Chapter 883 - 129: This Is a Dark Horse (2)
"Hehe?"
"What does your smile mean?"
"That person is already an Innate Powerhouse."
...
...
The scene was silent.
An Innate Powerhouse still participates in the preliminary rounds?
This has nothing to do with alchemy talent; this Innate Powerhouse named Xiao Yan took first purely relying on his formidable Divine Soul.
The name Xiao Yan began to spread among those paying attention to the Alchemy Competition.
Li’s Trading Company.
Li Chongshan heard the news, and the corners of his mouth twitched as well. If he remembered correctly, when he gave this Junior Brother Xiao the invitation letter, the latter didn’t even know much about the Artifact Refining Competition and asked him quite a few questions.
Any alchemist would know at least a little about the rules of the Artifact Refining Competition.
In other words, this Junior Brother Xiao only learned about alchemy from him before signing up for the Alchemy Competition.
"Shopkeeper Li, do you know this person?"
In the yard behind the trading company, a young woman saw Shopkeeper Li’s strange expression, put down the list in her hand, and asked curiously.
"Miss, the old man does indeed know this Xiao Yan. Not long ago..."
After listening to Li Chongshan’s words, the young woman smiled softly: "It seems Xiao Yan is just here for fun. The preliminary round is easy, but the second round is uncertain."
The Innate-Level alchemists from Hundred Refinements City are at least intermediate. They don’t need to take the preliminary round, which is why Xiao Yan could seize the first place.
But entering the second round, many Innate-Level alchemists have been immersed in alchemy for decades, without the advantage of the Divine Soul, Xiao Yan cannot pass the second round assessment.
...
...
The next day!
The Celestial Craft Pavilion was even more bustling than three days ago.
The second round of the Artifact Refining Competition in Hundred Refinements City began, and all who entered the second round were well-known in Hundred Refinements City.
"Why not come with me?"
"I’m afraid of being embarrassed."
In front of the Celestial Craft Pavilion’s entrance, Yin Yue shook her head. An Innate Martial Artist participating in the preliminary rounds would definitely attract discussions. It’s not the discussions that matter; it’s mainly because she lacks confidence in Lin Chen.
Someone who has only been doing alchemy for less than seven days boldly comes to participate in the Alchemy Competition. While Lin Chen isn’t afraid of embarrassment, she is.
"Alright, then take this invitation letter."
Lin Chen tossed the invitation letter from Li Chongshan to Yin Yue, then entered the gate by himself, heading towards the contestants, while Yin Yue went to the guest seats.
The second round’s venue remained at the Alchemy Hall, but not inside the hall; rather, it was on the plaza outside the main hall.
As Lin Chen entered the plaza, many contestants were already standing there. The pill furnaces before these contestants varied greatly, yet even by sight alone, Lin Chen could gauge their extraordinary nature—not like those provided by the organizers at yesterday’s preliminary rounds.
Lin Chen awkwardly looked at the young man leading the way ahead, asking, "No pill furnaces provided for the second round?"
Upon hearing this, the young man stiffened, turned back, and said, "Sir, many prefer their own pill furnaces for alchemy, so contestants in the second round are allowed to bring their own, but if needed, we can provide one."
It’s the first time he’s encountered anyone needing a furnace from the competition in the second round.
"Hmm, I forgot to bring my pill furnace today. Just provide me one."
Lin Chen’s demeanor didn’t change as he stood his ground, waiting for the young man to fetch the furnace, while several alchemists nearby gobbled up the gossip, some even sneering—but none dared insult him outright.
Perhaps it’s because those here aren’t naive youths intent on making enemies, or maybe Lin Chen’s Innate Second Realm prowess keeps others wary.
Meanwhile, quite a few eyes from the guest seats fixated on Lin Chen.
Throughout the plaza, each contestant had a pill furnace in front, except for Lin Chen, who stood there alone—a sight attracting attention.
"This gentleman didn’t bring a pill furnace?"
"How could anyone not bring a pill furnace? For alchemists, the furnace is crucial; a good or familiar furnace significantly boosts the success rate of concoctions."
"For others, I wouldn’t say this, but I encountered him yesterday in the preliminary round—Xiao Yan."
"Xiao Yan? That one who stepped into Innate but isn’t even an intermediate alchemist?"
"Could he not have a pill furnace?"
"Probably not...shouldn’t be, as this is the second round, and if not skilled at all, why participate? Maybe he truly forgot."
The last speaker dwindled into silence, doubting his own speculation.
What kind of alchemist forgets to bring a furnace!
Yin Yue, in the guest seats, also lifted her head helplessly towards the sky, thinking that not entering together with Lin Chen was wise.
After a cup of tea’s time, the lead young man returned carrying a furnace, placing it in front of Lin Chen.
A quarter of an hour passed.
At the plaza’s top, five elderly figures appeared, and upon seeing them, many gazes ignited with fervor, especially towards the central elder, whose chest bore a Five-Star Pill Furnace emblem.
"It’s Master Chen; I didn’t expect Master Chen to come this time."
"Though Master Chen originates from Hundred Refinements City, he resides in Thousand Mechanism City, not returning for years. He’s likely been invited back."