Chapter Fifty-Six: The Great Counterattack (2)

Che Wuyou had already mastered the realm of transcending self and object. Now, as long as he closed his eyes, he could easily enter that state—a realm where all things were contained within the heart…

Han Feng watched Che Wuyou hovering above the small martial field, going through his motions, and could not restrain a surge of anger. What was this brat doing? Was this how one refined pills? Just because he had managed to concoct the Return to Void Pill, he thought himself extraordinary. And now, he was actually refining the Grand Huai Pill with his eyes closed? Absurd! Outrageous!

Suddenly, Han Feng seemed to understand—could it be that Che Wuyou had already decided to give up? Hmph, at least he was somewhat self-aware. That made sense; by closing his eyes while refining pills, he merely sought to draw everyone’s attention, so that even if he failed, he would appear profound and mysterious, leaving a deeper impression on the crowd. Yes, it had to be that—knowing Che Wuyou’s temperament, he would certainly do such a thing.

“Courting attention! Failure is failure; why all these theatrics?” Han Feng scoffed, full of self-importance. “A true man admits defeat with dignity. To act like a clown only brings shame upon the Miao family.”

Miao Shilin, too, stared grimly at Che Wuyou, who stood above the field, eyes closed, refining the Grand Huai Pill. He had been in the world of pill refining for nearly two centuries, but had never heard of anyone refining pills with eyes closed. What was Che Wuyou doing? Could he truly be seeking attention as Han Feng suggested? If so, it was sheer folly.

Not only were the Miao family members baffled by Che Wuyou’s actions, but the entire audience below the field was in an uproar. This was the Grand Huai Pill! What was the boy doing? Did he intend to forfeit the competition in such a manner?

Even if he surrendered outright, people would only hold him in esteem—for reaching this stage was accomplishment enough. But to seem to abandon the contest in such a frivolous way infuriated the crowd.

First, this tournament represented the highest standards of Jizhou; people expected solemnity and reverence, not antics.

Second, such irresponsibility toward pill refining was intolerable to those who had devoted their lives to the craft.

Third, the ingredients for the Grand Huai Pill were exorbitantly expensive—such wanton waste was unforgivable.

Master Zhang Wanli, the Grandmaster of the Profound Azure Sect, watched the five contestants above the field with a gentle smile. These five represented the future of Jizhou’s world of alchemy—the true core, the talents his sect would spare no expense to win over…

Yet suddenly, Master Zhang noticed a boy named Haiyuan. The youth had closed his eyes and begun to refine pills. Zhang watched as the boy carelessly hurled one precious ingredient after another—each acquired at great cost—into the cauldron…

Master Zhang’s heart ached. All that money, wasted! If the boy had refined the pills properly, he wouldn’t have minded failure. But to squander such costly materials was intolerable. Master Zhang rapped the table beside him in anger—such waste!

When Che Wuyou threw in a chunk of “Hundred-Year White Tiger Tendon,” Master Zhang’s body trembled. Outrageous! Did the boy even know what he was discarding? That was Hundred-Year White Tiger Tendon!

Beside him sat Zhang Yuan, who, seeing his father’s pained expression, knew exactly what he was thinking. Zhang Yuan could not help but say, “Father, should I terminate the boy’s participation? This is sheer waste. If I revoke his right to refine, no one could fault us.”

Master Zhang reflexively nodded, but halfway through, he shot his son an annoyed glance: “What are you saying? It’s only a batch of ingredients—how can you be so stingy? One must have a grand vision, a generous heart. How can I trust you with the Profound Azure Sect if you’re so petty?”

“Yes, yes, Father, you are right,” Zhang Yuan replied hastily.

Master Zhang gave his son a lingering, dissatisfied look. Why was the boy so unlike himself? Had he not taught him to possess breadth and magnanimity? Once more, Master Zhang turned his gaze to the five refining pills on the field, tapping the table gently again as the boy squandered the last of his ingredients. Why did he feel such a mix of grief and helplessness?

Time crept on. The five contestants grew more cautious in their refining. No—four grew more cautious, for Che Wuyou, with his eyes closed and air of unruffled ease, could hardly be said to be careful at all. Watching him, the crowd shook their heads—what was the Miao family teaching their disciples? It was a disgrace to the world of alchemy!

At last, someone announced their success. This time, it was not the renowned Lady Doctor, but Liu Lanzhi. The Miao family leapt to their feet—one of their own had been first! But would it truly be a success? Though they hoped so, they could hardly believe Liu Lanzhi would succeed.

Not only the Miao family—everyone present was tense, holding their breath, as if any sound might shatter this rare silence. This was the Grand Huai Pill, a rarity in the history of Jizhou—could it have been achieved?

From the Profound Azure Sect’s side, Master Zhang stopped tapping the table. Qing’er’s life depended on this. He hadn’t been so nervous in years; now, he felt as anxious as a youth.

As Master Zhang’s thoughts surged, he caught sight of Zhang Yuan, who had stood up without realizing it. Frowning, he chided, “You lack the composure for great matters. Remember, even if Mount Hua crumbles before you, your expression must not change. Look at you—so impatient and flustered. How can I entrust the Profound Azure Sect to you?” Yet, as he spoke, Master Zhang himself stood, hands clenched, eyes full of hope fixed on the field.

“Yellow-Grade Superior Pill, Grand Huai Pill, of B grade quality!” The appraiser’s voice trembled with excitement—Liu Lanzhi, this young girl, had refined a B grade Grand Huai Pill! The crowd was stunned.

With the appraiser’s declaration, the place erupted. At last, Jizhou had produced a Grand Huai Pill—something not seen in thousands of years. And the one who had refined it was just a child. Was this the dawn of Jizhou’s renaissance?

“Excellent, truly excellent!” Zhang Yuan finally breathed a sigh of relief. Through this competition, a Grand Huai Pill had truly been created. He gazed earnestly at Liu Lanzhi standing proudly on the stage, his heart brimming with gratitude. Such a fine, outstanding child! If he had a grandson, he would surely have him marry her. Bah—no, even his own grandson would hardly be worthy of such a remarkable girl.

Master Zhang glanced at his son’s exuberant outburst and frowned. “How many times have I told you to mind your demeanor? Look at yourself, shouting like that—where is your composure?” Yet, after his reprimand, he too looked earnestly at Liu Lanzhi. What a fine child! If Yuan’er were still young, he would certainly have him marry her. Alas, with Yuan’er’s abilities, perhaps he is not worthy…

Zhang Yuan shivered—who was thinking about him? He glanced at his father, who was red-eyed with excitement. He could not help but feel some disdain—was this what a cultivator at the Formation Core stage should be? How embarrassing!

Liu Lanzhi stood proudly atop the stage, radiant and graceful—a lily blooming in the wind, she became in an instant the dream of every young man in Jizhou.

As she gazed at the jubilant scene, Liu Lanzhi was moved—at last, success! If not for her master, she would not have even attempted, let alone achieved a B grade. She would not have succeeded at all.

Just before Liu Lanzhi went on stage, Miao Shilin had used a secret transmission to tell her the family’s greatest secret. Only the head of each generation knew it—a tradition from their ancestors. That secret was the “Classic of Qihuang,” the very scripture that had brought the Miao family to sudden heights and then to sudden ruin.

The “Classic of Qihuang” was divided into two parts: one on alchemy, and one on health cultivation. The section Che Wuyou practiced was the health cultivation chapter—a supreme Daoist art. The part Miao Shilin revealed to Liu Lanzhi was the alchemy chapter. Even so, it was so arcane and obscure that, despite studying it for over a hundred years, Miao Shilin had grasped only the barest rudiments.

He had not wanted to expose any part of the “Classic of Qihuang” at this Jizhou Alchemy Tournament, but under repeated pressure from Old Baitou, he had no choice but to impart to Liu Lanzhi a few of its secrets. Though they were only basic techniques, Miao Shilin believed they would be enough to win.

Liu Lanzhi was exceptionally gifted. With just a few words from Miao Shilin, she understood at once. What Miao Shilin could barely comprehend, Liu Lanzhi grasped with ease. After taking the stage, she immediately integrated what her master had taught her, and at last, she did not fail his expectations—she succeeded in refining the Grand Huai Pill.