Grey to blue, and then a sudden tremor before it finally became clear as the sky and thin as a cicada’s wings!
The massive Yuan Qi originally enveloped at the very heart now freely spilled out, filling every corner of the cicada’s wings.
With a gentle gesture, Luo Chen sent the flawlessly processed Guiyuan Cicada Shell drifting slowly towards the white-haired elder of Tai Dan Court.
This scene was much like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis or a cicada’s song throughout summer, heralding a splendid finale after a period of dormancy!
The elder’s expression was complex as he inspected the cicada shell in his hands, which lacked any impurity whatsoever.
"Clear as the sky, Yuan Qi intact, and a perfect product!"
"The time taken, half an hour!"
"The first Pill Refiner to properly process the Guiyuan Cicada Shell is Dan Chenzi!"
Luo Chen gave a slight smile and didn’t delay any longer.
Instead, he lowered his head to work on the remaining three herbs.
The reason it wasn’t four additional herbs,
was because, during the last step of detoxifying the Zhan Star Grass, he had already processed it.
Sometimes, processing herbs could indeed happen simultaneously.
Discarding the dregs while also capturing the essence!
When Luo Chen was the first to submit his finished product,
there was a hush within Pill Valley.
And when the Elder of Tai Dan Court announced its qualification, no, its perfection, the entire Pill Valley erupted into a frenzy!
"Did he succeed?"
"How is that possible? How could he produce a perfect product after such haphazard Pill Refinement?"
"It must be a joke!"
"Do you think a Pill Refiner who uses the Cloud Transformation Hand and the Simplicity Hand to perfection would be careless with the materials?"
"Senior Brother, it’s fine to decieve others, but deceiving yourself is pointless."
"Though I hate to admit it, this senior named Dan Chenzi seems to have surpassed our Senior Brother in the art of Pill Refinement."
"No, I don’t believe it. Senior Brother is flawless!"
Whether Senior Brother is flawless or not is debatable.
But everyone knew that Luo Chen used flawless pill techniques to create a flawless Guiyuan Cicada Shell.
On the high platform of the Tao Family,
the cultivators glanced at each other before, almost simultaneously, bursting into an exuberant cheer.
Being the first to process the most difficult component, the Guiyuan Cicada Shell, signified something profound.
Everyone was clear on that!
Considering the other fundamental alchemy arts exhibited by Luo Chen before, processing the remaining herbs was just a matter of course.
In the crowd,
Tao Yisheng was radiant with pride!
With one glance, every Family Foundation Establishment Cultivator met his gaze with affirmation.
As if to say, we’re impressed!
The Family Head’s judgement is indeed exceptional!
"Sister..."
Before he could claim credit, Tao Wen ahead of him, without turning back, said:
"After the first round, there will be a brief rest period. Go get the Leisurely Fragrance that our Tao Family Ancestor concocted for Luo Chen to use."
Tao Yisheng was momentarily stunned.
Next to him, the Clan Chief Tao Daonan subconsciously said, "But isn’t that prepared specifically for your Sword Fight as a True Disciple? Our ancestor only made three sticks left."
Tao Wen’s eyes remained intently on Luo Chen, yet her voice, now filled with unwavering confidence, became composed and assured.
"If Luo Chen achieves a decisive advantage in the second round, my place in the top three is a given."
"Rather than clinging to a slight recovery during the Sword Fight, it’s better to help him win this second round. That way, I could gain more time to rest."
"It benefits both him and me—a situation where everyone wins!"
Tao Daonan suddenly understood.
He had almost let the trivial overshadow the essential!
Without another word, Tao Yisheng dismissed the rest of the competition and rushed off with two Family Foundation Establishment Cultivators towards Xiao Nanshan outside Qingdan Valley.
The Tao Family’s Leisurely Fragrance was specially concocted and required special storage methods.
It couldn’t be kept in a Storage Bag but needed a Secret Technique to be continually nurtured to preserve its potency.
While the spectators outside were buzzing with excitement,
inside the competition arena, a sweeping change had already taken place.