Battle Through the Heavens: I can solidify the talents of all things

Chapter 82, Spirit Realm Ascension!

The audience erupted in an even more intense uproar and gasps than before!

Even though many people don't understand alchemy, they know that what they are seeing has completely overturned their understanding of alchemy!

This has completely transcended the scope of "skill" and is almost a manifestation of "Tao"!

On the viewing platform, President Fama was too shocked to speak. He leaned on the railing, his body slightly forward, his cloudy old eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

"Using fire as a cauldron to refine medicine in the void—this—this requires an astonishing level of control over flames? And an incredibly refined mastery of soul power?"

Fama muttered to himself, his heart filled with turbulent emotions.

This alchemy technique was only vaguely recorded in some extremely ancient books, and was unheard of in reality!

This was a level that no young alchemist present, including himself, could ever reach!

For some reason, watching Xiao Qing's smooth and effortless alchemy techniques...

A strange sense of familiarity suddenly welled up in Fama's heart.

It's as if I've seen a similar charm in some vague fragment of memory from a long, long time ago.

But that memory was too distant, like a thick layer of dust covering it, and no matter how much Fama tried to recall it, he couldn't grasp that glimmer of inspiration.

Decades ago, a mysterious, black-robed powerhouse passed through the Gama Empire and casually gave Fama three days of guidance, laying the foundation for his lifelong alchemy skills—a debt of gratitude he owed him.

But as time goes by, that memory has gradually faded.

"Pharaoh, are you stunned?"

Hai Bodong crossed his arms, his tone slightly sarcastic, but his gaze toward Xiao Qing was full of pride, as if Xiao Qing were his own junior.

"This is nothing! It's just a small test! Fifth-grade pills are child's play for him, let alone a mere second-grade one!"

Able to concoct fifth-grade pills with ease?!

Fama was shocked again, and turned to look at Hai Bodong with disbelief in his eyes.

He originally thought that Mittel Tenzan's statement that "his talent is no less than that of Furukawa" was already a very high compliment, but he never expected that the reality would be far more exaggerated!

How can this be considered "not inferior"?

This is a world of difference, a complete and utter crushing defeat!

"Old Man Bing, Chief Tengshan."

Fama's voice was slightly hoarse. He took a deep breath and asked the question that had been weighing on his mind for a long time.

"Just what rank is this young friend Xiao Qing, an alchemist? With his abilities, he far surpasses the scope of this conference. Why then does he choose to participate in this alchemist conference?"

Mittel Tengshan took over the conversation and explained, "President Fama, young friend Xiao Qing has come with a very clear purpose: he is here for the prize of this tournament champion—that rare medicinal herb that can enhance or restore soul power."

He paused, then turned his gaze to Hai Bodong, and said with a wry smile, "As for what grade of alchemist young friend Xiao Qing is—I'm afraid you'll have to ask Elder Hai, as I don't know for sure."

Seeing Fama's intense gaze, Hai Bodong no longer concealed anything and said directly, "Xiao Qing successfully refined a fifth-grade peak pill, the Spirit Restoration Purple Pill, for me several days ago," with a quality reaching the top grade three patterns.

"In my opinion, refining sixth-grade pills is absolutely no problem for him!"

"Sixth-rank...sixth grade?!"

Fama gasped, her body swaying slightly, and she needed to hold onto the railing to steady herself.

He looked at the young figure in the square, his eyes filled with extreme shock and a hint of bitterness that even Fama himself did not notice.

"A mere ten-year-old—a sixth-grade alchemist—and possesses a strange fire—this—this is simply—"

He, Fama, had lived most of his life and devoted all his efforts to reaching the peak of the fifth rank, but the threshold of the sixth rank seemed impossibly far away.

But the boy in front of him had already reached a height that he could only look up to.

At that moment, Fama felt as if he had wasted all these years, and an indescribable, complex emotion welled up in his heart.

"It seems that the champion of this Alchemist Tournament is practically a foregone conclusion."

Fama sighed deeply, his tone filled with relief and a touch of historical感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of deep emotion or reflection) as if he were witnessing history.

Although Mittel Tengshan was mentally prepared, hearing Hai Bodong confirm that Xiao Qing was at least a sixth-grade alchemist still sent shockwaves through his heart, followed by immense joy.

He made the right bet!

Investing in Xiao Qing will be the most correct and immeasurably rewarding decision the Mittel family has made in nearly a century!

Compared to the shock in the audience, the alchemists in the alchemy plaza felt it more directly and intensely!

Because they understood better than anyone what everything Xiao Qing was showing meant!

The technique of refining medicine in the void, and the strange fire that made all other fires submit, were all challenging the limits of their understanding!

Gu He stared intently at the spinning cyan flame cauldron in Xiao Qing's palm, his eyes filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment that almost materialized and burst forth!

Strange Fire!

That was the most precious medicine he had ever dreamed of and had been searching for but could never obtain!

Guhe never expected that this boy, whom he regarded as a "rival," would so easily possess everything he desired. This huge psychological gap almost drove Guhe crazy.

However, while everyone was still immersed in the unparalleled shock, Xiao Qing's refining was nearing its end.

Suddenly, the cyan flame cauldron in Xiao Qing's palm began to spin faster, emitting a dazzling cyan light that illuminated the surrounding space.

Immediately afterwards, the flaming cauldron changed shape, transforming back into a gentle Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, which silently receded back into Xiao Qing's body through his palm.

As the flames subsided, a perfectly round pill with a vibrant green color floated quietly in Xiao Qing's palm.

On the surface of the pill, there were three clear cloud patterns, radiating a soft and pure energy fluctuation, as well as a powerful aura that far surpassed that of a second-grade pill!

Xiao Qing completed the task in less than a quarter of the allotted time of one hour.

Following Xiao Qing, Gu He also successfully refined a Grade 2 Qi-Boosting Pill with his solid foundation. The pill was of superior quality, which drew another wave of cheers from the audience.

Subsequently, some promising young alchemists also completed their alchemy and successfully advanced to the next level.

Many others, however, failed in the refining or condensing stage due to nervousness or lack of skill. The cauldron emitted a burnt smell, and they could only leave disappointed.

At this moment, President Fama slowly walked down from the viewing platform and personally came to Xiao Qing's stone platform.

The highly respected president personally went down to inspect the items, immediately attracting everyone's attention.

"Young friend Xiao Qing, I am Fama, the president of the Alchemist Guild of the Jia Ma Empire."

With a warm and solemn smile on his face, Fama spoke to Xiao Qing.

At this moment, Fama had completely placed Xiao Qing on a position equal to his own, or even higher.

"President Fama, hello."

Xiao Qing looked at the nominal "senior brother" in front of him, his expression calm, and nodded slightly.

Fama carefully took the cyan pill from Xiao Qing's hand, and immediately felt a warm yet powerful medicinal force.

He examined it carefully, sensing it with his soul power. The more he probed, the more shocked Fama became.

"This—how is this possible?!"

Fama couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

"The recipe provided is clearly for a second-grade Qi-boosting pill! Why—why is the purity of the medicinal power and the energy fluctuations of the pill you refined—clearly at the level of a third-grade pill?! You—you actually forcibly upgraded the pill's grade during the refining process?!"

Fama's voice trembled slightly with excitement.

He casually refined a grade two pill formula into a grade three pill!

This is not just a skill, but an achievement that is almost like "turning the rotten into the magical"!

This requires an unparalleled understanding of medicinal properties, mastery of flames, and the application of soul power.

The people around the square who heard President Fama's exclamation fell into a deathly silence once again, before erupting into an even more fervent wave of discussion.

Gu He stood in front of his stone platform, his face turning pale and then red. Compared to Xiao Qing's "third-grade" Qi-boosting pill, the superior second-grade Qi-boosting pill he had refined instantly paled in comparison.

Guhe clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms. The sense of defeat and powerlessness almost consumed him.

The result is self-evident.

Fama took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and channeled his soul power. His loud and authoritative voice once again resounded throughout the square: "The first round of the competition is over! After evaluation, contestant Xiao Qing has successfully refined a Grade Three Qi-Boosting Pill!"

"Quality, top-notch!"

Therefore, the winner of the first round is Xiao Qing!

As the words fell, thunderous applause and cheers erupted, this time mostly dedicated to the young man in blue who had created the miracle.

Fama surveyed the square and continued to announce: "All successful qualifiers are requested to arrive promptly at 1:00 AM tomorrow for the final round of the competition!"

"The final round will be the grand final. The rules are as follows: Each contestant should bring their own medicinal materials and refine the highest-grade and most skilled pill that they currently possess!"

"The final decision on this tournament's champion will be made by the guild's elders!"

This was clearly a rule adjustment made by the guild on short notice, intended to allow top geniuses like Xiao Qing to fully demonstrate their abilities and to make the competition results more convincing.

For most young alchemists, it might be better to end this "torturous" tournament sooner rather than later.

Because of Xiao Qing's existence, it was like an insurmountable, towering mountain, creating a fault-like crushing force.

Even the exceptionally talented Guhe paled in comparison.

A young alchemist, at least a sixth-rank level, possessing a strange fire and with miraculous alchemy skills, came for the champion's reward, the "Soul-Soothing Flower".

Everyone understood that the outcome of this tournament was already a foregone conclusion from the moment Xiao Qing made her move in the first round.

That "Soul-Soothing Flower," capable of nourishing the soul, is destined to become the possession of this mysterious young man.

This alchemist conference will surely be recorded in the annals of the Jia Ma Empire because of Xiao Qing's sudden emergence.

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