The Yellow Heaven Elixir shared similar effects with the Ascension Elixir, both capable of boosting a Heavenly Martial cultivator’s power, but the Yellow Heaven Elixir was specifically tailored for high-tier Heavenly Martial practitioners, offering a greater chance of breakthrough. It was a highly coveted elixir among late-stage Heavenly Martial warriors.
However, the primary ingredients for the Yellow Heaven Elixir were rarer, several times more precious than those for the Ascension Elixir, and it belonged to the third-grade advanced category.
Lin Xiao’s plan to refine the Yellow Heaven Elixir meant attempting to leap two grades in refining, no small feat. At the third-grade advanced level, even Ye Yu would find it extremely difficult to refine an elixir one grade above his own.
The others nearby were equally shocked. Was Lin Xiao aiming to tackle the highest level of difficulty?
“Heimu, are you sure you want to refine the Yellow Heaven Elixir? You know, third-grade advanced elixirs aren’t easy to refine. Crafting an exceptional third-grade intermediate elixir could still win you the championship,” Le Zheng Hongmao couldn’t help but interject.
“It’s not that I’m overconfident. Ye Yu and that black-robed youth are so strong in the third-grade intermediate realm that it’d be hard to outshine them there. I can only push my limits. If my spiritual power falls short, perhaps my spiritual energy can make up for it,” Lin Xiao replied.
He spoke the truth. Refining one grade above was manageable for him, but two grades was uncharted territory.
Ye Yu and the black-robed youth had likely mastered third-grade intermediate elixirs to perfection, possibly even capable of cross-grade refining themselves. Without aiming for a third-grade advanced elixir, he’d have little chance of winning.
In terms of spiritual power, he matched others at third-grade intermediate and was nearing third-grade advanced. Combined with his dual spiritual energy fusion, refining a third-grade advanced elixir was a gamble worth taking.
He chose the Yellow Heaven Elixir because, in the Heaven-Devouring Spirit Emperor’s memories, its ingredients were relatively easier to source compared to other third-grade advanced elixirs. The emperor had refined it more often, making it a safer bet.
Moreover, among third-grade advanced elixirs, the Yellow Heaven Elixir’s performance and quality were mid-tier. Even if Ye Yu and the black-robed youth also produced third-grade advanced elixirs, he’d still have a decent shot at victory.
“That’s a fair point. Ye Yu does have the ability to refine a third-grade advanced elixir, and that black-robed youth seems even more formidable. Sticking to third-grade intermediate might indeed leave you with no chance,” Ye Fenghua paused briefly before continuing, “Since you’ve decided on a third-grade advanced elixir, prepare well tonight. Of course, Ye Yu is one of my favored contenders too. Whether you can surpass him and that youth is up to you. As for the Yellow Heaven Elixir’s ingredients, the alliance happens to have a set. I’ll have it sent to you later. Rest up and get ready today.”
“They really have it,” Lin Xiao thought, delighted, and quickly thanked him, “Then I’ll thank you, Alliance Leader.”
While the Yellow Heaven Elixir’s ingredients weren’t rare in the Heaven-Devouring Spirit Emperor’s hands, they were scarce in the Lanlan Empire’s markets. For the alliance to produce a set so readily, Lin Xiao couldn’t help but marvel at their resources.
Regardless, he noted Ye Fenghua’s kindness in his heart.
After a brief exchange of refining insights with Ye Fenghua, Lin Xiao returned to his room. Per Ye Fenghua’s orders, no one disturbed him, save for a deacon delivering the herbs.
With no spare ingredients, Lin Xiao could only mentally rehearse with his spiritual energy. He rested only late into the night.
…
The next morning arrived, and with the Spirit Controller Alliance’s bustling crowd, Lin Xiao returned to the competition plaza. Today’s scene was even livelier than yesterday’s.
Ye Fenghua, Chen Wendao, Zhou Moyi, Emperor Meng, and other prominent figures sat on the jade platform once more.
Amid the roaring crowd, Lin Xiao stepped into the arena, joining the fifty young disciples at the center of attention.
These fifty were the cream of the empire’s young spirit controllers, with Lin Xiao and a few others standing out as the elite among them. Nearly all eyes were fixed on them.
As the morning sun bathed the ground, Ye Fenghua rose slowly, scanning the crowd. When silence fell, he spoke, “Everyone, today we hold the final refining competition. The rules were announced yesterday: one chance, half a day, the highest-grade elixir wins.”
“As for the rewards, many of you may have heard rumors.”
“For the top fifty finalists, each can choose either an Entry Heaven Elixir or an Ascension Elixir.”
At Ye Fenghua’s words, the crowd buzzed again.
An Entry Heaven Elixir had a high chance of nurturing a Heavenly Martial expert, while an Ascension Elixir could boost a Heavenly Martial cultivator by one level. Many factions paid dearly for them.
Both elixirs were notoriously hard to refine, often priceless in the markets.
Just reaching the top fifty guaranteed an Entry Heaven or Ascension Elixir, a lavish reward for the fifty youths. Even if they couldn’t use it, they could trade it for valuable elixirs or herbs.
The crowd marvelled. Only the Spirit Controller Alliance could afford to offer so many of these elixirs at once.
As the murmurs of awe continued, Ye Fenghua added, “The top ten each receive a fourth-grade elementary Aperture Spirit Elixir and a fourth-grade elementary recipe.”
Whoa!
The mention of the Aperture Spirit Elixir sparked another wave of gasps, especially among spirit controllers. It opened the mind, heightening their grasp of spiritual power cultivation. Some could soar from there, advancing rapidly.
Paired with a recipe, the lifeblood of spirit controllers, a fourth-grade elementary one at that, these rewards held an almost magical allure. Every youth’s eyes blazed with desire.
“The top five receive a fourth-grade intermediate elixir, the Yang-Opening Blood Qi Elixir, and a fourth-grade intermediate recipe, tailored to their rank,” Ye Fenghua continued, “The champion gets a fifth-grade elixir, the Serpent Blood Void-Breaking Elixir with a trace of dragon blood, plus a choice of any fourth-grade advanced recipe.”
“Fifth-grade elixir, Serpent Blood Void-Breaking Elixir!”
Even the Martial Venerables present stirred at the champion’s prize. In the entire Lanlan Empire, only Ye Fenghua could refine fifth-grade elixirs.
Fifth-grade elixirs typically required a Martial Venerable to refine, but those usable by lower-tier cultivators were exceptional, and the Serpent Blood Void-Breaking Elixir was one such rarity.
Its greatest allure lay in its refinement with serpent blood, containing a hint of dragon essence. It could solidify the dantian and blood from虚 to real, turning weakness into strength, enhancing both dantian and physique, a boon even for Martial Venerables.
“Serpent Blood Void-Breaking Elixir!” Gazing at Ye Fenghua ahead, Lin Xiao smacked his lips. This was his goal for joining the competition.
Ye Yu, Wu Gong, the black-robed youth, and others also lit up with fervor.
The other youths’ eyes gleamed too. Even if they couldn’t refine it themselves, the elixir could fetch immense concessions from a Martial Venerable.
Surely no Martial Venerable present would pass up trading for a Serpent Blood Void-Breaking Elixir.
The crowd outside marvelled quietly. Offering something even Martial Venerables coveted, the competition’s rewards were lavish beyond measure, no wonder it drew every young spirit controller in the empire.
“Alright, to claim the Serpent Blood Void-Breaking Elixir, you’ll need enough talent and strength. Let’s see who among you will take this year’s championship! The final refining competition begins now,” Ye Fenghua declared.
As his words fell, a wild laugh erupted in the arena, “Hahaha, I never expected the Lanlan Empire’s refining competition to offer a Serpent Blood Void-Breaking Elixir. This trip was well worth it!”
