Another pleasant surprise — a huge thank-you to Alliance Leader Zhuangsheng Xiaomeng Mi Hudie_a for the 100,000 Spirit Flame reward! Thank you so much, Xiao Mo suddenly feels absolutely amazing……
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Nine is the limit of numbers, and a single pill furnace could produce at most nine pills.
Ji Ying's suggestion to switch to a Dao Source grade spirit pill wasn't because he lacked confidence in winning — he simply didn't want an unfair victory! He had been an Emperor Alchemist for many years and had refined countless Emperor Yuan Pills. Even if Yang Kai was also an Emperor Alchemist, he couldn't possibly match Ji Ying's vast experience. If they refined Emperor Yuan Pills, Ji Ying would hold an enormous, almost imperceptible advantage.
But switching to a Dao Source grade spirit pill — while he'd still hold the edge, at least their starting points wouldn't be too far apart.
Yang Kai shook his head. "No need. Thank you for the kind offer, Grandmaster Ji, but let's refine Emperor Yuan Pills!"
He naturally understood why Ji Ying had made the proposal, and his impression of the man immediately improved.
Not just anyone could become Lingxiao Palace's Chief Alchemist. Even though Ji Ying was the Personal Disciple of Great Emperor Miao Dan, if his character was lacking, Yang Kai would never have set his sights on him in the first place.
The way Ji Ying had handled the Li Xuan incident — bowing his head and apologizing without hesitation, even expelling Li Xuan from Alchemist Valley right in front of Yang Kai — had already convinced him that Ji Ying had good character and was a man of integrity. Now, seeing this, it only confirmed that impression.
Thinking about it from another angle: Ji Ying was a disciple of Great Emperor Miao Dan and a member of Alchemist Valley. Even if he hadn't apologized to Yang Kai before, there was little Yang Kai could have done about it unless he was truly willing to risk offending Alchemist Valley.
That alone was reason enough. Despite his distinguished background and lofty status, Ji Ying didn't carry the false arrogance that most alchemists had. Combined with his standing as an Emperor Alchemist, if he could become Lingxiao Palace's Chief Alchemist, then Yang Kai would never need to worry about the Sect's spirit pill supply again.
He could even have Ji Ying train a batch of alchemists for Lingxiao Sect!
A Sect's development couldn't depend on one person alone. Only by attending to every aspect could one truly move forward.
"If Palace Master Yang insists, then I have no objections," Ji Ying said in a deep voice, tinged with the frustration of having his goodwill treated as a donkey's liver.
As he spoke, he produced a pile of herbs and divided them into two portions. Looking at Yang Kai, he said, "Both sets are ingredients for refining Emperor Yuan Pills — identical in quality and age. Please inspect them, Palace Master Yang."
Yang Kai smiled. "I trust Grandmaster Ji's character."
"Then pick one!" Ji Ying said.
Yang Kai casually selected one. Ji Ying's reputation and standing spoke for themselves — even if he intended to beat Yang Kai, he would do it fairly and squarely through alchemy, never stooping to underhanded tricks.
Seeing Yang Kai so relaxed and at ease, Ji Ying felt inexplicably irritated. He snorted coldly. "In that case, let's begin. Palace Master Yang is an Emperor Alchemist, so you must have your own pill furnace? Need me to lend you one?"
"No need," Yang Kai replied with a smile, shaking his head.
Since this was a contest of alchemy, it naturally had to be a public showdown — no hiding or holding back. Without even moving to another location, he set up right there in the main hall.
Ji Ying tossed something casually, and a three-legged pill furnace flew out, landing steadily on the ground. The moment the furnace appeared, a peculiar fragrance filled the hall — like orchid mingled with musk, invigorating the spirit. The furnace was ancient and unadorned, clearly well-aged, with dragon heads rearing up on each end, so lifelike they seemed ready to move. They appeared to be the mechanism for adjusting the furnace fire, and the interior was covered with dense, intricate rune patterns that made one's head spin at a single glance.
An aura of Emperor's Intent spread outward!
"What a furnace!" Yang Kai's eyes lit up, full of admiration.
As fellow alchemists, they shared a special fondness for fine pill furnaces. The moment Ji Ying brought this one out, Yang Kai knew it was extraordinary. And judging by the fragrance emanating from it, Ji Ying must have refined countless pills with this furnace — they had likely achieved a state of unity between man and furnace.
"This is the worst furnace I have," Ji Ying said proudly.
Bringing out his worst one was simply because he didn't want an unfair advantage — and because he was confident in his own abilities.
Yang Kai nodded slightly and raised his hand, tossing out his own pill furnace.
This furnace shimmered with an all-encompassing purple glow, and the moment it appeared, Emperor's Intent also radiated outward — clearly a furnace of the same tier as Ji Ying's. Both were Emperor-grade pill furnaces. This gave Ji Ying a start; he hadn't expected Yang Kai to have such resources either.
But on second thought, if Yang Kai truly was an Emperor Alchemist, having an Emperor-grade furnace was only natural.
The only thing that puzzled Ji Ying was that this furnace... seemed somehow familiar.
He was certain he'd never seen this particular furnace before — if he had, he would have recognized it immediately.
With the showdown imminent, he didn't have time to dwell on it. He quickly settled his mind. Even though his opponent was a young man who didn't know his own limits, he wouldn't be careless in the slightest — even when a lion hunts a rabbit, it uses its full strength.
Bringing out his true skill and defeating Yang Kai comprehensively — that was the only way to show proper respect for the art of alchemy and to answer his master's years of teaching.
"Shall we begin?" Ji Ying said with a solemn expression, turning to look at Yang Kai.
Yang Kai was about to nod when he suddenly looked to the side and smiled. "Sect Master Mi and Palace Master Li, would you care to place a bet as well?"
"We can bet too?" Mi Qi and Li Jiao exchanged a glance, clearly surprised and pleased.
"You've come all this way — surely you don't intend to leave empty-handed?" Yang Kai said with a smile, looking at them.
"Fine!" Mi Qi said with a low shout. "We'll place a bet! Though I wonder how big a bet Palace Master Yang can handle?"
"As big as you want — you could even bet the foundation of your entire Sect if you like," Yang Kai said nonchalantly.
"What..." Mi Qi and Li Jiao's expressions changed the moment they heard this, startled by Yang Kai's words. Betting the foundation of their Sects — that was far too extreme. While both Mi Qi and Li Jiao had been eager to kick Yang Kai while he was down and carve a few slices of flesh from him, the thought of wagering their entire Sects' foundations had never crossed their minds.
Even with absolute confidence in Ji Ying, they wouldn't dare make such an extravagant wager.
"Too scared, are we?" Yang Kai regarded them with contempt.