Chapter 482: Am I Truly Inferior to Dan Chenzi?

On the platform, a tense atmosphere rapidly spread the moment Luo Chen successfully processed the Returning Origins Cicada Husk. Every alchemist felt a heavy weight settle on their chest.

Someone has already pulled ahead!

The most anxious competitors were the three who had chosen to begin with the simpler first-tier ingredients. They had already completed the Luminous Star Grass, Azure Aloe Vera, and Redflame Ganoderma. Yet now, faced with the two second-tier materials, they found themselves at a loss. The Blue Jade Smoke was still manageable, but the Returning Origin Cicada Husk stood before them as an immovable obstacle.

Not every alchemist was capable of multitasking, so they were unable to observe Luo Chen or Dan Yangzi while working on their own ingredients. Even Xuan Yunzi had only caught a glimpse of Luo Chen's method before realizing that his own approach was flawed. He had then reevaluated the principles of medicine and shifted toward Luo Chen's path. The advantage was being on the right track, but at the cost of speed.

The others were not so fortunate. They had missed their chance to learn from Luo Chen's method of handling the cicada husk. Even if they wanted to imitate him, there was nothing left to observe. For a moment, those who started early were frozen in place.

Among the remaining contestants, the Fu family's alchemist stared into his cauldron at the failed husk, sinking into deep thought. His gaze shifted from Luo Chen to Dan Yangzi, then finally to Xuan Yunzi. After a long pause, he made his decision. With only three chances, one failure already meant little margin for error. He would first refine the other four ingredients, complete them properly, lock in success, and then use the final Returning Origins Cicada Husk to make his attempt. As for the method, he had gleaned enough from Xuan Yunzi to attempt it himself. In a way, he was now learning from Luo Chen.

In contrast with his calm resolve, someone else was far less composed. Watching Luo Chen bask in the admiration of the crowd, Huang Hezi lowered his head to inspect his own Returning Origins Cicada Husk. It still retained most of its vital energy, yet it wasn't even remotely close to being transparent. In other words, it was riddled with impurities. Without a doubt, it was a failed product unfit for use in any alchemical formula.

"How... how could this happen?" Huang Hezi muttered, his voice dry. "I followed every principle of medicinal theory. Everything made sense. So where did I go wrong? How did Dan Chenzi succeed? What right does he have to succeed? By age, by seniority, by pedigree, he has no right to be the first."

Huang Hezi stood trembling, his elderly frame shuddering with both fury and frustration. He could not even compose himself enough to change tactics and attempt to salvage the remaining ingredients. The humiliation of being bested by the very rogue cultivator he had looked down on cut deeper than any failure he had suffered before. For one who had devoted his life to the Dao of Alchemy, such a blow was unbearable.

His despair only deepened when Dan Yangzi successfully completed his Returning Origin Cicada Husk and was declared the second to pass. At that moment, Huang Hezi's composure shattered completely.

"I come into this round aiming for first," Huang Hezi whispered. "I didn't think I was weaker than anyone here. So why... why am I so far behind?"

No one offered him an answer. In this world, some possessed talent, some relied on fortune, and some had the resolve to make decisive choices. Without all three, a person's achievements would forever remain capped by a visible ceiling.

The Grand Alchemy Institute elder glanced at the shaken Huang Hezi and subtly shook his head. Huang Hezi was a second-tier alchemist, yet he had only earned the title of one of Green Pill Valley's Seven Prodigies after reaching the age of two hundred. Truly gifted alchemists would have been inducted into the Grand Alchemy Institute long before.

Huang Hezi... fell short. But that Dan Chenzi's alchemical foundation is nothing short of terrifying.

In the eyes of the elder, and in the eyes of the tens of thousands watching from Green Pill Valley, Luo Chen's hands moved with effortless grace—at times like a butterfly fluttering through blossoms, and at times like a maiden delicately rinsing silk garments in the river—as he swiftly processed the final three ingredients.

When his ethereal techniques were applied to the Redflame Ganoderma, the result carried warmth, as if he were preparing a delicacy, steam curling upward into the air. Luo Chen had taken a full hour to refine the Returning Origin Cicada Husk, yet within that same span, he had also used the Unadorned Heart to complete the Luminous Star Grass with ease. Now, as he processed the remaining three materials, his pace soared.

In less than the time it took a single stick of incense to burn, he submitted all five processed ingredients to the elder.

"Luminous Star Grass, Azure Aloe Vera, Redflame Ganoderma, Blue Jade Smoke, Returning Origins Cicada Husk... all perfect."

The Grand Alchemy Institute elder stared at Luo Chen's calm figure and drew a deep breath. "All five ingredients are flawless. Fastest total completion time. Tao family's retainer, Dan Chenzi, claims the first place in the alchemy techniques competition."

The moment his announcement rang out, countless spectators froze, holding their breath. When the words "first place" reached their ears, a tidal roar erupted across the valley.

Luo Chen stood atop the platform, and with his exceptional eyesight, he could clearly see the countless disciples below moving their lips. Though the soundproofing formation blocked out all noise, most cultivators were proficient in the simple trick of reading lips. Even if he couldn't hear a word, he knew the outside world had erupted into thunderous uproar.

This is good. Only with enough shock and awe can the name Dan Chenzi truly be established.

Luo Chen thought.

The title of Fire Spirit Lord meant little as long as he could not dominate the Foundation Establishment Realm. Only with the title of Dan Chenzi could Luo Chen transcend the limits of realm and rank, standing as an equal with those of far higher station and earning distinction as a true alchemy master. And this was only the beginning.

"You have completed the first round," the elder said warmly. "Go and rest. The next two rounds will demand even more of your spirit and mind. Be ready."

Luo Chen clasped his fist and gave a respectful bow. " Adept, thank you for the guidance. I shall prepare immediately."

The elder was pleased by his courtesy. He stroked his beard and gave a kind smile. All earlier displeasure and suspicion had entirely vanished. With a wave of his hand, he opened the formation for him. "Do your best in the second round."

This old man's actually rather decent.

Luo Chen nodded. Though he was an outsider and was defeating their disciples, the elder harbored no resentment and instead offered encouragement.

The moment Luo Chen stepped out of the formation, countless eyes locked onto him. Anyone else might have felt as though needles pierced their back, but he simply smiled with ease. A cloud of spirit energy formed beneath his feet, and he drifted toward the Tao family's platform.

Everywhere he passed, countless gazes followed. On the other platforms, the Grand True Inheritors all looked at him with varied expressions. Some were surprised, others scrutinized him. Some were curious, and others felt disdain. Among them were quite a few who had taken an interest in him.

Of course, Luo Chen could also feel the malicious gazes of those frustrated and shamed by his success. He paid them no mind. With his wide sleeves billowing, he stepped into a sea of cheers and congratulations.

As he moved through the crowd, the woman seated at the center smiled at him. He returned a faint nod before making his way to the quiet chamber at the rear.

***

Not long after Luo Chen departed, the second finisher emerged. It was none other than Dan Yangzi.

With composure and balance, neither hurried nor slow, he became the second to complete the processing of the Returning Origins Cicada Husk. With the most difficult step already overcome, the remaining ingredients posed no real obstacle. He required only slightly more time than Luo Chen before presenting his completed set.

As he handed in the materials, the Grand Alchemy Institute elder regarded him with a complicated expression. "Why go through such trouble?"

Dan Yangzi said nothing and quietly stepped down. There was no trace of frustration in his expression despite finishing behind Luo Chen.

"Next should be Xuan Yunzi, then Fu Huai," the elder murmured. "As for Huang Hezi, his foundation was solid, yet because of a shaken mindset, he's now dead last. Who knows what he's even been refining these past few years."

***

The chaos and chatter outside had nothing to do with Luo Chen any longer. His gaze drifted curiously to a stick of incense resting nearby, a gift personally delivered by Tao Yisheng.

It was Serene Incense, crafted by Adept Nanshan during his lifetime. The incense rapidly alleviated spiritual fatigue and calmed the heart. More importantly, when cultivators meditated and adjusted their breath, it helped them enter the optimal state almost instantly. Though it appeared ordinary, its effect in restoring a cultivator's condition was extraordinary.

A faint scent of chrysanthemums lingered beneath his nose.

Tao Wan really thought this through,

mused Luo Chen with quiet appreciation

𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

He set aside thoughts of the Serene Incense and shifted his focus to the two alchemical formulas in his hand. The second and third rounds both involved pill refinement. Neither of the pills was particularly difficult; even the second-tier Dustfall pill could be refined with ease after Luo Chen used the system to learn the basics.

The next two rounds pose no difficulty for me. Even someone as talented as Dan Yangzi, after exhausting himself for half a month in constant battles and with little time to study the formulas, will hardly be my match. In that case, my only real opponent is myself!

***

The intermission before the second round was brief. However, since Luo Chen had finished first, he enjoyed a full hour of rest. When he stepped back onto the platform fully restored, he immediately noticed that nearly half the alchemists were not in peak condition. They had not rested enough.

As Luo Chen quietly took stock of his competitors, he also felt their eyes on him. After all, he was the undisputed winner of the first round, and he was only a rogue cultivator without any sect backing. To have defeated them all so dominantly under public scrutiny meant he could not escape attention.

Dan Yangzi gave Luo Chen a brief glance before turning expressionlessly to the pile of materials before him, fully prepared to refine alone. Xuan Yunzi remained unhurried and composed and even gave Luo Chen a polite nod. There was no bitterness in his expression, only the quiet dignity of someone who had made the right call. Indeed, he had been the third to finish the last round. He Yuanqing had wisely shut up; the decision to discard his previous attempt and start over had obviously been the right one. And even though He Yuanqing wasn't feeling amazing, he could hardly berate Xuan Yunzi in front of others.

Huang Hezi, on the other hand, was another matter entirely. He kept his head down, simmering with rage and nowhere to vent it. He had only managed sixth place. Though Shangguan Yan didn't scold him, the looks of doubt from others were more humiliating than a slap in the face.

This round... I can't afford to lose! Dan Chenzi is arrogant beyond reason! He didn't even request helpers. I'll definitely overpower him! The shame of the last round, I'll return it all in this one!

Huang Hezi growled inwardly and turned to the two cultivators beside him. "Assist me with everything you've got. Not a single mistake."

The two looked tense but nodded quickly.

This scene was far from unique. Most alchemists were accompanied by two or three supporting cultivators who helped with preparation and processing. Only Luo Chen and Dan Yangzi stood alone, utterly solitary in the entire field. Naturally, many spectators noticed this, and discussion buzzed everywhere.

"I get why Senior Brother Dan Yangzi didn't bring helpers. The second round's restrictions probably limit him. But why is Dan Chenzi working alone as well? Didn't the Tao family assign him any assistants?"

"Maybe he is simply used to working alone."

"That makes sense. How else could someone develop such a skill?"

"But without assistants, won't his speed suffer?"

Amidst the murmurs, the nine competitors remained focused. All eyes turned to the Grand Alchemy Institute elder. The allotted time had ended.

"Second round, second match," the elder declared. "You are to refine first-tier Spirit Feed Pellets. Each of you has ten sets of ingredients. When you exhaust them all, your turn ends. The pills must be at least low-grade. Inferior or defective pills will be judged as failures. The match begins now!"

With that command, everyone sprang into action. Among them, the ones making the biggest stir were clearly Dan Chenzi and Dan Yangzi. With no assistants, both had to manage all the semi-processed ingredients alone. So naturally, they worked the most, and once again, their techniques left everyone in awe.

"What smooth handling of the ingredients, what masterful alchemical techniques!"

"He's multitasking and refining three ingredients at once! Dan Chenzi alone is worth three men!"

"Senior Brother Dan Yangzi isn't far behind either. His fire control is incredible!"

Luo Chen had no time to pay attention to others. He processed the materials while simultaneously controlling the earth fire, gradually heating the cauldron. When the temperature reached the precise threshold, he began adding the semi-processed ingredients one after another.

This peculiar scene once again drew the attention of the Grand Alchemy Institute elder. "Is he refining the pill and processing the ingredients at the same time? If that is the case, the demands on fire control are exceptionally strict. How does he have such confidence?"

The elder from the Grand Alchemy Institute furrowed his brow slightly, but as he continued to observe, he began to understand. He murmured to himself, "Fuse flame with qi, guide fire with breath. He is not simply using earth fire to refine the pill. He has fused his spirit energy into it, manipulating it as easily as moving his own arm. This youth not only possesses terrifying mastery of foundational alchemy techniques, but also extremely fine control over alchemical flames. If things continue like this, Dan Yangzi will begin to fall behind."

And indeed, things went exactly as he had suspected. At first, Luo Chen and Dan Yangzi kept pace with one another. Their movements were nearly synchronized, their refining speed almost identical. But that balance did not last. As they moved deeper into the refinement process, Luo Chen began to pull ahead. His deft control of Fire Fusion and his ability to manage multiple operations at once began to show.

It wasn't that Dan Yangzi was inferior. It was simply that he was accustomed to using the Violet Skyfire, and now that it was forbidden, he had to rely on more mundane techniques. That made his control appear less practiced. Even so, he was only slightly slower than Luo Chen and still ahead of everyone else who had helpers.

"Unless something unexpected happens, Dan Chenzi and Dan Yangzi have the top locked down," a nearby observer whispered.

"And Xuan Yunzi will probably take third, so that leaves only two spots in the top five for the others."

The elder of the Grand Alchemy Institute, who was watching from the judging platform with his hands folded in his sleeves, needed no commentary. With his centuries of experience behind him, a single glance at the competitors' movements told him everything. He already knew how this round would end.

Sure enough, a trace of fragrance drifted from Luo Chen's cauldron; the result no longer needed to be spoken.

Huang Hezi, who was seated closest, caught the scent again. It did not come from his own cauldron but from Luo Chen's—the rival he despised most. At that moment, his expression turned dazed.

How can this be? Even with assistants, I still cannot surpass him?

That fleeting moment of distraction cost him dearly.

"Daoist Uncle, something's wrong with forming the pill! We can't suppress the medicinal energy, Daoist Uncle, act quickly!"

Huang Hezi snapped out of it and instinctively cast a spirit seal, but it was too late. He stared in silence at the pitch-black, unformed waste inside the Glazed Child Cauldron. A chill seeped through his chest.

A strange and bitter thought surfaced in his mind.

No wonder Tao Wan never spares me a glance. Am I truly inferior to Dan Chenzi?