The mountain peaks in the distance were covered in white snow, but it was as warm as spring in Flaming Cloud City. Approaching the Apothecary Manor, it even felt like it was summer. Just look at the eight guards at the entrance of the Apothecary Manor. They were all dressed in simple clothes.
However, the Apothecary Manor's security was especially tight today. Usually, one could enter with some silver, but today, even the alchemists under the Apothecary Manor had to be checked three times before entering.
The further in one went, the tighter the security. When they arrived at the moon gate that separated the Heaven-Level Earth Fire Elixir Room from the Earth-Level Earth Fire Elixir Room, a misty cyan light unexpectedly appeared, preventing anyone from entering. Even the top of the wall was covered with guards.
Inside the heavily guarded moon door, it was a completely different scene.
Jiao Xinglie, who had a fierce and tired expression, Ling Dong, who was calm and composed, and Master Yuan Chen, who was dressed in green, who looked like an otherworldly expert. There were also seven middle-aged men dressed in similar clothes, but one couldn't tell their age. However, judging from their green robes, they should be alchemists who came to observe alchemy.
What was more ironic was that this kind of Martial Alchemy Competition between Alchemists was a public process of refining poison pills, which made the Alchemists quite fond of it. This was one of the few opportunities where they could openly watch others refine pills. Especially when it came to the control of fire, one could sometimes learn many small tricks.
The Martial Pill Battle was still quite serious. First, the witness Yuan Chen introduced both parties briefly. Then, the Martial Pill Battle officially began.
The venue for the competition couldn't be easier to find in the Apothecary Manor. Everyone had a Earth Fire Alchemy Room, and all the doors were open. In addition, the Apothecary Manor had a complete set of herbs. As long as one reported the herbs, it would be delivered immediately.
Furthermore, as the witness was Yuan Chen, a high-grade Earth Alchemist, there was no way he could fake the herbs. This was because all the herbs in the venue had to be checked by Yuan Chen. Yuan Chen had taken the initiative to suggest this. This action was already a blatant attempt to protect Ling Dong.
However, Jiao Xinglie didn't dare to say anything about this. Furthermore, Jiao Xinglie had perfect confidence that Ling Dong wasn't his match. In terms of herbs, he couldn't be bothered to fake it.
"Alright, since everything is ready, both sides can report their medicinal ingredients! There were at least nine types and no more than eighteen types. As for the more expensive ones, he would have to pay for them from the Apothecary Manor. Jiao Xinglie, you go first! "Yuan Chen said.
"Alright!" Jiao Xinglie sneered and began to list out the names of the herbs, "Nine Vine, Black Head Grass, Golden Centipede, Snake Red Leaf Grass … Hundred Yin Fruit, Scorching Sun Grass, a total of 18 herbs. Among them, I want two portions of Golden Centipede, Hundred Yin Fruit, and Scorching Sun Grass. I will pay the price!"
Jiao Xinglie recited the names of the herbs as if they were his family's treasures. The expressions of the alchemists outside, including Yuan Chen, changed slightly every time they heard the names of the herbs. When Jiao Xinglie announced the name of the 18th medicine, Yuan Chen's eyes were filled with worry.
As for the pill refiners who were watching the battle, they were already drenched in cold sweat when they heard the name of the pill. An Earth Pill Refiner was indeed an Earth Pill Refiner. With the combination of these 18 medicinal ingredients, there would be quite a few types of poisonous pills to be refined. Moreover, even if they knew what the poisonous pills were, it would still be a problem if they had the ability to refine the specific antidote pills.
Among the 18 medicinal ingredients that Jiao Xinglie reported, Yuan Chen could already tell that two of the more powerful combinations of poisonous pills could be refined. As for ordinary poisonous pills, any combination of three or four medicinal ingredients would be enough to form one. However, that was nothing to be afraid of.
The truly powerful ones were the two poisonous pills that Yuan Chen could tell could be refined from the 18 medicinal ingredients. One of them was the Scorching Sun Golden Centipede Pill. Those who were poisoned would feel as if they were on fire. More importantly, the Scorching Sun Golden Centipede Pill had the effect of burning one's earth energy. Ordinary earth energy would not be able to suppress the poison at all.
If the poisoned person used earth energy to suppress the poison, it would only increase the strength of the poison.
The other one was the Hundred Yin Black Head Blood. This poisonous pill was the exact opposite of the Scorching Sun Golden Centipede Pill. If the Scorching Sun Golden Centipede Pill's poisonous pill was of the Yang attribute, then the Hundred Yin Black Head Blood's poisonous pill was of the Yin attribute. While it was extremely vicious, it was also very deadly.
This was because there were many antidote pills that could cure dozens or even hundreds of poisons, especially poisons with similar toxicity. However, Jiao Xinglie's combination of ingredients was extremely brilliant.
The two poisonous pills, one Yin and one Yang, greatly increased the difficulty of concocting the antidote pill. At the very least, one would need to concoct two antidote pills of different attributes. Before the Martial Pill Competition officially started, Jiao Xinglie's rich medicinal knowledge had already convinced the crowd of alchemists watching the competition. At the same time, he had also given Ling Dong a huge problem.
Of course, it was still unknown whether Ling Dong would be stumped by Jiao Xinglie.
"No problem. Ling Dong, it's your turn. At least nine medicinal ingredients and at most eighteen. You will have to pay for the more expensive ones." Yuan Chen announced again in a formulaic manner. However, he was thinking about how to deal with the two most difficult poisonous pills — the Scorching Sun Golden Centipede Pill and the Hundred Yin Black Head Blood.
These two poisonous pills were relatively unpopular. He knew how to concoct antidote pills, but because they were unpopular, he didn't have any antidote pills on hand. Therefore, it would be very difficult for him to help Ling Dong now.
Even if Yuan Chen used his sound transmission technique to tell Ling Dong what kind of poisonous pill the other party was concocting and how to concoct the antidote pill, concocting pills wasn't something that could be done just by looking at the pill formula. Moreover, during the Martial Pill Competition, there wasn't much time left for one to concoct the antidote pill. One couldn't afford to fail.
Moreover, there might be two types of poisonous pills. These two types of poisonous pills required different antidotes. Even if it was Yuan Chen himself, it would be difficult for him to concoct two types of antidotes within the stipulated time.
In other words, if Yuan Chen and Jiao Xinglie were to have a Martial Pill Competition, even Yuan Chen would have to bet on his luck if there was even the slightest mistake.
This was the cruelty of the Martial Pill Competition. Strength wasn't everything. Sometimes, luck was also a type of strength.
"Purple Maple Branch, Thousand Spirit Flower, Blood Desire Grass … Scorpion Sand, Three-Laugh Grass. A total of ten herbs!" Ling Dong reported the herbs and the number of herbs he needed lazily.
While Yuan Chen's face turned pale, Jiao Xinglie sneered and mocked, "Hmph, you only need ten herbs in a Martial Pill Competition. You're really an 'expert' among the alchemists!"
Ling Dong squinted his eyes. "It doesn't matter how many herbs there are. It works when it kills!"
Upon hearing this, the alchemists who were watching the competition were in an uproar. Was there even a need to compete in this Martial Pill Competition? Just based on the types and number of herbs used, it was obvious who was superior. It was obvious who would win and who would lose.
In terms of numbers, Ling Dong had chosen ten herbs. With ten herbs, there were quite a number of poisonous pills that could be concocted. However, what kind of power could a poisonous pill concocted with three or four herbs be? Perhaps the most common antidote pill would be able to solve the problem. If that was the case, Jiao Xinglie would not even need to concoct an antidote pill on the spot. He could just consume an antidote pill that he usually prepared.
In terms of the types of herbs used, among the ten herbs, almost all of them were the most common herbs. Other than the Three-Laugh Grass, which was rarely used in poisonous pills, it was only rarely used. The Three-Laugh Grass was also very common and could not be considered precious.
Although there was a legend in the mortal world about turning stone into gold with a touch, it was only a legend. Gold could be concocted from sand, but ordinary sand and stones could never be concocted into gold.
It was the same for medicine. If all of them were ordinary herbs, no matter how one combined them, they would not be able to produce a shocking poisonous effect.
Most importantly, all of the alchemists present could tell what kind of poisonous pill Ling Dong was going to concoct from the ten herbs that Ling Dong had chosen. This was because it was the only poisonous pill combination after using nine of the ten herbs. As for the extra Three-Laugh Grass, the alchemists, including Jiao Xinglie, thought that it was just a childish trick that Ling Dong had used to set up a formation.
The only person present who did not think so was probably Yuan Chen. After a few interactions, Yuan Chen felt that Ling Dong would definitely not be so straightforward in his actions. However, even he could not tell what was going on. The only ones who could tell were the alchemists present. They knew what kind of poisonous pill Ling Dong was going to concoct.
The Spiritual Desire Scorpion Poison Pill was a middle grade Xiantian pill. It was also considered a powerful poison pill. Ordinary antidote pills would not be effective. It needed to be concocted with a special antidote pill.
However, the problem was that everyone could tell that there was a Spiritual Desire Scorpion Poison Pill. How could Jiao Xinglie, a low grade Earth alchemist, not see through it? Moreover, the antidote for this poison pill was not difficult to concoct. It was obvious that there was no difference whether you concoct the poison pill or not. It was no longer a threat to others.
This was the thought of all the alchemists present.
"Hmph, that's right. It doesn't matter how much medicine there is, as long as it's effective in killing people!" Jiao Xinglie sneered. With a flash of light in his hand, he took out a tablet. On it was written – Beloved Son Jiao Yu's Memorial Tablet!
Jiao Xinglie pointed at Ling Dong and shouted, "After you die, I'll cut off your head and offer it to my son!" He did not hide his killing intent towards Ling Dong.
Ling Dong was not angry at all. He pointed at Jiao Yu's memorial tablet and said, "Don't worry, Prefect Jiao. I'll send you to meet your son. At the same time, I'll also make a memorial tablet for you and place it next to your son!"
Hearing this, Jiao Xinglie's eyes were filled with killing intent again, "I hope your alchemy skills are as good as your mouth!"
After saying this, Jiao Xinglie did not say anything else. He waved his hand and said, "Apply the medicine!"
The servants of the Alchemist Manor who had been waiting for a long time came out in a line. Not long after, they each brought two sets of herbs and placed them in the middle of the arena for Jiao Xinglie and Ling Dong to use.
"Prefect Yuan, let's start quickly. I can't wait to pay my respects to my son!" Jiao Xinglie urged again.
Hearing this, Yuan Chen waved his hand helplessly, "Both of you choose your herbs and bring them to the alchemy room to refine the poison pill!"
"Since Prefect Jiao is so eager to see your son, I'll be happy to fulfill your wish!" Ling Dong replied firmly. He then grabbed two sets of the herbs he had ordered. He did not even try to trick Jiao Xinglie by taking Jiao Xinglie's herbs. Instead, he walked towards the Earth Fire Alchemy Room with large strides.
Seeing Ling Dong's actions, Jiao Xinglie did not hesitate anymore. He took his own eighteen herbs and did not grab Ling Dong's herbs. Instead, he walked into the Earth Fire Alchemy Room with large strides.
At the same time that the Earth Fire rose, the most predictable pill battle in the hearts of many alchemists began!
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PS: What a depressing internet speed. What a crazy reading progress bar. Tonight, my daughter-in-law had a meeting at school. Tomorrow, there was an examination. She only came back to pick up her loli after nine o 'clock!
Only by staying in school would one realize how difficult it is to be a teacher these days!
Also, I'd like to thank Capio for the monthly votes, Rosy Cherry Meat for the updated votes, and thank you brothers for the subscription support.
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