Chapter 336

"The Great Elixir Academy is the essence of my Green Elixir Valley."

"The cultivators within are all experienced veteran alchemists, and there are three Tier 3 alchemists presiding: Green Elixir, Xingyun, and Red Cauldron."

"The Elder who just wanted to recruit you into the Great Elixir Academy as a guest minister is Master Red Cauldron."

"Once you enter the Great Elixir Academy, the fighting and killing of the outside world and the power struggles within the sect will no longer have anything to do with you. All you need to do is contribute your life to the Dao of Alchemy."

"Refine elixirs in batches for the sect to make a profit, research ancient elixir formulas, and innovate to create new ones."

"Of course, there are many benefits. As for cultivation resources, you don't need to worry; at least the high-grade Dragon-Ascending Elixir you want will be supplied with at least one bottle every month."

At the Tao family's high platform.

Tao Wan was enthusiastically introducing the situation of the Green Elixir Valley's Great Elixir Academy to Luo Chen.

From Tier 3 alchemists down to elderly Tier 1 alchemists, she introduced every situation clearly.

She did not hide the corresponding rights and obligations either.

After Luo Chen finished listening, his brows were tightly furrowed.

This Great Elixir Academy didn't seem as good as he had imagined!

In summary, why did it sound like there was no difference between this and being a large-scale tool person?

Also, they only give one bottle of Dragon-Ascending Elixir a month?

Considering that after entering the Great Elixir Academy, there would be a vast number of elixir formulas for him to refer to and research, did these things not count for much?

Possessing those formulas, he could refine them himself; in fact, this alone was enough.

Luo Chen fell into deep thought.

Others did not dare to disturb him.

Since Luo Chen refined the Dust-Descending Elixir and forcefully seized his third victory, several hours had already passed.

Facing Master Red Cauldron's invitation, Luo Chen had claimed at the time that he needed to consider it.

The other party also knew they were being too hasty, so they let him go down to rest first.

At this moment, after listening to Tao Wan's introduction, Luo Chen found it difficult to make a choice.

Entering the Great Elixir Academy meant having many elixir formulas available for his own research, and there would certainly be no major problems regarding cultivation.

However, the attribute of being a tool person meant that many times he would not be the master of his own actions.

Moreover, he knew his own aptitude better than anyone; it required a vast amount of resources to assist him.

If he could not participate in outside business, the Luo Tian Society he had single-handedly fostered would definitely be left unattended, and he would lose a huge source of income.

That was the foundation he had built with countless efforts.

"The most important thing is, this doesn't seem to be up to me to decide?"

Luo Chen raised his head and looked at the Heavenly Palace hanging high in the sky.

A pair of cold and icy eyes had been fixed on him since the first alchemy competition began.

Nominally speaking.

He, Luo Chen, belonged to the Jueqing lineage of the Ice Fortress!

Luo Chen glanced at Tao Wan, who could not hide her excitement, and slowly made his choice in his heart.

It was better not to enter this Great Elixir Academy!

Having the connections of Tao Wan, this great direct disciple, here at the Green Elixir Valley was already enough.

Rather than being bound by the sect, it was better to be a bit freer outside.

And!

Sect disciples were not as bright and beautiful as they appeared on the surface.

They said they didn't lack resources, but that was just talk.

Do you not see the thousands of Foundation Establishment True Persons in the Green Elixir Valley, with hundreds of late-stage Great Cultivators, not to mention those dozen or so Core Formation True Persons?

With such a huge number of high-level cultivators, the resources required were massive.

Even if distributed according to realm and status, there would never be much for each person.

This could be seen from the fact that people like Tao Wan and Dan Yangzi had to personally step down and roll up their sleeves to fight, just to compete for the position of Dao Seed, which would allow them to obtain more resources.

Even for these direct descendants, it wasn't enough.

Let alone for an outsider like him!

After making his decision, the heavy stone in Luo Chen's heart fell to the ground.

Only now did he have the leisure to pay attention to the alchemy competition that was tensely underway on the stage.

"Direct Disciple Tao, I have already seized three first places. I wonder what your ranking will be?"

Tao Wan thought for a moment and said uncertainly: "At least I can get into second place! As for whether I can get first, it depends on the result of the Great Qi Qi Shixiong in this last round."

The impact of Luo Chen winning three consecutive titles was huge.

Tao Wan, who was originally only ranked fourth, could use this to advance her ranking; third or second place were within reach, and even first place was not impossible to hope for.

If Dan Yangzi could still maintain the good result of second place in the third round of Dust-Descending Elixir refining as before.

Naturally, there would be no such opportunity.

But now, anyone with eyes could see that Dan Yangzi's alchemy process was not going smoothly.

"Failed again!" Tao Wan whispered, her excitement hard to hide.

Luo Chen pulled Tao Yisheng over and asked: "This is the Great Qi Qi Shixiong of yours, how many times has he failed?"

"Since you stepped down, this is the third failure," Tao Yisheng said, both excited and a bit disappointed.

There must be a reason for his contradictory appearance.

Luo Chen was too lazy to think deeply.

Looking at Dan Yangzi struggling on the stage, he shook his head with regret.

He could see that the other party's understanding of the Dust-Descending Elixir formula was not yet perfected.

Some details were handled very crudely.

Most importantly, he was unfamiliar with it!

From beginning to end, he displayed an unfamiliar refining state.

That's right!

Over the past half-month, Dan Yangzi had suffered from the ordeal of wheel battles.

Every day, he had to deal with a constant stream of enemies and also set aside time to meditate and recover; where would he have enough time to study two types of elixir formulas?

Moreover, studying elixir formulas was only the first step.

Subsequent refining experience had to be gained by personally refining it several times or dozens of times to gain a slight understanding.

All of this required time!

"I don't know what mistake your Great Qi Qi Shixiong made to be stripped of his Dao Seed position, not to mention not even being allowed to use his Source True Fire in the second round."

Facing this question, Tao Yisheng also didn't know how to answer.

Tao Wan said: "If I can achieve the position of Great Direct Disciple, perhaps I will be able to get to the bottom of it."

Can she succeed?

There is a great chance!

As time reached late at night, the second person to refine the Dust-Descending Elixir appeared.

It was a bit beyond everyone's expectations.

It was not Dan Yangzi, nor was it Xuan Yunzi, who had previously displayed his talent.

It was the Fu family alchemist, Fu Huai!

For the second round of the alchemy grand competition, he cleverly chose to focus his efforts on the Tier 2 elixir refining of the most important third round.

With the full support of the Fu family, this elixir formula had been studied to the extreme.

They had even succeeded in private.

Now, he finally seized a good ranking for the Fu family!

If one counted the previous two fourth places, the final overall ranking would likely be quite good.

At this time, someone subconsciously glanced at Dan Yangzi.

The other party was still silent, still painstakingly refining the Dust-Descending Elixir, and it seemed he was just a little bit away.

But just this little bit was like a natural chasm.

When dawn arrived.

Xuan Yunzi was the third to refine the Dust-Descending Elixir.

Time flowed slowly; Huang Hezi and Ling Zhizi also succeeded one after another.

In this way, the top five winners were decided.

Of the remaining four, three stopped struggling and gave up directly.

With five wins and four losses, the latter four were all failures and could not help in advancing their rankings.

The Elder of the Great Elixir Academy, Master Red Cauldron, walked up to Dan Yangzi.

"Why bother!"

"With your heaven-sent talent, whether it's cultivation, alchemy, or managing a sect, you could reach the extreme, but you insist on wanting everything."

"The consequence is what you are now."

"Clearly, in the three rounds of competition, as long as you made a choice and gave up one round, you would have had a great chance of reaching the end."

"But you insist on wanting everything."

"Dan Yang, can you accept the failure now?"

Dan Yangzi remained silent.

He was still persistently refining the elixir in the Glazed Child Cauldron.

A trace of anger appeared on Master Red Cauldron's face.

"You inherited the name of your father, Master Dan Yang, and were supposed to be the future Peak Master of Dan Yang Peak; why bother competing for power and profit."

"Those things, for us alchemists, originally don't... eh?"

Amidst his astonishment.

A faint elixir fragrance drifted out.

Dan Yangzi opened his mouth hoarsely:

"I ask the Elder to judge the grade of the elixir."

This time, Red Cauldron was silent.

Under the gaze of the masses.

The Elder of the Great Elixir Academy announced the respective rankings for the three rounds of the second stage, and finally gave the comprehensive ranking.

First place, Dan Chenzi, well-deserved!

Three rounds of winning the title, three rounds of crushing the competition; no one had any questions.

And the second place was beyond many people's expectations.

It was not Xuan Yunzi, who had been in the top three for three consecutive rounds, nor was it Dan Yangzi, who had two seconds and one sixth.

It was the Fu family alchemist, Fu Huai!

Many people were surprised, but many also felt it was a matter of course.

"I told you, the Tier 2 elixir refining in the third round has always been the most important competition for determining rankings!"

"He was fourth in the first two rounds, and second in the last round, so he jumped directly to second in the overall ranking."

"The Fu family really made a good decision!"

The moment this ranking appeared.

The nine great direct disciples each had different moods, and the expressions on their faces were also incredibly colorful.

Tao Wan and Fu Li looked at each other, then nodded tacitly.

He Yuanqing and Shangguan Yan, who were ranked second and third, saw their expressions gradually turn gloomy.

Sure enough.

As the subsequent rankings for the second round were given, their bad worries became reality.

Third place went to Xuan Yunzi, who had been in the top three for three consecutive rounds.

Fourth place, Dan Yangzi.

Fifth place went to Huang Hezi, who had one loss, one fifth, and one fourth.

After this, they were all losers.

The rankings of the great direct disciples behind them would not undergo any major changes.

In this way, the top five rankings would inevitably undergo huge changes due to the overall ranking of the second round!

The next moment!

As Master Red Cauldron waved his hand.

The nine high platforms made a rumbling sound.

Some rose, some fell!

In the nervous gaze of countless people, Dan Yangzi, who was originally ranked first, slowly descended in height.

Replacing him was Tao Wan, who had once jumped to first place!

At this moment, Tao Wan was first!

Dan Yangzi was second.

He Yuanqing was third.

Fu Li was fourth.

Shangguan Yan was fifth!

Once this result came out, Tao Wan naturally showed joy.

As for the others, their moods were not so good.

"He Yun has ruined me!" He Yuanqing's face was ferocious; he had intended to enter the final round as the first-place winner, but now he was only ranked third.

This meant he would have to fight at least three people to have a chance to seize the Dao Seed position.

Fu Li's expression was indifferent.

Fourth place was a very good ranking.

Although there was no possibility of competing for the Dao Seed, it also showed his own value.

And it could also provide some help to his allies.

In comparison, Shangguan Yan, who had been ranked third before, had now fallen to fifth; she must be feeling very uncomfortable!

He looked toward Shangguan Yan's direction with interest.

The other party's face was livid, and she didn't say anything.

But Huang Hezi walked away with a gloomy face and a flick of his sleeves.

This indicated that the two of them were not on good terms.

The second round ended, and there was a short rest period.

It was not for the great direct disciples to rest, but for the Green Elixir Valley Elders to set up the final Sword Fighting Platform.

At this moment, the nine platforms were slowly merging under the control of the Core Formation True Person's great magic power.

A Sword Fighting Platform nearly a thousand feet long and wide gradually revealed its prototype.

At this timing, the great direct disciples descended from the high platforms one after another, gathering together according to their closeness.

They discussed how to deal with the enemy in the upcoming True Disciple Sword Fighting.

Many of them had gloomy expressions.

Especially those ranked in the middle.

On the contrary, the last two people had no unwillingness.

They were still saying enthusiastically, "It's been a long time since I sparred with Qi Qi Shixiong; you must show mercy later!"

"Junior Brother is too polite; let's stop at a touch, shall we?"

"Excellent, excellent!"

Being able to seize the position of great direct disciple had already proven their means.

Next, they just needed to show a little bit of their strength.

Dao Seed?

There was no need to hope for it at all.

The position of great direct disciple was quite good, and they could already get some resource allocation.

Luo Chen stood with the alchemist from the Fu family, discussing something in a low voice, his peripheral vision occasionally glancing at the others.

In his heart, however, he was shaking his head slightly.

This Dao Seed competition in the Green Elixir Valley had great momentum, but the intensity was completely insufficient.

Sect disciples fighting internally might have infighting, but there was more or less a bottom line.

In comparison.

Rogue cultivators like them, who had crawled out from the bottom, often fought to the death once they started.

The cruelty of it was far more severe than this sect grand competition.

"Fellow Daoist Dan Chenzi, your alchemy skills truly make me admire you! Although I am confident in refining that Dust-Descending Elixir, I was still anxious; I didn't expect you to succeed on the first try."

Fu Huai's flattery sounded in his ear.

Luo Chen smiled slightly and waved his hand modestly.

Fu Huai continued: "I'm afraid that after this, many people will value you, Fellow Daoist; it wouldn't be an exaggeration even if you became an honored guest of a great sect!"

Three consecutive titles, crushing his peers.

Dan Chenzi's alchemy skills had already become famous in the Green Elixir Valley, and soon they would be famous throughout the entire Jade Cauldron Domain!

Enthusiastic invitations would likely come one after another as soon as the True Disciple Sword Fighting ended, right?

Or rather, they had already come before it even ended or started.

"Shangguan Yan, what are you doing?"

Tao Wan blocked Shangguan Yan in front of Luo Chen before anyone knew it.

Behind her were Luo Chen and Fu Huai, who had stopped talking.

Shangguan Yan giggled, "What could I be doing? Master Dan Chenzi is so amazing, naturally, I want to ask for some advice on alchemy knowledge!"

"You are not welcome here!" Tao Wan said coldly.

Shangguan Yan frowned, "You are only the first direct disciple now, not the Green Elixir Dao Seed; you have such great airs!"

Tao Wan revealed her white teeth, "Yes, I am not the Dao Seed yet. But as the fifth direct disciple, whether you can reach me when the sword fighting happens is unknown. Coming over in advance, are you trying to make up for regrets in advance?"

Shangguan Yan's face changed drastically, her teeth clenched.

Looking at Tao Wan, she was trembling with anger.

Then she flicked her sleeves and left.

Watching her departing back, Tao Wan felt a sense of relief in her heart.

But looking around, she found that many great direct disciples were occasionally letting their attention drift to Luo Chen.

This made her heart tighten involuntarily!

Luo Chen's importance was no longer just that of a simple outside helper.

With his alchemy attainments, he was enough to become an honored guest of a great sect.

The Tao family naturally couldn't keep him.

But if the Tao family couldn't keep him, she, Tao Wan, would have the qualifications to keep him if she could achieve the position of Green Elixir Dao Seed.

At the very least, he shouldn't fall into the hands of these competitors!

Shangguan Yan's probing was only the first.

How should she face the follow-up, or rather, how should she keep Luo Chen?

Just as she was thinking, a disciple came to notify them that the venue had been set up and the True Disciple Sword Fighting was about to begin.

All the great direct disciples set off.

Luo Chen followed behind, also preparing to watch this third round of True Disciple Sword Fighting carefully.

But as soon as he took a step, he was stopped.

"Master Dan Chenzi, the True Person invites you."

"Which True Person?"

"The True Person on the Heavenly Palace!"

Luo Chen's expression paused slightly; he knew that what should come would eventually come.

But this time, going up to the Heavenly Palace again, he was not as unknown as before.

Everyone had to look at him squarely!

(End of chapter)