Demoness, Stop! - Chapter 44 - Chapter 44 – Heaven And Man Unity Realm

The scenes on the water screen not only left the audience speechless, but the high-level alchemists closely watching the ten contestants were also dumbfounded.

“What is he doing?”
“Did he give up?”
“Hmm… maybe he’s just too nervous and needs to relax a little. The more tense you are, the more likely things will go wrong during pill refinement.”
“True. Before refining any important pill, I always take some time away from the sect to unwind. It really helps with the process.”

Several seasoned alchemists nodded in understanding. As fellow practitioners, they recognized and sympathized with Li Yu’s behavior—after all, they had the same habit of easing their minds before attempting major pill refinements.

…

Inside the formation.

The real reason Li Yu hadn’t started refining yet was that he wanted to observe the other contestants, especially that Senior Brother Zhao and Junior Sister Zheng. He wanted to gauge their results before deciding on his own approach.

He was unwilling to be “taken over” (by his cheat) unless it was absolutely necessary.

However, if he truly lacked confidence, Li Yu wouldn’t force himself. The rewards for first and second place in the grand competition differed by a full ten Meridian Clearing Pills, and by twenty compared to third place, which would take four months to acquire. This was a loss he couldn’t bear.

At a certain moment, Li Yu’s expression suddenly shifted, and his gaze turned towards the sky.

From inside the formation, Li Yu could see a huge water curtain outside, but not its content. There was also a water curtain inside the formation that recorded the contestants’ information.

At that moment, words began to slowly appear on that water screen.

“Zhao Wuliang: six top-grade pills, four supreme-grade pills, 46 pill patterns.”

Seeing the words on the water screen, Li Yu’s expression grew more serious. To produce six top-grade pills in one batch, this Senior Brother Zhao was really something. Even he himself might not be able to produce six top-grade pills relying solely on his own efforts.

That person should at least have three spiritual veins cultivated, with deep spiritual power — far beyond him.

Before Li Yu could look away, another line of text appeared under Zhao Wuliang’s.

“Zheng Keqi: five top-grade pills, five supreme-grade pills, 45 pill patterns.”

Li Yu’s eyes flickered. Even if he gave his all, he couldn’t guarantee five top-grade pills in a single batch. He might not even be able to claim second place.

When Zhao Wuliang looked up and saw the two lines of text, a faint smile finally curved his lips.

Five years—he had waited five years.
Now, the title of tournament champion was finally his.

Elsewhere, the genius girl lifted her head and looked at the floating water screen. A helpless sigh escaped her lips.

She had given it her all but still lost, and lost convincingly.

However, she was not discouraged. She was still young, with many opportunities ahead. After Senior Brother Zhao wins this year, he won’t be able to participate next year. She was determined to claim the championship next year!

The other alchemists inside the arena glanced quickly at the water screen before returning their attention to refining their own pills.

Senior Brother Zhao and Junior Sister Zheng’s levels were far beyond theirs, but while first and second places were out of reach, third place was still up for grabs. Among them, their strength was similar; it was just a matter of who performed better.

After glancing at their scores, Li Yu withdrew his gaze.

He picked up the pill liquid that had already been prepared and poured it into the furnace chamber.

The Golden Core elder responsible for the projection saw that Li Yu finally moved, and the camera focused on him again.

Outside the formation, the crowd was already buzzing with discussion.

“Senior Brother Zhao won. He waited five years and finally made it!”

“Ah, poor Junior Sister Zheng, just one top-grade pill short…”

“The top two places in this competition are confirmed now.”

As people were chatting, the image on the water screen flickered, and the man appeared again.

This time, he wasn’t flirting with the pretty junior sister but had actually started refining pills.

It had to be said, although he was unreliable in his actions, that face was truly pleasing to the eye. When serious, his charm increased greatly. Some female disciples even whispered quietly, “Ah, too far away, if only he was closer…”

The Golden Core elder managing the projection seemed to hear their thoughts, and the image slowly zoomed in to give a close-up of his face—then countless Kunlun disciples watching realized that although the face was handsome, his eyes were wandering, his expression blank, obviously distracted.

The crowd immediately erupted into an uproar.

“No way, he can be distracted at a time like this?”

“Is he really an alchemist?”

“The final match of the competition, flirting with a female disciple, and distracted while refining…”

“Respect, mad respect!”

…

Even those who weren’t alchemists knew that refining pills required the utmost concentration. A tiny lapse could lead to failure. It was the first time they had seen an alchemist get distracted, and at such an important occasion…

Not to mention, this kind of careless attitude was unique in the entire Kunlun Sect…

Even the many second-rank alchemists outside the formation thought the same.

“That guy…”

“Unbelievable!”

“How can someone like this even become an alchemist?”

While everyone was shaking their heads and complaining, only two third-rank Golden Core alchemists, upon seeing Li Yu’s dazed expression, shuddered, exchanged a glance, and simultaneously exclaimed:

“The Realm of Unity Between Heaven and Man!”

The second-rank alchemists nearby froze. A couple of them looked thoughtful, as if recalling something. The rest didn’t know what that “Realm of Unity” was, but judging by the reaction of the third-rank masters, it had to be something incredible…

But those two third-rank alchemists completely ignored them. Their figures vanished at the same time and in the next moment, they had crossed the formation and appeared side by side next to Li Yu.

Zhou Zixuan looked at the dazed Li Yu, feeling anxious in her heart. She wanted to wake him up but was afraid of disturbing him.

Just as she was unsure what to do, two figures suddenly appeared beside her, and before she could react, a gentle force pushed her ten yards away.

The two highly respected third-rank alchemists stood on either side of Li Yu but did not disturb him.

However, their eyes were fixed intently on Li Yu, filled with shock, disbelief, and a strong — envy.

Zhao Wuliang and Zheng Keqi had already finished refining their pills. The moment they noticed the unusual movements of the two third-rank alchemists, they quickly realized the source of their reaction.

That man.

The two of them walked over slowly and stopped several yards away from Li Yu. With their eyesight, they could clearly see Li Yu’s expression and state.

Although Li Yu’s face was blank and his gaze wandering, the flames in his hands were very stable, without the slightest fluctuation. After a brief pause, extreme shock appeared on their faces as a thought immediately surfaced in their minds:

“The Realm of Unity Between Heaven and Man!”

When they first began studying pill refinement, their master had told them that for alchemists, there was an ultimate state of mind—rare and unattainable—that was called the Unity Between Heaven and Man.

It was a state of selflessness and transcendence; although it seemed like being distracted, the mind was actually intensely focused. In this state, an alchemist could perform beyond their normal limits and even refine pills that surpassed their current grade.

Upon awakening from such a state, the alchemist’s pill refining ability would also improve.

The Unity Between Heaven and Man was the ultimate goal for any alchemist.

But they had only heard about it and had never encountered anyone who had truly entered it.

Had this man really entered such a state of mind?

Zheng Keqi was filled with infinite curiosity. Zhao Wuliang, besides curiosity, was also uneasy, wondering if the person might actually refine pills better than him…

Outside the formation.

On the huge water screen, besides Li Yu’s dazed face, two new figures appeared.

The three marks on their chests, shaped like pill furnaces, indicated that they were third-rank alchemists of the sect. There were fewer than forty alchemists of this rank in the entire sect.

Even if some Kunlun disciples were slow to react, they now realized that Li Yu’s state was more than just spacing out.

If he were merely spacing out, these two respected third-rank alchemists would not show such shock and envy. What could a mere pill refining apprentice have that would earn the envy of third-rank alchemists?

What exactly were they shocked and envious about?

On a spirit boat floating in the air, someone stood at the prow, gazing at the water screen below, murmuring: “The Unity of Heaven and Man… it really is. Even fourth-rank grandmasters yearn for this realm, yet it appeared in a mere apprentice. Incredible, simply incredible…”

…

When Li Yu came back to his senses, his first expression was one of surprise, then he exclaimed loudly: “Damn, I spaced out again. It’s over, it’s over, this time I’m really done for…”

When he noticed the two figures beside him, he was shocked again and asked: “Who are you?”

The two third-rank alchemists were speechless. A once-in-a-lifetime Realm of Unity, and it had to appear on… this kid. If only it had been them instead!

Wasn’t this a waste of a treasure?

The brat didn’t even understand what had happened. And standing next to him, they hadn’t been able to gain any enlightenment either.

One of the third-rank alchemists shook his head and said: “Let’s see the pills you refined first.”

Li Yu frowned and said bitterly: “I don’t even know how I spaced out… That whole batch is probably ruined. There’s no way any pills formed… You guys… you’re still gonna give me the Meridian Clearing Pills, right?”

The other hot-tempered alchemist finally couldn’t hold back, grabbed his collar, and shouted angrily: “Spacing out? You call that spacing out? Do you know how many alchemists would give anything to be able to space out like you just did?”

Li Yu looked terrified.

“I-I really don’t know what happened…”

The other third-rank alchemist impatiently opened the pill furnace—and a rich fragrance wafted out. As he stared at the pills inside, his face lit up with satisfaction.

“As I thought…It really was the Realm of Unity…”

At the same time, outside the formation, the crowd also saw a close-up of Li Yu’s pill furnace through the water screen.

Ten milky-white pills lay quietly inside the furnace, perfectly round and emitting a faint glow. Each pill bore five beautiful pill markings—exquisite and magnificent, like perfect works of art…