Chapter 909 - 141: Lin Chen: Turns Out I’m Not the Only Man

After a few breaths, Lin Chen’s expression turned peculiar. Of the twenty Jade Dew Pills that had originally formed in the pill furnace, six suddenly ruptured, transforming into medicinal paste that settled at the bottom of the furnace. Yet, the alchemist’s expression remained unchanged.

The condition of the pills in the furnace is most apparent to the alchemist. One can perceive even the smallest cracks, let alone shattered pills. But this person showed no panic, indicating that the pill’s breakage was within their expectations.

Good heavens!

This person is hiding an old trickster.

Lin Chen noted the person’s position, then scanned the whole venue carefully with his divine thought, ensuring there were no other such tricksters before he breathed a sigh of relief.

If there were several more of such tricksters, the pressure of the third round would indeed be intense.

...

...

Half an hour later, the third batch of pills in front of Jiang Chen was completed, with sixteen Jade Dew Pills gleaming in the sunlight.

Though the total was forty pills, it took half an hour longer than Jiang Yaoyan, which according to the rules of the second round placed him below Jiang Yaoyan.

Seeing Jiang Chen also produce forty pills, Jiang Yaoyan’s expression didn’t change much; he hadn’t truly exerted himself in this round. Now, with Jiang Chen’s score in front of him, there was nothing else to look forward to.

Jiang Yaoyan stepped out of the square passage, and for this premature departure, the judges looked toward the elder seated at the front. Seeing the elder nod slightly, they did not intervene, instead watching Jiang Yaoyan’s figure disappear into a side passage.

Jiang Yaoyan left, but Jiang Chen did not. As a disciple of the Thousand Mechanism Sect, and since this competition was hosted by the sect, Jiang Chen had to pay attention to his image.

More than an hour later, a third contestant succeeded in refining pills, followed by a fourth, and a fifth...

After the fifth contestant succeeded, Lin Chen also followed closely, opening the furnace, in which thirteen pills were quietly placed, only one less than the trickster.

"Steady!"

Upon seeing Lin Chen open the furnace, the Li Family members in the audience clenched their fists in excitement and shouted. Being the fifth to open the furnace, with a total of thirty-seven pills, this achievement will definitely secure a spot in the top ten.

Among the three types of pills, the ingredients of the first two did not have much conflict, so the loss of potency was minimal. Everyone generally had twelve pills, but for the Jade Dew Pills, due to conflicting ingredients, there was a loss of potency. However, managing to condense one more ensured a top ten placement.

A quarter of an hour later, the top ten contestants were established.

A white-haired elder seated in a chair stood for the first time, sweeping his gaze over the nine people present. Lin Chen noticed the elder lingered a moment longer on the trickster.

It seems that not only my divine soul noticed the situation in that person’s pill furnace, but this elder of the Thousand Mechanism Sect also paid attention.

"You have secured the top ten in this round. The final round will be postponed for three days and will be held afterward."

Postponed three days?

Upon hearing the elder’s words, Lin Chen and others had looks of surprise. The alchemy competition had never been postponed before, always determining the top three within three consecutive days.

However, considering the fierce competition in this year’s alchemy competition, those present were able to accept it.

Withdrawing his gaze from Lin Chen and others, the elder slowly surveyed the venue, releasing his imposing aura at this moment and instantly silenced the numerous martial artists in the stands.

Innate Sixth Realm powerhouse!

Lin Chen’s pupils contracted slightly; he hadn’t expected this elder to be an Innate Sixth Realm powerhouse. It’s known that only the Sect Leader in the Canglan Sect is of the Innate Sixth Realm, while other elders are only at the Innate Fifth Realm, and this elder isn’t the Thousand Mechanism Sect Leader.

It seems the external rumors of the Thousand Mechanism Sect’s position as the first among the twenty-four super sects are not unfounded.

"For the top ten contestants of this alchemy competition, I assure you protection from the Thousand Mechanism Sect for three days in Thousand Mechanism City. Those who dare to interfere will make enemies of the Thousand Mechanism Sect!"

The elder’s words were plain yet instilled awe in everyone present.

This is the clout of the Thousand Mechanism Sect!

Lin Chen could feel a touch of emotion in the expressions of the nearby alchemists upon hearing the elder’s words.

No matter the purpose, they must accept this gesture from the Thousand Mechanism Sect.

...

...

Li Family!

Main Hall!

Four elders of the Li Family gathered to host a banquet in Lin Chen’s honor.

However, due to Lin Chen’s mention of the upcoming final, the celebration lasted only half an hour.

"Master Xiao, the elder will deliver the two top-tier divine soul techniques you requested tomorrow."

Li Qin had now practically become a maid, accompanying Lin Chen from the banquet to its end.

"Alright."

Lin Chen nodded; he trusted the Li Family would keep their word.

"Master Xiao, regarding the person you inquired about, the elders have discovered that the individual is not an alchemist from Thousand Mechanism Domain nor part of any faction, having qualified through the assessment following the Thousand Mechanism Sect’s announcement."

Already after the alchemy competition, Lin Chen had sent Li Qin to investigate information on the trickster.

Now hearing Li Qin’s report, Lin Chen narrowed his eyes slightly, coming alone, quite a mysterious background.

"What is this person’s name?"

"Wei Yang."

...

...

Thousand Mechanism Sect, Celestial Craft Hall.

"Junior Brother Qiu, were there any special contestants in this alchemy competition?"

In the grand hall, only the Thousand Mechanism Sect Leader Xuan Jing and the white-haired elder were present.

"Brother, this alchemy competition indeed had hidden dragons and crouching tigers."

Qiu Wangqiu chuckled: "Besides Jiang Yaoyan and Jiang Chen, there were two other rather intriguing individuals."

"Oh, who are they?"

"One recommended by the Li Family, named Xiao Yan. This person’s divine soul is quite profound, likely concealing much."

"Which Li Family?"

Xuan Jing was somewhat puzzled. Qiu Wangqiu explained: "An upper-class family in our Thousand Mechanism Domain."

The Li Family is not small in the Thousand Mechanism Domain, but it depends on whom they’re compared to. Compared to the behemoth Thousand Mechanism Sect, they are insignificant.

As the Thousand Mechanism Sect Leader, Xuan Jing was unaware of the Li Family’s existence.

"It seems Xiao Yan is likely hired by the Li Family to protect the family’s interests."

Hearing this judgment from his senior brother, Qiu Wangqiu nodded: "I agree; Xiao Yan likely isn’t after the ’Nine Revolutions Primordial Scripture’ or ’Taiyi Green Spirit Record’. Yet, there’s a subtle aura on him resembling our sect’s Divine Control Record, which intrigues me."

The Divine Control Record is the Sect’s Foundation Technique of the Thousand Mechanism Sect, never leaked.

"Your perception can’t be wrong?"

Xuan Jing asked, then laughed, knowing his junior brother’s skill couldn’t err.

"Have the Li Family clarify Xiao Yan’s background thoroughly. I’ll leave this matter to you."

"Okay."

Qiu Wangqiu agreed and continued: "Another person named Wei Yang, from the Outer Domain, unrelated to any Thousand Mechanism Domain faction, is quite mysterious. But his alchemical expertise rivals Jiang Chen’s, clearly hiding something and likely plotting something significant."

"Wei Yang..."

Xuan Jing narrowed his old eyes: "Don’t bother investigating Wei Yang; if I’m not mistaken, he’s likely from there."

"There?"

Qiu Wangqiu looked in the direction his senior brother was gazing, revealing a look of understanding on his old face, then grinned: "Apparently, this time’s alchemy competition, the rewards are not just drawing Young Master Dongfang."

"With a new era dawning, it won’t stay calm. For the Thousand Mechanism Sect, the goal is to smoothly navigate this period."

After saying this, full of implication, Xuan Jing closed his eyes. Qiu Wangqiu watched his senior brother meditate and then quietly exited the great hall.