Chapter 75: Could He Be Here to Embarrass Us?

Li Jiansan said, "Very well, let's compete in alchemy and see who can finish the process faster."

"We'll make the most basic Coagulation Pill."

The Coagulation Pill was used to treat external wounds, so it was not particularly difficult to refine. As soon as Li Jiansan finished speaking, several disciples quickly gathered the necessary ingredients.

Once all the herbs were prepared, one disciple announced, "The contest begins now. Whoever completes their pill in the shortest time wins."

Zhao Junshan immediately began, sorting his herbs into categories before lighting his furnace and feeding the ingredients in one by one. Once the fire was lit, he maintained a steady, even flame, and the temperature inside the cauldron rose swiftly.

Li Jiansan, observing Zhao Junshan’s movements, was not surprised. He formed a series of hand seals and sent a stream of fire into his own pill cauldron. As his control shifted, the flame he channeled into the cauldron grew steadily more intense.

"What a domineering flame!"

The moment Li Jiansan summoned his fire, a surge of wild, blazing energy filled the air, startling those nearby.

"That boy can control spiritual fire!"

"And it's a particularly fierce one."

"What kind of spiritual fire is that? I've never seen anything like it."

Several onlookers frowned, voicing their confusion. Clearly, Li Jiansan’s fire was unfamiliar to them.

"Hmph, spiritual fire? It's just some tricked-up flame," Zhao Junshan said with a hint of doubt. "Spiritual fire is so rare—how could he possibly have obtained one so easily?"

After Zhao Junshan spoke, the others relaxed a little. It seemed impossible, after all, that such a treasure could fall into this boy's hands. In the entire Alchemists’ Guild, only Master Mo had ever mastered a spiritual fire. The idea that this boy could possess one was simply out of the question.

Still, the flame summoned by Li Jiansan was undeniably powerful.

Under their astonished gazes, Li Jiansan calmly added his ingredients to the cauldron one after another. Then, his hands shifted, and a surge of crimson energy flashed into the furnace.

Immediately, the temperature within soared, and the herbs began to fuse together.

Witnessing this, the crowd cried out in surprise.

"Isn't that the Scarlet Flame Control Art—an alchemical technique only first-tier alchemists can use?"

"Wait, how does this boy know a first-tier alchemist’s technique? Has he already become a first-tier alchemist?"

The Scarlet Flame Control Art infused one’s spiritual energy into the cauldron, raising the temperature and speeding up the alchemy process. It was precisely this technique that Li Jiansan had just performed.

"Interesting," someone murmured, stunned by Li Jiansan’s skill. "Look at the way he wields the Scarlet Flame Control Art—his proficiency is truly astonishing."

"Indeed. He must have learned it long ago; there’s no other explanation for such mastery."

"He learned it early? How is that possible..."

Zhao Junshan’s face darkened at their remarks, and he scoffed, "Hmph! The Scarlet Flame Control Art? That’s nothing to brag about. I’ve been playing with that trick for years."

He, too, sent a surge of spiritual power into his cauldron, mimicking the technique. However, his proficiency was clearly inferior to Li Jiansan’s.

Casting a challenging glance at Li Jiansan, Zhao Junshan said, "Kid, you’re not the only one who knows the Scarlet Flame Control Art. I’ve already mastered it."

Seeing that Zhao Junshan could also perform the technique, the crowd watched him with interest.

"Look, Zhao Junshan can use it as well!"

"Hmph, I bet Zhao Junshan’s control is even better than that boy’s."

"No, no—watch closely. That boy’s technique is far more refined. He’s nearly finished forming the medicinal paste!"

The previous commentators now looked on in surprise.

Li Jiansan paid them no mind, immersing himself fully in the art of alchemy. His hands shifted again, transforming into another sequence.

"That’s... the Duality Alchemy Art!"

The disciples around him gasped once more.

"That’s a second-tier alchemist’s technique! How can he..."

"He’s mastered the Duality Alchemy Art? Does that mean... he’s already a second-tier alchemist?"

"How could this be? He just joined, and he’s already a second-tier alchemist? It’s unthinkable..."

With that realization, they all stared at him in shock, exchanging incredulous glances.

This... how could this be possible?

A second-tier alchemist at such a young age defied all reason.

Even now, they found it hard to believe.

On the other side, Zhao Junshan’s expression also turned grim. "Impossible. That boy learned the Duality Alchemy Art? Then he must already be..."

"Hmph. Even so, he can’t possibly surpass me."

He quickly forced himself to regain his composure.

Duality Alchemy Art, is it? I refuse to believe my technique is inferior to yours.

"Buzz!"

Zhao Junshan moved both hands together, attempting to perform the same art. But his skill was a far cry from Li Jiansan’s.

By now, Li Jiansan had no interest in engaging with him further. He changed his hand seals once more.

A golden fire dragon suddenly burst from Li Jiansan’s palm, coiling through the air with awe-inspiring might.

The instant the golden dragon appeared, the temperature of the entire space surged, making many present feel faint from the heat. Under Li Jiansan’s control, the fiery dragon plunged into the cauldron, and only then did the temperature begin to drop.

Seeing this, the surrounding disciples’ pupils contracted sharply, their expressions growing complex and dazed.

"The first-tier Scarlet Flame Control Art, the second-tier Duality Alchemy Art... but this..."

"The techniques he used before, we could barely follow, but this one—we’ve never seen anything like it."

"And I’ve never seen any of the three grandmasters perform such a technique."

"Could it be a third-tier technique? One that even the three grandmasters haven’t mastered?"

"Is this boy’s talent truly so extraordinary..."

"Is he here just to shame us all..."

"This is really awkward..."

Everyone stood gaping, unable to utter a single sound.

A technique none of the three grandmasters had mastered, and this boy could wield it?

How high must his talent reach?

It was beyond imagination...

After a moment, someone finally spoke up, "No, no, perhaps it’s just an obscure second-tier technique, one we’ve never seen. After all, the grandmasters rarely perform second-tier techniques now, so it’s natural we haven’t witnessed them."

After this explanation, the crowd quickly accepted it. The idea that Li Jiansan had mastered a technique unknown even to the three grandmasters was simply too shocking.

Even so, their eyes betrayed deep apprehension.

"But still, for him to command such an elusive technique—do you think Zhao Junshan stands a chance of winning?"