Chapter 106: The Final Calamity Descends—The Sublime Dharma of Non-Origination!

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Zhao Fan sat cross-legged on the ground, clutching the elixir herbs in his hand as he closed his eyes to focus his mind.

He was unaffected by the doubtful glances cast his way, instead quietly attuning himself to the properties of the herbs, his spirit immersed in their essence.

Amid swirling clouds of smoke, an aura of serene composure radiated from him, as if the young man was not a mere youth but a venerable master who had cultivated alchemy for countless years.

Seeing this, Hu Sheng sneered coldly, "Playing tricks and pretending to be a mystic!"

Then he instructed Senior Brother Li, who was fanning the fire nearby, to intensify the furnace’s heat until the cauldron glowed a deep red.

At this moment, Hu Sheng regained some of the dignified bearing befitting an alchemist, his mind calm and steady as he methodically placed more than ten varieties of herbs into the cauldron one by one.

He then gathered his robust spiritual energy and true qi, channeling it fully into the furnace, continually manipulating the complex transformations of the herbs’ properties.

Witnessing this, the guests seated nearby could not help but observe closely, for the scene of an immortal alchemist refining pills was a rare spectacle.

If they could steal a few techniques, perhaps one day they too might open a furnace and become alchemists admired by all.

Yet the thick walls of the furnace blocked all prying eyes; the myriad transformations of the herbs and the intricate alchemical formulas were utterly beyond the gaze of outsiders.

Seizing the moment, Qing Wei asked Qing Suo, “Senior Brother, how would you compare Hu Sheng Daoist’s alchemical skills to those among our own disciples in the Alchemy Pavilion?”

Qing Suo examined him carefully and shook his head. “It’s hard to say, but judging by his complex hand seals, there is an underlying depth and subtlety. He likely possesses some lineage of inheritance. Though he doesn’t match the true transmission of the Pavilion, he is still somewhat superior to the ordinary disciples.”

As an outstanding inner disciple, Qing Suo naturally knew many alchemists within the sect; his own perfected cultivation of true qi was not gained lightly.

Having seen many such scenes, he could discern some of the subtle nuances.

Hu Sheng’s skillful and seasoned technique was no match for that of the average disciple in the Alchemy Pavilion, so Qing Suo was skeptical about Zhao Fan’s chances of victory.

Many others shared this sentiment.

When the aroma of herbs began drifting from Hu Sheng’s furnace, Zhao Fan remained seated, holding his herbs and motionless like an old monk in meditation, unmoved and unhearing.

This demeanor gave Hu Sheng a sense of assured victory.

He paid no attention to Zhao Fan, his intricate hand seals continually shifting as he stoked both the inner and outer fires, extracting the quintessence of the herbs.

As the furnace blazed, the concentrated herbal essence was continuously steamed and forged together, gradually blending into a mesmerizing crimson hue.

A cloud of fragrant aroma drifted from the cauldron, quickly spreading throughout the venue, invigorating everyone present.

“The pill is about to form!”

Ling Xu’s gaze was fixed intently on the furnace, not daring to utter a sound that might disturb Hu Sheng Daoist.

All eyes converged on the cauldron, paying little attention to Zhao Fan, who had quietly opened his eyes.

A divine light danced within Zhao Fan’s eyes, forming the shapes of various herbs.

He had already comprehended the mysteries of the elixir Lin You had refined earlier at the table; now, the transformations of the herbs were clear in his mind.

With the pill furnace in his heart, why seek outside aid?

At this moment, his fingertips moved lightly, and over ten herbs simultaneously floated into the air.

In an instant, their branches, leaves, and roots were separated into dozens of portions based on their properties and placed into a copper basin before him.

The clear water in the basin rippled gently, and under Zhao Fan’s spiritual energy, a massive whirlpool formed, grinding the herbs sequentially.

Water, soft yet penetrating, infused the herbs, extracting their properties without loss, then gradually condensed under the embrace of his true qi.

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His true qi seemed to transform into alchemical fire, finely controlling every detail of the herbs’ essence, continuously removing the minutest impurities.

His world fell silent in that instant, with nothing but the herbs before him.

Meanwhile, Hu Sheng’s furnace neared its final stage.

He grabbed a gourd of spiritual water and poured it directly into the glowing cauldron. Amidst the swirling white mist, he laughed heartily toward Zhao Fan:

“This is called the Great Harmony of Water and Fire!”

As his words fell, the furnace emitted a sudden hum, the lid lifted high, and six crimson pills soared into the air, arrayed in a straight line. Their colors were lustrous and translucent, almost like red jade.

“Top-grade pills! Nearly perfect!”

Ling Xu laughed loudly, his face betraying uncontrollable joy.

An overwhelmingly rich aroma emanated from these six rejuvenating pills, filling the air and tempting all to consume them in a single breath.

Hu Sheng smiled confidently. Normally, he could only refine crimson-grade pills, but after grasping the Great Harmony of Water and Fire technique a few days ago, today he had raised the pill quality by half a grade.

If the impurities were further reduced, these would be flawless, top-tier rejuvenating pills.

Proud, he turned his gaze toward Zhao Fan.

The crowd followed his eyes and suddenly remembered that Zhao Fan was still competing.

In the copper basin before Zhao Fan, though no aroma escaped, faintly colored lights in five hues shimmered—dividing the five elements and reenacting the scene of creation.

Hu Sheng’s lips curled into a cold sneer. Using a basin of water to refine pills? Such heresy! It was impressive that this kid even thought of it!

Yet as he observed Zhao Fan’s alchemical hand seals, his brow furrowed. There was a strange familiarity—these seals resembled those from his own line of inheritance but were more complex and profound. Compared to Zhao Fan’s, his were rudimentary.

Could it be that this kid had obtained a more complete inheritance from the Alchemy Sect? A sudden thought crossed Hu Sheng’s mind.

At this realization, his heart jolted.

He glanced back at Zhao Fan. With increasingly intricate and arcane hand seals, the swirling lights in the basin grew more lively.

Finally, to the astonishment of all, several small drug dragons, formed from the concentrated herbal essence, burst forth from the basin.

Under the roasting of Zhao Fan’s true qi-transformed “alchemical fire,” these dragons gradually fused in the void, coalescing into a cluster...

On the viewing platform, Lin You lowered her gaze.

There was one crucial point in the Water Element Pill Formula that determined the success or failure of an elixir, and now it depended on whether this youth could comprehend it.

In the void, the small drug dragons had completely merged into one, transforming again into a crimson-colored medicinal liquid essence the size of a palm.

All held their breath, watching quietly.

Yet Hu Sheng Daoist relaxed, a smile appearing on his face.

Without true alchemical fire to temper it, the pill’s essence would never consolidate; how could it be refined successfully?

However, the medicinal liquid in the void suddenly ignited a bluish-green flame at its core, burning brighter and brighter, as if it would consume the entire essence.

Had it failed? A thought flashed through the crowd’s minds.

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Yet Lin You’s eyes showed approval. Water conceals fire, inner and outer aid; this was the core secret of water-based refining.

Sure enough, as the flame receded, the palm-sized medicinal liquid had transformed into a pill the size of a pellet, resembling a red jade bead, flawless and radiant with enchanting luster.

A flawless elixir, a top-grade pill!

“How is this possible!” Hu Sheng shoved aside the disciple before him and rushed forward, clutching the red jade-like pill, turning it over and examining it.

No matter how he inspected, the rich yet pure properties were undeniable, leaving him stunned on the spot.

Zhao Fan’s gaze was calm, ignoring Hu Sheng Daoist, and exhaled softly as if a great burden had been lifted.

He then turned respectfully to Lin You and bowed deeply, “Thank you, Senior, for teaching me the way of refining pills. I have not failed in my mission.”

His words brought sudden understanding to the crowd.

So Zhao Fan’s alchemy came from the venerable Yu Chen! No wonder he could surpass Hu Sheng Daoist—it all made sense now.

On the viewing platform, Lin You nodded with a gentle smile. “This is your innate talent; it has little to do with me. Since you have won this pill contest, these elixirs are rightfully yours.”

As she finished speaking, twenty nourishing spirit elixirs in the void transformed into a stream of light and fell into Zhao Fan’s hand amid envious gazes.

Zhao Fan held the elixirs and once again bowed to Lin You.

This was the gratitude owed for imparting the Way and skills, deserving of great respect.

...

Just as the crowd marveled, a long, mocking laugh suddenly echoed from the horizon.

“Hahaha! Daoist, your talent is truly exceptional! Would you consider joining my Wusheng Sect? Whether it be elixirs, pills, or secret cultivation techniques, the Imperial Advisor will lavish rewards! Even Dao Foundation secrets are not beyond offering!”

Hearing this, Ling Xu and Hu Sheng’s faces darkened instantly.

With Hu Sheng’s defeat, the last shred of value the Alliance had was lost; they had become the Gu Master’s discarded pawns.

A blood-red lotus bloomed in the sky, revealing a tall figure with a proud countenance and the bearing of one in high office—the Leader of the Gu Division of the Wusheng Sect!

Seemingly confident, he brazenly ignored Lin You and Grandmaster Zhang Yuan on the platform and directly extended an invitation to Zhao Fan.

However, Zhao Fan decisively declined, “I refuse!”

Others might not understand, but he knew that Senior Yu Chen before him was a genuine powerhouse! What was this Wusheng Sect compared to such a venerable senior?

The Gu Master chuckled darkly and shook his head. “Ignorant brat! Do you know the true origin of my Wusheng Sect? Do you think Yu Chen Daoist behind you can protect you? Though these fools could not test his true power, in this Age of Decline, who else besides my sect can forge a Dao Foundation? Mere mystification and trickery!”

“Seeking death!” Zhang Yuan’s eyes flashed with killing intent. Before Lin You could speak, the ancient sword behind him was drawn, slashing directly toward the Gu Master in the void.

The azure sword light resembled a long rainbow, carrying an unstoppable force that pierced downward.

“The final calamity descends, wondrous method of no birth!”

Yet the Gu Master’s lips curled in a smile. Facing the fierce sword strike, he made no move to evade, instead performing a strange hand seal.

With the slow movement of his hand seals, an aura of neither life nor death, boundless calamity and disaster radiated from him.