"Tang Sheng, do you really intend to make this kid the chief alchemist of Baodan Pavilion?"
Zhu Mingyuan's face darkened, his voice filled with indignation.
Tang Sheng glanced at him indifferently. "Is there a problem?"
"If you want this kid to take my position, you'd better ask your father if he agrees!" Zhu Mingyuan snorted coldly.
"That won't be necessary." Tang Sheng waved dismissively. "As the future successor of Baodan Pavilion, my word is as good as his."
"Very well, Tang Sheng! Don't come crying to me later." Zhu Mingyuan laughed bitterly. "Even if this brat got lucky and beat me, he's still just a first-rank alchemist. Remember, I'm the only second-rank advanced alchemist in Baodan Pavilion!"
As the only second-rank advanced alchemist in Baodan Pavilion, Zhu Mingyuan was responsible for refining most of the second-rank pills. Replacing him with a mere first-rank alchemist was sheer madness in his eyes.
"You think being a second-rank alchemist is impressive?" Jiang Chen smirked, his voice cutting through the room. "It seems you're still not convinced by your earlier loss. Fine, let's compete again."
He continued, "Show me the highest-grade pill you can refine. I'll make you admit defeat!"
"Is that a challenge?" Zhu Mingyuan sneered, his eyes narrowing.
"Yes. If you win, I'll leave Baodan Pavilion immediately and never look back," Jiang Chen said calmly.
"Prepare three sets of materials for refining Qi Gathering Pills for me!" Zhu Mingyuan ordered.
The Qi Gathering Pill was a second-rank advanced pill, one of the most challenging in its class. To defeat him, Jiang Chen would have to refine a third-rank pill—an impossible feat, Zhu Mingyuan thought.
"Brother Jiang Chen, are you sure about this?" Tang Sheng whispered, concern in his voice.
Zhu Mingyuan's refinement of a second-rank advanced pill was no small feat. To win, Jiang Chen would need to produce a third-rank pill. Was that even possible?
"Prepare the materials," Jiang Chen said confidently. "Don't worry. His alchemy skills won't beat mine."
Tang Sheng took a deep breath, still unsure, but nodded and arranged for the materials.
Zhu Mingyuan inspected the ingredients and began his refinement process. The Qi Gathering Pill was complex, even for a second-rank advanced alchemist. Zhu Mingyuan had to concentrate fully.
The first attempt ended in failure due to a minor mistake during the extraction process. However, Zhu Mingyuan learned from his error and successfully refined the pill on his second attempt.
Upon completion, he raised his head smugly. "Boy, I've successfully refined a second-rank advanced Qi Gathering Pill. Let's see how you can possibly beat me!"
Jiang Chen glanced at him with a disdainful smile. "You refined a second-rank advanced pill after two tries, and you think that's impressive?"
He stepped forward, his voice echoing through the room. "A second-rank pill? I can refine a third-rank pill!"