Chapter 99: Desire Immortal, Desire Death

"Qi Refining Seventh Layer?"

Mi Lifu's expression changed somewhat, but he found this condition even more acceptable; after all, he was only at Qi Refining Ninth Layer himself — merely a drop of two layers.

The mana of these two layers of realm, he could completely substitute with Shu Fa Peak's talismans.

"Hehehe, this rule is most disadvantageous to Hu Liang; my hopes for this match are very high — even if I can't get First Place, getting Second Place works too!"

Mi Lifu's gaze turned toward the pale-faced Hu Liang; he smiled lewdly, then turned his head to look at Yu Zhangsheng.

"Now my biggest opponent is that person!"

Hu Liang he could still see through somewhat, but Yu Zhangsheng — he never knew where the other's limit lay; clearly the first match was ordinary, yet the next few matches he soared sky-high — this person's disguise is too good! "We're all Second Rank Alchemy; I have no reason to lose."

In the previous match refining Body Tempering Pills, he lagged far behind Yu Zhangsheng, yet he didn't lose heart, treating it as the Body Tempering Pill's special nature letting the other get lucky; otherwise, refining such a pill on the first try — he wouldn't believe it even if beaten to death!

Only Elder Huang continued: "The pill to be refined in this fifth round is simpler than the previous rounds; therefore, pill count and pill patterns will serve as the scoring standard."

The calm words instantly drew everyone's attention — a simple pill?

This Alchemy Conference has had no simple pills at all! They stared curiously at Elder Huang.

"This pill is named Yu Xian Pill, a pill created by the former Fan Yin Mountain Villa; after consumption it produces hallucinations, achieving a 'desire-immortal desire-death' effect; nowadays in Fan Yin Mountain Villa it is also used as an aphrodisiac pill; I believe some disciples who like visiting pleasure houses won't be unfamiliar with it, hehehe."

Speaking here, Elder Huang laughed in a very improper manner, causing some female cultivators and female alchemists present to blush involuntarily, while surrounding male cultivators revealed knowing smiles.

Elder Huang truly lives up to having a 'Huang' in his name!

"During the refining process of this pill, special attention must be paid to the Yu Xian Smoke produced by the Illusory Scale Powder; many alchemists fail to successfully form pills simply because their willpower is insufficient — before pill formation they are bewitched by the Yu Xian Smoke, produce hallucinations, and ultimately fail amid foolish laughter."

"Here is the Yu Xian Pill's formula and materials; time limit: four hours; scoring standard: pill count per furnace."

Elder Huang finished speaking and distributed the formulas and materials to the three people present.

Meanwhile outside the arena, Duan Ran, having recovered a bit of strength, wanted to cry but had no tears.

Why wasn't the fourth round this one?

Yu Xian Pill — he knew it better than anyone; in the past he and Tang Xing had often gone to Fan Yin Mountain Villa to play with this pill! Regrettably, his luck was too poor; otherwise he would absolutely have confidence to surpass everyone with this pill.

And the disciples outside hearing about this pill-comparison match laughed hehehe one by one.

"You think Hu Liang and them might strip and perform right there while refining?"

"Hu Liang isn't Hu Lang; his Divine Sense is Foundation Establishment level — only his mana is restricted to Qi Refining Seventh Layer; a mere Yu Xian Pill couldn't possibly stump him!"

"Not necessarily; I recall a Foundation Establishment alchemist who once refined Yu Xian Pill in the Alchemy Hall — ended up stripping naked facing the furnace hehehe, nearly castrated himself; that incident spread throughout the sect at the time, shaming that Foundation Establishment alchemist into requesting external transfer to another zone of Wuzhou."

"Oh, you mean that one."

"Shh!"

Whether Elder Huang chose too good a pill, the disciples who had watched a whole day of pill-comparison all became spirited; their energy was better than during the previous few rounds of refining; some even twisted their waists, laughing lecherously.

"Elder Huang's pill choice is really improper, isn't it? The Alchemy Conference is a hundred-year tradition after all; refining Yu Xian Pill on such an occasion rather loses the sect face."

Xu Nian frowned, saying somewhat unhappily.

Gongsun Yang glanced at him, smiling: "Elder Huang has his own plans; with his venerable status, even if he demanded refining a virility pill, the sect wouldn't say anything — what are you worrying about."

Xu Nian snorted: "I'm afraid more jokes will spread afterward, letting the other Five Sects Three Gates look down on us!" "Hehehe, strength is what matters most; you, just don't worry blindly." Gongsun Yang smiled.

"You!" Xu Nian gritted his teeth, then spoke no more.

At this moment, an elder spoke leisurely: "This matter also has a reason; it concerns Fan Yin Mountain Villa — I can't say more even if I gained much; anyway, Yu Ding Peak will probably have to refine more Yu Xian Pills in the future."

"Oh?" Several people looked at him in surprise.

But that elder had already closed his eyes and said no more.

At the same time, on the stone platform, the three who had received materials were perusing the pill formula.

Current score: Yu Zhangsheng led by a wide margin, so he wasn't in a rush to start.

First Place: Yu Zhangsheng, 114 points.

Second Place: Hu Liang, 80 points.

Third Place: Mi Lifu, 65 points.

Compared to Hu Liang, Mi Lifu was clearly more anxious; after all, surpassing Yu Zhangsheng was a bit difficult, but surpassing Hu Liang still had a chance.

Second Place and Third Place — the Sect Contribution gained is worlds apart!

Therefore, after reading the formula, he immediately grasped the key points of this pill's refining process; he formed hand seals and struck several Body Protection Talisman Seals onto himself — protecting Divine Sense, increasing willpower, gaining resistance to hallucinations.

"These few talisman seals should be enough to last me until refining ends!"

Mi Lifu took a deep breath, then ignited the fire, throwing auxiliary materials into the alchemy furnace first, adding the main material Illusory Scale Powder bit by bit.

On the other side, Hu Liang frowned; though his mana was restricted to Qi Refining Seventh Layer, his Divine Sense was still Foundation Establishment — as long as he was careful, withstanding the hallucinations should be no problem.

He glanced at Yu Zhangsheng, then felt uneasy, so from his Hundred Treasures Bag he took out a talisman inscribed with the Clear Heart Mantra, very effective against hallucinations.

"With this talisman, pill formation is no problem — just a question of whether pill count and quality can surpass that person!"

Hu Liang clenched his teeth, pasted on the Clear Heart Talisman, then began refining.

Seeing both start, Yu Zhangsheng also didn't just sit there; he casually tossed an auxiliary material into the furnace, pondering how to act this round.

The Yu Xian Smoke during Yu Xian Pill refining might be fatal to other Qi Refining cultivators or Foundation Establishment cultivators, but to him it had no effect.

Only because his Divine Sense is Golden Core level!

With powerful Divine Sense guarding his mind and spirit, the hallucinations produced by Yu Xian Smoke he can see through completely — unable to enthrall him, unable to make him lose control.

But refining it so smoothly would be too conspicuous — not just the outside disciples, but Elder Huang and the elders on the viewing platform are all watching them.

Now the Alchemy Conference has only three people; they won't miss any odd detail, so to avoid letting anyone sense his Divine Sense's special nature, he must act!

"Headache — I've never taken such a potent aphrodisiac; how to act this?"

Yu Zhangsheng sighed inwardly.

Unbeknownst to him, on the viewing platform, Gongsun Yang's expression was calm, yet his heart was tense to death, deeply afraid his own disciple might accidentally be bewitched by the Yu Xian Smoke and make a fool of himself! (Chapter End)