Outstanding Pill Effects, Samadhi True Fire Acquired, New Main Quest

Being able to quickly break through two realms—who wouldn't want something like that to happen to them?

Catching the Combined-Strength Pill thrown by the City Lord, Hao Qiang felt nervous, though a trace of anticipation filled his heart.

After being stimulated by the Blood Surge Pill last time, the injuries in my body have improved somewhat.

I wonder if taking a pill refined by Master Wang Teng this time will let me recover in one go and charge into the Dou Master realm.

Hao Qiang placed the Combined-Strength Pill into his mouth.

The same familiar taste, the same familiar feeling.

A scorching heat erupted within his body and swiftly swept through his entire body.

Hao Qiang immediately sat cross-legged, assuming a cultivation posture as he circulated his technique to guide that surging energy.

To outsiders, Hao Qiang instantly turned bright red like a fully cooked shrimp, with wisps of white smoke rising from his body.

Suddenly, Hao Qiang began trembling without warning, and black substances resembling sweat flowed from his body.

"It stinks! What is that smell?" Ya Fei left her seat, covered her nose, and retreated several steps.

Wang Teng said, "The Combined-Strength Pill stimulates the dantian and meridians. He probably had hidden injuries, and the medicinal effects triggered the release of stagnant blood that had accumulated in his meridians."

"The Combined-Strength Pill achieves a realm breakthrough by stimulating the dantian and meridians?" Gu Ni asked in surprise.

That reaction drew the attention of Ya Fei, Ruo Lin, and the others.

Gu Ni pondered, "Most pills that assist with breakthroughs rely on the interaction between medicine and qi and blood. They burn qi and blood and squeeze out one's potential to raise one's realm for a short period of time. However, the cost of that method is severe."

"No wonder he added First-Light Grass, Hundred-Fold Flower, and the magic core of a Three-Foot Snake to the ingredients." Yao Lao's voice suddenly rang out in Xiao Yan's heart.

Xiao Yan hurriedly asked, "Teacher, what did you say?"

"Kid, his pill formula is truly ingenious. You did not lose unfairly in this competition," Yao Lao sighed.

"Is the Combined-Strength Pill really that impressive?" Xiao Yan asked unwillingly.

Yao Lao fell silent.

Among all the first-grade pill formulas I have encountered, this one is enough to rank in the top three.

Even if I personally acted, the result would be the same in a contest of first-grade pills.

Time passed.

The energy surrounding Hao Qiang's body grew increasingly powerful. Those standing nearby could vaguely hear the sound of a rushing stream coming from inside him.

"He's about to break through." The City Lord could not help glancing at Wang Teng.

A first-grade pill can help a nine-star Dou Practitioner break through to Dou Master. This fellow has limitless prospects. Once the royal family learns of this, they will definitely try to recruit him.

I need to send the news back quickly. Maybe I can earn some credit for it.

Hearing the City Lord's words, a complicated expression appeared in Ya Fei's beautiful eyes.

As an auctioneer, she often came into contact with all kinds of rare treasures, and pills were naturally no exception.

She naturally understood just how precious the Combined-Strength Pill was.

Boom!

Hao Qiang's robes swelled as if inflated, and a thin veil burst from his body, covering his skin.

"I broke through! I really broke through! I'm a Dou Master now!" Hao Qiang was beside himself with joy.

He excitedly rushed toward Wang Teng, wanting to hug him and express his gratitude fiercely.

"Don't come any closer!" Wang Teng shouted.

It was not only because Hao Qiang was covered in blood and grime, but also because of that conspicuous bushy beard.

"Sorry, sorry, Master Wang Teng. I'm just too happy." Hao Qiang stopped awkwardly, at a loss for how to express his gratitude.

The City Lord said, "Enough, Hao Qiang. Since you've proven the effect of the Combined-Strength Pill, get the hell down. Stop wasting everyone's time and making a fool of yourself."

"Yes, yes." Hao Qiang nodded repeatedly. As he stepped off the stage, he did not forget to wave at everyone. "Brothers, there's really nothing wrong with the Combined-Strength Pill! I broke through to Dou Master!"

"Fuck you, you ran fast enough!"

"Damn bearded bastard!"

"You stole my chance! Lick my shoes!"

Someone in the crowd threw a shoe. It seemed to serve as a signal, and a flood of objects flew toward Hao Qiang.

"Fuck!" Hao Qiang no longer dared to show off and fled with his head covered.

[ Ding! The quest "Make a Name in Wu Tan City" has been completed. Reward: "Samadhi True Fire." ]

[Samadhi True Fire: Derived from the three samadhis of the human body—essence, qi, and spirit. Each is formless, but when the three samadhis fuse, they form true fire. It can assist in pill refinement and, after continuous strengthening, can be used for attacks. It inflicts tremendous damage upon the soul.]

A notification suddenly appeared before Wang Teng's eyes.

Oh? The main quest is complete. Great, I've finally obtained the Samadhi True Fire I've been longing for.

In his memories, Samadhi True Fire was a flame from mythology. It would not be extinguished by water, and once someone was accidentally touched by it, they could only wait helplessly to be burned to ashes.

With Samadhi True Fire, the time I need to melt magic cores in the future will be greatly reduced. I'll be able to refine more pills in a single day.

What an enormous improvement.

[ Ding! Main quest released: Legend of the Medicine God!

Stage Quest Two: Make a Name in the Jia Ma Empire! Overwhelm all rivals at the Imperial Capital Alchemist Grand Competition and claim the championship.

Completion Reward: Wish-Power Orb.]

Hm? A new quest?

What?! This time, I have to win the championship at the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Grand Competition?

Wang Teng was stunned.

There was only a little over a year left before the Alchemist Grand Competition began.

If I want to win the championship, I need to become at least a fourth-grade alchemist. A third-grade alchemist won't even be worth mentioning.

If I remembered correctly, at this competition, there would be an alchemist from the Cloud Empire who refined a Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill.

That was a peak fourth-grade pill!

Xiao Yan had only been able to win because he possessed the equally superb Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill, and even then, it required mastery of three flames to refine it.

That means that within a little over a year, I not only have to become a fifth-grade alchemist, but also break through to the Da Dou Master realm.

Otherwise, relying on the Dou Master realm alone, trying to refine a fifth-grade pill would be nothing more than a fool's dream.

Wang Teng's good mood from obtaining the Samadhi True Fire instantly vanished.

He did not have Xiao Yan's good fortune. Xiao Yan had Yao Lao constantly guiding his cultivation, along with all kinds of pills to assist him.

Just raising his alchemist profession skills would require a huge amount of ingredients, which meant a great deal of money.

Wang Teng had been born into an ordinary family. South Star City was about the same as Wu Tan City, perhaps even worse. There was not even a branch of the Mittel Auction House there.

Forget it. I won't think about so much for now.

He came back to his senses just as the City Lord announced the result of the competition.

"After a joint vote by the five judges, Master Wang Teng has won this pill-refining competition with four votes!" the City Lord announced loudly.

"Congratulations, Master Wang Teng!"

"Well done, Master Wang Teng!"

"Master, are you selling the Combined-Strength Pill? How much is one pill?"

The competition brought about by the Xiao Clan and Jia Lie Clan had come to an end, but the crowd remained fired up and unwilling to leave.

The question these people cared about was remarkably similar: would the Combined-Strength Pill be sold?

The City Lord looked at Wang Teng awkwardly. "Master, why don't you say a few words? If they refuse to leave, I'm worried something might happen."

"I will take out five pills for the Mittel Auction House to auction this afternoon." Wang Teng raised his right hand.

The venue erupted once more.

Beside him, Ya Fei had been preparing to leave. Upon hearing this, she turned back to look at Wang Teng in surprise.

He had not chosen to place them in the Jia Lie Clan's marketplace, but had instead chosen the auction house.

Perhaps he did not resent the Mittel Auction House for taking the Xiao Clan's side.

Before the result was announced, Xiao Yan had stepped down from the judges' platform.

Hearing Wang Teng's words, he turned back and saw the genuine delight on Ya Fei's face. His feelings became complicated.

At that moment, he inexplicably had the strange feeling that while you were admiring the scenery, someone else was admiring you.