Engo gritted his teeth in anger. No, he could not accept it. How could someone from a no-name background and no alchemical heritage be more talented than him, a direct disciple of Master Evergreen?
This was a fluke. This person somehow tricked him. Everything that happened here was by chance. There was some—
"—sort of deception at play!" Engo blurted out, his voice tinged with disbelief and frustration. He couldn't accept what his eyes had just witnessed. Turning sharply toward Liam, he demanded, "What trickery is this? No one can cultivate the Green Pearl Vine to full maturity in mere moments!"
Liam raised an eyebrow, his expression remaining calm. "Are you suggesting that I cheated, Grandmaster Engo?" he asked evenly.
Seraphine stepped forward, her eyes flashing with indignation. "Grandmaster Engo, you've witnessed the process yourself. There was no deceit—only skill and mastery. Your challenge was met and surpassed fairly."
Engo's gaze darted between Liam and Seraphine, his mind racing to find an explanation that wouldn't undermine his own reputation. Realizing he was cornered, he took a deep breath to steady himself. "Perhaps I was hasty in my words," he conceded reluctantly. "It's just... such an achievement is unprecedented. Forgive my outburst."
But the alchemist's eyes radiated stubbornness. He was clearly unwilling to admit defeat. "But catalyzing one herb doesn't prove anything. Anyone can nurture a plant. My apprentice tending to my garden can also nurture a green vine pearl if given enough practice and time."
"Treasured items can be used to nurture plants."
"Enchantments on treasured items could also contain such features. Who knows what kind of items Grandmaster Dante is wearing?" The man's eyes landed on Liam's ring and then he haughtily snorted. "A true grandmaster's talent lies in pill concoction and potion brewing, not growing plants!"
Seraphine sighed. It looked was not yet over and she did not like where it was going. She glanced at Liam nervously but to her surprise he was still very calm.
"Ahem. I am only doing this because of the utmost care and respect I have for Elder Tristan," Engo declared, his voice carrying a hint of challenge. "The Devil's Ice Pill! Let's both concoct it here and now. Then we can compare the quality of our pills. That should settle any doubts about your abilities. I can also personally make sure that there is nothing wrong with the pill you have given to Elder Tristan."
Seraphine's eyes widened in alarm. "Grandmaster Engo, isn't that a bit excessive? The Devil's Ice Pill is notoriously complex and not every attempt can be successful. Such a contest could be risky and wouldn't really determine anything."
Engo waved her concerns aside dismissively. "Nonsense. If Grandmaster Dante is as skilled as he appears, this should pose no problem."
Liam chuckled inwardly. How could he not know what the guy was up to? But this time, he was not going to do it for free. He got everything he needed already, so if he had to jump through more hoops, there needed to be more rewards.
"Unfortunately, Grandmaster Engo, I am in the middle of some commitments. I do not have the time to entertain you any longer." Liam casually waved him off. He then turned to nod at Seraphine. "Lady Seraphine, if elder Tristan returns and wishes to communicate with me, please contact me. Until then I would like to take my leave. Excuse me."
Engo's eyes bulged. His heart pounded in his chest. The alchemist knew he was onto something. Especially considering how Liam was basically running away, he was convinced that the other party had definitely used a loophole before. Now he was trying to get out of here before his jig was up.
Running away? Not so fast! Engo's eyes turned cold. Today, he was going to teach this fraud a lesson he wouldn't forget. "Wait, Grandmaster Dante. How about I offer something in return for your precious time." He sneered.
Liam continued to shake his head. "I really cannot stay back, Grandmaster Engo. Perhaps we can do this another time."
Engo acted as if he did not hear Liam and took out a token from his ring. "This is a token for the Akashic auction house. Yes. Yes. The same famous Akashic auction house that you have heard of. With this, you can both attend the auction and submit your pills for sale. I am thinking maybe now you are interested?"
Seraphine immediately stepped in and explained more details to Liam. She was well aware that he did not have any strong background and wanted to genuinely help him out.
Liam gave her a nod of thanks and decided to go for it. Sure, he had a feeling he could press the guy for more but attending a prestigious auction where only peak rare items are put up for sale seemed like a good compromise.
"Okay. I will accept this challenge." He said with a look of greed on his face, a false facade which did well to stroke the other party's confidence.
Immediately a satisfied smirk spread across Engo's face. "Excellent. Let's proceed to the Grand Alchemy Chamber. All the necessary materials are available there."
The Grand Alchemy Chamber was a vast hall filled with gleaming equipment, shelves stocked with exotic ingredients, and walls inscribed with ancient runic symbols. Liam could feel the increase in the concentration of mana as soon as he stepped inside. Not only that but the mana inside was more attuned to nature, ice and dark affinity, something that was beneficial to this particular pill concoction.
Word of the impending contest had also spread quickly, and a crowd of sword palace members and some other alchemists had gathered to witness the duel. It was almost as if someone had purposefully gathered a crowd. Or perhaps sword palace members had simply come over to curry favor with Engo.
Liam was only happy at this development. It was good to know that a grandmaster alchemist was this sought after even in the eternal sword palace.
Soon it was time for the contest to begin. Engo and Liam stood at adjacent workstations, each equipped with identical sets of alchemical tools.