125:
A few chuckles from amongst the crowd gave way to muffled laughter, as many among the audience tried to ensure that decorum was maintained, given that they were all in the presence of a Grand Alchemist. It was for that same reason that bets were placed before the match began, even if it was no secret that the practice of gambling existed within the Alchemy Division, which Xiao Feng supposed, made sense.
Regardless, the efforts of the attending alchemists were in vain as it appeared that Alchemist Zhi had to bring forth every ounce of self-control that he was capable to keep his expression from contorting into a frown, before he replied in a low, menacing tone, “As you aptly stated, let our skills do the talking. I have nothing else to say to you.”
“Fine by me,” Xiao Feng said in a casual tone, which was accompanied by a shrug for maximum annoyance.
“Participants,” Grand Alchemist Ming addressed them in a tone that radiated authority. “Please step onto the dias from opposite ends,” She stated, phrasing it as a request even though her tone indicated that it was anything but.
Xiao Feng had noticed that stairs had been carved into the raised stone dais on either ends when he had made his approach, so he decided to go left since he was closest to that side.
Alchemist Zhi chose to go right immediately after Xiao Feng made his decision and the gossiping alchemists finally quietened down now that the show they had come for was beginning.
It didn’t take long for them to reunite and given that there were two identical spiritual silver furnaces sitting on amethyst dragonstone burners with cushions placed before each one, they took their seats.
A plethora of ingredients had been prepared for them, all sitting in a rectangular wicker basket that Xiao Feng almost reached for, until he took a peek at Alchemist Zhi, who was content to sit still and wait.
“This is an official alchemist’s duel proposed by the challenger, Alchemist Zhi-Rui to Recruit Xiao Feng, to resolve the differences between them. The results of this alchemist’s duel will be recorded, a copy of which shall be sent to the Azure Lotus Sect and the terms of this duel will be upheld by the Azure Lotus Sect. After this duel is concluded, both participants will accept the result faithfully and any further action they take against each other that can be deemed as hostile, either professionally or physically, shall be grounds for expulsion from the Azure Lotus Sect and any sub-sect or division under its rule,” Grand Alchemist Ming explained in a stern tone. “Do both the participants consent to going forward with this alchemist’s duel? If you wish to withdraw, there will be no penalty.”
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“I consent,” Alchemist Zhi immediately declared, before turning his gaze in Xiao Feng’s direction and sneering at him, as if he dared a martial cultivator to back out from a duel he’d already agreed to and go back on his word.
“I, Xiao Feng, did not flee when I was faced with demons on the battlefield. I shall not do so now. With my honor as a Martial Cultivator on the line, I accept!” Xiao Feng boisterously declared, all but bellowing the declaration as much as it made him cringe inside. For as much as Lianhua had helped him since he had entered the Alchemy Division, he could hardly say the same for many others. Even Grand Alchemist Xin Wu had been fairly dismissive of him when he had first arrived and then Alchemist Zhi-Rui had used petty tricks to lure him into a duel, knowing that the honor of his predecessor would not let him easily decline. The Alchemy Division had taken it too far when all Xiao Feng had really asked them for was to be left alone and be allowed to learn the Dao of Alchemy— so it was time to give them what they seemed to be clamoring for.
Whispers intensified as the duel between a recruit and an alchemist transformed into a battle between the Martial Division and the Alchemy Division. Now, even those who disliked Alchemist Zhi hoped that he would win decisively, utterly and completely, while displaying the heights of his own skill— since the pride of the entire Alchemy Division was on the line now.
“Very well,” Grand Alchemist Ming replied, her tone unmoved by Xiao Feng’s declaration. “The terms of the duel are as follows— In the event that the challenger wins, Recruit Xiao Feng will permanently leave the Alchemy Division. In the event that the challenged wins, Alchemist Zhi-Rui shall donate all the wealth in his possession, after selling all his belongings, which is estimated at a total of one hundred and twelve gold taels to Daoist Jian’s Pill Furnace shop under the condition that the money be used to provide pill furnace at fair prices to any recruit that is proven to be incapable of purchasing one. Please confirm that these are the terms you agreed upon before we proceed,” She stated.
“Certainly,” Alchemist Zhi-Rui replied with clear confidence.
“It is,” Xiao Feng calmly confirmed.
“The terms of the duel have been confirmed in the presence of witnesses,” Grand Alchemist Ming declared, before reaching for one of two hourglasses that had been placed next to her.
Having chosen the much smaller hourglass, she said, “Three sets of ingredients for the standard recipe of the Beast Bonding Pill, one standard size spiritual silver pill furnace and one amethyst dragonstone burner have been provided for each of you. Please take the next ten minutes to check your equipment and the quality of the ingredients that have been supplied to you. If you have any issue with the equipment or ingredients, they will be replaced as long as you make the request within these ten minutes, after which no further complaint will be tolerated. Do you understand?”
Both Xiao Feng and Alchemist Zhi-Rui issued their verbal confirmations.
“Then your time starts— Now!” She declared, flipping the hourglass within the second.
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