The Path of Immortality: Starts With Creating Water Bear Gu-Chapter 377: The Feng Clan’s Scheme

"I also give a full score. If this level isn't worth 100 points, then I doubt anyone could ever achieve it," Qin Shang said with hearty laughter.

As his words landed, the other judges finally came to their senses and began scoring.

When all scores were submitted, the ten highest scores and Feng Tiancheng's lowest score were removed, leaving Long Xuan with a final score of 100 points.

In reality, many judges didn’t give full marks, and Long Xuan’s actual score should have been in the high 90s. However, since decimals aren't a concept in this world, the final integer score was taken. Achieving a rare perfect score of 100 left everyone speechless.

A score of 100 was shocking enough to leave all participants and onlookers at the door dumbfounded. The scene fell into a deathly silence.

Feng Tiancheng clenched his fists. Despite intentionally giving Long Xuan a ridiculously low score, it was discarded, rendering his efforts useless.

"Hahaha... 100 points! Feng Tiancheng, I’ve won! Hand over that fourth-grade pill recipe!"

Long Xiaoyao laughed heartily and stretched out his hand toward Feng Tiancheng.

Feng Tiancheng’s face darkened. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he couldn’t renege. Reluctantly, he pulled out a fourth-grade Strengthening Pill recipe from his storage ring and slapped it onto the table.

"This is the Bone Strengthening Pill recipe. I guarantee you don’t have it."

"I lost this round. But dare you bet against me in the next round? The wager will be a rare peak-grade Gu insect. Do you accept?" Feng Tiancheng asked grimly.

"Hmph! Why wouldn’t I? Seeing a dark horse rise from my clan still doesn’t stop you from betting with me. I don’t know where your confidence comes from," Long Xiaoyao replied disdainfully, immediately agreeing to the wager.

However, as he turned to look for the so-called dark horse, Long Xuan was nowhere to be seen. Long Xuan had already left. Since his evaluation was complete and his score finalized, he saw no reason to stay.

But just as Long Xuan was leaving, he sensed someone quickly approaching, accompanied by a fragrant breeze.

"Hey! Fellow clansman! Your alchemy skills are remarkable, but I’ve never heard of you before. Can you tell me which branch of the Long Clan you hail from?" Long Yuyao walked up to him, matching his pace, and asked.

Long Xuan glanced at her and decisively replied, "No."

Long Yuyao's smile froze, and she furrowed her brows slightly. She had never encountered someone so dismissive of her. She leaned closer to Long Xuan's ear and whispered, "You must have used Heavenly Flame just now, right?"

"I know how difficult it is to refine Water Ganoderma. Without the power of a Heavenly Flame, it’s almost impossible to achieve 100% purity."

"You only won because you had the advantage of a Heavenly Flame. Without it, the outcome would still be uncertain," she said competitively.

Long Xuan wasn’t surprised that she had deduced his use of Heavenly Flame. Ever since he decided to win the alchemy competition at all costs, he was prepared for this revelation.

Heavenly Flame would likely be necessary for the finals, so being noticed now didn’t matter. Besides, he wasn’t worried about people knowing he had a Heavenly Flame—his appearance was fake, and with a Hundred-Mile Talisman, he could escape and disguise himself again.

"Think whatever you want. I have things to do, so I’ll take my leave," Long Xuan replied, splitting into five clones that scattered in different directions.

Long Yuyao froze, unsure which figure was the real Long Xuan. She couldn’t decide whom to chase.

"Hmph! Such cheap tricks. Do you think a few clones can shake me off?" Long Yuyao sneered, activating her Evil Dragon Emperor Eye to identify the real body.

However, after a long look, she couldn’t distinguish any differences among the six figures. Watching them drift farther away, she stomped her foot in frustration and cursed, "Long Xuan! I’ll remember you!"

With that, she reluctantly turned back.

...

Returning to the inn, Long Xuan’s first task was to have his clones quickly gather the materials listed on the Heavenly Gold Formula.

The first round of eliminations would last at least ten days, during which he wouldn’t need to compete. Not wanting to waste time, he planned to refine Heavenly Gold and use it to craft a third-grade alchemy cauldron.

An alchemy cauldron plays a crucial role in the alchemy process. A superior cauldron can significantly improve both the success rate and the quality of pills.

Since Long Xuan was determined to give his all in this competition, he wouldn’t compromise on the furnace.

He was curious to see how strong a spiritual artifact made from a previously unseen alloy in this world would be.

Within a day, the competition venue quieted down as most participants and judges left. News of a dark horse named Long Xuan scoring 100 points quickly spread across the city. By nightfall, Long Xuan's name was known to every alchemist.

In a hidden chamber, Feng Tiancheng anxiously took out a mirror. Soon, the reflection revealed an old figure in a Phoenix robe—frail but exuding an air of authority.

“Tiancheng, why did you call me?” The elderly man in the mirror looked fatigued but mustered energy upon seeing Feng Tiancheng.

"Brother emperor, there’s been a development. A dark horse from the Long Clan with extraordinary alchemy talent has emerged, capable of refining Water Ganoderma to 100% purity. He scored a perfect 100 in the first round," Feng Tiancheng explained worriedly.

"I suspect this alchemist’s talent far surpasses Long Yuyao's. Even Feng Shuang may not be his match. His existence poses a significant threat to our clan. If we don’t act, the consequences could be dire."

The old man’s expression grew serious but soon relaxed.

"I’ve heard of this, but he’s only a third-grade alchemist. He’s no real threat."

"Both the Feng and Long clans have been gambling their fates, drawing out hidden geniuses who refuse to let their destinies be controlled. Dark horses like him are inevitable."

"If the Long Clan has their prodigy, why wouldn’t we? Don’t worry, Tiancheng. I have a plan," the elder said, a sinister smile spreading across his face.

Upon hearing this, Feng Tiancheng seemed thoughtful. Suddenly, he lifted his head, his bright eyes staring into the mirror as he said:

"Brother, you mentioned that as long as the opponent is merely a third-grade alchemist, there’s nothing to fear. Could it be that our clan secretly has a hidden fourth-grade alchemist dark horse?"

"Impossible, absolutely impossible," Feng Tiancheng frowned, quickly shaking his head. "The Alchemy Competition stipulates that participants must be under fifty years old."

"In ancient times, it might have been possible to become a fourth-grade alchemist before the age of fifty. But in this era, achieving fourth-grade alchemy mastery at such an age is simply impossible," Feng Tiancheng said firmly.

The prerequisite for becoming a fourth-grade alchemist is first reaching the level of a Gu King. In this age of sparse spiritual energy, even becoming a Gu King before fifty is challenging, let alone simultaneously mastering the vast and intricate knowledge of alchemy and dedicating a great deal of time to practice.

It’s simply inconceivable to juggle so many tasks within such a limited timeframe.

And that’s not even the main issue. The key is that becoming an alchemist requires at least fire and wood attributes. Multi-attribute cultivation potential is inherently limited and can never be top-tier.

This limitation on cultivation aptitude makes it fundamentally impossible for alchemists in this era to reach the level of a fourth-grade alchemist before the age of fifty.

Hearing this, the elder in the phoenix-embroidered robe shook his head and smiled faintly. "Never speak in absolutes. In this world, there are no absolutes."

"Exceptions exist in all matters. Anything is possible."

"Back in the day, Duan Tianwu became a fourth-grade alchemist before fifty. How can you be so certain there won’t be another like him in this world?"

The old man’s face broke into a mysterious smile as he continued:

"Coincidentally, two hundred years after Duan Tianwu, our Feng clan produced another alchemy prodigy who reached fourth-grade alchemist status before the age of fifty. However, this genius hailed from the Feng clan in the Eastern Lands, and few know of his exceptional alchemy skills."

"Hehe," the old man stroked his beard and chuckled. "Why would the National Master propose betting half our clan's fortune against the Long clan? It’s a trap set by the National Master for the Long clan. Without absolute confidence, would I dare to gamble with the fate of our clan?"

"Although Feng Jiutian is not under the control of our Feng clan alliance, his lineage is part of it. This wager is sufficient to draw him out. He will not allow others to dictate his fate."

"No matter how strong the Long clan’s dark horse is, how could it possibly surpass our dark horse? The Long clan is destined to lose this time."

The old man's gaze turned sharp, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

"Feng Jiutian? What an intriguing name," Feng Tiancheng murmured softly, seemingly deep in thought. Suddenly, his pupils shrank as he finally recalled who this person was.

Feng Jiutian was a peerless genius of the Feng clan in the Eastern Lands, renowned from a young age. Because he obtained three Heavenly Fires, he earned the title of Burning Heaven Ancestor.

The terror of the Burning Heaven Ancestor was no less than that of Duan Tianwu in his time. Many believed he would become the next Duan Tianwu within two centuries.

This prediction came true. When Feng Jiutian's strength reached its peak, he slaughtered his entire clan and fully embraced his descent into madness.

The reason was that the Feng clan in the Eastern Lands had sealed away a complete version of the Ancient Evil Phoenix True Eye, a technique passed down from ancient times.

The complete Evil Phoenix True Eye can replicate all techniques and skills in the world without any limitations. It could effortlessly steal any clan’s unique secret techniques.

Such a terrifying ability was bound to provoke fear among all clans. The Feng clan in the Eastern Lands risked annihilation by multiple forces.

To avoid calamity, the ancestral rule of the Feng clan was that the Evil Phoenix True Eye must never be used unless the clan faced a life-and-death crisis.

But Feng Jiutian was selfish. He coveted the complete Evil Phoenix True Eye. After multiple failed attempts to obtain it from the clan's leadership, he destroyed his family in a fit of rage and seized the relic.

With the complete Evil Phoenix True Eye, his combat power soared, and he embarked on a path of invincibility.

Feng Jiutian was not one to settle down. He vowed to learn all the world's techniques. After obtaining the Evil Phoenix True Eye, he began challenging the strongest individuals from all factions and collecting countless skills. He offended many powerful forces in the process.

He was soon hunted by forces from around the world, facing over a hundred assassination attempts. Yet he remains alive to this day, a testament to his unparalleled strength.

Upon learning that the Feng clan intended to rely on this person, Feng Tiancheng’s face turned pale. He hurriedly exclaimed: "The National Master must be insane! How dare he involve someone like this?"

"Burning Heaven Ancestor has already offended every major power in the Gu Realm in his quest to steal all the world’s techniques. He is being hunted by all the major powers and is ranked tenth on the Gu Realm’s most-wanted list, with a bounty of 400 billion!"

"Those who make it into the top ten of the Gu Realm’s most-wanted list are devil cultivators who have survived numerous hunts. They are practically the strongest in the demonic path."

"How can someone with such overwhelming power be used? The National Master is playing with fire! This could lead the Feng clan into a catastrophic situation!"

Feng Tiancheng's face showed terror as he stood up, sweat streaming down his face.

At this moment, he finally understood why Feng Jiutian could become a fourth-grade alchemist before fifty. With an eye that could replicate all techniques, he could simply copy alchemy skills.

Forget fifty years—it would take him less than three years to reach fourth-grade alchemist status. That’s how absurd his abilities were.

This person could indeed sweep away all competitors in the Alchemy Competition, but the Phoenix Heaven Empire might face dire consequences. In Feng Tiancheng’s view, associating with someone on the wanted list of the Gu Emperor City was a disastrous idea.

However, the old man in the phoenix-embroidered robe remained calm. With a cold snort, he said:

"What are you afraid of? Was the Burning Heaven Ancestor invited by us?"

"We didn’t invite him; he came on his own!"

"If he hides his identity and wins the championship at the Alchemy Competition, what can we do?"

"We are simply bystanders. If the Burning Heaven Ancestor exposes his identity at the competition, we will even organize forces to hunt him down. I’ll ensure that a few Feng clan Gu Kings die at his hands."

"Don’t worry. We are innocent!"

A sinister smile appeared on the old man’s lips.