1851 Chapter 1844: Final Act (18)
Within the blink of an eye, two and a half years passed. A total of six and a half years had passed within a small area of the Blank Dominion, and these years were loaded with breathy gasps of awe, extraordinary surprises, raving cheers, inspired hearts, and despondent souls.
The depth of the Alchemic Dao in the Utmost Purity Galaxy smashed the foreign representatives of the lesser galaxies like a ten-thousand-ton sledgehammer to the face. With the detailed and well-informed know-how and explanations from the announcers, the audience fully understood the extreme constraints each Zenith was under. Despite seemingly using this to justify failures, the fact remained that these Zeniths genuinely displayed the wellspring of skill and talent that was irrefutably superior to their alchemists in their best days.
Not only had Heaven-Saint Fusing Souls completed the first Edict Potion out of all participants during his second set, but he succeeded yet again during his third set. Without any foreign assistance, lacking all his accumulated advantages gained throughout a long tenure as a renowned alchemist and a Zenith of a Galactic Zone in terms of external assistance and geological foundation, he sported a stunning 66% success rate when concocting a Mystic-Heaven grade product!
66%!
Heaven-Saint Extracting Divinity had failed his second set but completed his third set; the wonderful event generated a series of prideful roars across the Extraction Zone's denizens watching. This was further enhanced in importance after the Heaven-Saint Containing Creation and Heaven-Saint Transforming Worlds were disqualified after failing all three sets of concoctions, allowing them to gain a brief sense of superiority over their neighbors.
Meanwhile, Heaven-Saint Growing Immortality, who failed their first set, succeeded on their second set after taking it slower, ensuring each step was performed with meticulous brilliance. Yet, after the completion of their concoction, an unexpected event occurred. The Supreme Sages unanimously declared their product a failure.
The impurity levels of the product were far too high, entering the 30% and higher range, and by the Utmost Purity Galaxy's standards, this was deemed as a 'waste product'. While lesser societies of cultivation might still consume these products with feverish excitement, and even greater galaxies accepted Mortal-Rank alchemical products of that degree, Mystic-Rank alchemical products with that intense level of impurity would almost always result in substantial, potentially irreversible damage.
Because of this, the Utmost Purity Galaxy's Alchemic Dao has unanimously agreed to disqualify all products of that degree, and it was taboo to circulate them through official channels within the galaxy. Most of the time, these 'waste products' were offloaded in bulk to lesser galaxies for a hefty price.
The moment the Edict Potion was declared as a waste product of 32% impurity, Heaven-Saint Growing Immortality was already issuing a shadow auction amongst the existing lesser galaxies and representative ambassadors of the greater galaxies. Within a month of intense bidding, it was sold to the Thriving Prohibition Galaxy's head ambassador for four Mystic-Heaven Essence Stones, only a single essence stone lower than the flat market price of an Edict Seed!
This was an absurd amount of wealth, and none of the lesser galaxies had the capital to challenge such a bid, losing all chance the moment Mystic-Heaven Essence Stones reached higher than three, dousing all their hopes and dreams.
However, it was seen as an absolute steal by the head ambassador of the Thriving Prohibition Galaxy. There were countless ways to gradually purify a product, and techniques and means that can be deployed to alleviate the consequences of refining the impure Edict Potion. Why wouldn't he buy it?
Since each alchemist owned the rights to their personally concocted products in an All-Alchemic Clash, no one argued over whether the Heaven-Saint Growing Immortality should or could do so. They only cursed that they couldn't acquire such easy wealth. This was the financial ability of an alchemist, and why none of the Zeniths felt too bothered by their defeat in the game of Mystics earlier.
If they needed money, they could invest all their efforts in making low-tier Mystic-Heaven grade alchemical products and immediately gain an unsettling amount of wealth with a few decades of effort, potentially less.
During their third set of materials, Heaven-Saint Growing Immortality succeeded yet again, causing a hollering mess of anticipation among the audience as several lesser galaxies made dealings for an upcoming auction. Unfortunately for them, the product was accepted with an undisclosed quality, meaning it was within acceptable ranges of impurity!
They could only feel saddened that Heaven-Saint Growing Immortality had to live up to their title as a Zenith of an Alchemic Dao...
Suo Kai-Ming's first set was significant as it concerned their dealings to ensure that Wei Wuyin couldn't win through any arbitrary tie shenanigans. When she completed her concoction, the Edict Potion was readily accepted by the Supreme Sages with zero fuss. Furthermore, with a single glance, one could tell that it was an incredible potion.
Her next two sets ended up in abrupt failure early on during the Extraction Process and Growth Process, respectively. However, she was relatively unconcerned as her degree of exhaustion was immense, and recovering her exhausted mental and alchemical energies was a herculean task given her stressed meridians, dantian, and spiritual sense.
She had given it her all during her first concoction, not holding back in the slightest, even at the cost of involuntarily forfeiting the next two sets. She also wanted to end things swiftly to recover, immediately entering into a meditative state after her failures.
Heaven-Saint Refining Skies was a scholarly genius, yet he failed two concoction sets during the Creation Process. His third set was done after much self-reflection, yet after entering the Fusion Process, a minor mistake instigated an irreversible fallout of energies and essence leading to a devastatingly heaven-shaking explosion that left the Blank Dominion trembling.
In fact, he had to be saved by Dongfang Yue, his Dao Enforcer, at a critical moment. She was severely injured, losing two fingers after shielding him. Despite her interference, none of the overseeing Supreme Sages stopped or interfered with her actions.
That explosion was terrifying, and she sustained severe injuries to her physique and meridians, already compounded by her existing injuries. She was unlucky in their eyes.
No one said anything as she left with a cloudy expression and blood leaking from her right nostril and left ear. There was a reason why three Supreme Sages were tasked with overseeing this All-Alchemic Clash, but it wasn't in their interest to act as protectors, so they would have quietly watched Heaven-Saint Refining Skies explode if he couldn't protect himself.
This was why, during the first alchemic backlashes, the Zeniths all relied on their escape means, whether they were talismans or unique tools. None of them thought these three Supreme Sages would interfere, nor would they pay them to do so. If they did so, there was no doubt that other Zenith would try to outbid them to remain indifferent.
This would only benefit these Supreme Sages and not them. They weren't that wasteful. And each of them had their own Dao Enforcer and Sovereign Knights to rely on.
Shockingly, Dongfang Yue performed a wonderful job of saving her alchemist, as he was without the slightest injury.
Wei Wuyin silently praised Dongfang Yue for her unshakeable commitment to protecting Heaven-Saint Refining Skies. She was even willing to die for him and the Refinement Zone during the Mythical Tribulation. What a strong-willed woman.
Albeit, she had a tinge of vicious pettiness in her heart. Guo Heng, that unfortunate soul, was evidence of that. Wei Wuyin felt that Dongfang Yue had strong principles and restraint. She was a fantastic and loyal soldier.
After all sets of concoction materials were used by each Zenith, a full six years, seven months, and twenty-two days had passed, and the results were issued:
[Heaven-Saint Extracting Divinity's Results]:
—1st Set: Failure; Refinement Process.
—2nd Set: Failure; Creation Process.
—3rd Set: SUCCESS!
[Heaven-Saint Growing Immortality's Results]:
—1st Set: Failure; Creation Process.
—2nd Set: Disqualified; 32% Impurity.
—3rd Set: SUCCESS!
[Heaven-Saint Infinite Containment's Results]:
—1st Set: SUCCESS!
—2nd Set: Failure; Extraction Process.
—3rd Set: Failure; Growth Process.
[Heaven-Saint Refining Skies' Results]:
—1st Set: Failure; Creation Process.
—2nd Set: Failure; Creation Process.
—3rd Set: Failure; Fusion Process.
[Heaven-Saint Containing Creation's Results]:
—1st Set: Failure; Refinement Process.
—2nd Set: Failure; Refinement Process.
—3rd Set: Failure; Refinement Process.
[Heaven-Saint Transforming Worlds' Results]:
—1st Set: Failure; Alchemical Step - Liquidize.
—2nd Set: Failure; Extraction Process.
—3rd Set: Failure; Extraction Process.
[Heaven-Saint Fusing Souls' Results]:
—1st Set: Failure; Refinement Process.
—2nd Set: SUCCESS!
—3rd Set: SUCCESS!
Four out of the seven Zeniths present had succeeded, especially Heaven-Saint Fusing Souls who completed two Edict Potions within an acceptable range, eliciting roars of raging excitement. The fact that five Edict Potions were created and could potentially enter the market built up an unfathomable amount of fervor in the eyes of these lesser galaxy experts.
An Edict Potion at 5% impurity had a market rate of seven Mystic-Heaven Essence Stones. A full two stones higher than an ordinary Edict Seed or substandard condition! However, Edict Seeds were incredibly rare. If not for this All-Alchemic Clash, the seven Zeniths wouldn't have concocted these Edict Potions either without a special request or their personal need.
They didn't have time to concoct arbitrary products like the Edict Potion that they didn't need. That said, a loss of several years and significant energy for the Zeniths was a boon to them. The audience with deep pockets prayed to the heavens that an event would be held later with them having priority bidding rights due to their presence. Wasn't this exactly why they wanted to come?!
Hao Chengxue sighed, "It seems there's no hope for World-Saint Neo-Dawn here. With four of the seven Zeniths of our galaxy completing an Edict Potion, all hope seems to be lost."
"Wasn't hope lost after Heaven-Saint Fusing Souls completed his Edict Potion? What do you mean by those ridiculous words?" Tianshi Ya interrogated Hao Chengxue with dissatisfaction. Wei Wuyin's Hail Mary play relied far too heavily on the failures of others. He was bound to lose with such a faulty, flimsy strategy. Who would bet against the Zeniths of their entire galactic Alchemic Dao?
That was ludicrous and delusional.
Tianshi Ya's meaning was clear, causing Hao Chengxue's expression to sink, becoming as dark as the starless night sky. He said deeply, "The thoughts and schemes of Supreme Existences are things I dare not speculate on carelessly, World-Saint Angelic Peach. I warn you to watch your words."
Tianshi Ya's expression paled. Subconsciously, she rubbed a diamond pendant hanging around her neck, feeling the warm aura of Suo Haoran, allowing her to regain a sense of safety. She had almost forgotten that Wei Wuyin was a Supreme Existence. While she didn't directly say anything too offensive, her implication suggested that Wei Wuyin was a fool for deigning to rely on such pathetic and loser-minded tactics.
She gulped.
Seeing that Tianshi Ya was taken down a peg, Hao Chengxue inwardly smiled as he looked toward Luo Ning. The woman was about to watch her master lose, and if this was any indication of future events, then Wei Wuyin was destined to lose. After all, they should pick the Void Pellet as a product of overall fairness, securing yet another victory like in this round.
Unless Wei Wuyin had another play to get the Zeniths to surrender in the third round, which was very unlikely, their participation could mean his defeat as well!
A strong 3-1 for the Zeniths, and then the only win would be deemed inconsequential given the dirty trick he deployed to acquire it. While no one would speak openly about it, Wei Wuyin's loss would be seen as a complete, convincing loss.
However, when he observed Luo Ning's beautiful features, there wasn't a hint of concern or worry in her eyes. Only anticipation. He couldn't figure out why she had such an expression when her Emperor was destined to lose.
Luo Ning felt his gaze, and she turned and gave him an impeccably charming smile suffused with energy and confidence. If not for Luo Ning's sexual orientation, which was an open topic known by most at this point, given Sage Imentet's overly intimate presence when they were together, Hao Chengxue may have felt he had a chance.
"The Supreme Sages haven't declared the final results yet. After all, my Lord hasn't decided whether he's planning to win this round or not. I wonder what he will choose." Luo Ning's words immediately brought everyone to full attention. Moreover, her words were laced with unquestionable confidence and strange phrasing, as if Wei Wuyin's victory was merely a thought as to whether he's willing to seize it or not.
Tianshi Ya was about to open her mouth and refute such an audacious statement, but Luo Ning looked at her with a shining gaze. "Don't argue just yet, World-Saint Angelic Peach. You'll only be inviting humiliation upon yourself. You can thank me later."
"..." Tianshi Ya was stunned as the words halted at her throat. She felt increasingly weird inside.
Mei Xiaoyang, however, wasn't biased. "Earth-Saint Luo, you seem incredibly confident that World-Saint Neo-Dawn has a winning strategy. I, and I'm sure the audience as well, would love to learn where you derive such unbreakable confidence from."
Indeed! The audience was all paying close attention to the announcers, and even the Supreme Sage overseers were listening in.
"It seems my old friend has something up his sleeves," The Incandescent Star Palace Lord mused as he kept the false image of their friendship. After all, he desired the technology that was the Star Disc Creation Method that recently shook the galaxy, even alerting the nearby greater galaxies somewhat.
The Star Disc would revolutionize convenient travel, allowing them to establish an unprecedented market of tools that would increase the convenience of travel and overall costs between galaxies, connecting markets and regions in ways that had never been done before.
"I wonder how long you've known World-Saint Neo-Dawn?" The Goliath Bird Sovereign asked with narrowed eyes.
"Long enough! Haha!" The Incandescent Star Palace Lord laughed cheerfully.
"It seems...unlikely. The state of affairs makes it almost impossible. To unbiasedly add, both Heaven-Saint Fusing Souls and Heaven-Saint Infinite Containment had created low-perfection Edict Potions, making his chances of victory even lower. And while he only has to beat four out of seven, only three Zeniths experienced a full set of failures. Even if he succeeded by some ungodly fortunate series of events, he would have to beat the lowest impurity rate—8%, and that's given the low time for preparation and the exceedingly hostile and neutral environment." Golden Night Sovereign spoke a lot uncharacteristically, only showcasing her investment in this All-Alchemic Clash.
How she put it truly dampened the Incandescent Star Palace Lord's anticipation. Wei Wuyin was just a Grand-tier Worldly Saint Alchemist, and he was under severe limitations due to the Blank Dominion and the limited preparation time. Without heavy external assistance, it was publicly seen as impossible for a Worldly Saint Alchemist to concoct a Mystic-Heaven grade product.
The only potential possibility was that Wei Wuyin would ascend to the Heavenly Saint Alchemist at this very moment, with all these disgusting restrictions and disadvantages. A dim hope.
A very, very, very dim hope.
"You get it," the Goliath Bird Sovereign nodded in agreement with Golden Night Sovereign's assessment.
Unfortunately for them, or the audience that widely held that same belief, Wei Wuyin's goal here was to no longer hide his abilities or strengths.
And he had already acquired every piece needed to achieve victory here.
Wei Wuyin took a slow, inhaling breath as he stood next to the Neo-Dawn Ascension Cauldron. The Alchemic Stars of Unparalleled Creation pulsate with alchemical radiance, starry and stellar, exuding the endless charm of unrivaled profundities of his Alchemic Dao.
On the table were three jade chests, each containing a set of materials for the Edict Potion. They were all carefully gathered and curated for the sake of fairness, all brimming with extraordinary energy and premium essence ready to be extracted and well-prepared by various seals and techniques.
Bai Xiu's voice was hyped with curious energy: "Master, are you going to use the Edict Potion for your Heavenly Awakening?"
She was certain that Wei Wuyin could breach that layer by concocting a low-perfection quality Edict Potion. Moreover, it might be appropriate that the renowned potion meant to imbue one with a heavenly resonance was the product to initiate a heavenly phenomenon of the Alchemic Dao!
The divine glow in Wei Wuyin's eyes intensified as he touched a jade box, exhaling his breath. "You underestimate the Alchemic Stars of Unparalleled Creation," he remarked.
When Wei Wuyin acquired the Alchemic Stars of Unparalleled Creation, he was slightly confused why it was super divergent from the standard. What justified it?
Only after he consumed the transcendent Neo-Dawn World-Eclipsing Pill, a pill that he created and pushed to a transcendent level, did he fully understand why the Alchemic Dao had to give him a unique set of Alchemic Stars all of his own.
He DESERVED it.
"What do you think is required for transcendent products of the Mystic-Rank?" Wei Wuyin asked suddenly, causing Bai Xiu to stumble slightly as the other Bai Xiu answered promptly: "The aura of eternal."
Bai Xiu was shaken. Her eyes immediately widened to their limits as she gasped heavily. "Y-you don't mean?!"
"You ready, Eden?" Wei Wuyin asked.
"Yes!" Eden was primed with absolute focus, its tone incredibly heavy, and silently, the three Astral Souls supported it without holding back in the slightest.
Wei Wuyin's body shook as he interfaced with the Alchemic Akashic Mystic Core, touching upon the thin Bridge of Immortality as it thrummed with the aura of eternity. From Wei Wuyin's body, a domain was unfurled!
Sempiternal Resonance Domain! As it did, enveloping the entire hundred-mile region, the obscure aura of eternity could be sensed! That last great dao's blessing within him stirred!
"Are you ready to make galactic history?!" Wei Wuyin opened the box as his Eye of Creation was activated completely!

Comments

Loading...