Opening the Furnaces

Three hours later, in the alchemy area, an ordinary-looking man from the Evergreen Sect was the first to successfully refine pills. After opening the furnace, he produced a total of twelve pills. Judging from the aroma and the color of the pills, they were of good quality and were all top-grade.

The Changqing Evergreen Sect disciples watching from all around beamed with joy, as if exchanging pleasantries with their companions.

"Senior Brother Zhang Li truly lives up to his reputation as the top disciple of the Pill Hall. His pill-producing speed, yield, and quality are all excellent. You must know that this is the most difficult Spirit-Nourishing Pill to refine among second-grade pills."

"It seems that Senior Brother Zhang Li has secured first place this time. Spirit Moon Sect only has four people who have refined pills so far. Even if that scholar-looking guy finishes refining pills, he still can't compete with Senior Brother Zhang Li, unless he produces more and of better quality pills."

"However, that's impossible. At the second-grade level, producing twelve pills is already the limit, and each one must be of superior quality. It's impossible to surpass that."

"It seems the Spirit Moon Sect can only compete for second... no, third."

"Look, Senior Brother Lu Yuan has also produced pills! Ten pills, one top-grade, eight high-grade, and one mid-grade. I was wondering why he produced pills so much later than Senior Brother Zhang Li. It turns out it was all for that top-grade Soul-Nourishing Pill!"

"It seems they can only compete for third place now. If they're unlucky, they might not even get a single spot in the top three for the Spirit Moon Sect this time."

Two people on the other side had already produced pills, and the quality of their pills was quite good. They might have already taken first and second place, but Qingfeng was not flustered at all and continued to condense pills on his own.

About fifteen minutes later, Qingfeng and a disciple of the Evergreen Sect produced pills together, but in terms of the aroma of the pills, his was much stronger.

"One, two, three... three top-grade Soul-Nourishing Pill, and five high-grade ones. It seems the third place has already been decided. I didn't expect this scholar from the Spirit Moon Sect to have such excellent alchemy skills."

For a period of time afterward, both sides started their own alchemy furnaces, and the quality of the pills produced varied greatly, none of them being as good as Zhang Li Lu Yuan, and Qingfeng. Therefore, the three of them were the top three in this alchemy competition.

If we break it down further, Zhang Li is first, Qingfeng is second, and Lu Yuan is third. Although he formed pills a little faster than Qingfeng, the quality of his pills is not as good as Qingfeng's, so he can only be ranked third.

"Fellow Daoist Qingfeng, I didn't expect your alchemy skills to be so high. I admit defeat this time and hope to have the opportunity to exchange ideas again next time." Lu Yuan said earnestly, cupping his hands, showing no Qi Ingestion at his loss.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, your skill is also very high. If you hadn't been a little hasty at the last moment, I really wouldn't have been able to beat you," Qingfeng returned the greeting humbly.

"Qingfeng, you're still so humble," Zhang Li said with a smile. "You've improved so much; it seems your senior sister has given you a lot of special training."

"It's a pity she's already broken through to the Golden Core Stage, otherwise I really wanted to have a match with her. Last time I lost to her because I was a little slower at producing my core, and to be honest, I'm really not Qi Ingestion."

"Zhang Li, not to be nosy, but you're nowhere near as good as our senior sister these days. If you want to beat her in Pill Formula, you probably have no hope." Qingfeng Qingyu in Zhang Li's ear, "Our senior sister was able to refine grade three pills a long time ago, and now that she's entered the Golden Core Stage, grade three pills are practically no challenge for her. So, you should practice more."

Because he was familiar with Zhang Li, Qingfeng made a rare joke.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Li paused for a moment, then laughed and scolded, "What are you so smug about? Your senior sister is your senior sister. I may not be able to beat her, but I can completely dominate you. You have to admit that."

"Our styles are different. I pursue the best, while you pursue speed while ensuring the quality of the pills as much as possible, using quantity to overcome quality. Of course, in terms of Spirit Stone, I do earn less per batch of Spirit Stone than you do, but you're not much better than me either."

"Come on, come on, it's my treat today, let's have a drink together," Lu Yuan said.

Qingfeng pointed to the weapon-refining area on the other side. Just as he was about to speak, Zhang Li said, "Good idea! Let's go have a drink and exchange experiences on Pill Formula. Qingfeng, don't bother waiting for them. Our specializations are different from theirs. Even if you stay and watch them refine weapons, how much would you understand? Besides, they still have a long way to go. It will take at least three more hours for them to produce a finished product. We'll just come back later to see the results." With that, Zhang Li and Lu Yuan forcibly pulled Qingfeng away.

On the high-rise building, Daoist Qingguang watched Zhang Li and his two companions disappear around the corner, stroking his beard as he said, "That's more like how a conversation should be, Fellow Daoist Ziyang, don't you think?"

Ziyang nodded, picked up a cup of fine spiritual tea, took a sip, and said, "Yes, progress can only be made through exchange; one cannot succeed by working in isolation."

"Speaking of which, I remember you were depressed for three years after losing at alchemy."

Ziyang's expression did not change because of Daoist Qingguang's teasing. He calmly said, "The past cannot be retrieved. Looking back now, I was a bit young and arrogant. I always thought I was invincible. However, the world is so big, and your achievements may not even be worth mentioning in the eyes of some people."

Nearly three hours later, the first successful person was born, Liu Tao of the Evergreen Sect. A flying sword radiating dazzling spiritual light floated in front of him. Judging from both its appearance and the spiritual light, it was excellent.

The elder in the air glanced around and said, "Liu Tao of the Evergreen Sect possesses a top-grade Swordsmanship with twenty sets of array patterns on it."

Before long, Jin Ling was also successfully forged. The elder glanced at it and said, "The Spirit Moon Sect Jin Ling flying Swordsmanship with twenty sets of array patterns. After comparison, the array patterns inscribed on Jin Ling are stronger than those on Liu Tao."

"Sigh, what a pity. I didn't expect Senior Brother Liu Tao to lose. Well, it makes sense. In order to be the first to finish, he naturally couldn't choose a complex formation to inscribe."

On a vantage point, Zhang Li and his two companions, who had already returned, watched the two on the forging platform. Zhang Li said without any surprise, "Liu Tao's loss was somewhat expected. After all, he's sometimes too eager for quick results. Although he can control it with his superior technique, under the same skill level, he can't refine it as meticulously as others."

Liu Tao smiled, cupped his hands in greeting to Jin Ling, and said, "I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Jin Ling to have such high skill in weapon crafting. I look forward to sparring with you again next time."

"Thank you for your kind offer." After returning the bow, Jin Ling turned and left the stage.

Liu Tao smiled, then turned and left.

After the two of them took the lead, others followed suit and started their furnaces one after another, and for a time, inspiration filled the air.

"Wang Li, a high-grade Swordsmanship..."

"Zhang Er, a top-grade Swordsmanship..."

"Mu Wan possesses a top-grade magic Law Artifact, an iron fan, with seventeen array patterns on it."