Chapter 2387: A Concession

"Third level of the Dao Source! Unbelievable! A mere Heavenly Emperor realm cultivator has actually comprehended the third level of the Alchemy Dao Source!"

"Is this what he meant by 'knowing a little'? This kid really knows how to put on an act! No wonder he had the nerve to challenge Lord Wu Yun!"

"But Lord Wu Yun is at the fourth level of the Dao Source. He's still doomed to lose!"

…

Feeling this surging power of the Dao Source, everyone was utterly astonished.

Only then did they understand what Ye Yuan meant by 'knowing a little.'

If the third level of the Dao Source was also 'knowing a little,' then what were they? Alchemy Dao idiots?

Still, they remained pessimistic about Ye Yuan.

Being on par with Heavenly Emperor Xuanji, Wu Yun was naturally no pushover.

But even he was deeply shocked at this moment.

Earlier, he had intended to teach Ye Yuan a lesson and make him back down.

Who would have thought that Ye Yuan's alchemy realm was so high?

"This kid's martial arts talent is terrifying enough, but his alchemy skill surpasses even that? Does such a prodigy truly exist in this world? No wonder Xuanji chose him. Given time, he will surely achieve great things! But is he qualified to be the head instructor?" Wu Yun pondered.

In the blink of an eye, Ye Yuan had already sketched out the rudiments of a quasi-Dao pill.

Seeing this pill's rudimentary form, Wu Yun's heart trembled with even greater shock.

This rudimentary form was flawless!

As a master in this field, how could Wu Yun not see it?

Even he could not have done better than Ye Yuan!

Suppressing the shock in his heart, Wu Yun made his move.

The moment he intervened, his heart shook violently!

He discovered that the structure of Ye Yuan's pill was incredibly refined.

So refined that he found himself barely able to keep up.

A single misstep would ruin the pill's rudimentary form.

If that happened, he would lose!

As the foremost figure in alchemy, losing to a Heavenly Emperor realm alchemist—how could he continue to hold his head high in the Alchemy Hall?

Originally, he had come with the mindset of playing along with Ye Yuan.

But now, he had to muster all his concentration and exert his full strength.

"How can this kid's alchemy be so terrifying? I'm at the fourth level of the Dao Source against his third, yet I feel overwhelmed! What is missing here?"

Wu Yun felt as if something was blocking his heart.

Among all the races, Wu Yun admired only one person: Heavenly Emperor Xuanji.

No one else was worthy of his regard.

But after witnessing Ye Yuan's alchemy, his estimation of Ye Yuan immediately rose to the level of Heavenly Emperor Xuanji!

Because in alchemy, he was inferior to Ye Yuan!

If he and Ye Yuan shared the same level of insight, he would be no match for Ye Yuan!

The two went back and forth, dazzling everyone present.

This was the first time they had witnessed a contest of such caliber!

In the Alchemy Hall, no one could engage in Dao discussion with Wu Yun.

He stood above everyone else, a godfather figure.

His status was supreme.

But today, when an opponent of equal skill appeared, everyone truly realized how terrifying Wu Yun's alchemy strength was!

Then how strong was Ye Yuan, who was evenly matched with Wu Yun?

Everyone was dumbfounded, especially the elder who had earlier wanted to compete with Ye Yuan; his face was flushed with embarrassment.

His own strength was not weak, but against Ye Yuan, he probably couldn't even put up a fight!

"Is it my imagination? Why do I feel like Lord Wu Yun is struggling?" an elder said with a grim expression.

Wu Yun was like a god in their hearts.

Yet now, this godlike figure seemed to be truly struggling!

"Impossible! You must be mistaken! How could Lord Wu Yun lose to this brat!" another elder said, equally grim-faced.

Suddenly, Wu Yun felt the pressure ease slightly.

Halfway through the alchemy process, he noticed that Ye Yuan's technique was no longer as perfect.

He found it much easier to keep up.

Wu Yun was secretly delighted, thinking that the kid was running out of steam!

After all, refining a quasi-Dao pill was extremely taxing on the mind, and for a Heavenly Emperor realm cultivator, it was still somewhat of a stretch.

Thus, Ye Yuan might become even more fatigued in the latter half.

Then he still had a chance to win!

However, things did not go as he expected.

As time passed, Ye Yuan remained as steady as a great mountain.

No matter how intricate the design, Ye Yuan handled it with ease.

Wu Yun grew increasingly alarmed, and gradually he understood: Ye Yuan wasn't running out of steam; he was conceding!

Ye Yuan was saving face for him!

Such subtle changes could only be discerned during the alchemy process itself.

To others, it seemed they were evenly matched, neck and neck.

But in reality, he was still half a step behind Ye Yuan.

The laws of the Great Dao descended, and a quasi-Dao pill hovered quietly in the air.

The entire venue fell into dead silence.

This battle had left them utterly shaken.

Someone had actually matched Lord Wu Yun!

Ye Yuan smiled slightly and cupped his hands to Wu Yun, saying, "Senior Wu Yun truly deserves the title of foremost alchemist. Your skill commands my admiration!"

Ye Yuan bore no ill will toward Wu Yun.

He had heard from Xuanji that Wu Yun had made great contributions to 'Godslayer' and was a hero of all races!

After arriving at the Alchemy Hall, Ye Yuan saw that the reverence for Wu Yun was genuine.

The fact that he could unite the Alchemy Hall into a solid block spoke volumes.

Of course, Ye Yuan also had his principles.

He was extremely rigorous about alchemy.

His purpose in alchemy contests was not to defeat opponents, but to refine an extraordinary pill.

He could certainly defeat Wu Yun, but then the pill would not achieve perfection.

When two people refine a pill together, harmony is paramount.

It is like a barrel with two planks of different heights.

The water level in the barrel can never exceed the shorter plank.

Thus, Ye Yuan settled for the next best option: lowering his own skill to match Wu Yun, thereby refining a pill as perfect as possible.

In this way, he preserved Wu Yun's face and succeeded in forming the pill—why not?

Moreover, he had gauged that Wu Yun's strength was still slightly inferior to Medicine Ancestor's.

With his own ability, defeating Wu Yun would not be difficult.

But the current state of human alchemy disappointed him somewhat.

Wu Yun's expression flickered uncertainly, then he forced a smile and said, "To be honest, I was somewhat unconvinced when Brother Xuanji appointed you as head instructor. But after witnessing your skill, young friend Ji, I am thoroughly convinced! With such masterful alchemy, you are fully qualified to be the head instructor!"

Ye Yuan's concession had preserved his authority.

If he still refused to acknowledge it, he would be ungrateful.

Ye Yuan smiled and said, "Senior Wu Yun flatters me. I am merely showing off my meager skills before an expert!"

Then he said to the elders, "So, am I now qualified to assess each of your abilities?"