The Gate Of Good Fortune

The purple-robed man held up a pill refined by Lu Dongze and said, “Union Master Lu, your batch of Dao Sculpting Spirit Pills produced twelve pills, and this one here is a top-quality pill. It successfully incorporates the five divine herbs and can increase the user’s cultivation.”

“Taking this pill will allow Holy Emperors at and below the Dao Sculpting Realm to increase their cultivation level by one minor realm in the shortest possible time. From this, I can say that Union Master Lu has successfully utilised the Sakyamuni Flower and the Silver Ring Fruit from the five divine herbs. The only regret is that this pill does not have much practical value as the value of the divine herbs used in this pill far exceeds the value of such a pill.”

Lu Dongze nodded; he naturally knew the pills he had refined very well. Kong Lianbo’s evaluation was spot on, spelling out the strengths and weaknesses of his refined pills. It was just that Kong Lianbo had considered his reputation and did not mention the other two important divine herbs, the Twin-leaved Scales of the Celestial Fox and Clear Wind Immortal Claw, which did not affect the refined pills. In other words, it was the same as not using the two divine herbs.

The purple-robed man put down Lu Dongze’s pill and asked, “I wonder if Union Master Lu has anything to supplement?”

With these words, he asked Lu Dongze to say it himself if he had left out something.

Lu Dongze stood up and cupped his fists before speaking, “Brother Kong has hit the nail on its head. This pill I refined is, as you stated and can only be used as a boosting supplement. It doesn’t have much value.”

Whatever the case, Lu Dongze wasn’t worried that he would lose. He already knew that the highest grade of pills that these divine herbs could form was a Dao Raising Dao Pill. Ning Cheng, just like him, had also refined a batch of Dao Sculpting Spirit Pills. It meant that Ning Cheng’s refined pills also wouldn’t have much practical value.

The purple-robed man nodded, took up a spirit pill refined By Ning Cheng, and said, “The one that Alchemist Ning has refined is also a Dao Sculpting Spirit Pill, and the one I have in my hand is likewise a top-grade pill. Alchemist Ning has successfully incorporated the same five divine herbs. However, the effects of this pill are completely different from that of Union Master Lu’s pill.”

“This pill brought out some of the medicinal properties of the Twin-leaves Scales of the Celestial Fox and the Clear Wind Immortal Claw and made good use of the Sakyamuni Flower and the Silver Ring Fruit. With this point alone, the spirit pill Alchemist Ning refined is superior. On top of that, although Alchemist Ning didn’t utilise the law-infused dao rhythm of the divine herbs, he still managed to incorporate some of it into the pill. As such, it can help those cultivating wind-attributed divine abilities to reach the next level. In fact, it produced an instant enhancement effect to the wind-attributed divine abilities.”

Speaking till here, the purple-robed man paused momentarily, as many among the crowd had started talking about it in astonishment. Even Lu Dongze frowned, clearly not believing that Ning Cheng’s pill had better effects than the Dao Sculpting Spirit Pill he refined.

But once the purple-robed man stopped talking, the crowd’s chatter stopped. Only then did the purple-robed man speak, “Therefore, for this second round, Alchemist Ning wins. Of course, this is only my opinion. Now I will send the pills to all the Dao Friends here so everyone can state their opinions.”

Even if the purple-robed man didn’t say anything, many people in the hall couldn’t wait to find out if the truth was just as Kong Lianbo stated.

Lu Dongze received a pill that Ning Cheng refined, and Ning Cheng likewise got a pill that Lu Dongze refined. When the pills reached their hands, everyone understood that Ning Cheng had won and Lu Dongze had lost.

Lu Dongze had indeed incorporated the five divine herbs, but he had put the cart before the horse by utilising only the Sakyamuni Flower and the Silver Ring Fruit and neglecting the two more important divine herbs, the Twin-leaved Scales of the Celestial Fox and Clear Wind Immortal Claw. Ning Cheng also understood that it wasn’t that Lu Dongze had purposefully neglected them, but mainly because he was also pressed for time. That was all he could do within the allotted time.

If he had only used the Sakyamuni Flower and the Silver Ring Fruit, Ning Cheng wouldn’t have needed three days to deduce a pill recipe; he could have done it in just one day.

Half an incense stick later, everyone looking at the pills finally stopped observing them. Kong Lianbo had not been wrong with his judgement; Ning Cheng’s pill was the superior one among the two. They were all accomplished alchemists and experts in their respective areas, so they didn’t need to deliberate too much.

Lu Dongze sighed, put down the pill in his hand, and said, “Alchemist Ning, I have lost. My eyes were too narrow, and I thought I would become far superior to ordinary alchemists after obtaining the Compendium of Celestial Flora[1]. Yet, I still lost to Alchemist Ning despite knowing the medicinal properties of the five divine herbs in advance. Your Dao of Alchemy is much better than mine, Alchemist Ning.”

Ning Cheng understood Lu Dongze’s feelings. After all, everyone in the hall understood that Ning Cheng not only had no idea about the medicinal properties of the first five divine herbs, he didn’t even know their names. Although Ning Cheng stated that his ‘teacher’ taught him the names, even a child wouldn’t be fooled by those words.

Yet, even under such circumstances, Ning Cheng could still win against Lu Dongze. That only meant one thing: Ning Cheng’s Dao of Alchemy surpassed Lu Dongze’s level. If that wasn’t the case, he couldn’t have figured out the functions of five never-before-seen divine herbs, let alone deduce a pill recipe in six days.

Understanding this, Lu Dongze felt convinced of his defeat.

“Although I won by a fluke, the strength displayed by Union Master Lu’s Dao of Alchemy is the best I have seen. If it was a year ago, I couldn’t have won against Union Master Lu.” Ning Cheng sensed that Lu Dongze wasn’t keen on parting with the book, but it would never be possible for him to give up on it. He had to get that book. Especially since his Dao of Alchemy had reached the limit of the current resources at his disposal. After all, he had never received a formal education when it came to alchemy,

However, the words about the strength of Lu Dongze’s Dao of Alchemy weren’t the slightest bit false and came from the bottom of his heart. If this competition had happened a year ago, Ning Cheng knew he wouldn’t have had such an easy time. Moreover, practising with the divine herbs on the void ship and dedicating himself to deducing new pill recipes for most of the year also contributed immensely to this debate.

“I’ve lost. This book will be Alchemist Ning’s from now on.” Lu Dongze somewhat reluctantly grabbed the Compendium of Celestial Flora before him but hesitated to give it to Ning Cheng.

Lu Dongze, a Dao Fusion Pill sage, was reluctant to give up an alchemy tone. This fact alone showed the extraordinariness of this book.

However, since this was put up himself, he had to abide by it. Even if someone didn’t want Ning Cheng to get this book, there was no way to speak up and refute it. What’s more, Ning Cheng had won fair and square against Lu Dongze, and no one was willing to offend such a promising alchemist.

But just then, a woman behind Lu Dongze stood up, “Alchemist Ning, if we talk purely about the level of one’s Dao of Alchemy, how do you compare to our Union Master?”

Like him, Ning Cheng understood that this woman represented her grand realm in the Five Grand Realms’ Alchemy Competition.

Ning Cheng decided not to slyly argue, “I’m not as good as Union Master Lu.”

“The course of this debate could be considered fair, but the fire-attributed Primal Chaos Aura Alchemist Ning took out is more than a notch below the Compendium of Celestial Flora. The reason why Union Master Lu agreed to it was first that he thought it was a sure win, and secondly, because he didn’t want to put Alchemist Ning in a difficult position. I do not ask Alchemist Ning not to accept the Compendium of Celestial Flora but to point out that an unfairness existed from the start of this match.” After this woman finished speaking, she clasped her fists momentarily and immediately sat down.

The meaning of her words was clear to anyone, and that was that what the two men took out for the debate weren’t equal, affecting the battle’s mood. The Dao of Alchemy was an extremely sensitive dao to pursue, and even the smallest speck of dust or the slightest distraction could grossly affect the outcome. This was especially true for two competing people with similar levels of Dao of Alchemy. To put it bluntly, this woman told Ning Cheng not to collect the Compendium of Celestial Flora.

“Alchemist Ping has a habit of speaking without thought; I hope Alchemist Ning doesn’t blame her.” After Lu Dongze finished speaking, he no longer hesitated and directly sent the Compendium of Celestial Flora into Ning Cheng’s hands.

Contrary to what others believed, Ning Cheng appreciated this kind of crispness and decisive action from Lu Dongze. If Lu Dongze wanted to backtrack, he couldn’t blame him for being ungracious. If that happened, he would not only force Lu Dongze to give up the book, but he would have also added some ridiculing words.

But seeing Lu Dongze’s crisp way of handling things, Ning Cheng wholeheartedly accepted the book and said, “Many thanks, Union Master Lu.”

In return, Lu Dongze waved his hand, “You deserve it; nothing here requires your thanks. I most likely would have been even more ungrateful if I received your fire-attributed Primal Chaos Aura.”

Ning Cheng smiled faintly, “Apart from thanking Union Master Lu, I would like to say that what that senior sister said just now is reasonable. Truthfully, I didn’t recognise any of the five divine herbs in the first round, and I believe everyone here already knows about it. Therefore, I will consider this book on loan from Union Master Lu. I will return it to Union Master Lu before the Five Grand Realms’ Alchemy Competition ends.”

Hearing Ning Cheng’s words, Lu Dongze almost jumped in delight. Luckily, he remembered his status and cultivation and controlled himself before making a respectful alchemist’s salute to Ning Cheng. “Many thanks, Alchemist Ning. While reading this book, if Alchemist Ning has any questions, just come and discuss them with me.”

Truthfully, the tome was one of his most precious items. Otherwise, as a Dao Fusion Pill Sage, he wouldn’t have wanted to get it back once he lost it. But now that Ning Cheng wanted to return it to him, he decided to compensate Ning Cheng elsewhere.

Ning Cheng also stood up and returned an alchemist salute. “It is I who must thank Union Master Lu for allowing me to have a chance to view the Compendium of Celestial Flora. I’m afraid there will be many things in it that I will have to trouble Union Master Lu with.”

Ning Cheng also felt satisfied with the result. Plus, there was no need to keep the Compendium of Celestial Flora once he finished viewing it. What’s more, with the help of this book, he had also befriended an alchemical powerhouse like Union Master Lu, which could only do him good and no harm.

Not only that, but Ning Cheng could also feel that after he decided to borrow this book, Lu Dongze was by no means the only one in the hall who changed their attitude towards him.

Lu Dongze hastily exchanged communication pearls with Ning Cheng, then cupped his fists towards Sichen Qiutian and said, “Union Master Sichen is indeed remarkable to be able to instruct an alchemical powerhouse like Alchemist Ning in refining the Six Yin Soul Pill. During the Five Grand Realms’ Alchemy Competition, if Union Master Sichen is free, we can discuss alchemy together.”

Sichen Qiutian stood up with a smile and returned the greetings. Even if he knew that Lu Dongze only did so to help Ning Cheng help him gather his cracked alchemic dao heart, he still felt himself filling up with joy. Firstly, it was true that he had helped Ning Cheng refine the Six Yin Soul Pill; secondly, it was also true that Lu Dongze had lost at Ning Cheng’s hands. The fact that Lu Dongze’s Dao of Alchemy was stronger than his, yet still wanted to discuss alchemy with him, showed that others had also recognised his Dao of Alchemy. All because he could point Ning Cheng in the right direction.

Ning Cheng secretly sighed as he knew that he hadn’t done much. Lu Dongze’s words were tantamount to doing him a favour. Lu Dongze could see that he wanted to help Sichen Qiutian heal his cracked alchemic dao heart, which was why he said those words. With Sichen Qiutian once again gaining confidence in his Dao of Alchemy, he now only needed to wait until they reached the Grand Change Realm to refine a perfect furnace of Celestial Origin Heavenly Pills. Once he did that, Sichen Qiutian’s alchemic dao heart would be fully healed.

Kong Lianbo also felt satisfied with how things were resolved this time. Therefore, he spoke with a wide smile, “Alchemist Ning is astonishingly talented, and he is neither arrogant nor haughty. Therefore, I, Kong Lianbo, will give you this one entry spot.”

As a senior, there was nothing wrong with him saying this to Ning Cheng. After all, Ning Cheng had shown such a strong talent in the Dao of Alchemy. Therefore, for him to give Ning Cheng an entry spot at this time was tantamount to sending charcoal in the snow and befriending Ning Cheng.

With Lu Dongze and Kong Lianbo befriending Ning Cheng in front of them, the rest of the alchemists in the hall quickly shuffled off their seats and greeted Ning Cheng and Sichen Qiutian one after another. For a while, the originally cold atmosphere of the Pill Discussion Hall had become cordial.

[1] Changing “Herbs and Plants of the Universe” to “Compendium of Celestial Flora”