My husband Can Cultivate-Chapter 353: The Two Associations Merge!

GONG! GONG! GONG!

Just then, the bell rang.

Instantly, everyone fell silent.

Yang Qi slowly opened his eyes, a smile curling at the corners of his mouth. Chuyun Xiong has quite the reputation. But this time, that champion title is mine.

On the dais, Lei Qingtian held the microphone and announced loudly, "Ladies and Gentlemen! Today is the final day of the Elixir Medicine Conference! It is also our most crucial competition. We warmly welcome everyone here to join us today.

"And to our contestants: give it everything you've got. Become the champion of this Elixir Medicine Conference."

The crowd was electrified; the atmosphere of the finals was always extraordinary.

"Furthermore, I have another matter to announce," Lei Qingtian continued. "As National Medicine technology continues to evolve, the integration of treatment and elixirs has become increasingly intertwined. Therefore, after careful deliberation, the National Medicine Association and the Elixir Medicine Association will merge after this conference to establish the new National Medicine Association. The champion of this Elixir Medicine Conference will become the first president of the Jingnan Prefecture National Medicine Association!"

A gasp of astonishment swept through the venue. Nobody had expected Prefecture Master Lei to make such a grand move.

The most thrilled among them was undoubtedly Song Ruize. Even if I don't win the championship, as long as Chuyun Xiong does, the presidency of the National Medicine Association will ultimately be mine. He was filled with absolute confidence in Chuyun Xiong.

Lei Qingtian gently pressed a hand down, and the venue gradually quieted once more.

He continued, "The finals will follow the same rules as before. The conference will provide all contestants with identical medicinal materials—an abundant supply totaling over three hundred types. Among them are even some that are decades old. You are not required to use all of these materials. You may rely on your own abilities and ideas to put forth your utmost effort and refine the best elixir possible. The ultimate victor will be determined by the level of their elixir and its true medicinal effects!"

These rules were known to all. Since they had not changed, there was little cause for surprise. The only variable was the specific selection of the three hundred-plus medicinal materials, making advance preparation nearly impossible. For a truly skilled National Medicine practitioner, however, this was no problem at all. A single glance at the materials was all they needed to decide what elixir to refine.

"Hmph!" Chuyun Xiong snorted. "To think they provided over three hundred types of materials. What a waste of my talent. The fewer the materials, the more skill is showcased. But no matter. Under any conditions, I will be the champion! None of you stand a chance."

Yang Qi just smiled, offering no comment. With over three hundred kinds of materials, the possible variations were naturally numerous. Adding or subtracting a single ingredient could completely change the resulting elixir.

"Alright, the rules have been announced. The countdown begins now; the competition will start on the hour."

Lei Qingtian glanced at the clock on the wall. Only five minutes remained until nine o'clock in the morning. At nine, the competition would officially begin.

"Begin!"

The moment the bell tolled again, Lei Qingtian also declared the start of the Elixir Medicine Conference.

The crowd watched the ten individuals in the arena with bated breath. These were the ten finalists, selected from the entire Jingnan Prefecture. Even if for no other reason, just witnessing the alchemy display of these ten masters was thrilling enough.

The moment Lei Qingtian shouted, "Begin," several contestants had already started their alchemy. The previous five minutes had been more than enough time for them to formulate a plan. Elder Chen Guo and Song Ruize were among the quickest, being the first to commence their alchemy. The Furnace Tripods and medicinal materials were all provided by the organizers, ensuring the conditions were fair. The true test was one of skill.

Not many people paid attention to Yang Qi. Most eyes were fixated on Chuyun Xiong, Song Ruize, and Elder Chen Guo. The only ones truly watching Yang Qi were Zhu Benxiu, Chen Baixiang, Lei Yingying, and a few others.

Yang Qi was in no hurry to begin. Instead, he calmly surveyed the materials. With over three hundred kinds to choose from, selection was a complex art in itself.

"Wow, that's Spiritual Fire! That's Spiritual Fire!" suddenly came a shout from the audience, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

Curious, Yang Qi looked over. In Chuyun Xiong's hands, a dark-colored Spiritual Fire danced like an obedient pet, docilely following his every command. The other contestants, meanwhile, were using ordinary flames, which had to be kindled with charcoal. By comparison, Chuyun Xiong was truly extraordinary, instantly becoming the most distinctive person present.

"I'd long heard that this Chuyun Xiong possessed Innate Spiritual Fire, but I never expected it to be true. To think someone in this world actually possesses such a thing!" Lei Qingtian suddenly shot to his feet, the confidence he once had seemingly shattered.

In his view, no matter how formidable Yang Qi was, he could not possibly compete against alchemy performed with Spiritual Fire. Spiritual Fire held countless advantages over Mortal Fire. Not only was the success rate higher, but the elixirs it refined were also more potent with spiritual energy. Generally speaking, when skills were equal, Mortal Fire stood no chance against Spiritual Fire. Even if their alchemy skill was inferior, someone possessing Spiritual Fire could refine superior elixirs. What's more, Chuyun Xiong's technique was extremely adept, showing no trace of unfamiliarity. It was truly admirable.

BOOM! 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Suddenly, a golden flame ignited in the palm of Yang Qi's hand.

"Spiritual Fire! He has Spiritual Fire, too!" another person cried out.

"I can't believe it! Besides Chuyun Xiong, someone else has Spiritual Fire! Who is he?"

"I don't recognize him!"

"Never heard of him!"

Many in the crowd did not know Yang Qi. After all, the influence of Song Ruize's interview show was not as great as one might imagine.

"Hahahaha!" Lei Qingtian burst into laughter. He had thought defeat was certain because of Chuyun Xiong's Spiritual Fire, but now it seemed there was still hope.

Chuyun Xiong frowned as he looked at the Spiritual Fire in Yang Qi's hand. Then, a cold sneer formed on his lips. "Hmph! What a fool. What he has is merely an ordinary Golden Spirit Fire. My Spiritual Fire, on the other hand, is a special, mutated Dark Spirit Fire. Moreover, my Dark Spirit Fire has already reached the Second Level. His Golden Spirit Fire is merely at the First Level. How can he beat me? How ridiculous!"

He made no attempt to lower his voice, so many people heard him and found themselves nodding in agreement. In terms of both level and quality, Yang Qi's fire was indeed no match for Chuyun Xiong's. How could he possibly win?

"What does it matter if my Spiritual Fire is inferior to yours?" Yang Qi chuckled. "In alchemy, technique is what truly matters. Fire, after all, is just an aid!"

With that, he fully immersed himself in his work.

The other contestants did not give up either. Just as Yang Qi had said, fire was only an aid. Although possessing Spiritual Fire was a great advantage, it did not make victory a certainty. Until the dust settles, anyone can be a dark horse!

Yang Qi had already decided on the elixir he wanted to refine, and so he began the process. The Golden Spirit Fire burned steadily beneath the Furnace Tripod. He slowly added the materials into the Pill Furnace, beginning to extract their medicinal essence. One hand controlled the temperature while the other selected the materials, moving with a distinct, confident rhythm.