Chapter 109: The Taboo of Distraction

On the practice field, many alchemists were gradually drawn to Xu Zhe.

Controlling fire with bare hands to refine spiritual herbs?

Many alchemists froze, frowned, and then shook their heads with a smile.

Dong Fang glanced over briefly, but lost interest. With an expressionless face, she returned to focusing on her own work. This type of ancient alchemy was the very first thing she had led the charge against back in the day.

The first issue was the lack of precision in herb measurements. In the past, alchemists only estimated the amount of herbs, never reaching the level of grams, milligrams, or even finer precision. The philosophy she introduced was different: measurements had to be rigorous. Thus, she introduced measuring tools like graduated cylinders, ensuring every ingredient was measured to perfection.

The second issue was the refining process. It relied entirely on fire to force out the essence of the herbs. Because heat control was often insufficient, temperatures were either too high, causing the essence to be scorched and wasted, or too low, leaving behind excessive impurities. Her philosophy was modern and scientific; she had commissioned the creation of high-speed blenders to ensure the essence wasn't wasted, and centrifuges to separate impurities to the greatest extent possible. Naturally, she had many other steps for impurity removal as well.

As for fusing the herbs into pills after processing, Dong Fang had also experimented with pressure cookers and vacuum-sealed fusion. In short, no matter the method, she believed hers were far superior to ancient alchemy. Facts had proven her right; from the moment she proposed her new philosophy to its eventual perfection and dissemination, many alchemists had embraced this new technology. Nowadays, throughout the Four Continents, one could barely find an alchemist still using ancient techniques.

Therefore, seeing Xu Zhe using ancient alchemy, Dong Fang felt nothing but disdain.

Lin Bei, however, kept watching Xu Zhe. After several minutes, he smiled slightly: "Interesting."

At first, he hadn't given this ancient method much thought, but as he was about to look away, he suddenly noticed tiny particles of impurities being flicked out from the flames in Xu Zhe's palm. This compelled him to watch a bit longer. The more he saw, the more surprised he became, as he began to discover the unique aspects of this refinement process. Unfortunately, he lacked deep knowledge of ancient alchemy, having dedicated himself entirely to the study of modern techniques, so he did not recognize the specific name of Xu Zhe’s hand technique. Although he could see that Xu Zhe was performing effective refinement and removing impurities, he still did not believe Xu Zhe could surpass him or the various instruments he was using.

Maintaining a rigorous scientific attitude, he and Dong Fang had conducted countless experiments on all kinds of herbs. For different herbs, the processing methods differed. For instance, Dong Fang used a blender to pulverize ginseng grass, which was the best way to preserve its maximum nutritional value. He was currently using a distillation process to refine a Bitter-Heart Vine; he would eventually use the blender for the ginseng grass as well. These methods were the result of countless trials. He did not believe they could be bested by those ancient ways that only knew how to burn things with fire.

...

By now, Xu Zhe had finished refining the first spiritual herb. The medicinal liquid was crystal clear, shimmering in the sunlight. It remained at a constant high temperature, yet not a drop of its medicinal properties or volume was lost. This was a level of skill that required extreme mastery over heat control. Xu Zhe was also very particular about precision, but he did not need tools like measuring cups. As a qualified and accomplished alchemist, weren't measurements basic? Couldn't they be accurately gauged and understood at a glance? Using graduated cylinders and electronic scales was simply unprofessional. The mass of an herb is fixed; once all impurities are removed and the heat is stable, the remaining essence cannot increase or decrease. For a competent alchemist, this was a fundamental requirement.

Xu Zhe wrapped the drop of essence in his spiritual sense, letting it hover in front of him, and began refining the second herb. He used the same method and the same impurity removal process, yet the heat and the frequency of the liquid's rotation were entirely different. These were micro-adjustments that were almost invisible to outsiders.

Only the dozen judge-masters were stunned, standing there like statues. They had lived for many years; while they might not be the most powerful alchemists, their expertise was unquestionable. In the alchemy world, they were considered veterans who had some understanding of the techniques passed down by the older generations. However, as the tradition had dwindled over the generations, they had begun to suspect that ancient alchemy was nothing more than legend.

For example, the "Yin-Yang Purification Method" was mentioned in many ancient texts as a sophisticated refinement technique. But the texts only described it as using the power of Yin and Yang to refine essence, without recording the actual implementation. Without practical teaching and given the excellent results of the new alchemy, many believed ancient techniques were heavily exaggerated and impossible to perfectly replicate.

But now, they were dumbfounded. The young man on the stage, whom no one had thought highly of, was actually using the "Yin-Yang Purification Method," and he was successfully doing it! This was absurd! The "Yin-Yang Purification Method" actually existed; it hadn't been lost!

"Quick, have someone look into Yu Song and see which master his ancestors were," a venerable man from the South Heaven Continent hurriedly ordered.

"If ancient alchemy can reappear, the world of alchemy might be shaken once again," the man in blue sighed.

...

"Wait, if the alchemy methods in ancient texts are real, then... doesn't that mean the rumored 'Alchemy Tribulation' also exists?" someone suddenly recalled, astonished.

"That's hard to say. The Alchemy Tribulation is a bit ridiculous. Pills aren't living beings; how could they attract a heavenly tribulation?" someone immediately shook their head.

"I remember an ancient text recording that a great master once refined a Nine-Turn Dragon Heart Pill, which triggered a vision of heaven and earth, manifesting a phantom of a dragon soul."

"Pfft, I think you're senile! Dragon soul phantoms and heavenly visions only appear when the bloodline of a prodigy awakens. How can a mere pill compare to a prodigy's bloodline?"

"But we once thought the Yin-Yang Purification Method didn't exist, and yet here it is."

"So what? The existence of that method doesn't prove everything in the ancient texts is true."

The group of old men began to argue again.

...

In a corner not far away, the plump young master was yawning, watching the others refine pills with utter boredom.

"Young Master, the lords from Jingshen have arrived early," a servant hurried over and whispered in his ear.

The plump young master's eyes lit up.

"Haha, just as I was getting bored. Let's go and welcome those lords. First, go to that little wretch Yu Haiqiong's house and see if she's dead yet. Oh, and leave a few men behind. When the alchemy competition ends, trick that brat Yu Song into coming over as well."

After giving his orders, the plump young master turned and left the crowd, taking his attendants toward the other side of the ancient city.

...

Half an hour later, Xu Zhe had refined all the spiritual herbs into over a dozen drops of crystal-clear liquid, kept suspended in front of him by his spiritual sense. He had meticulously controlled the heat for every herb, refining them perfectly without a single mistake.

The next step was the crucial one: fusion. This was a complex process that tested one's cultivation. It required the correct order of fusion, as well as balancing the Yin and Yang and the Five Elements according to the nature of the medicinal liquids.

"Whew!"

Xu Zhe exhaled with a grave expression, raised his hands, and prepared to begin.

"Finished!"

Suddenly, a voice came from behind—it was Dong Fang. Following that, the entire arena erupted in an uproar.

"Pharmacist Dong has actually finished."

"So fast!"

"I can already smell the medicinal fragrance."

"Incredible! In just half an hour, she has refined the Heaven-Earth Rebirth Pill!"

Amidst the exclamations, Xu Zhe turned his head in confusion, his eyes widening.

Good heavens! Why is there a pressure cooker in the alchemy furnace?

Xu Zhe was baffled. Dong Fang's furnace was open, the flames were roaring underneath, and while steam was rising, there was a pressure cooker sitting inside. No, that really was a pressure cooker!

"Finished!"

Suddenly, another voice sounded. It was Lin Bei, only two minutes slower than Dong Fang. Xu Zhe looked over, raised an eyebrow, and saw another pressure cooker inside Lin Bei's furnace!

He then scanned the surrounding alchemy stations, his expression turning bizarre. Everyone except him was using their furnaces to steam pressure cookers, and the steam wafting from them clearly carried the scent of herbs. But the smell didn't seem quite right!

Am I the only one who can smell the 'pill toxin'?

No way, no way. In such a large-scale and rigorous alchemy competition, could people really be throwing the match or intentionally refining toxic pills?

"Open the pot in a quarter-hour!" Dong Fang said to a female disciple of the Putuo sect, then turned her gaze toward Xu Zhe. She remained expressionless, but her eyes held a hint of disdain and mockery, as if she were waiting to watch a clown perform a ridiculous act. That was a look filled with drama!

Xu Zhe frowned, then noticed Lin Bei's gaze. Lin Bei was smiling, but it carried a subtle "you go ahead, I'm just watching without saying anything" vibe.

...

Xu Zhe felt completely lost. What was with these two? That look, that expression—they both seemed to look down on others. But they were the ones throwing the match, the ones refining toxic pills; how dare they provoke him?

Unreasonable! A master must not be insulted! Today, I, Xu Zhe, will show you that even if I were docked fifty points in the four-level assessment, I can still refine top-grade pills!

"Boom!"

Xu Zhe focused his energy into his dantian and struck the alchemy furnace with his palm. The lid flew off instantly, and the pressure cooker inside was jolted upward, which Xu Zhe promptly kicked away. Following that, he waved his hand. The dozen drops of medicinal liquid floating in the air immediately flew into the furnace.

"Refining the core with a gentle fire!"

Xu Zhe's expression tightened. He slapped the base of the furnace from a distance, and a burst of flames surged out, igniting the furnace. His other hand waved through the air, manipulating the remaining drops of liquid, tossing one into the furnace every dozen seconds in a continuous cycle.

"Ancient alchemy, backward and laughable." Dong Fang remained expressionless, but she shook her head repeatedly in her heart.

"Pharmacist Dong, the time is up, you may open the alchemy pot," a female Putuo disciple said softly.

Dong Fang nodded faintly and swept her sleeve forward.

"Boom!"

With a muffled sound, the lid of the pressure cooker flew off. A lump of silver material on a wooden tray inside the pot flew out and landed on the table. Looking closely, it was a ball of tin foil!

At this moment, the Putuo disciple took out a pair of wooden tongs and slowly peeled back the tin foil. Several round little pills were revealed. Wisps of heat rose from the pills, and a rich, fragrant medicinal scent began to permeate the entire arena.

"Second-grade quality!" Lin Bei exclaimed, his face changing.

Outside the field, the dozen old men also showed looks of shock. Then, everyone in the arena widened their eyes in disbelief.

"Second-grade Heaven-Earth Rebirth Pill! My god, Pharmacist Dong has actually refined a second-grade Heaven-Earth Rebirth Pill!"

"This... this is going to surpass Sect Leader Gu! Back then, Sect Leader Gu also refined a second-grade Heaven-Earth Rebirth Pill, but it took her two full hours. Pharmacist Dong has finished in just half an hour."

"It seems that in these years, Pharmacist Dong's mastery of alchemy has reached a new level."

"This isn't just one level; it's hundreds of levels higher."

"It looks like the first place in this alchemy competition will go to the Dongqian Continent."

"It is said that the Sword God Li spent quite a lot of effort to get Pharmacist Dong to participate."

...

The crowd was boisterous. Many alchemists on the field who hadn't finished were also distracted, looking on with envy. Only Xu Zhe remained completely focused, immersed in his own world, his expression grave as he controlled the heat of his furnace.

In alchemy, the greatest taboo is distraction.

Referees! Are there any referees? Can you please clear out these onlookers?