Chapter 174: Xiao Yan Who Likes to Time Things

In the square, nearly twenty minutes had passed since the assessment began.

During this time, numerous stone platforms occasionally flashed red.

Behind those platforms where the red light appeared, the alchemists who failed could only blush with embarrassment and withdraw dejectedly.

For some alchemists who preferred conventional methods of refining pills, this unconventional assessment felt like a life-and-death challenge.

They never imagined facing such an unofficial pill formula one day.

Without a complete pill formula, how could they refine the pills?

They almost felt at a loss.

...

On the high platform, in the VIP seats.

After finishing his conversation with Yao Lao, Wei Yang was completely at ease.

Since Yao Lao supported this, it proved that the path he was on was not wrong.

His gaze swept over those alchemists, who left the field with their heads down, looking disheartened, and he shook his head slightly.

These people are too foolish, unable to adapt at all.

Lost without a legitimate pill formula, they can't refine pills?

What is all the pharmacological knowledge you learned for?

Which pill formula wasn't created by someone?

Did it fall from the sky?

"Sigh, these young ones are too rigid in their thinking," President Fama and Vice President Chemier both shook their heads and sighed.

The bigwigs nodded.

"They rely too much on pill formulas. Now that they've lost the regular ones, they're entirely clueless, lacking the courage to seek answers on their own and innovate," Wei Yang casually commented. "They think that a pill formula is the only truth; without it, they don't know what to do."

"Indeed, they fail to realize that pill formulas are actually created by alchemists. Existing formulas aren't necessarily the best; they can even be refined and improved further," President Fama sighed softly.

Seeing these young alchemists leave with disappointment, President Fama felt deeply pained.

Their thinking is fixed, even shackled, trapping themselves.

Without generations of alchemists striving to innovate and improve, how could there be any progress?

Just following the inherited formulas means that alchemy would always stay at the same level and mindset of the predecessors.

...

Time continued to pass.

More and more people were leaving the field.

Even some third-grade alchemists began to leave with a heavy heart.

The number of alchemists left on the field rapidly decreased.

In the giant hourglass, the sand grains quickly poured down.

Judging by the looks of it, more than half the competition time has already passed.

At this moment.

On the stone platform, Xian'er stopped her hand gestures.

Clang~

Following a light sound of the cauldron lid being lifted.

Shoo!

A perfectly round pill shot out from the cauldron, then she reached out and caught it.

Lowering her head to look at the pill in her palm, still carrying a trace of heat, Xian'er's face couldn't help but show a stunning smile.

Because, on this pill's surface, there was actually a clear pattern of pill lines.

Top-grade!

In the VIP seats, seeing this scene, the bigwigs all nodded with smiles.

Although the Bone Pill was merely a second-grade pill.

But under the circumstances of an incomplete formula, being able in such a short time to achieve this was enough to prove Xian'er's capability.

"Not bad!" Wei Yang first softly spoke.

"Sister Xian'er is awesome!" Qing Lin immediately chimed in.

"Haha, indeed quite impressive." The bigwigs all nodded, echoing their approval.

"Miss Xian'er has a very solid foundation," President Fama also praised.

No one felt surprised.

After all, being personally taught by Wei Yang, not being able to accomplish this would indeed be surprising.

...

Moments later.

Clang~

At a certain moment, a crisp sound of a cauldron being tapped rang out in the square again.

The crowd looked over, and after Xian'er, Liu Ling also successfully refined the pill.

The pride on his face was undeniable.

However, when he turned and saw Xian'er, who had long since finished refining and was sitting quietly on the stone platform, his eyes couldn't help but flash with amazement.

Of course, he only dared to think about it and didn't really pursue any ideas.

Otherwise, even his mentor Gu He couldn't save him.

After all, this flower was already taken.

"Hmph, you're just quicker because you relied on the advantage of your fifth-grade beast fire," Liu Ling thought secretly.

Earlier, during pill refinement, he used the regular Dou Qi flame.

Of course, since he came to the tournament, he wouldn't come without a trump card; he just hadn't reached the point of revealing it yet.

...

Quickly.

Clang~

Another crisp sound, and on the other side, the little princess wasn't left behind. With a wave of her delicate hand, a pill flew out of the cauldron.

Then, it was like a switch had been flipped.

Clang clang clang~

On the square, there seemed to be a chain reaction. One cauldron lid after another was lifted, and hundreds of pills, varying in shape, shot out from the cauldrons and were eagerly grabbed by their owners.

At this time, everyone's attention turned to a stone platform in the center of the square.

There, Xiao Yan was still continuing his refinement.

"Time's almost up," Liu Ling glanced at the hourglass, about to finish draining, and a smile curled up at the corner of his mouth, slowly clenching his fist.

If there was anyone on the field he wished to see fail, it was undeniably Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan's association with Nalan Yanran inevitably made Liu Ling harbor no goodwill toward him.

Xian'er also opened her eyes, stood up, slightly frowned, and occasionally glanced at both the hourglass and Xiao Yan.

Wei Yang had told her that if anyone could pose a threat to her in this tournament, it was none other than Xiao Yan.

Therefore, in her heart, she had always considered Xiao Yan as her biggest competitor in this tournament, hoping he wouldn't fail in this first assessment.

...

In the VIP seats, Wei Yang also watched with some frustration.

Why do it like this?

Always showing up at the critical moment, and every major event he causes is nerve-wracking.

As if he times it perfectly.

This is very unreliable.

If there are crucial tasks waiting for you, they might all be moot if you take this approach.

It seems that more preparations need to be made in the future, not putting all cards on Xiao Yan.

If he acts like this at every critical juncture, who can handle the stress?

Especially when entering the Ancient Emperor's Cave, a reliable partner is necessary. Although Xiao Yan is dependable, he still leaves people feeling uncertain.

Wei Yang silently thought.

...

Under everyone's watchful eyes.

The sand in the hourglass continued to flow away.

Now, only a few grains of sand remained, silently dropping.

Finally, as the last handful of sand grains was about to tumble down,

Both the audience and the VIP seats were filled with sighs of regret.

Liu Ling smirked with a victorious smile.

At this moment.

Clang~

Xiao Yan, eyes tightly closed, suddenly opened them, gently tapping the cauldron with his palm, the lid lifted.

A perfect pill finally shot out, dazzling as it captured attention at the last moment.

Xiao Yan gestured, firmly grasping the pill in his palm.

Wow~

The entire venue erupted in astonishment.

Wei Yang, however, felt a bit disgruntled, covering his forehead with his hand.

Sure enough, this guy always likes to time things precisely, making moves at the very last second.

His previous thoughts only solidified in his mind.

When entering the Ancient Emperor's Cave, who should be a reliable partner?

Hmm, perhaps Zi Yan's dad, Brother Kun, might be pretty good.