“That Tianhai Pearl still has a great deal of power she hasn’t unleashed. In this final round, I’m afraid Ling Xiao will find it hard to win.”
Sun Ran had never liked Ling Xiao, but that did not prevent him from acknowledging the young man’s strength.
Even with that acknowledgement, he still believed it would be very difficult for Ling Xiao to defeat Tianhai Pearl, because he had faintly glimpsed the shadow of an old friend of his within her.
Although he could not yet be certain, even a one-in-ten-thousand chance would spell enormous trouble.
“No use talking more. Let’s begin.”
The Changle Ancestor shook his head helplessly. Since no one could predict the outcome, further anxiety would serve little purpose.
Better to take it one step at a time.
“Alchemists participating in the third and final round, now enter the field!”
He stood up and announced.
By now, both the spectators and the competing alchemists had all arrived.
Unlike the previous two rounds, the pill refinement platforms for the third round had been placed in a higher position at the centre of the square.
Ling Xiao, Dan Qing, Ji Luoyu, and the others were no exception.
“Sister Moon Maiden, I’m going.”
Ling Xiao leapt lightly and in an instant arrived in front of the pill refinement platform marked with his name.
At that moment, the noise in the spectator stands rose again.
People discussed animatedly.
“That’s Ling Xiao, the winner of the first two rounds. It’s such a shame if you didn’t come to watch the earlier matches.”
“So young! Who would have thought the human race truly produces talents in abundance. It seems the human race has been in decline for a long time, but finally it is about to rise again.”
“Indeed. This person is called Ling Xiao, and he is none other than the current Heavenly Emperor of the Heavenly Dynasty Empire. He’s remarkable.”
“It’s really enviable.”
“Envy is envy, but the pressure is also immense. That sea clan Tianhai Pearl is too powerful. Ling Xiao had to expend great effort to win the first two rounds. This third round is the crucial one.”
“Yes, I’ve heard that the score for taking first place in the third round far exceeds the combined total of the first two. If Ling Xiao loses, all his previous efforts will be wasted.”
“We of the six terrestrial races cannot afford to lose face like that.”
“I hope he can win.”
Ling Xiao seemed completely deaf to the unreserved discussions in the spectator stands.
Sitting cross-legged there, he was recalling all the various pill refinement methods he had learned in the past, including the pills from the Eternal Divine Pill Scripture.
The third round was very likely to be free improvisation, meaning each relied on their own abilities to refine pills. Whoever produced the pill with the highest quality, highest grade, and best effects would win.
This was a comprehensive assessment, and probably every alchemist would bring out their ultimate techniques.
His opponents were truly not limited to Tianhai Pearl alone.
Dan Qing and Ji Luoyu would also be troublesome.
Those two might well have special pill formulas given by Pill King Sun Ran, so there was still a strong possibility they could reverse the situation and win in the third round.
Therefore, he really could not afford to be careless.
In the final round, one hundred and twenty alchemists remained.
After they reached their respective pill refinement platforms, they all closed their eyes to rest their minds, just like Ling Xiao.
They treated this round with great caution, and even Tianhai Pearl was no exception.
“Dong! Dong dong!”
The magical treasure clock rang out once more with its resounding tone, echoing through the sky.
In that instant, every competing alchemist opened their eyes, their expressions focused.
“The third round is also the final round of this Pill Refinement Conference. I won’t say anything superfluous. This round has only one requirement: using the medicinal ingredients provided by the organisers, refine a pill that you believe to be your finest work!
Whoever wins will be the champion of this Pill Refinement Conference, even if your scores in the first two rounds were not outstanding. Therefore, hold nothing back and display your abilities to the fullest.
If you need any ingredients, tell the assistant alchemists beside you, and they will fetch them for you.
Everyone has exactly the same conditions.”
“Ohhh~~”
Deafening cheers erupted from the spectator stands. Having waited for more than half an hour, the long-suppressed excitement of the crowd was finally fully released, their energy surging through the clouds and straight into the heavens.
“As expected.”
Although Ling Xiao did not know the exact topic, he had roughly guessed it. For the sake of fairness, the ingredients were provided by the organisers, which demonstrated the profound heritage of Changle Immortal Island.
Many pill ingredients were not easy to find, after all.
Hosting this Pill Refinement Conference had cost Changle Immortal Island dearly.
Yet there was loss and gain. The benefits they reaped from this conference were also obvious.
First, they had promoted themselves. Second, the ticket revenue alone was a considerable sum.
After the fervent noise temporarily subsided, the Changle Ancestor continued, “The final round will have an extended time limit of one hour, so everyone has sufficient time to consider their approach.
Moreover, you will have up to three chances for failure. However, note that because precious ingredients are relatively scarce, wasting them may force you to alter your plans and settle for something lesser.
Therefore, my advice is to prepare thoroughly. No matter what pill you choose, aim to succeed on the first attempt!”
Succeeding on the first attempt might be very difficult, but it was clearly the best scenario.
Dan Qing and Ji Luoyu had probably known the content of this round in advance, so their faces showed only anticipation, with no surprise at all.
After all, they had backers.
As for Tianhai Pearl, she had guessed the content of the third round just like Ling Xiao.
However, unlike the first two rounds, knowing the content in advance held little advantage here.
In the end, it still came down to true pill refinement ability.
The venue, equipment, and ingredients were all provided by the organisers. Knowing beforehand only allowed for some mental preparation, nothing more.
“The championship will definitely belong to our sea clan, to the Water God Temple!”
Tianhai Pearl looked towards Ling Xiao and made a provocative gesture.
Ling Xiao smiled faintly.
Arguing now held no meaning. Better to wait for the Changle Ancestor to announce the start.
“Now, the final round of the conference officially begins!”
With the Changle Ancestor’s command, Dan Qing and Ji Luoyu immediately stood up and spoke to the assistant alchemists beside them.
They were probably requesting ingredients.
They understood clearly that Changle Immortal Island’s ingredients were limited. Requesting them a step earlier would secure the more precious ones.
The pills they refined would also be superior.
In any case, they already knew in advance what they intended to refine.
Ling Xiao naturally understood this too, but he was in no hurry.
He had to decide what pill to refine only after observing the available ingredients.
Possessing the ability to extract elements, even if he could not obtain rare ingredients, he was confident he could refine pills no inferior to anyone else’s.
The others, though anxious, were also contemplating.
This round allowed no recklessness.
Otherwise, even if you successfully refined a pill, it would hold little meaning.
Yet only moments later, several people began fetching ingredients.
The best pills these people could refine were limited to one type, so they truly had no choices. Their earlier hesitation stemmed from fear of failure.
Now making their decision meant they were committing everything to this final gamble.
