Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 211: Chapter 211 Time is Running Out

Qin Yue, however, looked at Ye Qingchen with a puzzled expression and asked Qin Zhantian, ”Grandfather, why is everyone so surprised that Ye Qingchen is going to refine a Bone Tempering Pill? I have a feeling that since he dared to choose it, he will definitely succeed.”

Qin Zhantian shook his head, finding it difficult to answer his granddaughter’s question.

Pavilion Master Zhang, hearing Qin Yue’s words, smiled faintly. ”Miss Qin has a point. I, too, am very much looking forward to Qingchen’s performance.”

Vice Pavilion Master Liu shook his head, however, and said, ”The situation is still not optimistic. Qingchen is only a third-grade Alchemist, after all. Even if he gained some insights during yesterday’s competition and was lucky enough to reach the fourth grade, it’s absolutely impossible for him to successfully refine a Bone Tempering Pill!” Vice Pavilion Master Liu was so certain precisely because the difficulty of refining a Bone Tempering Pill was enough to make anyone flinch.

Pavilion Master Zhang just chuckled. ”Well then, Vice Pavilion Master Liu, let’s just wait and see!”

In front of the judges’ panel, Princess Cai Yunji also frowned, asking in disbelief, ”Ye Qingchen, are you saying you want to refine the Fourth-grade Bone Tempering Pill?”

Princess Cai Yunji asked for confirmation simply because his choice was so incredible.

Ye Qingchen nodded. ”Your Highness, you heard correctly. I am requesting a set of herbs for the Bone Tempering Pill.”

Hearing his confirmation, Cai Yunji offered a kind reminder. ”Ye Qingchen, I urge you to reconsider. Although you have three attempts, the competition is only six hours long. Refining the Bone Tempering Pill is no small feat. Don’t waste your time for nothing.”

Ye Qingchen smiled. ”Thank you for your reminder, Your Highness, but my mind is made up.”

Seeing that Ye Qingchen was unmoved by her well-intentioned advice, Princess Cai Yunji felt a flicker of anger. She waved a hand at the judges’ panel, signaling them to prepare the herbs for the Bone Tempering Pill. In her heart, however, she completely disapproved of Ye Qingchen’s actions. Any favorable impression he had made by winning the previous day’s championship had vanished completely.

He’s just being arrogant and overambitious; that’s the only reason he would choose the Bone Tempering Pill. she thought. While she didn’t care much about the cost of the herbs, watching them be wasted so recklessly felt like a profligate waste. Most importantly, he hadn’t even appreciated her kind reminder. How could she not be angry?

Ye Qingchen wasn’t thinking about any of that. He was now fairly confident in his ability to refine the Bone Tempering Pill. After receiving the herbs, he went straight back to his Alchemy Furnace and began sorting them. He worked meticulously. After confirming all the herbs were in order, he took a deep breath and began the refinement process. His movements were extremely slow. As he worked, he recalled Cheng Zhibin’s process from earlier. Time slipped by, but Ye Qingchen seemed completely oblivious.

Two hours passed quickly, yet Ye Qingchen was still in the initial stage of refining the medicinal herbs.

Meanwhile, Cheng Zhibin had already successfully refined a Bone Tempering Pill. Full of confidence, he presented it to the judges’ panel and spoke respectfully to Princess Cai Yunji, ”Your Highness, I would like to request another set of herbs for the Bone Tempering Pill.”

Cai Yunji glanced at the judges’ panel, where several judges were appraising the pill Cheng Zhibin had submitted. Noticing her gaze, an older judge reported, ”Your Highness, this Bone Tempering Pill has reached a medium quality.”

Cai Yunji nodded. ”Prepare another set of herbs for him.” Then, she turned to Cheng Zhibin. ”You’re from the Heavenly Profound Sect? To successfully refine the Bone Tempering Pill at such a young age... you are quite impressive.”

Upon hearing the princess’s praise, Cheng Zhibin was overjoyed and bowed repeatedly in his excitement. Cai Yunji, however, said nothing more.

His spirits soaring, Cheng Zhibin took the herbs and returned to his alchemy station. He happened to pass Ye Qingchen and, seeing that he was still just refining herbs, couldn’t help but frown. Cheng Zhibin could tell that Ye Qingchen was attempting to refine a Bone Tempering Pill. After a brief moment of surprise, a cold sneer spread across his face. He had noticed Ye Qingchen observing him earlier, but he never imagined the man would be arrogant enough to try it himself.

He couldn’t help but mock him, ”Ye Qingchen, you’re the definition of biting off more than you can chew. You shouldn’t try things that are beyond your ability. In the end, you’ll only become a clown for others to laugh at!”

Ye Qingchen was completely engrossed in refining the herbs and offered no response.

In Cheng Zhibin’s eyes, however, this was a deliberate slight. Growing even angrier, he pressed on, ”Ye Qingchen, do you really think you can learn how to refine a Bone Tempering Pill just by watching me once? Who do you think you are? Even a genius of the Alchemy Dao couldn’t do that, let alone a mere third-grade Alchemist like you!”

Ye Qingchen still ignored him, his focus unwavering from the refinement process.

Cheng Zhibin let out a cold snort and finally stopped talking. He returned to his own Alchemy Furnace and began his second attempt at refining a Bone Tempering Pill.

Another two hours slipped by. Ye Qingchen had only just reached the purification stage, his movements still painstakingly slow. Only two hours remained in the competition.

By now, Cheng Zhibin had successfully completed his second Bone Tempering Pill, and its quality was slightly higher than the first. He submitted it to the judges’ panel once more. After their appraisal, they confirmed it was still of medium quality, though slightly better than before. Undeterred, and wanting to capitalize on his hot streak, Cheng Zhibin requested another set of herbs, determined to try again and refine a pill of even higher quality.

As he walked past Ye Qingchen, he couldn’t resist throwing out a few more taunts. But once again, Ye Qingchen ignored him completely, forcing Cheng Zhibin to retreat in a frustrated huff.

In the Qingyun Sect’s resting area, Vice Pavilion Master Liu’s brows were tightly furrowed. As a fifth-grade Pill King, he could clearly assess Ye Qingchen’s situation. Although Ye Qingchen hadn’t made any mistakes so far, at his current pace, he would inevitably fail to finish the refinement before time ran out.

Pavilion Master Zhang, standing beside him, remained perfectly calm, his expression conveying complete confidence in Ye Qingchen.

As time ticked away, Ye Qingchen finally reached the last step: pill formation. He finally had enough presence of mind to spare to check the time. When he saw there was only an hour left, he couldn’t help but frown.

There isn’t enough time...