76: Chapter 76: More than just a prodigy, he's practically defying the heavens!

The moment Grand Elder Dan Qingzi announced the results, the Hundred Herbs Altar erupted.

A wave of exclamations and shock, suppressed to the extreme and then suddenly released, instantly swept through the entire valley.

"Earth Rank, Low Level, High Grade! Early Nascent Soul Stage! What kind of Prodigy is this Zhou Tianchen?"

"More than just a Prodigy, this is simply Heaven-Defying! I have lived for eight thousand years and have never heard of someone in the Nascent Soul Stage being able to refine Earth Rank Medicinal Pills!"

"Did you notice? The Pill Furnace he used while refining is definitely no ordinary object. And his Alchemy techniques—I have never seen them, nor have I even heard of them."

The discussions rose and fell, with everyone's gaze focused in the same direction, on the green-clad figure standing before the judging panel.

Zhou Tianchen's face was pale, and the cold sweat on his forehead had not yet dried, but his back was straight, and his gaze was as steady as an abyss.

He turned around and bowed deeply toward the white-clad figure on the viewing platform.

This bow was from the heart, filled with extreme respect.

On the viewing platform, Jiang Changge remained leaning in his seat, still appearing light and breezy, as if his Disciple refining an Earth Rank Medicinal Pill was merely a trivial matter.

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu, sitting beside Jiang Changge, watched this scene, a surge of indescribable pride and relief rising in his heart.

Tianchen, a member of his Zhou Imperial Clan, had stunned everyone right before his eyes at this top-tier Alchemy grand event in the Southern Wasteland.

And all of this was thanks to the cultivation of this Senior Jiang beside him.

"Senior."

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu's voice trembled slightly, carrying irrepressible excitement.

"For this child Tianchen to have today's achievements, it is entirely due to Senior's careful guidance. On behalf of the Zhou Imperial Clan and Tianchen, I thank Senior for your great kindness."

Jiang Changge waved his hand, his tone indifferent: "Tianchen having today's success is his own good fortune."

Although the words were said lightly, Ancestor Zhou Huaixu merely took it as Senior being humble, and his admiration grew even deeper.

Yao Li stood behind Ancestor Zhou Huaixu, his gaze falling on Zhou Tianchen, his eyes filled with complexity.

He had watched Zhou Tianchen grow up; although the former Zhou Tianchen could be considered an Alchemy Genius, he had never reached this level.

Yao Li took a deep breath and secretly made a decision in his heart.

After this Alchemy grand event concluded, he must find an opportunity to seek advice from this Senior; even if it were just hearing him speak a few words, it would be enough to benefit him for a lifetime.

Shen Cihui stood by his own Alchemy platform, watching Zhou Tianchen's figure surrounded by the crowd, silent for a long time.

He had known Zhou Tianchen for many years; previously, he had been slightly better and often gave pointers on Zhou Tianchen's confusion regarding Alchemy.

But in today's competition, Zhou Tianchen had already reached a height he could only look up to from afar.

"Cihui."

An aged voice came from behind him.

Shen Cihui turned around and saw Grand Elder Dan Qingzi had arrived beside him at some unknown point.

This Medicine King Valley Grand Elder stood with his hands behind his back, his cloudy gaze falling on Zhou Tianchen, his tone calm yet carrying a hint of emotion.

"Tianchen is destined for greatness in the future. You have known him for many years; do not break this bond of goodwill."

Shen Cihui was slightly stunned, then bowed: "Disciple understands."

Grand Elder Dan Qingzi nodded slightly and said no more.

Mu Qing stood not far away, her cold gaze falling on Zhou Tianchen, a flash of complexity in her eyes.

She asked herself, her talent was not bad, and her Ice Heart Alchemy Method could be considered top-tier among her peers.

But seeing the Medicinal Pill that Zhou Tianchen had refined, for the first time, a sense of powerlessness arose in her heart.

It was not jealousy, nor was it unwillingness, but rather a realization from the heart when facing a true Prodigy.

The gap was just too large.

Lu Chen did not have too many thoughts; he simply felt that this trip had not been in vain.

Being able to witness a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator refine an Earth Rank Medicinal Pill with his own eyes was, in itself, enough for him to brag about for hundreds of years when he returned.

On the judging panel, several Earth Rank Alchemists were still discussing something in low voices.

Afterwards, everyone looked toward that white-clad figure, wondering in their hearts: just what background does this Senior have?

Grand Elder Dan Qingzi stood before the judging panel, his gray-white Daoist robe fluttering slightly in the spiritual wind.

He raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

The clamor in the Hundred Herbs Altar gradually subsided.

"This Alchemy competition concludes successfully here."

Grand Elder Dan Qingzi's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached the ears of everyone present.

"The top five, please step forward to receive your rewards."

First place: Zhou Tianchen, Zhouwu Dynasty, Earth Rank, Low Level, High Grade.

Second place: Beichen Feng, Medicine King Valley, Profound Rank, Advanced, High Grade.

Third place: Mu Qing, Piaomiao Sect, Profound Rank, Advanced, Medium Grade.

Fourth place: Lu Chen, Qingyang Sect, Profound Rank, Advanced, Medium Grade.

Fifth place: Li Si, Loose Cultivator, Profound Rank, Advanced, Low Grade.

Once the ranking list was released, there was another wave of low discussions in the altar.

"Zhou Tianchen in first place is well-deserved."

"Beichen Feng in second place is not surprising either; he was originally a favorite to win, he just happened to meet this Prodigy, Zhou Tianchen."

"What is the background of that Li Si? A Loose Cultivator, yet he actually managed to get fifth place?"

"I heard this person is a loner and never associates with others; I didn't expect his Alchemy attainments to be so profound."

Amidst the discussions, the five people—Zhou Tianchen, Beichen Feng, Mu Qing, Lu Chen, and Li Si—walked out from their respective positions and lined up before the judging panel.

Li Si wore gray clothes and had an ordinary appearance, the type you couldn't find if thrown into a crowd.

But his eyes were exceptionally calm, so calm they were almost indifferent, as if the surrounding discussions and attention had nothing to do with him.

Grand Elder Dan Qingzi's gaze swept over the five of them, finally landing on Zhou Tianchen, lingering for a moment before slowly moving away.

He waved his hand, and five streams of light flew from the direction of the Myriad Spirit Tree, hovering before the five of them.

Those were five fist-sized jade boxes, the jade boxes were cyan-white throughout, their surfaces carved with mysterious runes, with spiritual light faintly circulating.

Even through the jade boxes, one could feel the rich Spiritual Qi emanating from within.

"These are the rewards prepared by Medicine King Valley for the top five of this competition."

Grand Elder Dan Qingzi's voice was hoarse and steady, carrying an unquestionable majesty.

"First place: one Heaven Rank, Low Level Medicinal Pill, one Earth Rank, Intermediate Pill Furnace, and one spot for cultivation in the Medicine King Valley Secret Realm."

"Second place: one Earth Rank, Advanced Medicinal Pill, one Earth Rank, Low Level Pill Furnace."

"Third to fifth place: one Earth Rank, Intermediate Medicinal Pill, one Profound Rank, Advanced Pill Furnace."

As his voice fell, low gasps of surprise sounded in the altar again.

"Heaven Rank, Low Level Medicinal Pill! What a grand gesture from Medicine King Valley!"

"More than just a grand gesture; that Earth Rank, Intermediate Pill Furnace is worth at least the price of a medium-sized city outside."

"The spot for cultivation in the Medicine King Valley Secret Realm is the most precious; it is said that the Spiritual Qi concentration in that Secret Realm is dozens of times that of the outside world, and there are even stone carvings of insights left by ancient Alchemy sages that ordinary Cultivators cannot obtain even if they beg for a spot."

Zhou Tianchen's face was calm as he reached out to take the jade box in front of him.

The moment the jade box was in his hand, he could feel the Spiritual Qi contained within surging like a tide; even through the jade box, it made his Dantian faintly heat up.

He bowed slightly toward Grand Elder Dan Qingzi: "Thank you, Senior."

Beichen Feng, Mu Qing, Lu Chen, and Li Si also each received their rewards and bowed to Grand Elder Dan Qingzi to express their gratitude.

Grand Elder Dan Qingzi nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the five of them, finally landing on Zhou Tianchen, a flash of complex emotion appearing in his cloudy eyes.

"The five of you are the standouts of this competition."

His voice was hoarse and solemn, carrying a hint of emotion.

"Especially you, Zhou Tianchen."

"Early Nascent Soul Stage, refining an Earth Rank, Low Level, High Grade Medicinal Pill with natural dao rhyme—I have practiced Alchemy for tens of thousands of years and have never seen this before."

He paused, a bit more expectation appearing in his cloudy eyes.

"The future of the Southern Wasteland's Alchemy will depend on you young people."

Zhou Tianchen bowed slightly; his goal was not limited to the Southern Wasteland, but the entire Xuanhuang World.