Chapter Seventy-Six: Legend, Champion Lin An

So much time had passed that even warriors who were not alchemists could now see clearly: Lin An was not refining the Six-Turn True Spirit Pill, but the utterly impossible Seven-Turn True Spirit Pill.

Though everyone knew Lin An could never succeed in crafting such a pill, for reasons unknown, hope flickered in many hearts—a hope that Lin An might defy fate and forge the Seven-Turn True Spirit Pill. After all, if Lin An failed, the championship of this Alchemist Tournament would fall to Yan Xiao from the Yun Empire, a result they could scarcely bear to witness.

At the same time, some quietly cursed Lin An for his reckless bravado; had he not overreached, perhaps there would still be a chance to defeat Yan Xiao. None dared voice such thoughts aloud. Lin An’s reputation and background in the Jia Ma Empire were well known among most factions.

Just then, Lin An’s technique shifted. Under his deft control, the Azure Lotus Heartfire seemed to multiply, blossoms of azure lotus floating in midair, lifelike and exquisite, their beauty heightened by the night.

While the crowd watched, bewildered by Lin An’s actions, his movements changed again. One by one, spirit herbs floated toward the airborne lotuses, orderly and precise, finally merging with the Azure Lotus Heartfire. In moments, they transformed before the naked eye into the purest medicinal liquid.

“So that’s it—he’s using this method to drastically reduce the time required to purify the medicine for a seventh-grade pill, thereby greatly increasing his efficiency. But this tests an alchemist’s control and mental strength to the utmost; one misstep and all will be lost,” Yao Chen observed keenly. Once a revered Medicine Sovereign, he saw through Lin An’s intentions at a glance, and could not help but marvel at Lin An’s audacity. In all the world, perhaps only Lin An could attempt this; for anyone else, failure would come in the very first step.

“If he can carry through without error, he might truly succeed in refining the Seven-Turn True Spirit Pill,” Yao Chen sighed, realizing Lin An had kept this trump card hidden until the last moment. The final stage demanded the greatest concentration; even Lin An dared not employ such a method until the pill was nearly formed.

“How could it be possible? Can he really complete the Seven-Turn True Spirit Pill?” Xiao Yan stared in disbelief at the unfolding scene. If he failed to win this tournament, he would lose the system’s reward.

Such a reward was extraordinary; to watch it slip away before his very eyes was a regret he would bear for life. “Impossible—even I cannot craft a seventh-grade pill. How could he possibly succeed?” Xiao Yan comforted himself inwardly. He had already submitted his own pill; even if he wished to gamble, it was too late. Now, all he could do was pray Lin An would fail.

On further thought, his chances of winning were quite high; if Lin An made even a single mistake, Xiao Yan would win the tournament without suspense.

Time continued its slow passage. The longer it went, the more nervous everyone became, as though they themselves were at the furnace, not daring even to breathe for fear of disturbing Lin An.

As the night wore on, Lin An finally reached the last and most critical phase—condensing the pill!

By now, most of the work was done. Even Lin An let out a long breath, easing his nerves before plunging into the final stage. The steps of condensing the pill had played through his mind countless times.

At this moment, Lin An summoned the Bone Spirit Coldfire, which acted as a furnace. All the purified medicine he had prepared was guided into it under his control.

Sweat soaked Lin An’s clothes, but he dared not relax, continuing his refinement with utmost care.

Even after a sleepless night, the crowd remained feverishly excited, many rising from their seats for a closer look at Lin An’s work.

“The pill is formed…” Lin An shouted, and the azure lotuses, shaped by the Azure Lotus Heartfire, instantly fused together, merging perfectly with the Bone Spirit Coldfire.

As time passed, an intense fragrance of medicine enveloped the entire tournament. Those with modest cultivation felt their realms stir and loosen simply by breathing it in.

Seventh-grade pills—many here had never seen one in their lives. Yet now, they witnessed the birth of a seventh-grade alchemist.

“To think he truly succeeded! Once the pill survives the tribulation, the Seven-Turn True Spirit Pill will be fully refined,” Gu He murmured in disbelief.

“It seems today we have witnessed the birth of legend!” Fa Ma echoed softly.

High above, dark clouds gathered swiftly, plunging the world into sudden darkness.

Thunder rumbled across the sky; this was the tribulation drawn by a seventh-grade pill. It meant Lin An had all but succeeded.

Seeing this, Yun Shan rose directly from his seat and leapt beneath the storm clouds. He would shield Lin An from the pill tribulation, ensuring the Seven-Turn True Spirit Pill’s success and Lin An’s victory.

Under the awestruck gaze of all, Yun Shan fulfilled his duty, warding off the thunder’s wrath. Meanwhile, Lin An’s Seven-Turn True Spirit Pill was officially completed.

With a special technique, Lin An sealed away the pill. No further inspection was needed; everyone knew that the tournament had ended with Lin An’s successful creation of a seventh-grade pill.

Shock and wonder filled every heart, lingering long after the event. They had witnessed the birth of legend: a seventh-grade alchemist so young was unheard of, not even the legendary Emperor of Pills could have achieved such a feat at this age.

Thinking of this, the crowd seemed to glimpse the rise of a Dou Emperor, a figure not seen on the Battle Qi Continent for countless years.

At length, President Fa Ma of the Alchemist Guild, prompted by Gu He, came to his senses. Excited, he stepped up to the announcement platform and addressed the assembly:

“Today shall be etched into the history of the Battle Qi Continent, for we have witnessed the birth of a legend…”

“I hereby declare…the champion of this Alchemist Tournament is…Lin An of the Cloudmist Sect!”