The moment Liu Gezhu saw the pill formula, his brow furrowed.
And his frown deepened.
Chu Tiange's heart sank.
Liu Gezhu was the authority in the alchemy world of the entire Tianchu Province. If even he considered this formula to be nonsense, then it would be definitively concluded. Seeing Liu Gezhu's expression, Chu Tiange began to waver. Could it be that Mr. Ling, whom he regarded as an omnipotent deity, truly couldn't refine pills?
On the other side, Qian Danshi and the other alchemists from the Pill Pavilion became smug, as if they could already see Liu Gezhu harshly criticizing the formula. However, after waiting for a while, they still didn't hear the Pavilion Master speak. They looked towards him. Liu Miaoshou appeared deep in thought, his brows knitted into a tight frown.
"It makes no sense! Such a formula is illogical..." Liu Miaoshou shook his head repeatedly. Qian Danshi and the others grew even more self-important, looking at Ling Fan with disdain. Now, what could this young man say for himself!
Just then, Liu Gezhu's tone suddenly changed, and he exclaimed, "Wait... this formula!"
"All the materials seem to have conflicting properties, violating the principles of alchemy, but what if this formula aims to fuse all properties? It doesn't seem entirely unreasonable... I seem to recall seeing a somewhat similar, but incomplete ancient formula in some alchemy texts..." Liu Miaoshou, who loved to study pill formulas and new elixirs, possessed extensive knowledge. Thus, his mind was more active than those of rigid alchemists like Qian Danshi. He considered this bold possibility.
However, he immediately frowned again and said, "But if that's the case, the difficulty of refining this pill would increase exponentially. If this pill were of Profound grade, its refining difficulty would be no less than that of a Profound grade. If this pill is of Profound grade... then the refining difficulty would exceed my imagination!"
Qian Danshi and the others were bewildered. They couldn't help but ask, "Pavilion Master, is this formula really genuine?"
Liu Gezhu ignored them, still immersed in his thoughts. Suddenly, he slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "I remember it! The incomplete ancient formula I saw was called the Minor Primordial Pill! It was of Yellow grade, high-tier. The ancient text specifically noted that its refining difficulty was no less than that of Profound grade...!"
Thinking of this, Liu Gezhu suddenly looked at Ling Fan, his gaze sharp and filled with unconcealed excitement. "Young friend, is your formula perhaps the complete Primordial Pill!"
"This is the true Primordial Pill formula," Ling Fan said calmly.
Upon receiving Ling Fan's affirmative answer and cross-referencing it with his memory of the incomplete Minor Primordial Pill formula, Liu Gezhu's excitement was evident, as if an explorer had discovered a new continent. "The incomplete Minor Primordial Pill is Yellow grade, high-tier. This complete Primordial Pill formula is at least Profound grade!"
"I never expected to witness a complete ancient formula reappear in this world today... I am truly overjoyed! Haha!" Liu Miaoshou couldn't help but gesticulate. He looked less like a renowned, noble quasi-Profound alchemist and the esteemed Pavilion Master of the Pill Pavilion, and more like an old child.
Liu Qingshi looked on with disdain. Her elder was too embarrassing, completely lacking the demeanor of a great figure.
Chu Tiange's eyes shone with brilliant light, and the stuffiness in his chest vanished. He clapped his hands and laughed at Qian Danshi and the others, "Qian Danshi, what else do you have to say now! You dared to call Mr. Ling's formula utter nonsense, now tell me, who is talking nonsense!"
Qian Danshi and the others exchanged glances, their faces extremely grim. They still couldn't accept this fact. Such a formula, pieced together without any alchemical logic, was actually real, and according to the Pavilion Master, it was an ancient Profound grade formula? Where did this young man get such a high-grade formula! Could it be that he really knew how to refine pills? Otherwise, how would he possess such a formula?
Qian Danshi stubbornly said, "Even if the formula he wrote is real, it doesn't prove that this young man can refine pills. Perhaps he picked up this formula from somewhere."
"Pavilion Master, don't be fooled by this person." The other alchemists chimed in.
"Qian Danshi's point is not without reason," Liu Qingshi also nodded. Refining pills was no child's play. While formulas were hard to find, one could occasionally obtain one or two by chance. But refining pills required true skill, genuine talent, and no deception. This young man, holding a formula, expected others to believe he could refine pills, which was somewhat unbelievable.
"Young man, if you can refine this Profound grade formula, I will never question you again! I'll even be willing to carry your shoes, Qian Yuan." Qian Danshi crossed his arms, confident that Ling Fan couldn't refine pills.
Ling Fan glanced at him indifferently and said, "Who do you think you are? Do I need to prove anything to you? What business is it of yours whether I can refine pills or not!"
At these words, Qian Danshi was stunned on the spot, furious. He could hardly believe his ears. He was a dignified Yellow grade, high-tier alchemist, second only to the Pavilion Master in the Pill Pavilion. Throughout Tianchu City, he was a highly respected figure. Everywhere he went, he was fawned over, and families and powers would grovel to curry favor with him. When had he ever suffered such humiliation! To be reprimanded to his face by a mere youngster. If not for his apprehension of Chu Tiange, he would have already slapped this arrogant, self-important brat to death.
Ling Fan ignored Qian Danshi's murderous gaze and asked Liu Miaoshou calmly, "Pavilion Master Liu, do you have the materials listed in the formula? If you have all the materials, I don't mind refining a batch right now."
Upon hearing this, Liu Gezhu immediately sent people to find the materials. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a reply came. Most of the materials were available, but a few crucial ones were missing. Dragon Blood Sunflower, Thousand-Year Cold Flood Dragon Horn, Spirit Fusion Fruit, and so on. These were extremely rare and precious heavenly treasures, not even available in the Pill Pavilion of Tianchu City.
"Since the materials are incomplete, then forget it." Ling Fan had intended to refine the Primordial Pill right there and then, but it seemed this matter couldn't be rushed.
Qian Danshi said sarcastically from the side, "This young man knows that so many precious materials can't be gathered quickly, which is why he dared to say such things earlier. Heh heh, anyone can boast, I can too! If you prepare a set of Heaven grade pill materials for me now, I can refine a Heaven grade pill immediately!" The other alchemists found Qian Danshi's words quite reasonable. This young man must have calculated that the Pill Pavilion's materials were incomplete, otherwise, he would never have dared to boast about refining a Profound grade pill on the spot. Him refining Profound grade pills? Were Profound grade pills as easy to make as kneading meatballs or rolling mud balls! Bah!
"I'll buy these materials," Ling Fan said, ignoring the alchemists' sarcastic remarks, and pulled out a thick stack of silver notes, saying to Liu Gezhu. Seeing this stack of silver notes, Qian Danshi and the others were stunned! My goodness. So rich! These were all high-denomination banknotes of one million taels each, at least a hundred of them. A hundred of them meant a hundred million. Even though they were all wealthy alchemists, they couldn't produce so much money! This young man, dressed so unpretentiously, even rather shabbily, was unexpectedly so extravagant! He was hiding it too deeply!
Chu Tiange had intended to pay for Ling Fan, but seeing him spend so lavishly, he was reminded of some matters and didn't rush to pay. Although he was the most favored legitimate son of the Governor's mansion and not short of money, a hundred million was not a small sum for him. If he wanted to access this money, it would require rigorous review and approval from the Governor's mansion. He slapped his forehead, remembering something, and said, "Mr. Ling, due to my father's condition, our Governor's mansion also collects many refining materials. I remember seeing some of the missing ones from the Pill Pavilion in our mansion's treasury..."
Ling Fan said "Oh," looking at Chu Tiange with some surprise. He didn't expect such an unexpected gain. It seemed he would be able to refine the Primordial Pill soon. "Then I'll find some time to visit you at the Governor's mansion," Ling Fan said.
Chu Tiange replied, "No need to find another time, Mr. Ling. Pavilion Master Liu and the others are going to the Governor's mansion tomorrow, so why don't you come along as well?" Ling Fan nodded calmly; the time or company didn't matter to him, as long as he could obtain the missing materials as soon as possible.
"Perfect timing!" Qian Danshi shouted again. He said sarcastically, "Isn't the Governor unwell and needs a Profound grade pill refined! I clearly heard this young man say he can refine Profound grade pills. I hope you won't find any other excuses to refuse tomorrow!" His words reminded Chu Tiange. He suddenly clapped his hands and exclaimed, "How could I not have thought of this! Alas, I've been searching everywhere for alchemists and pills for my father these past few days, my head is a mess. I should have thought of this earlier! Mr. Ling, please also take a look at my father tomorrow."
Ling Fan said calmly, "Since I have something to ask of your Governor's mansion, refining a furnace of pills for your father is nothing." Chu Tiange believed him wholeheartedly. Qian Danshi and the others, however, scoffed at Ling Fan's words. This young man was too pretentious! He spoke as if refining a Profound grade pill was as simple as eating or sleeping. Just wait. Tomorrow, he would reveal his true colors. Then, let's see how this young man would continue to pretend. Qian Danshi and the others were practically eager.
On the other side, Liu Gezhu, lost in thought, habitually took off his shoes and began picking at his toes. His fingers moved with incredible speed. This was a habit of his. Picking his toes while thinking helped improve his focus and also trained his hand techniques, a win-win situation. However, to others, it was extremely unsightly. Liu Qingshi couldn't bear to watch. Her elder was good in every way, but this habit was truly bothersome. As for this young man... Liu Qingshi couldn't help but shake her head secretly. Seeing him utterly incompetent yet fond of boasting and speaking carelessly. This person would probably live a mediocre life. He would never achieve anything remarkable. She even felt a degree of aversion towards Ling Fan. Refining pills was a sacred matter to her, how could she allow someone to defile it like this! She couldn't wait to see him humiliated when his true colors were revealed tomorrow!