“Cross-grade refining success! From now on, our Chen family won’t lack Skyward Elixirs!” On the jade platform, Chen Wendao exclaimed in a hushed tone, then let out a long breath of relief.
Chen Qing’er, with only second-grade advanced spiritual power, had crossed a major grade to refine a third-grade elementary elixir, a feat no less challenging than Ye Yu and others refining across grades.
“Skyward Elixirs are rare in the markets. Now our Chen family won’t need to pay exorbitant prices to hire spirit controllers to refine them,” Chen Yan said, his face alight with excitement.
Zhou Xiong, standing nearby, was equally thrilled, though Zhou Ruoyi, once Chen Qing’er’s close friend, felt an inexplicable pang of disappointment. She should have been standing alongside her.
After Chen Qing’er’s success, Meng Sheng also completed his refining, condensing a third-grade elementary elixir. As he exhaled deeply, a rich medicinal fragrance wafted from the elixir.
Le Zheng Hongmao on the platform nodded with satisfaction at the sight.
Next, Feng Huo condensed a third-grade intermediate elixir, the Fierce Yuan Elixir, which amplified raw, explosive strength, a rare and potent concoction, marking it as the highest-grade elixir refined so far.
For the younger generation, a third-grade intermediate elixir was almost unattainable, placing Feng Huo among the top ranks of youth spirit controllers.
Situ Guang’s face glowed with approval.
“Bone-Forging Elixir, finally done! In the realm of third-grade intermediate elixirs, I’m the best!” Wu Gong’s voice rang out.
A smooth, glossy elixir took shape before him.
“Bone-Forging Elixir! It outshines the Fierce Yuan Elixir in the third-grade intermediate category! Wu Gong’s got real talent,” Ye Fenghua on the platform remarked with a hint of awe.
The Bone-Forging Elixir strengthened a martial artist’s bones and physique, a rare and top-tier third-grade intermediate elixir, priceless in the markets.
Many elders would pay fortunes to secure it for their faction’s prodigies.
Its value far exceeded the Fierce Yuan Elixir.
“Looks like my elixir might be a bit higher!”
A soft voice chimed in as Wu Sha spoke, followed by the silent formation of an elixir.
“Third-grade advanced elixir!” A fourth-grade elementary spirit controller at the arena’s edge sensed its grade and was the first to cry out.
This was the highest-grade elixir yet, made even more stunning by Wu Sha’s third-grade elementary status, crossing two grades in a breathtaking display of skill.
“What, how is that possible?” Wu Gong froze, his face etched with disbelief.
He’d thought his Bone-Forging Elixir, a standout among third-grade intermediates refined across grades, would secure him a top-three spot.
He never imagined Wu Sha, whom he’d dismissed yesterday as insignificant, would leap two grades to refine a third-grade advanced elixir, outranking his own.
It was beyond belief. What was happening today? Since when were there so many super-genius spirit controllers?
Wu Gong’s mind teetered on collapse.
“It worked, it finally worked! Hahaha…” Outside, Wu Meng leapt up, slamming the table and laughing wildly, “The championship, Wu Sha’s got a shot at it!”
Pang Po and Wen Renliang were startled by Wu Meng’s fervor. Pang Po tugged at him, stammering, “Hey, old Wu, you alright? The competition’s not over. Crossing two grades is a miracle, but it’s not the championship yet.”
“No worries, no worries, just let me laugh a bit, that’s all,” Wu Meng chuckled dryly, snapping back to himself and sitting down, though his excited grin refused to fade.
“Crossing two grades, Wu Meng’s raised a real genius!” Ye Fenghua cast an approving glance, echoed by nods from the two vice leaders.
In talent, crossing two grades surpassed even Ye Yu.
The crowd outside erupted in gasps, the atmosphere peaking with Wu Sha’s feat. Meng Sheng, Xuanxuan, and others condensed their elixirs in succession, but their achievements were overshadowed.
Of course, a few failed, plummeting to the bottom ranks of the competition.
As the scene settled, all eyes turned back to Ye Yu and Yunfeng, who had been the central focus throughout.
As for Lin Xiao, still meticulously fusing herbs into his green fruit, many doubted he’d even produce a single elixir.
Nearly another incense stick’s time passed, leaving just the final one. Only three remained unfinished in the arena.
Lin Xiao, still slowly adding herbs one by one, hadn’t even finished the fusion.
By now, most had lost hope in him. No matter what, he couldn’t surpass Ye Yu and Yunfeng. All attention fixed on the two.
Their elixirs were reaching the final stage.
The arena fell silent.
“It’s done!” Ye Fenghua uttered from the platform, and a chilling elixir aura emanated from Ye Yu’s position.
Before Ye Yu, a glossy, white-glowing elixir condensed.
“Third-grade advanced, top-tier!” Sensing its aura, Ye Fenghua couldn’t help but exclaim, his eyes lighting with joy.
Ye Yu had succeeded, pushing his cross-grade refining to the limit, achieving a top-tier third-grade advanced elixir.
The crowd burst into exclamations. A top-tier third-grade advanced elixir meant that even if Yunfeng succeeded, Ye Yu wouldn’t lose.
Gazing at his elixir, Ye Yu sighed in relief, wiped his sweat, and stored it in a jade bottle before turning his eyes toward Yunfeng.
“Boom, Chi!”
At that moment, a faint rumble of thunder sounded, a subtle ripple spreading from the air before Yunfeng. A blue elixir, faintly crackling with electricity, took shape.
“Near fourth-grade elixir, I did it, hahaha…” Yunfeng’s wild laughter erupted.
“What, a near fourth-grade elixir?” Ye Yu, just relaxing, stiffened in shock.
A near fourth-grade elixir was the pinnacle of third-grade elixirs, flawless and complete, teetering on the edge of fourth-grade with the slightest push.
Even a top-tier third-grade advanced elixir fell short by a notch.
“It’s a near fourth-grade elixir!” The fourth-grade elementary referee at the edge leapt up in astonishment.
Ye Fenghua and the vice leaders on the jade platform were equally stunned. Refining a Thunder Spirit Elixir with special attributes to near fourth-grade status was something even a fourth-grade elementary spirit controller might not achieve.
Yunfeng’s refining skill was extraordinary, far beyond mere third-grade advanced spiritual power.
