Entering the Immortal Path, Mastering the Hundred Arts: Chapter Forty-Five - A Single Pot Stew

There were over a hundred alchemists participating in this competition.

However, those capable of refining first-grade superior Spirit-Enhancing Pills could be counted on one hand.

Upon hearing the preliminary round's requirements, most low-grade alchemists felt deeply helpless and were forced to forfeit.

On the competition platform, with more than half of the contestants gone, the space appeared much more vacant.

The spectators were filled with deep emotion.

"The competition for the lease rights this year is much more difficult than in previous years!"

"Indeed! In past preliminary rounds, as long as one could refine a first-grade intermediate pill, there was a very high probability of advancing."

"I reckon that first place in this preliminary round will likely be contested between Alchemist Mo and Alchemist Tian."

"I wouldn't be so sure. Have you all forgotten that Alchemist Shan, the one who refined the Kunyuan Pill, is also participating in the preliminary rounds?"

Hearing this, the crowd turned their gazes toward the section of the platform where Li Feng was located.

"Eh? Why hasn't Alchemist Shan started his furnace yet?"

"He was probably exhausted on the proprietor's lap last night and hasn't fully recovered his wits yet, haha."

Everyone knew that Hongling, the proprietor of the Spirit Herb Pavilion, possessed a captivating and alluring beauty.

While they teased him verbally, inwardly they were filled with envy.

Half an hour of the preliminary round had already passed.

Li Feng was still intently organizing the materials he would need.

Hongling stood to the side and advised, "Fellow Daoist Li, refining dozens of portions of materials simultaneously carries far too much risk. It would be better to proceed step by step."

To save trouble, Li Feng had decided to brew everything in a single batch.

Doing so required formidable spiritual sense and a sufficient foundation of rich experience to support it.

The slightest lapse in attention could result in the destruction of the pills and even cost the alchemist his life.

Looking across the entire arena, which alchemist wasn't honestly practicing the method of using one portion of materials per furnace?

"Rest assured, Sister Red. I never casually attempt things I am not confident in."

Li Feng was full of confidence.

When he provided pills to the Spirit Herb Pavilion on ordinary days, he used this exact same refining method.

Moreover, his success rate was very high, at least seventy percent.

With Hongling assisting him, the success rate could increase by another twenty percent.

Seeing that she could not persuade him, Hongling had no choice but to let him have his way.

Li Feng walked over to the three-legged alchemy furnace.

After familiarizing himself with its structure, he tossed several second-grade Flame-Incinerating Talismans into the firebox to warm up the furnace.

Batch refining required a much higher flame temperature.

Flames generated solely through the transformation of spiritual qi could not reach the specified standard.

Therefore, Li Feng needed to borrow some external force.

Sharp-eyed and knowledgeable spectators on the grandstands cried out in astonishment.

"Oh my, as expected of a master alchemist, he really spares no expense!"

"This is the first time I've ever seen talismans used as fuel. How rare!"

"Those are second-grade Flame-Incinerating Talismans! A single one is worth a hundred spirit stones. Only an alchemist would dare to be so prodigal!"

The crowd watched with jaws agape.

Li Feng's behavior was akin to burning money to make a fire—both extravagant and wasteful.

Li Feng was fully focused and paid no attention to the surrounding discussions.

Midway through, the occasional sound of an exploding alchemy furnace echoed across the estate, adding a touch of liveliness.

"Sister Red, charge the materials!"

At his command, Hongling poured dozens of portions of materials into the alchemy furnace in precise order.

Li Feng immediately released his spiritual sense, firmly taking control of all the materials.

Once the flames rose, the shapes of the spiritual herbs gradually shriveled and twisted.

Hongling's spiritual sense was also constantly monitoring the situation inside the furnace.

Whenever a certain type of material reached the refining standard, she would take over and transfer it into the auxiliary furnace, thereby reducing Li Feng's burden.

The two of them worked together with tacit understanding.

In less than a quarter of an hour, all dozens of portions of materials were completely refined.

Not a single issue arose along the way.

Hongling wiped the sweat from her brow, regulated her breathing, and swallowed a Spirit-Restoration Pill to replenish her spiritual power.

Merely assisting with the alchemy had almost exhausted all her energy.

She looked at Li Feng, whose expression remained completely normal, and felt a wave of deep emotion.

Such an overloaded consumption was something ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators could hardly endure; she truly had no idea how he managed to persist.

Seeing that she was exhausted, Li Feng took over all the remaining alchemy procedures entirely.

Next came only the steps of pellet formation and division.

Outsiders could no longer lend a hand.

At this moment, all the surrounding spectators were completely captivated by Li Feng's crazy behavior.

Mo Yurong and Tian Wuqing, the two second-grade alchemists, stopped what they were doing and cast shocked gazes over.

Mo Yurong muttered to herself, "If only this lunatic belonged to the Mo family!"

Tian Wuqing's expression remained gloomy and unsightly throughout the entire process.

He had originally thought he would be the protagonist of the day.

Who could have imagined that someone else would steal all the spotlight.

Another two hours passed.

The pills began to take initial shape, though their surfaces were still quite rough.

Li Feng once again tossed dozens of Flame-Incinerating Talismans into the firebox.

The temperature inside the furnace rapidly climbed to twice its previous level.

This action caused a sharp pang of heartache among the surrounding spectators.

Under the intense heat, the previously rough pills gradually grew round and lustrous.

"Form the pills!"

As Li Feng's words fell, Hongling waved her sleeve, and a hundred jade bottles appeared before their eyes.

Pills the size of human heads slowly drifted upward from within the alchemy furnace.

The rich fragrance of the pills drifted outward in the wake of their ascent.

The spectators flared their nostrils, utterly intoxicated.

As a pill meant for enhancing one's cultivation realm, the Spirit-Enhancing Pill's fragrance inherently contained dense spiritual qi.

Cultivators bathed within it felt all their fatigue instantly swept away.

Li Feng had no spare attention to give to the reactions of the people around him.

Taking advantage of the moment before the pills fully cooled and solidified, his spiritual sense transformed into invisible blades, dividing them into a hundred equal portions and precisely casting them into the jade bottles.

Hongling sealed the jade bottles and tallied them one by one.

"Fellow Daoist Li, this batch of alchemy has yielded a total of two07 Spirit-Enhancing Pills!"

Hongling wore a radiant smile, her mood exceptionally pleasant.

Up to this point among all the alchemists, the one with the highest number of furnace operations was Tian Wuqing of the Broken Sword Villa, who had refined a total of twelve Spirit-Enhancing Pills.

The quantity of Li Feng's pills was more than a dozen times greater than his.

Thunderous applause erupted from the stands.

Following this preliminary round, Li Feng's reputation completely spread throughout Anhe City.

Many cultivators secretly plotted how to establish a good relationship with Li Feng.

Being acquainted with such an alchemist, even just bragging about it outside, would bring immense prestige.

Five hours passed amidst the fervent reactions of the crowd.

All the alchemists ceased their actions.

Luo Hu ordered people to collect the Spirit-Enhancing Pills into a single location and dismissed the spirit herb masters who had assisted with the refining.

Due to the overwhelming quantity of pills, inspecting their quality would take some time.

During this timeframe, the alchemists were granted ample opportunity to rest.

However, according to the competition rules, alchemists were not permitted any contact with the outside world to prevent cheating during the second round.

Alchemists were allowed to exchange insights with one another, without overly restrictive limitations.

Following a courtyard servant, Li Feng entered a small courtyard.

The other alchemists were likewise entertained by dedicated personnel, and Luo Hu had managed these meticulous details exceptionally well.

The small courtyard where Li Feng stayed had a second-grade gathering spirit array set up within it; the spiritual qi was reasonably abundant and offered some assistance in recovering spiritual power.

Just as he finished familiarizing himself with the surrounding environment, a knock sounded at the courtyard gate.

Upon receiving Li Feng's permission, the servant welcomed the guest inside.

Seeing the visitor, Li Feng felt somewhat surprised.

He had expected it to be Mo Yurong, but instead, it was Tian Wuqing of the Broken Sword Villa.

Tian Wuqing stood tall and straight, extraordinarily handsome, and bowed deeply toward Li Feng.

"Alchemist Shan, please forgive Tian for this abrupt intrusion."

"What are words like that, Fellow Daoist Tian? Those who arrive are guests, please take a seat!"

Li Feng invited him to sit, and the servant poured spiritual tea.

Tian Wuqing came from a prominent background, possessed outstanding aptitude, and having been pampered since childhood, rarely lowered his posture to this extent.

Facing Li Feng, he felt utterly awkward and uncomfortable for a moment.

Yet, considering the important matter at hand, he had no choice but to endure it.

"Alchemist Shan, coming to disturb you like this, I have a favor to ask."

"Does Fellow Daoist Tian wish for me to forfeit the competition?"

Although he had not interacted with Tian Wuqing in the simulations, it was not difficult to guess his intentions.