Mystic Eyes: My Eyes Steal the Laws of Cultivation Chapter 637: The Crown of Alchemy (3)

"Mei Rulan correctly identified nine of the thirteen ingredients in the original recipe."

The woman lowered her head slightly, a gesture of acknowledgment.

"Her flame control technique was excellent. She managed to compensate for some of the incorrect ingredients through an extremely precise sequence. Her patience and attention to detail are admirable."

Lio Han observed Mei Rulan for a few seconds before commenting in a low voice, his voice audible only to those nearby.

"A rather refined technique. She has great potential to grow."

The elder nodded, his eyes still fixed on the alchemist.

"Yes. If she continues developing her control, her future will be promising."

Mei Rulan received her reward, a scroll containing advanced refinement techniques, and descended, her face still calm, but with a glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes.

Now only three remained. The tension immediately increased, the air becoming denser, more charged. Most of the spectators already had three names in mind, Kyrian, Master Bai, and the young man in white robes. The only question was the order.

The elder looked at the finalists, his eyes sweeping over each face. Then he spoke.

"Third place."

Everyone became attentive, their bodies leaning forward.

"Alchemist Luo Chen."

The young man in white robes opened his eyes, a flash of surprise appearing in his expression. For a moment, he remained seated, processing the announcement. Then he stood, his movements fluid and graceful.

Luo Chen walked toward the stage, his posture upright. His face was still young, perhaps in his early twenties, but there was an unusual serenity in his eyes, a calm that seemed to come from a deep understanding.

His hair fell to his shoulders and was partially tied back by a small blue band, a touch of color in his impeccable appearance.

He showed neither arrogance nor disappointment. He simply waited, accepting the result with a maturity that was surprising.

When he arrived before the elder, he bowed deeply.

"Luo Chen."

The elder nodded, his eyes sweeping over the young man with an assessment that was both stern and encouraging.

"You have placed third in this final."

The crowd began to applaud, the sound growing like a wave.

"He did it! The young man made it into the top three!"

The elder raised the bottle, the light reflecting off its jade surface.

"Luo Chen refined three rank 5 pills."

A wave of surprise swept through the arena, voices rising in admiration. Three, the same number that Kyrian had produced, a remarkable achievement for someone so young.

"The average purity of the three pills was seventy-nine percent."

The expressions of some spectators changed, their eyes widening.

"Seventy-nine! That’s extremely high!"

"He really is a genius."

The elder continued, his voice maintaining its evaluative tone.

"Luo Chen correctly identified ten of the thirteen ingredients in the original recipe."

Luo Chen remained silent, his eyes fixed on the elder.

"The other three ingredients were incorrect. Even so, his choices demonstrated enough logic and knowledge to prevent the medicinal essence from collapsing. His ability to adapt is remarkable for someone his age."

The old man looked directly at the young man, his eyes penetrating.

"Your understanding of alchemy is excellent for someone your age. Do not allow this result to make you complacent. Continue studying, continue practicing, continue seeking perfection."

Luo Chen bowed deeply, his voice firm.

"Thank you for the advice, Elder."

He received his reward, a high-level refinement technique, and descended from the stage, his steps light.

As he descended, many spectators began to comment, their voices rising in speculation.

"Ten correct herbs! And three pills! Seventy-nine percent purity!"

"That’s impressive."

The crowd turned their eyes toward the elder, silence settling once again. The old man held another bottle, his fingers running across the jade surface. Then he spoke.

"Second place."

A pause, the suspense stretching like a tightly drawn rope.

"Master Bai."

The stands erupted, applause and cheers filling the air. The old man with the white beard slowly stood, his movements measured. His long beard swayed as he walked, every step carrying the weight of decades of experience.

He stepped onto the stage with calm strides, his presence imposing. Even without deliberately releasing Qi, there was a sense of depth surrounding him, a weight that came from years of dedication to the art of alchemy.

When he arrived before the elder, Master Bai merely clasped his hands, a gesture of respect that was both humble and dignified.

"Elder."

The elder responded with a nod, his eyes sweeping over the old alchemist with an assessment that was both respectful and critical.

"Master Bai, you have placed second."

The crowd waited anxiously, absolute silence.

"Three rank 5 pills."

Some people had already expected this, their heads nodding in recognition.

"All with eighty-three percent purity."

This time, the reaction was enormous, voices rising in admiration.

"Eighty-three! Higher than Luo Chen!"

"Then he is the best!"

"Wait! There’s still Kyrian!"

The elder continued, his voice maintaining its evaluative tone.

"Master Bai also correctly identified ten of the thirteen herbs in the original recipe."

The old man with the white beard remained motionless, his expression calm.

"Your experience was clearly demonstrated during the refinement. Your flame control, your sequence of ingredients, your ability to adapt, everything reflects years of dedicated practice.

The elder paused briefly, his eyes fixed on Master Bai.

"Among all the participants, few managed to demonstrate such a profound understanding of the interaction between the ingredients. You are an example of what dedication can achieve."

Master Bai smiled faintly, a smile meant more for him than for the crowd.

"Thank you."

He then received his reward, a set of rare ingredients and a scroll containing advanced techniques, and descended from the stage.

But as he began to descend, the crowd realized something. He was in second place, not first. That could only mean one thing.

The silence slowly returned, the excitement giving way to an almost palpable anticipation. Everyone’s eyes began to move, one after another, until they finally stopped on Kyrian.

The young man remained seated, calm, his expression unchanged since the beginning of the competition. But now tens of thousands of people were watching him, their eyes fixed on his figure.