At this moment, Zhang Hao's heart was filled with the desire for the championship, and he was clearly fully prepared for this final Great Alchemy Competition.

Right now, Ding Fan seemed not as tense as most alchemists; he even had some anticipation for this Great Alchemy Competition. Ding Fan was somewhat interested in that high platform, and he found this competition quite intriguing. Discover more novels at N0v3l.Fiɾe.net

Ding Fan realized that this Great Alchemy Competition was a comprehensive test for alchemists, not only evaluating the medicine pills but also the cultivation qualities of the alchemists. This really piqued Ding Fan's interest. It was indeed worthy of being the biggest Great Alchemy Competition on Donglai Continent; it was truly exceptional.

At this moment, Ding Fan didn't have any worries. Maybe to others, his age was indeed very young, and they might think his cultivation would be weak as well. Cultivators with such thoughts made Ding Fan smile wryly in his heart, knowing that his specialization was precisely cultivation.

For alchemy, it was merely a side pursuit for Ding Fan.

However, Ding Fan didn't underestimate this Great Alchemy Competition. He had clearly seen the scene involving two middle-aged men in the Emergence Stage earlier. It was evident that climbing just twenty or so steps was somewhat difficult, considering Ding Fan's cultivation was only equivalent to the Nascent Soul Early Stage.

But Ding Fan showed no concern. During the climb by the two middle-aged men in the Emergence Stage, he had noticed some clues. Clearly, in Ding Fan's view, their climbing method seemed somewhat clumsy. The power used by those two cultivators was merely True Qi.

Although Ding Fan was in the waiting area for the competing alchemists, his powerful Divine Sense clearly sensed a spiritual pressure the moment that high platform appeared. This pressure obviously could not be overcome solely with True Qi cultivation, as such power often follows the principle of one thing overcoming another. To climb the higher platform, the best solution to overcoming that spiritual pressure was to use spiritual power.

It was clear that, in Ding Fan's eyes, the previous two middle-aged men had not found the best method for the climb. Thus, they only climbed a few dozen steps.

Of course, this was just Ding Fan's speculation, but Ding Fan's guesses were not without reason. After all, this was the Great Alchemy Competition, and it clearly couldn't just test the alchemists' cultivation strength. The most crucial element for alchemists during pill refinement was spiritual power.

This was why Ding Fan speculated in such a manner.

At this moment, the elder hosting the event had heard the intense reactions from the crowd below and then, somewhat embarrassed, continued speaking:

"Even though I might not be able to climb up this high platform, it doesn't mean that the competing alchemists can't! I want to clarify that this high platform is clearly not an ordinary presence. Indeed, the greatest test for the alchemists isn't merely the strength of their cultivation, but more about the strength of their spiritual power. Actually, the two middle-aged cultivators earlier could have achieved better results, but they simply did not use the right method!"

Once the elder finished speaking, the audience of cultivators below suddenly gasped, evidently having not expected that the main test was their spiritual power. This made things much clearer. Anyone with some common sense knew that the spiritual power of alchemists was indeed stronger than that of ordinary cultivators.

After all, alchemists are inevitably required to use spiritual power in pill refinement, and through long-term training, their spiritual power becomes stronger than that of ordinary cultivators. This could make it relatively easier for alchemists, but it is not without difficulty.

After all, the elder hosting the event himself didn't dare guarantee he could climb the high platform. It's important to know that this elder was near the Divine Stage, indicating his cultivation level was strong. Still, he couldn't guarantee being able to reach the top, which demonstrated the high challenge of the platform.

This was something the audience understood quite well, considering it was the final round of the Great Alchemy Competition, which was clearly meant to select the champion. If the competition were too simple, how would one choose a champion? With higher difficulty, the value of the championship increased.

However, most of the audience cultivators were still concerned about Ding Fan, considering he was so young. Although the spiritual power of alchemists was stronger than ordinary cultivators, it also required a decent level in cultivation since spiritual power was closely related to cultivation.

"Oh my! It seems that the last round of the Great Alchemy Competition won't be easy for our Brother Dalin!"

"Yes, I feel for my Brother Dalin…"

"There's no choice; this is the final round of the Great Alchemy Competition, and clearly, selecting the champion won't be easy!"

"This isn't easy at all! It's like a step with each hurdle! Even if an alchemist barely makes it to the platform, they only get ten seconds to look at the pill recipe—it's absurd! What can be done in just ten seconds!"

"Indeed! However, I'm starting to favor Elder Herr. After all, Elder Herr, whether in alchemy level or physical strength, is certainly outstanding. Being as old as Elder Herr, his cultivation level must be significant!"

"That's true! Elder Herr being a Seventh Grade Alchemist means his cultivation can't be low, especially since he's been a Seventh Grade Alchemist for quite some time! I'm backing Elder Herr as well!"

"It seems Elder Herr has a strong chance!"

...

"Oh dear, Brother Dalin's opponents are indeed formidable! So worried…"

"Don't forget, there's another alchemist who could very easily win the championship this time. Remember, the results from the second round of the Great Alchemy Competition were quite impressive! If they once again take first place, the championship could very likely be theirs!"

"You're talking about Zhang Hao, right? That despicable cheater is infuriating! Daring to compete with our Brother Dalin for the championship! Absolutely flabbergasting!"

"Talking about those things doesn't help anymore. Obviously, if there's no evidence of cheating, there's nothing we can do even if they win the Great Alchemy Competition as champions!"

"Then I won't live with it! What the hell is this Great Alchemy Competition! It's absolutely filthy!"

"I don't care! Anyway, I'm supporting my Brother Dalin! Even though my Brother Dalin can't win first place, he's still my idol. After all, such a young Grade Nine Alchemist isn't something an ordinary cultivator can achieve!"

"That's true! Love you, Brother Dalin!"

...

The spectators outside started to discuss fervently, clearly having high expectations for this Great Alchemy Competition, especially for Ding Lin. Their anticipation for Ding Lin seemed to have already surpassed the allure of this competition. In the end, even several female cultivators were screaming and shouting Ding Lin's name.

Ding Fan could clearly hear the cultivator spectators outside cheering for him. Ding Fan smiled calmly, evidently his mood wasn't very high at the moment. Although he felt differently about this year's Great Alchemy Competition, it was clear he wasn't very concerned about stuff like championships.

At this time, Ding Fan kept releasing his Divine Sense to scan the outside spectators, clearly hoping to see Zhou Ruoran's figure. But it made Ding Fan feel a bit disappointed that, after several scans, he still couldn't find Zhou Ruoran's figure, obviously, it was very likely that she hadn't shown up.

However, Ding Fan hadn't given up the thought, evidently still using his Divine Sense constantly to scan the outside spectators. After all, there were simply too many spectators this time. It's important to know that not only were there tens of thousands of spectators under the Great Alchemy Competition field, but there were also over a hundred thousand spectators in the surrounding teahouses. Clearly, Ding Fan trying to find someone individually wouldn't be an easy task.

Moreover, part of Ding Fan's hope was placed on He Qianyao, because he had already requested He Qianyao to try to find Zhou Ruoran's whereabouts during the last round of the Great Alchemy Competition. Ding Fan knew this was the final set of the Great Alchemy Competition. After this round ends, if Zhou Ruoran's whereabouts aren't found, it will obviously become even harder later on!

At this moment, He Qianyao was weaving through the crowd of tens of thousands, constantly inquiring about Zhou Ruoran's whereabouts.

"Excuse me, have you seen a very beautiful woman, slim figure, slightly taller?"

"No! No..."

At this time, a man heard He Qianyao's words and replied impatiently, evidently annoyed by the inquiry, as everyone's attention was focused on the Great Alchemy Competition on stage.

He Qianyao heard the man's response and immediately continued to ask others. She obviously wouldn't give up, as this was very important to Ding Fan. It was clear that Zhou Ruoran was very important to him, so He Qianyao naturally had to try her best to find her for Ding Fan, and she also believed she would definitely find out Zhou Ruoran's whereabouts since she had seen Zhou Ruoran before; she was definitely a memorable beauty.

Additionally, He Qianyao knew she couldn't assist Ding Fan with other matters, clearly this time Ding Fan needed her help, so she had to do her utmost to help Ding Fan find Zhou Ruoran.

"Excuse me, have you seen an extremely beautiful woman?"

"Get lost, get lost! Don't block my view of Ding Lin's match!"

A middle-aged man's facial muscles trembled while speaking, evidently very impatient with He Qianyao.

He Qianyao heard the man's words, felt uncomfortable, but ultimately suppressed her anger and continued to inquire about Zhou Ruoran's whereabouts. Apparently, He Qianyao had faced such situations many times, but she chose to endure it for Ding Fan.

"Hey! Young lady! Are you talking about an extremely beautiful woman?"

At this moment, an elder saw He Qianyao constantly asking those around her and spoke up.

"Yes, yes! Have you seen her, elder?"

Upon hearing the elder's words, He Qianyao immediately walked up to him and asked eagerly.

"I might have seen the woman you're asking about, indeed she was quite beautiful! Is it the one who appeared during the second round of the Great Alchemy Competition?"

"Yes, yes! Do you know where she came from, elder?"

He Qianyao was very excited upon hearing the elder's words, evidently not expecting that someone would know about Zhou Ruoran. She immediately asked excitedly.

"I heard they might be from the Jade Maiden Sect. I overheard their conversation, but I'm not sure where the Jade Maiden Sect is located!"

"Thank you! Thank you..."