"Exactly."
An Yi nodded. "I thought about it just now. If I only refine an ordinary Third- or Fourth-Rank Pill tomorrow, with my half-baked skills, what happens if I'm unlucky and blow up the furnace? I'll make a fool of myself in front of everyone."
"But a peak Fifth-Rank Dou Spirit Pill would be different."
"With my current soul strength and my unbeatable fire control, I might just succeed in challenging the fifth rank."
"And even if I fail and blow up the furnace, everyone will think I was brave to attempt something beyond my level. I'll have lost with honor, so it won't be too embarrassing."
"But if I happen to succeed..."
An Yi looked at Fa Ma and coaxed him along. "That's even simpler! The Alchemist Guild can announce that I, Nangong Yi, am no novice contestant at all, but a high-ranking alchemist who travels the world. I happened to pass through the Jia Ma Empire, took a sudden fancy to the competition, and entered under a concealed identity to give the younger generation a few pointers."
"I won't compete for the championship anyway. That way, I won't bruise the fragile pride of the Jia Ma Empire's young alchemists, and you can use my Fifth-Rank Pill to drum up publicity for the guild."
"You'll save face and raise the guild's standing. Two birds with one stone, wouldn't you say?"
Listening to An Yi's seamless chain of arguments, Fa Ma found himself somewhat tempted.
After a moment's thought, he gave a pained smile. "Young friend Nangong, you've calculated this nicely. The Dou Spirit Pill recipe is a priceless treasure. Even in the Alchemist Guild's vault, it's one of our finest possessions. That's no small price."
An Yi spread his hands. "President Fa Ma, you can't look at it that