Chapter 7: Alchemy Duel

Words : 1798 Updated : Feb 26th, 2025

A high-tier alchemist challenging an unranked alchemy cultivator—this instantly set the entire hall abuzz. "Mr. Caleb is about to advance to Alchemy Master. His alchemical techniques are far superior to Abel's." "Exactly! Abel isn't a certified apprentice and has never studied alchemy at the Elixir Pavilion. Who knows where he learned his makeshift alchemy skills? How could he possibly compete with Mr. Caleb's proper training?" "If it were me, I wouldn't take the challenge. Fifty middle-grade Body Refining Pills is a guaranteed win." "But the stakes Caleb is offering are way too tempting. I'd risk it all just for a shot at that prize!" The crowd was abuzz with discussion. Significantly few people believed in Abel—most were sure he was doomed. Abel hesitated for only a moment, but before he could respond, Denver jumped in first. "A friendly exchange between fellow alchemy cultivators—why not?" Abel frowned slightly. A "friendly exchange"? That was just a way to pressure him into accepting. Denver was cunning. Still, fifty low-grade Spiritual Energy Pills were hard to refuse. Unlike other pills that enhanced a warrior's cultivation through medicinal potency, Spiritual Energy Pills contained pure, condensed spiritual energy. Warriors could absorb it directly, though the efficiency depended on their absorption ability. The pills were tailor-made for Abel, who practiced the Nine Dragons Unified Technique and required immense spiritual energy. Low-grade Spiritual Energy Pills were nonexistent in Sunway City and rare even in Aspor. It was said that only the elites in the capital city had access to them, making them incredibly precious. Initially, Abel had no interest in competing with Caleb. It would be a waste of time. The alchemical knowledge he inherited was vast and profound, likely from some great master. Compared to him, even a Level Nine Alchemy Master would be insignificant, let alone a high-tier alchemist like Caleb. A duel between them was as lopsided as a rock against an egg—pointless. However, Abel couldn't pass up the fifty Spiritual Energy Pills. Just as Abel was about to speak, Denver, afraid he might refuse, shamelessly upped the ante. "I'll throw in fifty middle-grade Body Refining Pills as well. If you win, they're yours." "Deal!" Abel laughed and agreed on the spot. Next, the two sides decided on the type of pill they would refine. Caleb chose the True Essence Pill. Abel accepted. Many in the crowd shook their heads, feeling sorry for Abel. The True Essence Pill was a Level Two Pill, far more difficult to refine than a basic Body Refining Pill. Caleb was a high-tier alchemist on the verge of becoming an Alchemy Master. He had successfully refined True Essence Pills before. Meanwhile, Abel was just a self-taught alchemy cultivator. With his crude techniques—barely managing to refine a single pill from ingredients meant for nine—there was no way he could compete. He was doomed. Caleb and Denver exchanged glances, seeing the same gleeful expression in each other's eyes. Abel had walked right into their trap. Abel saw everything and remained calm, but inside, he was laughing. "You two think you've set me up? You'll soon find out who's falling into the pit." Soon, two cauldrons and two sets of True Essence Pill ingredients were placed before Abel and Caleb. The alchemy duel began. Caleb swiftly ignited his Kindling Flame, beginning the warming process for his cauldron. His technique was precise and methodical. He adhered strictly to every step—warming, ingredient selection, extraction—and executed it flawlessly, carrying the demeanor of a true master. In contrast, Abel lounged in his chair, not even bothering to light his flame, looking as if he was about to give up. Denver chuckled. Abel had already lost his confidence—this was over. Then, a surge of alchemical fire flared up the next moment, and Denver's smug smile froze. A flame, a whole foot long, ignited in Abel's palm, roaring into the air. "Truefire!" The crowd erupted in shocked cries. Caleb's pupils shrank, his face paling. Only an Alchemy Master could use Truefire. Could Abel be an Alchemy Master? "Caleb, focus!" Denver snapped, noticing Caleb's distraction. "Fire control is just one part of alchemy. Even if Abel has Truefire, that doesn't mean his techniques are good. Your Level Two techniques are refined—you're guaranteed to win!" At that moment, on the top floor of the Elixir Pavilion, a door suddenly opened. A striking woman in a black robe strode out in a hurry, rushing downstairs. Her robe bore a gold elixir symbol beneath seven long red stripes—an imposing sight. "Strange… A small-town Elixir Pavilion, yet I sensed Soulfire? Could a supreme alchemist be here?" What Abel had ignited wasn't Truefire—it was something even stronger: Soulfire. At a glance, Truefire and Soulfire appeared similar, but they were worlds apart. Truefire burned red. Soulfire burned violet and was far hotter. Most importantly, an Alchemy Master couldn't use Soulfire—only a supreme alchemist could. Denver was merely a Level One Alchemy Master and had never seen a supreme alchemist before. Naturally, he and the others failed to recognize Soulfire, mistaking it for Truefire. As Soulfire blazed, Abel entered full alchemical mode. Unlike before, he had casually refined a single middle-grade Body Refining Pill to humor Caleb. This time, with high stakes on the line, he took the process more seriously. Abel tossed all the ingredients into the cauldron, refining them together. His fire control was flawless, and he precisely executed the liquefaction, fusion, and sealing stages. Before long, the pill-forming process was complete. Meanwhile, Caleb was still meticulously extracting each ingredient. A full hour later, Caleb finally finished forming his pills, and both were ready to open their cauldrons. "Refining quickly doesn't mean anything," Caleb sneered. "You didn't even follow the proper steps. Even if you produce pills, their quality will be poor." Then, with a confident smirk, he opened his cauldron. A rich fragrance spread through the air, filling the hall with a refreshing aroma. Inside Caleb's cauldron—six failed pills, three successful ones. Among them, one was perfectly round and glossy. "Three successful pills: two low-grade, one middle-grade!" Denver announced loudly. "The failure rate for True Essence Pills is high. It's common to end up with mostly failed pills, so refining three in one batch is an excellent result." "Mr. Caleb even produced a middle-grade True Essence Pill. That's Alchemy Master-level skill, comparable to Mr. Denver." "As expected of Sunway City's most talented alchemy cultivator!" A chorus of admiration erupted from the crowd. People looked at Caleb with newfound respect. "You still haven't opened yours," Caleb taunted, seeing Abel standing motionless. "Are they all duds, and you're too embarrassed to show them?" Abel barely spared him a glance. "A single middle-grade pill, and you think that's impressive?" With that, he reached out and opened his cauldron. Dense waves of pill energy burst forth, flooding the Elixir Pavilion with an intoxicating aroma. As the haze of pill energy dispersed, the cauldron's contents became visible. In an instant, Caleb and Denver froze. Everyone in the hall was starstruck. Abel had successfully refined nine pills. Each one is perfectly round, radiant, and of a richer hue than Caleb's middle-grade pill. Denver swallowed hard and forced out a trembling voice. "Upper-grade True Essence Pills!"

Chapter 7: Alchemy Duel

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