Li Tai felt a surge of secret joy in his heart; he believed he had already secured the victory.
At this moment, he even thought that proposing a best-of-three contest was being overly cautious. He should have settled everything in a single match, decisively crushing Jing Yan beneath his feet, tormenting him thoroughly.
However, this strategy had been set within his family before. Oh well, three matches it would be then! Win the first one and go from there!
Moreover, a best-of-three contest had its advantages; it allowed a more comprehensive defeat for Jing Yan. If the outcome were decided in just one match, perhaps some might think luck played a part. But if Jing Yan lost all three, who could then make excuses for his failure?
Even Hu Donghe, backing Jing Yan, could only keep his mouth shut.
"Fine, Alchemist Li Tai, as you say," Jing Yan replied with half-closed eyes, his expression utterly indifferent.
"Patriarch, how can you let Li Tai seize control?" In the outer circle, an elder from the Yan Family spoke anxiously.
The Yan Family Patriarch and several Yan elders were also present.
This Yan Family elder was clearly also under the impression that Jing Yan was at a disadvantage. Although Hall Master Jing Yan could even refine miraculous elixirs like the Longevity Pill, his skill at Identifying Pills was surely inferior.
Everyone knew that, generally speaking, greater age came with broader experience. In terms of the Alchemy Dao, older Pill Masters had encountered a wider variety of elixirs. It would be one thing if it were an ordinary pill master, but Li Tai was an eighth-level Alchemist from the Alchemy Dao Family, the Li Family!
At over thirty years of age, how many different elixirs could Jing Yan possibly know?
The Yan Family Patriarch gently shook his head; he was equally anxious but saw no solution. They all stood outside the inner circle; it was hard to remind Hall Master Jing Yan of this risk. Moreover, even those like the Yan Family Ancestor, currently inside the inner circle, found it inconvenient to approach Jing Yan. To raise their voices in warning would clearly be even more inappropriate.
"The Hall Master, with his scholarly grace, must be confident to have agreed," rationalized the Yan Family Patriarch, serving perhaps more to reassure himself.
The Yan Family elders nodded, their gazes continually fixed on Jing Yan.
"This Jing Yan is too young, so easily tricked into this challenge!" In another area, an older man chuckled.
This person was also from an Alchemy Dao Family.
Around him stood members of other Alchemy Dao Families, including Wan Zhonghua, the Wan Family Ancestor. Indeed, the Wan Family Ancestor had come in person this time, bringing with him a vast array of rare materials accumulated by his family.
"You’re right! Perhaps Jing Yan wanted to appear generous before the crowd, but he’s too hasty. From the beginning, he shouldn’t have let that Li Tai fellow set the terms," said a senior from another Alchemy Dao Family.
"Hehe, it’s really getting interesting. If Jing Yan loses all three matches, I wonder how this Pill Debate Conference will continue. Would Hu Donghe have to step in personally to save the day? This Li Tai is indeed crafty!" said an elder in a gray robe, laughing.
"Hmph, Old Monster Qi, you better watch your words!" a cold voice interjected.
The speaker looked relatively young, but his presence was formidable.
Rebuked thus, the gray-robed elder, Old Monster Qi, merely chuckled dully and did not show any anger or retort.
Because the relatively young man was none other than the current Patriarch of the Alchemy Dao Family, the Li Family.
"Elder Wan Zhonghua, what do you think? I didn’t expect you to personally attend this Pill Debate Conference at the Splendid Dojo!" someone asked with respect, turning toward Wan Zhonghua.
None of the Alchemy Dao Family elders of Wan Zhonghua’s stature had come, except for Wan Zhonghua, the player among ancestors, himself.
However, others in the families weren’t too surprised. They thought Wan Zhonghua came personally because of some disagreement with Jing Yan, wanting to see Jing Yan fail. Their feud at the Alchemy Convention in Pill Country was no secret.
Wan Zhonghua, on hearing this, just revealed a subtle smile, slightly opening his eyes more.
"Li Tai! Quite impressive! In terms of Alchemy, on the Heavenly Origin Continent, few Pill Masters would dare compare themselves to him," Wan Zhonghua initially remarked.
Clan Chief Li’s face brightened at these words, radiating smug pride. Naturally, no one else had words to contradict this, as Li Tai’s skill was indeed widely recognized, not even denied by Wan Zhonghua himself.
"However, I believe that in terms of the Alchemy Dao, compared to Hall Master Jing Yan, Li Tai isn’t even fit to carry his shoes!" Wan Zhonghua’s tone suddenly shifted, carrying a hint of chill.
This radical change in tone from Wan Zhonghua took everyone from the surrounding Alchemy Dao Families by surprise, leaving them stunned.
How could they accept this? Just a moment ago, Wan Zhonghua had praised Li Tai, and the next, he had cast Li Tai from the heights of esteem to the depths of disgrace?
Clan Chief Li, briefly startled, face paled as anger flared in his eyes. However, he managed to suppress his rage; it was not wise to openly confront Wan Zhonghua, the first among the Alchemy Dao Families and a practitioner of the Dao Emperor Realm.
"Elder Wan Zhonghua, don’t you think that statement is a bit... heh, somewhat exaggerated?" Clan Chief Li forced down his anger, yet couldn’t help saying so.
"Clan Chief Li, don’t worry; just watch," replied Wan Zhonghua nonchalantly, glancing at Clan Chief Li.
"Fine, then let’s see the outcome of this Pill Debate between Jing Yan and Li Tai." Clan Chief Li turned his head away, scoffing. He felt that Wan Zhonghua was trying to undermine Li Tai because he felt threatened by Li Tai’s prominence.
His displeasure was palpable to everyone present.
And they all wondered why Wan Zhonghua would say such a thing. Didn’t the Wan Family have a grievance with Jing Yan? Why, then, would the Wan Family Ancestor elevate Jing Yan so highly?
Inside the inner circle.
"Jing Yan, are you ready?" Li Tai asked, grinning fiercely at Jing Yan.
"Please proceed, Alchemist Li Tai," said Jing Yan, stretching out his hand.
With a flick of his finger, Li Tai revealed an elixir that appeared in the palm of his hand. Supported by a surge of Primordial Energy, the pale green pill slowly floated upwards, stopping only when it reached the height of Li Tai’s head.
"I don’t know, but since Li Tai has brought it out for Jing Yan to identify, it must be extraordinary."
"Right, I wonder if Jing Yan can recognize it. It will probably be difficult!"
The spectators watched the pill closely, whispering among themselves. At this moment, no one spoke loudly.
Jing Yan’s gaze too was fixed on the pale green pill floating above Li Tai’s head.