At this moment, the alchemist beside Ding Fan couldn't help but feel a wave of shock in his heart, because it was well-known that the cultivation of alchemists generally wasn't very fast. Most of an alchemist's time was spent studying alchemy, and clearly, cultivation was a weakness for them. Moreover, given that the other party was so young, their cultivation level at most might be at the Early Nascent Soul Stage, so how could they stand there so calmly?

The explosion power of the alchemy cauldron just now was not a small presence. Obviously, that strike was definitely not something an Early Nascent Soul Stage cultivator could withstand. Yet, the other party was so calm, how could this not shock everyone?

At this moment, almost all the participating alchemists' gazes had gathered on Ding Fan. Beyond their shock, their eyes clearly showed deep disdain, aligning with what everyone had speculated: the other party's alchemy cauldron had indeed exploded! People knew that such reckless behavior would definitely result in an explosion!

"Heh, just as I thought, merely for show, just lucky enough to save his own life!"

"Trash is trash! Even famous, still just famous trash!"

"..."

For a time, many alchemists whispered to each other about Ding Fan, clearly feeling great disdain for his actions. After all, the result was already out: the other party's alchemy cauldron had indeed exploded, so what pills could possibly be refined? Surely, everything was ruined!

At this time, the spectators outside, witnessing the scene just now, couldn't help but feel extremely tense. Clearly, the sound of that explosion had startled everyone. Although they had already guessed that Ding Fan's alchemy cauldron would explode sooner or later, they hadn't expected the explosion to happen so suddenly, catching everyone off guard.

Everyone, shocked as they were, felt waves of contempt towards Ding Fan. Clearly, the explosion of his alchemy cauldron was expected by all; however, the unexpected part was that, despite the explosion not being very intense, it still held certain power. Yet, the other party stood there unmoved, which undeniably surprised everyone.

In everyone's eyes, Ding Fan was merely a cultivator at the Early Nascent Soul Stage. Although this level of cultivation was already commendable for someone of Ding Fan's age, attempting to withstand the explosion's power was definitely stretching it a bit, wasn't it? Yet, there he stood by the very alchemy cauldron, seemingly staring intensely at it as if something wasn't completed, leaving everyone a bit astonished.

"Damn! The alchemy cauldron exploded, yet that guy's perfectly fine, impressive!"

"Impressive my ass! He's just trash; he really thinks he's some alchemic genius! In the end, didn't his alchemy cauldron explode!"

"Exactly, exactly! Just doing it for attention! Alchemists like him probably have mediocre skill levels! He really lacks self-awareness; with this level, he's participating in the Great Alchemy Competition? It's totally a bluff!"

"His level is not even as good as mine! At least we have self-awareness!"

"That kid's alchemy cauldron exploded; they'll probably clear him out soon! It would be quite entertaining to see him in such a sorry state..."

"If the competition judges deem him disruptive, he might not get another chance to compete in the Great Alchemy Competition for life!"

"Deserves what he gets!"

"..."

At this time, He Qianyao, hearing the surrounding cultivators discussing Ding Fan, couldn't help but feel very worried for him. Could Ding Fan really be seeking attention? To find the person he was looking for, did he really resort to this method? For a moment, He Qianyao had all sorts of doubts in her heart; she was very unwilling to believe that Ding Fan was merely seeking attention. After all, the alchemy level Ding Fan displayed when he was at Master Nanyang's even left Master Nanyang in awe.

How could Ding Fan be merely seeking attention? Furthermore, Ding Fan's announced method of preserving the alchemy cauldron was now widely known, and everyone greatly admired this mysterious young prodigy. He Qianyao knew very well that the mysterious and legendary young prodigy was Ding Fan. Given his alchemic prowess, it was absolutely impossible for him to be seeking attention, clearly not?

But if Ding Fan wasn't like that, then how did his alchemy cauldron explode?

At this moment, inside the VIP suite, Sun Hua's heart suddenly trembled with the thunderous sound from Ding Fan's alchemy cauldron; the thing he least wanted to see had happened, the alchemy cauldron had indeed exploded. He knew the alchemy cauldron was a good thing, but just how good, Sun Hua didn't know. But clearly, Sun Hua was determined to get that alchemy cauldron.

At this moment, even all of Sun Hua's care for the alchemy cauldron had turned into hatred towards Ding Fan. Apparently, he hadn't expected someone in Dancheng to openly hit his subordinate, which was akin to hitting him in the face. He was the son of the Vice City Lord, used to seeing the world, yet he had never encountered someone who dared to oppose him. This feud would surely be avenged!

As the alchemy cauldron landed, Sun Hua finally breathed a sigh of relief. Apparently, the alchemy cauldron wasn't damaged, it was merely shaken away. Sun Hua felt slightly reassured.

His guess was indeed correct; the other party hadn't discovered his presence yet and merely intended to make a spectacle during the Great Alchemy Competition or perhaps just wanted fame. After all, the Great Alchemy Competition is quite a grand event on the Donglai Continent, and if they want fame, this is indeed a good choice. Sun Hua's eyes flashed with disdain and malice. He knew well that the infamy that the other party gained would be the only result, and after this competition, no matter what the name, no one would know who you were!

After all, people aren't very interested in the dead!

In the judge's area of the Great Alchemy Competition, a few elders were taken aback upon seeing Ding Fan's scene. They clearly didn't expect the alchemy cauldron to explode just like that! For a moment, the expressions on several judges' faces turned ugly, and soon they began deliberating.

"This guy seriously affects the competition, I suggest he should be immediately expelled from the competition grounds. Otherwise, it's extremely unfair to the other participating alchemists!"

"I agree! This guy is just seeking attention! I didn't expect he'd cause such a big disturbance! We absolutely can't let him stay here!"

"Agreed! Agreed!"

"Agreed..."

In no time, the several elders unanimously agreed. Clearly, in their eyes, Ding Fan had become a disruptive presence that needed to be escorted out. Keeping him here was indeed perilous!

Soon, the judges turned their gaze to an elder seated at the center of the judge's area, clearly the alchemist with the highest rank here, a Grade Eight Alchemist, obviously unmatched by ordinary alchemists. The judges knew clearly that to make a decision, they needed his consent. Moreover, they weren't worried, for the disruptive behavior was so blatant that even Elder Wang would surely want the guy expelled. Elder Wang was the Grade Eight Alchemist in the center.

Elder Wang's background was extraordinary. Not only was he a Grade Eight Alchemist, but he was also a close friend of the City Lord, and his cultivation was at the Late Nascent Soul Stage, seemingly just needing a trigger to easily breakthrough to the Deity Transformation Stage. Such a remarkable person was Elder Wang. Moreover, everyone knew Elder Wang's alchemy skills were the most exceptional.

And the pill recipe used for this Great Alchemy Competition was painstakingly refined by Elder Wang. Being an ancient recipe, known for its extreme difficulty, Elder Wang still managed to refine a Grade Eight Pill, already an impressive achievement. For Elder Wang, refining a Grade Nine Medicine Pill wasn't too big of a challenge, so naturally, his friends were all individuals of significant prowess.

Therefore, with Elder Wang as the head judge this time, no one dared to say anything!

However, as everyone looked at Elder Wang, his expression was peculiar, with his brows slightly furrowed as if pondering over something or resolving a difficult problem. His gaze, however, remained fixed on Ding Fan.

"For someone so young, with such careful use of medicinal quantities, how could he commit such a rookie mistake? How could the alchemy cauldron explode..."

At this moment, Elder Wang occasionally muttered, clearly deeply curious and interested in Ding Fan, but couldn't fathom why such a basic mistake occurred. It's a well-known taboo among many alchemists, even those of average skill, that throwing too much spiritual material into the alchemy cauldron at once is forbidden. Would he not know?

Moreover, in Elder Wang's eyes, Ding Fan's technique was so skillful, reaching a proficient level. Though his every step was different from others, Elder Wang could still see that his foundational skills in alchemy were exceptionally strong. Yet, how did he make such an error?

...

At this moment, Ding Fan intently observed the change of spiritual materials within the alchemy cauldron, believing the previous scene was not an explosion, but a normal reaction of material fusion inside the cauldron. Everything was remarkably normal, with just one final step remaining. Using his Divine Sense to slightly increase the alchemy fire under the cauldron, and in less than ten minutes, it would be completed!

Ding Fan glanced around at his fellow alchemists, surprised to find them glaring at him as if he were an enemy. Albeit amused initially, considering the Great Alchemy Competition had only started ten minutes ago and most alchemists hadn't figured out how to begin, Ding Fan found himself almost finished with just ten minutes left. He was confident that the grade level of the pill he refined wouldn't be an average existence.

Yet, as Ding Fan observed the reactions of the surrounding alchemists, he unintentionally glanced toward the elders in the judge's area with his Divine Sense. His brows furrowed slightly upon noticing a few judges about to evict him, treating him as a mere disruptor in the competition.

Feeling somewhat helpless and tense at realizing this, Ding Fan thought his alchemy would be completed in less than ten minutes—no, in just nine minutes now—but if they expelled him at this moment, all his efforts would be in vain.