"What Master said is correct," said the disciple of Feng’en Temple:
"His version of the Cantong Qi is fake, and what’s recorded in it must be nonsense. Now he can only muddle through, unlike us who need to prepare meticulously."
"That’s exactly what I mean," Li Dongying said casually, as if he was confident of victory:
"Just ignore him and focus on our own tasks."
"Understood, Master."
The people on both sides continued with their tasks.
Approximately three hours later, as the flames under the Pill Furnace gradually extinguished, Li Yongnian exclaimed excitedly:
"Uncle Master, it seems it’s almost done."
Lin Yi nodded indifferently, "Wait another half hour for the temperature to come down and it will be finished."
Li Yongnian nodded, somewhat excited.
Although he’s a Daoist priest, alchemy and pharmaceuticals have always seemed unreliable to him.
If any Daoist claims to be capable of alchemy, they’re probably a fraud.
But now, his Uncle Master has done it, and that’s a different story.
On the other side, the alchemy was also nearing its end.
This made the audience present become restless, as this prolonged debate was finally about to have a result.
As time passed, half an hour went by quickly.
When Lin Yi uncovered the Pill Furnace, a peculiar fragrance wafted out.
The three pills that had been crafted lay quietly inside, their bodies a black-gray color.
Although the efficacy was yet to be verified, at least they had been successfully crafted.
In this regard, there was no embarrassment.
Sitting on the podium, Li Xuanzhi, alongside Li Dongying, both glanced at Lin Yi unexpectedly.
Originally, they thought Lin Yi would fail during the alchemy process, making the subsequent steps unnecessary.
But unexpectedly, he succeeded.
"Uncle Master, they actually succeeded; it’s like blind luck," a disciple remarked.
"Could they have cheated? Their accomplishment seems dubious."
"Don’t concern yourself with these details," Li Dongying said aloofly, like an unworldly sage:
"Even if they did succeed, it doesn’t change the outcome."
"Understood, Master."
Checking the timer nearby, Li Dongying said:
"In another ten minutes, we can open the furnace too."
"We’re all set," the disciple from Feng’en Temple said excitedly.
Time ticked away and ten minutes passed swiftly.
Li Dongying then instructed his disciple to open the Pill Furnace.
"It’s a success! Not a single one is damaged!"
The disciples from Feng’en Temple danced with joy, expression showing they felt as if they’d already won.
Seeing his crafted pills, Li Dongying displayed a satisfied expression.
The opportunity to make a name for himself and rise up was here!
Soon, both sides brought their pills to the front stage.
Meanwhile, journalists swarmed around like flies.
They aimed their cameras at the pills, snapping away ceaselessly.
"Professor Jiang, they have both crafted their pills; could you please evaluate them?"
Jiang Zhongzhe nodded, then picked up the pills Lin Yi had crafted but instinctively looked at Lin Yi.
Despite the time that had passed, he still found Lin Yi familiar.
There was even a voice telling him that this feeling wasn’t a mere illusion.
As the saying goes, outsiders watch the fun, insiders watch the doorway.
Jiang Zhongzhe held Lin Yi’s crafted pills to his nose, detecting a strangely unique fragrance.
Though it differed from the traditional scent, it had a memorable quality.
Then, Jiang Zhongzhe picked up the pills crafted by Li Dongying.
Compared to Lin Yi’s, his lacked such fragrance.
It even had a peculiar smell.