Chapter 112 Cheng Jiang

"Could it be... I'm really going to die?"

Master Alchemist Chen Xiao's lips trembled, his body shaking slightly.

When Zhang Xuan first said this earlier, he thought the other was cursing him, scolding him, and paid no attention. But now, seeing with his own eyes that the test beast died on the spot after eating the pill he had refined, he was utterly shocked, even feeling terrified.

"This..."

Seeing his state, everyone felt a pang of sympathy, wanting to comfort him but not knowing what to say.

If he weren't truly about to die, how could the pill he refined kill the test beast at first bite? Clearly, what the other said was true!

"I've explained what needed explaining. Who's next to challenge?"

Zhang Xuan glanced around.

"No... Young friend Zhang Xuan, wait!" Master Alchemist Chen Xiao could no longer hold back and hastily looked over.

Earlier he had called him 'kid,' but now it had become 'young friend.'

"What's the matter? Master Alchemist Chen Xiao, are you still unconvinced and want to test again?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

"No, I... I want to ask the young friend to tell me why I am going to die? If you can inform me truthfully, I, Chen, will repay the favor even if it means being ground to dust!" Master Alchemist Chen Xiao couldn't help saying.

There was nothing wrong with his body. Even if he ate a little less and slept poorly, it shouldn't affect his life!

Why, when he was about to die, did he, the one involved, have no idea?

"There's no harm in telling you. When you were refining just now, although your techniques and movements were flawless, your body was slightly stiff, clearly lacking strength, with a sense of heart failure. Most importantly, your skin is beginning to turn gray, somewhat resembling the corpse spots on a dead person! If I'm not mistaken, the skin you expose is specially coated with a medicinal herb to deceive others and hide the fact that your whole body is already covered with blue patches!"

Zhang Xuan looked over with piercing eyes.

His pupils contracted, and Master Alchemist Chen Xiao staggered back as if struck by lightning.

Just as the other said, he indeed had some patches on his body. He had thought it was an unsightly disease and was planning to find time to see Master Yuanyu, since it didn't itch or hurt, and hadn't taken it seriously. He never expected it to be corpse spots!

"I beg you, sir, to save me!"

Struggling to steady his breath, Master Alchemist Chen Xiao had no more doubts and couldn't help clasping his fists.

The address changed from 'young friend' to 'sir.'

No matter who, no matter how old, no one wants to die, especially when they know death is imminent.

Everyone wants to know if they can continue living!

"Have you recently obtained some treasure? If I guess correctly, it should have been taken from a dead person. Using it brings ill fortune. If you want to live a little longer, it's best not to touch it anymore!" Zhang Xuan waved his hand and said no more: "That's all I have to say. Take care of yourself!"

"You... you..."

Hearing his words, Master Alchemist Chen Xiao's body stiffened again.

The other was right. He had recently obtained a pill furnace, much better than the one he used before. He treasured it, caressing it daily, almost wanting to sleep with it.

This item was indeed obtained from a dead person, and one who had died not long ago.

That person gave him the furnace, hoping he would help avenge him. However, the enemy was very powerful, so he had only casually agreed, with no intention of carrying it out.

Afterward, when that person died, he paid no more attention. Could it be... he was referring to this furnace?

This item was obtained very secretly; even his descendants were not quite clear about it. How did he... know?

Master Alchemist Chen Xiao looked at the young man before him again, as if seeing a ghost.

"Alright, who's next?"

No longer paying attention to the old man before him, Zhang Xuan looked at the remaining eight.

In fact, what Chen Xiao had was not an illness, but a curse.

He had agreed to avenge someone, and only then did the other party bestow the most precious gift. But after receiving the item, he went back on his word. The other party had anticipated this and sealed a curse on the furnace. Anyone who approached would be corroded. Though he suffered no illness or disaster, he wouldn't live much longer!

Unless he could truly make up his mind to help the other party take revenge!

Of course, Zhang Xuan would not say these words.

Not to mention that this Alchemist Chen Xiao was merely a passing acquaintance with no kindness owed, more importantly, the man was ungrateful and broke his promise, which made Zhang Xuan despise him.

Zhang Xuan had successively forced two alchemists to voluntarily concede, leaving them speechless. The remaining eight, no matter how dull, now knew he was a man of true skill. For a moment, they all fell silent, and not one stepped forward.

"If you all do not wish to continue, that means you concede, and I win the debate!"

Zhang Xuan smiled.

"Jingxin Dan requires a calm mind to refine. Normally, one needs three days of adjustment, fasting and bathing. Alchemists Meng Yan and Chen Xiao, refining hastily without adjustment, would naturally be influenced by their own emotions. As long as he doesn't refine this type of pill, he shouldn't have a way!"

"Right, only Jingxin Dan is affected by one's own emotions and state of mind. Other pills are minimally influenced. As long as he doesn't refine Jingxin Dan, it'll be fine!"

A murmur arose from the crowd, followed by a voice:

"I'll go!"

An alchemist stood up.

He was a middle-aged man about the same age as Du Man, with a square face and a steady, resolute gaze.

"It's Alchemist Cheng Jiang!"

"Alchemist Cheng is the most promising among us. In just three years as an alchemist, he can already refine over a dozen types of pills. Given time, it's not impossible for him to surpass President Ouyang!"

"With him stepping forward, I'm relieved!"

...

Everyone's eyes lit up at once.

Originally, they had been confident, wanting to put this kid named Zhang Xuan in his place. But Meng Yan and Chen Xiao's failures had greatly dampened their spirits, and they urgently needed someone to boost morale.

"Zhang Xuan, your two previous observations were meticulous, even discerning the alchemists' essence, energy, and spirit. I admire you greatly!"

Stepping out from the crowd, Alchemist Cheng Jiang nodded with a smile.

"You flatter me, Alchemist Cheng!" Zhang Xuan replied.

"You could even see that Alchemist Meng Yan had killing intent. If I continue to refine Jingxin Dan, I certainly won't escape your eyes. So, I've taken the liberty of coming up with a method to increase the difficulty for you. I wonder if you dare to take it on!"

Alchemist Cheng Jiang said.

"I'd be glad to hear the details!"

Hearing that the other party was increasing the difficulty, Zhang Xuan looked over.

"I've recently created a set of alchemy techniques, named just a few days ago, and never demonstrated to anyone. If I use this to challenge you, even if you are well-versed in ancient and modern knowledge, you'll surely find it hard to answer!" Alchemist Cheng Jiang smiled. "So, I thought it over: I won't ask you to name it. I only hope that after I refine the pill, you can discern which alchemy methods I've borrowed from. If you can name three, I'll willingly concede!"

"Created a new alchemy technique? Impressive!"

Alchemy techniques are like martial skills for warriors. Being able to create one marks a person of exceptional talent, destined to leave a name in history.

As long as such a person doesn't fall, they will eventually become renowned.

Hearing his words, the many alchemists all showed looks of admiration, filled with respect.

"Alchemist Cheng is formidable. This challenge is truly too difficult!"

"Indeed, since it's a newly created alchemy method, it must be completely different from the original. To discern from it and name three methods—this difficulty is far greater than merely pointing out flaws!"

"This time, this Zhang Xuan will probably have to admit defeat!"

"Yes, so difficult. Even if a three-star alchemist came, I'm afraid they'd be helpless!"

After their admiration, everyone sighed in unison.