Silence reigned over the alchemy arena.
Mainly because no one had ever witnessed such a scene before.
What was the meaning of this sudden appearance of a pot and spatula? No one could explain it clearly. Even the imperial alchemists of the Great Zhou Dynasty were bewildered, as they had never heard of an Alchemy Art that required the use of a spatula.
Could it be a self-invented alchemy method?
The alchemists were puzzled, while Emperor Zhou, sitting in the main seat, had a gloomy expression. He felt that Chen Xia was making a fool of him. His impression of Chen Xia was already poor, and now it grew even more distasteful.
Zhou Jia sat next to Emperor Zhou, her eyes also showing some concern. Although she trusted Chen Xia, this matter concerned the future fate of the entire Great Zhou Dynasty, and indeed could not be taken lightly.
Chen Xia didn't rush to start the alchemy process. Instead, he first stirred the pot with the spatula for a moment, producing a sound like clashing metal. He then nodded slightly, satisfied that both the pot and spatula were of good quality.
Since that was the case, he could begin the concoction.
He looked up at the sky again. It was a bright, sunny day, auspicious for alchemy. The Great Zhou Dynasty had indeed chosen a good day for this event.
After relaxing for a while, Chen Xia finally picked up the white jade and golden sand pot and tossed in the prepared medicinal ingredients. He appeared completely relaxed and nonchalant, as if these expensive ingredients were just ordinary items in his eyes.
The alchemists in the stands nodded solemnly.
"He doesn't seem nervous in front of so many people. His attitude is commendable. To be honest, he's quite unusual in this aspect. It's just unknown whether he has any real skill."
"Haha, Elder Bai, have you noticed something? I've been thinking for a while, but I can't figure out what use that pot and spatula serve. Alchemy isn't cooking, how can they be conflated?"
Another alchemist asked with a laugh, his tone somewhat puzzled, hoping that Elder Bai, the chief alchemist, could help him understand.
Elder Bai shook his head, gently stroking his eyebrow, and replied with confusion: "In my tens of thousands of years of alchemy experience, I've never seen such a technique. Hmm... I did read about something similar in ancient records."
"Legend has it that in an ancient sect, there was a genius alchemist who used this kind of method. It even led many cultivators to imitate him at the time. But it was too long ago, so I don't know the specifics."
Another alchemist pointed at Chen Xia and said with a slight sneer: "Could it be that he's also an alchemy genius?"
His tone carried a hint of mockery, not believing that Chen Xia could be any kind of alchemy prodigy.
Before Elder Bai could respond, Chen Xia made his move. He slightly tossed the pot in his hand, causing the medicinal ingredients to bounce up, then placed the spatula inside and began to stir-fry furiously.
Alchemy, alchemy, but what he was doing had nothing to do with the 'refining' part of the word.
Elder Bai was stunned. After a while, he shook his head and said, "He's probably not an alchemy genius."
Not just Elder Bai, but all the observing cultivators were shocked, as if they were watching a piece of performance art.
Even if they didn't understand alchemy, they understood cooking.
This was clearly a cooking technique, completely unrelated to alchemy.
Emperor Zhou's face was so dark it seemed water could drip from it. His left hand had already crushed the armrest of his seat. Though he didn't speak, his anger was palpable.
Zhou Jia stood beside him, bewildered and helpless, alone in the wind, her skirt fluttering slightly, her expression blank.
It was as if Chen Xia had played a huge joke on everyone present, as if he was mocking them all.
Emperor Zhou had even thought about how to suppress Chen Xia afterwards.
But the alchemy continued.
Chen Xia's expression remained relaxed and at ease, as if alchemy was the easiest thing in the world for him.
In fact, it was indeed so, as it all depended on luck.
As time slowly passed, the voices of the cultivators present grew louder, changing from speculation about Chen Xia to ridicule and curses.
One couldn't blame them entirely; after all, this really didn't look like alchemy.
Time slowly ticked by.
Until dusk, when good fortune was no longer at its peak.
Chen Xia's hand holding the pot suddenly flicked, and a light burst forth from the mixed herbs within.
"It's done!" he exclaimed lightly.
What's done?
The cultivators present were somewhat confused.
A moment later, there was no movement.
The cultivators couldn't help but snicker, even casting disdainful glances at Chen Xia.
"Elder Bai, could it be that he wants to form a pill just like this? Pill essence, pill fragrance, pill radiance, he hasn't even formed the most basic pill shape. He wants to create a pill like this? Haha, I really can't help but laugh!"
Elder Bai lowered his eyes, observed for a moment more, and was about to nod.
Suddenly, an extremely strong light shot down from the sky!
It wasn't divine light from the heavenly way, but lightning from the pill dao!
This bolt of lightning traversed countless star fields, shooting down from the highest point of the realm, like a lightning dragon spanning heaven and earth, with its head resting on the stars.
Just a bit of this lightning was enough to illuminate the entire star!
"Damn!" The usually mature and steady Elder Bai actually jumped up, staring at the lightning in shock, his expression dumbfounded. He even couldn't help but slap himself.
It really hurt.
"Elder Bai, what... what is this?" a nearby alchemist asked in shock.
Elder Bai couldn't answer either. In his twenty thousand years of life, it was the first time he had seen such a spectacle, the first time he had witnessed such pill dao lightning!
Was this a sign of a great elixir coming into the world?
He couldn't say for sure. His gaze turned to the center of the lightning.
Chen Xia, standing in the midst of it, still had a calm expression, as if all of this was within his expectations.
Chen Xia tossed the spatula aside, looked at the lightning, and nodded, saying softly,
"Starting from a high-grade great elixir, I wonder if there's a chance to go a step further and become half an Imperial Elixir."
This was the result of the accumulated luck from nearly twenty thousand years of not practicing alchemy. His first attempt now produced a high-grade great elixir.
The lightning in the sky was still swirling, and Chen Xia could sense its size with a single glance.
From the looks of it, half an Imperial Elixir was probably out of reach, but a high-grade great elixir was certain.
Chen Xia didn't mind giving a high-grade great elixir to the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Because the Great Zhou Dynasty would offer it to the imperial capital, which would give him a reason to negotiate with the imperial capital later.
He always preferred to convince people with reason.
When the time was right, Chen Xia stepped forward, reached into the pot, and surprisingly pulled out an embryonic pill. He raised it high, ready to receive the lightning.
This was the formation of the pill!
The sky full of lightning crashed down, traversing the universe and star fields.
"What kind of pill is this?!" The observing alchemists asked in shock, their eyes fixed on the pill that was about to form.
For alchemists, witnessing the formation of a top-tier pill was the greatest reward.
"I don't know, but it should be at least a great elixir!" Elder Bai's eyes were also glued to the moment of pill formation, not wanting to miss even the slightest detail.
All the pill dao lightning fell, attaching to the pill, forming intricate pill patterns.
Then, a fragrance slowly emanated, quickly spreading throughout the entire star, as if turning the whole star into a pill.
This was the terrifying power of a high-grade great elixir!
Next came the pill radiance. Just half of it revealed was like the blazing sun, capable of annihilating ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators.
Chen Xia slightly pressed down with his hand, suppressing the pill radiance, revealing the true face of this pill.
Lightning patterns on the outside, heavenly pill within.
A high-grade great elixir.
The Universal Heavenly Pill!
The moment Elder Bai saw the pill, he instantly fell to his knees. Not to feign injury, but in worship of this top-tier pill and Chen Xia, this top-tier alchemist!
Zhou Jia's smile was so wide it nearly split her face as she happily looked at Chen Xia.
This proved that her judgment hadn't been wrong, and the Great Zhou Dynasty wouldn't be in trouble.
Emperor Zhou's gaze towards Chen Xia was now incredibly warm, all previous dislike gone. He stood up, intending to go and greet Chen Xia.
Chen Xia briefly examined the pill, felt it was satisfactory in all aspects, then casually tossed it in front of Emperor Zhou, saying nonchalantly,
"You can keep this pill for now. If it's not enough, I'll refine more later."
He was all about showing off his wealth and generosity.
Emperor Zhou's eyes narrowed, and he hurriedly caught the pill, examining it nervously. Only after confirming that the pill wasn't damaged did he quickly store it in his storage treasure. Then he smiled fawningly at Chen Xia.
"It's enough, it's enough. Thank you so much for your trouble. I apologize for my earlier behavior. I was too ignorant. Please accept my sincere apologies."
Now that's what you call having perspective.
The observing cultivators also felt that Emperor Zhou was doing the right thing. For such a top-tier alchemy master, one should indeed fawn and curry favor.
Who knows, if Chen Xia was in a good mood and casually refined some pills, the Great Zhou Dynasty would hit the jackpot.
Emperor Zhou was still immersed in the joyous atmosphere.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded beside him.
Then, a questioning voice rang out.
"What did you take? Let me see it."
Emperor Zhou's body trembled. He hastily took out the pill, bowed, and held it out while respectfully saying:
"I present this to the Saint!"