Chapter 2141: The Wager
At the alchemy grounds, an alchemy tower stood towering into the void. Above the tower was an open space. When alchemy was performed atop the tower, those around could have a clear view of the proceedings.
Last time, the descendant of the Pill King from the Azure Night Continent had used his alchemy skills to defeat the descendant of the Pill King family from the Divine Firmament Continent right here.
And today, Wang Sheng would step forward to accept the challenge from the descendant of the Pill King of the Pill Firmament Continent. The alchemy arts of the two continents would clash brilliantly here.
"They're here." At that moment, the crowd turned their gazes, looking in a certain direction. They saw Rufeng and Ruyun and the others walking over. Many people had seen them perform alchemy last time, so they recognized them easily. The descendant of the Pill King from the Pill Firmament Continent, at least in alchemy, would not back down. Besides, they already had a winning record from last time.
"There's an extra person. I wonder who that is. Could he also be a descendant of the Pill King from the Pill Firmament Continent?" Many people glanced at Lin Feng, speculating in their hearts. Lin Feng sensed many gazes on him but remained calm in expression. Behind him, the Flame Lion followed quietly. The once ferocious beast had become increasingly docile.
"An Emperor Demon. That's a Demon Emperor. This person might really be a descendant of the Pill King from the Pill Firmament Continent, to actually possess a Demon Emperor."
"Wrong. This person only happened to meet the descendant of the Pill King. Last time, Wang Sheng even tried to take his Flame Lion but failed. The people from the Pill Firmament Continent just happened to team up with him." Someone who had seen Lin Feng before spoke up, and the crowd nodded slightly. At that moment, in another space, a gust of wind rolled in fiercely. Wang Sheng led some young people from the Pill King family as they strode over, full of spirit. He laughed loudly and said, "Good. As expected of the descendant of the Pill King from the Pill Firmament Continent. You do have some courage, daring to come here for the appointment."
"You talk too much. A defeated person, yet you keep spouting such arrogance. Aren't you afraid of biting your tongue?" Zi Ling said coldly, looking at Wang Sheng with great displeasure.
"Haha. The beauty is pretty, but her temper is not small. If you lose this time, why not marry into my Pill King family and forget about going back to the Pill Firmament Continent?" Wang Sheng's voice boomed. They stood in the void, looking down at the space below, and his group laughed wantonly.
"There's no need to provoke me. An alchemist must avoid impatience and agitation. Someone like you will still lose today." Zi Ling retorted sharply, her voice cold. Wang Sheng's eyes narrowed slightly, and he sneered, "Fine. Since you're so confident, how about we add a wager to this alchemy competition?"
"This is Divine Firmament City. I don't trust you. So let's just stick to comparing alchemy skills." Ruyun said indifferently. The words "I don't trust you" made the eyes of the Pill King family's experts in Divine Firmament City flash with cold light. They, the people of the Pill King family, were being publicly doubted. How outrageous.
"Fine then. Prepare yourselves. Same rules as last time. Three rounds. We'll see who can refine the higher-grade pill. How about that?" Wang Sheng sneered.
"Agreed." Rufeng nodded. In the last alchemy competition, they had also competed in three rounds. The Divine Firmament Continent side had only won one round and lost two.
"You've already lost before. This time, we're giving you a chance to fight again. For all three rounds, you should send out your people first." Rufeng said indifferently. Wang Xiao responded, "Fine. I'll let you have the advantage."
"Sharp tongue. If we hadn't given you the chance, you wouldn't even have had the opportunity to fight again. Instead of being grateful, you dare to say you're letting us have the advantage." Zi Ling's voice was still sharp and caustic, cold as ice.
"Hmph." Wang Sheng snorted coldly. Behind him, a figure stepped forward and descended directly onto an alchemy tower.
"Whoosh!" A gust of wind swept by. Rufeng's figure shot up like a great roc, landing directly on the tower beside that person. This made Wang Sheng's pupils contract slightly. He said coldly, "You're going first?"
"Is there a problem?" Rufeng sneered.
"Fine. Naturally, it's fine. Even if we lose this round, I want to see what you'll use to fight the next two rounds." Wang Sheng said coldly. In the last three-round contest, Rufeng's alchemy skill was the strongest among the three opponents. Originally, Wang Sheng had planned to deal with Rufeng himself, but he didn't expect Rufeng to go first in the first round. How ridiculous. Even if Rufeng won this round, what did it matter? He already had two solid rounds where he could suppress the opponent.
The cauldron appeared, and flames ignited. Both of their flames were extraordinary fires, instantly enveloping the cauldrons. In this alchemy competition between the descendants of the Pill Kings from two continents, there was no need to restrict the alchemy cauldrons or materials. They all had the best alchemy herbs and cauldrons on them, enough to bring out their ultimate alchemy abilities. Of course, in alchemy battles, it was generally accepted that only three attempts were allowed. If all three attempts failed, it was an immediate loss. Therefore, few people would choose overly precious herbs to refine powerful pills they weren't confident in.
"Such strong control over the flames." Lin Feng looked toward the alchemy tower. The two had already begun refining. Rufeng's flames split into eighty-one strands, each in a different corner, with varying intensities. He precisely controlled the heat in every part, fully focused. His soul power invaded the cauldron. To refine a high-grade pill, even a moment's distraction could lead to failure. So neither of them dared to be careless.
"You're here too." At that moment, Wang Sheng's gaze fell on Lin Feng. He smiled and said, "Last time, I asked you to trade me the Flame Lion. I wonder if you've thought it over now."
Lin Feng looked up at Wang Sheng, then looked away, as if he couldn't be bothered to respond, leaving Wang Sheng to display his arrogance alone.
The crowd watched Wang Sheng and Lin Feng, a look of amusement appearing on their faces. Wang Sheng's words still hung in the air, making the situation rather awkward. A cold light flashed in his eyes.
Wang Sheng glanced to the side, and someone immediately understood, stepping forward. Wang Sheng continued, "Today's alchemy competition has three rounds. But you have five people. How about we add some spice? Wouldn't it be even more wonderful to complement the alchemy contest with a martial arts duel?"
"We've already agreed to your alchemy request, and now you want martial arts too. Since that's the case, we'll oblige." Ruyun's robe fluttered as he took a step forward. Flames rolled around him, as if wisps of ethereal fire spread through the void.
"You'll need to prepare for the next round of alchemy. It's better if you don't participate in the martial arts duel. Otherwise, your alchemy skill might suffer, and you'll lose unwillingly."
"You don't need to worry about that."
"Since you insist, fine. Wang Zhan, you go." Wang Sheng called back the person who had just stepped out and spoke to another. This person exuded overwhelming battle intent, his aura fierce and terrifying. A sharp, combative energy surged out like a mountain avalanche, shaking the heavens.
"In a fight, injuries and death are unavoidable. How about we add another wager? Let's bet on that Flame Lion." Wang Sheng stared at the Flame Lion behind Lin Feng, his eyes cold and filled with determination. Last time, he had failed to seize it. He hadn't expected Rufeng and Ruyun to be so formidable in combat either. And that kid was skilled in some array techniques, very strange, causing two Emperor-level figures to fall.
But he had no doubt about Wang Zhan's combat ability. That guy didn't like alchemy but was a battle maniac. Even Wang Sheng himself was somewhat afraid of him when he fought.
"If you lose, what will you stake?" Lin Feng said calmly, looking at Wang Sheng from afar. He didn't like trouble, but when trouble came to him, he never feared it.
"One Emperor Pill, third-grade. How about that?" Wang Sheng said indifferently.
Lin Feng looked at Rufeng and asked, "In this alchemy competition, do you have absolute confidence in winning?"
"Yes." Rufeng nodded, very confident.
"Brother Lin Feng, don't worry. We will definitely win." Yao Yao raised her little fist and said with a smile.
"Alright then. I'll stake my Flame Lion. The outcome of the alchemy competition will determine who gets a third-grade Emperor Pill. What do you think?" Lin Feng said.
"No problem. We're just worried these guys will renege."
"Reneging would just be slapping their own faces. News will spread quickly in Divine Firmament City. At worst, we'll just forget about the Emperor Pill." Lin Feng smiled, then looked at Wang Sheng and asked, "You heard what I said. What do you think?"
"Betting the Flame Lion on the alchemy competition is fine. It seems you don't dare to bet on martial arts." Wang Sheng sneered.
"Don't rush. One thing at a time." Lin Feng said calmly. "I need a third-grade Emperor Pill that can heal soul injuries. Do you have one?"
Wang Sheng frowned slightly. A third-grade Emperor Pill for healing the soul was extremely rare even for him. He only had one on him. Such pills were very difficult to refine. Even with his alchemy skill, the success rate was pitifully low. So he wouldn't waste large amounts of herbs trying to refine one.
"Bet or not?" Lin Feng asked again.
"Fine. I agree." Wang Sheng said coldly. "As for the martial arts duel, tell me what you want to bet. If you don't have anything that interests me, it's better not to bring it up."
"This alchemy cauldron and these flames. Would they be attractive to you?" Lin Feng said calmly. In his left hand appeared a massive dragon-shaped cauldron, and in his right hand, he held a ball of mixed flames, exuding several different auras.
"If I lose, I'll strip the flames and give them to you."
"A Azure Dragon Cauldron." Wang Sheng's pupils contracted. Then he stared at the ball of flames, a burning desire flashing in his eyes. "I didn't expect you to have some good things. Fine. If I lose, I'll pay the price of another third-grade Emperor Pill."
"The stakes aren't equal. Not enough." Rufeng said coldly.
"You can add something more."
"Add this: you slap your own face three times in front of everyone." Lin Feng said calmly. Wang Sheng's pupils froze, and a cold light flickered. This man actually dared to make him slap himself in public.