The Female CEO's Personal Bodyguard

Chapter 1517: Chapter 1517: Unusual Competition Format

”He actually made it to the finals!”

In the audience, Alfred Weaver’s face lit up with surprise. ”It seems he’s had some rare alchemy adventures in recent years. Truly remarkable...”

Cecilia Browning likewise wore a look of astonishment, her gaze towards Carson Flores softening considerably.

On his own, just possessing the status of a Human Immortal definitely wouldn’t be enough to match the young lady. However, if he also held the title of Pill King, combined with his youth and boundless potential for the future, then, all things considered, he just might barely be worthy of her.

Though Alfred Weaver hadn’t explicitly spoken about his feelings for Carson Flores, Cecilia Browning could sense from Alfred’s subtle remarks that his attitude towards Carson was anything but ordinary.

Carson Flores was Alfred Weaver’s lifesaver, but Alfred’s demeanor towards him seemed to go beyond mere gratitude.

If it were just gratitude, would someone of Alfred Weaver’s stature go to such lengths as to rush off to the Skyland Continent immediately after finishing his duties?

Cecilia Browning, with the scrutinizing gaze of a Celestial Palace senior, evaluated Carson Flores carefully.

...

Finals day.

Ricardo Tate and Carson Flores stood at the entrance of the tournament arena, surrounded by people whose eyes sparkled with respect and admiration.

”What incredible promise—so young yet so proficient with such powerful alchemy skills!”

”The White Crane Immortal Sect is certainly basking in glory this time. Who will dare say that the White Crane Immortal Sect is weak at alchemy ever again?”

”Carson Flores has joined the White Crane Immortal Sect for only a few years, yet he’s made a splash one time after another. He’s practically the second coming of Bank Austin. The White Crane Immortal Sect’s ascension is just around the corner.”

”This tournament has been so thrilling. Who do you think will win in the end?”

”No matter how skilled Carson Flores may be, he can’t possibly best Master Ricardo, right? Master Ricardo’s reputation spans thousands of years...”

Amid the murmurs, Ricardo Tate and Carson Flores exchanged a glance, a combat-ready glint flickering unmistakably in both their eyes.

To have made it to this juncture—who wouldn’t want to win?

Carson Flores might not care about the title of Pill King, but he did care about the prize.

Whether to provide the medicinal ingredients to Selah Ellison Fairy or to prepare for his own future, they were undeniably essential. After all, finding these eight rare primary ingredients was exceedingly difficult, truly a one-in-a-million chance.

”Please, both of you, enter the arena.”

Carson Flores and Ricardo Tate stepped into the center of the arena and faced each other.

”Ladies and gentlemen, what’s next is the grand final of this year’s Alchemist King Tournament—Ricardo Tate of the Green Blood Sect versus Carson Flores of the White Crane Immortal Sect.”

”The winner of the finals will earn the first place title of this tournament and be crowned Pill King.”

”In this round, the duel will adopt a mutual challenge format. Each participant will propose three elixirs, with the condition that the elixirs named must be ones they can successfully refine themselves. Whoever can produce a greater quantity of the opponent’s proposed elixirs will win.”

Carson Flores raised his eyebrows—what an unusual set of competition rules!

Thinking about it carefully, it made a lot of sense. If one could successfully refine something the other couldn’t, it would certainly showcase superior skill.

The proposed elixirs could naturally be obscure formulas, but since both participants had to pose three challenges, it was undeniably fair overall!

As soon as the rules were announced, the audience immediately buzzed with chatter.

”Though these rules are fair, they give Ricardo Tate a significant edge.”

”Ricardo Tate is bound to win! How old is he, how many elixirs has he forged? He’s likely refined more elixirs than Carson Flores has had meals—posing each other questions? There’s no way Carson Flores can match him!”

”Carson Flores is definitely going to lose... His alchemy skills might be impressive, but he’s outmatched in age and experience.”

”I bet the three elixirs Ricardo Tate poses as challenges will be ones Carson Flores can’t refine even one of.”

”Who came up with these rules? They’re so unfair.”

”Ricardo Tate sure lucked out here!”

On stage, Ricardo Tate exhaled in relief, a faint smile spreading across his face.

He’d heard the crowd’s remarks.

They echoed his own thoughts.

He had indeed lucked out!

The victory in this wager was as good as his!

Looking across at Carson Flores, he smiled and said, ”Fellow Daoist Flores, with these competition rules, this old man seems to have quite the advantage.”

Carson Flores smiled slightly. ”It’s my first time encountering such rules too. Fortunately, with each of us posing three challenges, it remains fair.”

Ricardo Tate scrutinized Carson Flores’s calm and composed demeanor, feeling a twinge of unease. He didn’t seem anxious at all?

Could it be possible that Carson Flores had absolute confidence in his alchemy skills?

Impossible!

He’s so young and has only practiced alchemy for a short time—the number of existing elixirs is astronomical. How many could he truly refine?

What he knew, surely Ricardo himself knew too. Conversely, what Ricardo could refine, Carson likely couldn’t!

So why was he so confident?

”Contestants, please submit your challenges,” a staff member suggested.

The staff handed each of them a pen and three sheets of paper, on which they were to write the names of three elixirs.

Carson Flores barely paused for thought before picking up the pen, swiftly jotting down three elixir names in one go.

Ricardo Tate, staring at Carson’s smooth progression, frowned deeply.

What was going on?

Not even a moment’s deliberation?

Surely it was clear that Carson wouldn’t know any exclusive elixir formulas and could only resort to selecting the most difficult formulas he could refine himself, right?

Lowering his head, Ricardo pondered momentarily before slowly writing down one name, pausing again to think before repeating the process. Finally, he finished penning the three names.

Ricardo Tate raised his head, his expression bursting with self-assurance.

”I’m ready!”