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墨書 Inktalez
When Zuo Dao took out the Bronze Dan Badge, Xie Furen immediately sensed that something was off. Hearing the other party's words, it became clear that he had jumped into their trap.
"You tricked me!" Xie Furen exclaimed, pointing at Zuo Dao, utterly at a loss for words.
"The one being tricked is you," Zuo Dao replied with a mischievous smile. "Aren't you so impressive? Didn't you want to fight for Virtual Honor? I'll make it happen—see you at the Dueling Platform."
With that, Zuo Dao and Kun Ru Tao walked toward Xuming Hall under Xie Furen's murderous gaze.
The surrounding cultivators were sharp and quickly grasped the truth of the situation.
"Self-inflicted misfortune!"
"Xie Furen's character was never great to begin with; now look at him!"
"That guy is quite devious, revealing his Bronze Dan Cultivator status only at the last moment."
"If I did that, everyone would want to challenge him on the Life-and-Death Platform."
"Isn't the Dueling Platform even more terrifying for the cultivators of Xuming Hall?"
"Haha. Haha. Haha."
The conversations of the surrounding cultivators reached Xie Furen's ears like nails on a chalkboard, filling him with resentment. He had no choice but to accept the challenge thrown down by Zuo Dao; he had to go to the Dueling Platform. He had initially proposed the Life-and-Death Platform, only to have the other party bring out the Bronze Dan Badge from Doushuai Palace.
He wasn't foolish enough to question the authenticity of the Dan Badge in Zuo Dao's hand; everything would be clear once they reached the Dueling Platform. If Zuo Dao's Dan Badge turned out to be fake, he wouldn't even need to lift a finger—he would be killed by the Dueling Platform itself.
However, the most frustrating part was Xu Shining, who had just taken on a disciple and found himself embroiled in such a major disaster. It wasn't that he didn't want to intervene; rather, he couldn't. The rules of Doushuai Palace and the strength of Zuo Dao made him wary. More importantly, Xie Furen simply didn't hold that much significance in his eyes.
The Dueling Platform.
A unique feature of Doushuai Palace, anyone holding a Dan Badge could step onto the platform to resolve any grievances, and no one could pursue the matter afterward.
Zuo Dao had previously been unaware of the existence of the Dueling Platform until Kun Ru Tao informed him. He never expected that by digging a pit for Xie Furen, the other party would expand it into a hole and jump right in.
It was a classic case of self-inflicted misfortune.
The Tavern and Xuming Hall were not far apart, and news of what happened there quickly reached Xuming Hall. When it was heard that someone was going to the Dueling Platform, the entire Xuming Hall erupted with excitement. How long had it been since Dueling Elixirs appeared before the Centennial Danbi?
Upon learning that it was Elder Seven's disciple facing off against an unknown alchemist in Dueling Elixirs, many felt it was quite peculiar. Typically, those who participated in the Dueling Platform were either deeply sworn enemies or matched in Realm. However, this situation left them somewhat baffled.
Before long, news of the three participants spread throughout Xuming Hall. Those who had previously leaned towards supporting Xie Furen began to sympathize with Zuo Dao; this was undoubtedly a case of collateral damage from a city gate fire.
What surprised the Cultivators of Xuming Hall even more was Elder Seven's attitude. After the news of the Dueling Elixirs broke, Xu Shining actually went into seclusion. No one knew why he chose to retreat at such a critical moment—was it an acknowledgment of Xie Furen's strength? But those familiar with Xu Shining knew it couldn't be that simple.
After receiving this news, Su Ziqing couldn't help but smile bitterly. It was obvious that Xie Furen had come looking for trouble. He also vaguely guessed that Elder Seven's seclusion might be due to having encountered Zuo Dao.
Thinking of Zuo Dao made Su Ziqing's head ache again. Before they could even reveal their identities, such a huge mess had already occurred. He feared it might affect his relationship with Elder Seven! But then again, perhaps Elder Seven's retreat was precisely to avoid Zuo Dao; one could never be sure.
The Dueling Platform was located behind Xuming Hall, where a small stage held two Dan Furnaces. The surface of the platform was engraved with countless intricate patterns that emitted dazzling rays of light.
Zuo Dao leaped up, and on his way, Kun Ru Tao had already explained the rules of the Dueling Platform to him in detail. Each branch of the Doushuai Palace had a Dueling Platform, managed by a dedicated person. The Ninth Elder of each branch was responsible for overseeing it.
When Zuo Dao jumped onto the Dueling Platform, he had already attracted the attention of the Ninth Elder, who was still in the midst of his cultivation. By the time Zuo Dao arrived at the Dueling Platform, the area below was packed with cultivators from Xuming Hall who had come to watch. Only those from Xuming Hall were qualified to observe battles on the Dueling Platform.
"Who has activated the Dueling Platform?" As soon as he appeared on the Dueling Platform, the Ninth Elder inquired.
Only Zuo Dao stood on the platform, while his opponent had yet to show up.
"I am Zuo Dao, here to activate the Dueling Platform with Xie Furen!" Zuo Dao thought to himself as he looked at the old man floating in mid-air, cursing inwardly.
"Very well." The skeletal figure of the Ninth Elder maintained a lifeless expression that revealed no emotion. "Present your Dan Badge."
Without asking any questions, the Ninth Elder directly announced the legitimacy of the Dueling Elixirs.
At this moment, Xie Furen could no longer delay. After Zuo Dao produced the Dueling Elixirs, he felt that things were spiraling out of his control. What frightened him even more was that he could no longer contact his master or senior brother.
After examining Zuo Dao's Bronze Dan Badge, a glimmer of cold light appeared in the Ninth Elder's eyes as he cast a meaningful glance at Zuo Dao. Zuo Dao understood that the elder had noticed his Silver Alchemy Emblem and responded with a bright smile.
"Where is Xie Furen? If you do not come up now, I will strip you of all your titles and expel you from Xuming Hall." The voice of the Ninth Elder echoed across the Dueling Platform.
Upon hearing this, Xie Furen realized he could no longer postpone his appearance and walked onto the stage with a nervous heart.
"Xie Furen steps onto the platform to duel with Zuo Dao using Dueling Elixirs." He then took out his Dan Badge and pressed it against his Dan Furnace.
"You may begin. You can set your own rules; I will only be the judge." With that, the Ninth Elder closed his eyes and sat cross-legged in the void. All he needed to do was wait for a result; how they fought on stage was none of his concern.
Zuo Dao was about to speak when a voice reached his ears: "Please show mercy, just impose a light punishment."
It was the Ninth Elder speaking on behalf of Xie Furen. Zuo Dao shrugged, noncommittal.
"How should we compete? You decide, lest someone bully you." Zuo Dao leaned on the Dan Furnace, looking at Xie Furen.
"We shall have a Literary Duel." If Xie Furen had not sensed something amiss at this point, he would no longer be Xie Furen. He had played tricks like this before, pretending to be weak while actually being strong. Martial Arts were absolutely out of the question. Although he wanted to choose Martial Arts, he simply did not have the courage.
He also understood that Zuo Dao's earlier display of Celestial Immortal aura was definitely a trap set for him. Could a Celestial Immortal possess a Bronze Dan Badge?
Even if he lost the Literary Duel, he wouldn't lose his life; however, if it were Martial Arts, he truly feared for his life on the spot.
Zuo Dao's intention was to teach him a lesson, and the Ninth Elder's sudden interjection allowed him to smoothly grant a favor to Xie Furen.
The Literary Duel was one of the most common forms of competition on the Dueling Platform. It not only tested one's knowledge in Alchemical Path but also luck.
Every Alchemist carried a hint of fortune; the quality of the pills produced depended on both skill and luck.
Xie Furen's choice of Literary Duel was entirely within Zuo Dao's expectations. In his eyes, Xie Furen was like a spoiled child; although he himself was several levels above him, his perspective was undoubtedly broader.
Once Xie Furen chose the Literary Duel, a Light Screen rose in the center of the Dueling Platform. Countless Characters flowed across the Light Screen until they suddenly stopped moving.
Heart-Resolving Pill.
The three large characters appeared above the Light Screen.
The Literary Duel was quite simple. Once both sides of the Dueling Elixirs decided on their method of competition, a question would be randomly generated by the Dueling Platform, and the competitors would determine the winner based on that question. However, compared to the Literary Duel, the outcome of Martial Arts usually ended with only one person standing on the platform.
When the crowd of Cultivators saw that the topic for this Dueling Elixirs was actually the Heart-Resolving Pill, each person's face displayed a strange expression, as if a newlywed groom had lifted the veil only to discover that his bride was a man.
The appearance of a pill that should not exist in the realm of Bronze Pill on the Dueling Platform sparked immense interest among the Cultivators regarding this Dueling Elixirs.
Aside from the Ninth Elder, even Kun Ru Tao wondered if there had been an error with the Dueling Platform. Soon, news of this competition topic spread throughout Xuming Hall, even stirring some elders.
Regardless of the discussions below, everything on stage proceeded as per regulations. Two jade platforms slowly rose from within the Dueling Platform, one for each participant. Various medicinal materials for refining the Heart-Resolving Pill were laid out on each platform.
When Xie Furen first laid eyes on those three characters, his heart skipped a beat. He was familiar with the Heart-Resolving Pill, having attempted to refine it several times, all ending in failure. Not due to lack of skill, but because the Heart-Resolving Pill was the only pill that existed between the Bronze and silver levels.
The effect of the Heart-Resolving Pill was straightforward; it also went by another name—Blood Heart Pill. It played a significant role in solidifying the heart of a Celestial Immortal Practitioner, providing powerful vitality for advancing into immortality. A perfected Heart-Resolving Pill was equivalent to a silver-grade pill for a Celestial Immortal Practitioner.
An ordinary Heart-Resolving Pill could only be considered a Bronze pill, yet even so, most alchemists struggled to refine it. This type of pill not only tested an alchemist's understanding of medicinal properties but also required them to reach a certain level of comprehension regarding their path.
The sight of a Bronze pill duel was something that the Cultivators in Xuming Hall had witnessed countless times, but this was their first encounter with the appearance of the Heart-Resolving Pill. Those familiar with it knew that the Dueling Platform provided a fair ground for both competitors, generating questions based on their respective Dan Badges. The emergence of the Heart-Resolving Pill could only indicate one thing: at least one participant had already reached the realm of a Silver Alchemy Emblem.
If both participants were nearing the realm of a Silver Alchemy Emblem, then the only topics that would be presented by the Dueling Platform would be silver-grade pills.
Xie Furen hesitated, merely watching Zuo Dao. Fear had consumed him, and he desperately wanted to concede. However, if he surrendered without even trying, the punishment from the Dueling Platform would be far more severe, likely resulting in his immediate demise.
Zuo Dao glanced at the topic of this duel and couldn't help but smirk; it was a type of elixir he had never refined before, one that didn't even appear in his memories. This could only mean that the elixir had emerged after ancient times.
However, upon seeing the conditions for victory in the duel, he formed a preliminary judgment about the Heart-Resolving Pill.
At that moment, the Spirit Pill of the Heart-Resolving Pill was transmitted into both their minds by the Dueling Platform. The main ingredient of the Heart-Resolving Pill was fixed, but there were many possible auxiliary ingredients. This was an elixir that varied from person to person or one with a very specific targeting capability.
This elixir already had the prototype of the Silver Dan; just as each Cultivator practiced a different path, the vitality within each individual varied as well.
When Zuo Dao first laid eyes on this Spirit Pill, he quickly thought of the Heterodox crowd. This was undoubtedly an excellent elixir that would greatly benefit their strength. For other alchemists, refining hundreds of Heart-Resolving Pills would be challenging, but for Zuo Dao, it was a simple task.
Yet now, he was on the Dueling Platform and needed to focus on the matter at hand.
Glancing at Xie Furen, who was still in a daze, Zuo Dao couldn't help but let a charming smile curve his lips, causing several Female Cultivators in the audience to gaze at him with sparkling eyes.
With the main ingredient unchanged, the quality of an elixir entirely depended on how one selected the auxiliary ingredients.
Looking at the Ninth Elder, who sat cross-legged in meditation in mid-air, Zuo Dao began to formulate a plan.
The fire in the Dan Furnace was quite good; although it was a common Inferno type, its purity was commendable. Typically, Cultivators who ascended to the Dueling Platform would use their own fire seeds, but Zuo Dao did not want to reveal his flames and thus had to rely on the Inferno provided by the Dueling Platform.
The three steps of selecting ingredients, adding them into the furnace, and purifying them flowed through Zuo Dao's hands like a butterfly dancing among flowers.
Butterfly Loves Flower—a very common Alchemy technique. This method is generally used by alchemists in the refinement of female elixirs, such as the Youth Elixir, Floating Water Pill, and Jade Beauty Pill.
It is well known that the best way to refine the Heart-Resolving Pill is through more masculine techniques, such as the Rainbow Piercing the Sun Technique or the Great Sun Blood River Technique.
Although the Ninth Elder kept his eyes tightly shut, he was constantly aware of the two individuals on stage. When he saw Zuo Dao using the Butterfly Loves Flower method, he couldn't help but shake his head in disapproval. How could such a soft technique possibly produce a good Heart-Resolving Pill? Was the Silver Alchemy Emblem he sensed from him earlier just an illusion?
Despite his questionable character, Xie Furen had some skill in the field of Alchemical Path. Perhaps it was due to increased pressure and motivation, but once he started, he quickly got into the role.
Like Kun Ru Tao, he was only one step away from reaching the silver rank in alchemy. However, Kun Ru Tao had a slight edge over him in terms of potion refinement; both were on the same line when it came to their understanding of the Dao.
The first step of purification in Alchemy was a piece of cake for Zuo Dao. Countless herbs appeared like blooming flowers, releasing their beauty in front of everyone.
A mass of medicinal liquid took shape in his hands, and the flames in the furnace danced like lively spirits, moving continuously with Zuo Dao's fingers.
At this moment, several figures had appeared beside the Ninth Elder. Aside from those who had left the hall for various reasons and the long-secluded Palace Master, all remaining elders had arrived.
They exchanged nods as a form of greeting, including the Second Elder. Knowing Zuo Dao well, he shook his head upon seeing him on stage.
“Elder Su, do you know that alchemist up there?” One elder beside him noticed his reaction and asked.
“Elder Tian,” Su Ziqing replied with a bitter smile. “He is my newly accepted second disciple.”
“What?” The other elders seemed astonished by this revelation. Knowing that only Second Elder had not taken on any disciples in the Xuming Hall, they were surprised to learn that two had suddenly appeared today. Even the usually closed-eyed Ninth Elder opened his eyes to look at him.
"The eldest disciple is Kun Ru Tao, and the one already standing on the stage is him." Su Ziqing decided to reveal both of their identities at this moment, knowing it would come to light sooner or later.
"Isn't Kun Ru Tao favored by Elder Seven? Wait, didn't Elder Seven choose Xie Furen?" Elder Tian looked at the stage, finding the situation quite strange.
Elder Seven's acceptance of Xie Furen happened today, and at that time, Su Ziqing and Zuo Dao were still in the Assessment Hall, so they hadn't received any news. Su Ziqing's acceptance of Kun Ru Tao was purely a spur-of-the-moment decision, while Zuo Dao's identity was still a mystery.
However, the coincidence of this matter made the elders present ponder deeply.
The arrival of the elders heightened the atmosphere outside, making it feel as if they were on the Dueling Platform themselves; everyone was incredibly excited. It should be noted that within Xuming Hall, these elders held absolute authority.
Before Zuo Dao's identity became known to the public, all the cultivators in Xuming Hall believed that these elders had come to support Xie Furen.
"By the way, does your disciple know the Butterfly Loves Flower technique?" another elder suddenly asked Su Ziqing.
"I don't know," Su Ziqing shook his head. He thought to himself that if they knew his disciple was actually a Golden Core cultivator, they might not dare to speak so casually.
"Did you teach him those techniques?" Elder Five, who usually had a good relationship with Elder Seven, chimed in while watching Xie Furen on stage.
"No," Su Ziqing understood what was implied by the question. His strength surpassed that of Elder Seven and Xu Shining; if Zuo Dao had been taught by him, Xie Furen's chances of failure would be significantly higher.
"Elder Five, didn't you hear that this disciple was just accepted today by Second Elder?" Elder Tian couldn't help but mockingly respond, seeing through Elder Five's thoughts as well.
"Look, that kid is about to refine a pill," said Elder Four. Refining pills was usually a mundane task, but Zuo Dao's methods were so peculiar that it drew his attention.
"He is called Zuo Dao," Su Ziqing said, shaking his head. The way they referred to him sounded strange to his ears; after all, he was a Golden Elixir cultivator. Did they not know how to show respect?
Although Elder Tian was equally amazed by Zuo Dao's pill refining skills, he was more concerned about Su Ziqing's words. There seemed to be a hint of reproach in Su Ziqing's tone. However, this doubt was quickly overshadowed by Zuo Dao's presence.
"Is this the Metamorphosis Flower?" one of the Four Elders asked, looking puzzled.
"That's right, it's definitely the Butterfly Loves Flower! I just didn't expect it could be used this way!" Elder Five exclaimed. Although he was somewhat worried about Xie Furen, he couldn't help but praise Zuo Dao's exquisite technique.
"Old Su, you’ve taken in a good disciple!" Elder Tian remarked meaningfully. "How about I trade you my two useless disciples along with ten Golden Plants?"
"What?" The elders present gasped again. The shocks kept coming; first, the normally unyielding Su Second Elder not only took on a disciple but two at once. Now Elder Tian's words made them wonder if he had lost his mind.
It was known that Elder Tian's two disciples were the most promising candidates for becoming elders in Xuming Hall and were already being groomed for that role. On top of that, he was offering ten Golden Plants, which were high-grade medicinal herbs.
But what astonished them even more was yet to come.
Before Elder Tian could finish speaking, Su Ziqing firmly replied, "No deal, not even for ten Star Plants."
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