Free Web NovelChapter 335: Debate [4]
As the third round of the Debate concluded, Fang Hao dragged his exhausted yet exceptionally excited body back to the "Listening to Waves Cottage."
Once inside, he immediately set up layers of Restriction, sat cross-legged, took out several Medicinal Pill meant to replenish blood energy and nourish the Divine Soul, and began to recover with all his might.
The Alchemy battle just now had been incredibly perilous to win.
Forcing the refinement of baleful energy with his own essence blood and willpower had turned the tide in one stroke, but it had also severely damaged his Origin Qi.
At this moment, his face was as pale as paper, the Chaos vortex within his Dantian had dimmed, and his Sea of Consciousness was throbbing with pain.
Yet, his eyes were frighteningly bright.
"Willow Follow Wind... this grudge is now completely set." Fang Hao sneered in his heart.
The opponent’s methods were sinister and ruthless, wanting to cripple him using a deviant, evil Medicinal Pill like the "Bone-Eroding Soul-Dissolving Pill," but he had broken the situation using a forbidden technique from "the hundred solutions of heavenly craftsmanship" and slapped him hard in public.
This final round would likely be even more dangerous.
However, he had no regrets.
The path of Cultivate was inherently about fighting for one’s life against the heavens; if he could not even withstand this bit of turbulence, how could he talk about forming a nascent soul? How could he talk about the Dao?
As the power of the Medicinal Pill dissolved, combined with the formidable recovery power of the Chaos Derivation Art, after several hours, Fang Hao’s blood energy and Divine Sense had recovered by more than half, and color had returned to his pale face.
He looked within himself and discovered that after this extreme exertion, his Meridians seemed to have become slightly tougher, and his Divine Sense had become more condensed due to the forced activation of his willpower.
"Blessings lie within misfortunes; the ancients never deceived me." Fang Hao said to himself.
This Debate was not only a path for him to obtain the nascent soul pill formula, but it had also become a tempering experience for him.
The next morning, Fang Hao’s state had recovered to eighty or ninety percent.
Just as he walked out of the quiet room, preparing to head to the Alchemy stage, a communication talisman cut through the air and hovered in front of him.
It was from Clear Sound.
"Fellow Daoist Ning, congratulations on advancing. Master invites you over; there is an important matter to discuss regarding the final round."
Fang Hao’s gaze flickered. Su Xuan looking for him at this time was likely related to Willow Follow Wind.
He dared not be slow and immediately followed the guidance of the communication talisman, arriving once again at that hidden underground courtyard.
In the courtyard, Su Xuan was still sitting under the old pine tree sipping tea, but today, there was less leisure on his face and more gravity.
Clear Sound stood to the side, and her gaze toward Fang Hao was more complex than before, filled with both amazement and worry.
"Sit." Su Xuan pointed to the cushion opposite him.
After Fang Hao sat down, he personally poured him a cup of tea.
"I am already aware of yesterday’s events. Refining baleful energy with blood—good courage, good methods."
Fang Hao took the teacup, neither humble nor arrogant: "Senior is too kind; this Junior was also forced by circumstances."
Su Xuan nodded, his withered fingers stroking the edge of the teacup, and said slowly, "Your actions yesterday, while stunning, also completely enraged Willow Follow Wind."
"This person is narrow-minded and has a deep background; in the final round, he will surely stop at nothing to obstruct you."
Fang Hao’s expression was calm: "Soldiers come, generals block; water comes, earth covers. Since this Junior has already reached this step, there is no reason to retreat."
"Good!" A flash of admiration crossed Su Xuan’s eyes.
"What I want is this spirit of yours. The rules for the final round have changed."
Fang Hao felt a shiver in his heart: "Please enlighten me, Senior."
Su Xuan said in a deep voice, "Originally, the final round was for fifteen people to compete on the same stage, refining a specified High Grade fourth-tier Medicinal Pill, and the top three would be determined by the quality and quantity of the pills formed."
"But yesterday, Medicine King Valley and Heavenly Derivation Sect jointly proposed changing the final round to ’Alchemy Confrontation’."
"Alchemy Confrontation?"
"Correct." Su Xuan’s tone was grave.
"Fifteen people will draw lots, divided into seven groups for one-on-one duels, with one person getting a bye."
"The dueling parties can freely choose their Pill Formula, refine the Medicinal Pill within the specified time, and then... use the pills to fight!"
"Use pills to fight?" Fang Hao’s pupils constricted slightly.
"Yes. The refined Medicinal Pill is not just a finished product, but also a weapon." Su Xuan explained.
"Both sides use the pills they refined as a basis, either attacking each other with the medicinal power or characteristics contained within the pills, or using the pills to set up formations to trap the enemy; there are no Restrictions on methods."
"The loser is directly eliminated. The winner advances to the next round until the top three are determined."
Fang Hao gasped. This rule simply turned the Alchemist competition into a life-and-death struggle!
It tested not only Alchemy skills, but also the application of Medicinal Pill, on-the-spot adaptability, and even... combat ability!
This was clearly a trap set by Medicine King Valley and Heavenly Derivation Sect targeting a "wild" Loose Cultivator like him!
Their Disciples had abundant resources, complete Legacy, and mastered various strange Pill Formula and application methods that were by no means comparable to an ordinary Loose Cultivator.
"This rule is extremely unfavorable to you." Su Xuan looked at Fang Hao, his gaze deep.
"Willow Follow Wind will surely have a showdown with you in this round."
Fang Hao was silent for a moment, then looked up at Su Xuan, his gaze as sharp as a knife: "Since Senior is telling this Junior these things, surely... you already have a strategy to deal with it?"
Su Xuan smiled, his smile carrying a hint of cunning: "Clever. Since I chose you, naturally I won’t let you go to your death."
"Although the rules for this final round are unfavorable to you, there is room for maneuvering. The key lies in... the Pill Formula you choose."
He took out an ancient Jade Slip and pushed it in front of Fang Hao: "This is an Incomplete Manual of an ancient Pill Formula that I obtained by chance during my travels in my early years, called the ’nine-revolutions soul-splitting pill’."
Fang Hao’s Divine Sense probed into the Jade Slip, and his expression changed immediately.
This "nine-revolutions soul-splitting pill" was actually a Peak fourth-tier Medicinal Pill specifically for attacking the Divine Soul!
The method for refining this pill was extremely vicious, requiring the infusion of a strand of the caster’s Divine Soul Origin.
Once the pill was formed, it could transform into formless and intangible soul poison, specifically attacking the opponent’s Sea of Consciousness, making it impossible to defend against!
Even more terrifyingly, this pill could "split the soul" nine times, and each eruption would double in power; unless the Divine Soul Realm far exceeded the caster’s, it would be difficult to resist.
"This pill... is too sinister." Fang Hao said in a deep voice.
Refining this pill, if one was not careful, one would also be backlashed by the soul poison.
Su Xuan’s gaze was burning: "In extraordinary times, one must take extraordinary measures."
"Willow Follow Wind has a deep background and Masters countless strange Pill Formula; with conventional means, you have absolutely no chance of winning. Only by using this strange move can you catch him off guard."
"Moreover, although this pill is poisonous, if used properly, under the ’Alchemy Confrontation’ rules, it can exert miraculous effects."
"You only need to remember, this pill can only be used for Alchemy Confrontation, not for other purposes, and certainly must not be shown to others easily."
Fang Hao held the Jade Slip, a battle of heaven and man raging in his heart.
This "nine-revolutions soul-splitting pill" was indeed a risky move, but it was also the only way currently visible to defeat a Sect Genius like Willow Follow Wind.
"This Junior... needs time to comprehend it." Fang Hao finally said in a deep voice.
"Very well." Su Xuan nodded.
"The final round will be held in three days. For these three days, you will comprehend it here. I will prepare the necessary Materials for you."
"Clear Sound, take Fellow Daoist Ning to the quiet room."
"Yes, Master." Clear Sound replied, leading Fang Hao to a quiet room in the corner of the courtyard.
The quiet room was not large, but it was filled with Spiritual Qi and had a high-level Spirit Gathering Formation and soundproofing Restriction.
Fang Hao sat cross-legged, took a deep breath, cast aside distracting thoughts, sank his Divine Sense into the Jade Slip, and began to comprehend the refining method of the "nine-revolutions soul-splitting pill" with all his might.
For these three days, Fang Hao was almost sleepless.
His Alchemy Foundation was solid to begin with, and with "the hundred solutions of heavenly craftsmanship" as a base, his progress in comprehending the Pill Formula was extremely fast.
However, this pill involved secret techniques of the Divine Soul and was extremely dangerous, so every step had to be taken with extreme caution.
He repeatedly simulated the refining process in his mind, deducing possible errors and how to use this pill in the Alchemy Confrontation.
During this time, Clear Sound delivered a complete set of medicinal herbs.
After inspecting them, Fang Hao was even more shocked.
These herbs were all rare items, and several of the main ingredients contained extreme poison; it was clear that Su Xuan had spent a huge price to obtain them.
This old fellow, in order to make him win, had really spent a fortune.
On the evening of the third day, Fang Hao slowly opened his eyes, his gaze containing inner brilliance but also carrying a hint of exhaustion.
He had understood the refining method of the "nine-revolutions soul-splitting pill" thoroughly; although he had not actually refined it, he was confident he had a seventy percent chance of success.
"How is it?" Clear Sound’s voice rang out from outside the door.
"It is worth a try." Fang Hao pushed the door open and walked out.
In the courtyard, Su Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the night sky.
Hearing Fang Hao’s footsteps, he turned around, his gaze like a torch: "Are you ready?"
Fang Hao nodded: "I will do my best."
Su Xuan looked at him deeply and took out a Talisman, handing it to him: "This is a’Soul Suppressing Talisman,’ which can protect your Divine Soul from backlash when refining this pill."
"But remember, this Talisman can only be used once, and its effect is limited. If you feel your Divine Soul is unstable, stop immediately."
"Thank you, Senior." Fang Hao took the Talisman and put it away solemnly.
"Go." Su Xuan waved his hand.
"Tomorrow, give it your all. Regardless of success or failure, you have already proven your value."
Fang Hao cupped his hands, turned, and left.
He knew that Su Xuan’s words were both encouragement and pressure.
Tomorrow’s battle was not just about whether he could obtain the nascent soul pill formula, but also about the reputation and schemes of Su Xuan’s lineage.
Returning to the inn, Fang Hao did not Cultivate, but forced himself to sleep to conserve energy and build up his strength.
He knew that tomorrow would be the most difficult and crucial battle since he embarked on the immortal path.
The next day, Myriad Laws Immortal City was bustling with excitement.
The area around the Alchemy stage was packed, and even the rooftops of nearby buildings were full of people.
Everyone wanted to know who would reach the top in this Debate, and whether the biggest dark horse—Fang Hao—could go all the way.
When Fang Hao arrived, the fifteen people who had advanced were all present.
Willow Follow Wind was surrounded by a group of Medicine King Valley Disciple, full of high spirits.
Seeing Fang Hao, he curled the corner of his mouth into a cold smile and made a throat-slitting gesture.
Fang Hao turned a blind eye and walked straight to the drawing area.
"Final round, Alchemy Confrontation, the drawing begins!" Pill Star Child’s voice was loud and clear, carrying a hint of irrepressible excitement.
This was also his first time presiding over such a rule.
Fifteen streams of light flew out.
Fang Hao grabbed his Jade Slip, swept it with his Divine Sense, and his pupils constricted slightly—Character Bing, Number Three.
The opponent was... Character Ding, Number Three, Willow Follow Wind!
The whole audience was in an uproar!
"Heavens! They are facing each other in the first match! This is going to be a good show!"
"This draw... isn’t it too coincidental?"
"Coincidental? I think someone arranged it on purpose!"
Fang Hao looked at Willow Follow Wind and saw that his face was full of a smug "as expected" smile.
Clearly, this drawing result had long been within his expectations.
"Fang Hao, your good luck ends here." Willow Follow Wind walked slowly in front of Fang Hao.
His voice was not loud, but it spread throughout the entire Alchemy stage.
"Today, I will let you know just how big the gap is between a Loose Cultivator and a Sect Genius!"
Fang Hao met his gaze, his expression calm and waveless, and only spat out two words: "Nonsense."
