Chapter 82: Shock Throughout the Arena

Finally, the moment to extract the elixirs had arrived!

This was undoubtedly the most anticipated moment for everyone present. There had been grand unveilings of elixirs in the past, but this occasion was clearly the most exciting in recent years. Even many families who usually lay low had sent their representatives.

Everyone stood upright, craning their necks forward, as if afraid they might miss the sight of that enormous cauldron.

On either side, eight martial artists strode forth. Their task was to assist in opening the cauldron together. Each of them wore a special mask to prevent accidentally inhaling too much of the elixir’s fragrance, which could easily lead to being overwhelmed by its potency.

“It’s starting! I’ve heard this cauldron is famed as the First Vessel, requiring several people to open it. Who would have thought it would take eight!”

“What you see is only the surface. Don’t just focus on inhaling the fragrance later; pay attention to Master Chen’s technique. This cauldron is quite mysterious—without her, it’s said no one could open it.”

“Is it really so extraordinary? I must watch carefully. Who knows how many elixirs are inside! Last time, a single batch produced over five hundred pills, nearly every variety imaginable. The First Vessel’s aroma is already spilling out—could there be seven or eight hundred this time?”

Su Ye was mildly astonished as he listened. He had never heard of a cauldron capable of producing pills with such a broad range of effects. Was there some hidden mystery within this vessel?

Even Jiang Liuying, beside him, grew nervous, whispering, “Su Ye, remember this! If there’s an elixir inside that can heal my father’s wounds, you must get it for me—even if you have to sell yourself. Understand?”

“Get lost—can’t you be serious for once?”

“Hmph! If you’re selling yourself, how can it be serious? Only the unorthodox kind of selling oneself makes money. Who’d want you if you were proper…”

Su Ye shot Jiang Liuying a glare and turned his attention back to the cauldron.

At that moment, Chen Jiayi slowly approached the vessel. Her delicate figure seemed to gradually radiate strength, and even the flames lingering in front were pushed aside by the waves of energy she emitted.

Many martial artists were startled; such waves of energy were supposed to manifest only at the Qi Gathering stage. Why could Chen Jiayi, who had only reached the tenth acupoint, generate them? Had she taken some special elixir herself?

Drawing near, Chen Jiayi raised her gaze, extended her slender hand, and struck the cauldron’s strange patterns with a series of sharp taps. The patterns seemed to come alive under her touch.

The cauldron’s markings, resembling flower buds, began to unfurl, as if a blossom were slowly opening.

Thump, thump, thump!

A sequence of eight sounds followed as the eight “beast mouths” on the lid loosened sharply, and the entire lid shifted with a clack.

No sooner had it moved than waves of golden elixir fragrance billowed forth, dense enough to form visible mist.

In mere moments, it wafted outward in all directions.

The wealthy guests and martial artists, lingering at a distance, caught a whiff and instantly felt invigorated—a rush more potent than any stimulant.

Many wealthy patrons cried out in delight, “Ah—what a marvelous scent! This is the fragrance of elixirs!”

“Haha, I feel my ailments have vanished! Quick, breathe in more! Ahaha, there must be immortal pills inside that cauldron!”

Su Ye drew several deep breaths, the fragrance coursing through his entire body. Even the spot Jiang Liuying had bitten last night felt a cooling sensation and began to heal rapidly.

“What kind of elixir is this? It’s miraculous!” Su Ye exclaimed in amazement.

Even Ouyang Yunfeng laughed heartily and offered congratulations, “Congratulations to the One Elixir Residence! It seems you’ve obtained divine pills once again!”

“Such long and diligent effort always yields rewards—the heavens favor the industrious! I wonder what elixirs lie within.” Shi Hao, Yin Chao, and others were quick to add their congratulations.

The alchemists of One Elixir Residence beamed, their faces glowing with delight, laughter echoing—their joy was evident.

Chen Jiayi smiled gently, beads of fragrant sweat glistening on her fair forehead. She stepped back a few paces and called to the eight martial artists, “Reveal the elixirs!”

Each martial artist had already taken his place atop the platform. They gripped the lid, twisted it forcefully, and lifted it in unison.

Boom—

The entire lid was raised, and in an instant, a torrent of rich elixir fragrance surged out, so dense it blurred the vision of those present.

Everyone around greedily inhaled the precious scent.

Suddenly, Su Ye’s body reacted—he sensed something unusual. The celestial thunder within him stirred, as if possessed by a mysterious craving for the elixir’s aroma.

Others inhaled cautiously, wary of overdosing and succumbing to elixir poisoning. But for Su Ye, he had no control; his pores expanded, greedily absorbing the fragrance from all around.

If everyone hadn’t been preoccupied with absorbing the scent, they would have been astonished—Su Ye was taking in more than three or four hundred others combined!

Soon, the fragrance faded and clarity returned to the air.

Everyone, now invigorated, turned their eyes back to the cauldron.

Chen Jiayi, impatient, climbed onto the platform to retrieve the pills, while behind her, the junior alchemists of One Elixir Residence waited with pill bottles in hand.

This time, One Elixir Residence was surely in for a great harvest.

But just as Chen Jiayi was about to extract the elixirs, her body stiffened, her face abruptly drained of joy, replaced by a look of alarm. She leaned into the cauldron, frantically searching for something.

Her actions instantly drew the attention of the assembled magnates—how could the frail Chen Jiayi behave so urgently? What was she doing?

If the cauldron were not so tall, they would have rushed up themselves.

“Where are the elixirs? Why are none to be found?”

Chen Jiayi drew back suddenly, her face full of shock, looking to the elder alchemists of One Elixir Residence for help.

The entire crowd was stunned, thinking she must be joking—but they knew Chen Jiayi would never jest about such a thing.

“No one move—I’ll take a look!” An elderly alchemist with white hair strode up.

He peered into the cauldron, then, unwilling to give up, leaned in for a closer look, finally withdrawing with a grave expression. He glanced at Chen Jiayi and asked, “What did you see at first?”

“Nothing! How can this be? Are the pills stuck inside?” Chen Jiayi replied anxiously.

She shed her outer garments and shoes, crawled directly into the cauldron. Everyone watched in astonishment, their hearts pounding audibly.

After a while, Chen Jiayi emerged again, shaking her head, “Nothing!”

Boom—

The crowd erupted in confusion. How could there be nothing?

With such potent fragrance escaping, how could there be no elixirs? So many had witnessed the event—where could the pills have gone?

At this moment, none of the guests dared move—they knew it was crucial to remain still.

Seven or eight more elders from One Elixir Residence arrived, meticulously inspecting the cauldron, its lid, and even searching the eight martial artists who had opened it.

But they found nothing!

Everyone held their breath, sensing something momentous was unfolding.

“The elixirs are gone!”

“How is that possible? Could it be that the refining failed entirely?”

“Perhaps someone tampered with the cauldron and stole the pills? Who could it be? We ask all present to remain calm and refrain from leaving. Thank you for your cooperation!”

All present instantly became suspects.

Ouyang Yunfeng spoke in a deep voice, “To tamper openly in front of us all—such a person surely does not exist. Alchemists, may I examine the cauldron?”

“Please, Young Alliance Leader,” replied the white-haired elder, his voice grave.

They were anxious, but first had to prove the truth—the pills were indeed missing.

Ouyang Yunfeng took a few steps forward, beckoning to Su Ye, “Let’s take a look together.”

Su Ye was eager to know what had happened, so he nodded and followed.

Ascending the platform, he peered into the cauldron—and his brows knit in a deep frown…