You had to understand: for every additional premium-grade pill in a batch, the demands on one's alchemy skills increased exponentially.
Even as an upper-grade alchemist, he could only just manage three premium-grade pills in a batch of ten.
As for four in one batch, he reckoned that at least a second-tier alchemist would be needed!
With every additional premium-grade pill, the difficulty soared. It also demanded the utmost control of the flames, the most efficient use of medicinal ingredients, and the deepest understanding of the Pill Dao... Each level was worlds apart!
Thus, Xu Qianyan rarely offered a word of praise.
Hearing such an evaluation, delight appeared in Lv Bailian's eyes. He had surpassed even his own limits.
It was a performance beyond his usual ability.
Under normal circumstances, he could refine one premium-grade pill and six to eight upper-middle-grade pills.
Under the pressure this time, the last middle-middle-grade pill had instead become an upper-middle-grade one.
"Now I can stand undefeated."
With the pressure gone, Lv Bailian felt at ease. His first batch had been unremarkable, but it had still left him one upper-middle-grade pill behind.
Now that he had pushed his abilities to their utmost, even if Lin Changheng produced eight upper-middle-grade pills in his third batch, he still couldn't surpass him. If their results were otherwise equal, Lv Bailian's perfect third batch would seal the match.
In his eyes, Lin Changheng had entered the ranks three or four years later than he had, and his foundation was already behind. Even if Lin Changheng had an exceptional burst of inspiration, he still couldn't refine "one premium-grade and nine upper-middle-grade pills"—something Lv Bailian himself could only manage when inspiration struck.
It was in the bag!
Much the same thought crossed the minds of most people present, especially those who understood the Pill Dao.
Lin Changheng was sure to lose this time. What a pity that Alchemist Lv had hit his stride in the third round...
Voices of regret rose from the crowd.
Lin Changheng had naturally heard Xu Qianyan's announcement. Facing the furnace with his back to everyone, he remained calm, but the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
At the same time, the flames in the furnace stirred a little more vigorously...
Though no one noticed.
A quarter of an hour later.
The pills came out of the furnace.
"Hm?"
Xu Qianyan took the pills and began his assessment. A note of surprise escaped him, and the crowd's gazes immediately swung toward him.
A sense of foreboding stirred in Lv Bailian's heart.
The Xu Family Eldest Miss seized the chance to look at Lin Changheng with interest. He stood unruffled, his back straight as a pine, waiting quietly.
There was no emotion in his eyes—not even the most basic hint of eagerness.
"Interesting."
Then Xu Qianyan spoke. "Heh, Alchemist Lin's batch is good too..."
Lv Bailian felt as though a bucket of cold water had been dumped over his head. His sense of foreboding grew, and then he heard the verdict: "One premium-grade pill, and the remaining nine are all upper-middle-grade."
"Ah?"
A wave of startled gasps swept through the hall.
They were tied again?
That was the second time!
"Both alchemists are highly capable, but Alchemist Lin has the slight edge. He deserves the middle-grade Pill Dao inheritance."
Xu Qianyan's voice rang out slowly, delivering the final verdict.
The crowd erupted. So that tiny one-pill difference in Alchemist Lv's first batch had actually led to such a crushing defeat?
What a pity.
Losing because of inferior skill was one thing, but Alchemist Lv had truly been a little unlucky. If his first batch had performed as well as his second and third, things wouldn't have ended this way.
Compared with Alchemist Lin, his skill might not really have been inferior...
"Thank you for yielding."
Lin Changheng paid no heed to the many voices discussing the result. Still calm, he cupped his hands to Lv Bailian, then nodded to the Xu Family Eldest Miss before following a middle-grade alchemist away.
Lv Bailian hadn't expected this outcome either. His mood sank, but when Lin Changheng cupped his hands, he rallied and returned the gesture.
Still, he wasn't too badly shaken. A gap of the slightest fraction could easily be made up.
He only regretted having missed out on the middle-grade alchemist's inheritance...
Before long, several people gathered around him to console and encourage him.
Others lamented his bad luck, sighing and clapping their hands in regret.
"Thank you, seniors and friends, for your consolation and encouragement. Alchemist Lin's strength had been building for a long time, and now he has obtained the inheritance. I was no match for him."
"Don't speak of luck anymore. It shows disrespect to Alchemist Lin, and it's also a slight against me, Lv Bailian."
"...A loss is a loss. I fell short, and I accept it!"
Lv Bailian suddenly broke into a smile, then spoke solemnly, leaving most of the crowd stunned. Afterward, he turned and strode away without hesitation.
"What a noble heart! So open and forthright!"
Watching his upright figure disappear into the distance, someone came to his senses and sighed in admiration.
Lin Changheng knew nothing of what had happened later in the Trial Hall.
By then, he had followed the middle-grade alchemist to the Scripture Repository outside Returning Peak Dojo.
As promised, he received an ancient, bluish jade slip.
"The restrictions on this slip will be lifted for three days. During that time, you may not leave. The jade slip must not be taken away. Memorize and comprehend its contents here."
"How much you remember and whether you comprehend it fully will depend on your ability and insight. Alchemist Lin, do you understand?"
After showing him the way and giving a few instructions, the middle-grade alchemist left. Only then did the tall, gaunt steward offer his own careful reminder.
He still remembered "Alchemist Lin." Earlier, in the hall, Lin Changheng had exchanged for an incomplete upper-grade cultivation method. He'd been rather stubborn and hadn't listened to advice.
So, after explaining the key points, the steward said no more and leisurely walked away.
"Understood. Thank you for informing me, senior."
Lin Changheng held the jade slip and pressed it to his forehead, beginning to examine it.
If the Xu Family hadn't been battling the Chen Family on the Land Reclamation front, while their rear had also come under attack and cost them a middle-grade alchemist, leaving no one in the family to take over...
Only then had they been forced to open it to the family's registered retainers.
And even so, they'd been stingy, allowing only one person access.
That was also a drawback of the Lineage system: it clung to its treasures and passed them only to its own people.
The sect system was far more open, but its bonds were not as close as those of blood.
Each had its strengths and weaknesses.
"Secret Notes of Taihe Alchemy!"
The six large characters appeared in Lin Changheng's awareness. It was certainly an imposing title.
Then he focused and began to study it.
After a while, Lin Changheng moved the jade slip away and rubbed his brow. Though this middle-grade Pill Dao art was based on the lower-grade one, it was several times more profound.
But with his current insight, it posed some difficulty, though not much.
For the few difficult points, he could either spend a long time grasping and digesting them, or trouble Master Mo and ask for some guidance.
Lin Changheng smiled, untroubled. There were always more ways than difficulties.
If all else failed, he could wait for the Origin Treasure Seed to undergo Spirit Snatch a second time.
It had already reached [Spirit Snatch: 70/100]. At the latest, the second Origin Treasure Seed should be nurtured in just over a year. By then, his insight would rise to another level!
Three days later.
The jade slip's restrictions automatically restored themselves, interrupting Lin Changheng's study.
But it didn't matter. He had memorized all the information it contained right away, so he wasn't worried about losing anything.
After swearing the promised oath not to disclose its contents, Lin Changheng left the Scripture Repository. Sunlight he hadn't seen in three days struck him directly, making him squint.
When he opened his eyes again, he saw clouds churning overhead and the vast sky stretching far above. A Green-Feathered Spirit Crane flew out from the dojo beside him, beating its wings as it skimmed over the mountaintop. Its clear cry rang out, soaring straight into the ninth heaven.
Lin Changheng suddenly chuckled and stepped fully into that brilliant sunlight.
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