Protect Our Chief-Chapter 482 - 12: I, Wang Shouye, have suddenly become invincible?

...

Of course, while connections are important, personal strength is equally crucial. Otherwise, so-called connections are nothing but a joke.

After all, essentially, connections are built on mutual exchange of benefits. If you lack skills and potential, who would take you seriously?

Just like now.

The people present were all astute and could easily guess that the Wang Family must have gone through someone to make Master Dan Ding unable to save face, thus giving this favor.

But, so what?

The Wang Family is just a newly promoted Seventh-Grade Noble Family. Even if they went to great lengths to connect with some people, who here would truly take the Wang Family seriously, unless they understood the situation?

Wang Shouzhe, having experienced ups and downs in two lifetimes, understood these people’s thoughts clearly.

Previously, he resorted to using connections purely to avoid being suppressed and bullied. Since the others had now come to dance right in front of him, he should naturally showcase some strength, to let them see the prowess of the Changning Wang Family. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Seeing everyone’s gaze focused on him, he calmly put down the teacup, glanced at Wang Shouye, and said indifferently, "Shouye, since that is the case, why don’t you have a match with him?"

"Yes, Fourth Brother." Wang Shouye replied earnestly, cupping his hands.

He took a deep breath, lifting his spirits. Since Fourth Brother had agreed, he had no choice but to compete, and he would do his best regardless.

Dongfang Yuxi’s face showed delight.

He didn’t expect that the Patriarch of the Wang Family wouldn’t tolerate provocation and accepted the challenge.

He immediately seized the opportunity and said to Wang Shouye, "Younger Brother Shouye, since we are both Spirit Platform Realm alchemists, why don’t we refine a Third-Grade Spirit Pill?"

Wang Shouye responded politely, "Brother Dongfang, among the Third-Grade Pills, I can only refine the Solid Essence Pill, Spirit Awakening Pill, and the Great Essence Pill."

In fact, there are many Third-Grade Pill recipes, but an alchemist’s energy is limited, and most alchemists can’t master all recipes. After all, becoming proficient in one kind of pill is not an easy task.

Wang Shouye focused primarily on refining those pills according to family needs.

"I didn’t expect you, Younger Brother Shouye, to be able to refine the Great Essence Pill at such a young age," Dongfang Yuxi said with a look of "admiration" on his face. "The Great Essence Pill is a good thing, widely applicable and quite profitable when refined well. Coincidentally, I have some acquaintance with the Great Essence Pill as well. How about we use the Great Essence Pill as our contest topic? What do you think, Younger Brother Shouye?"

At these words, Qiaan Xuefu’s face changed slightly. He was about to intervene when he saw Wang Shouye had already nodded in agreement.

"Then let’s go with Brother Dongfang’s suggestion."

Qiaan Xuefu couldn’t help but sigh, "Younger Brother Shouye, you agreed too quickly. You’ve fallen into a trap~ Dongfang Yuxi, being poor at home, has long relied on refining the Great Essence Pill to make money to support his family. Competing with him on this will surely put you at a disadvantage~"

The Great Essence Pill is one of the more expensive Third-Grade Spirit Pills. To refine one batch, just the raw materials and other costs alone amount to 1,500 Qian Gold. And the normal selling price for a Great Essence Pill is 300 Qian Gold each. So, refining five pills per batch is needed just to break even.

Due to the high cost, a Tier Three Alchemist would have limited opportunities to practice even over a year. Even if they carefully analyze and digest each refining session, the rate of improvement wouldn’t be very fast.

"Dongfang Yuxi, aren’t you much older than Shouye?" Yuwen Nianjing couldn’t help but interject, "The Great Essence Pill is inherently difficult to refine, requiring accumulated time and experience. Considering Shouye’s age, he probably hasn’t refined the Great Essence Pill nearly as many times as you have, not even a fraction."

Although she was also not selected, coming from the strong Sixth-Grade Noble Family Yuwen, her future prospects wouldn’t be small, so she wasn’t too concerned about not being chosen.

"Young Master Qian, Miss Yuwen," Dongfang Yuxi, not daring to offend strong Sixth-Grade and Fifth-Grade Noble Families, replied smoothly, "Younger Brother Shouye has the favor of Master Dan Ding, so he naturally has his unique aspect. Yuxi just wants to learn a bit."

Just when Yuwen Nianjing was about to speak again, Wang Shouye cupped his hands and said, "Brother Qian, Miss Yuwen, thank you for your righteous words. However, firstly, victory and defeat are common in battles. Even if I lose, I’ll know where I’m lacking. Secondly, I have some insights into the Great Essence Pill, and choosing other pills doesn’t guarantee a win."

Wang Shouzhe nodded silently on the side. His seventh brother had always been gentle as jade and disliked directly opposing others. However, he was very persistent in the path of alchemy and extremely patient.

"Younger Brother Shouye is right," Dongfang Yuxi said with a smile. "After all, it’s just an exchange, so let’s begin promptly."

Since both sides had agreed, Gu Hanyu negotiated with the Celestial Essence Pill Workshop.

The Celestial Essence Pill Workshop was huge, and the Great Essence Pill was among the pills needed for daily refinement. The Chief Steward at the workshop stated that there were two batches of Great Essence Pills that had completed their preliminary preparations and were about to enter the pill collection stage.

A single batch of pills often took several days to prepare and refine, but the pill collection stage only required one hour. Yet, this one hour was the most challenging moment for an alchemist’s skills, where a pill’s formation, success, and quality were mostly determined.

Given this, Gu Hanyu allowed them to directly compete in pill collection.

Under the arrangements of the Pill Workshop’s Chief Steward, the two each entered their respective pill furnace rooms, assisted by a furnace attendant.