Another master, called Master Luo, frowned and said, "Anomalous Fire is indeed powerful, but its effectiveness depends on who is using it. You’re so young and haven’t possessed the Anomalous Fire for long. I’d wager your control over it is elentary at best. Resisting such a terrifying Nine Nether Fla is just a pipe dream."
There are several levels of mastery over fire control: entry-level, skilled, adept, integrated mastery, and consummate. The higher the level of mastery, the stronger the power of the flas one could unleash. Although Anomalous Fire was incredibly fearso, it was even harder to control. An entry-level Anomalous Fire couldn’t unleash much power at all.
At least, to these Fourth-rank Alchemy Masters, it was hardly worth their notice. In their eyes, Lin Xuan was simply no match for them, let alone capable of withstanding the Nine Nether Fla.
Lin Xuan, however, just chuckled. "Entry-level? How is that possible? I have already trained my control of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Fla to the adept level. Even with my second Anomalous Fire, the Green Lotus Core Fla, I have reached the skilled level."
"Keep dreaming," Master Luo scoffed, clearly not believing a word. The other Alchemy Masters also shook their heads, feeling Lin Xuan’s boasting knew no bounds. They stopped paying him any mind.
Master Luo turned to the Master of the Pill Tower and said, "Tower Master, your Nine Nether Fla should be a type of Yin-attribute cold fla, correct? Judging by its power, it’s terrifyingly formidable. I fear not many of us here can last for ten minutes. So might even be injured."
The Master of the Pill Tower replied, "Master Luo, you can rest assured on that point. I will control the array to ensure no one cos to harm. However, the ten-minute requirent cannot be changed. To assist , you must enter this array. Therefore, anyone who cannot withstand the power of the Nine Nether Fla will be unable to help. I hope everyone can understand this."
"But rest assured," he continued, "whether you pass the test or not, I will not let anyone leave empty-handed. Everyone will receive a token of gratitude. Of course, those who pass the test and successfully assist in completing the alchemy will receive an even greater reward."
Hearing this, the assembled Alchemy Masters nodded and began to discuss it amongst themselves. Many wore grave expressions, as if they were facing a formidable enemy. Only Lin Xuan sat there, calm and composed, utterly serene.
When Bing Qing saw this, she was astonished. Is this Lin Xuan just putting on an act, or does he genuinely have the confidence to withstand the Nine Nether Fla?
After a long wait, the masters were still deliberating. Lin Xuan was growing a bit impatient. He spoke up, "If you’re all so uncertain, you might as well leave. My presence alone will be sufficient. I am certain I can pass the test."
With that, Lin Xuan looked at the Tower Master and said, "I have two types of Anomalous Fire, so assisting you will be no problem at all. Why don’t you just let the others leave? Of course, you’ll have to give their shares of the reward as well."
"What did you say?"
"Brat, are you looking down on us?" Master Song’s face darkened.
Master Luo also snorted coldly, and the other Alchemy Masters wore equally icy expressions. This Champion Marquis was far too arrogant, showing them absolutely no respect! They were all Fourth-rank Alchemy Masters! In the Great Xia Country, they were considered top-tier alchemists. Other Grandmasters, including the Sect Leaders of major families and sects, had to treat them with the utmost respect. Who would dare to offend them? This young brat truly didn’t know his place.
"Hmph, who said we were scared?" Master Luo snorted, standing up. "Tower Master, we are ready. We can begin the test now."
The Master of the Pill Tower nodded. With a wave of his hand, the Nine Nether Flas on the ground flew forward, condensing into a sea of fire. Within that fiery sea, a gigantic white python flickered in and out of view. It was like a colossal white-scaled serpent, emitting an intensely chilling aura. Even from a distance, the onlookers’ bodies trembled as if they were about to be frozen solid.
The Master of the Pill Tower asked, "I wonder which master would like to be the first to take the test?"
The hall fell silent once more. For a mont, no one dared to step forward.
Lin Xuan stood up. "If none of you dare, then I’ll go." He was completely confident he could pass the test.
"Who said we don’t dare?" Master Luo snorted coldly. With so many veteran Alchemy Masters present, how could they possibly let a youngster like Lin Xuan take the lead? That would be utterly humiliating.
"I’ll go first," Master Luo declared, striding forward.
"This Master Luo is quite formidable," Bing Qing whispered to Lin Xuan. "He beca a Fourth-rank Alchemy Master decades ago and is incredibly skilled in alchemy. The Spiritual Fire he commands is a top-grade one called the Thunder Spirit Fire. It’s a fla listed on the Top-Grade Spirit Fire Chart, and its power is extrely terrifying, possessing a destructive force."
Lin Xuan nodded, then narrowed his eyes to observe.
He watched as Master Luo stepped into the sea of fire. Instantly, the chilling aura of the flas surged toward him, attempting to encase him in ice. Master Luo gave a cold shout, and a blue fla erupted from his body, tearing through the void like a bolt of lightning. The rumble of thunder echoed as a scorching aura, accompanied by destructive power, swept out in all directions. This fla seed to transform into a sea of lightning and fire, enveloping Master Luo to resist the power of the Nine Nether Fla.
The two fiery powers collided with a deafening roar.
The people around watched nervously. The Alchemy Masters exclaid in surprise, "Lao Luo’s fla power has increased again!"
"It looks like his control over fire has advanced another step."
"He must have reached the integrated mastery level, right?"
"Indeed, and I feel he’s close to the consummate level."
"He wasn’t this powerful the last ti I saw him."
"I can’t believe he’s beco so formidable in just ten short years."
"It looks like Lao Luo should be able to pass the test this ti."
Lin Xuan watched for a mont before shaking his head. "Though his Thunder Spirit Fire is formidable, I’m afraid it won’t be enough to withstand the Nine Nether Fla. He won’t pass the test."
Hearing this, Master Song rolled his eyes. "Nonsense! What does a young brat like you know? How many types of flas have you even seen to be spouting such garbage here?"
Another alchemist, Master Zheng, also frowned. "Champion Marquis, do you really think your judgnt is better than ours? So many of us believe Lao Luo will succeed, yet you claim he will fail. How laughable."
Master Zhou shook his head even more. "We’ve eaten more salt than you’ve eaten rice. Our experience and judgnt are beyond anything you can imagine. Young man, you still have much to learn."
The Alchemy Masters all spoke up, expressing their displeasure with Lin Xuan. This kid had been boasting nonstop since he walked in, and now he was claiming Master Luo would be defeated? He truly had no respect for them! It was infuriating! Now that they had the chance, they were determined to teach him a good lesson.
Bing Qing also shook her head. "Lin Xuan, would it kill you to stop boasting? Master Luo just went in, and even the Tower Master hasn’t made a judgnt. How can you be so sure he’ll fail? Stop joking."
Clearly, Bing Qing didn’t believe him either. No one in the entire hall did.
But in the next mont, a miserable cry echoed from the front. Master Luo stumbled back wretchedly.
Seeing this, everyone was stunned.
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