Chapter 429 - 204: Attending the Sea Spirit Festival, Ink Flood Dragon, Fighting Crab (4)
Chapter 429: Chapter 204: Attending the Sea Spirit Festival, Ink Flood Dragon, Fighting Crab (4)
A female cultivator in the crowd immediately grabbed her companion’s hand and exclaimed, "Juan, look! I think that’s Lu!"
With her shout, many other cultivators immediately recognized the person on stage. "It really is Lu Zicong! I didn’t expect him to show up."
"This is great. I joined the sect too late, so I’ve never seen Lu perform alchemy in person."
"It really is Lu. We’re in for a treat. I’m going to watch and learn carefully."
"I heard Lu was accepted as the Grand Elder’s Closed-door Disciple and received his personal guidance. Afterward, he went into seclusion for three straight years and only emerged last winter. I wonder what Realm he’s reached now?"
"Is there even a need to ask? I’ll bet Lu has already mastered a Tier Four Pill Formula and is halfway to becoming a Tier Four Alchemist."
Listening to the discussions around him, Xiao Chen also curiously sized up the young man on the stage.
The man didn’t look very old, but judging by the aura he exuded while manipulating his Spiritual Fire, his cultivation was likely at the Late-stage Golden Core.
Amateurs watch for the spectacle, but experts look for the technique.
Xiao Chen considered himself a proper Alchemist, more or less.
Although he rarely practiced, he possessed an extremely solid foundation thanks to his Augment.
Watching Lu Zicong on stage handle the Spirit Grass with such practiced ease, he could immediately tell the man was no simple character.
Even with his discerning eye, he could find virtually no flaws in the man’s technique.
It wasn’t that he had spotted an actual mistake.
Rather, it was because the process involved Tier Three Spirit Grass, and Xiao Chen wasn’t completely familiar with the proper steps for handling it.
It had to be said, as an Alchemist from Hundred Herbs City—a city famous throughout the Eastern Domain for its elixirs—Lu Zicong was displaying truly formidable skills on stage.
Soon after he began, he performed the Eight Dragons Absorbing Water technique.
This involved processing eight different Spirit Grasses at once, performing Liquid Transformation on them all, and infusing them into the primary ingredient simultaneously.
He then demonstrated several other techniques, particularly a few Secret Techniques of Pill Formation. In just two hours, he had refined a cauldron of perfect-quality Replenishing Essence Pills.
As the elixirs emerged from the cauldron, a wave of praise immediately erupted from the crowd below.
"Wow, Changgeng, this Lu is so incredible!"
However, Xiao Chen heard a familiar voice. Turning his head, he was surprised to see the four disciples from the Star-Picking Sword Pavilion here as well.
He then heard Changgeng remark, "Mediocre."
"As far as I know, the only impressive one from this generation of Hundred Herbs City is City Lord Huo’s Direct Disciple, Cui Yunxian. You could say she has true talent and grace."
"As for the others, they’re just a pack of mediocrities, not even worth mentioning."
He spoke so brazenly that many of the surrounding cultivators heard him.
Many cultivators immediately shot him angry glares, but most of them cooled down upon seeing the iconic Magic Robes of the Star-Picking Sword Pavilion.
However, one person wasn’t intimidated and directly demanded, "Who do you think you are, looking down on Lu?"
The confrontational question immediately drew the attention of more cultivators.
In the face of the question, Changgeng was completely unconcerned. "What are you? A mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator dares to speak to me?"
He brazenly released the aura of his Great Perfection Golden Core Realm. "You’re lucky this is Hundred Herbs City."
"If we were in the Dragon-Slaying Sea, I could kill you and no one would dare say a single word against it."
Despite his insolent words, the surrounding cultivators were suppressed by his powerful aura. Seeing the emblem of the Star-Picking Sword Pavilion, they were furious but dared not speak out.
Everyone knew that many Sword Cultivators were hot-tempered and would draw their swords at the slightest provocation.
If they truly provoked him, they would likely be cut down on the spot.
Besides, judging from his tone, his background in the Sword Pavilion was clearly not insignificant. If he killed someone, he would probably get off with a warning and face no real punishment.
Instead, it was Lu Zicong on stage whose gaze sharpened. He slowly released his own aura, neutralizing the oppressive pressure.
At the same time, he cupped his hands in a salute and said, "You must be the contemporary head of the Star-Picking Sword Pavilion, Gao Changgeng. A pleasure to meet you!"
"And this beside you must be Mu Yaying, I presume?"
"My father often says that Elder Mu’s Swordsmanship is superb, that he is a hero among men. A tiger father will have no dog of a daughter, and you, miss, certainly have a valiant and heroic air about you."
"Our young disciple was being ignorant. There’s no need for the two of you to bother with him."
He played the role of peacemaker, then looked toward the disciple who had spoken out. "What are you standing there gawking for? Get out of here, now!"
Only then did the disciple snap out of his stupor, hastily fleeing the plaza.