Wang Teng Breaks Through to Grand Dou Shi, New Trouble

Yao Ye watched as Wang Teng took out a medicinal cauldron, lined it up with the other two, then brought over a large pile of medicinal ingredients.

Next, Wang Teng sat between the three medicinal cauldrons and lit them.

Seeing this, Yao Ye was astonished. Was Wang Teng planning to refine three batches of pills at once?

How was that possible?!

Though Yao Ye was not an alchemist, she knew a little about the profession. Besides, her younger sister was studying alchemy and often complained to her about how difficult the process was.

She silently watched on. Gradually, her expression grew complicated, shifting from shock to disbelief, then to horror.

Because Wang Teng really was refining three batches of pills at the same time. The entire process was orderly, and he had actually succeeded.

There were twenty-four pills in total, resting separately inside the three medicinal cauldrons.

"Your Highness, as long as I have enough pills, I'm confident I can produce the quantity you need within a year," Wang Teng said.

He picked up a pill and showed it to Yao Ye. "Even if others obtain the formula, they may not be able to refine Combined-Strength Pills of my quality."

Every batch had produced pills of superior quality. That was not something talent alone could achieve; it had to be built up through time and medicinal ingredients.

Yao Ye was won over by Wang Teng's skill. "Good. I'll have the medicinal ingredients delivered as soon as possible. During that time, no one will disturb you."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Wang Teng let out a long breath inwardly.

Having secured this order, his professional skill level would certainly rise by another tier within a year.

More importantly, he would not need to spend vast amounts of money or search through countless channels to purchase medicinal ingredients.

With her objective achieved, Yao Ye left directly. Ya Fei chatted with Wang Teng for a moment before returning to the auction house as well.

With Yao Ye's promise, Lei Le did not show up again.

As the auction proceeded as usual, the high-grade Xuan-class Wings of the Eagle were ultimately purchased by Yao Ye for one and a half million gold coins.

Since Wang Teng was not lacking medicinal ingredients, he did not ask Ya Fei to exchange the money for them.

For the next half year, Wang Teng continued refining pills.

With the Body-Tempering Pill improving his physique and the Fire-Absorbing Pill accelerating his absorption of fire-attributed energy, his strength advanced rapidly. He could nearly rise one star every month.

At this rate, breaking through to Grand Dou Shi before the Alchemist Tournament began was no longer a dream.

Furthermore, his professional skills continued to grow, and he was likely to rise another level.

"Judging by my own abilities alone, I'm confident I can surpass that vice president from the Cloud Empire." Rather than relaxing, Wang Teng's expression grew grave.

Because he knew that winning the Alchemist Tournament was not merely a test of personal ability. It also depended on many other factors.

For instance, pill formulas.

The alchemist representing the Cloud Empire would eventually refine the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill.

Among fourth-tier pills, it stood at the peak of the fourth tier. Its effects were similar to the Realm-Breaking Pill Xiao Yan had once refined: a Grand Dou Shi could gain one star after taking it, though each person could take no more than two in their lifetime.

The Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill was also a fourth-tier pill. If it could not be refined to the level of three patterns, then it would still be inferior to the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill.

More importantly, refining the Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill required mastery of three kinds of flame.

Even if Wang Teng obtained the formula, it would be useless.

And right now, he did not even know where to begin searching for a fourth-tier pill formula.

"Fourth-tier medicinal ingredients aren't easy to obtain either, and there's also the medicinal cauldron. It's been so long, yet Ya Fei's side hasn't received a single piece of news." Wang Teng felt a headache coming on.

When he had read the book before, all his attention had been on the protagonist. He had never realized that winning an Alchemist Tournament required meeting so many conditions.

For example, the imperial family's young princess and Liu Ling could easily produce fifth-tier medicinal cauldrons.

That alone was enough to stump the overwhelming majority of alchemists.

Several more months passed in the blink of an eye.

Wang Teng successfully broke through to Grand Dou Shi, completed Princess Yao Ye's order ahead of schedule, and his professional skills also broke through to a new stage.

Host: Wang Teng

Profession: Alchemist

Realm: One-Star Grand Dou Shi

Professional Skills:

Fire Control (Top Grade): 101/100000

Perception (Top Grade): 169/100000

Preparation (Top Grade): 132/100000

Mastered Pill Formulas:

Combined-Strength Pill (First Tier): Perfect

"The Body-Tempering Pill and Fire-Absorbing Pill allowed me to complete my cultivation goals ahead of schedule. I can't just sit around and wait. If I want to qualify to contend for the championship, I have to do something." Wang Teng set off for the Mittel Auction House.

Inside a reception room.

Not long after Wang Teng sat down, Ya Fei entered.

The last time they had met was three months ago. Now that he saw Ya Fei again, her complexion was sallow, the shadows beneath her eyes were dark, and she looked drained and haggard.

"How did you end up like this?" Wang Teng was shocked. It was difficult to connect the woman before him with the mature, seductive Ya Fei.

Ya Fei gave a bitter smile and changed the subject. "Master Wang Teng, did you come today to ask about the medicinal cauldron? I still have no news for now. If I hear anything, I'll notify you immediately."

After saying that, she prepared to turn and leave.

Suddenly, her wrist tightened. Ya Fei felt a powerful force yank her, and she fell backward uncontrollably.

By the time Ya Fei reacted, she was lying entirely in Wang Teng's arms. Just as she was about to speak, a pill was stuffed into her mouth.

"Circulate your cultivation method." Wang Teng frowned and issued the command sternly.

His soul power had detected blockages in several places within Ya Fei's body. If they were not dealt with in time, they would endanger her health and even her life.

Feeling a steady stream of warmth flowing into her through her wrist, Ya Fei instinctively circulated her cultivation method. As her Dou Qi moved, an unbearable itch spread through her body.

She clenched her pearly teeth, forcibly suppressing the urge to scratch and writhe.

A moment later, the strange sensation vanished, and her body felt exceptionally light.

Ya Fei's mood improved somewhat. She tried to struggle, and when Wang Teng released her, she hurriedly got up and sat in a chair beside him.

"What did you give me?" Ya Fei asked only then.

Wang Teng replied, "A pill that can improve your body."

His eyes held curiosity and confusion. "What have you encountered during this time? Is it really that difficult to obtain a high-tier medicinal cauldron?"

Under normal circumstances, the Mittel Auction House's standing in South Star City was certainly no weaker than the city lord's. As the elder in charge of the auction house, Ya Fei should not have ended up in such a state.

And during this time, aside from asking her to help collect medicinal cauldrons, he had not troubled her with anything else.

"The auction house business hasn't been going well." Ya Fei avoided Wang Teng's gaze.

"Impossible. I have faith in your abilities." Wang Teng pinched Ya Fei's chin and stared into her eyes.

At any other time, Ya Fei was certain that if any man dared treat her this way, she would have slapped him.

But facing Wang Teng, who had just shown concern for her, the hand resting on her lap lifted slightly before falling back down.

As if she did not know how to answer, or perhaps did not dare face him, she simply closed her eyes.

Wang Teng gave her chin a hard squeeze, pinching Ya Fei's lips into a pout.

That made Ya Fei anxious. Her eyes flew open as she struggled desperately to break free.

Fortunately, Wang Teng did not intend to do anything to her. He merely wanted to understand the situation urgently, because his hope of obtaining a fifth-tier medicinal cauldron still rested on Ya Fei.

He had no choice. Wang Teng had little influence, and among the people he knew, Ya Fei was the only one with connections.

After Wang Teng released her, he said seriously, "Tell me. Why has there been no news of a fifth-tier medicinal cauldron after searching for so long?"

Ya Fei said helplessly, "I've been targeted."

Wang Teng froze for a moment.

"After Lei Le left that day, he didn't let the matter go. He used his grandfather's influence to stop the nearby auction houses from sharing information with me." Ya Fei sighed softly.

Lei Le's methods were not particularly clever, but with his grandfather protecting him, Ya Fei's complaints could not stir up even the slightest ripple at the imperial capital headquarters.

Originally, Ya Fei had chosen to come to South Star City because she wanted to rely on Wang Teng's abilities to achieve better results than she had in Wu Tan City, earn the chance to return to the imperial capital, and become an elder with real authority.

Unfortunately, things did not go as she had hoped.