Volume One, Chapter 129: Have a Match Against Me

The disciple from Qianquan Temple on stage was clearly displeased. With a stern expression, he said, “Since this spirit master from the Secret Kingdom doubts the strength of our Qianquan Temple, why don’t we have a competition?”

Tim sneered, “I’m not a spirit master specialized in alchemy. If you want to challenge me in pill-making, isn’t that just bullying with your status? So this is how spirit masters from Huaguo operate—truly eye-opening.”

“You…” the disciple from Qianquan Temple seethed inwardly, but found no way to retort.

Chi Xingwan slowly stepped onto the stage and said to Tim, “I’m not specialized in alchemy either. How about I compete with you?”

Tim’s eyes flashed wildly as he saw Chi Xingwan. “Isn’t this the Super A-rank spirit master from Huaguo? Are you challenging me, a B-rank spirit master?”

The sarcasm was thick, implying that Chi Xingwan was trying to bully him with her rank.

Chi Xingwan scoffed, “Of course I know there’s a huge gap between a B-rank and a Super A-rank spirit master—a gap that could fill the entire Pacific Ocean.”

The crowd burst into laughter, making Tim’s neck flush red with anger.

“So, you admit you’re bullying others with your status?”

“Why rush?” Chi Xingwan said calmly. “I haven’t even said how we’ll compete yet.”

Chu Fangfei shouted, “Spirit master from the Secret Kingdom, you’re yelling before even knowing the terms of the competition. Are you scared?”

The crowd started jeering, and Tim felt a bit unsettled. Things were spiraling beyond his expectations.

“Hmph, when did I ever admit I was scared?” Tim said, forcing a tough front.

Chi Xingwan immediately said, “Oh, almost wrongly accused you. Since that’s the case, come up and let’s compete.”

Tim was dragged onto the stage against his will, his heart fluttering nervously.

Chi Xingwan pondered and said, “We’ll compete in refining the Earth Core Fire Pill. For a B-rank spirit master, it’s not difficult.”

The Earth Core Fire Pill helps spirit masters draw fire energy from the earth to enhance their power. Its refinement is much more demanding than a Concentration Pill, but still manageable for a B-rank spirit master.

When Tim heard the name of the pill, his brow twitched slightly. Though not an alchemist, he knew some alchemy techniques.

Moreover, he specialized in fire-element spirit power, and the Earth Core Fire Pill was exactly the type of pill he had recently refined the most.

But he suspected Chi Xingwan knew this, and had deliberately chosen the Earth Core Fire Pill as part of some scheme.

“Why are you silent? Oh, don’t tell me you can’t refine pills at all? If so, sorry to bother you, you can step down,” said Chi Xingwan naturally.

Tim straightened his neck and said, “Spirit masters from the Secret Kingdom all develop toward versatility. Alchemy is trivial to me.”

Chi Xingwan’s lips curled slightly. “If that’s the case, then let’s compete.”

Someone promptly prepared the materials. Soon, two sets of materials of equal quality were handed over. Chi Xingwan gestured for Tim to choose first.

Even though the materials were of the same grade, there were subtle differences. Tim unhesitatingly picked the better batch.

At this point, backing down was impossible. Tim felt a little reassured. No matter Chi Xingwan’s tricks, he believed he wouldn’t lose in refining the Earth Core Fire Pill.

The timer began. Tim immediately threw the materials into the pill furnace, then held his breath, focused his spirit power into the furnace. At that moment, he entered a meditative state, oblivious to the surrounding noise.

The disciple from Qianquan Temple had already stepped down but kept watching Tim closely. Seeing him enter meditation, he furrowed his brows deeply.

Chu Fangfei, less experienced in alchemy than the Qianquan disciple, asked humbly, “Senior brother, is he really that strong?”

The Qianquan disciple replied, “From what I see, he’s definitely skilled.”

Chu Fangfei felt a twinge of worry. She knew Chi Xingwan was formidable, especially in theory during classes, but had never witnessed her alchemy skills.

Meanwhile, Chi Xingwan was staring at the materials on stage without moving.

The spirit masters from Huaguo in the audience were sweating nervously. “Why isn’t Consultant Chi starting? Alchemy competitions are timed. If the pills’ quality is equal, the one who finishes first wins.”

“I never heard Consultant Chi can refine pills.”

“Consultant Chi wouldn’t challenge on a whim. I mean, she’s powerful but still very young.”

“What if we lose? Won’t those bastards from the Secret Kingdom gloat endlessly?”

Listening to the whispers, Chu Fangfei felt uneasy too.

At that moment, Chi Xingwan began moving. Her spirit power extended, touching the materials as she sighed, “Don’t people process materials before refining pills nowadays?”

The disciple from Qianquan Temple was momentarily taken aback but instinctively replied, “Different traditions have different methods. Our Qianquan Temple processes materials, but some do not.”

Chi Xingwan said, “Processing materials is better—it speeds up refinement and improves pill quality.”

Non-specialist spirit masters wouldn’t grasp the significance of those words, but the Qianquan disciple understood. Watching Chi Xingwan’s deft handling of the materials, he widened his eyes, seizing every chance to learn secretly.

By the time the materials were prepared, Tim was already halfway through his process. The crucial moment of pill formation was next—once the pill formed, his refinement was complete.

The Qianquan disciple said from experience, “At this pace, the spirit master from the Secret Kingdom will finish the pill in half an hour—no, twenty minutes.”

His heart tightened as he shifted his gaze back to Chi Xingwan, nearly dropping his eyeballs in shock.

Chi Xingwan had already thrown her processed materials into the furnace and divided her spirit power for refinement.

He watched as Chi Xingwan’s spirit power split into two, then four, and then—he became dazed. The spirit power was divided so finely, like strands of hair, it was impossible to count.

“How many strands of spirit power are there? I can’t keep track,” the Qianquan disciple murmured.

Everyone present was stunned by Chi Xingwan’s technique.

Even without being an alchemist, they knew how difficult such delicate spirit power manipulation was. The Earth Core Fire Pill required that much spirit power. Tim only divided his into four strands, but Chi Xingwan…

“Amazing. No wonder she’s a Super A-rank spirit master. Even without counting spirit power reserves, her control alone is beyond anything we could reach in a lifetime.”

“Consultant Chi is terrifying. With so many strands of spirit power, twenty minutes is more than enough.”

“Twenty minutes? I think ten minutes might be enough.”

As it turned out, Chi Xingwan was even faster than anyone expected. Five or six minutes later, a fragrant aroma wafted from her pill furnace.