Chapter Twenty-Six: The Nine Patterns

Lin Hao made his move. It was the first time he had practiced alchemy in front of so many people.

He was truly the center of attention.

"Bluffing. I want to see exactly what you’re worth, boy."

Someone scoffed; no one believed Lin Hao possessed any real talent.

Ren Baichuan’s eyes burned with excitement, his hands rubbing together. The day he would make a name for himself had finally arrived.

Throughout the entire arena, besides Ren Baichuan, almost no one believed Lin Hao could actually refine any high-quality pills—with one exception: Ling Zhen.

His eyes were equally fervent, his expectations even higher than Ren Baichuan’s. He had already spent ten thousand low-grade origin stones on this.

Although his brilliant mind had deduced that Tianbao was a one-in-a-million alchemy prodigy, there was a vast difference between speculation and seeing it with one’s own eyes.

On the arena stage, Lin Hao gazed at the waist-high alchemy furnace before him. With a flick of his finger, a crimson flame rippled outward. The moment he unleashed that fire, the entire arena erupted into chaos.

"That is... an innate flame."

The first to speak was Master Jingyang, who stood closest to the stage.

"It is the aura of an innate flame. How is this possible? How could he possess such a high-level fire?"

"An innate fire? Could he be a one-in-a-million alchemy prodigy, born with an innate flame within him?"

Every ounce of ridicule vanished the instant the supreme fire appeared.

As alchemists, they understood better than anyone how rare innate flames were. If not born with one, acquiring it later was even harder. There were only so many powerful flames in the world—the Samadhi True Fire, Thunder Fire, Heavenly Dao Fire, Red Lotus Karmic Fire, and so on—but for an alchemist or a cultivator of fire-attribute techniques, obtaining such high-level flames was harder than ascending to heaven.

Never mind obtaining one; even encountering one was a stroke of immense fortune.

Yet, here in the Alchemy Pavilion arena, they were witnessing a true innate flame. Though they couldn’t identify which type Lin Hao’s fire belonged to, they were certain it was an innate flame, and its grade was undoubtedly superior to any of their own.

"Everyone, silence! Do not disturb the contestant."

Master Jingyang spoke personally, his eyes burning with intensity, fixed unblinkingly on Lin Hao.

From this moment on, he would pay close attention to this young man.

Ignoring all external interference, Lin Hao entered his own state of alchemy.

This was a level of focus on a specific craft that Lin Hao possessed innately; no matter the environment, he could achieve perfection.

Next, under the gaze of countless shocked eyes, Lin Hao tossed a dozen herbs intended for the Mind-Nourishing Pill into the furnace all at once.

"What?"

Someone exclaimed on the spot. Even Master Jingyang lost his composure, unable to help but say, "Absurd."

"Alchemy requires a step-by-step approach. Every phase must be executed with the utmost precision and perfection. Extracting the essence of the herbs is the first step and requires extreme caution. You must know that every herb has a different melting point. Even an Alchemy King could not extract the essences of a dozen herbs simultaneously."

"Simultaneous extraction is not impossible, but it demands the highest level of skill from an alchemist. It requires perfect perception of the herbs and a near-perverse level of fire control. A typical high-level alchemist can manage the extraction of three to five types of herbs. For Tianbao to do this is a fantasy—unless he is an Innate Alchemy Saint, a legendary prodigy born for the art of alchemy."

However, before the voices of doubt could subside, an even greater sound of shock erupted. They watched in terror as, under the control of Lin Hao’s flame, the dozen herbs were being refined at breakneck speed. The essences of the herbs, like crystalline droplets, hovered within the furnace, enveloped by the flames.

"This... this is impossible."

"Is he truly an Innate Alchemy Saint?"

"There really is such a prodigy? I have read in ancient texts of those with innate, peerless talent, or those who suddenly awaken such potential during their growth. They possess perfect perception of herbs and perverse control over flames. For such people, alchemy comes as naturally as water flowing; give them a formula, and they can produce a perfect pill."

...

Everyone was stunned. The arena was in an uproar, a fervor that even Master Jingyang could not suppress. In fact, Master Jingyang himself was in a state of shock he had never experienced before, unable to pull himself away.

The other nine contestants on the stage were completely dumbfounded. They all stared at Lin Hao, forgetting they were participants themselves.

Yes, they didn’t want to compete anymore.

With Lin Hao refining like this, what was the point? They had no heart left for alchemy.

"I admit, I was a bit too loud when I spoke to him earlier," Chen Shuang sighed, filled with regret.

"Let’s see what grade of pill he can produce," added Liu Rusi, staring at Lin Hao with the adoring eyes of a young girl, her beautiful gaze filled with worship.

"Is the Taixuan Sect witnessing a resurgence? First, a cast-off from a noble house who broke through the ten-zhang dragon gate, and now, an Innate Alchemy Saint."

Many people looked toward Ren Baichuan, wanting to apologize but feeling too embarrassed to approach.

"My apprentice, that’s my apprentice! Hahaha!"

Ren Baichuan was laughing so hard tears were streaming down his face. Today, he was destined to become famous in the alchemy world. Let’s see who would dare to mock him again.

Some gritted their teeth, thinking to themselves that the old man was really shamelessly taking credit. He was an Innate Alchemy Saint; could he really have been trained by someone like that?

But Tianbao was indeed Ren Baichuan’s direct disciple, that was beyond doubt. Now, all they could feel was envy and jealousy.

*Bang!*

Suddenly, a sound echoed from Lin Hao’s furnace. A crimson pill shot out, spinning at high speed on the arena stage.

It was done!

Success, just like that. While the other nine contestants hadn't even reacted, Lin Hao’s pill was already finished.

In such a short time, with a one hundred percent success rate.

This was... too terrifying.

And the more terrifying part was yet to come.

Countless burning eyes fell upon the spinning pill. A rich fragrance of medicine wafted out, permeating the entire arena.

Ling Zhen was so excited he almost jumped up on the spot, for he could already see the clear, visible pill patterns on the surface. He was counting—many were counting—to see exactly how many there were.

Finally, the pill stopped spinning. Master Jingyang, ignoring his dignity, was the first to move, grabbing the pill in his hand to examine it. Two other Alchemy Pavilion elders at the Heaven Origin Realm quickly crowded around.

"One, two, three, four... eight... nine!"

When Master Jingyang shouted the final "nine," his voice was trembling. The eyes of the three Alchemy Pavilion elders widened; the red pill reflected in their pupils like a perfect work of art.

"Nine patterns. It’s nine patterns!"

Master Jingyang announced, his voice shaking violently.