Chapter Twenty-Two, Round Two: Compounding Formulas (Vote for the ranking push!) P: The first update is here… Earlier, someone in the review section claimed this book was plagiarized, yet couldn't provide any identical plots or written descriptions as evidence. So, I deleted the thread.

I can’t bear the label of plagiarism; if any plot resembles other works, I can’t guarantee it doesn’t, after all, nearly every conceivable plot has been exhausted, and even many television dramas include the disclaimer, “If any resemblance is found, it is purely coincidental.” Therefore, if anyone else feels this book is plagiarized in the future, don't leave comments in the review section; go straight to Qidian’s reporting area. As long as they can list identical plots, the moderators there will certainly process it.

By then, if Qidian blocks this book, wouldn't that be better than causing trouble in the review section? Furthermore, causing trouble in the review section is useless; it doesn't affect me, it just makes me move the mouse a few more times.

Finally, there will be updates tomorrow afternoon and evening as well. While I’m at it, I’m asking for member clicks and votes.

Let’s see if we can make it onto the weekly click chart and category recommendation list like last week. I hope my brothers can continue to support us and push The Apothecary King of Another World up.

Immense gratitude. (∩_∩)~….

…… …… “…A total of two hundred and seventy-nine people entered the second round. Among them, two individuals achieved a nine-tenths fusion rate for the 'Myriad Transformations Pill': His Highness Prince Cheng Zixuan, contestant number one, and Nie Kong, contestant number thirty-three; four people had a fusion rate between eight and a half and nine-tenths, and thirty people between eight and eight and a half tenths…” In no time, the results of the medicine verification were tallied and sent to the judges' table, then disseminated to the VIP section and the crowds beyond.

The sea of people, momentarily silenced by the conclusion of the first round, erupted once more. Thirty-six spirit pharmacists achieving over an eight-tenths fusion rate was astonishing, especially the two young spiritual pharmacists who refined medicines with a nine-tenths fusion.

This far surpassed any previous ‘Thousand Spirits Elixir Meet.’ It was clear that the caliber of the young spiritual pharmacists participating in this competition was exceedingly high. This meant the subsequent rounds would be even more thrilling.

Apart from those whose friends or family had been eliminated, everyone discussed the results with eager anticipation, looking forward to the ultimate clash of titans. Hearing the rising din from behind him, Nie Xingyun’s face split into a wide grin.

He sidled up behind Mu Zisi and feigned a polite tone, “Old Man Mu, I truly apologize, but this time, my apprentice has taken a slight lead over your granddaughter.” At this moment, the old fellow felt an immense sense of vindication. Mu Zisi pretended not to hear, but the corner of his mouth twitched twice.

Nie Xingyun noticed this, which only delighted him further. He chuckled, “Old Man Mu, given that little brat Nie Kong’s capabilities, his chances of taking first place are extremely high.

I’ll thank the Spirit Treasure Pavilion for the prizes on behalf of my apprentice in advance.” This old rascal, look how smug he is? However, it was a fact that Nie Kong’s performance in the first round surpassed Mu Xiaoling’s significantly, leaving Mu Zisi with nothing to refute, forcing him only to roll his eyes in irritation.

Those nearby, like Lian Tianxin, couldn't help but smile wryly at the sight. …… On the high platform, following Mo Xingtu’s decree, the spiritual pharmacists, who had rested for over ten minutes, excitedly ascended the second tier of steps.

Several broad steps on the second level also held neat rows of low tables, but these tables were completely bare. “Round Two: Compounding Formulas!” Mo Xingtu stepped onto the first tier of steps and called out loudly, “Bring the writing materials!” A group of lovely maidservants promptly ascended the platform, carrying ink, brushes, and paper.

“The paper lists the formulas for three elixirs, and each formula is missing one required ingredient. To pass this second round, you must fill in the most suitable ingredient before the hourglass runs out!

Otherwise…” Mo Xingtu grinned maliciously, looking at the participants as if they were lambs awaiting the butcher. Behind Mo Xingtu, others had already brought up the hourglasses from the previous round, though the amount of sand inside was significantly less now.

“So little sand, it’ll run out in an instant!” “To complete three elixir formulas? Heavens, you might as well kill me!” “……” As soon as the rules for the second round were announced, some spiritual pharmacists began trembling with anxiety.

This round required no spiritual energy expenditure nor actual alchemy, but it demanded even more from the spiritual pharmacists. While the first round required identifying formulas, participants only had to select one from six ingredients; even if they didn't know, they had a chance to guess correctly.

However, in this second round, if one was insufficiently familiar with medicinal principles and properties, there was no possibility of even guessing. After all, the known medicinal ingredients on the Celestial Spirit Continent numbered in the thousands.

“Begin!” Mo Xingtu paid no mind to what the competing spiritual pharmacists were thinking. Seeing the maidservants deliver the writing tools, he brought his right hand down in a slash, and the hourglasses were flipped over.

The sound of trickling sand filled the air. The observing crowds knew they had reached a critical moment, and everyone simultaneously hushed their voices, staring intently at the figures seated before the low tables on the high platform.

A profound solemnity descended upon the world. The previously crisp air felt even colder.

Nie Kong unfolded the paper, which was folded in half. Inside were three columns of text, listing ingredients used to refine Tier One and Tier Two spiritual medicines.

At this juncture, the month of intensive study in medicinal theory and properties under his two masters finally paid off for Nie Kong. As soon as these ingredient names caught his eye, their properties immediately flashed through his mind.

However, merely memorizing the properties was insufficient to complete the formulas accurately. The three elixir formulas listed on the paper were ones Nie Kong had never encountered before; they were likely devised on the spot by the six Grade Five Spiritual Pharmacists on the judges’ table specifically for this Grand Elixir Meet.

Such novel formulas certainly could not compare to those spiritual elixir formulas refined through countless trials over ages. The missing ingredient in each case was somewhat ambiguous, vague, or even a concept that the judging Grade Five Spiritual Pharmacists themselves had not fully settled upon.

Thus, Mo Xingtu had only stated they needed to fill in a “comparatively suitable” ingredient, not the single, definitive correct one. Nie Kong did not immediately pick up his brush.

After memorizing the ingredients for the three formulas, he closed his eyes and sat still, his mind racing at high speed. Meanwhile, the adjacent Mu Xinjiang, who was merely tagging along, was far more frantic.

His eyes lit up first; he grabbed his brush and quickly scribbled a few characters. After writing, Mu Xinjiang furrowed his brow, struck a line through the ingredient name, pondered bitterly for a moment, and continued writing.

After repeating this several times, half the white paper had become black smudges, yet not a single formula was correctly completed. Just then, Mu Xinjiang heard a sudden stir erupt from the formerly silent crowd.

He couldn’t help but look around, only to see the Fourth Prince of contestant number one already rising to his feet. Holding the completed formula sheet, the Fourth Prince walked leisurely down the high platform.

Before descending, he even glanced toward Nie Kong and Mu Xiaoling with a gentle smile. How could this guy be so fast?

Heaven forbid he got every single formula wrong and was immediately disqualified! Mu Xinjiang cursed inwardly, yet knew that was impossible.

He quickly glanced toward Nie Kong, who was sitting there motionlessly, his eyes closed like carved wood, and a wave of anxiety struck him. If Nie Kong were eliminated in this second round, wouldn’t that make the Fourth Prince even more arrogant and triumphant?

Mu Xinjiang prepared to wake Nie Kong up, but just as his mouth opened, he sensed something was amiss. He looked up and saw two gazes fixed intensely upon him, as if the moment he made a sound, the sturdy man’s fan-sized hand would instantly snatch him up and toss him off the stage.

Mu Xinjiang could only hang his head, utterly dejected. Before the judges’ table, the Fourth Prince Cheng Zixuan handed his paper to the judge furthest to the right.

Fu Erong picked it up, looked at the newly added ingredient names at the end of the three formula columns, and a brilliant light suddenly shone in his eyes. He didn't say much, merely giving a slight nod before passing it to Lian Tianxin beside him.

Finally, the paper was passed to Cheng Feiliu, the leftmost judge. After reviewing the formulas, Cheng Feiliu stroked his beard and smiled with satisfaction.

The judges exchanged glances. Fu Erong nodded in approval, saying, “Your Highness, the Fourth Prince, I didn't expect you to complete the formulas so quickly.

Very good. The three ingredients you listed are all highly suitable.

Congratulations, you are the first to pass the second round and advance to the third!” Fu Erong’s voice was not loud, but it carried clearly. The crowd behind immediately erupted in a clamor, their gazes—some admiring, some respectful—falling upon Cheng Zixuan.

Cheng Zixuan seemed to have anticipated this result; his expression barely changed, though he smiled broadly and looked toward the high platform. There, Nie Kong suddenly opened his eyes and picked up the brush resting on his inkstone… …… .