Three Sins Against Heaven-Chapter 94 – Final outcome
As the news of the competition between Ghost Guest and Zhao Wenling to refine second-grade pills spread, it only took a moment for the area outside Dangui Pavilion to be packed with people. Many cultivators even climbed onto nearby buildings, afraid to miss this exciting contest.
Under Amanda Han's direction, all the cultivators from Dangui Pavilion and Fragrance Beauty Tower surrounded Ghost Guest and Zhao Wenling, both to give them enough space to perform and to prevent anyone from interfering with the competition.
Ghost Guest and Zhao Wenling exchanged a glance, simultaneously igniting the furnace and placing the ingredients into the pill furnace.
For the first pill, both chose the easiest second-grade Spirit Gathering Pill.
Zhao Wenling successfully refined the Spirit Gathering Pill after the third batch of ingredients. After a brief rest, he placed the ingredients for the Rejuvenation Pill in front of him and began refining.
The competition was about who could refine the most types of second-grade pills. As long as one pill was successfully refined, they could move on to the next type.
At this moment, Ghost Guest was working on his third batch of ingredients. Distracted by the cheers from the crowd, the ingredients in his furnace turned to ash in an instant.
Ghost Guest adjusted his state, reintroduced the ingredients, and ignored the discussions around him.
Unfortunately, he was a step behind. By the time he refined the second-grade Spirit Gathering Pill with the fifth batch of ingredients, Zhao Wenling's second pill was almost complete.
Although speed wasn't the focus, seeing Zhao Wenling's skillful technique, Ghost Guest felt the pressure.
Zhao Wenling remained composed, paying no attention to Ghost Guest. His masterful alchemy amazed the crowd, and within two hours, he had completed nine types of second-grade pills.
Meanwhile, Ghost Guest had just begun refining the seventh type of pill.
The crowd buzzed with discussion.
"How is Senior Brother Zhao refining so quickly? I think he's going to win this time."
"Not necessarily. It's not about speed. Even if Senior Brother Ghost Guest is a bit slower, he might still manage to refine the remaining three types."
"But Senior Brother Zhao's technique is more skilled, and he's more relaxed. Isn't the outcome obvious?"
"True, if he wins, those fifty thousand Spirit Stones will be enough for me to cultivate for years."
In front of Ghost Guest, the originally stable furnace fire suddenly flared up, but he adjusted in time, preventing the ingredients from burning.
After refining the seventh type of pill, he didn't relax. Instead, his forehead was covered in cold sweat.
Zhao Wenling suddenly said, "If you continue refining in this state, you're bound to lose."
Ghost Guest fell silent, his brow furrowed.
"When you participated in the Medicine Gate competition, was your goal to win first place?" Zhao Wenling asked.
Ghost Guest shook his head, "I just wanted to see how my alchemy compared to my peers. Winning wasn't necessary."
Zhao Wenling calmly replied, "That's why you won back then. I was arrogant, thinking my alchemy had to win first place. So, when we competed in refining the Barrier Breaking Pill, my emotions were unstable, and I lost to you by a hair's breadth. Now, you're like I was back then, too concerned with the result. You bet fifty thousand Spirit Stones because you can't afford to lose, so you care too much. But I can afford to lose. I lost to you once, and after that, I cut away all my pride. Losing to you again is no big deal, so I can win."
"Thank you for the lesson," Ghost Guest said, bowing respectfully. "Why remind me?"
"Because I don't care," Zhao Wenling smiled effortlessly. "Compared to winning or losing, having a worthy opponent to motivate me is more important. That's how progress is made. Cultivation isn't about competing for a moment, but for a lifetime. I see you as my most important rival, so don't disappoint me."
Ghost Guest returned a gentle smile, completely relaxed, and placed the eighth batch of ingredients into the furnace.
After a while, Ghost Guest tapped the lid of the furnace, and the second-grade pill flew out, landing steadily in his hand.
The crowd was filled with astonishment. He succeeded with just the first batch of ingredients.
As the ninth batch of ingredients was placed into the furnace, everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on Ghost Guest.
If he failed, the fifty thousand Spirit Stones would be lost.
Ghost Guest remained calm. After refining the first batch of ingredients, he extinguished the furnace fire and tapped the lid, and the ninth second-grade pill flew out of the furnace.
"He really did it, amazing."
"Both refined nine types of second-grade pills, so how do we determine the winner?"
"Continue?" Ghost Guest asked with a smile, looking at Zhao Wenling.
"Of course," Zhao Wenling nodded. "From the result, I hope to win. But in the long run, every loss brings great improvement. No matter the result, there must be a winner."
"Alright," Ghost Guest thought for a moment, "let's use the second-grade Acupoint Breakthrough Pill for the final test. It's a difficult pill to refine, and I've never attempted it. I assume you haven't either. Shall we use it for the final test?"
Zhao Wenling nodded, sitting cross-legged to adjust his breath.
Ghost Guest ordered the ingredients and began adjusting his breath as well.
Moments later, both simultaneously ignited the furnace and placed the ingredients inside.
For the first nine attempts, both failed. The Acupoint Breakthrough Pill is challenging even for seasoned second-grade alchemists, let alone for those who recently started with second-grade pills.
They looked at each other, seeing the relaxed expressions in each other's eyes, and smiled, starting the final attempt.
After a long while, both extinguished their furnace fires, and the crowd's hearts leapt to their throats.
Would Zhao Wenling take the fifty thousand Spirit Stones, or would Ghost Guest continue his winning streak?
Both tapped their furnaces, catching the pills that flew out.
Zhao Wenling opened his palm, revealing an Acupoint Breakthrough Pill that, though not fully refined, had taken form.
For his first attempt at refining a second-grade Acupoint Breakthrough Pill, reaching this stage was quite an achievement. With some reflection, he could refine a true Acupoint Breakthrough Pill.
Instantly, all eyes focused on Ghost Guest's tightly clenched right hand.
Ghost Guest slowly opened his palm, revealing a perfectly round Acupoint Breakthrough Pill, emitting a faint medicinal fragrance.
"Wow, he really succeeded!"
"To succeed on the first attempt at refining an Acupoint Breakthrough Pill, incredible!"
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"From now on, Senior Brother Ghost Guest is truly a second-grade pill refiner. Congratulations!"
Ghost Guest casually tossed the pill into a porcelain bottle and bowed to Zhao Wenling.
"Thank you for letting me win."
Zhao Wenling was silent for a moment, then smiled freely, taking the contract and signing it with a handprint.
"Very well, I lost."
Ghost Guest said nothing more, standing up to bow to the onlookers, "Today's competition ends here. Thank you, fellow cultivators, for coming to watch."
The crowd dispersed. Although no one walked away with the fifty thousand Spirit Stones, witnessing such a spectacular duel was worth the trip.
Ghost Guest invited Zhao Wenling into a private room in Dangui Pavilion and ordered the finest tea to be served.
Zhao Wenling lifted the teacup but hesitated to drink. After a moment of silence, he set the cup down and looked at Ghost Guest.
"I don't like being beneath others. I recently bought a large batch of ingredients, and I don't have that many Spirit Stones on hand. Give me two months, and I'll repay you a year's worth of rewards."
