During past pill battles, most had victory and defeat decided by the fourth match. Right now, five matches had passed, and it was still a tie. Within this City Lord Xin’s term of office, it was truly unprecedented.
It was just that victory and defeat hadn’t been determined. During the true pill battles, who would have one more person and who would have one fewer person?
After murmuring to himself, City Lord Xin said uprightly: “Since an outcome hasn’t been determined, it would be better to have one more match.”
Xu Lingxiu heard this, and his brows rose: “All of my side’s people have been used up. I’m afraid that having one more match wouldn’t be appropriate.”
City Lord Xin quickly had an idea. The moment he heard Xu Lingxiu’s doubts, he coaxed: “Junior Xu misunderstands. My idea is that the final match will be between Junior Gu and my son Xin Qiu.”
Xu Lingxiu’s expression shifted: “Oh? Right now, the younger generation Junior Sect Brother Gu has already won. Obviously… Could it be that this City Lord will also gift this final match to my Qingyun Sect?”
City Lord Xin laughed out loud and said: “Not at all. If we are to compete, it naturally must be a fair competition. My idea is that my City Lord’s Mansion and your noble Sect will set out three pill prescriptions. At that time, my son will draw one prescription from your noble Sect’s pool, and the noble Sect’s Junior Gu will draw one from my City Lord’s Mansion’s pool. Then, it’ll all rely on luck. The two will refine their own drawn pill prescription, and we’ll compare the results. What does Junior Xu think?”
Xu Lingxiu reflected on this, and aloofly nodded his head: “Since it’s like this, we’ll do it according to the City Lord’s words.”
City Lord Xin twirled his mustache: “Very good.”
After they finished speaking, both sides respectively took out brushes and ink. Amid the rustling of paper, they wrote out the pill prescriptions.
Qingyun Sect and the City Lord’s Mansion had large quantities of pharmacists. The number of pill prescriptions they each knew was also very high. Every time during the pill battles prior to the Pill Battling Assembly, they’d often exchange pill prescriptions — For example, the medicine runners of the City Lord’s Mansion recorded medicinal herbs, and the pill battles weren’t concealed in the least, letting others view the process of the pill refining. Both of these had the intention of an exchange. Presently, it was just an exchange of one more pill prescription. Neither side objected.
Although it was impossible to show off the more precious ones, this kind of mutual exchange allowed both sides to become top-notch powers along the path of medicine refinement.
When Gu Zuo finished hearing City Lord Xin and Xu Lingxiu’s decision, he blinked his eyes.
So to say, he had to refine an unfamiliar medicinal pill? Would it be decided by drawing straws? But this kind of matter would never pose a problem for him. On the whole, the spectacle of him exploding his cauldron occurred very rarely. This was generally because his mood had some fluctuations. He wasn’t the tiniest bit worried about medicinal pills that only suited mid-level pharmacists!
He would definitely beat that Xin Qiu!
Gu Zuo’s inflated self-confidence was somewhat close to bursting.
If he lost against someone the same age as him under equal circumstances, then he was better off going back to selling sweet potatoes!
Once the pill prescriptions were written, City Lord Xin then asked: “Xin Qiu, are you confident?”
Xin Qiu’s expression wasn’t pressured. During normal times, he’d frequently use new pill prescriptions to train himself at home: “This child shall do his best!”
On the other side, Xu Lingxiu also asked: “Junior Sect Brother Gu, are you confident?”
Gu Zuo nodded: “When I refined medicine previously, I’d always figure things out by myself and the pill production rate would still be pretty good.”
Xu Lingxiu nodded as well. Following which, his tone of voice slightly raised: “Speaking of which, I’ve neglected you in the past. Junior Sect Brother Gu, don’t hesitate to use whatever skills you have. You need to understand that the stronger your abilities, the more things I’m able to give to you.”
Although Gu Zuo felt that he didn’t need any of the things Xu Lingxiu could give, he was still grateful towards Xu Lingxiu’s intention. Hence, his complexion straightened up, and he stated: “I won’t let Senior Sect Brother Xu down.”
Both sides were in agreement. The medicine runners stationed next to both pill cauldrons then each delivered three balls of paper to the two people. They were allowed to grab one paper ball.
Gu Zuo looked at the paper balls, and didn’t use his psychic power to cheat. He just straightforwardly grabbed the one on the left. In any case, his name was Gu Zuo. So it was easy to grab it.
Xin Qiu also made his selection right away.
The two opened up their paper balls, and the pill prescriptions within were revealed.
The pill prescription Xin Qiu obtained was the Heart Protection Pill.
When martial artists cultivated certain martial skills, it was common to have the internal qi and blood to generate enormous impactive forces. This easily injured the heart, which was responsible for pumping the qi and blood to all parts of the body. A moment of carelessness would make it easy to rupture the heart, causing oneself to drop dead. As for the effects of this kind of pill, it strengthened and protected the heart during cultivation, allowing one to smoothly practice the martial skill to completion.
Of course, after a martial artist reached the Immortal Realm, the recovery ability of one’s own body was very powerful. The heart also wouldn’t be hurt by the qi and blood so easily. As a result, while the Heart Protection Pill’s medicinal effects looked very awesome, it was still a pill that suited Xiantian Realm martial artists. The degree of difficulty in refining it also wasn’t low, and it wasn’t much lower than the Steadfast Heart Pill.
When Xin Qiu looked at this pill prescription, his eyes flashed with a trace of awkwardness.
Suddenly, others realized that Xin Qiu hadn’t refined this medicinal pill before… He was a complete novice to this prescription.
Meanwhile, the pill prescription written in the paper ball that Gu Zuo opened up was the Facial Restoration Pill.
When Gu Zuo looked at this pill prescription, his entire face had nearly drooped in exasperation. This Facial Restoration Pill was one that gave a person plastic surgery! There was no need to bring up the range of application. Because Xiantian Realm martial artists fought and brawled with others, their faces would be disfigured — For instance, for whatever reason, a section of their face was ruined and couldn’t be healed by a Revitalization Pill, or a Xiantian’s facial features weren’t outstanding enough and they were dissatisfied. All of them could use this medicinal pill to give themselves a complete makeover.
…It might as well be called the Plastic Surgery Pill.
Gu Zuo didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
The medicinal pill that the other guy got was the Heart Protection Pill. One would know it was high-end just by listening to its name. The pill he got was a chicken rib. Generally speaking, aside from some women who wished to appear beautiful, very few people would care about this one!
After heaving a sigh, Gu Zuo silently read the pill prescription.
Okay. This Facial Restoration Pill was actually a type of treatment medicine, too. Its primary purpose wasn’t plastic surgery. Rather, it expelled any negative states from one’s head. After all, the six yang meridians converged in the head. The pill’s main function wasn’t really to make one beautiful… And the refining method was also complicated.
Of course, as Gu Zuo had already followed Gongyi Tianheng for a long time, his acting skills had long matured from his original inexperience… Although he’d never refined this Facial Restoration Pill before, this pill prescription had indeed been recorded in his item book. He wasn’t caught off-guard at all, but his face still showed an expression that had a trace of amazement.
All right. In other people’s eyes, they’d naturally feel that Gu Zuo also hadn’t encountered this pill prescription before!
This time, both sides were on equal standing. Neither had seen their pill prescriptions before, and both had to stake it all on their wits.
Gu Zuo and Xin Qiu were hardly neglectful. They swiftly instructed the medicine runners to fetch the medicinal herbs.
Sure enough, the herb stock in the City Lord’s Mansion was no small matter. During these times, no matter which required herbs were spoken, all of them were available. It could be said that it was very comprehensive.
This time around also wasn’t an exception. Gu Zuo swept a glance at those medicinal herbs, and from his inter-spatial tool, he took out some tools for handling the herbs. Then, in front of everyone’s faces, he started to “somewhat shakily” process the herbs.
Xin Qiu’s movements also seemed really shaky. After all, he was young. Even if he came from a family of pharmacists, it wasn’t possible to have an understanding of all herbs. In addition, he wasn’t like Gu Zuo who had an innate sensitivity towards medicinal ingredients. With a basic wave of his hand, Gu Zuo would know what he should do. As a result, it could be said that Xin Qiu was cautious and solemn. His speed was also a bit slower than Gu Zuo’s.
Other people saw this, and inevitably lamented:
“Junior Sect Brother Gu’s skill is very deep…”
“He deserves to be a person favored by Xu Lingxiu.”
“Although he’s somewhat shaky, the medicinal herbs are in good condition. He hasn’t yet made a mistake…”
The other side was also sighing with regret:
“Fourth young master seems somewhat…”
“There will always be someone stronger. This is a good example right here.”
“Don’t be discouraged. The pill battle isn’t over yet. There’s still much that can happen!”
Gu Zuo had slowed down, but he still finished processing earlier than Xin Qiu. After that, he assumed a somewhat nervous appearance and ignited the pill cauldron. He performed many hand seals. With some hesitation, he released those medicinal herbs into the pill cauldron!
At the same time, a sliver of his psychic power was discharged. He would be able to observe Xin Qiu’s pill formation rate at any time.
Because the Facial Restoration Pill and the Heart Protection Pill were considered pills that were relatively complicated to refine, the number of pills that could be formed was three at most. And when ordinary pharmacists refined them, the number of successful pills was usually abandoned for the sake of the product grade. Thus, a mid or high grade pill would be formed. As for whether it was mid grade or high grade, that largely depended on the pharmacist’s skills.
Gu Zuo was prepared to refine two pills.
Merely, just in case, he still had to see what was a relatively suitable suppression for Xin Qiu.
While his psychic power enshrouded that pill cauldron, Gu Zuo observed his own cauldron.
The medicinal liquid soon formed three balls of liquid. The course of refining was very smooth. It could be seen that this type of medicinal pill wasn’t the sort that would cause his cauldron to explode. It was probably because these herbs didn’t have many among them that clashed with one another. He had paid very close attention to this in advance in order to have such a result.
If it was going this smoothly, he estimated that there’d be at least one top grade pill and the remaining two would both be high grade. But if it was like this, it would inevitably seem a bit…excessive.
Gu Zuo pondered for a short time, and decided to waste one of the balls of liquid.
But just as he was about to do this, he suddenly paused.
Because at this very moment, that separated strand of psychic power discovered there was the scent of three medicinal pills coming from Xin Qiu’s pill cauldron.
Eh? Could it be that he had underestimated Xin Qiu too much? He actually had this kind of innate talent?
But that couldn’t have been right. In his opinion, Xu Lingxiu’s talent was higher than Xin Qiu’s. But when Xu Lingxiu refined the Steadfast Heart Pill, he could only produce a single low grade pill in the beginning. It was basically impossible to produce two or more pills. Even if the Steadfast Heart Pill was a bit harder than the Heart Protection Pill, the gap also wasn’t that big.
Immediately following which, that strand of psychic power “saw” that Xin Qiu’s micro-expressions contained traces of pride.
Gu Zuo: “…”
Ah, everyone knew how to play pretend. Acting truly led to a fuller life.
Xin Qiu’s previous awkwardness and shakiness seemed to have been done deliberately. He should’ve refined the Heart Protection Pill long ago!
After twitching his mouth, Gu Zuo’s frame of mind relaxed.
Since everyone was staking it all on their acting skills, there was nothing wrong with “cheating” with his psychic power just now. In any case, it was all for the sake of his own victory. Since Xin Qiu dared to refine three pills, he also couldn’t let others look down on him.
After secretly spying on the individual intensities of the three medicinal pills’ scents, Gu Zuo’s mind settled on a plan.
Not long after, the pill cauldrons on both sides made ringing noises.
City Lord Xin’s side and Xu Lingxiu’s side both couldn’t help sitting a little bit straighter. Now was the match that would determine victory and defeat. Even though it wouldn’t damage their good relationship, winning was always better than losing!
Suddenly, Gu Zuo’s pill cauldron shook. Three streaks of splendorous light shot out from within. All of them were collected into Gu Zuo’s hand, which then closed shut.
Based on the speed of pill production, Gu Zuo was already the first to win!
City Lord Xin and the other saw the three rays of light, and naturally knew that Gu Zuo had refined three pills. As such, Xin Qiu could, at most, only tie with Gu Zuo based on the number of formed pills. It was impossible to surpass Gu Zuo.
On the City Lord’s side, not everyone knew that Xin Qiu had once refined the Heart Protection Pill. In the hearts of those unaware, they were certainly somewhat worried.
Fortunately, in less time than it took to make a cup of tea, Xin Qiu’s pill cauldron also erupted with three steaks of light. They were similarly caught by Xin Qiu. At this moment, Xin Qiu’s expression was somewhat complicated. He never expected that, after the lucky drawing of the Heart Protection Pill, which he was quite proficient with, his speed and pill production rate still couldn’t compare to that of Gu Zuo.
Could it be that Gu Zuo’s IQ was so strong? Or, was Gu Zuo the same as him, where everything before was just playing pretend?
Intellectually, Xin Qiu felt it was the former, but emotionally, he hoped it was the latter even more.
— With a youngster’s temperament, one was unwilling to let a person of the same age group surpass them. This was a matter of course.
Following this, Xin Qiu unfolded his hand first.
The three medicinal pills that Xin Qiu refined were all low grade pills.
With his current abilities, if he refined a single pill, there was a probability that he could’ve refined a high grade pill. If he refined two pills, there was a chance he could refine one mid grade and one low grade pill. By refining three pills, all of them could only be low grade.
In that case… What about Gu Zuo?
Xin Qiu originally wanted to directly suppress Gu Zuo in terms of the pill production rate. Because he thought this was Gu Zuo’s first time refining the Facial Restoration Pill, being able to refine a single low grade pill would’ve been extraordinary. But he never expected this outcome… All of a sudden, his heart tensed.
The others all looked to Gu Zuo.
Gu Zuo unhurriedly spread out his palm…
There were similarly three medicinal pills.
However, one of them was low grade, and the other two were mid grade!
There was no need to doubt. Gu Zuo had won once more!
His strength and potential made people sit up and take notice. It was very shocking!
Xu Lingxiu, who would always have a scowl across his whole face, suddenly showed a smiling expression that appeared somewhat beautiful… Only to see him slowly open his mouth and say: “The City Lord has gone easy on us.”
Gu Zuo also smiled with a blush: “…You let me win.”
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