Chapter Fifty-Three: The Prodigy

As soon as Gerlan uttered those words, everyone from the Herb Garden Pavilion felt their spirits sink. In the first round of eliminations, the only contestant to receive the top grade was the Elegant Medicine Immortal. She was, after all, a veteran of the Jizhou alchemy world, a senior whose mastery in pill formation—whether in speed, timing, or quality—steadily surpassed all others.

Yet such a formidable figure was their rival, and this left the Herb Garden Pavilion crowd feeling frustrated. They had finally caught a chance to trample on the Miao Manor, but the presence of the Elegant Medicine Immortal made the opportunity seem elusive once more.

The second round of eliminations officially began, and only fifty competitors remained in the arena above the small training ground. Of these, a full fifth hailed from the Herb Garden Pavilion, a testament to their rightful dominance within Jizhou’s alchemy circles.

Che Wuyou knew the difficulty of refining the Returning Void Pill and approached the task with even more caution than in the first round. One by one, he added the thirty-three ingredients to the pill furnace, carefully calculating the best moment for their fusion. He subtly divided the furnace into thirty-three sections, each corresponding to a different herb.

The second round proceeded as systematically as the first. However, this time, before even a third of the incense used for timing had burned away, someone declared their pill complete.

Most spectators below the arena belonged to Jizhou’s alchemy world and understood well the challenge of refining a Returning Void Pill. To declare completion after only a third of the allotted time seemed rash. Though the person announcing success was again the Elegant Medicine Immortal, the crowd remained skeptical. Pill refinement is no trivial matter; it demands rigor and precision. No matter how skilled or experienced, no one could circumvent the time required.

But reality proved otherwise. Not only did the Elegant Medicine Immortal succeed, the pill she produced was, as in the first round, of the highest grade. Even the Elder Whitehead’s expression changed dramatically—she was far more formidable than in years past, her techniques much more mature. Elder Whitehead sensed that the Elegant Medicine Immortal had reached a new realm in her alchemy.

When two-thirds of the incense had burned, another contestant declared completion. This time, it was not Gerelmu, but Han Feng. With a smug expression, Han Feng awaited the verdict as the pill appraiser pronounced, “Yellow grade, medium quality... ahem, cough, cough.”

Han Feng grinned; this was the strength he expected of himself. He glanced at the others still busy at their furnaces, stood with hands clasped behind his back, chin raised like a proud peacock. He felt as if he were standing atop the world, overlooking all beneath him; the loneliness of the master.

The disciples of Miao Manor, seeing junior Han Feng’s remarkable display, cheered loudly from beneath the arena. Miao Manor had finally outshone the Herb Garden Pavilion, the scales of victory tipping in their favor. Winning the championship was still uncertain, but with Han Feng’s prowess, he could well surpass the Herb Garden Pavilion. When the time came, they would not let the Herb Garden Pavilion off easily; even if they could not cripple Gerelmu, they would certainly shame him publicly for his arrogance.

Han Feng, feigning modesty, gestured to the Miao Manor side for silence. He cleared his throat, ready to deliver a rousing speech he had rehearsed: “Miao Manor boasts many masters, much strength. We are not to be trifled with. Whoever dares challenge Miao Manor’s might, I, Han Feng, will hunt them down, no matter how far!”

However, Han Feng never got to deliver his speech. The pill appraiser, after coughing, fixed Han Feng with an odd look and said, “Waste pill!”

The lively scene abruptly fell silent. Waste pill? What could that mean? The crowd was puzzled, so was Han Feng. Hadn’t his pill already passed appraisal? No one else had finished before him—how could there be a waste pill?

“You made a waste pill!” the appraiser pointed at Han Feng. “You turned a yellow grade, medium quality Returning Void Pill into a waste, even a poison. The heat was insufficient, yet you rushed to finish. Do you think you are Lu Mengjie, or the Elegant Medicine Immortal? Young man, you must keep your feet on the ground; don’t aim beyond your reach...”

Han Feng’s lips quivered under the appraiser’s criticism, his pride replaced with shame. This old man wasn’t just interrupting him as he basked in glory—he was thoroughly dismantling his reputation. No longer did Han Feng feel the loneliness of a master; he only wanted to find a quiet place to weep—this time, his heart was truly broken.

Below the arena, the Miao Manor disciples’ faces darkened. They had just cheered loudly, only to be met with humiliation.

Above, Gerelmu could not help but smile. He had been startled, thinking Han Feng had genuinely succeeded, but it was all a misunderstanding. Remembering the earlier display by Miao Manor’s crowd, Gerelmu’s smile broadened, until he burst out in uproarious laughter.

With Gerelmu’s laughter, the crowd below joined in. Han Feng, acting so self-important, really did resemble a peerless master, even echoing the Elegant Medicine Immortal’s proud bearing. But reality is always harsh: he was not her, and premature pill formation was never within his reach.

Han Feng’s stunning example left the other alchemists so shaken that none dared risk being the next to fail. As time passed, a few attempted to finish, only to meet failure, heightening the oppressive atmosphere. Since the Elegant Medicine Immortal’s early, top-grade completion, not a single other contestant had succeeded...

Suddenly, someone stirred—it was Gerelmu. Would he succeed? The Returning Void Pill was no ordinary medicine. Gerelmu’s skills were considerable, but the tension was intense; no one could guarantee success unless they were the Elegant Medicine Immortal.

“Yellow grade, medium quality Returning Void Pill, quality grade: D.” With the appraiser’s verdict, Gerelmu exhaled in relief; apparently, even he hadn’t been fully confident. A grade D—he was satisfied.

After Gerelmu, one after another attempted and failed, including contestants from Miao Manor and Herb Garden Pavilion. Even the freelance cultivator who’d shone in the first round failed.

At last, Liu Lanzhi succeeded. She was Miao Manor’s final hope; if she failed, Miao Manor would be wiped out. Che Wuyou had yet to attempt, but who cared? He’d only passed the first round by ‘luck,’ so surely he’d fare miserably now—luck alone wouldn’t suffice to refine a Returning Void Pill.

“Yellow grade, medium quality Returning Void Pill, quality grade: C.” At the appraiser’s words, Miao Manor erupted in celebration. Han Feng had shamed them, but now they could finally hold their heads high. If not for the Elegant Medicine Immortal’s presence, Gerelmu would surely have lost an arm, for Liu Lanzhi had decisively bested him.

But their joy was short-lived; a heavy result pressed down upon them. Gerlan: yellow grade, medium quality Returning Void Pill, top grade. This child, overlooked in the first round like Che Wuyou, now shone brilliantly in the second. Another top grade—a tie with the Elegant Medicine Immortal.

The crowd was stunned. A child standing shoulder to shoulder with someone who’d dominated the alchemy world for a century—unthinkable, and unprecedented in Jizhou. As the audience gaped, a pill appraiser suddenly spoke: “Sorry, Gerlan’s pill is not actually top grade. Our earlier judgment was inaccurate.”

What? Could that be? It made sense—a child couldn’t possibly possess such extraordinary ability. If Gerlan truly did, the Jizhou alchemy world would be thrown into chaos. The cultivation world is always ruled by strength; Gerlan’s prowess would merit respect even from the elders. But her youth made it awkward—how could she be called ‘senior’ by those who were peers of Elder Whitehead?

Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief, the appraiser spoke again: “Gerlan, yellow grade, medium quality Returning Void Pill, perfect top grade.” His tone was clearly excited; even he seemed shocked by his own words. For the first time in his life, he was announcing a pill of ‘perfect top grade.’ He was both thrilled and astonished—such alchemical talent, from a child.

The Elegant Medicine Immortal’s face was ashen. Her purpose in returning was to strike at Herb Garden Pavilion, to avenge the old grievance. Yet now she was trampled by a little girl—and it was a harsh defeat. To refine a ‘perfect top grade’ pill was not a matter of experience, but of innate talent. No matter how seasoned or skilled, one could never achieve ‘perfect top grade’ through technique alone.

She could scarcely believe it, even suspecting the appraiser had erred. Never, in all her days, had she heard of anyone refining a ‘perfect top grade’ pill; surely the appraiser was mistaken.

The Elegant Medicine Immortal had earned the appraisers’ respect. When she explained her intent, the appraiser generously handed Gerlan’s Returning Void Pill to her—hoping, perhaps, that more might witness this miracle, the birth of such a prodigy.