"Is this guy really planning to compete in alchemy with Alchemist Zhu?"
The onlookers stared at Jiang Chen in disbelief. A nobody without even an alchemist badge dared to challenge a seasoned second-rank alchemist!
"This is madness!"
"Does he even know what he's doing? Competing with Zhu Mingyuan? He must be joking."
Even Tang Sheng, standing beside Jiang Chen, was shocked. Although he knew Jiang Chen was a talented alchemist and had seen him refine a first-grade pill, Zhu Mingyuan was a second-rank alchemist!
Tang Sheng wasn't fond of Zhu Mingyuan. The man was arrogant, always flaunting his status as a second-rank alchemist, and he barely respected anyone—not even Tang Sheng's father. If Jiang Chen could defeat him, it would be a dream come true for Tang Sheng. But could Jiang Chen really win?
"What did you just say? You want to compete in alchemy with me?" Zhu Mingyuan finally recovered from his shock. His face twisted into a smirk, as if he had heard the most ridiculous joke of his life.
He was a genuine second-rank advanced alchemist! In Lingyun City, only the few third-rank alchemists surpass him. Who did this kid think he was?
"You heard me right. I want to compete in alchemy with you," Jiang Chen said, his lips curling into a confident smile. "What's the matter? Are you afraid?"
"Afraid? Don't make me laugh!" Zhu Mingyuan's eyes narrowed. "Fine, let's do this. But if you lose, you'll become my pill slave and serve me for the rest of your life!"
"Deal," Jiang Chen replied calmly. "So, how do you want to compete?"
"You don't even have an alchemist badge. I doubt you can even refine a first-grade pill," Zhu Mingyuan sneered. "We'll each refine ten batches of Body Tempering Pills. Whoever has the higher success rate wins."
"Brother Tang Sheng, please prepare a pill furnace and materials for twenty batches of Body Tempering Pills," Jiang Chen said, ignoring Zhu Mingyuan's arrogance.
With the system's hundredfold success rate, his chances of failure were almost zero. Competing with Zhu Mingyuan was like having victory handed to him on a silver platter.
"Alright." Tang Sheng nodded and quickly fetched a pill furnace and the necessary materials.
"Zhu Mingyuan, you go first," Jiang Chen said, his tone indifferent.
"As you wish!" Zhu Mingyuan snorted and strode to the pill furnace.
As a second-rank alchemist with over a decade of experience, refining a first-grade Body Tempering Pill was child's play for Zhu Mingyuan.
He began the process: warming the furnace, preparing the ingredients, and condensing the pill. Within a quarter of an hour, he had successfully refined the first Body Tempering Pill.
He continued, refining one pill after another. By the time he had used all ten sets of materials, Zhu Mingyuan had produced seven successful pills.
A 70% success rate!
"Your turn, boy," Zhu Mingyuan said, a smug, challenging look in his eyes.
Jiang Chen smirked. "A second-rank alchemist with only a 70% success rate for a first-grade pill? That's it?"