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nWhoosh~

nA golden pillar of light shot from the cauldron. The sputtering flame suddenly flared and spiraled around the golden pillar in the form of a fire dragon.

nZhuo Fan’s hand shifted gestures as he chanted, “Yin turns to yang, a snake transforms into a dragon. Ascend and scale the gates of Heaven!”

nRoar!

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nWith another dragon roar, the mixture in the cauldron that Zhuo Fan irrigated flickered with a golden glow. Soon, this golden liquid began to move like a stream, along with the dragon.

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nAs the golden concoction flowed upward, the dragon’s aura grew and grew, as if the golden liquid was its blood, its life.

nThe audience was dumbstruck, including Tianyu’s most renowned alchemists. They have forgotten their own refining, watching this unbelievable spectacle.

nThey had refined for dozens of years, but this was their first time seeing someone doing it with such flair.

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nAs he watched in a daze the slowly rising liquid in the dragon, Vicious Pill King’s heart was restless. He began to rush the refining of his own pill, pouring more power into his flame.

nSnickering, Zhuo Fan shouted, “Old fool, you’re too late. The second round’s top spot is for no one else but me.”

nZhuo Fan punctuated with a change in his gesture and called out, “Sacred dragon prevailed and returned successfully. Dragon power flows into the fire and gives birth to the pill!”

nHum~

nA sudden ripple spread from the light pillar and burst into golden lights that littered the sky.

nThe fire dragon stuck the light pillar, to turn its head and smashed into the cauldron!

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nBoom!

nThe fire dragon’s body exploded and formed a fireball. Before the fire passed, the sparkling golden lights gathered around the flaming cauldron. The lights formed a net that tightened the fireball as it shrunk.

nWith a final heaven-shaking dragon roar, all the golden lights gathered and condescended into a golden pill.

nZhuo Fan beckoned and the pill landed in his hand. He raised it way above him and shouted, “Third-grade pill, Yang Dragon Pill, complete!”

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nZhuo Fan’s announcement rang in everyone’s ears, but they were still in shock, marveling at what they just witnessed. When they recovered, they were gobsmacked.

nEspecially the alchemists, they found it unimaginable.

nWasn’t Grandmaster Song’s pill a failure? How did it succeed?

nThey turned their confused eyes to the judge, Xiao Ya.

nUnderstanding their concerns, Xiao Ya muttered under her breath, before walking to Zhuo Fan. However, she was hesitant about getting anywhere near the pill, even more so about touching it.

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nEveryone saw how Zhuo Fan made this crazy pill. He poured his very ‘essence’ into it. Regardless if it was a 3rd grade pill, it was hard for Xiao Ya to even approach it.

n“Uh, Grandmaster Song, are you certain it’s a 3rd grade pill?” Xiaoya fidgeted in embarrassment.

nArching an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan presented the pill with a sneer, “You’re the judge. It’s your call. If you can’t tell with your eyes, eat it and make your decision.”

nXiao Ya’s face was twitching, anger bubbling from within. Zhuo Fan was obviously poking fun at her. Forget about it being a 3rd-grade pill, because of the ingredients, this missy here wouldn’t eat it even if it were a 7th grade pill!

nThough, many were eyeing her with expectant gazes. She had no choice but to hold it in and give them an explanation.

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nShe sighed and took the hateful pill, made with, but not limited to, this spiteful man’s golden ‘essence’. But the moment it landed in her palm she felt it was ice cold to the touch. Why wasn’t the pill hot after just being refined by such blazing fire?

nXiao Ya was puzzled and, after more analyzing, she was baffled.

nThe pill wasn’t hot at all and didn’t even have a fragrance. Like a mudball, without anything great about it.

nNo way! With the show this brat put on, there’s no way it’s a dud. It is possible for a pill to be this strange?

nXiao Ya couldn’t for the life of her make anything out of it after a long time, “Uh, sorry, Grandmaster Song. I can’t tell your Yang Dragon Pill’s grade.”

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nThe audience was speechless.

nAll pills had grades! Was she saying this pill was made of waste and was beneath grading?

nListening to the endless comments, Zhuo Fan smiled, “Then why not eat it and feel for its grade?”

nThe crowd cheered, “Eat, eat, eat…”

nXiao Ya felt pained, glaring at Zhuo Fan. She now looked at the pill in her hands on the verge of tears.

nIt was great if it was a real pill. If not, Doesn’t that just mean I drank his pee?

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nXiao Ya was in a pickle, not knowing what to do!

nSuddenly an aged voice came, “Judge, no need to eat it. Split the pill and you can discern its grade. Only…”

n“What only? Anyways! We’ll do it as Grandmaster Liu suggests!”

nXiao Ya was grasping straws at this point. She gave thanks for his help and split the pill.

nWhoosh!

nGolden mist drifted from within, still containing the roars of dragons. The pill fragrance instantly swept the whole arena.

nWith each whiff, the people’s soul shuddered and their Yuan Qi surging!

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nIt was already strong without taking it. How great would it be once it was eaten then? It was no longer just a 3rd grade pill…

nThey all waited for Xiao Ya’s verdict.

nShe was also out of it as she cried, “I-it’s a 5th-grade pill!”

nHer answer caused chaos. What in god’s name was that secret skill? How did he make a 5th-grade pill from 2nd-grade pill ingredients?

nWhere did this Grandmaster Song come from?

n“Wait!”

nXiao Ya blinked and sported doubt on her face, “This pill just dropped a grade. It’s now a 4th-grade pill…”

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nThe people were again shocked.

nThis was too damn odd! We never heard of a pill that drops in grade!

nXiao Ya then followed with, “It’s now 3rd grade, 2nd, 1st..”

nXiao Ya’s voice made the audience’s heart skip. Then, Xiao Ya took a deep breath watching everyone perplexed, “I-I am correct. This pill… lost all of its effects…”

nShe watched the split pill in her hand, “These are only waste!”

nSilent as the grave!

nNone could utter a single sound. A pill could actually have its effect fade only leaving behind waste?

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nThis was too bizarre! The pill wasn’t alive so how could it run away?

nBut even if it was and ran away, there were too many people here for it to get out alive.

n“Grandmaster Song, w-what is this?” Xiao Ya spoke with a trembling voice.

nZhuo Fan shrugged, “I told you to eat it, but now it’s too late!”

nShe should’ve known this punk would mess with her. So she ignored him and looked at the rest of the alchemists.

nIt was only now that Vicious Pill King withdrew his flame and held a red pill. He sighed, “I didn’t think I’d be a step behind! But it still isn’t too late.”

nHe then threw the pill to Xiao Ya.

nShe cried, “As expected of Vicious Pill King! This is a 4th grade pill. Your skill is marvelous to refine such a pill with only 2nd grade pill ingredients.”

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nThough she sang praises, her words didn’t get the expected reaction from the crowd. They only oh-ed and ah-ed.

nSeeing Zhuo Fan’s heaven shaking secret skill, who would dare utter the words marvelous skill? Even Vicious Pill King just closes his eyes, striking a lonely figure.

n“Uh, what’s wrong with everyone? We are not sure what grade of Pill Grandmaster Song’s pill is.”

n“What do you mean unclear? Some may not see, but the top ten alchemists are clear on that pill’s outstanding effect!”

nLiu Yizhen cut her off, “Lady, you’re too young. You may be enough to judge our pills but not enough to see the true value of Grandmaster Song’s pill!”

nXiao Ya vehemently denied it.

nShe was no grandmaster, but saw countless pills and judged them all fairly. How can I possibly not be able to judge a stinky kid’s pill?

nBut then she saw the top ten alchemists sporting solemn expressions. Even Vicious Pill King had to make a nod.

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nJust what is this? Isn’t he and Grandmaster Song in a bitter battle? Why is he taking his side?

nVicious Pill King didn’t want to admit Zhuo Fan’s ability but sensed the value of his refining skill. However, was he the only one?

nIf he denied it, he would only earn the other’s ridicule.

nHe held the highest ability in alchemy up till now. But now, he didn’t even have the right to shame his opponent!

nAfter all, Zhuo Fan’s skills were indeed incredible!

n“Did I see it correctly?” Xie Tianyang blinked, “Vicious Pill King just admitted defeat in front of everyone? Is this still Elder Yan, who always cared about his reputation?”

nChu Qingcheng’s group was amazed. It wasn’t easy squeezing a win from this old coot’s mouth.

nJust where did this fake Song Yu come from??

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nPeony Overseer’s eyes flashed, “Young master Xie, you know this fake Song Yu, don’t you? I don’t think you know him at all, describing him as a murderous demon. He… is an alchemist, right?”

nPeony Overseer blushed at the end.

nZhuo Fan’s recent conduct wasn’t exactly stellar. After all, he did something so unrefined.

nLifting his head in pride, Xie Tianyang snorted, “Did I ever say otherwise? I’ve been through hell with him!”

n“Then what is his name?”

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n“It’s…” But Xie Tianyang caught himself before playing into Peony Overseer’s game and snickered, “I won’t tell you. Just enjoy the show.”

nPeony Overseer glared at him with gnashed teeth.

nLong Jiu shook his head, but his eyes were filled with admiration for Zhuo Fan.

nHe not only knows of ancient arrays but an ancient refining skill too? Just who is he? How does he have so many treasures on him?

nHe was but a servant in the Luo clan before. Was it possible that…

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