C20 Just Play Around!
All eyes were fixed on Jiang Xiaofan. They found it hard to believe that his seemingly suicidal method of pill refining could actually produce a viable pill!
Jiang Xiaofan wiped the sweat from his brow. As the pill furnace opened, a surge of Spiritual Qi, rich with the scent of the pill, wafted through the air, enveloping everyone in a comforting warmth.
The Spiritual Qi, concentrated from a hundred spiritual herbs, was incredibly potent. Even Chu Zhu, who had earlier scorned the proceedings, felt a weight in his chest. He stared at Jiang Xiaofan, incredulous, wondering, "What on earth is he concocting? How can it possess such immense Spiritual Qi?"
The examiners proceeded to Qian Dongdong of the Nine State Pharmacy, moving from left to right. They examined the pill he had refined and announced, "Ninth Grade of the Yellow Level Heart Rejuvenating Pill, high-grade quality!"
The Heart Rejuvenating Pill was known for its mind-stabilizing effects, particularly useful during breakthroughs to higher realms. This high-grade pill was certainly a valuable find.
Elder Zhang Zhiyuan of the Taixu Pavilion held up his bidding plate and offered, "500 Copper coins."
500 Copper coins was the going rate for a Ninth Grade Yellow Level pill. Not to be outdone, Elder Ling Yi of the Divine Wind Sect raised his plate, bidding "800 Copper coins."
"800 Copper coins, do we have any further bids?"
The mayor inquired respectfully to the five attendees, but the silence was telling. Understanding the situation, he declared, "Elder Ling of the Divine Wind Sect bids 800 Copper coins. The bidding is closed!"
The examiners made a note of the sale and then approached Su Jinsong, stating, "Tenth Grade of the Yellow Level Heavenly Sea Pill, low-grade quality."
The Heavenly Sea Pill was effective for Martial Qi recovery, but its low-grade status was disappointing. Su Jinsong had been overly ambitious; it wasn't uncommon for a Ninth Grade Pharmacist to overreach when attempting a Tenth Grade Yellow Level pill.
After a brief pause and no bids from the judges, the mayor announced, "Su Jinsong's pill from the Hundred Spirit Medicine Hall remains unsold. Should the next pill also fail to sell, it will result in elimination! Next, please!"
Several examiners stood before Chu Zhu, examining the white pill in their hands. After a moment, they all nodded in approval and declared, "A high-grade, Fifth Grade of the Profound Level Essence Gathering Pill!"
Such a pill, especially of high-grade, was a rare treasure. Even within the sect, few could produce a Fifth Grade of the Profound Level pill of such quality. As such, the value of this pill was unquestionably high.
In the spirit of the disciple competition, the master was eager to stir the waters. He opened the bidding with, "50,000 copper coins!"
The Medicine Controlling Sect's Imperial Inspector couldn't contain himself, quickly raising his bidding plate and announcing, "80,000 copper coins!"
The Divine Wind Sect followed with "100,000 copper coins!" and the Seven Luminaries Sect upped the ante to "200,000 copper coins!" Not to be outdone, the Taixu Pavilion bid "220,000 copper coins!"
The bids soared until the Seven Luminaries Sect's Elder He Jingwen secured the pill for 350,000 copper coins, setting a towering standard for the competition's first round.
Chu Zhu glanced at Jiang Xiaofan with a smug look, taunting under his breath, "What do you have to compete with me?"
The examiners approached Jiang Xiaofan next, inspecting his pill—a translucent, pale blue creation, gleaming with an inner light and exuding a delicate fragrance, indicative of the rich spiritual energy within.
The first examiner's face registered shock upon handling the pill, and the second mirrored the reaction. The others were similarly taken aback. With the room falling silent, the mayor cleared his throat pointedly and urged, "Esteemed examiners, please, make your announcement."
With complex looks of bewilderment, envy, and admiration, the examiners conferred briefly but were at a loss. Finally, they announced, "A First Grade of the Profound Level pill, of an unknown type, but of the highest quality!"
"Top quality? Impossible!" came the incredulous responses.
"How could such a pill be refined with his method?"
"I suspect the examiners are falsifying the results!"
"I have my doubts too!"
"I have my doubts too!"
...
The crowd simply couldn't believe that a pill refining method they had never witnessed could actually produce a top-tier pill.
Seeing the skepticism among the onlookers, the mayor stepped forward to inspect the pill himself. After a moment of surprise, he declared, "Since the examiners are uncertain about the pill's significance, let's have the five judges make the call."
He then presented the Hundred Cold Pill to the judges with both hands. As each judge examined the pill, their astonishment was unmistakable. Their gazes collectively turned to the young boy on stage, no more than fifteen or sixteen years old.
They couldn't fathom that someone so young could craft such a pill! If he were taken on as a disciple, he would undoubtedly surpass Chu Zhu's realm in less than three years!
Soong Linfeng, an elder from the Ocean Pavilion, recognized the potential immediately. He knew that taking Jiang Xiaofan as a disciple would elevate his status within the Pavilion to new heights. If he couldn't turn the boy to his advantage, then he must not be allowed to remain free!
After much contemplation, Soong Linfeng resolved to investigate further, thinking, "This young man might be from the Jiang family. A visit to the Jiangs in the coming days seems necessary to gather more information."
"The Hundred Cold Pill! Crafted from a hundred stalks of Frigid Spirit Grass, it's a pill of the Profound Level, long thought extinct. This could very well be the sole existing Hundred Cold Pill in the Spirit Brilliance Realm! Its effects are profound: refining cold into heat, fortifying the foundation, and protecting the fields. The potency of a top-grade Hundred Cold Pill could even rival that of an Eighth Grade Profound Pill." Ling Yi from the Divine Wind Sect held Jiang Xiaofan in high regard. His introduction, while factual, also cleverly elevated the pill's prestige.
With no objections from the other four judges, the crowd had an epiphany—Jiang Xiaofan was the master!
He truly had the ability to refine an elite pill, one that could even match the prowess of an Eighth Grade Profound Pill!
Ann Yunshan and Ann Xiaobai's anxiety dissipated, replaced by smiles. The entire Skilled Hand Medical Hall rejoiced for Jiang Xiaofan, sharing in the excitement of his remarkable achievement.
The Pharmacy Conference was poised to make a splash!
The Imperial Inspector didn't hesitate, lifting the wooden sign and announcing, "I bid 100,000 copper coins!"
Ling Yi's lips quirked in a smirk. This superior pill offered far more to his cultivation than the common Element Gathering Pill. He came prepared with ample funds and confidently countered, "500,000 copper coins!"
A collective gasp echoed through the crowd. The second bid had already outstripped Chu Zhu's! It was an unprecedented event in many years!
Chu Zhu's complexion soured to the shade of liver, his displeasure palpable.
He was irked by Jiang Xiaofan stealing the spotlight that should've been his!
Even more vexing was the fact that he, the Chu family's prodigy, was now outshone by an obscure upstart!
The Seven Luminaries Sect wouldn't back down either, declaring, "600,000 copper coins!"
"800,000 copper coins!" came the bold bid from Taixu Pavilion, flaunting their wealth.
"One Silver Coin!" The Imperial Inspector escalated the stakes to Silver Coin currency, drawing another sharp intake of breath from the onlookers.
For many present, a Silver Coin was something they had never encountered in their lifetimes. The Royal Capital's Medicine Controlling Sect was undeniably dripping with wealth!
A First Grade Profound Level pill typically fetched 10,000 copper coins, yet now it commanded a price a hundredfold higher! The crowd was awestruck, and the tension mounted as even the five judges seemed tempted to enter the fray.
"Two Silver Coins!" Ling Yi, though it pained him, made his bid. With only 50 Silver Coins to his name, he was putting his entire wealth on the line. Su Waner, at the tenth level of the Spirit Martial Stage and on the verge of seclusion, would find the Hundred Cold Pill invaluable in her push to the Profound Martial Stage. He was determined to secure it for her!
"Three Silver Coins!" The Imperial Inspector wasn't backing down.
"Four!" Ling Yi followed suit, his determination etched in his clenched jaw.
"Five!"
"Six!"
The judges remained silent, witnessing the fierce bidding war between Ling Yi and the Imperial Inspector. The First Grade Hundred Cold Pill had reached a selling price 600 times its norm, far surpassing their expectations. Despite the pill's remarkable benefits, it was, after all, just a Profound Grade pill. They couldn't fathom Ling Yi's willingness to spend so extravagantly for his disciple's advancement.
The Imperial Inspector's inflated bid wasn't out of desire for the Hundred Cold Pill, but rather to curry favor with Jiang Xiaofan. Winning over Jiang would make it easier to ally with him. Sadly, as a mere Second Grade official, his financial means were limited. Spending lavishly in the initial round left him with little to play with later on, resulting in his defeat at the hands of Ling Yi.
At that moment, the plaza fell silent. For decades, the Pharmacy Conference had never seen a pill fetch more than 2.2 million copper coins, equivalent to 2 silver coins. Now, Jiang Xiaofan's first pill had shattered the record!
With the Imperial Inspector bowing out and the other three elders showing no interest in bidding, the mayor announced loudly, "Jiang Xiaofan of the Wonder Hand Medical Hall, with his First Grade Profound Level Hundred Cold Pill, has set the price at 6 silver coins, taking the lead. The first round of the finals is now concluded! We'll take a brief intermission before commencing the second round!"
Returning to the Wonder Hand Medical Hall's area, Jiang Xiaofan was greeted with a standing ovation. Disciples rushed to offer him tea and water, and to massage his shoulders and legs, eager to show their respect.
Ann Yunshan's gaze on Jiang Xiaofan was tinged with emotion, his eyes glistening with tears. "Xiaofan, you've truly saved our Wonder Hand Medical Hall!"
Jiang Xiaofan, scratching his head with a sheepish grin, replied, "Elder Ann, please, I was merely having a bit of fun."
Merely having fun! The onlookers were nearly apoplectic with disbelief!
For most, crafting a Profound Grade pill was the culmination of decades of effort, yet Jiang Xiaofan treated it as a casual pastime. The injustice of it all!
Initially, Jiang Xiaofan really had been just dabbling. But upon realizing the lucrative potential of being a pharmacist, he dedicated himself to mastering the art of alchemy.
His return to the Jiang family, despite his Spirit Martial Stage prowess, wasn't enough. He could only contend with Jiang Tianyang and Jiang Lun of the Outer Sect. The Inner Sect boasted even stronger youth, including those at or beyond the Profound Martial Stage. So, no matter how advanced Jiang Xiaofan's own realm became, he would always face stronger adversaries. But as a pharmacist, he had a unique edge.
Once Jiang Xiaofan became a Pharmacist—a profession of scarcity—and particularly a Profound Level Pharmacist, the Jiang family would undoubtedly prioritize his protection. It was only by securing a role as a Pharmacist or a Weapon Refiner that he could establish a solid footing within the family.
With a firm position, Jiang Xiaofan could devote himself to cultivation, accelerating the advancement of his realm. Without this security, he found it difficult to put his mind at ease, especially concerning Jiang Nianrui.
After consuming several Clear Jade Pills to restore his Martial Qi, the mayor's voice boomed, announcing the commencement of the finals' second round.
Jiang Xiaofan was tasked with crafting a First Grade Profound Level pill in this round as well. His previous success with the Hundred Cold Pill had propelled him to the top of the rankings. With a lead of 3.8 Silver Coins over Chu Zhu, there was no need for Jiang Xiaofan to push himself to the limit in this round.
