Chapter 27: Renowned in the Imperial Capital

Master Jingyang then used his primordial essence to lift the medicinal pill, suspending it above the high platform.

The pill emitted a dazzling red radiance, drawing the scorching gazes of everyone present. Nine distinct pill patterns were clearly visible, as if carved with some exquisite technique—flawless and perfect. Yes, a nine-pattern pill, without a single imperfection.

"My heavens, it really is nine patterns." Ren Baichuan rubbed his hands together so vigorously that sparks seemed to fly, his weathered face flushed crimson. Having lived for half a lifetime and weathered the storms of great highs and lows, he had never felt such intense excitement; he felt an unparalleled sense of glory. Lin Hao had surprised him greatly. Only three or four days had passed since he first began teaching Lin Hao alchemy—before that, Lin Hao was an alchemical illiterate who could not even recognize the medicinal herbs.

Of course, Lin Hao might still not know many herbs, but he had already reached the pinnacle, becoming a genuine master of nine-pattern alchemy. This was what they called the legendary Innate Alchemical Body. One only needed to provide him with a formula and the materials, and he could produce a nine-pattern grade pill. From his first attempt at a "half-step nine-pattern" pill to the true nine-pattern achievement on this arena, only a few days had passed. If this were to spread, it would cause an earth-shattering tremor throughout the alchemy world. All the alchemists present felt ashamed of their own skills, and the young geniuses competing on the same stage would surely die of embarrassment if they dared to call themselves geniuses in front of Lin Hao.

In the presence of an Innate Alchemical Body, who dared to claim the title of prodigy?

"Nine patterns, this is a true nine-pattern pill! Damn it, I’ve hit the jackpot! Recruiting an Innate Alchemical Body for the Ling Clan will bring unimaginable wealth. My status in the clan will soar, and becoming a true elder is just a matter of time." Ling Zhen was even more agitated than Ren Baichuan. He felt incredibly wise and heroic; spending ten thousand low-grade primordial stones to recruit Tianbao yesterday was the best decision of his life. It went without saying that Tianbao’s future status in the alchemy world would be pivotal; surpassing the Alchemist King was only a matter of time. It was no exaggeration to say this was a future Grandmaster of alchemy.

He was fortunate to have made his move first. Otherwise, once the nine-pattern pill was revealed, the competition to recruit him would have been fierce. It was predictable that the Xuan Clan, the Jiang Clan, the Imperial Family, the Alchemy Pavilion, and the Great Xia Academy, along with various nobles in the imperial city, would spare no effort to win him over. At this moment, Ling Zhen felt he was truly about to soar.

The arena was in an uproar, and a major shockwave rippled through the entire Alchemy Pavilion. Figures descended from the void; dozens of Pavilion Elders at the Heaven Origin Realm appeared. Had the Alchemist King not been in seclusion, he surely would have come in person.

"This is a miracle of the alchemy world, a true glory!"

"Besides the Alchemist King, Master Tianbao is the only other miracle-worker capable of crafting nine-pattern pills. The Innate Alchemical Body is truly heaven-defying. This old man has learned a profound lesson today."

"I feel the same. I have studied alchemy for so many years, yet I never imagined it could be done with such ease and fluidity. We witnessed Master Tianbao’s entire process—it was nothing short of silky smooth. It’s simply incredible."

All the elders of the Alchemy Pavilion observed the nine-pattern pill Lin Hao had crafted. Their gazes were fervent, as if they were admiring a perfect work of art, and they began to address Tianbao with the title of "Master."

Skill knows no age, and the capable come first. Putting aside his cultivation and age, Lin Hao’s alchemy was enough to conquer the contemporary alchemy world.

"Master Tianbao, please, come up to the stage." Master Jingyang reached out to Lin Hao, extending an invitation. "For us to look down upon you from here is disrespectful to a master; it is truly inappropriate."

This was the validation of a master. Who was Master Jingyang? A true elder of the Alchemy Pavilion and a titan of the Great Xia alchemy world, held in high esteem. There were very few in the entire field who could catch his eye. Yet, at this moment, Master Jingyang took the initiative to lower his posture and invite Lin Hao to the stage. It was an unbelievable scene, yet no one felt it was improper. A heaven-defying prodigy who could casually craft a nine-pattern pill—who among them would dare to show even a hint of disrespect?

"Brother Ren, I admit I spoke a bit too loudly to you before. I sincerely apologize."

"Indeed, Brother Ren, let us interact more in the future to deepen our friendship."

The chiefs of various sects crowded around, eager to build a relationship with Ren Baichuan. A father is honored by his child, and a master is honored by his disciple. Regardless of Ren Baichuan’s own skill, having a direct disciple who was a nine-pattern alchemist was enough. Ren Baichuan was destined to rise; it was likely the Alchemy Pavilion would bestow upon him the status of a guest elder.

Lin Hao put away his cauldron, leaped from the arena, and jumped onto the high platform. He stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the elders of the Alchemy Pavilion, his demeanor calm and neither arrogant nor servile, which earned a nod of approval from Master Jingyang. For a mere Qi Sea Realm cultivator to remain so composed in the face of so many Heaven Origin Realm powerhouses—that temperament and courage alone surpassed most of his peers.

"Elder Ling, proceed with the awards." Master Jingyang spoke.

There were nine other young alchemists on the arena, but they were completely ignored; they hadn't even finished their own work before the awards ceremony began. However, the nine had no complaints; they wisely packed up their cauldrons and stepped off the stage. They had lost, and they were convinced of their defeat.

"Understood." Ling Zhen laughed heartily as he retrieved the prepared prizes. He was happier than anyone else, grinning from ear to ear as if he had struck gold.

"I propose we double the first-place reward."

"Reasonable. We should triple it."

Two elders beside Master Jingyang spoke up.

"Very well. Out of respect for Master Tianbao, the Alchemy Pavilion will triple the reward: three Promotion Pills and three thousand low-grade primordial stones," Master Jingyang declared.

"Many thanks, Master." Lin Hao bowed to Master Jingyang. He had no reason to refuse; who would turn away primordial stones and Promotion Pills?

Ling Zhen first handed over the original reward of one thousand low-grade primordial stones and one Promotion Pill. "Master Tianbao, this is a Promotion Pill for the Qi Sea Realm. It can unconditionally raise your cultivation by one level."

"Is that so?" Lin Hao took the pill and glanced at it casually. He discovered it was only an eight-pattern pill. Originally planning to use the pill to boost his cultivation, he changed his mind and tucked it away. With the Great Hundred Sects Competition approaching, raising his cultivation was urgent, but he was not blinded by the pill. Although his time in alchemy had been brief, the gap between an eight-pattern and a nine-pattern pill was incomparable.

"I am a nine-pattern alchemist now; how can I take an eight-pattern pill? It’s too beneath me. Promotion Pills are good, but the formulas are rare. If I can get the formula, I can mass-produce them. I am at the peak of the first level of the Qi Sea Realm. If I could take a nine-pattern Promotion Pill, I could break through directly to the third level."

Lin Hao thought to himself, "No rush. Once I reach the Ling Clan, I’ll dig out all their precious formulas, especially the one for the Promotion Pill. I should prepare some for Lin Yang and Lin Shuang, too." A smile touched his lips at the thought of his two brothers. They might be seen as wastrels by others, but in Lin Hao’s heart, they were his closest family. "I hope they study hard and stop wasting time. Since I have made a name for myself in the capital today, I should utilize these superior resources to find formulas that can improve one's constitution and cleanse the marrow for Lin Yang and Lin Shuang."

The competition for the younger generation ended before it had truly begun, which was something no one had expected. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Lin Hao and Ren Baichuan were personally invited by Master Jingyang to the inner cabinet of the Alchemy Pavilion as guests of honor.

On this day, Master Tianbao became famous throughout the capital. The nine-pattern pill swept through the city like a whirlwind, and every martial arts clan could no longer sit still, sending representatives to the Alchemy Pavilion to recruit him at any cost. A nine-pattern alchemist at the Qi Sea Realm—a legendary Innate Alchemical Body—everyone knew exactly what that represented. His future achievements and status would be unimaginable.