Chapter 250: The Alchemy Wager Begins

Upon hearing Xiao Yan's wager, all the students drew a sharp breath.

Good grief, Han Xian had set his sights on Xiao Yan's Pill Formula, but Xiao Yan had set his sights on the entire Medicinal Alliance!

The Inner Court had so many factions and so many people—all envious of the Medicinal Alliance. Even Lin Xiuya and Liu Qing had once sought to ally with it, yet Han Xian had categorically refused them.

After all, Alchemists are proud souls; they naturally wouldn't agree, so to this day, no one has managed to absorb the Medicinal Alliance.

"Since it's a wager, both sides must stand to gain. What you proposed is merely what I'm owed anyway—even without this bet, you couldn't stop me. As for ten thousand Fire Energy, how hard would it be for me to earn it?" Xiao Yan said with a smile.

In truth, Xiao Yan was already secretly delighted—he couldn't keep refining Pills forever. Spirit Refining drained mental and spiritual energy; even if his Spiritual Qi remained sufficient, he'd fall into a state of exhaustion afterward, wanting only to lie down and avoid Cultivation.

So Xiao Yan knew he couldn't rely on refining Pills to earn Fire Energy forever. If he could seize and absorb the Medicinal Alliance—the money-making machine—he'd never have to worry about lacking Fire Energy again.

"Boss, take the bet!"

"Yes! We all believe you'll win!"

"Exactly! It's just a Pill Formula—your true skill will crush him!"

Hearing the chorus of his followers, Han Xian's confidence surged. His gaze sharpened, hardening with resolve as he said firmly, "Fine! We'll use the same Spirit Stone Formula. After refining, we'll see whose Pill is superior!"

"Agreed. But whose Formula will we use?" Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Whichever side's Formula we use, the other will suspect bias," Han Xian said calmly. "So I suggest we use one from the Inner Court's archives. I've met Elder Hao, who manages the Formula repository, once. I'll borrow a Formula from him—and ask him to serve as judge and witness. What do you say?"

Xiao Yan nodded indifferently. "Do as you like."

"Then, three days from now, at the North Guang Chang—we settle this with Spirit Refining!"

Three days passed swiftly. At last, amid eager anticipation from countless onlookers, the day of Xiao Yan and Han Xian's Spirit Refining duel arrived.

Long before the appointed time, the Guang Chang was already packed with students—especially Alchemists from the Inner Court, who arrived early.

For any Alchemist, such a pinnacle duel was unmissable; otherwise, it would be a lifelong regret.

Outside the Guang Chang, the crowd was packed so tightly not even water could seep through. Even high in the Sky, several Elder Cultivators with Spiritual Qi Wings had come to watch—evidencing the massive uproar this Pill Alchemy wager had stirred.

"Who do you think will win?"

"Han Xian, of course. You think he's just a Fourth-Rank Alchemist? He was already Fourth-Rank three years ago. Now that three more years have passed, he's surely at least mid- or high-Fourth-Rank."

"True. I've seen the Spirit Liquid Xiao Yan refined—its quality was average. It only worked well because of the superior Pill Formula. I'd guess his actual skill is barely low-Fourth-Rank."

Amid the murmurs of the crowd, Elder Hao, the designated Auctioneer for this duel, appeared first. He had prepared the Medicinal Materials and the Pill Formula for both sides—both sets of materials had been meticulously selected, identical in age, appearance, and efficacy, with zero deviation.

Under the gaze of all, Han Xian arrived punctually, flanked by members of the Medicinal Alliance. He radiated brilliance, robes fluttering, the Fourth-Rank insignia on his Alchemist Long Robe still strikingly prominent.

"Hey, Xiao Yan's here!"

Not long after, at the opposite entrance of the Guang Chang, Xiao Yan arrived with only two others.

The two of them, chatting merrily, slowly came into view.

Xiao Yan's expression was utterly unlike Han Xian's—beaming, his banter making Xun Er laugh sweetly.

"Xiao Yan's still flirting with a girl? Doesn't he feel any tension at all?"

"Who knows? Maybe he thinks his Alchemy is unmatched."

Seeing both contenders had arrived, Elder Hao cleared his throat twice. Instantly, the entire crowd fell silent.

His voice, thick with potent Spiritual Qi, silenced all noise. He scanned the crowd, then calmly withdrew a slightly yellowed, ancient Scroll from his Storage Ring, smiling faintly: "I've always had a deep interest in Spirit Refining, but due to the stringent requirements of becoming an Alchemist, I was forced to abandon it. Today, being invited to preside over this rare Inner Court Spirit Refining contest brings me great joy. But as you all know my reputation, I ask you to cast aside any doubts about the fairness of this duel."

At Elder Hao's words, a chorus of affirmations rose from the Guang Chang below—his reputation for impartiality in the Inner Court was well known.

"The test for today's contest was chosen by me personally. Until now, neither Xiao Yan nor Han Xian has known what they must refine," Elder Hao added, a faint smile touching his face as the crowd's response warmed him. He gently tapped the Scroll, then turned to Xiao Yan and Han Xian with a smile: "Let me be clear—this test is difficult. Do you two dare accept it?"

Han Xian said with pride, "Of course."

Xiao Yan shrugged indifferently. "I don't care. The result will be the same."

"Very well. This is the Pill Formula for the Five-Grade DragonPower Pill. Its effect temporarily enhances physical strength, suitable for warriors below the Dou Wang level."

"I've prepared two sets of Medicinal Materials for each of you—identical in age and quality," Elder Hao said, handing the Formula to both.

Hearing it was a Five-Grade Formula, even Xiao Yan's eyes flickered with excitement. Even for him, a Five-Grade Formula was extremely rare—it was meant for Dou Wang-level cultivators!

"Five-Grade?!"

"Damn, the academy really went all out this time!"

"Four sets of Medicinal Materials for Five-Grade Pills—and they even provided the Five-Grade Formula! This is pure bloodletting! Outside, this would be worth at least one Dou Wang Pill!"

"That old man—he's here to judge fairly, or to stir up trouble? Making two kids refine Five-Grade Pills?" Some Elders watching from the Sky muttered to themselves upon hearing the test's rank.

After reading the Formula's description, Han Xian frowned tightly, bowing to Elder Hao: "Since Elder Hao holds us in such high regard, I shall give it my all."

Elder Hao nodded, turning to Xiao Yan. "And you?"

"Me?" Xiao Yan shrugged. "I'm ready anytime. If he's fine, I'm fine."

With both contestants in agreement, Elder Hao declared: "Since there are no objections, the Spirit Refining duel between Han Xian and Xiao Yan begins now."

After receiving the Medicinal Materials, Han Xian stood tall, brimming with confidence. He took a deep breath, his aura sharpening as he fixed his gaze on Xiao Yan: "Let's begin refining."

"Huh? Us? You go first," Xiao Yan yawned. "I know you're confident in your Alchemy. If we refine together, I fear you'll struggle to control your flame—and then you'll find some excuse to claim I interfered. So I'll let you start. I'll begin only after you've actually produced the DragonPower Pill."

Xiao Yan had no intention of refining alongside Han Xian. If he used his Beast Fire, it might disrupt Han Xian's flame—and then Han Xian would cry foul, claiming unfair interference. That would be unjust.

"You!" Han Xian's face flushed crimson with rage at Xiao Yan's utter disdain. He had absolute faith in his Alchemy—he was long regarded as the Inner Court's most gifted Alchemist, destined to become an Elder of the Alchemy Division!

How could this not enrage him?

All spectators felt Xiao Yan's words were arrogant. Many admitted Xiao Yan's Cultivation talent was formidable, his tactics sharp—he'd led New Students to defeat veteran ones and even held close ties with Zi Yan, the top-ranked on the Strong List.

But even Alchemy Division Elders and Fifth-Rank Alchemists dared not underestimate Han Xian's skill. Now Xiao Yan was treating him as if he were nothing?

Han Xian took a deep breath, quickly calming his fury, regaining his composure, and said seriously: "Fine. I accept your challenge. I'll make you lose with no room for argument."

Han Xian was no ordinary prodigy—achieving Fourth-Rank before twenty-five was extraordinary. He quelled his anger in moments.

Xiao Yan nodded inwardly. No wonder the Medicinal Alliance thrived under his leadership.

Seeing Xiao Yan actually step down from the Guang Chang and sit aside, Han Xian sneered, flicked his hand—and a golden Alchemy Furnace materialized. Sunlight struck its surface, reflecting blinding radiance, forcing onlookers to avert their eyes.

Before that faded, a golden flame erupted from Han Xian's palm. Though far inferior to Beast Fire, it was the highest-grade flame Xiao Yan had ever seen outside of a Beast Fire—stronger even than the Sixth-Rank Beast Fire of the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King.

Seeing Xiao Yan's faint surprise, Han Xian felt a surge of pride and declared loudly: "This flame is called Illusory Golden Flame. It lingers in the husk of a Seventh-Rank Illusory Flame Scorpion Dragon beast after its young hatches."

"Seven Rank!!"

"No way, Han Xian actually has a Beast Fire like this!"

As soon as the name was spoken, not only did the students below turn pale, but even Elder Hao and the other Elders showed slight surprise — Seven Rank, that was comparable to a Dou Zong-level supreme expert! No one expected such a dazzling, flamboyant golden flame to have such an origin.

But remembering that Xiao Yan, this freak, possessed an Alien Fire, Elder Hao and the others could only sigh helplessly — no wonder Xiao Yan had asked him to go first.

When an Alien Fire emerges, all other flames submit. Even a Seven Rank Beast Fire is no exception.

"Ha!" Han Xian slapped the Phantom Gold Fire into the Alchemy Furnace, opened the furnace, and tossed in the herbs — his movements were swift, fluid, and undeniably skilled.

(End of Chapter)