Chapter 814: Final Circle Small Revival Pill

In the finals, each contestant would have one hour to refine their most proficient elixir, under standard assessment criteria," Dong Ling announced from the judges' stand, revealing the last rule.

The contestants on the field breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, things were normal!

The competition had finally returned to the most fundamental assessment for alchemists. The normal criteria simply meant that whoever produced an elixir of higher grade and quality would win the championship.

Time was not a factor.

"It's over, no more mischief allowed..." Among the ten contestants, Xu Xiaoshou was the only one who felt a pang of regret. He had likely been hoping for a chance to pull a last-minute stunt if the rules permitted, but the final assessment method dashed those hopes. With standard alchemy, he would simply have to win by conventional means.

"What are you refining?" Xu Xiaoshou asked Yu Chuchu before they entered the formation. While Miss Yu might have harbored some competitive spirit before the competition started, all such delusions had now vanished.

"A sixth-grade Grandmaster Elixir," she replied weakly, unconcerned that Young Master Xu knew her chosen elixir in advance or might formulate a counter-strategy.

"Grandmaster Elixirs are indeed good, but I'm concerned it'll be hard to achieve a top score..." Xu Xiaoshou said, glancing at the other contestants. Only ten people remained, yet six of them were sixth-grade Grandmasters! It was evident how many Five Domains geniuses had gathered for this alchemy competition.

Yu Chuchu shrugged nonchalantly. "I wasn't that skilled to begin with, and switching elixirs at the last moment is too risky. If I can produce a top-grade Grandmaster Elixir, it will be more than enough to outperform other high-grade elixirs."

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly understood. So Yu Chuchu specialized in this particular elixir.

"What about the others?" he asked again. "Do you know their backgrounds?"

Yu Chuchu looked at the other sixth-grade Grandmasters, understanding Young Master Xu's concern. "Don't worry," she said. "Given their abilities, they might have aimed for a fierce competition earlier, but now very few will try to refine a fifth-grade elixir."

"Why?" Xu Xiaoshou chuckled, unfazed by being seen through.

Yu Chuchu rolled her eyes. "Why else? In the last round, if you refine another furnace of top-grade Minor Thunder Elixir, combined with your previous scores, no one will be able to beat you!"

"Oh," Xu Xiaoshou understood now. His Minor Thunder Elixir was a sixth-grade elixir, and a top-grade one at that. While some contestants might be capable of refining a fifth-grade elixir, it was highly unlikely they could produce a top-grade version. If the scores from the first two rounds had been close, people might have taken the risk. But now, a risky push was pointless; it could even cost them a top-two spot. Why not choose the safe option?

"Good luck!" Xu Xiaoshou ended their conversation, cheerfully watching Yu Chuchu walk onto the spiritual array platform. He then called out, "You're really embodying the spirit of my alchemy attendant now, answering every question, haha... Go refine your elixir, let's surpass them all together!" He even clenched his fist as he spoke.

Yu Chuchu stumbled, her face darkening, and silently entered the spiritual array.

[Received Curse, Passive Point +1]

Amidst roaring cheers from the crowd, the finals of the Alchemy Competition officially commenced with a shout from Dong Ling.

"Young Master Xu, what elixir are you refining?" Xiao Wanfeng asked, looking up. He held a small piece of paper, performing the additional duties of a tea-serving attendant by writing down medicinal names and preparing to retrieve ingredients for Young Master Xu.

Xu Xiaoshou was still pondering. Just then, a staff member approached and handed each of the ten finalists a blank jade slip. These slips were used for requesting ingredients. Evidently, at this final stage, the elder presidents were too embarrassed to have contestants write down their ingredient lists. Distributing ten blank jade slips was not considered a waste.

Xiao Wanfeng took the jade slip and subtly pursed his lips. Were his already few duties now completely gone?

Xu Xiaoshou smiled, took the jade slip, and placed it against his forehead. Dong Ling's message immediately flashed in his mind:

"Refine the 'Yinchao Blood Elixir' using the spiritual herbs you requested in the previous round. If you succeed, even if it's a low-grade elixir, the championship will be yours."

Xu Xiaoshou was startled, then quickly understood. The Alchemist Association wanted to verify the authenticity of his "Yinchao Blood Elixir" formula! He had submitted many elixir formulas in the previous round, but the "Yinchao Blood Elixir" was entirely new. Since Xu Xiaoshou didn't know the complete formula for this elixir, he had perfected one himself and submitted it. The judges' reasoning was clear: if this formula proved viable, Young Master Xu would be credited with improving a fifth-grade elixir formula, making his championship win entirely justifiable.

"Well, well, trying to get it for free, are they?" Xu Xiaoshou was amused. He had no desire to refine the "Yinchao Blood Elixir." Though it was a fifth-grade elixir, he had no use for it. A fifth-grade Grandmaster Elixir, strictly speaking, was already formidable, suitable for cultivators at the Throne stage. However, Xu Xiaoshou remembered another elixir, one with extremely high practicality, far superior to the improved "Yinchao Blood Elixir"!

"The Minor Body Restoration Elixir." This was a weakened version of the third-grade Body Restoration Elixir. While it couldn't fully regenerate an entire body from severed limbs, its practicality remained immense, capable of simple limb reattachment. Xu Xiaoshou personally had no need for such an effect, but his lack of need didn't mean those around him wouldn't benefit. Previously, he couldn't refine the Minor Body Restoration Elixir due to insufficient cultivation. But now that his "Culinary Mastery" had reached the Throne level, and with Elder Sang's formula in hand for such a valuable elixir, how could he not attempt it?

He looked up. The judges' stand was filled with expectant gazes. Clearly, the message within the jade slip was what all the old foxes had been anticipating. But Xu Xiaoshou offered an apologetic glance, then used his spiritual sense to record the ingredients for the Minor Body Restoration Elixir on the jade slip, requesting three portions.

After collecting all the jade slips, the staff handed them to the judges' stand. The elder presidents eagerly opened the other slips, approving the ingredient requests, leaving only the one from spiritual array number one. Dong Ling picked up that slip, placed it against her forehead, and a look of surprise mixed with a hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes. She then lowered the slip. "He refused," she stated.

"What?!" Lu Chenghui exclaimed furiously. "Even if he refines a low-grade one, he'd be guaranteed this round's championship, and he doesn't want it? It's not impossible for other contestants to aim for a fifth-grade elixir this round. This is his opportunity!"

Shi Ti calmly interjected, "Does he lack opportunities? Even if other contestants manage to refine a fifth-grade elixir, their combined scores from all three rounds still wouldn't surpass his total if he simply refined a mid-grade sixth-grade elixir right now."

Lu Chenghui snapped, "...Shut up!"

The other elder presidents also deflated. "What elixir is he refining?"

"The Minor Body Restoration Elixir." Dong Ling's expression was peculiar.

"The Minor Body Restoration Elixir?!" Lu Chenghui's voice sharpened again. "Is he insane? He could just play it safe this round. Why risk refining a fifth-grade elixir of such extreme difficulty? If he fails and the furnace explodes, leaving no results, I'd like to see how he recovers!"

Shi Ti retorted, "Didn't you just want him to aim for a fifth-grade elixir? Now that he's attempting it, you're telling him to play it safe?"

Lu Chenghui growled, "...Shut up!"

Shi Ti replied, "Relax, you know tolerance is a virtue, and generosity... mmph!"

As Lu Chenghui covered President Shi Ti's mouth and dragged him away, his eyebrow twitched furiously. "You weren't like this before! Who taught you such infuriating remarks? Tell me, and I promise I won't obliterate them!"

The other elder presidents, ignoring the bickering duo, all wore expressions of shock.

"The Minor Body Restoration Elixir... is he trying to leave no room for the other contestants?"

"If this elixir is successfully refined, his score will undoubtedly be capped. I was foolish to think he'd play it safe earlier; Young Master Xu truly couldn't choose to do so."

"In my opinion, it's risky. The difficulty of refining the Minor Body Restoration Elixir is no less than that of a fourth-grade Throne Elixir."

"Yes, but if this young Xu is the one refining, I believe his skill truly might be sufficient..."

At this point, not a single president considered Young Master Xu's alchemy skills to be weak. Even amidst an arena teeming with Five Domains geniuses, he stood out remarkably. Perhaps choosing the Minor Body Restoration Elixir, the most challenging among all Grandmaster elixirs, was perfectly in line with his personality.

"Let's see!" Dong Ling dismissed the gathered presidents. If Young Master Xu intended to refine the Minor Body Restoration Elixir, there was truly nothing more to discuss. Should he succeed, even the improved "Yinchao Blood Elixir" wouldn't compare. Besides, Young Master Xu had already submitted the formula for the "Yinchao Blood Elixir." The Alchemist Association would have ample time later to practice and verify the formula's feasibility.

"Approve!" With a wave of her slender hand, three portions of ingredients for the Minor Body Restoration Elixir were approved.

Inside spiritual array number one, Xu Xiaoshou took a deep breath, brandished his "Black Chicken," and began refining.

"A Grandmaster Elixir..." He felt a thrill of excitement. Back when he was at the Innate cultivation level, this was unimaginable. At that time, his "Culinary Mastery" didn't even touch upon Grandmaster-level elixirs, and his refining techniques were so deficient that he struggled to even form Innate elixirs. But now, after a significant infusion of experience from his Throne-level "Culinary Mastery," he could be considered an incredibly seasoned veteran. For Grandmaster Elixirs, barring any major mishaps, forming the elixir wouldn't be an issue. Achieving a mid-grade, however, would depend on his execution.

"Young Master Xu has started his furnace!" Outside the arena, the audience immediately began buzzing. As soon as the spiritual herbs arrived, all ten contestants simultaneously ignited their furnaces. The most captivating sight, without a doubt, was Young Master Xu, who had secured two perfect scores in the previous rounds.

The competition began. Above the spiritual arrays, a shimmer appeared. The contestants inside the arena couldn't see it, but the audience outside, the moment the furnaces were ignited, could instantly discern the names of the elixirs manifesting above each spiritual array.

"The Star Separation Elixir! Those three Innate-level cultivators have all, coincidentally, chosen a top-tier seventh-grade healing elixir – impressive!"

"Grandmaster Elixirs! Three alchemy Grandmasters have also chosen Grandmaster Elixirs! Miss Yu is among them; this is her specialty. For a sixth-grade Grandmaster Elixir, she'll have to aim for top-grade quality to surpass the others."

"The Taiyuan Elixir, the Kelin Elixir... these are sixth-grade elixirs from the Central Domain, I rarely see them."

"Yes, those two contestants are alchemy Grandmasters from the Central Domain."

"The Heavenly Star Elixir! Zhu Yan has chosen to aim for a fifth-grade elixir. If he succeeds, he'll become a fifth-grade Grandmaster. Good heavens, is he going head-to-head with Young Master Xu?"

"Young Master Xu... *hiss*, the Minor Body Restoration Elixir! This is far too aggressive! While others are focusing on conventional elixirs like breakthrough and cultivation pills, he's directly attempting a sacred healing medicine?"

"The Minor Body Restoration Elixir is priceless and incredibly rare. This will be quite a sight."

The audience buzzed with discussion. Simultaneously, the other nine spiritual arrays commenced their normal alchemy procedures. Spiritual array number one, however, naturally embarked on Young Master Xu's exclusive, unconventional Black Chicken alchemy technique.

This time, however, Young Master Xu stood up.

"It seems the Minor Body Restoration Elixir is truly challenging; it even made Young Master Xu get off his seat," someone scoffed.

"Isn't that obvious? It's the Minor Body Restoration Elixir!"

Most people, seeing the alchemy commence, lowered their voices, as if too much noise might genuinely affect the performance of the contestants within the spiritual arrays.

Time ticked on, seconds flowing by. This round of the competition passed without any surprises; even Young Master Xu refrained from mischief. Perhaps this was simply the normal rhythm of an alchemy competition.

After a good while, almost precisely around the fifteen-minute mark, several rumbles sounded as some contestants' furnaces exploded. These weren't final-stage explosions, but rather instances where a contestant's nervousness led to a rhythm error, prompting them to immediately opt for a second attempt to avoid wasting time. A failed alchemy attempt incurred no penalty in the scoring, as it was considered a normal occurrence. The finals solely assessed the quality of the successfully refined elixir.

After thirty minutes: "It's done!" The geniuses from the Five Domains were truly exceptional. Even the Innate-level, top-tier healing Star Separation Elixir was successfully refined in two furnaces within that time. However, the quality of these elixirs seemed less than ideal, prompting those two contestants to resume refining.

An hour passed. "Young Master Xu!" A collective gasp of surprise drew all eyes to spiritual array number one. Wielding the most challenging elixir to refine, the Minor Body Restoration Elixir, and relying on his impeccable alchemy rhythm, Young Master Xu had astonishingly shortened its refining time to be even quicker than that of most fifth- and sixth-grade elixirs.

"He's forming the elixir!" the audience gasped. The judges' stand was equally captivated, everyone watching intently. On the VIP viewing platform, Hua Ying leaned forward slightly, unable to contain her anticipation. Though she didn't understand the specifics of refining the Minor Body Restoration Elixir, she was very familiar with the rhythm of Young Master Xu's final, personal touch.

"Three, two, one..." Hua Ying counted down precisely. Then, her red lips rounded, her beautiful eyes widened, and she softly cursed in her heart: "Explode!" *Boom!* Spiritual array number one responded with a precise, violent roar, as if a furnace had erupted. The blast even shook the spiritual array violently, and vaguely, a dust-covered attendant, responsible for serving tea and water, could be seen slammed flat against the array wall by the explosion.

"Just as expected..." Hua Ying kept exclaiming "Oh," shaking her head as if to dislodge the water inside; she understood now. "Ninety-nine percent, Senior Uncle Xu!" "Such a precise explosion, it's almost identical to my alchemy rhythm... hmm, still a bit different, I can't form an elixir." "Drat..."

On the judges' stand, Shi Ti's brow furrowed, and Dong Ling's beautiful eyes narrowed; both seemed to have simultaneously realized something. The first time the Minor Thunder Elixir was formed, it exploded like this, and now this time, it also exploded? Lu Chenghui excitedly leaped up. "The furnace exploded!" "But his furnace also exploded before, and the Minor Thunder Elixir was still successfully refined," someone countered. Lu Chenghui froze, and as he looked back at the smoke-filled spiritual array number one, his expression soured. Was there truly a faint wisp of Dao charm emanating from there?

Inside the spiritual array, Xu Xiaoshou quickly walked over and peeled the mortal Xiao Wanfeng off the spiritual array wall. Had he not realized at the last moment that ordinary people couldn't withstand the damage of the "Cinder Glow Condensing Elixir Art" and preemptively drawn a large chicken to absorb the blast, Xiao Wanfeng would have been obliterated by now.

"Cough, cough, Young Master Xu..." Xiao Wanfeng cast a resentful glance at Young Master Xu, said nothing more, and then looked back at the alchemy cauldron. "Is it done?"

Even though he was just an assistant and had been blasted twice, Xiao Wanfeng was now immensely eager to witness a miracle.

Xu Xiaoshou spread his hands and smiled confidently. Then, he pulled out a jade bottle, and a dark, sleek elixir flew out from the alchemy cauldron.

"Minor Body Restoration Elixir, high-grade!"