Chapter 84

"Glacier Algae, half a plant."

"Pan Mountain Spirit Vine, three stems."

"Thousand Creek Water, three standard doses."

"In the refining room of Xi Yang House, Yan Lingqing calmly and swiftly recited the ingredients, while Li Luo quickly measured and placed the materials into crystal vials according to her instructions, then passed them over.

As Yan Lingqing received these crystal vials, streams of Water Phase power surged into them. The power stirred and ground the materials into powder, rapidly fusing with their properties.

The two of them did not exchange any unnecessary words. If it were a normal day, they might have been more relaxed, but this was a competition, leaving no room for rest. They had to complete the refining in one go.

However, Li Luo, assisting from the side, learned a lot from Yan Lingqing's orderly refining process. Her fusion of material properties was nearly perfect.

Those complex steps, if attempted by him, would likely end in disaster.

It was evident that Yan Lingqing's Phase Refinement technique was of a high level.

But Li Luo also understood that this was just the beginning.

In the venue, the referee was enthusiastically explaining, and although the audience outside might not fully understand, the tense atmosphere of the Phase Refiners at work still made them feel a sense of awe and excitement, influenced by the atmosphere around them.

As time passed, the rack in front of Yan Lingqing was filled with crystal vials emitting a blue glow, each containing materials that had been temporarily fused.

At this moment, a fine sweat trickled down her smooth forehead, but she had no time to wipe it away. All her attention was focused on the crystal vial in her hand, where her Water Phase power stirred and eroded, fusing the materials together.

This seemingly simple fusion actually required precise control of one's Phase power, breaking down impurities in the materials, and through countless collisions and erosions, forming the desired substance.

To outsiders, it might look like simply pouring Phase power into a crystal vial, but they had no idea of the intense changes happening at a microscopic level.

This was a classic case of laymen seeing the excitement and experts seeing the intricacies.

At such times, the higher the quality of the Phase power, the greater the advantage. Higher-quality Phase power was more spiritual and could compensate for many experiential deficiencies.

Li Luo, watching Yan Lingqing's focused and beautiful face, pondered for a moment. As he organized the materials, he flicked his finger, sending a thread of Water Light Phase power into one of the vials.

"Heaven Leaf Juice."

When Yan Lingqing's voice came, Li Luo immediately passed the crystal vial over.

Yan Lingqing took it, and Water Phase power surged in, shattering the vial. However, this time, as the materials were being fused, her hand suddenly paused.

A look of surprise crossed Yan Lingqing's face, as she found that this fusion was much smoother than before. Her Phase power seemed to receive a special boost, saving her a lot of effort as it moved through the vial.

But since this was a competition, Yan Lingqing couldn't investigate further and had to quickly complete the fusion, continuing with the next steps.

Li Luo, watching Yan Lingqing's expression, breathed a sigh of relief when he saw no signs of panic. Clearly, the Phase power he had added did not interfere with her fusion but rather helped it along smoothly.

This was not unexpected, as Li Luo's Phase power was almost equivalent to a secret method's source water. Due to his Void Phase, his Phase power could accommodate any other Water Phase or Light Phase power. Moreover, his Water Light Phase was of the sixth rank, and if one were to compare the refining capabilities of Phase power, Li Luo's Water Light Phase could rival a seventh-rank Water Phase or Light Phase.

Yan Lingqing herself was a seventh-rank Water Phase, so in terms of pure Phase power quality, Li Luo was now slightly superior to her.

However, since Yan Lingqing was the main refiner and Li Luo himself was only at the Ninth Seal level with limited Phase power, his Water Light Phase power could only provide a slight boost, making Yan Lingqing's refining process smoother.

He understood that Yan Lingqing did not need his help to refine the "Blue Algae Spirit Water," so this was just a small experiment on his part.

Time passed quickly in the tense atmosphere.

Yan Lingqing's refining was nearing its end, and Li Luo breathed a sigh of relief, as her process had gone smoothly, and the fourth-rank "Blue Algae Spirit Water" was about to be born.

Ding!

At this moment, the sound of a gong echoed through the venue, followed by the referee's excited voice.

"Green Light House, Zhao Feng, successfully refined the fourth-rank 'Green Water Odd Light,' with a refinement power of 55%!"

"White Tooth House, Liu Tong, successfully refined the fourth-rank 'White Bud Spirit Water,' with a refinement power of 56%!"

Hearing these successful refinement announcements, Yan Lingqing's expression remained calm as she continued to refine the "Blue Algae Spirit Water" in her hands.

However, her calm did not last long, as a sudden, urgent gong sound rang out, and the referee's shocked voice echoed.

"Pine Seed House, Song Qiuyu, successfully refined the fifth-rank 'Linglong Odd Water'! Refinement power, 53%!!"

A wave of astonishment swept through the venue. Countless people looked in shock toward the direction of Pine Seed House, where Song Qiuyu was smiling, holding a glass vial that glowed with a strange light.

Fifth-rank Spirit Water?!

Could Song Qiuyu from Pine Seed House really have successfully refined a fifth-rank Spirit Water?!

The faces of the other Phase Refiners from various Spirit Water Houses in the venue darkened, as almost all of them were fourth-rank Phase Refiners, and none had reached the fifth rank. Now, Song Qiuyu had refined a fifth-rank Spirit Water, which was a clear dominance.

Regardless of whether Song Qiuyu had refined the fifth-rank Spirit Water by chance, the fact that she had succeeded in the competition made it her achievement.

On the Song family's viewing platform, Song Shan and Mo Ling both wore victorious smiles.

On the Luo Lan House side, Cai Wei, who was gently fanning herself with a flower-patterned fan, paused, her oval face becoming serious, her eyes filled with worry as she stared at the refining room where Yan Lingqing and Li Luo were.

In the refining room, the atmosphere was heavy.

Yan Lingqing, who had been focused on refining the materials, suddenly stiffened, her hand holding the crystal vial frozen in place.

She stared blankly at the vial in her hand, the light in her beautiful face dimming.

"How could she... How could she refine a fifth-rank Spirit Water?" Yan Lingqing murmured to herself.

Bang!

Her Phase power suddenly lost control, and the crystal vial exploded, the liquid spilling through her fingers. She placed her hands on the refining table, her proud head gradually lowering, her long hair covering her cheeks.

Continuing the refining was now meaningless.

Since Song Qiuyu had already refined a fifth-rank Spirit Water, even if Yan Lingqing successfully refined the Blue Algae Spirit Water, she would still be behind Song Qiuyu.

Li Luo looked at the bowed head of Yan Lingqing, sensing the despondent aura emanating from her. Through her hair, he could see that her eyes were red and swollen.

This was the first time Li Luo had seen Yan Lingqing display such a weak and despondent demeanor.

Li Luo looked toward the direction of Song Qiuyu, who was now smiling triumphantly. Her eyes were also on this side, and Li Luo could sense the mockery and derision in her gaze as she looked at Yan Lingqing.

Li Luo remained silent for a moment, then forcibly turned Yan Lingqing's body to face him. He looked into her helpless, red-rimmed eyes and said softly, "Sister Lingqing, your strength is definitely greater than Song Qiuyu's. No matter what means she used to refine the fifth-rank Spirit Water, if she can do it, you can too!"

Yan Lingqing shook her head, her voice hoarse, "I haven't succeeded in refining it even once until now."

"If you couldn't before, it doesn't mean you can't now. We're already in the worst-case scenario, so why not give it a try?" Li Luo said firmly.

Then he took one of Yan Lingqing's pale hands, wiped the water stains with his shirt, and said gently, "Sister Lingqing, I'm not concerned about the impact this competition might have on Xi Yang House. I just genuinely believe that someone as outstanding as you can't possibly lose to her."

Yan Lingqing stared at Li Luo's chiseled face, which, though still youthful, was filled with a spirited fighting spirit that was invigorating.

Finally, she bit her lip and nodded lightly.

"Then... let's give it a try."