Wang Hao scoffed, "Yes, but his two pills were only forty percent pure, a far cry from my fifty percent."
Meng Qi sneered, "Do you think it's easy to produce two pills from a single alchemy furnace? You're too naive. It's incredibly difficult for an alchemist to get two pills from one furnace, much like twins from the same womb. The probability is minuscule. That's the difference."
Wang Hao was about to retort, but Meng Qi said solemnly, "In other words, even if you two practiced for a hundred years, you wouldn't be able to catch up to him."
"..."
Meng Qi declared, "Alright, I announce that this year's Triennial Victorious Pill Competition is won by this alchemist!"
"According to the rules, this year's spiritual material harvesting grounds will be contracted by this family for one year, the second place for half a year, the third for three months, and so on."
This meant that the top ten alchemists' families would have more resources for alchemy, making them richer and stronger.
Just as all eyes were on Meng Qi, who was giving his speech, the puppet disappeared. The crowd scattered, and Ming Zhitian found himself the target of everyone's attention. Thousands of people crowded around, asking for "friend's" contact information. Ming Zhitian instantly became the center of attention, like a celebrity, but he refused all interviews, finding it too troublesome.
Ming Zhitian left leisurely with Yin Fu and the others. On the way, Yin Fu continuously reprimanded Yin Qianzhen, "Zhenzhen, you've gone too far. I will definitely tell Father."
Yin Qianzhen's face turned cold, and she said angrily, "Tell him then. I did nothing wrong. He is the one at fault. I never expected that by trying to humiliate him at the Victorious Pill Competition, I would end up looking like a clown. It's all thanks to your friend!"
Ming Zhitian remained silent throughout. Yin Fu kept speaking well of Yin Qianzhen, begging Ming Zhitian to forgive her.
Upon returning to the Yin family, Yin Fu eagerly asked, "Brother Zhitian, where did your friend go?"
Ming Zhitian summoned the puppet from his storage bag. "Are you referring to him?"
Yin Fu and Yin Qianzhen were both surprised. Under Ming Zhitian's explanation, they learned that the alchemist prodigy was merely a puppet crafted by Ming Zhitian.
Yin Fu said, "Brother Zhitian, let's speak plainly. I greatly admire your puppet arts and his alchemy talent. On behalf of the Yin family, I sincerely invite him to be one of our Yin family's ace alchemists. Rest assured, you can name your price for the compensation. What do you think?"
Ming Zhitian patted the puppet's shoulder. "This is nothing. If you like him, take him. I'm not particularly interested in pills."
Yin Fu was overjoyed. Yin Qianzhen, however, said with disdain, "You would be so generous? The sky must be falling."
Yin Fu nudged her, "Zhenzhen, don't speak nonsense. Can't you even control your mouth?"
Yin Qianzhen asked doubtfully, "Air is intangible, what are you talking about?"
Yin Fu rolled his eyes. "I mean, are you treating Father like air?"
Yin Qianzhen glared at him, "Don't use Father to pressure me."
Yin Fu shamelessly put the alchemy puppet into his storage bag. He discovered it was indeed just a puppet, yet incredibly lifelike.
He quickly thanked him, "Thank you, Brother Zhitian. I will gratefully accept, then."
Ming Zhitian suddenly thought of something. "Wait, I've suddenly changed my mind. I have a condition."
Yin Fu, confident of victory, had no intention of returning the alchemy puppet. "Brother Zhitian, please state your condition. Whatever it is, whether it's ten items or a hundred, I will fulfill it."
Ming Zhitian waved his hand slightly, looking at Yin Qianzhen, who was clearly plotting something. "Young Master Yin, you are too kind. My demands are not high, in fact, they are very low."