Translator: AnubisTL
After stabilizing her emotions and regaining her confident demeanor, Bao Shaoqiong respectfully handed the Qi Gathering Pills she had refined to President Tong and the others.
Following the incident with Yin Xiushan, these ten senior alchemists had become noticeably more cautious.
They meticulously inspected Bao Shaoqiong's pills over and over again, examining them at least ten times.
Seeing that her score was still not announced, Bao Shaoqiong pursed her lips.
"Esteemed seniors, please bring out the test mice!
I suggest that from now on, all refined pills should first be tested on the mice before being evaluated!"
Upon hearing this, President Tong's eyes lit up with admiration. Who said the Bao family alchemists were arrogant and lacked social grace? Bao Shaoqiong clearly knew how to handle things!
"Elder Shen, I'm afraid we'll need to borrow your Sunset Glow Sect's test mice!"
"That's no trouble at all. Our sect has several hundred test mice; feel free to use them!"
Elder Shen laughed heartily, never imagining that his simple statement would bring about a catastrophic disaster for the test mice in the Outer Sect Pill Refining Hall of the Sunset Glow Sect.
"Do you think there's a possibility that Bao Shaoqiong's Qi Gathering Pills might also have the side effect of causing diarrhea?"
"Brother, what are you thinking? You must be out of your mind. Such a low-probability event couldn't possibly keep happening."
"The Unwavering Sect was too eager for success, so it's understandable that they ran into such issues. But Bao Shaoqiong has perfectly inherited the Bao family's unique alchemy techniques. There's no way she could make a mistake."
"That's true. The Bao family's reputation is well-known. They've never produced subpar pills, and even though their prices are higher than average, they still enjoy widespread acclaim."
"..."
As the crowd discussed, dozens of test mice were brought forward. Bao Shaoqiong didn't fuss and simply chose an average-looking mouse, casually tossing her pill to it.
She was absolutely confident. In her heart, she knew she had performed to the best of her ability in this Alchemy Conference, carefully executing every step.
She would sooner believe she was about to drop dead than believe there was anything wrong with her pill.
However, shortly after the test mouse consumed the pill and began refining it, familiar movements and expressions appeared.
President Tong frowned, instantly thinking of a possibility. His eyes filled with disbelief, and his lips trembled slightly. "Give... give that mouse a container. It's probably going to have diarrhea!"
As soon as the container was placed, the mouse immediately ran over, sat on it, and with a plop, the endless sound of splashing began!
The foul odor assaulted everyone's senses, and Bao Shaoqiong was utterly dumbfounded. "My... my pill also causes diarrhea??"
"That's impossible... This must just be a fluke. Maybe the mouse already had diarrhea. It's not my pill's fault!"
Stumbling, she walked over to the mouse and placed her finger on its forehead.
Boom—
In an instant, it felt as if she had been struck by a meteor. She staggered back in disarray.
The mouse's vitality was rapidly dissipating as the diarrhea continued.
"How could this happen? I don't believe it!" she murmured softly at first, then let out an undignified scream.
"Hahaha, diarrhea! This woman's pill also causes diarrhea! I'm not alone!!" Yin Xiushan, who had been hanging his head low, suddenly jumped up in excitement.
"Bao Shaoqiong, zero points!"
As the test mouse was on the verge of death, President Tong's low voice rang out.
Two genius alchemists in a row had produced deadly diarrhea pills, leaving President Tong in a somber mood. Had the standards of alchemists really fallen so low?
The moment Bao Shaoqiong heard "zero points," her entire demeanor deflated, and the confidence in her eyes vanished.
Like a walking corpse, she mechanically bowed to President Tong and the others, then slowly returned to the stage.
She walked over to the pill furnace where she had just refined her pill, leaned on it, and suddenly burst into tears, wailing in utter despair.
Reality was cruel. Her heart-wrenching sobs were met with indifference, except from the Bao family alchemists who had come with her.
Some of the alchemists who had no hope of winning suddenly perked up. With two geniuses out of the picture, didn't that mean they had a chance?
Come on! Let the diarrhea strike even harder!
Almost simultaneously, everyone silently shouted this phrase in their hearts.
"Next!"
"Guan Anchang, zero points!"
"Huang Wuluan, zero points!"
"Yan Muzi, zero points!"
"..."
Zero points after zero points, a continuous stream of diarrhea.
After dozens of alchemists had their turns, the entire arena fell into an eerie silence.
"Something's wrong. Let's recheck the pill furnaces, the Spirit Fire, the ingredients, and the array formations used to communicate with the Spirit Fire!"
At this point, it was clear that something had gone wrong in one of the steps. How else could dozens of alchemists all produce pills that caused diarrhea?
President Tong led a group of senior alchemists onto the stage, carefully inspecting every step.
After a while, they returned to the high platform, their brows tightly furrowed. Clearly, they hadn't found the source of the problem!
"In that case, let's pause the pill evaluations for now. I'll refine a batch myself, and we'll see what happens!"
With that, President Tong personally took charge. As a master alchemist, he completed the Qi Gathering Pill in just three hours, a process that would normally take at least five.
After testing, there was no issue!
"Alright, it seems the standards of this year's alchemists are just not up to par. Let's continue the evaluations!"
Plop—
Splash—
And so began a long and unending period of diarrhea!
The air was filled with a nauseating stench as hundreds of test mice simultaneously experienced diarrhea, creating a bizarre spectacle that drove the entire arena into a frenzy.
The audience was completely overwhelmed. Was this an Alchemy Conference or a Diarrhea Convention?
"This is beyond ridiculous. So far, apart from Gu Feng's 55 points, everyone else has scored zero!"
"I've never seen such a poorly executed Alchemy Conference. If I were up there, I might even win first place!"
"I could do it too!"
"Gu Feng's bold claims are gradually coming true!"
"Gu Feng is just five test mice away from winning first place!"
"All have fallen! Gu Feng has won!"
"So diarrhea really is contagious. What a spectacle!"
"..."
All the participants hung their heads low, looking utterly defeated—except for Gu Feng and Yan Xixi. The latter was in the same group as Gu Feng and had also secured first place. Even if she hadn't, Gu Feng's victory would have been enough to make her happy.
Gu Feng's gaze swept across the crowd as he casually remarked, "It seems I overestimated you all. No one could even secure second place!"
With that, he walked straight up to the high platform and accepted the rewards for first place in this Alchemy Conference: ten million Spirit Stones for pill research and a worthless trophy.
"President Tong, you don't seem too pleased that I've won first place, do you?"
At this moment, President Tong was in no mood to smile. His face was grim, his brows furrowed, and he was deeply troubled, worried about the future of the alchemy world.
"Con... congratulations, Gu Feng. I hope you continue to strive and go even further in the path of alchemy!" President Tong forced a smile and hurriedly offered a few words of encouragement.
"We are the champions!!!"
"Yay!!!"
Gu Feng and Yan Xixi raised the trophy together and shouted at the top of their lungs.
Apart from the Sunset Glow Sect disciples and a few onlookers, almost no one applauded.
While Elder Shen should have been happy about Gu Feng's victory, this first place was too tainted. Winning with diarrhea pills—how could he possibly cheer for that?
The big shots on the high platform also frowned. This Alchemy Conference had been a complete waste of time. After watching an entire session of diarrhea, they probably wouldn't have an appetite for days.
In fact, everyone felt that something was off about this Alchemy Conference, but no one could pinpoint the issue.
President Tong decided against organizing a rematch. If something like this happened again, the Alchemist Guild's reputation would be utterly ruined.
Sigh—
"Well, in this Alchemy Conference, we've witnessed so many rising stars in the alchemy world. They will all be..."
The pre-prepared closing speech now sounded incredibly ironic. President Tong was too embarrassed to even deliver it himself, so he handed the task to another elder to preside over the closing ceremony.
"Xixi, let's go. We'll call our friends and celebrate at the 'First Restaurant'!"
"Mm-hmm—" Yan Xixi nodded happily, her eyes slightly squinted.
Just as the two were about to leave, a voice called out from behind.
"Gu Feng, before the Alchemy Conference began, you arrogantly claimed that you could take on all the participants here, didn't you?" Yin Xiushan, accompanied by over a dozen Postnatal Realm alchemists, slowly approached. His expression showed that he had recovered from his earlier despair.
Upon hearing this, the crowd, who had been about to leave, quickly returned to their seats.
How could they have forgotten? If anyone other than Gu Feng had won first place, these alchemists wouldn't have dared to confront him.
But the winner was Gu Feng, and he had mercilessly mocked these alchemists earlier. How could they possibly swallow their pride?
If they returned home in such a humiliated state, they would never be able to focus on their alchemy again. Their minds would be clouded, and their entire alchemy careers might be ruined.
"Just the few of you? That's too few. I'm not interested," Gu Feng said with a smirk, turning to leave.
"Scared? So you admit that what you said earlier was just nonsense?" another alchemist taunted.
"If we duel, it's to the death. You're all talented alchemists. If I kill you, it would be a huge hassle," Gu Feng said earnestly.
"Do you really think we alchemists are so weak that you can just trample over us?" Yin Xiushan sneered.
"If you're so confident, then come at me. Anyone else want to join?" Seeing that a fight was inevitable, Gu Feng scanned the crowd and shouted.
"Me..."
"Me too..."
"And me..."
"Bao Shaoqiong, will your Bao family join in?"
Bao Shaoqiong hung her head low and shook it. "I lost fair and square."
Gu Feng looked around and couldn't help but laugh. Wow, over eighty Postnatal Realm alchemists. It seemed he had done a great job of drawing their ire.
"Do you all have Spirit Stones or treasures on you? My appearance fee is quite high," Gu Feng taunted again.
"Hmph, each of us has at least a hundred thousand Spirit Stones on us. We know you love money, but we doubt you have the skills to take it!" a Postnatal Realm alchemist boasted.
"Words are cheap. Show me the goods!" Gu Feng said, picking his ear with his pinky.
"You—"
"Open your eyes wide and see what's here!"
Dozens of storage rings were opened, and Gu Feng quickly glanced at them. His spirits immediately lifted, and he exclaimed, "Let's start the fight right away! What are we waiting for?"
His money-grubbing demeanor made everyone roll their eyes.
President Tong found the situation amusing but then glanced at Elder Shen, who sat as still as a meditating monk. After a brief telepathic exchange, President Tong's expression turned serious.
"Gu Feng, do me a favor and don't go on a killing spree!" Alchemists were rare, and talented ones even rarer. After roughly gauging Gu Feng's combat strength, President Tong had no choice but to swallow his pride and plead with him.
"President Tong, don't worry. I know my limits. I'll only kill a few people!"
"Since these people are so eager to give me money, I'll be back in a moment!" Gu Feng said lightly, then leaped onto the stage.
The group of alchemists followed, and the tension in the air was palpable.
The atmosphere in the arena heated up again. Everyone was thinking that while Gu Feng was undoubtedly capable of cross-realm challenges, taking on so many Postnatal Realm opponents at once might be overconfidence.
As for those who were familiar with Gu Feng's combat prowess, like Chu Youhuan and the others, they calmly sat together, taking out Spirit Wine and roasted meat, leisurely enjoying the show.
Among these alchemists, the strongest was only at the fifth level of the Postnatal Realm. Against Gu Feng, who had already entered the Postnatal Realm, they were nothing more than cannon fodder!
(End of the Chapter)
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