Damn it, I miscalculated that point. Before, Sima Ying was using an ordinary pill cauldron, but this time she was using a top-grade one — the speed would be vastly increased. This wasn't a tie; Sima Ying really won.
Seeing this, the alchemy department elders all turned deathly pale. Even Elder Hongmo, Elder Wei, and Elder Zhou Quan furrowed their brows, the delight on their faces instantly dimming considerably.
Because Sima Ying had taught them a lesson — not only had she crushed Hei Qing, it seemed Chu Feng had also lost just as badly.
To refine so many pills in such a short time — frankly speaking, even senior elders like Elder Wei and Elder Zhou Quan might not have been able to pull that off.
By now, everyone in the alchemy department, whether they liked it or not, had to admit that Sima Ying was a genuine monster when it came to barrier techniques. She would surely become a great force in the future, and making a name for herself throughout the Holy Land of Martial would pose no problem at all.
But no one expected that at that very moment, with a "bang," Chu Feng's cauldron would also burst open. Amid dazzling golden light, a full one hundred golden pills shot out, hovering in midair.
And those were none other than Premium Strength Replenishing Pills — their quality was exactly the same as Sima Ying's.
"My god, Chu Feng actually did it! He really did it!"
"Unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable! Who would have thought that not only is his combat strength heaven-defying and his weapon-forging skills extraordinary, but his alchemy is just as incredible!"
Seeing the one hundred golden pills floating before Chu Feng, the alchemy department elders erupted in cheer after cheer. Some were so excited they actually jumped up on the spot.
They were truly beside themselves, unable to contain their emotions — because even they hadn't expected Chu Feng to be this powerful, possessing alchemy skills no weaker than Sima Ying's.
But most importantly, Sima Ying had Sima Huolie — that great grandfather of hers — to guide her. Who did Chu Feng have?
So when you looked at it that way, it seemed Chu Feng's potential was far greater than Sima Ying's — practically beyond imagination.
"Chu Feng, well done!"
At this moment, even the senior elders cheered for Chu Feng. But this voice didn't belong to Elder Wei or Elder Hongmo — it came from Elder Zhou Quan.
After witnessing Chu Feng's strength and seeing him stand up for the alchemy department, Elder Zhou Quan — who had previously had little faith in Chu Feng — completely changed his attitude. His gaze toward Chu Feng was now filled with pleasant surprise and genuine appreciation.
"Heh, so your name is Chu Feng. I'll admit you've got some skill — but I'm afraid you lost, because you took just a little longer than me."
"So, you're still nothing but trash." Sima Ying said with a smug grin. Though she had only barely edged out Chu Feng, that was more than enough ammunition for her to humiliate him.
Chu Feng had called her trash in front of everyone, which infuriated her beyond measure. She absolutely had to teach him a lesson — otherwise, her fury would never subside.
"Lost? Even if he lost, it was a glorious defeat."
"Exactly. This was an unfair competition to begin with. Chu Feng only lost by a sliver of time — even if that counts as a loss, there's no shame in it."
Although Chu Feng had lost, not a single elder in the alchemy department blamed him. Gone were the earlier disappointment and despair — instead, they wore expressions of sheer pride.
Because regardless of the outcome, Chu Feng had already brought honor to the alchemy department, and they were all proud of him.
"Oh? Are you sure it was me who lost?" At Sima Ying's words, Chu Feng simply smiled — a mocking smile.
"The quality and quantity of the pills we refined are identical, but I used less time and refined faster. That means I won."
"The result is plain as day — everyone can see it. Don't even think about denying it. Even if you try, it's pointless." Seeing that Chu Feng actually refused to admit defeat, Sima Ying grew agitated.
"Heh, Miss Sima Ying — you'd better watch closely. You'll see who actually lost."
At that moment, Chu Feng smiled once more and swept his sleeve with a sudden flick. With a "bang," twenty more streaks of golden light shot out from his cauldron.
Looking closer, everyone's expressions changed dramatically — because those twenty streaks of golden light were also Premium Strength Replenishing Pills.