged from his palm and fell into the cauldron.

He began Alchemy.

But only he knew that at this moment, his state of mind was already in disarray.