"What should we do next, Young Master Yang?"
In the meeting room that had been urgently convened late at night, those involved and responsible for the program "Master Alchemist" had gathered. Because many important raw materials had been stolen, they needed to decide what to do about tomorrow's competition.
The one who raised the issue was the program director. He had planned well for the filming. But without those raw materials, there would need to be many changes, and decisions had to be made as quickly as possible.
"...Elder Chen, what do you think?"
Brother Yang turned to ask Chen Deming, who was sitting not far away. Right now, besides the staff responsible for the program, there were also many elders from the Alchemist Association conversing together with serious expressions.
The old man serving as temporary Association President, Chen Deming, also didn't know what to do next. He turned to look at Bai Fanxian beside him, seeking her opinion.
"I still have some of the same raw materials."
As soon as Bai Fanxian finished speaking, Huang Zihuan walked into the room with boxes containing many types of ancient herbs. They were the same herbs as those that had been lost. Bai Fanxian had just taken them out from her personal storage dimension.
"...But that way, it's..."
Chen Deming hesitated. Earlier, the young woman had given them precious raw materials for free. But they themselves hadn't protected them properly, and now they were lost. No matter how thick-faced they were, they didn't dare accept them again.
"How about this time we pay Grandmaster Bai according to their value?" Elder Fang Niang offered her opinion.
That way they could accept them with peace of mind. Moreover, it would also reduce the guilt in their hearts.
"Whatever you prefer."
Bai Fanxian didn't refuse. The conversation returned to determining tomorrow's program format.
"I think we shouldn't use these raw materials anymore..."
Brother Yang gave his opinion. Tonight's matter would definitely be news everywhere tomorrow. People would start knowing the true value of these herbs. So it would attract those with bad intentions to gather.
"Do it the same way as before..."
It turned out to be Bai Fanxian who voiced an unexpected opinion. She explained further:
"...If Night Shadow wants those ancient herbs, they must come back again for sure."
The young woman closed her eyes while thinking. Those herbs were important ingredients for many high-level pills. Even though the herbs themselves were low level, their value and rarity in this era weren't simple at all.
Moreover, from Bai Fanxian's knowledge, the amount of raw materials they had stolen, even if used sparingly, could only be used to refine a few batches of pills.
That wasn't even mentioning the case if it failed.
If tomorrow at the program there was still news that these ancient raw materials remained, Bai Fanxian believed it would definitely be good bait to make Night Shadow appear again.
"Let's do it that way then."
So their final conclusion ended up like this.
.
.
.
The next morning arrived quickly. News about the theft at Yang family's station couldn't be hidden from the media and public. And as they had anticipated, as soon as citizens learned about the value of those ancient raw materials that had been stolen, they were all shocked and went wild.
"Hello to all our viewers! Today we're back with Master Alchemist for the second round! This round will test the contestants' ability to refine pills!"
The same male host from before could still work well as assigned. He had been informed about what happened last night, so he could handle the situation at full efficiency.
Today, contestants were divided into three rooms according to the division level they registered for. They would have their own tables with stoves prepared and ready. As for who would use cauldrons they brought themselves, that was up to personal preference.
"No competition is complete without judges! First, let me introduce the four judges who will participate in judging this time!"
When he got to this point, the lucky viewers who came to watch the live filming turned to look at the stage set up on the side. The director arranged and controlled the lights and music to be exciting and interesting, before an old man's figure walked out from the entrance.
"Our first judge, please welcome Tier 3 alchemist, a teacher with many students and disciples, and the founder of the famous question-and-answer medicine forum, Master Sun Mingchuan!"
When the young host's voice ended, Sun Mingchuan walked out from behind the stage with a smile. He waved at the camera and viewers once.
Lately, he often gave lectures for those interested and beginners, which made many people know him.
"Our second judge, she is the only woman who received the position of Vice President of the Alchemist Association! Her reputation and beauty have been legendary for many decades! Please welcome another Tier 3 alchemist, Master Fang Niang!"
The one coming to take the second position was Fang Niang herself. After consultation and discussion, the Association decided to send her.
First, she had extensive knowledge about medicine, including ancient knowledge. Second, Fang Niang was admired and had fans of young women who wanted to take care of themselves to look good even at her age. Finally, her character was kind and polite, suitable for dealing with certain types of contestants.
"Our next judge is the man currently holding the position of managing the Alchemist Association. He is one of the few people about to successfully step through the gate of Tier 4 alchemist! Please welcome Master Chen Deming!"
The next to step out from behind the stage was Chen Deming. He nodded quietly at the camera and walked to sit at the third seat. His demeanor looked composed and full of manners.
"Besides the three judges who have already appeared for everyone to see, our program has also received great honor from one more great figure who will come as our honorary judge!"
The male host moved to the center of the stage and spoke with an excited tone. Meanwhile, Bai Fanxian, who was standing backstage, was listening to certain requests from the director.
She nodded lightly in agreement. His request wasn't beyond what she could manage.
The atmosphere inside the studio was drawn out by sound and colored lights to bring out the viewers' shared emotions. Even though they could already guess who the last judge would be from the program's previous advertisements, they still couldn't help being excited about this scene they'd been waiting for.
Especially among one group of viewers who were preparing light signs and cheer pom-poms.
"For our last judge! She is the only young woman in this era who successfully stepped into the realm of Tier 4 alchemist! With both knowledge and beauty, she even has her own fan club! She's proven her abilities in both combat and alchemy, earning the title Alchemy Empress! Please give a round of applause to welcome Grandmaster Bai! Fan! Xian!!"
The moment the male host finished speaking, the lights on stage suddenly went out before spotlights shone up above the stage. There now was the figure of a beautiful young woman in clean white clothing floating calmly in midair!
This was what the program director had requested of Bai Fanxian. He wanted her entrance to look grand and spectacular. So instead of walking out normally, the young woman used the amazing ability of Grandmaster-level flight walking on air for her entrance instead.
Bai Fanxian let every gaze stare at her for a moment, before her slender legs stepped down from midair in a manner similar to descending stairs. The director used more than ten cameras to capture every angle of her every step. Those viewers who were ordinary people or had just entered this path had never seen her before and were dazedly lost. When she walked down to the front of the stage and took her seat, the viewers finally came to their senses.
Cheering sounds rang out loudly immediately after. Especially from one group of people who opened specially-made light signs and were waving them crazily. The program director wouldn't miss capturing those impressive scenes. Just this one scene alone was enough that he could edit it into many long minutes...
"Now that the judges are ready! I will announce the topic for this competition!"
When the male host drew the crowd's attention back to him again, he cleared his throat lightly while opening the envelope in his hand. He slowly opened it with a suspenseful manner. One camera zoomed in on his face as he was about to see the topic.
"The topic for the second round of competition is... recovery pills!"
The moment the young man spoke, noisy chattering arose among the contestants.
Recovery pills were basic pills that every alchemist must study. Because mostly they were easy to refine. But at the same time, what made them think hard was that the number of recovery pills in each tier itself had many types!
They ranged from simple medicines using common raw materials to medicines requiring special materials even at the same tier. So they had to think carefully about which type of pill they would choose to refine this time.
"Scoring depends on the properties and perfection of the pill! The more recovery power the pills you refine have, the more points you'll get!"
"As for raw materials, we've prepared everything. For fairness, we won't allow using raw materials beyond these. As for equipment like cauldrons, stoves, or other equipment, you can use what you brought as you please!"
The young host gestured toward the pile of raw materials that were well-organized and systematically prepared in another corner. It was enough for contestants to use comfortably.
"Oh! I just received a special message from the Alchemist Association."
The young man pretended to take out a piece of paper from his shirt pocket. He unfolded it and read it for everyone to hear.
"Many of you may have heard about last night's theft at this station, where ancient raw materials worth enormous prices were stolen..."
He left a pause to let listeners keep up, before continuing: "You may be worried about the program's safety and security. But don't worry! Because we announce that the ancient raw materials and herbs that were lost have been replenished!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the lights in the studio were moved to gather in one corner. It was a special shelf separated from other raw material groups and covered with white cloth.
When that cloth was opened, a large amount of raw materials appeared before the viewers' eyes. They were strange-looking raw materials that even many alchemists didn't recognize.
"These are raw materials that can barely be found in the current era! They are precious treasures that the Alchemist Association spent over three hundred million to obtain! And we have decided to give one-third of them as part of the prize for the winners in this Master Alchemist competition!"
"They will be displayed here until we have winners! Alright, may all contestants do their very best!"
When the host's voice ended, loud cheering sounds filled with shock came from all directions. Especially the contestants who didn't know beforehand that such prizes would be given!
If according to the host's meaning, one-third of the raw materials on display would be given as prizes. This competition had three divisions. Even if they took that one-third value and divided it again, it still meant each division's winner would receive raw materials worth more than thirty-three million yuan as a prize!
Their spirits became fired up. Meanwhile, the male host blew out his breath in relief at having carried out the orders he'd received well.
This time they openly revealed that raw materials remained here without worry. It was a slap in the face and challenge sent to the "Night Shadow thieves" who had just stolen raw materials last night. To imply:
If you dare, try stealing these materials again!