Translator: Silavin Exactly eighty-eight Soul Testing Orbs floated steadily around Qin Yichen, showing no signs of falling. This was seventeen more than Qiao Huang! The impact this had on everyone was incomparable. Especially for Alchemy Masters, they understood better just how difficult it was to achieve what Qin Yichen had done. Just how precise did one’s control over Spiritual Energy need to be? This meant that Qin Yichen’s Spiritual Energy attainment might be above Qiao Huang’s. The Peak Understanding Realm? How was this possible? Just how old was he? However, more observant people were shocked to discover that eighty-eight did not seem to be Qin Yichen’s limit. His state was clearly more relaxed than those around him. The reason he only had eighty-eight was simply because there were no more Soul Testing Orbs falling. This point was noticed by the various Alchemy Tower Masters and Alchemy Peak Master. Northern Region’s Alchemy Tower Master, Zuo Xuezhen, immediately felt vindicated. Especially regarding the term ‘New Apprentice’ he had just mentioned – it was like a heavy slap across Western Region’s Alchemy Tower Master, Qiu Yushu’s face. Of course, it also slapped those who had been openly and secretly mocking them. Compared to Zuo Xuezhen’s delight, Qiu Yushu’s expression was unsightly. The scar on his face looked somewhat fierce, and to control his emotions, he secretly clenched his fist, his nails digging deep into his palm. Soon, the results came out… In this segment, the Northern Region, which usually ranked in the middle or bottom, claimed first place for the first time. Qin Yichen: eighty-eight. Wang Daoyun: sixty. Zhao Ritian: fifty-four, because four had fallen. The Eastern Region, which usually took first place, could only settle for second. While the Central Region came last, of course due to the previous ‘tilting’ incident. When the results came out, attention immediately focused on this Northern Region New Apprentice, Qin Yichen. This name appeared in everyone’s sight for the first time. They had reason to believe that this New Apprentice would stand in the highest position in the future. This great honour fell on a New Apprentice, but on Qin Yichen’s face, there was not the slightest trace of pride. He remained as usual, wearing only a faint smile. It seemed that for him, he had just done something trivial. Indeed, in his previous life, he had received even higher honours, so how could he be proud of this? “Haha, who knew you had this up your sleeve!” Zhao Ritian came over and gave Qin Yichen a punch, especially looking at Lin Yi’s ashen face not far away, he appeared more smug, grinning at him. “Boys of the Western Region, how does it feel?!” His loud words made all three Western Region Alchemy Masters dark. “Don’t be so proud!” Lin Yi spoke angrily, then turned his gaze to Qin Yichen, sizing him up. No one had expected this previously unremarkable New Apprentice to possess such strength. Even Qiao Huang had not anticipated this. “Although I don’t know what methods you used, but the following competitions cannot be won through tricks!” He spoke to Qin Yichen in a gloomy voice. Clearly, he was very unwilling to accept this. If it was not for this variable called Qin Yichen, how could the Western Region be suppressed by the Northern Region!? Haaaa… Qin Yichen could not be bothered to explain anything to him. Could this segment of the competition be won through tricks? Without extremely strong mastery over one’s Spiritual Energy, who could achieve what he had!? However, it was Qin Yichen’s indifferent attitude that made Lin Yi even more furious, believing that Qin Yichen had ignored him. Of course, Qin Yichen had indeed ignored him. It was just that being ignored was absolutely intolerable for someone so proud. “We’ll see!” The words almost squeezed through Lin Yi’s teeth, and he angrily turned away. “You think I’m afraid of you?” Zhao Ritian continued to be smug, seemingly more confident about the upcoming segments of the competition. In Alchemy, he had the Alchemy Techniques taught by Qin Yichen. For new Pill Formulas, their Northern Region had the Clear Mind Pill Formula. Indeed, they had nothing to fear. This time, he would definitely reclaim his lost face and dignity with his own hands. After the first segment was done, everyone was given an hour to rest and recover their Spiritual Energy. An hour later, the second segment began. “The second segment tests an Alchemy Master’s foundation… Alchemy!” Alchemy Peak Master Qu Huazheng spoke again, his voice reaching the entire venue. “The scoring criteria for Alchemy are: first, the Pill Grade; second, the Pill quality; third, the speed…” Everyone was clear about these three elements of Alchemy. “I declare that the second segment has begun!” Following his announcement, Qin Yichen and others each came to a stone platform. The Pill Furnace were all self-provided. The medicinal herbs were prepared in advance and could be chosen freely. However, there was a catch – there were only three Fourth Grade ingredients available. Spirit Sun Fruit, Turtle Snake Flower, and Jade Thorny Vine. Moreover, these three were placed in very obvious positions. The Alchemy Peak’s intention in doing this was very clear. They wanted to make them compete. Qiao Huang took the lead, walking forward, his target was the Spirit Sun Fruit. If one could take it and successfully refine it into a Pill, it would belong to them. This was also considered a ‘small’ reward from the Alchemy Peak. It was worth noting that these three Spirit Medicines were each worth tens of thousands of silver coins. Once refined into pills, their value would naturally be even higher, possibly selling for over a hundred thousand each. He walked forward, and naturally, no one dared to stop him. After all, Qiao Huang’s strength was recognised as first among the younger generation. After he took the Spirit Sun Fruit, only two remained. Lin Yi and others moved, including Zhao Ritian. What surprised Qin Yichen was that Wang Daoyun did not move, his reason being that his Spiritual Energy had yet to fully recover. As for Qin Yichen, he was not even interested in those two medicinal herbs. For him, Fourth Grade Pills did not necessarily require Fourth Grade Spirit Medicine. Many Spirit Medicines could complement each other. In the later era where Spirit Medicine was scarce, Alchemy Masters had to find other methods. Eight thousand years later, a new kind of Pill was born… the Compound Pill. Using multiple medicinal herbs of the same properties, first merge them into compound liquid, then refine them into pills – this was the Compound Pill of the later era. Although there were only three High Grade Spirit Medicines here, there were many Third Grade Spirit Medicines. For Qin Yichen, whether he got those three High Grade Spirit Medicines or not, the result would be the same. However, what surprised him was that Zhao Ritian actually brought back the Jade Thorny Vine. This way, if the Northern Region produced two Fourth Grade Pills, taking first place should not be a big problem. Believe it or not, this would surely give many people an unexpected surprise. Obviously, right now, in everyone’s eyes, since Qiao Huang had taken the best, Spirit Sun Fruit, first place should definitely go to the Eastern Region. “Why is he taking so many medicinal herbs?” Soon, people noticed Qin Yichen’s unusual behaviour. After all, he had taken too many medicinal herbs, almost three or four times as many as the others. Furthermore, he had not stopped taking, he continues to select more herbs. This behaviour was truly hard not to notice.