Chapter 54

Watching Zhao Yuan walk towards the alchemy furnace, and then looking at Zhao Hao, Yan Zhaoge stroked his chin: "If I weren't here today, Zhao Yuan and Zhao Sheng would definitely be humiliated."

"And it would be a slap on the right cheek, followed by a slap on the left."

"Later, they might even become stepping stones for Zhao Hao for all sorts of bizarre reasons."

Yan Zhaoge pursed his lips: "Alchemy requires both talent and accumulation. Even I can't make someone proficient in a short time."

"I certainly won't personally step in and compete with Zhao Hao."

"If I did, no matter the outcome, it would only make Zhao Hao look better."

"But, do you think I'm helpless just because of that?"

Following Yan Zhaoge's guidance, Zhao Yuan did not take his own alchemy furnace, nor did he approach Zhao Hao's furnace. Instead, he went straight to Mr. Wang.

"Mr. Wang, can you give me the healing pill that Sixteenth Brother made?"

Mr. Wang frowned slightly, displeased: "Is the Crown Prince doubting me, thinking I favor the Sixteenth Prince?"

Zhao Yuan smiled and shook his head: "Of course not, Mr. Wang, don't misunderstand. I just want to take a simple look at the pill Sixteenth Brother made."

Mr. Wang looked at Yan Zhaoge and Zhao Shili, and finally handed the healing pill to Zhao Yuan.

He sighed: "Not only did he complete it quickly and with excellent efficacy, but look at the bottom of his furnace. There's not a trace of residue. All the herbs were perfectly utilized, with no waste at all."

Upon hearing this, everyone's hearts sank.

Zhao Hao had excelled in all three aspects. Even if Zhao Yuan performed beyond his usual level, at best it would be a tie, unless his healing pill was more effective than Zhao Hao's.

But that was still a healing pill?

Zhao Yuan's expression remained unchanged. He held the healing pill, weighed it in his hand, and turned to look at Zhao Hao: "Sixteenth Brother's alchemy skills are indeed superb."

Zhao Hao said coolly: "What does the Elder Brother want to say?"

Zhao Yuan spoke unhurriedly: "Sixteenth Brother's alchemy skills are outstanding, even causing unusual phenomena in the furnace smoke. I must admit my admiration."

"But, the path of alchemy is profound and vast, with countless methods..."

Zhao Hao interrupted him directly: "There are indeed many alchemy techniques, but what you know, I know, and what you don't know, I also know."

"There's no need to say more. Let's get to the point."

Interrupted, Zhao Yuan was not annoyed and continued calmly: "Sixteenth Brother has great spirit. Since that's the case, I will show my clumsiness today."

"I accidentally learned the basics of a unique alchemy technique. I'll give it a try today."

"As for Sixteenth Brother, you don't need to be better than me. If you can do the same as me, I will admit defeat today."

"What do you think, Sixteenth Brother?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hao looked at Zhao Yuan with a mocking gaze, then at Yan Zhaoge.

"Unique technique? Haha, I spent half my life collecting all the remnants of the Great Cataclysm, as well as the techniques of the great alchemists after the Cataclysm."

"Except for the exclusive formulas and techniques of the few holy lands, there is nothing in this world related to alchemy that I don't know."

"The alchemy techniques of Guangcheng Mountain do have some unique aspects, but none of them are within Zhao Yuan's grasp."

"Other obscure techniques obtained by chance? Heh, I've already played with all of them."

Zhao Hao laughed carelessly: "Even a tie counts as my loss!"

Zhao Yuan smiled and nodded, then suddenly took out a golden needle and pierced the healing pill.

Everyone was stunned, not understanding what Zhao Yuan was doing.

Only Zhao Hao and Mr. Wang's eyes lit up with surprise.

They saw Zhao Yuan move the needle swiftly, piercing the healing pill nine times. A faint mist emerged from the needle holes in the pill.

Everyone was amazed. They knew the mist was due to Zhao Yuan's actions, but the pill wasn't a balloon; how could gas come out of it?

After doing this, Zhao Yuan handed the pill back to Mr. Wang: "Please, Mr. Wang, re-evaluate it."

Mr. Wang took a deep breath, examined it, and fell silent, as if deeply lost in thought.

He silently handed the pill to Prince Jing, Zhao Shili. After examining it, Zhao Shili's eyebrows shot up.

"The residual furnace smoke in the pill has completely disappeared, and the efficacy has improved to the theoretical limit of a healing pill?!"

"But, how did he do it?!"

Mr. Wang exhaled deeply, his body trembling slightly, and looked at Zhao Yuan: "Forgive my old eyes, but did the Crown Prince use the Golden Needle Transference technique?"

Zhao Yuan smiled and nodded: "Mr. Wang has keen eyes. It is indeed the Golden Needle Transference."

Mr. Wang's body stopped trembling, and he sighed deeply, extremely satisfied: "I never thought I would see such a miraculous alchemy technique from before the Great Cataclysm in my lifetime. I have not lived in vain!"

Zhao Shili, Zhao Sheng, and others were stunned: "Mr. Wang..."

After calming down, Mr. Wang said: "The Golden Needle Transference technique can completely remove the residual furnace smoke from the pill, significantly improving the quality and efficacy of the finished pill."

"This was one of the top alchemy techniques before the Great Cataclysm, and it has been lost since then. Now, only fragmentary records remain, like a legend."

Zhao Yuan looked at Zhao Hao and said unhurriedly: "I only know a bit of it, making a fool of myself."

Zhao Hao's eyes lit up with surprise, but he wasn't looking at Zhao Yuan; he was staring intently at Yan Zhaoge.

Yan Zhaoge looked at Zhao Hao, seemingly calm but actually quite mischievous: "Personality determines fate. I love dealing with young fools like myself."

Zhao Sheng's gaze also fell on Yan Zhaoge. He quietly instructed a guard to fetch a healing pill and a golden needle.

He observed Zhao Yuan's healing pill, then carefully positioned the needle, and pierced it nine times, but his own pill showed no reaction.

"Indeed, it's a special technique, not a coincidence!" Zhao Sheng sighed regretfully.

Zhao Yuan smiled at Zhao Sheng, took out a new healing pill, and repeated the process.

Mist rose again.

Prince Zhao Shili's gaze shifted between Yan Zhaoge and Zhao Yuan, and he suddenly said: "The healing pill is fine, but what about the Smoke Cloud Powder?"

A guard behind him quickly brought a packet of powder, which was the Smoke Cloud Powder.

Zhao Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly upon seeing this.

"No problem. Use your Inner Energy to condense it into a pill, then follow my instructions and pierce it nine times," Yan Zhaoge transmitted telepathically. Zhao Yuan immediately relaxed.

He took the Smoke Cloud Powder and condensed it into a pill with his Inner Energy.

Prince Zhao Shili watched closely. Although the powder now looked like a pill, it was still powder, completely different from a healing pill.

But as Zhao Yuan pierced it nine times, mist emerged again.

The mist split into two parts, one black and one white. The black mist dissipated in the air, while the white mist returned to the pill.

After testing the efficacy, Mr. Wang praised it repeatedly. Prince Zhao Shili was speechless and turned to look at Zhao Hao.

The confidence and arrogance in Zhao Hao's eyes finally disappeared, replaced by seriousness.

Without a word, Zhao Hao also took a packet of Smoke Cloud Powder, condensed it into a pill, and asked Zhao Yuan for the golden needle.

He hesitated for a long time, frowning and thinking deeply.

After a long while, Zhao Hao finally pierced the needle.

First needle, nothing happened...

Second needle, nothing happened...

Third needle...

Fourth needle...

Fifth...

"Bang!"

The Smoke Cloud Powder pill exploded, turning into a cloud of dust.