Due to their exceptional beauty, the two maidens drew everyone's attention the moment they ascended the platform.
"Humph! It's them!"
Upon seeing the two girls, Tang Feng's expression immediately darkened.
He had formed enmity with these two maidens at the auction in Tianteng City. He never expected they would also come to participate in the competition.
The Red-clothed Maiden was the first to step into the Formation.
Boom...
A formidable surge of Soul Power poured forth from her head, crashing toward the Soul Cauldron.
Hum!
The Soul Cauldron trembled violently, rising from the ground and ascending swiftly. In the blink of an eye, it had already surpassed a height of four meters.
The entire venue erupted.
"Who is this woman? Her Soul Power is unexpectedly so powerful!"
Many exclaimed in surprise.
Hum...
Under the stunned gazes of the crowd, the Soul Cauldron ascended rapidly once more, directly reaching a height of six meters!
The entire square was in an uproar.
So far in the competition, this was the best result.
When the Soul Cauldron reached the six-meter height, the Red-clothed Maiden did not persist further. She exhaled a breath, and the cauldron slowly descended back to the ground.
"Haha... not bad."
In the square, a tall, elegant man with a commanding presence laughed heartily.
People looked over and recognized him as the Fifth Prince.
These two peerless beauties were alchemists the Fifth Prince had recruited.
"Pass!"
The elderly eunuch immediately shrilled.
Next, the White-clothed Maiden walked into the Formation.
Following the performance of the Red-clothed Maiden, everyone's eyes were fixed intently on this White-clothed Maiden, as everyone knew these two extraordinary beauties were together.
Hum...
As soon as the White-clothed Maiden released her Soul Power, the Soul Cauldron immediately shot upward, directly reaching a height of six meters.
"Six meters again!"
In the square, waves of exclamations of amazement rang out.
Hum...
Amidst the crowd's astonished cries, the White-robed Maiden's Soul Power roared once more, lifting the Soul Cauldron higher.
Seven meters!
Eight meters!
It was only when it reached eight meters that the Soul Cauldron finally stopped.
Amazement!
Astonishment!
Witnessing this scene, a brief silence fell over the square.
Then, thunderous applause erupted.
"Haha, Lady Xuexi truly hasn't disappointed me."
The Fifth Prince laughed loudly on the spot.
The expressions of the other four princes turned somewhat unpleasant upon seeing this.
"Eldest Prince, don't worry. Though this woman's Soul Power is decent, I am confident I can defeat her."
Tang Feng said to the Eldest Prince, his tone filled with strong self-assurance.
"Agreed. But even so, it is still insufficient."
Beside the Second Prince, Yan Qing also spoke indifferently.
The Third Prince's face, however, was exceedingly gloomy.
Guo Shijie's result was five meters, Lin Ming's was just over four meters. Compared to those two extraordinary maidens, the gap was vast.
Now, the Third Prince pinned his hopes on Ye Yunfei.
Afterwards, alchemists continued to take the stage one after another. However, most performed averagely. With the outstanding results of the two maidens, none of the other alchemists managed to capture the spotlight.
A moment later, there was a Third-Grade Alchemist who managed to lift the Soul Cauldron to a height slightly over five meters, a result marginally better than Guo Shijie's. This Third-Grade Alchemist was supported by the Fourth Prince.
Finally, as time passed, the vast majority of the alchemists had already taken their turn lifting the Soul Cauldron.
In total, only a little over seventy alchemists passed the test.
"Look, Master Huangfu Sheng's disciple, Alchemist Yan Qing, is taking the stage!"
A loud shout rang out.
A youth in black robes slowly ascended the platform. It was Yan Qing.
At this moment, everyone's attention was focused, their eyes locked intently on Yan Qing.
Boom...
As Yan Qing entered the Soul Manifestation Formation, a torrential surge of Soul Power was suddenly released, roaring as it crashed toward the Soul Cauldron.
Whoosh!
The Soul Cauldron shot upward in response, its speed incredibly fast, without the slightest pause.
Within moments, the Soul Cauldron had risen to a height of seven meters!
"Too amazing! As expected of Master Huangfu Sheng's disciple!"
In the square, continuous waves of exclamations kept rising.
Then.
"Ascend!"
Yan Qing roared, his Soul Power erupting once more.
Hum!
The Soul Cauldron rose again.
Nine meters!
In the end, the Soul Cauldron ascended to a height of nine meters before finally stopping.
The faces of the onlookers were somewhat stunned.
"Truly formidable!"
Most of the people cast looks of reverence toward Yan Qing.
Boom...
Yan Qing withdrew his Soul Power, and the cauldron landed back on the high platform.
"Haha... Young Master Yan truly proves that from a great master comes an outstanding disciple!"
The happiest was the Second Prince, who burst into hearty laughter.
"Young Master Tang, now it's up to you."
The Eldest Prince was under considerable pressure as he spoke to Tang Feng.
Tang Feng did not reply. Instead, he raised his foot and strode toward the platform.
"Alchemist Tang Feng is taking the stage!"
Immediately, someone shouted.
Having witnessed Yan Qing's performance, everyone was now highly anticipating Tang Feng's result.
Because everyone knew that for this Alchemy Competition, the two with the highest hopes of winning the championship were Yan Qing and Tang Feng.
If there were no surprises, the champion of the competition would emerge from between these two.
Boom...
On the arena, a deafening roar erupted as an immense surge of Soul Power burst forth from Tang Feng's head, shaking the surroundings with a momentum as powerful as overturning mountains and emptying seas.
Hum!
When Tang Feng's Soul Power fell upon the Soul Cauldron, it abruptly shot into the sky, its speed astonishing to behold.
Ten meters!
Only when the Soul Cauldron ascended to a height of ten meters did it finally come to a stop.
"Haha... Second Brother, it seems Master Chen Xuan's disciple is still a bit more formidable!"
The Eldest Prince laughed maniacally, exceedingly pleased.
"Humph!"
The Second Prince snorted coldly, his expression somewhat unpleasant.
"This is merely the first round. Strong Soul Power doesn't necessarily mean better alchemy skills."
Yan Qing spoke coldly.
At this moment, enthusiastic applause erupted in the square.
"It seems Alchemist Tang Feng is certainly first place for this round of the competition."
Many sighed in admiration.
"Brother Ye..."
At this point, the Third Prince's expression grew increasingly unsightly. He looked at Ye Yunfei and hesitantly asked.
"Third Prince, you should stop pinning your hopes on this kid. Haven't you realized yet? He simply doesn't dare to step onto the stage for the test—he lacks the courage! Hmph, I reckon he's afraid of being humiliated."
Guo Shijie glanced at Ye Yunfei, his expression full of disdain.
"He truly is someone who can only talk big."
Lin Ming also shot a look of disgust at Ye Yunfei.
Hearing this, Ye Yunfei gave a faint smile and was just about to step forward toward the platform.
"Are there any other alchemists wishing to participate in the competition?"
At this moment, on the platform, the elderly eunuch was shrilly inquiring.
"Haha, is everyone only at such a pitiful level?"
Suddenly, an arrogant laugh rang out. A tall, slender youth in green robes strode onto the platform in a single step.
"It seems the alchemists of the Great Qin Empire really are regressing with each generation."
This green-robed youth stood on the platform, his gaze slowly sweeping over the alchemists who had just participated in the competition, a look of utter disdain on his face.