With Liu Chuanxiong's conclusion announced, the competition had effectively ended. Wu Tian had secured victory in the first round, advancing to the second. He wasn't surprised by this outcome and even quipped to Liu Xue, "Miss Liu, my performance shouldn't have disappointed you, right?"
Liu Xue snapped back to attention, her pretty face immediately flushing with anger. While she had to admit Wu Tian possessed some skill, his manner of speaking to her was unbearable. Wasn't he mocking her? She retorted indignantly, "Don't be arrogant. You've only won this time. Just watch, you'll definitely lose to Elder Lin in the second round!"
Wu Tian chuckled, "Is that so? In that case, let's wait and see!" Annoyed, Liu Xue turned away from him.
Liu Chuanxiong then declared, "Alright, let's begin the second round of the competition. This time, Elder Lin will compete against you, and the subject is Soul-Snatching Soup. Do you understand?"
Soul-Snatching Soup was a more potent poison than Heartbreak Powder. If Heartbreak Powder attacked the organs, Soul-Snatching Soup targeted the spirit. Anyone who consumed it would fall into mental confusion within three minutes, losing all sense of direction, becoming utterly foolish, and ultimately tormenting themselves to death.
Wu Tian nodded with a smile, "I understand. Elder Lin, please guide me!"
Seeing Wu Tian's smile, Lin Long's face was stern. "Prepare yourself. You dared to insult Brother Xiao, and I will not let you off. Your competition ends here!"
"Is that so?" Wu Tian raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Really, Elder Lin? You and Elder Xiao are both elders, so your skill levels should be similar, shouldn't they? Elder Xiao was no match for me, and you say I'm no match for you. What do you mean by that? Do you think you're more skilled than Elder Xiao?"
Hearing Wu Tian's words, Lin Long's expression froze. Wu Tian's statement was incredibly venomous, directly pitting Lin Long against Xiao Jin. Both were elders and proud individuals. If he admitted Wu Tian's assertion, wouldn't that imply he was superior to Xiao Jin? What would Xiao Jin think?
Even Liu Chuanxiong was amazed by Wu Tian's remark. He found Wu Tian incredibly sharp, not only perfectly deflecting Lin Long's attack but also subtly insulting him. His mind was truly remarkable. In such an awkward moment, he had to intervene to prevent a rift within their Ten Thousand Poisons Sect. He smiled and said, "Oh, come now, how can we compare these things? Elder Xiao excels at making powders, while Elder Lin excels at making soups. These are two different things entirely. Even if Elder Lin surpasses Wu Tian in making soups, it doesn't mean Elder Xiao can't surpass Lin Long in making powders, does it?"
Liu Chuanxiong's words were skillfully delivered, immediately easing the tension in the air. Lin Long cleared his throat and said, "Youngster, your mind is more poisonous than any poison. It seems I must win this time. If I don't curb your arrogance, you will become a menace in the future!"
Wu Tian smiled, "While I don't know how you arrived at that conclusion, it doesn't matter. I eagerly await your creation, Elder Lin!"
Lin Long let out a cold snort, ignored Wu Tian, and turned to the medicine cabinets, burying himself in preparing the concoction. Wu Tian, as before, turned away from him and remarked, "Oh dear, I should probably step aside, lest someone accuse me of plagiarism again!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Xue knew Wu Tian was mocking her, and her pretty face turned a deep shade of red.
After a while, Lin Long returned with a basin containing the ingredients for Soul-Snatching Soup. Liu Chuanxiong asked Wu Tian, "Wu Tian, do you know the formula for Soul-Snatching Soup? As we said, if you don't, we can provide it."
Wu Tian smiled, "No need. I happen to know the method for making Soul-Snatching Soup, so I can prepare the ingredients directly." With that, Wu Tian, employing the same technique as before, prepared the medicinal ingredients. The scene was almost artistic, leaving everyone in awe each time they witnessed it. After all, the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect wasn't primarily a combat organization, and spiritual cultivators were quite distant from their pursuits, making their astonishment understandable.
Following the procedure, Wu Tian and Lin Long began the creation of Soul-Snatching Soup. The process of making soup was slower than making powder. Soups required slow simmering, whereas powders only needed to be ground into a fine dust. Approximately an hour and a half later, both their soups were successfully brewed.
The Soul-Snatching Soup was black, appearing no different from ordinary medicinal decoctions. Externally, it was impossible to discern which was superior. Wu Tian smiled and said, "Let's follow the same rules. Elder Lin, you are the senior; please test first. I believe your Soul-Snatching Soup will be extraordinary."
Lin Long, harboring resentment towards Wu Tian, completely ignored his words and walked directly to the testing instrument, pouring his Soul-Snatching Soup into it. As the instrument emitted a beeping sound, the results appeared on the display, showing the number 95.
Witnessing this, Wu Tian feigned astonishment. "Elder Lin truly lives up to his name. To achieve such a high score of 95, I am truly impressed." Lin Long was somewhat surprised by this result himself. His usual Soul-Snatching Soup scored around 92 or 93; he had never achieved such a good result. It seemed he had surpassed himself this time. His heart filled with joy, but in front of Wu Tian, he put on a show of nonchalance, saying, "Look at you, so easily impressed. If you think you can't win, just pour out your Soul-Snatching Soup now and surrender."
Wu Tian smiled and shook his head. "That won't do. This is my hard work, after all. How can I just pour it away? I won't be satisfied until I see the results."