Marrying Wives and Attaining Immortality in a Chaotic World

Chapter 341: Cloud Pattern Barrier Breaking Pill

“Then let’s have a pill refining competition.”

The Fifth Prince immediately made his decision. At this point, there was no other choice.

Origin Tracing Light, an ultra-high-grade controlled cultivation resource, was something that even the most powerful factions had limited stockpiles of. As a legitimate prince, he didn’t have much of it either.

He had originally planned to use the ten strands of Origin Tracing Light as a reward for Zhao Ming, intending to win over Chi Sui’s alchemist disciple. But who could have expected Qin Feng to suddenly appear? Somehow, Qin Feng had guessed that the box contained ten strands of Origin Tracing Light.

Fortunately, Qin Feng was also a disciple of Chi Sui. More importantly, Zhao Ming’s pill refining skills were superior to Qin Feng’s. Unless something unexpected happened, Zhao Ming should be able to secure the ten strands of Origin Tracing Light without any issues.

Although his covert arrangement had encountered this hiccup, overall, it wouldn’t affect the outcome.

“Junior Brother, what kind of pill shall we compete in refining?”

Zhao Ming stepped forward from his seat, his gaze coolly fixed on Qin Feng.

Pill refining was his forte, and every word and action of his exuded confidence. 

“I entered the sect earlier than you, and most of the pill refining techniques you’ve learned were taught by me. So as not to take advantage of you, I’ll leave the choice of which pill to refine entirely up to you.”

“It’s up to Senior Brother to decide. As long as it’s something I know how to refine, I’m fine with it.”

Xu Lian rose from his seat and gave Zhao Ming a respectful bow, conveying Qin Feng’s apparent deference toward his senior.

Thankfully, Xu Lian had thoroughly grilled Qin Feng beforehand, learning all about his pill refining techniques and formulas. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have known how to compete with Zhao Ming and would have had no choice but to forfeit the Ten Strands of Origin Tracing Light.

But now that he had directly absorbed Qin Feng’s pill refining knowledge and formulas, instantly achieving mastery, it didn’t matter how skilled Zhao Ming was. This round… the advantage was on their side.

Upon hearing Qin Feng’s seemingly casual response, Zhao Ming felt a wave of irritation. Most of Qin Feng’s pill refining skills were taught by him. No matter which pill they chose, he was confident that he could refine it better than Qin Feng. Yet, Qin Feng let him choose – was that arrogance? Or had Qin Feng already given up?

If Qin Feng intended to give up, he should’ve admitted his defeat outright. There would be no need for a competition. Therefore, Zhao Ming concluded that Qin Feng was mostly mocking him!

“This Qin Feng… outwardly, he is respectful to me as his senior brother, but inwardly, he doesn’t take me seriously at all.”

Although his heart grew cold with anger, Zhao Ming’s face remained calm. “Since neither of us cares which pill we refine, let’s choose Master’s unique creation – the Cloud Pattern Barrier Breaking Pill.”

“Agreed.”

Xu Lian readily accepted. The Cloud Pattern Barrier Breaking Pill was an auxiliary pill. Cultivators could take it just before a breakthrough to help dispel mental barriers and avoid falling into a state of demonic possession.

While its grade wasn’t particularly high, the difficulty of refining it was immense, heavily testing one’s technique and control over the flame.

This was a pill where the difficulty of refinement far exceeded its grade, making it perfect for showcasing skill-or for a competition.

“Minister of Revenue Zhao Ming and Minister of Revenue Qin Feng will compete in refining the Cloud Pattern Barrier Breaking Pill. Begin!”

Having recovered from his earlier fear, the Chief Eunuch hastily announced the start of the competition in a dramatic tone, hoping to make amends for his earlier blunder.

The Fifth Prince glanced at the Chief Eunuch but said nothing. This Chief Eunuch had been assigned by the Empress Dowager to manage all the affairs of his estate, so his loyalty wasn’t in question. Otherwise, he might have suspected the eunuch of leaking information about the Ten Strands of Origin Tracing Light to Qin Feng ahead of time.

Zhao Ming extended one hand, flipped his palm, and produced a green-colored pill furnace. A blazing true flame erupted from his palm, while his other hand retrieved various medicinal herbs. Without any delay, he began the refining process.

“Wait, are you going to refine the pill by hand?” Xu Lian interjected. “I didn’t bring a pill furnace, and I don’t have the herbs needed to refine the Cloud Pattern Barrier Breaking Pill.”

“That’s easy to resolve,” the Fifth Prince replied. “There are some pill furnaces and various herbs stored in the treasury of my estate. I’ll have someone take you to select what you need.”

Zhao Ming continued to refine as he spoke, “There is no need to bother the Fifth Prince. I have a spare pill furnace in my storage pouch, as well as the necessary herbs to refine the Cloud Pattern Barrier Breaking Pill.”

With that, Zhao Ming waved his hand and produced several pill furnaces along with a pile of medicinal herbs.

Using 【Items】 and 【Skills】, Xu Lian selected one of the pill furnaces and gathered the necessary herbs to refine the Cloud Pattern Barrier Breaking Pill. Following the recipe precisely, he began refining it just as Zhao Ming had done.

The nobles and ministers all watched the two competitors intently. Although they didn’t fully understand alchemy, they could sense the gravity of the situation and were content to enjoy the spectacle.

As time passed…

A strange medicinal fragrance wafted from the pill furnaces in Zhao Ming’s and Xu Lian’s hands. Above their furnaces, clouds of mist began to coalesce into strange phenomena, creating an awe-inspiring sight.

Zhao Ming looked at the mist phenomenon above Xu Lian’s furnace and was struck by lightning. His pupils contracted violently, and his entire demeanor shifted. Unable to contain himself, he exclaimed, “Ten Cloud Phenomenon?! How is this possible?!”

Ning Meixue was also stunned, muttering under her breath, “Ten clouds…”

The nobles and ministers felt utterly baffled, unsure of what it meant. All they could see was that Zhao Ming’s kiln showed eight clouds, while Xu Lian’s showed ten. What did this mean?

“Impossible!”

Zhao Ming roared furiously, “Even if Master personally refined this pill, the maximum would only be nine clouds! How could you reach ten? This isn’t real-you’re cheating!”

“…” Xu Lian couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. Inadvertently, he had surpassed the creator of the Cloud Pattern Barrier Breaking Pill. After all, Chi Sui had invented this pill – no one understood it better than Chi Sui… except perhaps someone with extraordinary abilities like him.

Ning Meixue’s autumn eyes narrowed suspiciously. “In the process of refining the Cloud Pattern Barrier Breaking Pill, the number of cloud phenomena directly determines the grade of the pill. Based on Master’s previous refinements, nine clouds is the absolute limit. How could Junior Brother produce ten?”

After hearing her explanation, the nobles and ministers finally grasped the significance of the situation. As they mulled over its implications, their expressions grew increasingly strange. Had Qin Feng’s alchemy skills surpassed those of Master Chi Sui?

Although, to be precise, this statement wasn’t entirely accurate.

It would be more correct to say that in terms of refining the Cloud Pattern Barrier Breaking Pill specifically, Qin Feng had truly surpassed his teacher – “the student surpasses the master”.

“Sss!”

Many people took a cold breath in amazement. Even if Qin Feng had only excelled beyond Chi Sui in refining this single type of pill, it was still an incredible achievement.

After all, although alchemy and cultivation were different in some aspects, they also had similarities. Consider a combat technique, for instance: if a disciple could wield it better than the master who created it, what did that indicate?

It indicated that this student was exceptionally talented!

“You must be cheating-I refuse to believe that your pill actually shows ten cloud patterns!”

Zhao Ming’s eyes were bloodshot, his molars clenched tightly together. On the surface, he appeared to be questioning Xu Lian’s alchemical prowess, but deep down, his heart had already sunk. A sinking feeling overwhelmed him, even though much of his protestation was self-consolation.