As the competition began, the two fourth-grade spirit alchemists patiently prepared.
Sheng Dengfeng took a deep breath, stood before his alchemy furnace, and looked at his medicinal ingredients.
This time, he would gamble everything.
In this alchemy competition, both would choose their own spirit pills. The pills produced would be personally evaluated by Grandmaster Jiang Rong, and the one with the higher grade would win.
Grandmaster Jiang Rong's presence this time ensured fairness and transparency.
Both men were making a wager.
Sheng Dengfeng knew that Qiu Shi hated him.
Years ago, they were both disciples of the same grandmaster, and there was also a junior sister. Both of them were very fond of that junior sister.
But later, the junior sister became Sheng Dengfeng's wife, and Qiu Shi had harbored a grudge against him ever since.
Now, twenty years later, Qiu Shi had even come to the Beiming Empire to find him. It was clear that Qiu Shi's hatred for him had never diminished.
If he failed this time, all his years of business in the Beiming Empire would have been for naught.
Therefore, he could only succeed; failure was not an option.
And in Qiu Shi's eyes, there was also a burning desire for revenge.
"Sheng Dengfeng, all these years, you stole my woman. Now, I will steal all your dignity and status."
Rumble...
At that moment, both sides simultaneously ignited their flames.
The grade of their flames was similar, both being mid-grade green flames. As the heat increased, their alchemy furnaces also opened. Their movements were extremely practiced.
Time passed, and Grandmaster Jiang Rong sat at the head, narrowing his eyes as he watched.
"Interesting, truly interesting..."
Observing the alchemy techniques of both, Jiang Rong nodded.
But gradually, as he looked at Sheng Dengfeng, Jiang Rong's gaze suddenly froze.
"Xiao Sheng's alchemy... has changed?"
Jiang Rong looked at Sheng Dengfeng's refining methods, feeling utterly astonished.
Although it was only a slight change, it completely displayed the demeanor of a grandmaster.
For a fourth-grade spirit alchemist to achieve this step was by no means easy.
Time slowly passed, and as dusk approached, the temperature in the alchemy room gradually decreased.
"Phew..."
Sheng Dengfeng let out a sigh of relief, looked at his alchemy furnace, and wiped his sweat.
"It succeeded..."
Sheng Dengfeng was joyful; perhaps it had been a long time since he had felt this way.
"Senior Brother, you're too slow!"
A piercing voice suddenly rang in his ears.
Qiu Shi looked at Sheng Dengfeng, his expression mocking: "Or do you think the longer you delay, the higher the quality of the pills you produce?"
"Whether it's high or not, we'll know soon enough!" Sheng Dengfeng exhaled, speaking indifferently.
But the look in his eyes as he regarded Qiu Shi was full of confidence.
Seeing this, Qiu Shi also returned a cold gaze.
"What a farce!"
Qiu Shi snorted, "Since that's the case, Grandmaster Jiang, please evaluate the pills?"
"Alright!"
Jiang Rong narrowed his eyes at Sheng Dengfeng, smiling as he said, "Your pill hasn't come out of the furnace yet, so let's examine Qiu Shi's first!"
Qiu Shi smiled confidently, making a gesture of invitation.
"Grandmaster Jiang, the fourth-grade spirit pill I refined is the Spirit Condensing Pill!"
Qiu Shi explained meticulously: "The Spirit Condensing Pill helps martial artists in the Spirit Soul realm condense their minds, gather their Spirit Platform and Spirit Wheel. It is a pill that works on the mind, extremely effective for martial artists in the Spirit Soul realm."
Qiu Shi knew he didn't need to explain much, and respectfully said, "Please, Grandmaster Jiang, grade it!"
"Mm!"
Jiang Rong nodded, took out the spirit pill, and calmly said, "Evaluating a spirit pill also relies on its appearance, medicinal effect, and color."
"The Spirit Condensing Pill is originally light green. This pill of yours is of no low grade; its color is vibrant, and it can be considered superior."
"As for the medicinal effect..."
Grandmaster Jiang Rong paused, put the pill into his mouth, and said, "The medicinal effect is about five and a half parts, not bad!"
"On a scale of one to nine, this pill can get a comprehensive score of seven!"
Seven points!
It was truly not easy to receive such a high evaluation from Grandmaster Jiang Rong.
Jiu Shi clenched his fists, controlling the excitement on his face.
"Thank you for your high evaluation, Grandmaster Jiang!"
Jiu Shi was overjoyed; these seven points were considered the highest evaluation Grandmaster Jiang had ever given him.
"Senior Brother Sheng, what about your spirit pill?"
Jiu Shi looked at Sheng Dengfeng, chuckling, "Did you fail? Or do you think you're not as good as me, so you're conceding defeat?"
"Junior Brother Jiu Shi, why are you so impatient?"
Sheng Dengfeng walked towards the alchemy furnace, smiling, "Who wins and who loses is still unknown!"
After he finished speaking, he opened the alchemy furnace.
Suddenly, a fragrant aroma wafted out.
"This is... a Jinming Pill!"
Grandmaster Jiang Rong was utterly astonished.
"Sheng Dengfeng, you actually refined a fifth-grade spirit pill?"
Jiang Rong looked at Sheng Dengfeng, extremely surprised.
"Although it's only a low-grade fifth-grade spirit pill, your success shows that you have the qualifications to refine a fifth-grade spirit pill; you are a genuine fifth-grade spirit alchemist!"
Jiang Rong praised him joyfully.
As an elder alchemist of the Saint Pill Pavilion's main branch, having another fifth-grade spirit alchemist was a great joy.
Meanwhile, Jiu Shi's face turned pale.
How could this be?
Sheng Dengfeng's alchemy skills were clearly not as good as his, so how could he become a fifth-grade spirit alchemist before him?
"Grandmaster Jiang!"
Jiu Shi cupped his hands, his face grim, "Although Sheng Dengfeng has refined a fifth-grade spirit pill, it's only low-grade. It might not necessarily receive a high evaluation!"
Hearing this, Jiang Rong also nodded.
Jiu Shi was not wrong; a low-grade fifth-grade spirit pill might not necessarily score higher than a high-grade fourth-grade Coagulating Heart Pill.
"Let me see!"
Jiang Rong stepped forward and picked up the Jinming Pill.
The Jinming Pill was a fifth-grade spirit pill.
It had an extremely potent blood-replenishing effect for martial artists who had surpassed the Four Spirit Realm.
Jiang Rong held the pill in his hand, observing it carefully, only feeling that the pill in his hand was incredibly miraculous.
Although there were many imperfections, most of them had been handled well.
Jiang Rong's expression suddenly changed.
"Grandmaster Jiang, how is it?"
Jiu Shi asked anxiously.