The wager had fallen into a deadlock. The second and third rounds had become nothing but vestigial — neither Pill King Ji Lang nor Jiang Chen would make a move.
With neither side willing to act, the second and third rounds were rendered entirely meaningless.
Jiang Chen had originally proposed three rounds to decide the outcome, specifically to guard against Pill King Ji Lang matching him in the refinement phase. Since the man couldn't even manage a draw in the first round, the second and third were entirely unnecessary.
Still, Jiang Chen had to admit that Pill King Ji Lang was truly the strongest Pill King he had encountered since first entering the world.
Using a mediocre pill furnace and ordinary pill fire to refine a superior-grade Longevity Pill was no small feat.
After all, from the other party's refinement process, it was clear that Elder Yun Nie had deliberately introduced certain errors into the refinement details. Even so, Pill Fire City had still managed to improve upon the formula and produce a Longevity Pill of this caliber. One had to admit — Pill Fire City's foundation in alchemy was truly second to none.
That kind of foundation was something the Glazed Glass Royal City was far from matching.
The wager ended on such a dramatic note that the judges felt a touch of disappointment. They had genuinely wanted to see whether the Longevity Pill could be refined using other formulas. But with neither side making a move, they were left itching with curiosity and utterly powerless.
With the outcome decided, the chief judge announced: "The dispute over the Longevity Pill is hereby settled. From this day forward, the Longevity Pill belongs exclusively to Peacock Sacred Mountain. No major force within the human domain may refine it. Any violation shall constitute plagiarism, and the Glazed Glass Royal City reserves the right to pursue all damages."
These judges were all titans of alchemy, their word absolute law within the human domain.
With their announcement, the battle over the Longevity Pill drew to a final close.
From the peak to the base of Peacock Sacred Mountain, thunderous cheers erupted once more. For the mountain, this outcome was absolutely perfect.
Henceforth, the Longevity Pill was the exclusive product of Peacock Sacred Mountain — its exclusive business.
The charm and potential of the Longevity Pill would undoubtedly send shockwaves through the pill market of the human domain.
If they seized this opportunity well, it would carry profound significance for the Glazed Glass Royal City's expansion in the realm of alchemy.
With the wager concluded, the Great Emperor of Myriad Peacocks clasped his fists and smiled. "You all came from afar — you must stay a few more days on Peacock Sacred Mountain. Give this Emperor the chance to play host."
"Of course, of course. Your Majesty — this Longevity Pill, might this old man be bold enough to ask for one? As a keepsake?"
The Great Emperor of Myriad Peacocks glanced at Jiang Chen with a smile.
Jiang Chen understood that the Great Emperor wanted to build good relations with these alchemy titans. He had no objections and replied with a smile: "It is entirely Your Majesty's decision."
"Your generous support in coming to grace Peacock Sacred Mountain is truly appreciated. These few Longevity Pills — take whichever ones you like and divide them among yourselves. If that is not enough, stay a few more days and we shall refine a few more batches, delivering them one by one. No one will leave empty-handed."
The Great Emperor of Myriad Peacocks could hardly wait for these people to extend their stay.
These were all titans of alchemy, representing various factions of the Glazed Glass Royal City. If he could forge good relationships with them, it would be enormously beneficial for the city's future strategic layout in alchemy.
However, this calculation of the Great Emperor of Myriad Peacocks was, naturally, quite displeasing in the eyes of the Great Emperor Pill Pinnacle.
How could the Great Emperor Pill Pinnacle fail to see that the Great Emperor of Myriad Peacocks was poaching his people, building connections, and laying the groundwork in alchemy to challenge Pill Fire City?
But the Great Emperor of Myriad Peacocks was the host. Wanting to keep his guests a few days longer didn't seem at all improper, and the Great Emperor Pill Pinnacle had no grounds to interfere.
After all, every one of these alchemy titans had their own forces behind them, representing the top-tier powers of their respective regions.
Though the Great Emperor Pill Pinnacle held a lofty and powerful position, he had no authority to command these people.
So he gave a sly laugh. "Brother Peacock, this Emperor has long admired your Peacock Sacred Mountain. It is rare to make it here this time. The alchemy exchange is a minor matter — what truly matters is visiting old friends and basking in the glory of your Peacock Sacred Mountain."
He was shamelessly inviting himself to stay!
In the most charitable reading, he wanted to pay homage to Peacock Sacred Mountain.
In the least charitable, he intended to surveil and intimidate the alchemy titans — to tell them: don't go flirting with the Glazed Glass Royal City. In the realm of alchemy, Pill Fire City still calls the shots. This little exchange over the Longevity Pill was nothing more than a bit of harmless entertainment.
With Pill Fire City's people wanting to stay, the Great Emperor of Myriad Peacocks naturally could not refuse.
Jiang Chen's mission was complete, and he had thought he could leave. But the alchemy titans who remained each grabbed hold of him, refusing to let him go.
Clearly, everyone was filled with curiosity about this young Pill King Zhen and eager to get to know him better.
All of them were sharp-eyed. From this young Pill King Zhen, they saw a kind of alchemy potential that came along perhaps once in a thousand years.