Chapter 181: Racing Against Time and Essence

The trio remained oblivious to the various gazes from the outside world, as they were wholly concentrated on the cauldrons in front of them, meticulously controlling the flames to refine the essence of the medicinal ingredients.

The gray-robed youth no longer concealed his actions, waving his hand, a twisted and burned medicinal herb flew out from the cauldron, discarded nonchalantly to the side.

In his cauldron, eight medicinal herbs were left as well. 

The crowd observed the charred and deformed herb, barely recognizing it as: Thick Earth Ganoderma. 

This was the last herb on the prescription, yet all three had removed it from their current concoctions. 

Through several trials, they had discovered that the failure to form the pill was due entirely to this unnecessary Thick Earth Ganoderma. It was precisely this extra herb that led to the final failure in forming the pill.

Some, like Liu Ling and the Little Princess, suddenly realized the problem, though most still pondered with furrowed brows.

Questioning a complete prescription and identifying and solving the issue in such a short time requires not only courage but also strength. This is not something everyone can achieve.

Even though the trio pointed out the issue and everyone realized that the inability to form the pill likely lay with the Thick Earth Ganoderma, knowing the problem doesn't solve it without the strength needed.

Some traditional alchemists placed too much faith in the authenticity of prescriptions, never attributing failures to the prescription itself but to their own errors in timing or refinement steps.

Such thinking meant that even after repeated failures, they never grasped the core issue, making defeat inevitable in assessments like these.

Thus, at this moment, including the Little Princess and Liu Ling, they could only become spectators.

...

The vast plaza was eerily quiet, except for the rising flames in three places. The audience's gazes shifted among these spots.

Inside the three cauldrons, flames surged, merging the essences of the eight herbs, awaiting the final moment of pill formation.

This was a race against time, as fierce as a dragon fighting a tiger. When concocting the same pill with identical quality, the victor would be the one who forms the pill faster. In these circumstances, victory or defeat could hinge on a second's difference.

The gray-robed youth manipulated the seals in his hands, controlling the pill formation, sparing some attention to glance at Xiao Yan, a mocking smile on his lips.

His keen eyes discerned the subtle differences in the pill formation process, immediately noticing the estimated time gap. 

This one was too slow, lagging by at least five minutes, not a cause for concern.

His gaze shifted to Xian'er, the mocking smile fading slightly.

This one's not bad, with a gap of less than a minute.

However, he taunted, "Heh, you're all too slow, what's the use of good flame control?"

"My flames and control may not match yours, but my pill formation speed surpasses you! Hahaha," the gray-robed youth laughed triumphantly.

Xian'er, focused on the interior of her cauldron, remained expressionless, not even bothering to raise her eyelids.

Xiao Yan furrowed his brows slightly, glanced at the cocky youth, took a deep breath, then withdrew his gaze, ignoring him.

"Heh," the gray-robed youth chuckled as he also pulled back his gaze, a bit disappointed he couldn't provoke them. These youngsters had good composure.

Unqualified!

In the crowd, many competitors clenched their fists at his words.

...

In the VIP area.

"Old Fa, Miss Xian'er and Xiao Yan seem to be falling behind?" Haibo Dong stood up, frowning as he watched the fierce competition unfolding in the field, seeking confirmation.

"They are indeed lagging slightly, though Miss Xian'er's gap is negligible," Fa Ma nodded, speaking slowly, "They have great advantages in flame control, but due to their age, they lag behind that strange guy in technique and experience."

"And that guy is extremely experienced, losing not even a second in any step. Their advantages cancel each other out, but since he started first, he has the initial advantage... now, who wins or loses is hard to predict," Fa Ma sighed, shaking his head.

Haibo Dong frowned, casting a glance at Wei Yang.

Wei Yang smiled nonchalantly, "Even if they lose this round, it's no big deal, it's not the final round anyway."

The others nodded slightly. However, the thought of losing in time to someone from the Cloud Empire was unsettling for the senior members.

"Alchemists have never distinguished victory by seconds gained in pill formation speed."

Wei Yang glanced at the others, "Does faster pill concoction mean higher skill? You are overthinking."

"My teacher told me pill concoction should not be rushed, like carving a piece of art or simmering a fine broth—it requires patience, and timing is crucial. I hope Xian'er and Xiao Yan wouldn't lose sight of the essence of alchemy due to fleeting competitive spirits," Wei Yang said indifferently.

"Indeed, the outcome of alchemy depends on grade and quality, not speed. A few minutes don't matter; it shouldn't be about ego conflicts that lead to forgetting the true essence of alchemy!" President Fa Ma nodded in agreement.

"Exactly."

"Competing over seconds holds no real meaning."

Cheer Mei and some elders from the Alchemist Guild nodded and agreed, stroking their beards.

For alchemists, the competition has always been about the grade and quality of the pills, not the speed of concoction, as the latter holds no significance.

Faced with this, only Jia Xingtian and Haibo Dong shrugged without voicing dissent; after all, questioning a belief held by alchemists could easily make one appear foolish.

There are less painful ways to find trouble; no need to choose the most painful path.

...

In the plaza.

Xian'er, Xiao Yan, and the gray-robed youth all focused on the flames within their cauldrons.

Flames of different colors reflected deep red, purple, and deep yellow on their faces.

"Faster, faster, don't lose!" The Little Princess clenched her hands repeatedly, her eyes darting between the cauldrons of the three, keen enough to notice that the pills inside were gradually becoming rounded.

"The pills are about to form!"

Smelling the faint medicinal aroma wafting from the three cauldrons, Liu Ling and others, aware of what it signified, tensed up.

Many hearts hung in their throats at that moment.

These youngsters hadn't reached the level of awareness; they still maintained a youthful pride that influenced their emotions, not wishing to lose in time to those from the Cloud Empire.

"Miss Xian'er's pill is almost ready, Xiao Yan's too!"

"But theirs is closely following, the gap among the three seems minimal."

In the throes of the flames within the cauldrons, three perfectly round pills spun rapidly.