Earth's Greatest Magus

Chapter 2520  Grading

There were still two hours left before the intense eight-hour alchemy competition concluded, but already, a few alchemists had begun completing their masterpieces. The grand spectators' stands buzzed with animated discussions, voices overlapping in fervent debates about who would emerge victorious. The competition had boiled down to two prominent figures: the esteemed Grade 8 alchemists, Galeli and Ada. Their mastery over the craft was unparalleled, and the crowd was eager to see which of the two would achieve the highest triumph. Beyond them, many speculated on who would claim the coveted spots among the top five.

"It's starting!" a voice rang out in the crowd, drawing everyone's attention skyward.

The air grew thick with tension as the first ominous signs of the tribulation appeared. Massive storm clouds swirled above the competition grounds, dark and foreboding, like an impending wrath of the heavens. Some onlookers shuddered, their eyes widening in a mix of fear and awe, while others leaned forward, mesmerized by the spectacle. This was no ordinary storm. It was an event etched into alchemical history—a testament to the sheer power required to create tier 8 pills.

It was widely known that with the successful creation of a tier 8 pill, the heavens themselves responded with tribulation lightning. Many believed this was the gods' fury, an act of divine envy and anger, punishing mortals for crafting something that defied the natural order. To the esteemed Skyroot faction and the panel of judges, however, this divine retribution was a crucial indicator of quality. The intensity of the tribulation signified just how formidable a creation had been achieved.

"There! The first strike is about to descend!" someone in the audience shouted, pointing excitedly.

Another spectator gasped. "That's fast! There are still two hours left! Who could it be?!"

All eyes snapped toward one of the raised alchemical platforms. There, a noble alchemist stood, his cauldron now opened, revealing a radiant, glowing white pill. The moment the pill emerged from the cauldron, the sky rumbled in response. A blinding bolt of lightning streaked downward, striking with a deafening crash. The protective pillars surrounding the competition arena flickered to life, absorbing most of the impact, yet a crackling spark still arced across the platform. A brief, sizzling explosion ensued, sending a shockwave through the ground.

A moment of silence followed before an intoxicating aroma filled the air. The scent was rich and potent, leaving many inhaling deeply, their expressions tinged with admiration.

"It's a tier 8 pill! It truly is!" a voice declared excitedly.

But despite the achievement, the alchemist's expression darkened. He hurriedly examined the pill, his gaze narrowing upon a barely visible fracture along its pristine surface. A single imperfection, but one that spoke volumes. The realization set in quickly—it was not a masterpiece-quality pill. His expression twisted with frustration. Without waiting for judgment, he clenched his fist and, to the shock of the audience, crushed the pill into nothingness before storming away from the platform.

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. To many, such a pill—though flawed—was still an item of immense value. Even an 80% potency tier 8 pill would have fetched an astronomical price. Yet, to an alchemist striving for true mastery, anything short of perfection was a failure unworthy of recognition.

Grandmaster Calidorne and the other judges remained impassive. They had seen such moments unfold countless times before. In the pursuit of alchemical excellence, failure was an unavoidable companion. The path to mastery was littered with countless shattered pills and bitter disappointments.

Minutes passed before another alchemist neared completion. A second lightning strike descended, crackling with divine energy, hammering the ground with raw power. As the smoke cleared, the alchemist stepped forward with confidence, presenting his creation.

A judge approached, carefully inspecting the gleaming pill before announcing, "Tier 8 Spirit-enhancing pill. Excellent quality. 98% potency."

Though not a masterpiece, it was an extraordinary achievement. The alchemist allowed himself a small smile, knowing that such a rating would solidify his reputation as a formidable Grade 7 alchemist.

The competition surged forward as more and more alchemists reached the final stages of their work. With each completion, the skies roared in protest, unleashing tribulation lightning upon the arena. The protective pillars remained active, absorbing the divine punishment, though each successive strike seemed to grow in intensity.

Some alchemists triumphed, producing high-quality results, while others faltered, their experiments failing spectacularly. The difficulty of crafting a tier 8 pill was no trivial matter. It was a delicate fusion of knowledge, technique, and unwavering concentration. Adding to the challenge, this particular competition demanded that participants work with newly discovered ingredients harvested from secret realms, further pushing the limits of their expertise.

Then, a breakthrough.

"Life-enhancing pill! Masterpiece quality! 106% potency!"

A wave of murmurs and exclamations spread through the audience. It was an extraordinary feat. The pill had been crafted by a group of esteemed high-elf alchemists, their centuries of expertise culminating in this momentous creation. People immediately began debating whether this achievement was enough to secure them a place among the top five contenders.

Nearby, Ivaris, a Grade 7 alchemist, completed his concoction. His results were nothing to scoff at masterpiece quality, 105% potency. Yet, a hint of disappointment flickered in his eyes. He had hoped for something greater, something beyond. But alchemy, unpredictable as it was, did not always yield perfection, no matter how meticulous the process.

On the platform adjacent to him, another competitor reached the climax of his creation. Horus, of the Kreed family, had placed his hopes on the coveted Rainbow Flower. He took a steady breath, anticipation shimmering in his eyes as he gazed skyward, waiting.

A gasp rippled through the crowd.

The tribulation lightning above Horus's platform was different. Unlike the previous white bolts that had struck before, this one glowed with an eerie, bluish hue.

A hushed silence fell over the audience.

Then, someone screamed, "It's tier 9! A tier 9 pill has appeared!"

The moment those words were spoken, chaos erupted. Spectators leaped to their feet, voices merging into an overwhelming cacophony. The magnitude of this revelation sent a jolt of excitement and disbelief coursing through everyone present.