Chapter 156: Master-Level Technique

As the bell rang, all the examinees on the stone platform began their alchemy.

They quickly placed their palms over the fire opening of the cauldron, and their internal Dou Qi surged out. Instantly, with a few muffled sounds, flames rapidly burst into the cauldrons.

Once the flames were lit inside the cauldrons, a transparent light curtain slowly began to rise around the outer part of the stone platform. 

This semicircular bowl-shaped light curtain covered and enveloped the examinees and the stone platform within it. 

With the activation of this protective light curtain, the quiet murmurs in the hall also ceased entirely. Everyone focused intently on the actions of the examinees on the stone platform, observing whether their performance was up to standard, whether their actions were correct, or if they performed well. 

At a glance, these newcomers all indisputably used Dou Qi flames, which were a pale yellow color. Their strength was generally in the lower middle-level Dou Zhe tier. 

With such strength, they usually used Dou Qi flames, rarely subduing beast flames. 

Boom~

At this moment, a powerful fiery aura suddenly emerged, instantly drawing everyone's attention; they looked over in shock.

It was a deep red flame that appeared in Xian'er's palm, which she casually tossed into the cauldron, quickly blazing brightly. 

The intense heat, even through the cauldron and the protective light curtain, could still be clearly felt. The temperature within the hall also rose significantly in an instant.

In front of this dark red flame, the pale yellow flames of all other examinees seemed so frail, like flickering candles in the wind, shivering as if they could extinguish at any moment.

Wow~

Everyone was amazed, their faces full of shock as they looked at the beautiful, white-haired girl standing on the stone platform. 

"This kind of power... is a fifth-grade beast flame!" The old fourth-grade alchemist, Oba, said with a rather serious expression. He, being a fourth-grade alchemist with high-level Da Dou Shi strength, was only using a fourth-grade beast flame. 

It wasn't that he couldn't use a fifth-grade beast flame, but his own level of strength didn't allow it. 

After all, refining beast flames does carry some risks, although not comparable to that of Heavenly Flames. 

Generally, it's alchemists at the Dou Ling level who would attempt to refine a fifth-grade beast flame, as it's more cost-effective; some even continue using fourth-grade beast flames.

Everyone's expressions turned extremely solemn. 

To be able to control fifth-grade beast flames, and seemingly with ease—imagine the opponent's strength... 

Today, they might end up being overshadowed like fish in a barrel. 

... 

Boom!

At this moment, another powerful fiery aura suddenly appeared. 

Everyone's attention was once again drawn over, and their expressions turned utterly stunned. 

It was Wei Yang; in his palm appeared a pure black flame, exuding a somewhat peculiar aura that seemed like a Dou Qi flame, yet not entirely, like a beast flame, yet with a strange aura.

He casually tossed it, and it flared up in the cauldron. 

The hall's temperature once again increased significantly. 

The six examinees on the surrounding platforms were almost in tears. 

Their pale yellow flames were about to collapse. 

At this rate, let alone alchemy, even the step of warming the cauldron would take half a day for them. 

"Such a pure black flame, looking at its power, at least fifth-grade! Is it a beast flame?" The middle-aged fourth-grade alchemist asked, his mouth agape.

"Not quite like a beast flame, it seems to be a Dou Qi flame, but with a peculiar aura..." Old alchemist Oba swallowed with difficulty and said.

"A Dou Qi flame..." The middle-aged fourth-grade alchemist shivered all over at the words. 

With such power in a Dou Qi flame, was the opponent a Dou Wang or even a Dou Huang?

"Quick, someone, bring their registration information from outside." Old fourth-grade alchemist Oba quietly instructed. 

"Yes, Master Oba." A second-grade alchemist quickly responded and sprinted towards the door.

... 

In no time, the cauldrons were quickly warmed.

Wei Yang's gaze swept over the parchment, then swiftly over the three sets of medicinal ingredients. 

With a thought. 

This action caused everyone's eyes to widen in astonishment. 

The eyes of some examinees almost popped out. 

Boom~

With the ingredients entering the cauldron, the pure black flame surged up, enveloping and engulfing over a dozen medicinal herbs. 

Sizzle Sizzle~

The herbs started to quickly twist and deform, incinerating and refining to extract their essence.

Next to him, Xian'er had also warmed the cauldron, her hand seals changing. 

Instantly, the same scene occurred again. 

Over a dozen medicinal herbs floated into the air, all thrown into her cauldron. 

The dark red flame swept over them...

Following this, the assessment completely turned into a two-person show featuring Wei Yang and Xian'er. 

Everyone's gaze, including those of the examinees, stopped their actions and were fixed on their alchemy process.

The skilled, effortlessly graceful movements captured their attention and left them deeply immersed. 

Especially Wei Yang, who seemed like a master artist, crafting what appeared to be a child's toy with his hands. 

The sense of ease felt akin to plucking a flower or a leaf, giving the impression that alchemy was as simple as picking a roadside flower or leaf.

Some even had the illusion that they too could manage it.

A few began moving their hands in imitation of Wei Yang's technique.

Yet once they attempted it, they realized truly achieving that level of ease was immensely difficult. 

Not to mention refining pills, they couldn't even keep up with Wei Yang's movements. 

The same was true for the two fourth-grade alchemists. 

They couldn't help but exchange glances, their eyes filled with alarm.

Those seemingly casual, slow movements were in reality extremely fast, the traces were merely afterimages left in the air. 

What they were seeing, those handprint afterimages, were actually visual residue.

In truth, Wei Yang's hand seals had long gone through countless changes.

Such advanced alchemical techniques and accompanying fire control methods were unique to an alchemist and couldn't simply be imitated just by watching.

Watching too much or imitating too much might result in a confusing sensation. 

In their minds, the residual handprint shadows left a mess, seemingly unable to be dispelled, becoming deeply etched in their memory. 

Their own original alchemical techniques and memories gradually became hazy, confused.

This realization made everyone's heart cringe, stopping the imitation and closing their eyes immediately to refrain from looking further.

They feared that if they continued watching, they might completely forget the knowledge they painstakingly acquired, potentially leading to a state of mental confusion.

"Everyone, if you want to watch, remember not to overdo it. If you can't go on, don't force it, and definitely don't deliberately imitate it. A master's technique isn't something you can mimic; we aren't on the same level!" Fourth-grade alchemist Oba quickly reminded.

Meanwhile, he continued staring at Wei Yang's actions intently, unwilling to miss a single detail, yet his hands were clenched tightly together, avoiding any imitation.

However, observing was still possible.

He barely understood a tiny fraction.

The middle-aged fourth-grade alchemist was likewise enraptured, watching with intense focus and admiration.

In that setting, only the two fourth-grade alchemists managed to comprehend a small fraction.

Just that little insight was enough for them to gain immensely.

It was like a whole new world opening before them. 

The long-standing stubborn bottleneck they grappled with seemed to show signs of slight loosening.

"Fifth-grade, peak of fifth-grade? Or even sixth-grade?! This is a true master! A genuine master!"

The two silently exclaimed in their hearts, filled with excitement, nearly unable to restrain from cheering aloud.