Chapter 46: The Perfect Elixir

Next, Li Jiansan opened the pill furnace.

In an instant, a burnt scent spread throughout the arena.

It was fragrant, the kind that made your mouth water.

“What is this? I really thought he’d refined a pill.”

“So it was just a pile of burnt stuff.”

“Tsk, he sure knows how to put on a show. Let’s see how he explains this one.”

A wave of ridicule crashed toward Li Jiansan from all directions.

While the crowd jeered, the faces of the old masters on the stage grew tense.

At that moment, Yang Zishuo, who had been watching with amusement, stepped forward.

“Heh, I told you to get off the stage. Why do this to yourself? Trying to save face, but I bet it hurts, doesn’t it?”

“Why are you still pretending? Your pill is ruined,” Yang Zishuo sneered coldly.

Li Jiansan replied with a playful smile, “Who said my pill is ruined?”

“With intelligence like yours, I’m worried for you.”

Yang Zishuo bristled, “What did you say?”

Li Jiansan ignored him. With a wave of his hand, a perfectly round pill flew from the furnace.

Everyone around was dumbfounded.

Just now, a strong scent of burning had clearly filled the air.

What was happening now…?

“What’s going on? You cheated! Your pill was ruined just now—there’s no way you’re not cheating!”

Yang Zishuo couldn’t believe his eyes. He pointed at Li Jiansan, shouting,

“He’s cheating! Disqualify him—yes, throw him out!”

Xu Fu shot Yang Zishuo a glare. “Silence!”

Yang Zishuo froze. Could it be that the boy really had refined a pill?

Impossible!

Absolutely impossible. There’d definitely been a burnt smell just now—how could a pill have been made?

Xu Fu looked at Li Jiansan with deep meaning.

Though there had been a burnt scent, there was also an underlying fragrance.

Others might not know, but he was well aware.

Normally, a harsh burnt smell from the furnace meant almost certain failure.

But if the burnt scent carried a hint of fragrance, the situation was entirely different.

That was a sign the medicinal powers had fused perfectly—a hallmark of a flawless pill!

Generally, pills were classified into six grades: low, intermediate, high, peak, and perfect.

After examining the pill, Xu Fu’s voice trembled slightly. “It’s… it’s a perfect pill!”

A perfect pill!

In such a short time, Li Jiansan had not only refined a pill, but it was of the highest grade.

As the verdict rang out, the crowd erupted into chaos.

“He actually… he actually refined a pill!”

“And it’s perfect!”

“This guy is a monster! Good heavens, he really produced a perfect pill!”

“And he’s only in his teens! A boy this young making a perfect pill—what terrifying talent!”

“Is he a demon? With his skill, even some second-rank apothecaries can’t match him!”

Those competing with Li Jiansan for apothecary apprentice positions were all thoroughly dispirited.

Especially those who had mocked him before—their faces turned especially sour.

They had just ridiculed him, and in the blink of an eye, Li Jiansan had refined a pill.

And not just any pill—a perfect one.

They had to exhaust themselves just to make a single pill, always on edge for fear of a single misstep.

But this freak, Li Jiansan, had made a perfect pill!

What made it even more infuriating was his air of ease, as if he hadn’t even tried his hardest.

At this realization, everyone stared at Li Jiansan in utter shock.

“This…”

Yang Zishuo’s face was unsightly.

A teenager capable of refining a perfect pill—surely an unprecedented genius in the history of the Apothecary Guild.

Yet he had just insulted such a prodigy.

A perfect pill—he himself might never achieve one, even with another three or five years of study.

And he’d called this genius a waste.

Now, this boy had refined a perfect pill.

His slap to the face stung, burning hot.

Heaven help him—this was beyond absurd.

Yang Zishuo’s body went rigid; he wanted nothing more than to find a hole to crawl into.

On the other side, Master Jin was also shaken, his eyes wide with shock.

He had just dismissed Li Jiansan as a poser, completely ignorant of pillcraft.

But the result—

Li Jiansan had produced a pill.

And a perfect one at that!

Master Jin’s face burned with shame, as if scorched by fire…

At this moment, Master Qi could no longer contain himself.

With a whoosh, he approached.

With an eager look, he gazed at Li Jiansan. “Young man, I want you as my disciple!”

As soon as he spoke, every face in the crowd changed with astonishment.

Their breathing quickened—they could hardly believe their own ears.

Master Qi wanted to take Li Jiansan as his disciple, and from his expression, he seemed afraid the boy might refuse.

It was unbelievable.

It turned their understanding upside down.

Master Qi was one of the three chief apothecaries of the Kingdom of Jiang—a figure no one dared provoke.

Yet now, such an eminent man wanted Li Jiansan as his pupil.

It was like a sparrow turning into a phoenix overnight!

What luck this fellow had!

As everyone reeled from shock, another figure descended from the high platform.

He landed beside Li Jiansan with a kindly expression.

“It’s Master Jin—he’s making his move too…”

Some were so stunned at the sight of Master Jin that they could not utter a word.

The moment these figures appeared, the crowd recognized them.

These were the three chiefs of the Apothecary Guild, the undisputed giants of the association!

They were rarely seen—legendary figures—yet today all three had appeared.

Everyone’s heart pounded with excitement.

What could have drawn these titans here?

“Boy, are you willing to become my disciple?” Master Jin asked urgently, as if afraid someone might snatch Li Jiansan away.

Master Qi’s eyes were practically glowing as he fixed his gaze on Li Jiansan, even using a coaxing tone, “Young man, become my disciple—I guarantee you won’t regret it.”

Heavens!

When had the three giants of the Apothecary Guild ever tried to convince someone to be their disciple?

Usually, people would do anything to become their students.

But now…

“They’re after Li Jiansan’s talent—that’s why they’ve all come,” Xu Fu thought, his expression complicated. All he could do was watch enviously as Li Jiansan was fought over; in the presence of these masters, he didn’t even have the right to compete.

The crowd was left reeling in astonishment.

“Wait—where is Master Mo?”

“Where is Master Mo…”

People craned their necks, searching. When they finally saw Master Mo, the clamor abruptly ceased.

For Master Mo seemed to have entered a profound state of enlightenment.

“That old fellow seems to be having a breakthrough…” Master Jin and Master Qi paused, turning to look.

No wonder he hadn’t joined the scramble—he was ascending to a new level.

“But how could he suddenly have an insight?” Master Qi wondered. “Could it be that the boy’s technique inspired him?”

“Impossible. We all saw it—why didn’t we have the same realization?” Master Jin said, incredulous.

Master Qi replied calmly, “We’ll only know when he awakens.”

Watching Master Mo, Master Jin spoke in a grave tone, “Look—his soul power is rising. He’s about to break through!”