For a moment, the crowd began to buzz with discussions, with some even offering analyses of the third round of the Great Alchemy Competition. Hearing this, it seemed somewhat reasonable, but it only made everyone even more worried about Ding Fan.

If the final round of the Great Alchemy Competition tested the overall qualities of the alchemists, such as their cultivation level, it would definitely be disadvantageous for the people's champion, Ding Lin. Everyone knew that a common issue for alchemists was that their cultivation was generally not very high when they were young.

After all, alchemists spent most of their time researching medicine pills, making it rare for them to be well-rounded. Naturally, this couldn't be used as an excuse in the competition. But this was the basic truth of the matter.

Now, with only fifty alchemists remaining, it's likely that the crowd thought Ding Lin had the lowest cultivation level. After all, Ding Fan was the youngest one; even if he wasn't an alchemist, reaching the Nascent Soul Middle Stage at such an age solely through dedicated cultivation would already be impressive!

Not to mention that Ding Lin was a truly outstanding alchemist, meaning his cultivation level would be considerably lower. Nonetheless, even so, he was truly impressive! He was already a Grade Nine Alchemist; what more did he need cultivation for! He was destined to become a god sooner or later, wasn't he?

After all, which Grade Nine Alchemist wasn't at least at the Dividing Spirit Stage? Our Brother Dalin simply hadn't reached that point in time just yet!

At that moment, the elder judge observed the scene and then spoke:

"This time's Great Alchemy Competition is the finals, where alchemists must ascend a hundred steps and have only ten seconds to look at the pill recipe at the top. Subsequently, the alchemists will refine a medicine pill based on the recipe, and the highest alchemy grade will determine the true champion of this Great Alchemy Competition!"

Wow!

As soon as the elder finished speaking, the tens of thousands of spectators below erupted in chaos!

"Damn it! This isn't right—how can they expect us to ascend a hundred steps and then only have ten seconds to look at the recipe! That's just too ridiculous!"

"How can this be fair! Even a cultivator at the Dividing Spirit Stage can't get to the top, so how can these alchemists be expected to ascend? How's our Brother Dalin supposed to make it up there? And only have ten seconds to look at the recipe—it's known that some recipes take an alchemist a whole day to comprehend and refine, so it's impossible to just remember it in ten seconds!"

"Exactly! This is just bullying our Brother Dalin!"

"Yes, yes, give us an explanation!"

"..."

In no time, the tens of thousands of spectators became utterly frenzied, clearly outraged for Ding Fan's sake. In everyone's eyes, Ding Fan was so young, and clearly had the lowest cultivation level, so it wasn't just about those ten seconds of reading the recipe. People were deeply worried whether Ding Lin could even climb the steps, as the platform itself was something even Emergence Stage cultivators could only ascend twenty-five steps of.

The crowd continually bombarded the elder with questions, making it clear that the host elder wouldn't be able to leave the stage without providing a satisfactory explanation.

However, at that moment, the elder showed no signs of nervousness; instead, he smiled faintly and then, somewhat doubtfully, said:

"Who said I am a cultivator at the Dividing Spirit Stage? Just so you all know, I am not at the Dividing Spirit Stage. Of course, I'm getting there… cough cough…"

Upon hearing the elder's words, everyone fell silent for a moment; some audience members were almost ready to hurl their water bottles. If it weren't for all the guards present at the Great Alchemy Competition, they would have loved to throw them at him right away. This elder's words were simply too exasperating! The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the ⓝovelFire.net

At this moment, the elders in the judge area watched the host elder's words, rolling their eyes internally. They clearly hadn't expected the old man to joke at such a time.

The waiting alchemists heard the host elder's words and were shocked, clearly not expecting the third round of the Great Alchemy Competition to be so difficult! This was a challenge hardly anyone could complete; forget about memorizing the recipe in ten seconds—just being able to climb that high platform would already be a significant achievement.

Most of the participating alchemists had seen the scene with the two Emergence Stage middle-aged men before; even those powerful cultivators found it incredibly challenging, let alone themselves. These fifty alchemists were undoubtedly the elite among alchemists on Donglai Continent.

Clearly, many of the participating alchemists had relatively modest cultivation levels. Witnessing the previous scene with the two Emergence Stage men left them deeply shocked and worried about whether they could complete this final Great Alchemy Competition. Some alchemists had already completely lost hope for winning the championship.

However, this is not everything; among them, two alchemists, after hearing the supporting elder's words, were still full of enthusiasm, obviously determined to win the championship in the Great Alchemy Competition.

One of them is the already well-known Elder Herr. As a Seventh Grade Alchemist for a long time, Elder Herr's cultivation is undoubtedly impressive. After all, as a Seventh Grade Alchemist, whatever he consumes is casually a Seventh Grade Medicine Pill!

It must be known that Seventh Grade Medicine Pills are already considered High Level Pills, and in the Cultivation World, they are hard to come by. Some cultivators, even if they have a lot of Spirit Stones, may not be able to buy these High Level Pills, which are evidently an important resource for cultivators.

The help to cultivators is tremendous, hence it's imaginable that such an alchemist, who casually speaks of Seventh Grade Medicine Pills, would have a cultivation speed that ordinary cultivators cannot compare to. Even if Elder Herr has not yet reached the Distraction Stage in cultivation, he is undoubtedly at the Peak of the Emergence Stage, merely a step away from the Distraction Stage.

Therefore, Elder Herr is not at all worried about the final round of the Great Alchemy Competition; in fact, a trace of secret delight remains in his heart. He must know that he is extremely amazed by Ding Fan's alchemy level, as he cannot imagine that such a young alchemist could reach the level of a Grade Nine Alchemist!

This is truly unprecedented; Ding Fan's alchemic talent is incredibly amazing! Therefore, Elder Herr holds great admiration for Ding Fan's alchemy level, though he himself is merely a Seventh Grade Alchemist; but evidently, at this time, Elder Herr does not give up on the Great Alchemy Competition.

After all, the champion reward for this time's Great Alchemy Competition is too generous; it's the Golden Silk Protective Clothing, which can significantly increase defense even for ordinary cultivators. Since alchemists generally lack in cultivation, Elder Herr is more expectant of the Golden Silk Protective Clothing, evidently determined to win it.

Now the rules for the third round of the Great Alchemy Competition have been announced, and Elder Herr is exhilarated. Evidently, even if Di Dinglin has unbeatable talent in alchemy, in terms of cultivation, Elder Herr is full of confidence that the opponent is definitely inferior!

After all, the opponent is just a young man in his twenties, while he himself has long been a Seventh Grade Alchemist, consuming countless Seventh Grade Medicine Pills. How can the opponent compare! For a moment, Elder Herr is filled with confidence, as if once again seeing the hope of that championship.

Another alchemist, however, appears without a trace of worry and unlike Elder Herr, is not overly pleased. His expression remains very calm, as if his purpose is clear, and whether or not he wins the championship matters little.

Of course, his expression shows apparent confidence in this championship. This person is Zhang Hao, who, after the second round of the Great Alchemy Competition, was shocked to find that even with his prepared answer, he couldn't surpass Ding Lin.

The opponent is simply amazing! Zhang Hao greatly admires Ding Lin, but clearly has his focus. Though not very interested in this time's championship, he must win it to enter Dancheng's City Lord Mansion.

This is of utmost importance to Zhang Hao. He evaluates himself quite candidly, knowing he's not highly talented in alchemy. He is well aware of his abilities, originally disqualified in the second round until Vice City Lord Sun Long approached him, which presented him with an opportunity!

Zhang Hao has no intention to let go of this chance. After the second round ended, a humiliated Zhang Hao was called over by Sun Long. Originally, Zhang Hao thought he'd be scolded horridly, but surprisingly, the other showed understanding.

He even said anyone facing Ding Lin would find it difficult to win. Sun Long then gave Zhang Hao a Magic Artifact, telling him the artifact would make the daunting platform in the third round much easier. It should be noted that the platform is the most challenging part of the third round.

As for the ten-second Pill Recipe, such are minor issues; clearly, if you can't mount the platform, you naturally have no chance to view the Pill Recipe. Sun Long ultimately worriedly gave Zhang Hao a Pill Recipe to practice thoroughly.

Zhang Hao felt quite grateful and quickly stored away the Magic Artifact and Pill Recipe. In those three days' rest, Ding Fan was continuously searching for Zhou Ruoran, while Zhang Hao persistently refined the medicine pill from the recipe. Obviously, there's no cheating in pill refinement.

As such, Zhang Hao could only practice diligently. Zhang Hao indeed feared Ding Lin, as the mere presence felt like anything bizarre could happen. So he immersed himself in the room, intensely researching pill refinement, and now Zhang Hao is very confident in his refined medicine pills.

After burying himself in research for three full days, Zhang Hao felt quite satisfied. However, he thinks his pills are presumably not superior to those refined by Ding Lin, given Ding Lin's strength as a Grade Nine Alchemist.

But Zhang Hao is now filled with confidence. Although his pills may not surpass the opponent's, he's sure of climbing the platform faster. There's a chance the opponent might not even ascend it.

Given the opponent's youth, his cultivation must be ordinary. Even if the opponent manages to pass the platform, Zhang Hao is confident in his own superior speed, and the opponent only has those fleeting ten seconds to glance at the recipe.

Even if miraculously the opponent memorizes the recipe, by then Zhang Hao might have completed the competition. Regardless of whether his pills are inferior, his speed will make a significant difference, convincing even the judge elder.

Given his decent second-round performance, winning is quite likely. Clearly, Zhang Hao is already completely prepared this time.