Upon hearing Eunuch Ouyang's words, all the people in the plaza perked up, brimming with anticipation.
Everyone knew that the previous two rounds had merely been elimination rounds. This third round was the true final.
Only by achieving first place in this third round could one be considered the true champion!
"The rules of the third round are extremely simple. The imperial family will provide a large quantity of spiritual herbs. You contestants decide for yourselves what kind of spiritual pill you wish to refine. Whoever refines the highest grade of spiritual pill will be the winner," Eunuch Ouyang said in his shrill voice.
As soon as his words fell, he produced a spatial ring.
A large heap of spiritual herbs materialized on the platform, piled high like a small mountain. Vibrant vitality and rich medicinal fragrance instantly spread, permeating the entire plaza.
Everyone's eyes shone brightly as they gazed at that pile of spiritual herbs. It was obvious that, to host this Alchemy Competition, the imperial family was willing to spare no expense. That pile of spiritual herbs alone was worth over ten million spirit crystals.
"All contestants, while this pile contains many varieties of spiritual herbs, there are still many that are absent. Therefore, you must decide which pill to refine based solely on the herbs provided here. Alright, you may begin," Eunuch Ouyang announced.
As soon as he finished speaking, the twelve alchemists who had advanced to the finals stepped onto the platform one after another, gathering around the pile of herbs, examining them, and considering what kind of pill they should refine.
Both Guo Shijie and Lin Ming had made it to the third round. After all, they were both third-grade alchemists, belonging to a relatively skilled batch within the Great Qin Empire. Otherwise, the Third Prince wouldn't have specifically recruited and patronized them.
A short while later, each alchemist had decided on the pill they intended to refine. They began selecting the required herbs from the pile.
*Boom! Boom!*
One Pill Cauldron after another was taken out and placed on the platform, attracting the crowd's attention.
It was worth noting that, as the tools of the alchemy trade, a Pill Cauldron held extraordinary significance for an alchemist. A good, suitable cauldron was a great aid to pill refinement.
*Clang!*
A clear metallic vibration rang out. Tang Feng began his pill refinement. Before him stood an eight-cornered cauldron that appeared quite ancient, exuding an air of deep antiquity, carved with numerous profound and obscure runes. Clearly, this cauldron was extraordinary.
"That's the Octagonal Cauldron, the famous Pill Cauldron of Master Chen Xuan from back in the day! To think he has already passed it on to Tang Feng. It truly shows how much Master Chen Xuan values him!" someone exclaimed in awe.
"Three-Legged Spirit Cauldron! Even Master Huangfu Sheng has passed his famous Pill Cauldron to Yan Qing!" another person cried out in astonishment.
Indeed, positioned before Yan Qing was a three-legged Pill Cauldron that faintly emitted shimmering runes. Currently, Yan Qing was already focused on refining pills, her movements skillful as she continuously tossed one spiritual herb after another into the cauldron. Dan Fire was already blazing fiercely inside.
"Huh? What kind of Pill Cauldron is that? It's actually glowing with starlight! How miraculous!"
Suddenly, the crowd's gaze shifted to the Pill Cauldron in front of the green-robed youth.
The cauldron itself radiated numerous points of starlight, as if adorned with dazzling stars.
"It appears to be the legendary Star-forged Treasure Cauldron! It's said this Star-forged Cauldron was the famous Pill Cauldron of an Alchemy Master from the Alchemist Guild of the Tang Kingdom! Why is it in his hands? Could it be this alchemist has some connection with the Tang Kingdom Alchemist Guild?" an old man suddenly shouted out in astonishment within the plaza. He was an elder from the Great Qin Empire's Alchemist Guild and was well-versed and widely-traveled.
At that moment, all the alchemists on the platform had ignited their Dan Fire and begun focusing on pill refinement. This was the finals, which determined the final rankings. No one dared to be negligent.
"Wow! Look! Tang Feng's alchemy technique is so masterful, and incredibly elegant to watch. It's simply a pleasure to behold!"
"Master Yan Qing's technique may seem simple, yet it carries a grand, majestic aura. Truly worthy of studying under a famed master!"
"Look! Those two beauties are not only stunning, but they even move with celestial grace while refining pills! Their alchemy techniques are absolutely beautiful!"
Exclamations of admiration rang throughout the plaza.
Indeed, seeing twelve alchemists gathered together in collective pill refinement was a rare sight. The onlookers in the plaza reveled in the spectacle.
However, on the platform, one person's behavior soon stood out, drawing everyone's attention.
That person was Ye Yunfei.
Before Ye Yunfei sat an ordinary-looking Pill Cauldron, not particularly eye-catching.
Ye Yunfei waved his hand, tossing over a dozen spiritual herbs into the Pill Cauldron all at once.
Then, he flicked his finger, sending a flame of Dan Fire into the cauldron. Dan Fire began to blaze fiercely within.
And then… Ye Yunfei paid it no further heed, actually sitting down cross-legged, closing his eyes, and beginning to meditate.
"What is that alchemist Ye Yunfei doing...?"
"He ignited the Dan Fire and then just started meditating with his eyes closed..."
"Right! Why isn't he refining a pill? What is he waiting for?"
Numerous puzzled gazes fell upon Ye Yunfei, everyone finding it very strange. Because he had taken first place in both previous rounds with outstanding performances, many people were paying special attention to him.
At that moment, Ye Yunfei was using sound transmission to communicate with Huang Shang.
"Ye Yunfei, do you truly plan to only refine a fourth-grade Sanqing Pill? Even a fifth-grade or sixth-grade spiritual pill, I can help you refine," Huang Shang said.
"The Sanqing Pill is fine. Within the Great Qin Empire, a fourth-grade spiritual pill is sufficient to surpass all the alchemists here," Ye Yunfei replied.
"That's also true. Alright, I'll refine the Sanqing Pill for you," Huang Shang agreed.
After speaking, Huang Shang began the pill refinement. In his current state, he was essentially the artifact spirit of the cauldron and could perfectly control the Dan Fire and herbs inside.
As for Ye Yunfei, he became the hands-off boss, not needing to manage anything at all. He simply settled down to meditate with closed eyes.
"Strange. What is Brother Ye doing? Why hasn't he started refining yet?" Witnessing this, the Third Prince couldn't help but become quite anxious.
"It can't be... Could it be Alchemist Ye Yunfei has no confidence in his pill refinement and is giving up?"
"His Soul Power and Dan Fire are both so formidable. He better not tell us he doesn't know how to refine pills?"
...
Soon, various guesses and heated discussions began among the crowd.
"Haha, Ye Yunfei! Don't tell me you don't know how to refine pills! Did I guess right? Are you truly just a piece of trash after all?!" Lin Ming suddenly burst into loud laughter, his gaze upon Ye Yunfei filled with mockery. He had already progressed to the second step of pill refinement—extracting medicinal essence. Glancing back and seeing Ye Yunfei's actions, he immediately raised his voice in derision, feeling extremely satisfied.
"Hmph! Mere showboating! He's finally revealing his true colors in this final round!" Guo Shijie also cast a glance at Ye Yunfei, snorted coldly, and then resumed focusing on his own refinement.
"I said it before. Alchemy cannot rely on shortcuts. One must practice diligently over a long time to achieve results. I overestimated him earlier," Tang Feng lifted his head, glanced at Ye Yunfei, and shook his head, his eyes full of disdain.
Yan Qing swept a glance at Ye Yunfei, his expression unchanging, and continued refining his pill.
"So, he doesn't know how to refine pills. Yet he possesses such terrifying Soul Power and Dan Fire. What a pity. Let it be. He is no longer worthy to be my opponent. I need not pay him any more attention," The green-robed youth, with a complex expression, scrutinized Ye Yunfei. He had been quite severely humbled by Ye Yunfei in the previous two rounds. But now, he could finally set his mind at ease. Subsequently, he stopped watching Ye Yunfei and concentrated on his own pill refinement.
Time slowly passed.
A short while later…
"Pill emerges!" Lin Ming suddenly stood up, a hint of excitement on his face. He slapped his Pill Cauldron, causing the lid to spring open. A spiritual pill exuding medicinal fragrance leaped out from within the cauldron and landed in his palm.
"A third-grade Mystic Origin Pill!" Immediately, many people within the plaza shouted.