Pill Complete: The Contest Between Two Origin-Bearing Pills, Human Medicine Adept Shows His Edge

Although there were many participants in this Medicine Assembly, they were ultimately all younger members of the Yao Clan.

Thus, their pill-refining skills were generally lacking. Moreover, nearly everyone had chosen to challenge themselves by refining high-grade pills beyond their usual ability.

As a result, explosions from failed pill cauldrons rang out continuously across the competition grounds.

Seeing this, Yao Wanhuo on the raised platform could only shake his head helplessly and sigh. "The Yao Clan truly declines with each generation..."

In the blink of an eye, only three people remained refining pills on the once-lively competition grounds.

They were Yao Ling, Yao Xingji, and Yao Xuan, the sole member of a collateral branch.

Among the three, Yao Ling's pill-refining rhythm was the most calm and unhurried.

The pill cauldron before Yao Ling was antique and exquisitely crafted, a standard treasure cauldron exclusive to the direct bloodline.

Her warm green Dou Qi flames rested steadily beneath the cauldron. The fire was even and gentle, without the slightest trace of agitation.

The fifth-grade Detoxification Pill was originally a mild pill with a simple formula and an extremely high tolerance for error. It required neither complicated blending of medicinal properties nor exacting control of the heat. One merely had to precisely purify the impurities from the ingredients and gradually stimulate their medicinal potency to form the pill.

Yao Ling's jade-like fingers danced through the air, her movements smooth and flowing. Every hand seal was incomparably precise.

Dark medicinal herbs entered the cauldron, swiftly yielding pure medicinal liquid beneath the searing green flames.

The remaining traces of impurities were completely stripped away by Yao Ling's delicate soul power.

The entire refining process was incredibly practiced, without the slightest hitch. Clearly, Yao Ling had long since mastered the refining method for this pill.

On the raised platform, Elder Wanh̆uo's gaze fell upon Yao Ling, and he nodded slightly.

In just the time it took for half an incense stick to burn.

Buzz—

A crisp cauldron hum rang out. Clear white medicinal light rose from Yao Ling's cauldron, and a round, plump Detoxification Pill, flawlessly white throughout, slowly floated out.

A faint, refreshing medicinal fragrance drifted on the wind, soothing the heart and spirit.

Yao Ling raised her hand to extinguish the flames, exhaled softly, and calmly placed the Detoxification Pill into a jade bottle.

Yao Ling was the first to complete her pill refinement. She was the first participant to produce a pill, and so far, the only one.

Yet this first-place result did not stir up the slightest cry for her to win the championship.

Because everyone understood that the Detoxification Pill was merely a basic category among fifth-grade pills.

Its grade was mediocre and its effects ordinary. Even though Yao Ling's pill was of exceptional quality, nearly perfect, it could not possibly contend with the Myriad Veins Origin-Bearing Pill.

As long as either Yao Xingji or Yao Xuan successfully refined a fifth-grade high-tier Myriad Veins Origin-Bearing Pill, the championship of today's Medicine Assembly would never belong to Yao Ling.

For a moment, every gaze in the arena shifted in unison, locking tightly onto the other two pill-refining platforms. The atmosphere instantly became tense and solemn.

Yao Xingji carried himself with aristocratic poise, and the unique pride of a direct-line descendant lingered between his brows.

Spiritual light swirled around the pill-refining platform beneath Yao Xingji's feet, while a gilded pill cauldron before him gleamed brilliantly.

The ancient medicinal patterns engraved upon its surface flowed with dazzling golden radiance beneath the burn of Dou Qi flames.

The Dou Qi flames of a peak Nine-Star Dou Spirit were vigorous and weighty, pouring continuously into the cauldron. The blaze was immense, yet controlled with absolute precision—neither rushed nor impatient.

The Myriad Veins Origin-Bearing Pill was a fifth-grade high-tier pill exclusive to the Yao Clan's main branch.

Its refinement was far more difficult than that of ordinary pills. Not only did it require precise control over seventy-two heat-control stages, but it also required the pure vitality of Medicine Heart Grass, the condensed profound qi of the Profound Resonance Condensation Flower, and the gentle origin power of Ancient Spirit Source Spring Liquid to be perfectly fused together. The slightest carelessness would cause the medicinal properties to clash, destroying both cauldron and pill.

Such stringent requirements were an enormous test of both soul power and flame control.

Yet there was not the slightest sign of panic in Yao Xingji's eyes. Instead, the corners of his lips lifted faintly, clearly showing that he had long been fully prepared.

Yao Xingji had been born into the main branch and had soaked in spiritual medicines to temper his body since childhood.

He had studied countless alchemy classics and refined high-tier pills year-round. His foundation far surpassed that of his peers.

His slender fingers continuously formed intricate pill seals, while his soul power spread out in full, firmly locking onto every flow of medicinal potency within the cauldron.

The ingredients in the cauldron rapidly melted, purified, and blended. Under his superb flame-control techniques, the three entirely different medicinal properties gradually fused into one without the slightest disorder.

On the raised platform, Yao Wangu's tense expression finally relaxed. A satisfied curve rose on his lips, and his eyes were filled with approval.

"As expected of the main branch's genius. His heat control and blending of medicinal properties are both flawless."

Yao Wangu praised him softly, already certain of the outcome.

Yao Xingji was in excellent condition, and his pill refinement was as steady as a boulder. This time, he would certainly refine a high-quality Myriad Veins Origin-Bearing Pill.

In Yao Wangu's eyes, Yao Xuan, who came from a collateral branch—

Was merely a Two-Star Dou Spirit with Mid-Level Mortal Realm soul power. Even if he had luckily obtained the formula and ingredients, he could never endure the complex refining process of the Myriad Veins Origin-Bearing Pill. Before long, he would definitely fail and be eliminated in a cauldron explosion.

At that moment, Yao Xuan's pill-refining state in the center of the arena indeed seemed less composed than Yao Xingji's.

The cauldron before Yao Xuan was merely an ordinary black cauldron, unadorned and unmarked, plain and crude. Compared to the gilded treasure cauldron, it appeared especially shabby.

Fine beads of sweat had already formed on Yao Xuan's forehead, and his face had turned slightly pale.

With Yao Xuan's current cultivation and soul foundation, refining the Myriad Veins Origin-Bearing Pill was indeed an immense burden.

The fusion of the three core medicinal properties was exceptionally obscure and difficult. Every collision between them required Yao Xuan to exhaust all his soul power to suppress and harmonize them. He did not dare relax in the slightest.

Yao Xuan's fingertips trembled faintly, yet his eyes remained clear and resolute. His entire mind was immersed in pill refinement.

Others saw only that Yao Xuan was struggling to refine the pill and progressing slowly.

However, Yao Wanhuo on the raised platform had already seen through everything.

Beneath Yao Xuan's seemingly laborious control, the precision with which the medicinal properties inside the cauldron were blending had long surpassed Yao Xingji's.

As a top-tier Ninth-Grade Profound Pill Grandmaster, Yao Wanhuo had already seen through the foundations of both men.

Yao Xingji's advantage lay in his deep cultivation, powerful flames, and stable process. He represented the highest standard built up by the direct bloodline's resources.

Yao Xuan, however, was working against the odds with his low cultivation. With incomparably delicate flame-control techniques, he was refining the medicinal properties bit by bit, removing every minute flaw and tempering every strand of medicinal nature to its utmost purity.

Time slowly passed. When only the final quarter of an hour remained before the competition's time limit—

Buzz!!!

An even louder and heavier cauldron hum suddenly erupted!

The gilded pill cauldron before Yao Xingji blazed with light. A brilliant golden pillar of medicinal radiance shot into the sky, and a rich, mellow pill fragrance instantly swept across the entire plaza, overwhelming the faint scent of Yao Ling's Detoxification Pill.

A golden pill with clear, delicate pill patterns and a round, flawless form hovered steadily above the cauldron's mouth. Its medicinal potency was condensed without dispersing, and its aura was pure and powerful.

"The pill is complete!"

A wave of hushed exclamations immediately rose from the plaza.

Yao Xingji extinguished the flames and steadied the cauldron. He slowly straightened, brushed the faint dust from his sleeve, and a confident smile appeared on his handsome, proud face.

Yao Xingji lifted his eyes and casually glanced at Yao Xuan, who was still refining his pill. His gaze held undisguised contempt and superiority.

After spending so long refining it, Yao Xingji had finally perfected the Myriad Veins Origin-Bearing Pill. Its quality was excellent, reaching the upper-grade level.

One had to know that Yao Xingji had refined Origin-Bearing Pills countless times before. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this pill was the most perfect Origin-Bearing Pill he had ever made.

On the raised platform, Yao Wangu was overjoyed and immediately clapped his hands as he laughed.

"Good! Excellent! Xingji's pill is of superior quality, with condensed medicinal potency. It is a rare masterpiece!"

At that moment, Yao Wangu had completely set his mind at ease. In his view, the overall situation had been decided.

There was little time remaining in the competition, and Yao Xuan was far behind. With his cultivation, it was impossible for him to complete the finishing process, condense the pill, and stabilize its form within such a short quarter of an hour.

Even if he barely succeeded in forming a pill, the pill refined in such haste would certainly be defective, a lower-grade pill. It could never compare to Yao Xingji's upper-grade Myriad Veins Origin-Bearing Pill.

The championship of this Medicine Assembly would ultimately remain firmly in the hands of the main branch. Those from the collateral branches were merely indulging in wishful thinking.

However, Yao Wanhuo frowned slightly, his gaze fixed tightly upon Yao Xuan's black cauldron.

Because Yao Wanhuo had long seen that although Yao Xuan's refinement appeared slow and strenuous, his foundation was actually extremely stable. The medicinal properties within the cauldron were blending with exquisite delicacy, free of disorder or flaw. His understanding of alchemy and his polishing skills far surpassed Yao Xingji's seemingly perfect and steady refinement.

"Just wait and see..."

"Elder Wan Gui, I fear you may be celebrating too soon..."

Yao Wanhuo spoke in a deep voice.

In the arena, everyone's attention shifted away from Yao Xingji and landed upon Yao Xuan, who was struggling to hold on.

Quite a few collateral-branch members wore regretful expressions, believing Yao Xuan was being too stubborn. He knew he could not win, yet he insisted on forcing himself onward. In the end, he would only make himself a laughingstock.

Meanwhile, every member of the main branch wore mocking expressions as they quietly waited for Yao Xuan's humiliating defeat.

Only Yao Ling sincerely prayed for Yao Xuan, hoping that he would succeed...

Time flew by second by second.

Ten breaths, twenty breaths, half an incense stick...

The final time limit of the competition drew closer and closer. The countdown had already begun.

Yao Xuan's aura became increasingly unsteady, and his soul power was nearly exhausted. Yet the look in his eyes had never changed from beginning to end...

Just as everyone in the arena had concluded that Yao Xuan would undoubtedly lose, and Yao Wangu was preparing to announce the result—

Boom!!!

A dull, thunderous tremor from the cauldron suddenly erupted!

A gentle, heavy pale-golden medicinal glow suddenly rose from the dark black pill cauldron. It was not dazzling, yet it carried an aura of supreme purity, restrained depth, and profound medicinal resonance that instantly spread across the entire arena.

The somewhat mixed medicinal properties completely fused into one at the final moment, completing their most perfect condensed transformation!

At the final instant before the competition time limit ended!

One flawless Myriad Veins Origin-Bearing Pill after another, crystal clear throughout, covered in dense golden patterns, and containing restrained spiritual energy, steadily rose from the ancient black cauldron...

A trace of relief appeared in Yao Xuan's eyes as well.

"It's done!"