Zuo De's words won over the alchemists who didn't know the full story. Several of them started shouting: "If someone's looking down on people, Master Zuo, there's no need to blame yourself. Just teach the brat a lesson."
"That's right! With Master Zuo's great reputation, for someone to dare challenge your alchemy—how outrageous!"
"Why don't you rest, Master? I'll take your place in the contest. I won't let you down!" Someone even volunteered eagerly.
These alchemists had come along purely for the spectacle. They had no idea what had happened before this, not even what type of pill was being refined—they'd only come because of Zuo De's name, so naturally they had no good impression of Yang Kai whatsoever.
In their eyes, the very act of challenging Zuo De to an alchemy contest was intolerable.
Of the five hundred-plus alchemists present, more than half were glaring daggers at Yang Kai, looking as though they wanted to swallow him whole.
Yang Kai simply smiled and brushed it off.
Zuo De beamed and said: "I appreciate everyone's good intentions. However, this matter today really does require my personal involvement, because this young friend wishes to compete with me in refining a Taichu Soul Transference Pill!"
"What? The Taichu Soul Transference Pill?"
"Isn't that a Void King grade Spirit Pill?"
"The Master is actually going to refine that kind of pill? Now we're in for a treat."
"Could this guy also be a Void King grade alchemist? He doesn't really look the part."
The crowd of alchemists erupted into a cacophony of voices, and the scene immediately became overwhelmingly noisy.
"Enough! Quiet down!" Ai'Ou's expression darkened as he barked out a command. "Master Zuo De and Yang Kai are about to begin pill refinement. You are all alchemists—you know it's improper to disturb the process, yes? I'd ask you all to remain silent. Otherwise, don't blame Ai for being unforgiving!"
The moment Ai'Ou spoke, the boisterous hall fell silent.
Zuo De smiled. "Just keep quiet, everyone. If you'd like to observe, there's no problem with that."
At these words, the alchemists' faces lit up with joy, and they all cast grateful looks toward Zuo De.
"Guild Master Ai'Ou, please hand over the materials for the Taichu Soul Transference Pill to me, and prepare an identical set for the young man as well," Zuo De called out.
"Of course." Ai'Ou nodded at this and immediately retrieved numerous materials from his space ring, dividing them into two portions. He handed one set to Yang Kai and the other to Zuo De.
The two sets of materials were essentially identical, with the only difference being that the portion given to Zuo De contained a Seven-Colored Elk inner core.
Once the materials were settled, Ai'Ou said: "This is the ninth floor of the Medicine Hall, where the earth fire energy is at its most concentrated. Refining pills here will save a great deal of time and effort. Please each choose a suitable position."
On the ninth floor, dragon head-shaped spouts could be seen everywhere. The heads weren't large, each with an open mouth. Nearby formations could control the flow—once activated, earth fire drawn from deep underground would surge out of the dragon's mouth, and the intensity could be adjusted as needed. It was extremely convenient.
Zuo De was clearly well acquainted with the place. Upon hearing this, he walked directly to one of the dragon heads and prepared himself.
The five hundred-plus alchemists also swarmed over, taking up positions twenty zhang away from Zuo De, forming a circle around him. Every eye was fixed on him.
Ai'Ou approached Yang Kai and asked in a low voice: "Brother Yang, would you like to move to a side room? The space here is open, but with so many people, you're bound to face some interference."
"No need." Yang Kai shook his head with a smile. "If I go into a side room and they can't see how I refine my pills, they'll only grow more suspicious."
"Mm, that makes sense too." Ai'Ou's brow furrowed deeply. "But can you really refine a Taichu Soul Transference Pill?"
He had never been able to believe this from the start. But seeing Yang Kai looking so composed and self-assured, he couldn't help but waver.
Could it be that besides his extraordinary martial achievements, he was also a Void King grade alchemist? The thought flickered through Ai'Ou's mind, but he immediately dismissed it—far too unrealistic.
"Guild Master Ai'Ou, just watch and see," Yang Kai said with a faint smile.
Ai'Ou said nothing more.
On the other side, Zhan Yuan's voice suddenly rang out, carrying an unmistakable note of schadenfreude: "My friend, my master asked me to inquire—would you like to borrow a Void King grade pill furnace? You should know that a good furnace can increase your success rate. Although I doubt you'd even be able to power a Void King grade furnace with your abilities, my master is generous of heart, and lending you one shouldn't be any trouble."
"I appreciate Master Zuo De's kind offer. As for a Void King grade pill furnace… heh, I happen to have one!" As he spoke, Yang Kai casually withdrew his Purple Void Cauldron from his space ring.
This thing had also been brought out of the Emperor's Garden—a product tens of thousands of years old. Inside the Purple Void Cauldron, there had once been stored a Spirit Pill bearing a Pill Cloud.
The moment the Purple Void Cauldron appeared, the cluster of alchemists on the other side let out a collective gasp of surprise.