Chapter 815: Refining Pill Throne The Sect of the Three Kings

"Young Master Xu has successfully refined the pill!"

The audience members rushed to spread the news, each more excited than if they had broken through a cultivation realm themselves.

From start to finish, it could be said that he had never disappointed anyone.

And those who placed their bets on him in the final wave, even though the odds were lowered to the minimum, undoubtedly made a profit!

"Small Rejuvenation Pill, High-grade."

The first completed pill bottle received by the judging panel was, to their utter surprise, submitted from Spirit Array Number One – the array associated with the most difficult and least successful refining processes.

At this point, the elders were speechless.

Young Master Xu's strength truly impressed everyone present.

"From a tenth-grade alchemy novice to a fifth-grade alchemy grandmaster, this kid only took the duration of one alchemy competition…" Lu Chenghui was speechless.

Only at this moment did he fully concede.

With Young Master Xu's Red Gold Liquid firmly established, there was no way he could reclaim the market for Red Gold Pills.

"The competition is over," Dong Ling chuckled.

"Yes, at this point, the competition is effectively over," Shi Ti said, somewhat exasperated. "With a high-grade Small Rejuvenation Pill complete, how could anyone else compete?"

Even if Zhu Yan could refine a top-grade Heavenly Star Pill…

His score for this round would definitely be higher than Young Master Xu's!

However, the difference between their scores in the previous rounds was like heaven and earth.

And if Zhu Yan truly possessed the strength of a top-tier fifth-grade alchemy grandmaster, he wouldn't have been so thoroughly defeated earlier. Therefore, it was impossible for him to refine a top-grade Heavenly Star Pill.

All these 'ifs' were just 'ifs'…

The other alchemists on the field had evidently witnessed Young Master Xu's successful refinement.

With just a glance, observing the subtle Dao charm within Spirit Array Number One, they knew that Young Master Xu had refined a Grandmaster-level pill.

"Unbelievable…"

However, having been prepared beforehand, no one was interrupted in their refining. They merely felt a surge of emotion, recognizing that there's always someone better, and heights beyond heights.

"Wanfeng, how much time do we have left?"

Inside Spirit Array Number One, Xu Xiaoshou, idle and unwilling to miss the chance to cash in on the last opportunity, turned his head and asked.

"Young Master Xu just took about half an hour to refine the pill," Xiao Wanfeng replied, stunned and puzzled.

"So, I still have half the time left…" Xu Xiaoshou mused, his mind stirring.

The Small Rejuvenation Pill was difficult.

But with his experience, he still succeeded in refining it.

And with this experience of refining a fifth-grade pill, he basically had a clear understanding of where his strength stood.

He never dared to imagine it before, but having reached this point, Xu Xiaoshou had no choice but to start thinking along those lines.

In this world, alchemists were highly sought after.

Post-natal pills could be used by pre-natal spirit refiners.

Grandmaster-level pills were already hard currency for transactions among Sovereign experts.

While a fifth-grade alchemy grandmaster was indeed powerful, it wasn't enough to impress experts above the Sovereign level and make them pledge their lives.

However, a fourth-grade alchemy Sovereign, with just a single badge, commanded an extremely terrifying influence across this continent.

Especially when he wasn't an old man, but a young person with boundless potential.

Fourth-grade was the limit for others.

But for a young person, it was far from it.

Given time, a third-grade Sovereign, a second-grade or first-grade Pill Saint, or even a super-first-grade Pill God… this potential was impossible for anyone to overlook.

Xu Xiaoshou truly hadn't dared to imagine that he would reach the fourth-grade alchemy Sovereign realm so quickly, which was why he had always treated alchemy as a casual pastime.

But now, he was just one step away…

The Sovereign-level "Culinary Mastery" no longer provided basic knowledge, but advanced techniques.

With this, it seemed it wouldn't be difficult for him to refine a fourth-grade Sovereign-level pill, even while his "Culinary Mastery" was still at Sovereign Lv.1?

Xu Xiaoshou never aimed too high without reason; his deduction was based on solid grounds.

The "Small Rejuvenation Pill," as a fifth-grade pill, had a refining difficulty that approached that of a typical fourth-grade pill.

And fourth-grade pills, at the very least, required an alchemist to possess Dao Realm comprehension at the Sovereign cultivation level.

Most veteran alchemists' cultivation levels were insufficient; only by living long enough and comprehending profound life philosophies could they imbue pills with even the simplest Dao Realm comprehension.

As luck would have it.

Although Xu Xiaoshou was young, he was a Sovereign of the Physical Body and a Sovereign of the Sword Dao.

He was a Dual Sovereign Grandmaster!

His comprehension of the Dao Realm had already reached, and even surpassed, the minimum standard required for alchemists to refine fourth-grade pills!

All the hard requirements were met; all that remained was to take a gamble.

Since that was the case, why not seize the opportunity of this alchemy competition to directly obtain the Alchemy Sovereign badge?

"The people I used to rely on were either Elder Sang's friends or Ba Zun'an's friends. The peers I've interacted with, at most, were at the Sovereign level."

"But as long as I get the Alchemy Sovereign badge, with this potential, simply displaying the badge in battle could allow me to recruit even those in the Void realm – that wouldn't be a dream."

Xu Xiaoshou thought to himself.

He wasn't daydreaming.

At the level of Dao-Slaying and Void, there was truly little in the world that could move them.

And no matter what benefits enemies offered to make them act, the allure of Saint Pills would absolutely be greater!

Even if it wasn't a tactic to lure enemies in battle, in daily life, if he met someone he admired, as long as they had Dao-Slaying or Void cultivation and a clean background, merely showing the Alchemy Sovereign badge would ensure no lack of followers.

And these would all be his own core force.

Not from the Holy Slaves, not from the Holy Palace, not obeying anyone else…

"They will only revere me!"

As he thought this, Xu Xiaoshou's eyes gleamed with sharp light.

The alchemy competition had been too calm.

This calmness stemmed from Xu Xiaoshou's unwillingness to cause trouble, and from the participation of internal Holy Slave members.

But after the alchemy competition, it would be like the calm before the storm…

Xu Xiaoshou could foresee what kind of uproar the Sovereign Trial, combined with the Void Island, would cause throughout the city.

Then, after the trial ended, the Four Symbols Secret Realm would open. Given Ba Zun'an's decisive actions, even Cen Qiaofu was sent to persuade him to participate in such a major undertaking.

It was a certainty that it would trigger an even greater chaotic battle!

At that time, what would happen was completely unclear.

Perhaps in a chaotic battle, Ba Zun'an would die, his own identity would be exposed, and he would never have the chance to obtain the Alchemy Sovereign badge in his lifetime.

By then, it would all be too late.

"So, without realizing it, the only remaining calm is now…"

Xu Xiaoshou felt a surge of emotion as he thought this. He came back to his senses, saw Xiao Wanfeng still staring at him in bewilderment, and with resolve, patted his shoulder.

"Go on, go and ask the judging panel for a set of spiritual herbs for a 'Sovereign Pill.' If everyone could think of the miracle this young master intends to create, then it wouldn't be a miracle at all."

Xiao Wanfeng was startled.

At that moment, though there was no wind inside the spirit array, Young Master Xu's clothes rustled, his hair fluttered, and a faint shimmering radiance surrounded him.

After hearing these words, the young man became inexplicably excited. He loudly agreed and scurried off to the judging panel.

"What is he going to do?" The audience grew excited.

Young Master Xu is about to stir things up?

There was still nearly half the time left in this final round.

They had thought Young Master Xu's successful pill refinement, which would undoubtedly secure him the championship, was already a big enough stir.

But now, this guy was truly adhering to his previous conduct, planning to stir things up even more after already stirring things up.

As expected of Young Master Xu!

Xiao Wanfeng was negotiating with the judging panel.

Outsiders couldn't hear the content, but visually, it was a scene of elderly guild masters swearing profusely, their expressions filled with a mix of anger and disappointment, as if hoping for better.

This couldn't help but make everyone ponder.

It wasn't until Xiao Wanfeng, protected by President Dong Ling, returned to Spirit Array Number One, carrying the spiritual herbs while wiping drool from his head.

And just at that moment, a new pill name reappeared above Spirit Array Number One.

The audience erupted.

"Sovereign Pill!"

The three blood-red characters, compared to the plain white characters above the other nine spirit arrays, exerted an inherent oppressive force.

The other contestants on the field were bewildered, but their refining processes were affected by the external commotion. They turned to look and saw tens of thousands of people in the outer area raising their arms and shouting, their faces flushed, as if on a pilgrimage.

The contestants panicked.

"What happened?"

Yu Chuchu stared blankly at Spirit Array Number One.

She had been focused on her refining, so much so that she hadn't even noticed Xiao Wanfeng's trip to the judging panel.

But if her guess was correct, such a commotion outside could only be Young Master Xu's doing!

Her refining was already at its final stage, so Yu Chuchu didn't overthink it and quickly regained her focus.

After the pill formation was complete, the pill cauldron emitted a radiant glow and continuous Dao charm.

"A top-grade Grandmaster pill!"

Yu Chuchu was content; she had performed perfectly this time.

Even if there was time left, there was no need to push further.

Firstly, her alchemy assessment didn't need to take place at the alchemy competition.

Secondly, no matter how much she pushed, refining a fifth-grade pill would take at least as much time as, if not more than, a sixth-grade Grandmaster pill.

Yu Chuchu knew she couldn't push further, so she gracefully exited the spirit array with her best result, intending to personally submit it to her master on the judging panel.

As soon as she exited the spirit array, the wild shouts from outside assailed her; the sound waves nearly burst her eardrums.

"Young Master Xu! Young Master Xu! Young Master Xu!"

Yu Chuchu: ???

She stared blankly at the outer area, realizing that even though she had refined a top-grade Grandmaster pill, it hadn't attracted a single spectator's attention.

At that moment, everyone's gaze was still fixed on Spirit Array Number One.

"Didn't he already succeed?"

Yu Chuchu looked at Spirit Array Number One with confusion, and almost instantly, she was stunned by the blood-red characters above the array.

Sovereign Pill!

Yu Chuchu: ???

"What kind of joke is this?"

At that moment, the young girl's eyes widened to their limit, almost popping out: "He's going to refine a Sovereign Pill? He's going to attempt a fourth-grade breakthrough? He's going to become an Alchemy Sovereign?"

Yu Chuchu was stunned for a full three breaths before suddenly clutching her head.

Alchemy Sovereign!

What kind of concept was this?

Those sitting on the judging panel were only at the Alchemy Sovereign level!

Although the lowest among them was third-grade.

But third-grade was still considered an Alchemy Sovereign.

A fourth-grade alchemist possessed the strength to become a vice-president for any of the branch associations of the judges present.

In a more remote county city, they could even serve as a branch president.

Young Master Xu, such a young person… a peer!

He was already striving for a fourth-grade alchemist ranking?

"And he's going to refine the most precious Sovereign Pill?"

Among breakthrough pills, the Sovereign Pill was the most valuable yet hardest to find on the market.

Because before reaching the Sovereign realm, even becoming a Grandmaster meant being a Grandmaster of a specific region.

But after becoming a Sovereign, the world was vast; where could one not go?

If one's talent was good enough, even Void-level forces and half-Saint forces would extend an olive branch to you!

Therefore, Sovereign Pills were extremely rare on the market.

This item was too difficult to refine, requiring time, effort, and Dao Realm comprehension.

Veteran alchemists generally didn't have high cultivation levels and were old; after refining this, they would be utterly exhausted, unable to recover without at least half a month's recuperation.

With only half an hour left in the competition, Young Master Xu wanted to attempt such an elaborate feat?

He was insane!

Overwhelmed by shock, Yu Chuchu stood rooted to the spot, clutching her pill bottle. She wanted to get closer to Spirit Array Number One to observe Young Master Xu's refining.

Until a staff member stepped forward to stop her and separate her.

Only then did she use her identity to dismiss the staff member, stating that she wouldn't interfere with anyone's refining, and then handed over her pill bottle for the staff member to pass to the judging panel.

She, by herself, observed closely to learn…

Young Master Xu opened his furnace.

The Black Chicken began selecting herbs.

The process continued, and the refining rhythm remained fluid and smooth.

"Sovereign-level spiritual herbs, he knows them too?" Yu Chuchu was astonished.

She had seen the formula for a Sovereign Pill before; it contained too many new Sovereign-grade spiritual herbs that she hadn't bothered to learn, as she didn't want to overreach.

There were already so many Grandmaster-level spiritual herbs. At her age, memorizing the properties and details of that vast quantity of Grandmaster-level spiritual herbs was already quite difficult.

But Young Master Xu, he looked as if he was also very familiar with Sovereign-level spiritual herbs…

Fifteen minutes passed.

Thirty minutes passed.

Time continued to tick by.

Everyone at the scene forgot about the other contestants.

And in the final round of the competition, almost no one submitted their work precisely at the time limit.

With more than fifteen minutes remaining until the end of the competition, everyone had completed their refining.

And after exiting their spirit arrays, these individuals, without prior agreement, gathered around Yu Chuchu in a state of profound shock and reverence, observing Young Master Xu's refining up close.

"He's insane," someone said.

"He's completely stolen our thunder…" Zhu Yan also murmured.

His Heavenly Star Pill was complete, medium-grade. From this day forward, he would truly be the fifth-grade alchemy grandmaster he had always dreamed of being.

However, at this moment, not a single person was cheering for him.

Everyone, including the judges, was focused solely on Young Master Xu.

Inside Spirit Array Number One, Xiao Wanfeng heard the heavy breathing of the audience outside. He noticed everyone's intense gaze and felt a sense of pride in that moment.

Young Master Xu's refining, however, clearly couldn't be completed within fifteen minutes.

It was only halfway done…

And there were still so many spiritual herbs to process…

Time was up.

The one-hour duration of the final round of the competition finally concluded.

Xiao Wanfeng gritted his teeth, feeling he needed to step out and ask the judges not to interrupt Young Master Xu's rhythm.

But as soon as he moved, President Dong Ling's grave voice reached his ears:

"Don't interrupt his refining!"

Xiao Wanfeng paused, startled, and looked towards the judging panel.

All eighteen guild masters on the judging panel couldn't sit still; they uniformly stood up. Even though time was up and the bell had rung, no one uttered a word to stop the competition.

A staff member hesitated before approaching the judging panel and reminded them: "Presidents, the final round is already overtime…"

"Shut up!" Lu Chenghui retorted without turning his head.

He disliked Young Master Xu's demeanor and his playful Black Chicken alchemy technique.

But in essence, he was also an alchemist, and having reached the position of branch president of the Tianyuan City Alchemists Association, Lu Chenghui knew what it would mean if Young Master Xu succeeded in refining the pill.

What did it matter if the final round's time was up?

As long as that kid could refine a Sovereign Pill today, Lu Chenghui would even be willing to set aside his pride and directly invite Young Master Xu to become the honorary vice-president of the Tianyuan City Alchemists Association branch!

Because this talent was simply terrifying!

The staff member reluctantly backed away.

Time continued to pass.

The final round was overtime by fifteen minutes, then thirty minutes…

Overtime by half an hour!

Finally, Young Master Xu also reached the final step.

On the viewing platform, Hua Ying stood like everyone else. Her lips parted again, counting down the seconds, and then she uttered a "boom."

On the field.

"Boom!"

A violent roar erupted, and the spirit array instantly shattered.

From the judging panel, Dong Ling instantly vanished, and when she reappeared, she had already carried Xiao Wanfeng out of the blast radius.

Then, she set Xiao Wanfeng down and landed before Young Master Xu.

"How is it?"

At that moment, Dong Ling's voice was surprisingly tense.

Xu Xiaoshou looked troubled, seemingly hesitant to speak.

Dong Ling's heart sank.

Sure enough, even after breaking the rules for him, going overtime by half an hour, the Sovereign Pill still hadn't succeeded, had it…

Just then, Xu Xiaoshou pulled a pitch-black pill from the cauldron. He peeled away the pill ash, revealing a dazzling golden light within, and then looked back, hesitating.

"A Sovereign Pill, if it's only medium-grade, it should still be edible, right?"