Combined-Strength Pill? Never Heard of It—Testing the Medicine, You Again?

"Who won, Wang Teng or Xiao Yan?"

"Definitely Wang Teng. He was so much faster."

"If you don't know, don't talk nonsense. Since when did an alchemy competition only look at speed? It's about the formula, the quality of the pill, and its effects."

Everyone turned their attention to the judges' platform, where Wang Teng and Xiao Yan had already taken their places.

Two dishes sat on the judges' table, containing ten pills and two pills respectively.

Judging by appearance alone, the set with two pills looked dull and lusterless, their surfaces uneven.

If they had not given off a medicinal fragrance, one might have mistaken them for pellets of grime rolled off someone's body.

The other set, however, contained plump, rounded pills, each gleaming on the surface and marked with fine patterns.

Of the five judges, Gu Ni was examining them carefully, while the other four were far less serious.

Judging solely by appearance and quantity, all four favored Wang Teng.

Xiao Yan had climbed onto the judges' platform with a smile, convinced victory was his, but now he could no longer smile.

As an alchemist, he possessed the most basic discerning eye.

In terms of appearance alone, Wang Teng's pills utterly crushed his own.

It's fine. My Realm-Breaking Pill uses a formula provided by Teacher. When it comes to its effects, it will definitely surpass Wang Teng's.

Xiao Yan comforted himself, pinning his hopes on Yao Lao's formula.

A single batch of Foundation-Building Spirit Liquid meant for the Dou Qi stage had once sparked a frantic scramble, which showed just how high-quality the formulas in Yao Lao's possession were.

Anything the old man produces is bound to be exceptional!

"You two, explain the effects of your pills. Who will go first?" Gu Ni could not recognize either type of pill, so he raised his head and looked at Wang Teng and Xiao Yan.

"I'll go first," Xiao Yan immediately said.

He already knew that Wang Teng's pill had the same effect as his own, so taking the lead in introducing it was important.

Wang Teng calmly said, "I have no objections."

Gu Ni said, "Xiao Yan, what pill did you refine?"

"This pill is called the Realm-Breaking Pill." Xiao Yan pointed at the pills on the table. "After a Dou Practitioner takes one, they can directly advance by one star. A person may take at most two."

"A pill that directly raises one's realm?"

"Wouldn't taking one save a great deal of cultivation time?"

"I've been stuck at eight-star Dou Practitioner for over a year. How can I buy one?"

The venue instantly erupted.

Cultivation was a gradual process, yet everyone possessed different talents and cultivated different techniques.

This meant some people broke through realms quickly, while others remained stuck at a certain realm for a long time without being able to advance.

Any pill capable of helping one break through a realm was scarce and highly sought after.

"It's actually the Realm-Breaking Pill?" Gu Ni revealed a surprised expression.

The City Lord asked, "Master Gu Ni, have you heard of this pill?"

"Yes. I saw it recorded in an ancient text. Although the Realm-Breaking Pill is only first grade, it can save a great deal of cultivation time, so it has gained some renown," Gu Ni said. "However, the formula for the Realm-Breaking Pill has been lost for a long time."

Such a formula was extremely valuable and greatly favored by sects and national powers.

Especially the military. They recruited large numbers of soldiers, but truly gifted ones were few. Raising their realms required a great deal of time and resources.

Gu Ni looked at Xiao Yan. "Would it be convenient for you to reveal your teacher's name? Perhaps I have heard of him."

"My apologies, but Teacher has always been accustomed to a leisurely life," Xiao Yan evasively replied.

After hearing Gu Ni's words, he felt that he had a chance of winning.

Teacher really is incredible. With a casual move, he brought out an ancient, lost pill formula.

"Teacher, what Wang Teng refined isn't a Realm-Breaking Pill, right?" he suddenly asked nervously.

After all, I'm already at a disadvantage in both appearance and quantity.

"This old man is not blind," Yao Lao snorted.

If it had also been a Realm-Breaking Pill, he would have recognized it long ago.

"Clan Leader, the Third Young Master can actually refine pills that help one break through realms, yet you kept it hidden from us all this time." The First Elder looked warmly at Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Zhan did not respond.

The First Elder continued, "Clan Leader, since the Third Young Master refined two pills in total, could you give one to Xiao Ning?"

Beside him, Xiao Ning had been staring at Xiao Yan with jealousy in his eyes. Upon hearing his grandfather's words, his gaze suddenly cleared, and he looked at Xiao Zhan with longing.

Although I haven't broken through to Dou Practitioner yet, I can keep one in reserve. Once I advance, I can directly become a two-star Dou Practitioner.

"Don't go too far, First Elder!" Xiao Zhan coldly said.

On the other side.

As the Jia Lie Clan listened to the voices around them that did not think highly of Wang Teng, their expressions remained calm, even carrying faint smiles.

They did not show the slightest concern for Wang Teng.

"Is the Realm-Breaking Pill really that rare? Master Wang Teng can refine the same kind of pill, and its effects are even better," Jia Lie Bi disdainfully said.

He had long known that besides the Blood Surge Pill, Wang Teng was also skilled in refining the Qi-Recovery Pill and the Combined-Strength Pill.

Among them, the Combined-Strength Pill was capable of helping one break through realms.

"Wang Teng, what pill did you refine?" Curiosity filled Gu Ni's eyes as he asked.

Wang Teng said, "The Combined-Strength Pill."

"The Combined-Strength Pill?" Gu Ni repeated, frowning deeply as he realized this was a pill he had absolutely no knowledge of.

He asked, "What is the effect of the Combined-Strength Pill?"

"It is the same as the Realm-Breaking Pill," Wang Teng calmly said.

"Another pill that can help one break through realms?" Gu Ni was astonished. "Does taking one also allow a person to advance by one star?"

"No. One Combined-Strength Pill can help a Dou Practitioner advance by two stars at once," Wang Teng explained.

Xiao Yan's body swayed, and he staggered where he stood as he stared at Wang Teng in disbelief.

Combined-Strength Pill? Where did he get such an incredible pill formula?

Gu Ni hesitated. "This is my first time hearing of the Combined-Strength Pill. Could we find someone to verify its effects?"

"Sure," Wang Teng readily agreed.

"I'll verify it," Xiao Yan immediately said.

If the pill is fake, then I win.

But if the Combined-Strength Pill's effects are real, taking it would let me break through two minor realms and recover some of my losses.

Losing two marketplaces was no small expense for the Xiao Clan.

"You can't." Without a second thought, Wang Teng rejected Xiao Yan. "Anyone can take the Combined-Strength Pill, except you."

You killed my senior brother. It's already merciful enough that I haven't come looking for trouble.

And this bastard still wants to take advantage of me?

"Me! I'll do it!"

Suddenly, a figure rushed out from the crowd below, moving at astonishing speed as he arrived on the platform.

When everyone recognized his distinctive full beard, a commotion immediately broke out.

The City Lord's mouth twitched as he advised, "Hao Qiang, the Combined-Strength Pill is meant for Dou Practitioners to break through their realms. You're already a nine-star Dou Practitioner, so stop joining in the fun."

"A nine-star Dou Practitioner is still a Dou Practitioner," Hao Qiang retorted.

He turned and cupped his fists toward Wang Teng. "Master Wang Teng, I have used the Blood Surge Pill you refined, and it felt excellent. I hope you can give me a chance."

Wang Teng had some impression of this bearded man. Jia Lie Bi had mentioned him before; supposedly, it was because of him that the Blood Surge Pill's reputation had soared.

He had refined ten Combined-Strength Pills this time, so he could give Hao Qiang one.

After thinking it over, Wang Teng smiled at the City Lord. "Let him try it. There are plenty of Combined-Strength Pills anyway. If it has no effect, we can find someone else."

"Thank you, Master Wang Teng." Hao Qiang was thrilled.

When the excited crowd heard Wang Teng's words, they all cursed Hao Qiang, hoping the pill would have no effect on him.

Yet each and every one of them had secretly prepared to sprint forward, intending to fight for the next spot.