Chapter 133: Chapter 132: Alright, I’ll Bet You
On this day, Feiyun City was incredibly lively, its streets and alleys filled to the bursting point. The Yue Family and the Xia Family occupied the city center, surrounded by a massive crowd. The roar of the people was deafening, the clamor shaking the very heavens.
At the very center front stood two stone tables, and next to them, two Pill Furnaces.
In this Alchemy competition, each side would send out one person and provide their own materials. Whoever refined the pill of a higher grade would be the victor.
Yue Shan looked at Xia Heng and laughed heartily. "Xia Heng, where is Wen Qingye? What, is he too afraid to show up?"
Hearing Yue Shan’s mockery, Xia Heng seethed with anger, a feeling of deep frustration welling up inside him.
At that moment, Xiaxia stepped forward and said calmly, "My master is not here. I will be the one competing today."
"You?" Liu Qing glanced at Xiaxia, a strange glint in his eyes. "Compete against me? I usually have a wager when I compete with others."
Xiaxia arched a delicate brow. "A wager? What kind of wager?"
"The loser’s four limbs!" Liu Qing said with a wicked grin.
Upon hearing this, the color drained from Xiaxia’s face, leaving it deathly pale.
"Betting limbs on an Alchemy competition? That’s horrifying!"
"Right? It’s just a competition!"
"Wouldn’t the loser’s life be ruined?"
"How long has Xiaxia even studied the Alchemy Dao? Liu Qing is the star disciple of Master Zhang Ya!"
"Sigh. This was never a fair fight to begin with."
.......
"Four limbs?" Xiaxia’s second uncle, Xia Dong, exclaimed. He quickly grabbed her arm. "Xiaxia, you can’t agree to this! If you lose, your limbs will be gone!"
Xia Heng also frowned. "He’s right. You cannot compete."
Xiaxia took a deep breath, her thoughts turning to Wen Qingye. ’If Master were in my shoes, would he compete? Even if he had to bet his limbs, his very life?’
’He would. He definitely would.’
Gritting her teeth, Xiaxia gave a firm nod. "Fine. I’ll take your bet. Our limbs are on the line!"
"Xiaxia!" "Xiaxia!"
Everyone was stunned, staring at Xiaxia in utter disbelief.
She had actually agreed!
Xia Heng shouted, "Xiaxia, you can’t make this bet with him! You’re only eighteen! And how long have you even been studying the Alchemy Dao? Have you gone mad?"
A small smile played on Xiaxia’s lips as she said serenely, "Don’t worry. Both of you, please step back."
"Excellent, excellent." Liu Qing looked at the young woman before him and couldn’t help but applaud. "You’re quite something. I don’t know who your master is, but for this courage alone, I have to admire you. And I admire your master even more for training you."
With that, Liu Qing walked over to his Pill Furnace.
Xiaxia took a deep breath, slowly steadying her Heart Spirit. She reminded herself, ’In Alchemy, you must not be impetuous. Be calm and collected. You cannot be disturbed by outside influences.’
As the crowd watched Xiaxia walk to her Pill Furnace, their hearts clenched with anxiety.
Liu Qing looked at Xiaxia and said, "The time limit is three incense sticks. May we begin?"
"Yes," Xiaxia said with a nod.
......
Both alchemists slapped their Pill Furnaces, igniting their Pill Fire to preheat them. The raging flames, nourished and strengthened by Primordial Qi, grew until they emitted a heart-stopping glow, even in the bright light of day.
Liu Qing truly lived up to his title as a Fifth-Grade Alchemist. From preheating the furnace to selecting the herbs, his movements were fluid and seamless. His technique was masterful and everything proceeded in a calm, orderly fashion, without the slightest hint of panic.
The crowd couldn’t help but nod in silent approval. The other alchemists in attendance didn’t even blink, their eyes fixed on the stage. They knew that by observing this contest closely, they could learn things that would benefit them for a lifetime.
However, most of the alchemists were watching Liu Qing; only the laypeople were paying attention to Xiaxia’s alchemy.
Xiaxia, for her part, was neither rushed nor panicked. Although she was much slower than Liu Qing, her actions were just as orderly and methodical.
This surprised some of the alchemists. ’This Xiaxia is more skilled than she appears!’
Inside, Xiaxia was tense to the breaking point. ’The time limit of three incense sticks is only enough for one attempt. That means if I fail, I’ve all but lost, unless Liu Qing fails as well.’ From the looks of it, Liu Qing was clearly aiming to create a Fifth-Grade Pill. To win, she would have to create an exceptional one—a task that seemed almost impossibly difficult.
Xiaxia slowly placed the herbs into the furnace, recalling every detail Wen Qingye had taught her—the technique, the measurements, the timing.
Both were deep in the process of alchemy, but small details revealed the disparity in their skill. In terms of Pill Fire control and the subtle nuances of experience, a considerable gap still existed between Xiaxia and Liu Qing.
However, Xiaxia’s unique technique allowed her to achieve twice the results with half the effort, helping to narrow that gap.
Liu Qing had already melted all the herbs. He continuously channeled Primordial Qi into the Pill Furnace with both hands, slowly extracting the Medicinal Essence.
"So fast! Liu Qing’s Pill Technique is incredible!"
"As expected of a veteran Fifth-Grade Alchemist. That’s almost certainly a Fifth-Grade Pill he’s making."
"Yes, judging by his ingredients, it must be the Fifth-Grade Pattern Falling Pill. A Pattern Falling Pill cleanses the marrow and purges impurities from the body. Even among Fifth-Grade Pills, it’s considered exceptionally rare."
"I wonder what pill Xiaxia is trying to make."
"She can’t possibly beat Liu Qing. How long has she even been studying the Alchemy Dao?"
Xiaxia’s eyes were glued to the herbs in the Pill Furnace. She heard nothing of the outside world, only the sound of her own breathing and the frantic pounding of her heart.
"’Focus your spirit, quiet your qi, and unify your Heart Spirit. The Alchemy Dao is all about achieving that spiritual union...’"
Wen Qingye’s words echoed in her ears as Xiaxia slowly extended her hands. They twisted and turned, forming what looked like a lotus Hand Seal.
As the lotus Hand Seal took shape, the herbs within Xiaxia’s Pill Furnace seemed to slowly come to a boil.
Gritting her teeth, Xiaxia whispered, "This time, I have to succeed!"
Time passed, drop by drop. The crowd watched the two on the stage without blinking.
THUD!
At that moment, the crowd heard the great clang of a Pill Furnace hitting the ground. All eyes turned to Liu Qing, only to see that his Pill Furnace was now on the ground.
A wisp of Pill Fragrance began to spread. As the crowd caught the scent, a collective jolt ran through them.
The Pill Furnace opened. Liu Qing laughed loudly, snatched the pill from within, and strode before the crowd. He opened his palm and declared arrogantly, "A Fifth-Grade Pill: the Pattern Falling Pill."
"It really is the Pattern Falling Pill! A Fifth-Grade Pattern Falling Pill!"
"Looks like Xiaxia has no chance of victory now. That’s one of the very best among all Fifth-Grade Pills."
"Sigh... what a pity. Such a young woman, about to have her limbs cut off."
Seeing Liu Qing’s pill, the onlookers couldn’t help but shake their heads and sigh, as if they could already see the gruesome image of Xiaxia’s limbs being severed.
Seeing this, Yue Shan was overjoyed. ’If Liu Qing wins, the Yue Family’s status is sure to skyrocket. And if we can get Liu Qing to stay on as our guest, even if the Yue Family can’t become the sole hegemon of Feiyun City, we can at least stand as equals with the other powers, just like before!’
Now that Liu Qing had completed his alchemy, all eyes in the crowd turned to Xiaxia.
