At this moment, the young cultivator, with the elder judge's consent, rushed aggressively toward Ding Fan, clearly intending to fiercely teach him a lesson with his short stick, wanting to make him remember that in Dancheng, no one dares to act so wantonly!

Just as the young cultivator reached Ding Fan and was about to strike him with the short stick, he suddenly felt a strong gust of wind rush at him!

Whoosh~

The airwave directly blew the young cultivator over, making him fall hard onto his backside and feel somewhat bewildered; what exactly had just happened?

At this time, Ding Fan's alchemy cauldron had already opened, and the airwave was released from within Ding Fan's alchemy cauldron. It was evident that not only the young cultivator felt its presence; other alchemists around began to sense this airwave too, causing those cultivators with somewhat longer hair to have messy hairstyles.

However, the rich medicinal aroma within the airwave was something everyone smelled quite clearly. It was apparent that this was not an ordinary medicinal scent; it gave one a refreshing feeling like the morning sun, even making one's spiritual consciousness feel clearer. The crowd was struck with astonishment; what exactly was this fragrance?

At this point, the medicinal aroma wafted not just around Ding Fan but permeated the entire Wuji Square, with everyone able to smell it, feeling quite surprised. The spectators were momentarily stunned, unable to comprehend what was happening with this aroma. How could there be such a miraculous scent, making anyone who smelled it remember it for a lifetime! Not only were the spectators stunned into silence.

Even the elders in the judge area were momentarily floored upon smelling the fragrance emanating from Ding Fan's alchemy cauldron.

"Isn't this fragrance somewhat too strange? How can there be such a smell!"

"Indeed... It's simply unbelievable!"

"It can't be! Normally when an alchemy cauldron explodes, the smell is quite foul, isn't it? How could it be so fragrant!"

"..."

Suddenly, the elders in the judge area began discussing among themselves, clearly puzzled about the source of this fragrance and why it was emitted from the exploded alchemy cauldron of that young boy; it seemed unreasonable!

At this moment, Ding Fan casually walked over to the young cultivator's side, then calmly smiled and said:

"Sorry about that, this was just a sign of the pill formation! Didn't mean to hurt you!"

After speaking, Ding Fan casually took out a medicine pill and waved it in front of the young cultivator's eyes. The crowd seeing this was completely dumbstruck!

"What did he say? Did he say he actually refined a medicine pill!"

"My God! Can it be so exaggerated! How is this possible! How could he refine a medicine pill!"

"I must have heard wrong! Right? His alchemy cauldron exploded, and he still could refine a medicine pill; how is this possible!"

"This is a bit too exaggerated, isn't it? The alchemy cauldron exploded, and he still managed to refine a medicine pill!"

"..."

"This is simply too exaggerated! Such speed, with the cauldron exploding, he actually refined a medicine pill!"

"I wouldn't believe it even if you beat me to death! Absolutely not!"

"Right! I don't believe it either! How do we know if it's not some random pill he produced for cheating!"

"Exactly! Exactly! I don't believe it either!"

"That's right! He's certainly just pretending by pulling out a pill randomly to avoid flesh pain; otherwise, how could he resort to such a base method!"

"But, why do I see him taking the pill from his alchemy cauldron..."

"You are definitely mistaken! How could it be! Can you believe that a cauldron exploded and still a pill could be refined! Is he some kind of god?"

...

Suddenly, the crowd started discussing animatedly, clearly shocked by Ding Fan's actions, unable to believe he truly refined a medicine pill under such circumstances. Everyone assumed Ding Fan had prepared the medicine pill beforehand and simply pretended otherwise since it's unheard of that one could refine a pill after the cauldron explodes; it's simply way too miraculous!

Ghosts wouldn't believe such a tale!

The young cultivator lying on the ground also looked at Ding Fan, at the medicine pill in his hand, full of doubt, unable to tell if what Ding Fan said was true or false. Just as he was about to question him, Ding Fan suddenly said:

"Since you're part of the staff, could you help deliver this to the judges. This pill is of immeasurable value, so be careful!"

After Ding Fan finished speaking, he tossed the medicine pill directly onto the young man's body. The young man instinctively caught it with his hand, feeling a bit puzzled and unsure of what to do.

He understood that this was the venue and time for the Great Alchemy Competition, and the opponent, as a contestant, had refined the medicine pill, clearly intending for it to be sent to the judges for evaluation.

However, the young cultivator felt extremely unwilling, as Ding Fan's previous attitude left him annoyed. Now, he had to deliver the pill to the judges for him? It was utterly unrealistic. But the young cultivator dared not mishandle the pill, especially recalling Ding Fan's last words—valuable beyond measure!

The young cultivator hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do, then glanced towards the judge area, evidently seeking the judgment of the elders there, so all responsibility could be shifted to them, and he could extricate himself from the situation.

After all, the young cultivator knew if Ding Fan truly was an alchemic genius, then the medicine pill might indeed be invaluable. But the young cultivator evidently did not believe that was the case, as Ding Fan appeared nothing like a genius; in his eyes, Ding Fan was a mere clown.

Clearly, the young cultivator knew he was not alone in his thinking; a good eighty percent of the elders in the judge area thought the same. Thus, by seeking their opinion, he was confident the judges would give a decision he favored. Then Ding Fan would truly suffer!

An elder from the judge area noticed the young cultivator's gaze. After hesitating briefly, he glanced at the surrounding elders, who nodded. The elder then said to the young cultivator:

"The alchemy cauldron exploded; what kind of medicine pill could there be? It's all just smoke and mirrors! Ignore the pill and drive that cultivator out!"

After saying this, the young cultivator couldn't help but smile smugly, his gaze turning icy and cruel towards Ding Fan. Just driving him out? That wasn't his style!

The surrounding cultivators also smirked, clearly eager for the upcoming task, which seemed as simple to them as eating or drinking water—handling a mere early Nascent Soul stage youngster.

Naturally, Ding Fan heard the elder's words and was taken aback. He hadn't expected his peculiar alchemy methods would lead the judges to utterly disbelieve him. A chill swept over Ding Fan's heart, leaving him helpless.

Since the judge had spoken, it seemed his journey in the Great Alchemy Competition might be nearing its end. With that thought, Ding Fan prepared for the worst.

Unavoidably, Ding Fan's gaze turned cold as it focused on the approaching young cultivators, and a powerful divine sense suddenly swept over them.

Instantly, the young cultivators stopped in their tracks, each feeling a penetrating chill—one as if facing death—that left them momentarily stunned and deeply shocked.

The young cultivators hadn't anticipated such a striking effect from just one glance, sparking a flicker of fear, but it soon vanished, knowing they were in Dancheng—the City Lord Mansion's territory!

No matter who you are, upon entering this territory, you must obey the City Lord Mansion! Otherwise, you face extermination without exception!

The young cultivators immediately released divine sense, eradicating any lingering fear, and decisively walked towards Ding Fan, eager to see what abilities he truly possessed! Even if he had great skills, they weren't worried, as the City Lord Mansion's thousands of cultivators ensured he wouldn't leave alive!

As far as the City Lord Mansion in Dancheng was concerned, not even a formidable cultivator at the divine stage dared to cause trouble here, lest they tire of living!

"Wait!"

Suddenly, a loud, ancient voice echoed.

The young cultivators paused, looking towards the source—it was Elder Wang, the chief judge. They were stunned; why had Elder Wang stopped them now? Was he favoring Ding Fan?

The young cultivators were filled with doubt!

"Bring the medicine pill here, let me see."

Elder Wang spoke calmly, but his voice was so thunderous that defying him was inconceivable.

Upon hearing Elder Wang, the young cultivators were taken aback, surprised that he wanted to inspect the pill. Had they misheard? Elder Wang was deeply respected, and as the head judge, he usually evaluated the pills only at the final grading. This final grading was overseen by Elder Wang.

When had they ever seen Elder Wang eager to inspect a pill first? This pill must be incredibly enticing to provoke such urgency in a Grade Eight Alchemist.

It was incredulous!

But at that moment, the young cultivator leading took the medicine pill that Ding Fan had thrown, realizing it wasn't the time to ponder. He promptly ran to Elder Wang and respectfully handed him the pill with both hands.

Elder Wang took the pill, glanced at the young cultivators opposite, and sternly reprimanded:

"Is it proper to hold the pill with your bare hands?"

Upon hearing the rebuke, the young cultivator felt intensely embarrassed, stifled, yet relieved he hadn't discarded the pill earlier, as that would have been a far larger issue. Evidently, Elder Wang's tone spoke volumes.

Could it be that Ding Fan's refined medicine pill truly was invaluable?