Reborn as Xu Xuan, Plundering Perks & Flooding the Mountain Ling

Chapter 15: Grandmaster of Alchemy! The True Advantage is Mine

“White Bone Pearls?”

At the mention of these four words, not just Xu Xuan, even Xuan Mu Zhenren, Elder Xuan Zhen, and Elder Xuan Yin along with many disciples present showed a strange expression.

“White Bone Pearls? Senior Brother Jing Du wants to challenge Senior Brother Xu in refining White Bone Pearls?”

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“Jing Du has been refining White Bone Pearls for ten years. In that time, he’s made over three hundred furnaces of them! He could probably refine them with his eyes closed. He’s made more White Bone Pearls than Xu Xuan has eaten grains of salt!”

“Last time, Senior Brother Jing Du refined two furnaces at once, producing nine perfect-grade pills in each. Every single pill was of the highest quality. And you’re asking if this challenge is fair?”

The disciple who had raised the question was momentarily speechless. When he finally found an opening to speak, he only uttered a single sentence—one that left his opponent at a complete loss for words.

“But Senior Brother Xu has already refined a White Bone Pearls!”

Silence fell over the crowd. Even Jing Du turned around abruptly at the words.

“Jing Ling, what did you just say?”

“White Bone Pearls? What’s going on? I was in closed-door cultivation for just a few days—what exactly happened?”

Jing Ling didn’t dare keep them in suspense. He quickly recounted everything he knew.

“…Because of this, Master Xuan Mu personally broke the rules and accepted him into the Alchemy Sect. I was there that day. Those White Bone Pearls were definitely real! The department heads of the Artifact, Talisman, and Combat  Sects were all present. They nearly started fighting over Xu Xuan…”

Most disciples were merely shocked. But as Jing Du finished listening, he felt completely numb. White Bone Restoration Pills and White Bone Pearls. Only a single word is different, yet they are worlds apart.

T/N: originally, Bone Restoration Pills was originally White Bone Pills while White Bone Pearls was originally Bone White Pearls, which is why they say “it’s just a difference of one word” (pill and pearl)

He could refine nine perfect-grade Bone Restoration Pills in one go, but even after a hundred furnaces of pills, he wouldn’t necessarily produce a single White Bone Pearls.

“How is Xu Xuan this lucky? Or is it just my luck that’s so terrible that everything I excel in… happens to be his speciality?”

Jing Du hesitated for a moment. But before he could speak, Xu Xuan smiled and said:

“Junior Brother Jing Du, would you like to switch to another pill for this challenge?”

Jing Du’s heart leapt with joy. He was just about to accept the offer when he saw the smile on Xu Xuan’s face. The words were caught in his throat.

Wait… he’s trying to bait me! White Bone Pearls are so rare, you could refine two or three thousand furnaces of pills and never see one! He was lucky to make one—that was already a miracle! He knows this too, so he’s worried and trying to make me change the challenge. But I won’t let him have his way!”

Sure, I can’t make White Bone Pearls either. But I can guarantee nine perfect-grade Bone Restoration Pills per furnace! That’s the absolute limit of this pill’s refinement. Even the Master of the Alchemy Sect himself wouldn’t do better than me. The advantage is actually mine! No matter how ridiculous his luck is, at best, this will end in a tie…

Xu Xuan watched as Jing Du’s face turned from green to pale, then back to normal. He simply shook his head and turned his focus inward.

Ding!

[Host has defeated Longhu’s Inner Disciple, Jing Du.]

[System is randomly selecting a trait from the opponent…]

[Congratulations! New trait acquired: Diligence Makes Up for Shortcomings (Green)]

[Diligence Makes Up for Shortcomings (Green): You can use acquired effort to slightly compensate for natural deficiencies.]

Xu Xuan’s eyes lit up.

A green-tier trait? Jing Du, you are truly a generous Senior Brother! Hard work overcoming natural flaws… not bad.

But he quickly shook his head again. While the trait’s ability was useful, Its low grade made it barely effective. Without hesitation, Xu Xuan fused it into his Expert Alchemist trait.

A notification chimed:

[Congratulations! Expert Alchemist (Blue) has upgraded to Grandmaster of Alchemy (Red)]

[Grandmaster of Alchemy (Red): Your knowledge of alchemy is now unparalleled—you are now a legendary talent in the field.]

Xu Xuan’s lips curled into a smile. With this, apart from some minor gaps in knowledge, his alchemy skill was now equal to Master Xuan Mu. And yet, when Jing Du saw his smile, he misinterpreted it completely.

He’s forcing a smile… he’s trying to hide his nervousness!

Jing Du clenched his fists.

“White Bone Pearls it is!”

“Alright!” Xu Xuan replied casually.

He didn’t care—as long as he could keep collecting traits, he was satisfied!

And hence, the second duel began. Both contestants immediately set to work. This time, both of them moved swiftly. Jing Du was completely familiar with the process. Xu Xuan, on the other hand, was simply dominating with his newfound expertise.

“Why is Senior Brother Jing Du being so reckless? We warned him that Senior Brother Xu specializes in this pill! Why is he running straight into his doom?”

“You don’t get it! Xu Xuan’s White Bone Pearls was just luck! But Jing Du’s expertise comes from experience and skill! With his mastery, he is guaranteed to produce nine perfect-grade pills.”

“Even if Xu Xuan has ridiculous luck, at best, this will be a tie…”

“Oh… that actually makes a lot of sense! I never expected Jing Du to have such hidden cunning!”

Meanwhile, Xuan Mu Zhenren stood at the side holding a two-foot-long black wooden staff, grinning at Elder Xuan Ying, who was sulking.

“Elder Xuan Ying, do you want to place another bet?”

Though Xuan Ying stood apart from the group, his cultivation was near the Golden Core realm.

He had heard everything in the hall. The moment Xuan Mu Zhenren spoke, his gambling spirit flared up once again. He took his time considering. Jing Du’s odds still seemed strong.

“A bet? Of course! If I win, I get my lightning-struck wood back! If you win, I’ll give you two Scarlet Spirit Fruits!”

“Deal!”

It wasn’t long before a familiar sound rang out.

“He’s opening the furnace so soon?”

“Experience makes a difference. Jing Du has refined this pill hundreds of times! Nine perfect-grade White Bone Pearls, he’s still unbeatable.”

“So now, the only thing that matters is… can Xu Xuan surpass him?”

All eyes turned to Xu Xuan. Jing Du, feeling confident once more, had regained his lost composure.

“Senior Brother Xu, no rush! There’s plenty of time—take it slow!”

“Oh, no need,” Xu Xuan said casually. “I’m already done.”

As steam billowed from his furnace, he opened it with a single motion. Jing Du leaned in to take a look—only to be shoved aside by Elder Xuan Ying, who couldn’t wait any longer.

“Let me see! Let me see!”

Elder Xuan Ying rushed forward, covering his face with a visible layer of protective Qi to avoid the heat. But the moment he saw inside, his expression changed dramatically.

“This… this can’t be right!”