Chapter 90: Alchemy Conference

Main Peak, Lian Lian Dan Tang.

Today was especially lively, with many disciples from the Five Peaks gathered here.

Yu Zhangsheng came to the Lian Lian Dan Tang and saw many other Foundation Establishment alchemists, as well as Outer Sect Disciples from Yu Ding Peak and a few Inner Sect Disciples.

For a grand event like the Alchemy Conference, many disciples who couldn't practice alchemy also came to join the fun, make acquaintances with alchemists, and plan for future pill needs.

Yu Ding Peak ranked third among the Five Inheritance Peaks, but its status was quite special; no disciple from the other four peaks was willing to offend them.

This time, the Alchemy Conference was hosted by elderly alchemists, including Gongsun Yang, a Third-Rank Alchemist who had just been promoted to Protector Elder, though he presided over the third round of alchemy.

The judges were different for each round, and the finals required five Elders to decide together.

"Is that Elder Huang the alchemist? I last saw him over ten years ago. I heard he's almost a Fourth-Rank Alchemist, and I didn't expect him to come out and host the Alchemy Conference this year!"

"Huh, aren't these disciples from Yujian Peak? Their sword control is fine, but alchemy? Hahaha, they actually came to participate; isn't that just embarrassing themselves?"

"I admit your Yujian Peak disciples are powerful, but when it comes to alchemy, it's still our Yu Ding Peak that matters."

"The Alchemy Conference doesn't restrict disciples from any peak from participating. Don't say I'm from Yujian Peak; even disciples from Yushou Peak have participated!"

The Yujian Peak disciple whose face was red from holding back pointed forward, and everyone looked.

Sure enough, they saw a disciple wearing Yushou Peak attire signing up, and everyone burst into laughter.

Yujian Peak and Shu Fa Peak joining the fun with alchemy was one thing, but Yushou Peak too?

I heard Yushou Peak's disciples can't even control beasts yet, and they're here for alchemy? Isn't that just making a fool of themselves?

And that person was Yu Zhangsheng.

Yu Zhangsheng turned his head to look, not expecting to suddenly become the center of attention, as if all eyes were on him.

Sure enough, being too handsome makes you stand out wherever you go.

He shook his head helplessly and quietly walked to the side to wait for the conference to begin.

Beside him, some mocked him, some pointed and whispered at him, laughing and joking.

Some Yushou Peak disciples who came to watch the fun had red faces and hurriedly distanced themselves from Yu Zhangsheng, as if he wasn't from their peak.

As for some experienced Beast Tamers, they were already used to it; they just glanced at Yu Zhangsheng with some surprise and ignored the surrounding ridicule.

As the weakest of the Five Inheritance Peaks, Yushou Peak's disciples had experienced too much over these decades; mere mockery was nothing.

"That's Duan Ran. It seems he's participating too; this Alchemy Conference will be very difficult!"

"Is he very powerful?"

"Of course. Among the younger generation of alchemists at Yu Ding Peak, he's a standout. It's said he has high attainment in Second Rank Alchemy, and everyone who has seen him refine pills admits defeat."

"Then whose alchemy skill is stronger, his or Hu Liang's?"

"Well, I'm not sure about that. Duan Ran dominates the Outer Sect with unmatched alchemy skill, but Hu Liang entered the Inner Sect a few years ago. Outsiders don't know his alchemy skill; their impression of him only goes back to the last Alchemy Conference."

"Hu Liang's potential is also very high. He once achieved a top-three ranking."

Yu Zhangsheng's Divine Sense was very strong; even without actively extending it, he could hear the discussion from several hundred meters away with perfect clarity.

"I thought a Golden Core True Person would preside, but it seems the highest is only Foundation Establishment."

Yu Zhangsheng glanced at the few Elders in the distance and immediately felt much more relieved.

He wasn't sure if his Divine Sense could hide from a Golden Core True Person. But since the conference was hosted only by Foundation Establishment Elders, he had no psychological burden.

"Duan Ran, Hu Liang. They should be the top candidates for this Alchemy Conference, right?"

Yu Zhangsheng followed the disciples' gazes and saw Duan Ran and Hu Liang.

Both sat cross-legged on the square, with dedicated disciples around them acting as Protectors to keep people away. Both were quite handsome and looked ethereal.

"Qi Refining Peak. That Hu Liang has already reached Foundation Establishment First Layer, right?"

Yu Zhangsheng's eyes narrowed, and he immediately saw Hu Liang's cultivation realm. After all, his Divine Sense was too strong now; very few disciples could hide their cultivation from him.

"Inner Sect Disciples, huh. There are indeed several Inner Sect Disciples participating in this conference, and they're all from Yu Ding Peak."

The Alchemy Conference mainly attracted Outer Sect Disciples and Qi Refining Cultivators. Among the participating Inner Sect Disciples, some were at Qi Refining Peak, and some were like Hu Liang at Foundation Establishment First Layer or Second Layer.

Inner Sect Disciples who had already established their Foundation basically didn't care about the Alchemy Conference's rewards. The activities that interested them were basically exchanges with outside sects, or even confrontations and training.

Even if a Foundation Establishment Cultivator like Hu Liang took first place, the main materials for Foundation Establishment Pills weren't very useful to them. At most, they'd take them to gather materials and refine pills to test their skills.

No matter what, Yu Zhangsheng's opponents were still strong.

"Fortunately, they're all around Second Rank Alchemy. No one has broken through to Third Rank and come to participate in this kind of event, right?"

Yu Zhangsheng glanced around, and after hearing the surrounding words, he smiled.

"Silence!"

With a "clang" of a bell, an old man floated in mid-air and shouted loudly at the disciples on the square.

In an instant, the entire square became quiet. The disciples who had closed their eyes to cultivate also opened their eyes, raised their heads, puffed out their chests, and wore serious expressions.

"I am Li Xiuqi, Protector Elder of Yu Ding Peak. You can call me Elder Li."

Li Xiuqi said, "The Alchemy Conference has been held for many years, once every five years. I believe many disciples have seen it and know the rules."

"This time, by the Sect Master True Person's decree, the rules have changed. However, the alchemy materials are still provided by us, but all finished products must be left behind. All refined pills will be exchanged for corresponding Sect Contribution as rewards."

After speaking, many cultivators in the square looked surprised, but soon they were happy again.

Actually, there were many pills refined at the Alchemy Conference that they couldn't use even if they took some. If all were exchanged for Sect Contribution, the effect would be even greater.

Whether exchanging for cultivation resources or Secret Realm Tickets, it was possible! After everyone accepted this, Li Xiuqi continued, "This alchemy session is divided into five rounds."

"First round: refine First Rank Pills. Within two hours, more than six pills must be formed to qualify. If a pill has one Pill Pattern, one pill counts as two."

"Alright, let's begin now. All disciples, please go up to the Stone Platforms."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Xiuqi clasped his hands together, and rows of Stone Platforms immediately appeared in the square.

The disciples who had signed up in the square flew up to the Stone Platforms one by one and took out their Alchemy Furnaces.

Yu Zhangsheng was the same. A round, three-legged, two-eared Alchemy Furnace appeared before him. This furnace had been used by Gongsun Yang when he was a Second-Rank Alchemist, and its spirituality was quite good.

Seeing that everyone was ready, Li Xiuqi waved his hand, and each Stone Platform received a set of materials and a Pill Formula. He said,

"The first Pill is called the Five Poison Pill."

(Chapter End)