Finals, Kill!

Self-selected topics?

The densely packed audience in the stands was astonished.

In typical alchemy competitions, the topics are usually determined by the officials. Even in the finals, the ranking is based on whose elixir has the highest grade.

But this time, the focus was on the value of the elixir?!

So, that means...

The grade of the elixir doesn't necessarily have to be high; instead, it should be about the overall value?!

The value of a ninth-grade Condensation Realm Pill could even be higher than a fifth or sixth-grade Profound Origin Realm Pill!

Because ninth-grade elixirs are extremely rare and unaffordable for ordinary people, they are generally bought by major sects, prominent families, or the second-generation immortals to consume like 'candy.'

Thus, their price remains consistently high.

"She... she actually made it to the finals?"

Duan Qingyao was even more astonished.

She knew Xiao Ling'er had a high talent for alchemy, but given her recent involvement, she didn't expect Xiao Ling'er to reach such a level already!

Even if she were eliminated now, she would still be considered a genius alchemist, one in ten thousand!

If she advances further...

"Moreover, self-selected topics are actually an advantage for her! The benefits of concealing her abilities earlier should now start to show."

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

Her mind was shaken, and she couldn't hide her excitement.

***

"Let's choose the third-grade Profound Origin Realm Pill. As for the grade, I'll do my best."

After a brief consideration, Xiao Ling'er decided to refine the Profound Origin Realm Pill.

Because the elixir she was most familiar with was the Condensation Realm Pill, followed by the Profound Origin Realm Pill.

The Condensation Realm Pill's grade was too low, and even if she refined a ninth-grade one, its value would still be lacking. The Profound Origin Realm Pill, however, was different. As long as she performed well, the chances of winning were not low!

"There is indeed a chance to win, but the one thing I don't understand is that seemingly not-so-smart guy."

Liang Danxia agreed but remained skeptical. However, she was certain that the guy was definitely not as simple as he appeared on the surface. But where exactly he wasn't simple, she couldn't pinpoint.

Xiao Ling'er felt the same.

She didn't believe that the guy advanced through luck every time.

Moreover...

"We'll find out by trying."

"Yes, just do your best and leave the rest to fate. After all, it's not appropriate for you to use the Core Earthfire here; refining the Profound Origin Realm Pill is the best choice."

***

Moments later, the fourth round began!

The audience's emotions were exceptionally high.

"Look, that's the third divine son of the Feather Clan. I didn't expect his alchemy skills to be so impressive. Judging by the materials he's using, he's attempting to refine a fifth-grade elixir?!"

"Wow, amazing! The eldest miss of the Fire Virtue Sect, Huo Yun'er, is also opting for a fifth-grade elixir!"

"Others are choosing fourth-grade elixirs... wait!"

"There are also two third-grade ones!"

"That girl, who knows which obscure sect she's from, has been barely advancing with great difficulty and some luck. That not-too-bright-looking guy also relied entirely on luck. Their choice of third-grade elixirs just proves this point."

"Clearly, they lack confidence. Otherwise, they would have chosen at least a fourth-grade elixir!"

"In that case, the champion should be between the Feather Clan's third divine son and Huo Yun'er."

Someone was speaking loudly.

***

All twelve contestants were busy refining their elixirs.

Xiao Ling'er's movements were still clumsy.

The cautious dullard was still flustered.

But the remaining ten were fully focused, their actions smooth and fluid.

However, halfway through, eight of them frowned slightly.

"Damn it!"

Someone looked around and muttered, "Those two are refining fifth-grade elixirs with such ease?"

"If they succeed, even if my refinement goes well, I won't make it into the top three."

"If I don't interfere, I'll surely lose. But if I can make him blow up his furnace..."

Then he looked at the others.

He noticed many others were also looking around and occasionally making eye contact with him.

Moments later, they nodded in silent agreement.

They had secretly communicated and devised a strategy beforehand.

Now, their medicinal ingredients were fully extracted, and what remained was controlling the heat and waiting for the elixir to form.

Thus, they could afford to divide their attention.

As they nodded, all their spiritual consciousness surged, simultaneously deploying a secret technique to interfere with others' spiritual consciousness, causing control issues.

They were all at least at the Profound Origin Realm, and some were even at the Cave Heaven Realm.

At this moment, their sudden, invisible attack immediately affected Huo Yun'er and the Feather Clan's third divine son, causing them intense headaches!

Xiao Ling'er and the dullard were also affected, feeling their heads splitting.

"Ah!!!"

"I'm going to die, I'm going to die!"

The dullard screamed, grabbed his furnace, and ran without looking back.

So treacherous!

Xiao Ling'er frowned, caught off guard and almost severely injured. Fortunately, Liang Danxia immediately protected her. With her assistance, the spiritual attack posed no problem.

To others, it seemed Xiao Ling'er only paled briefly before returning to normal.

In the stands, Duan Qingyao's face was full of concern.

"Hmm?"

Meanwhile, a high-level cultivator at the Ascension Realm frowned and was about to act, "Such despicable tactics, do you think I'm blind?"

At that moment, Huo Yun'er and the Feather Clan's third divine son, who were unjustly attacked, were furious.

Especially the Feather Clan's third divine son, who stepped forward and said coldly, "I will handle this myself!"

The Ascension Realm cultivator hesitated but didn't immediately intervene.

Huo Yun'er was also extremely furious. "Courting death!"

She shouted angrily, suddenly slapping her storage pouch, instantly summoning hundreds of magical and spiritual artifacts. She then spat out an orange flame, which activated all these artifacts, unleashing terrifying power towards the four targeting her!

Boom!

The surrounding stone platforms exploded in succession. The eight were stunned, "How dare you attack?! This is the alchemy competition."

They had all acted secretly, believing in the maxim "the law does not punish the masses." At worst, they would be disqualified, but they thought it was better than losing outright. And yet, they never expected a direct lethal response!

"Cowards!"

Huo Yun'er couldn't be bothered to argue, intensifying her attack.

"You have quite the nerve, woman."

The third divine son of the Feather Clan chuckled, his gaze sharp as lightning. The feathered crown on his head glowed, effortlessly suppressing the spiritual assault without any visible movement.

"You're courting death."

He stood up, the furnace behind him rumbling but not exploding, though he did lose some control over it.

However, he paid it no mind and looked at the Ascension Realm expert. Seeing the expert remain passive, he smirked and muttered to himself, "Wise choice. They dared to strike at me, sealing their fate. If you interfere, my Feather Clan will... ha."

He then spoke aloud with a cold smile.

"Alchemy is a hobby of mine. But… killing is my true talent."

Boom!

At that moment, he unleashed his full power, a terrifying aura sweeping across the area, causing the four who attacked him to change their expressions dramatically.

"So strong!"

"This is bad. We must join forces, or we'll all die!!!"

"Kill!"

A fierce battle erupted...

Divine light burst forth, and in that instant, the third divine son of the Feather Clan displayed extraordinary combat strength. Even though he was facing four opponents, he was overwhelming them. In a short time, he had them on the brink of disaster.

Then, with a single punch, he blew one of them apart, turning them into a mist of blood.

Bang!

The furnace he controlled also exploded...

"This is bad!!"

Their hearts filled with fear.

In the stands, someone stood up and shouted, "Judge, where is the judge? How can the alchemy competition allow fighting and killing?!"

The Ascension Realm expert sneered, "You played deaf and dumb when they struck first. Now that they're being counterattacked, you're jumping up and down. It's disgusting."

"Those who dare to attack must bear the consequences."

"But they only interfered, while this demon is on a killing spree..." the person argued more anxiously.

The Ascension Realm expert gave a cold glance, "If you're not satisfied, why don't you intervene?"