Chapter 2826
After hearing the competition rules, Kai finally grasped why the Pill Master’s Association mandated that participants be at least third-grade upper-level pill masters!
With a bell ringing, nearly a hundred pill masters in the arena sprang into action, refining their pills!
All the herbs and furnaces were identical, creating a level playing field for everyone!
The speed at which the pills were made relied solely on each master’s skill!
Before long, flames began to dance in the air, and a rich, medicinal fragrance wafted through the surroundings!
Meng He was not in a rush; instead, he kept a close eye on Kai’s technique!
After all, securing a spot in the top twenty would ensure advancement, and it wasn’t necessary to take first place.
As Meng He observed Kai, he was eager to see if Kai’s alchemical abilities had been compromised by the poison!
Kai, aware of Meng He’s secret scrutiny, calmly tossed the herbs into the pottery and began the refining process!
While refining, Kai deliberately put on an act, appearing to struggle and breaking out in cold sweat!
Seeing this, Meng He couldn’t help but sneer!
He realized that the poison was taking effect, impairing Kai’s focus. He believed that the strain of refining a third-grade top-grade elixir would surely lead to Kai’s elimination in the later rounds!
The first test could very well see Kai out of the competition!
More than twenty minutes passed!
Boom!
With a muffled sound, the aroma of medicine filled the air; someone had successfully completed their potion!
Following that, the continuous ringing of completed pills being refined echoed around the ring!
Meng He, no longer pretending to be inquisitive, hastened his refining process and soon produced a third-grade top-grade elixir!
When he glanced at Kai, he saw that Kai had yet to succeed, which thrilled Meng He!
Moments later, a popping sound emerged from Kai’s pottery furnace, and a third-grade top-grade pill soared out!
Kai had successfully refined the elixir, clinching the twentieth spot. If he had been even a moment later, he would have faced elimination!
Once everyone had finished refining, the top twenty pills were selected and sent to the judges’ table!
Although speed was crucial, quality and quantity were also essential; any half-finished work would be deemed invalid, affecting rankings!
Fortunately for them, the judges confirmed that all twenty pills were qualified, as a third-grade elixir was not overly challenging for these skilled masters!
Elimination in the first round meant no further competition!
“What’s going on with Kai today? A third-grade top-grade elixir is taking him so long? He was almost eliminated,” Liu Ruyan remarked, watching Kai’s struggle.
“I think something is off with Mr. Chen too. It shouldn’t take this long to refine a third-grade superior pill,” the Third Elder added, equally puzzled.
“Could it be that Mr. Chen is overworked?”
Yi Hyuk recalled how unwell Kai had seemed the day before!
Upon hearing Yi Hyuk’s comment, Liu Ruyan blushed, interpreting his words as a suggestion that Kai was tired from their late-night conversation!
The Third Elder chuckled at Liu Ruyan’s blush but said nothing further!
Yi Hyuk also felt he might have misspoken, his own face showing a hint of embarrassment!
“The top twenty places have been determined; everyone else may leave…”
The old referee announced loudly!
Frustration filled the air as many competitors departed, leaving only twenty in the arena!
“Now for the second competition: refine a fifth-grade superior elixir! The more perfect the elixir, the easier it will be for those who complete it within one incense stick of time to succeed!”
“This time, we will select the top five contestants, using the same potion furnace and medicinal materials!”
With the rules set, the twenty pill masters began the competition anew!