Chapter 289: Alchemy
Seeing that Zhao Dong actually dared to make a move, Leng Yue said no more. Controlling her True Qi, she ignited the Spiritual Fire and then began to toss the medicinal ingredients into the furnace.
The competition began!
Soon, the surrounding masters were nodding in admiration.
"Master Xiang's apprentice is indeed impressive. Her control of the furnace fire is already masterful, and her timing for adding the ingredients is flawless."
"It seems Leng Yue will have no problem concocting the pill. The only uncertainty is whether she'll have enough luck during the final Solidifying Pill stage."
"Hey, look at this kid. Why hasn't he started yet?" one of them suddenly asked. The rest of the crowd turned their gazes toward Zhao Dong as well.
But they saw Zhao Dong simply sitting cross-legged beside the Pill Furnace, meditating, with no intention of starting at all.
"What's the meaning of this?"
"Could it be that he knows he can't compete, so he's not even trying?"
"Heh, at least he's self-aware. The ingredients for this Dragon Blood Pill are all treasures. If he really wasted them, Master Xiang would never let him off!"
The crowd erupted into mocking laughter, while Ling Feng was as anxious as an ant on a hot griddle.
I thought Zhao Dong was so confident because he actually had some skills. Who would have thought he'd just sit there and do nothing? Isn't he just asking for it?
But just as everyone was perplexed, a muffled groan suddenly came from Leng Yue.
Everyone hurriedly looked over, only to see the Pill Furnace in front of her glowing an intense red. The furnace fire was erupting wildly, causing beads of cold sweat to form on her forehead.
"Not good! The Solidifying Pill stage failed! The furnace is going to explode! Everyone, back away!" a master exclaimed.
Master Xiang also shouted urgently, "Leng Yue, get out of there! The pill can't be saved!"
"No! I can't!" Leng Yue clenched her teeth, determined to hold on.
The next moment—
BOOM! A massive explosion erupted, engulfing Leng Yue in a rolling cloud of dust.
"Yue'er!"
Tears streamed down Xiang Wendao's face as he was about to rush in.
But the fierce Elixir Fire was still blazing, and the surrounding masters held him back, preventing him from entering the inferno.
"Alas, Leng Yue is truly talented, but far too stubborn."
"Indeed. For such a genius to perish so young is a true pity."
A wave of sighs spread through the crowd.
But just then, two figures slowly walked out from within the Elixir Fire.
"COUGH... COUGH, COUGH..."
The crowd followed the sound and saw none other than the pristine Zhao Dong supporting a disheveled Leng Yue as they emerged.
"You... you saved Yue'er?" Master Xiang was dumbstruck.
Mortified, her pretty face blushing crimson, Leng Yue stammered, "Yes... Master, he saved me..."
Her words stunned the entire crowd.
No one had expected that it was Zhao Dong who had rescued Leng Yue!
"Young friend, I was impolite earlier. You saved Yue'er, which makes you a benefactor to me, Xiang Chengfeng. This competition can be..."
"No need. A competition is a competition," Zhao Dong said with a faint smile. He then let go of Leng Yue and strode toward an intact Pill Furnace.
The next moment, Zhao Dong gathered Spiritual Energy in his right hand and slammed it against the Pill Furnace.
BOOM! With a tremendous roar, the Pill Furnace actually shot off the ground and soared into the sky.
"Earth Fire! Rise!" Zhao Dong bellowed.
Beneath the hovering Pill Furnace, a vortex of Spiritual Energy appeared. The vortex spun rapidly before plunging directly into the earth.
The next moment, a column of purple fire shot up from the ground, engulfing the entire Pill Furnace.
"This... could this be the legendary Earth Fire!?"
"Who on earth is this person, to be able to summon Earth Fire!?"
"A Master! He's a Master!"
The crowd gasped in amazement. Xiang Chengfeng and Leng Yue looked on, their eyes practically popping out of their sockets.
"Go!" Zhao Dong shouted again.
Instantly, dozens of medicinal ingredients on the ground flew into the Pill Furnace all at once.
"What is he doing? Throwing all the ingredients in together? If the medicinal potency explodes all at once, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
"No, no, no! With the Earth Fire suppressing it, mere Flood Dragon blood can't stir up any trouble!" Master Xiang hurriedly waved his hands, his gaze fixed feverishly on the Pill Furnace.
Five minutes later, the purple flames dissipated, and the Pill Furnace landed with a heavy thud.
A rich medicinal aroma instantly filled the air.
Zhao Dong strode forward and opened the furnace lid, revealing a single, golden pill gleaming faintly within.
"He succeeded! He really succeeded!"
"A Master! A true Master!"
"To command Earth Fire at such a young age, he must be the heir of a major alchemy clan!"
The onlookers were awestruck, their pupils contracting in shock and their hearts pounding wildly.
Ling Feng drew a sharp breath, a look of profound relief in his eyes.
It seems I misjudged him. Qingyun's choice wasn't wrong after all...
Zhao Dong picked up the pill and walked up to the still-stunned Master Xiang and Leng Yue.
"You've lost."