"Yes, why didn't you use this flame earlier? Are you just putting on a show now?"
The crowd in the stands looked dismissively in Mu Qingqing's direction.
Mu Qingqing, however, ignored the surrounding people, her Star Wheel Eyes still focused intently on the Heavenly Origin Crystal before her.
With the aid of her Star Wheel Eyes, the internal structure of the Heavenly Origin Crystal was clearly presented in Mu Qingqing's mind.
A slight smile played on her lips as the light from her Star Wheel Eyes intensified.
Then, the Undying Phoenix Flame on her fingertip erupted, transforming into a lotus of fire.
It enveloped the Heavenly Origin Crystal layer by layer.
In just two seconds, the fire lotus bloomed, and the Heavenly Origin Crystal within had turned into a pool of liquid.
Under Mu Qingqing's soul power control, it flowed into the jade bottle.
Witnessing this, everyone's eyes widened in astonishment.
"What the heck, it's done already?"
"This is too outrageous! Refining the Heavenly Origin Crystal into a solution in just two seconds, what kind of speed is that?"
"Is this young man a monster?"
Mu Qingqing's actions completely shattered everyone's imagination.
Even the three masters on the judging panel looked surprised and instinctively stood up.
"What's going on?!"
Han Xuwen was also startled, his flame nearly losing control, causing the Heavenly Origin Crystal to drop.
It was only then he remembered he was still in the competition and quickly regained his composure.
"Good kid, how many more surprises will you bring me?" Yan Hongde exclaimed.
In the first round, Mu Qingqing, in just two seconds, went from last place to first, her ranking soaring and surpassing Han Xuwen.
Not long after Mu Qingqing completed the Heavenly Origin Crystal solution, the second person to do so also appeared.
To everyone's surprise, the second person to complete the solution was not Han Xuwen, as everyone had assumed.
Instead, it was a young man in purple.
"The second one to finish wasn't Han Xuwen!"
"Who is this young man? How did the alchemy competition this year suddenly produce two such powerful young talents!"
The crowd buzzed with discussion, all speculating about the identity of this young man in purple.
It wasn't just the audience; even the host, Ji Kongqing, was bewildered by the turn of events.
Following closely, Han Xuwen and Yan Hongde also completed their Heavenly Origin Crystal solutions.
Soon, the time it took for an incense stick to burn passed, and most participants had successfully refined the Heavenly Origin Crystal into a solution.
A faint fragrance filled the alchemy stage.
Apart from a few three-star alchemists, everyone else successfully passed the first round.
"Congratulations to everyone for passing the first round of the alchemy competition. We will now proceed to the second round!"
The host strode forward and announced.
"On the tables before all the alchemists is a pill."
The host gestured to the pills placed on the tables.
"These pills are called Pure Origin Pills, refined by elders of the Alchemist Guild."
"Everyone knows the effect of the Pure Origin Pill; it can help cultivators condense their spiritual energy into True Yuan. Each person can only take one in their lifetime, making it one of the most crucial pills for all Heavenly Realm experts to break through to the King Realm."
"The Pure Origin Pill's effect can only convert one-tenth of the spiritual energy in the body into True Yuan. Therefore, the task for the alchemists in the second round is to purify the Pure Origin Pill and improve its quality."
"Purify? How do we purify it?"
Upon hearing the host Ji Kongqing's explanation, everyone was taken aback.
"Of course, by using soul power and flames to stimulate the medicinal properties contained within the Pure Origin Pill, thereby enhancing its efficacy."
Everyone suddenly understood.
"Are all alchemists ready? I will now announce the start of the second round."
As soon as the host finished speaking, a crisp bell sound rang out.
Mu Qingqing's fingertips ignited a cluster of Undying Phoenix Flame, about to make a move, when she felt an unfamiliar soul power fluctuation.
Frowning, she looked and saw it was the purple-clothed young man from before.
She recalled this person was apparently Han Xuwen's senior brother from the Fire Feather Sect, Yang Hao.
"This kid is a threat, he needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later!"
Yang Hao stared intently at her, his eyes narrowed, a murderous intent evident.
Mu Qingqing's astonishing performance in the previous round had exceeded his expectations.
To prevent his plan from being disrupted by this unexpected newcomer, he had to eliminate this threat.
Soul power silently spread towards Mu Qingqing, transforming into countless fine needles that attacked her.
However, these needles' trajectories were completely exposed under Mu Qingqing's Star Wheel Eyes.
With a thought, Mu Qingqing annihilated these soul needles.
"Huh?"
"Six-star Soul Realm!"
Yang Hao inwardly exclaimed.
He never expected that this teenager, around sixteen or seventeen years old, was actually a six-star Soul Realm soul master!
"You're actually a six-star Soul Realm soul master?"
"With such powerful soul force, it's no wonder you could easily refine the Heavenly Origin Crystal."
During their brief exchange, Mu Qingqing also felt a slight shock.
Through observation with her Star Wheel Eyes, she saw that this Yang Hao was not as young as he appeared; his internal organs had long been aging and degenerating.
His heart was particularly eroded by an evil power, rendering it completely inactive.
"This is... Nether Qi!"
Elder Han's voice suddenly appeared in Mu Qingqing's mind.
"Little girl, be careful. That kid has a very dense Nether Qi within him, and it's highly possible he's related to the Nether God Clan!"
Mu Qingqing, however, blinked her eyes, as if thinking of something interesting, and smiled.
"Little girl, what are you thinking? Don't mess around, you're using Xin Ci's body right now."
Elder Han asked with some concern.
"It's nothing! If one doesn't retaliate, it's impolite. That fellow provoked this young lady first, so naturally, I should send him a return gift."
Mu Qingqing's lips curved upwards, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Yang Hao, seeing his soul power attack blocked, was still unwilling and attempted to attack Mu Qingqing again.
Unexpectedly, his gaze met Mu Qingqing's Star Wheel Eyes.
A powerful soul pressure was instantly released from the opponent's eyes.
He was immediately suffocated and, in an instant, was forced to his knees.
Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his body trembled uncontrollably.
"Senior Brother Yang, what's wrong?!"
Seeing Yang Hao suddenly collapse, Han Xuwen, who was nearby, exclaimed in surprise.
"I... I'm fine..."
Yang Hao forcefully steadied his mind and gritted his teeth.
This feeling was incredibly humiliating.
He, a dignified six-star alchemist, was actually intimidated by a teenager of sixteen or seventeen. This was beyond embarrassing!
Yang Hao inwardly cursed: Damn it, who is this kid?! Why does he possess such potent soul pressure?
Having suffered a setback, Yang Hao dared not try to ambush Mu Qingqing again.
"Hmph, little brat, trying to ambush this old lady? This old lady isn't easily provoked either!"
Mu Qingqing watched Yang Hao's predicament and felt immense joy.