If neither of them knows their own number or the other's number, then their guesses are probably correct.
Because of their privileged status, the two alchemists didn't bother to know the numbers and delegated the task to others. All they needed to do was refine the pills, and in their eyes, the other was their only opponent. They had no interest in knowing the results of the pills refined by others.
Just thinking that the two level-five alchemists only had four top-grade pills each, while he himself had refined seven, made Qi Zhiheng's breath catch in his throat!
He subconsciously tugged at the collar of his shirt. The two level-five alchemists each only had four top-grade pills, while he had seven! Didn't that mean he was number one?
Qi Dong: "Look at you, you're getting too cocky. Tone it down!"
Qi Zhiheng also realized that he had lost his composure. He sent a telepathic message to Qi Dong, informing him of the number of top-grade pills he needed to refine the elixir.
Qi Dong's heart suddenly started racing! His grandson was even more powerful than two level-five alchemists? But he still patted his chest and said, "No rush, no rush. It's too early to draw conclusions. Maybe there are hidden talents in the arena, and someone will stand out. These four top-grade level-four pills may not necessarily belong to the two level-five alchemists."
Qi Zhiheng thought for a moment and said, "That makes sense!"
After the two of them finished their whispered conversation, the stage read out the numbers and qualities of several more alchemists.
"Number 155, six Grade 4 Superior Rank 4 stones, four Grade 4 Extreme Rank 4 stones—"
After listening, Qi Zhiheng took another breath and looked at the two level-five alchemists. The two alchemists' brows changed from joy to gloom.
Qi Zhiheng transmitted his voice, "Judging from the expressions of the two fifth-level alchemists, it seems that this time it will be your grandson, me, who will come out on top!"
Qi Zhiheng didn't know whether to be happy or worried at this moment...
Winning first place is naturally something to be happy about, but not only did he, a Golden Core cultivator, manage to refine a level four pill, he also defeated two level five alchemists!
If this were a commentary, probably no one would believe it, not even Qi Zhiheng.
Qi Dong said, "You don't need to think so much anymore. You've already appeared in everyone's sight, so you might as well do your best. Anyway, those people probably already see you as a thorn in their side."
Qi Zhiheng thought for a moment and said, "That makes sense!" Anyway, when he first came here, he felt that there was no need to hide anything this time. In order not to be too conspicuous, he had hidden some things before. Now that he can't hide them anymore, he doesn't mind at all.
"Number 135, three Grade 4 Superior Rank 4 stones, seven Grade 4 Extreme Rank 4 stones—"
If the person's voice trembled slightly when reading out the numbers of the two level-five alchemists before, this time the voice was filled with shock.
As soon as he finished speaking, the scene fell silent.
Even the cultivators who were inspecting the pills temporarily fell silent.
After a moment of silence, a commotion erupted from the audience.
"This must be the work of two fifth-level alchemists!"
"Yes, apart from the two level-five alchemists, I'm afraid no one else could achieve such results."
"I guess it's Master Yu Zhidan!"
"I guess it's Alchemist Qin Wangxue! As the number one alchemist in the Divine Wood Sect, this title is well-deserved!"
The crowd below was discussing amongst themselves, while the two fifth-level alchemists on the stage looked rather grim, each glaring at the other with hostility! Their eyes were practically vicious!
Qi Zhiheng touched his nose, thinking that these two alchemists had probably misunderstood each other again.
By this time, all the contestant numbers had been read out.
The personnel can be announced now.
"Next, the numbers of the top 100 to 50 will be announced, and the alchemists whose numbers are called will come up on stage."
Just then, Yu Zhi stood up, looked at the crowd below the stage, and said in a cold tone, "I have other matters to attend to, so I will not stay here any longer!" After saying that, he turned and left.
Yu Zhi thought to himself, since he had already lost to his opponent by such a large margin, waiting here for the final results to be announced was pointless. He and Qin Wangxue were both level five alchemists, yet the difference in skill was so vast. Where would he put his pride? Of course, he wanted to leave before the results were fully announced to avoid losing face!
Qin Wangxue interpreted it differently. He felt this was a provocation from the other party; Yu Zhi must know the outcome was already decided and was too lazy to stay and play along with him, a defeated opponent, so he left early! Therefore, he also stood up: "Then I will also take my leave; there are still some matters to attend to within the sect."
However, the bewildered onlookers thought: "These two alchemists are so busy! They don't even have time to wait for the announcement!"
Some people found it strange that one of them lost and wanted to leave to avoid embarrassment, which was indeed understandable. If two level-five alchemists were vying to leave, then the excitement of what was to come would be greatly diminished.
However, no one could stop the two level-five alchemists from leaving.
Qi Zhiheng breathed a huge sigh of relief. He was really afraid that these two Nascent Soul stage cultivators would kill him on the spot because they lost to a Golden Core stage cultivator!
Now that both of them are gone, it at least proves that my life is safe from now on.
The top 100 to top 50 have been announced, and these people have come up on stage to receive their names.
Then the numbers for the top 49 to top 11 were announced.
Next, the top ten people announced their numbers one by one.
Just as he expected, Qi Dong's number was fifth.
The fourth person was an alchemist from the Divine Wood Sect. Qi Zhiheng glanced at the alchemist, but he didn't recognize him.
Even a master alchemist like Guan Yunmo ranked eighth.
Then, the third and second place were tied, both being level five alchemists, but unfortunately neither of them were present.
The person announcing the rankings was somewhat puzzled. Even if one of the alchemists was second, wasn't there still another one?
At this moment, two servants representing the fifth level came up with their numbers and received their pills on behalf of their masters.
This incident came as a complete surprise to everyone present except for Qi Zhiheng and Qi Dong.
"What's going on? Both of these runners-up have representatives coming up! And the runners-up are actually two level-five alchemists! Then who's the first place winner?"
"Yes! Just who is this person, to be able to defeat two level-five alchemists! These are the two most powerful alchemists in the Southern Continent!"
Even members of the Slaughtering God Sect themselves didn't immediately suspect Qi Zhiheng.
"Stop talking, let's wait for the answer! I want to know who won!"
After a brief discussion, the surroundings quieted down again.
The monk who was announcing the rankings read out the last person's number, and then waited anxiously for the last person to step forward.
The surroundings fell silent.
Qi Zhiheng felt that the atmosphere was strangely eerie, but he still stood up under everyone's gaze.
There was an uproar below.
The disciples of the Slaughtering God Sect were also very shocked. When Qi Zhiheng disappeared into the crowd, none of them remembered that he had not yet stepped forward to receive his ranking.
Qi Zhiheng walked over with a faint smile and a calm expression.
The cultivator waiting on the side gaped slightly. He had never heard of Qi Zhiheng before, and now he was told that this person was the first place. It was really hard to digest.
Qi Zhiheng waved the number in his hand in front of him and said, "I am number 135, Qi Zhiheng."
The cultivator who announced the rankings finally came to his senses and stammered, "The first place alchemist, Qi Zhiheng, will receive one of the one hundred slots to enter the secret realm as a reward." After he finished speaking, he handed the pills that belonged to Qi Zhiheng back to him.
Qi Zhiheng accepted it without hesitation.
"Is this fake? I've never heard of Qi Zhiheng before."
"I've heard of the number one genius of the Slaughtering God Sect! Can someone tell me if this is true? Isn't the number one genius in terms of martial arts? I seem to remember that the alchemists of the Slaughtering God Sect are ranked last among the top ten sects. How did they manage to cultivate such outstanding alchemists without making a sound?"
"Not only that! That fifth-ranked person also seems to be an alchemist from the Slaughtering God Sect!"
"The alchemists of the Slaughtering God Sect actually possess such skills? Now their sect's alchemists are even more powerful than those of the Divine Wood Sect!"
Upon hearing this, the people from the Shenmu Sect naturally looked grim. Originally, their sect was far inferior to other sects in terms of martial prowess and other aspects. In the alchemy field, they should have been able to secure the most spots. Although it was still uncertain whether the first place would be decided between the Shenmu Sect and the Tianyuan Sect, they had already aimed to sweep all the top ten spots except for the first and second place. Now, two people had unexpectedly intervened, snatching the first and fifth places!
As a result, their sect's chances of entering the secret realm have decreased significantly. It would be strange if the Divine Wood Sect could still be in a good mood under such circumstances.
Qi Zhiheng received his reward: one hundred keys.
After returning to the territory of the Slaughtering God Sect, Qi Zhiheng selected five keys and handed over the rest: "Elder Wu, although it was said that the top ten would receive three keys, please give me five, considering the great heights I've climbed and the risks I've taken."
Although Qi Zhiheng spoke in a questioning tone, in reality, he had already taken the keys, and Elder Wu couldn't do anything to him.
Elder Wu opened his mouth, then closed it again, swallowed hard, and said in a daze, "You...you got first place?" His tone was full of disbelief!
Qi Zhiheng said, "Of course it's number one, otherwise where did these keys come from? Did you transform them?"
Elder Wu suppressed his joy: "Excellent! Excellent! This matter must be informed of the Sect Master! I'll go and send a message to the Sect Master first!"
Elder Wu used a communication jade slip to relay the news that Qi Zhiheng had won first place. The slip also mentioned that Qi Zhiheng had taken five keys.
Elder Wu didn't have to wait long before he received a reply, which said that he could give Qi Zhiheng ten secret realm keys.
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