As the saying goes, an expert’s skill is evident with just a touch.

Chu Ning’s mastery in alchemy is comparable to many Golden Core Cultivators.

However, due to the limitation of not having Pill Fire, he cannot refine more advanced elixirs. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

At this moment, he glanced at Leng Daichun’s spell and immediately realized that this person’s alchemy technique is impressive.

While he couldn’t claim a definite win over Yuan Rongzhang, the two were certainly on par with each other.

Chu Ning could see that, and naturally, Ling Cang and Yu Changge from Jiuhua Sect could see it too.

Even the later arrivals, Su Yuqing and He Yanmao, could vaguely tell that Leng Daichun’s Fire Control Technique was top-notch.

Immediately, they exchanged glances, and began conversing via sound transmission.

"This person from Daluo Sect seems to possess alchemy skills equal to ours; Senior Brother Yuan might encounter a formidable opponent this time."

Su Yuqing transmitted to He Yanmao, who nodded:

"I always thought that aside from Ao Xuan, the rest from Daluo Sect were decent at alchemy, but might not measure up to us.

Especially since Senior Brother Chu joined the Alchemy Pavilion, everyone has improved greatly through sparring.

Yet, it seems we’ve grown too complacent."

He Yanmao transmitted with a slight furrow of his brow.

Su Yuqing nodded slightly, saying no more, only showing a hint of concern and worry in her usually calm eyes.

This competition is critically important both for the Alchemy Pavilion and for Jiuhua Sect.

After conversing, they focused their attention back on the two who were alchemying.

At this moment, on the Alchemy Platform, Yuan Rongzhang and Leng Daichun were adding spirit medicines into the Alchemy Furnace, changing their Fire Control Techniques slightly.

Yuan Rongzhang was using the Fire Control Technique from the Jiuhua Essence Condensing Pill.

What surprised Chu Ning was that Leng Daichun’s Fire Control Technique, although looking different from Yuan Rongzhang’s on the surface,

Chu Ning’s keen eyes detected that the two techniques share a common source.

"These two Fire Control Techniques probably originate from the same source.

No wonder Jiuhua Sect people bear a grudge against Daluo Sect’s actions."

Chu Ning’s eyes flickered; based on sheer refinement, his version of the Jiuhua Nengyuan Technique should have the edge.

However, his concern was Leng Daichun’s obviously superior Magical Power, making it easier to handle.

Soon, both had nearly completed the extraction of spirit medicines and began the subsequent steps of combining liquids and separating liquids.

It must be said, Yuan Rongzhang’s alchemy technique has indeed greatly improved over the past few years.

More than seven years ago, he couldn’t even refine the Upper Grade Jiuhua Essence Condensing Pill.

Now, he faces an entirely unfamiliar Intermediate Upper Grade Elixir with minimal errors.

However, his Magical Power does indeed lag behind Leng Daichun’s; the latter has already started forming pills.

While he had just finished the liquid separation process.

When Yuan Rongzhang began to form pills, Leng Daichun had already completed his alchemy.

Yet, seeming to deliberately wait for Yuan Rongzhang to finish before revealing the results.

Leng Daichun did not immediately remove the elixirs from the Alchemy Furnace.

Having completed his alchemy, he merely observed the opposite side’s Yuan Rongzhang coldly.

Moreover, his expression revealed no emotion.

Eventually, Yuan Rongzhang completed his pill formation; he glanced at Leng Daichun but did not rush to retrieve his pills.

On the high platform, Elder Peng saw the two had both finished alchemy, rose to speak:

"Since both nephews have completed alchemy, please retrieve your pills."

With those words, Yuan Rongzhang and Leng Daichun simultaneously tapped their Pill Furnaces.

"Both are five pills? Wait, there’s something with Yuan Rongzhang..."

Chu Ning’s sharp gaze immediately caught that both retrieved five pills from the Pill Furnace.

But he also noticed,

After retrieving the pills, there was an instant change in Yuan Rongzhang’s facial expression.

Although the change was subtle, it didn’t escape the ever-observant Chu Ning.

However, what he could see was not visible to the Jiuhua Sect disciples present.

"Did you see how many pills they retrieved?"

"Five, both of them got five."

"What, both got five? So does that mean it’s a draw?"

"We still have to see the pill quality, which we cannot determine."

"Master Yuan is the second alchemist in the Alchemy Pavilion after Master Chu; surely he’ll win one match."

"Yes, yes, surely he’ll win one match!"

The Jiuhua Sect members eagerly watched as both contestants threw their jade bottles to the white-haired Elder Peng.

To avoid confusion, the two sects used different colored bottles.

Jiuhua Sect used green jade bottles, while Daluo Sect used white jade bottles.

Elder Peng and four other witnesses stepped forward, opening the green jade bottle to inspect its five pills.

Then, they did the same with the white jade bottle.

After a brief discussion, Elder Peng stepped to the center of the platform, spoke slowly:

"In this match, both contestants formed 5 pills, with the same pill formation success rate.

However, one of Yuan Rongzhang’s pills from Jiuhua Sect had a slight flaw and his alchemy speed was slower.

Daluo Sect wins this match."

"Wow!"

With Elder Peng’s pronouncement, the entire arena was in an uproar.