Chapter 187

He Pingsheng did not understand Xuan Yuan Changgeng!

But the man claimed he had a thirty percent chance of successfully refining a second-rank elixir.

That meant, out of ten batches, only three would succeed.

This was still for a second-rank elixir—not the 【Dual Spirit Elixir】, which no one had ever refined before; the success rate for a first attempt would be even lower.

Such a rare elixir, one he had spent considerable effort to obtain the ingredients for, He Pingsheng naturally did not wish to see fail.

What to do?

He had to refine it himself!

Refining it himself might have low success, but he could use the Treasure Basin to salvage it!

And with diluted 【Golden Bee Sacred Juice】 added, the success rate would be even higher—he could at least guarantee producing a defective elixir.

A defective elixir would do.

This was why He Pingsheng seized the initiative.

"You'll refine it?"

Xuan Yuan was first startled, then sneered: "Hmph… He Daoist, this is no joke!"

"Old man admits your cultivation techniques and combat strength are indeed stronger than most, but when it comes to elixir refining, I will not yield to anyone!"

"You may not understand me!"

"But since I dared open this shop, I have real skill!"

As he spoke, Xuan Yuan Changgeng wore an air of confidence.

He might not be a cultivation genius, but he was unquestionably an elixir refining genius.

And one publicly recognized as such.

Take the 【Spirit Gathering Elixir】 as an example—others' success rate is typically two percent, meaning one success per five batches. Not him: Xuan Yuan's success rate reaches over three percent.

Moreover, he once refined a superior-grade 【Spirit Gathering Elixir】.

That had shaken an entire region!

Thus, though his success rate fell short of four percent, he was already an unparalleled elixir refining genius.

"Indeed…" Zi Xian Daoist added: "He Daoist, this is no matter for jesting. I trust Xuan Yuan Daoist completely—if he fails, it's simply because we lack the fortune!"

"I believe Xuan Yuan Daoist will give his all!"

Bai Long nodded: "Old man also believes Xuan Yuan Daoist is the safer choice for refining."

He Pingsheng smiled and said: "My success rate is no lower than yours, Xuan Yuan Daoist."

"Oh…"

Xuan Yuan's eyes narrowed: "Really?"

He Pingsheng said: "Then, do you have any 【Spirit Gathering Elixir】 ingredients here?"

Xuan Yuan replied: "Six portions remain."

"Good!" He Pingsheng said: "I'll buy all six at market price—we each take three, and compete. How?"

"Whoever wins gets the right to refine the 【Dual Spirit Elixir】!"

Bai Long Daoist and Zi Xian Daoist instantly grew curious.

They wanted to see how He Pingsheng's elixir refining skills measured up.

"Hmph…" Xuan Yuan Changgeng snorted: "He Daoist underestimates me too much… These six portions are mine, the success is mine, the failure is mine too!"

"Follow me!"

The four entered the elixir refining shop, then passed through the back door into a small courtyard.

Or rather, a large one.

It was far larger than He Pingsheng's small courtyard—fifty zhang across.

The courtyard was neatly kept, its floor paved with stone slabs.

Along one wall, stacks of firewood of all kinds were piled high.

Clearly, Xuan Yuan Changgeng used wood fires for refining.

Tap-tap-tap…

Xuan Yuan produced six portions of 【Spirit Gathering Elixir】 ingredients.

Three each.

"We refine right here in the courtyard!" Xuan Yuan Changgeng said: "He Daoist has no objections?"

He Pingsheng said: "No objections."

He waved his hand and pulled out a cauldron from his storage pouch.

With a crash, spiritual power flared open.

"Not bad!" Xuan Yuan said: "An ultimate-grade artifact!"

An ultimate-grade artifact bore four layers of seals.

He Pingsheng's refining cauldron was still the one strengthened from Wang Dun's.

He had never replaced it in all these years.

Crash…

Beside him, Xuan Yuan also activated his own cauldron.

But his cauldron bore six layers of seals—a middle-grade spiritual artifact.

Two minor ranks higher than He Pingsheng's.

"You may begin whenever you like!" With that, Xuan Yuan Changgeng started refining.

He Pingsheng began as well.

Their refining techniques were largely similar, yet subtle differences remained.

These differences arose because He Pingsheng's refining method had been enhanced—hence the variation.

But only an expert in elixir refining could detect them.

An hour later, both had successfully refined their elixirs.

"Already succeeded?" Xuan Yuan, seeing He Pingsheng's first batch succeed, was startled: "He Daoist truly is an elixir refining master… You didn't deceive me!"

"Let's see the quality!"

"My batch: four middle-grade, eight lower-grade!"

As he spoke, he tilted his head slightly, clearly proud.

Producing middle-grade second-rank elixirs meant a high level of skill.

He Pingsheng opened his cauldron—the crowd saw twelve elixirs resting quietly inside.

Middle-grade!

All middle-grade!

"This…" Bai Long and Zi Xian were utterly stunned.

They had assumed Xuan Yuan's four middle-grade elixirs would guarantee victory.

Yet He Pingsheng had produced twelve—all middle-grade.

Seeing the elixirs' quality, Xuan Yuan was equally incredulous.

"This… this this this…" He stared for several breaths, then said: "He Daoist, your refining skill—I am humbled…"

"Again!"

Second batch!

He Pingsheng's first batch had been subpar—he'd secretly added a single drop of Sacred Juice during the cooling phase.

All middle-grade?

Not good enough.

Second batch—continue!

Soon, another hour passed.

This time, He Pingsheng completed first.

He opened his cauldron: four superior-grade, eight middle-grade!

"Holy shit…" Bai Long Daoist blurted: "Superior-grade? Four superior-grade?!"

"Unbelievable!"

"Holy shit, this is the first time in my life I've seen someone personally refine superior-grade elixirs!"

Xuan Yuan, still refining nearby, couldn't help turning to look.

One glance—and his spirit reeled.

Crash…

A thunderous explosion—the cauldron, nearly complete, suddenly ruptured.

His mindset shattered!

"Enough… enough… enough…" Xuan Yuan angrily hurled his cauldron to the ground: "No more! I lose… I lose!"

The third round was unnecessary.

Even if he produced his personal best—two superior-grade elixirs—he still couldn't beat He Pingsheng.

How could he compete?

"He Daoist!" Xuan Yuan handed over two boxes: "Inside are all the ingredients for the 【Dual Spirit Elixir】. Take them."