Chapter 170 Step-by-Step Pressure

As the words fell, a young man with short black hair walked through the doorway of the ward. His facial features were ordinary, but his slender, narrowed eyes were full of sharp spirit. He walked into the room with a smile, nodded to everyone, and then strode over to stand right in front of Anthony.

"Rowling!"

"Number Four!"

"You bastard, you're finally here!"

...

When the people in the room recognized the newcomer, one greeting after another rang out.

The person who walked in was none other than Rowling. Simone, Mahler, and the others were overjoyed because, among those present earlier, not a single person could rival Anthony in alchemy and pharmacy. When it came to tomorrow's championship match for the grand prize—the materials for refining the Tri-Color Poison-Resolving Potion—they naturally lacked confidence. But Rowling was different. Not only had he entered the final four, but in today's evaluation, he had also outperformed Anthony to claim first place.

"Rowling, you, you're back!" Victoria did not know why, but seeing Rowling appear before her so suddenly, she inexplicably felt a wellspring of grievance and wanted to pour her heart out to him.

"It's alright, Victoria. I'm here for everything!" Seeing her on the verge of tears, Rowling felt a pang in his heart and gently comforted her.

Though it was only a few short words, Victoria's helpless heart seemed to have found a safe harbor where it could drop anchor. She involuntarily stepped up to Rowling's side and stood shoulder to shoulder with him.

Seeing the two of them so intimate, Anthony was consumed by jealousy. The two fists hidden within his sleeves clenched tightly, producing a faint cracking sound, while the magical energy surrounding his body grew somewhat turbulent.

Realizing the situation was turning south, the Tyrant Blood Battle Energy within Rowling's body rapidly began to circulate as well, ready to handle any sudden emergency at a moment's notice.

However, to his surprise, Anthony's tense face suddenly relaxed. He cast a contemptuous glance at Rowling and said, "With your cultivation as a mere third-rank mage, your alchemy skills being at the low sixth-star level would already be a miracle. I truly have no idea where you get the confidence to say you're going to compete with me for the championship!"

Seeing that Anthony had no intention of making a move, the Tyrant Blood Battle Energy in Rowling's body naturally returned to its previous leisurely circulation speed. He smiled faintly, "What I want to say is that anything miraculous can happen at the Alchemy Convention. Just like today, didn't my high fifth-star potion defeat those sixth-star potions of yours just the same? So I advise you not to speak too soon, or you might end up eating your own words in the end!"

Mahler and Gebaz did not know much about the path of alchemy and had not even gone to watch the matches at the Alchemy Convention today. Yet from the very beginning, the two of them had firmly stood on Rowling's side, and especially after hearing his words just now, they felt even more convinced that their fourth brother was the undisputed choice for the champion.

Teacher Monroe and Simone were both high-ranking alchemists themselves and had witnessed the battle between Rowling and the others today. In their hearts, they knew clearly that in terms of alchemy skill, Rowling was quite a bit inferior to Anthony. But for some reason, the aura Rowling naturally exuded when he spoke just now possessed a compelling conviction—one that seemed even more convincing than Anthony's solemn vow that he would surely win the championship tomorrow.

The aura radiating from Rowling was naturally felt by Anthony, who stood opposite him, and Victoria, who stood shoulder to shoulder with him. Their reactions, however, were completely different. Anthony's face grew as gloomy as a gathering storm, the aura emanating from Rowling making him feel immensely uncomfortable, whereas Victoria sensed a profound surge of confidence. This confidence managed to steady her previously drifting and anxious heart.

Anthony's gloomy expression suddenly eased as he sneered, "Hmph, Rowling, I truly have no idea where you get this blind confidence. Let me tell you this: leaving aside the fact that you simply lack the ability to win the championship, even if we take a ten-thousand-step retreat and assume you somehow secure the title and win the materials for the Tri-Color Poison-Resolving Potion, you utterly lack the ability to refine it! Because only my master, Thomas, is capable of refining that kind of potion!"

Rowling froze. Indeed, he had not carefully considered the issue of refining the potion beforehand. Winning the championship and acquiring the materials was already an extraordinarily difficult task in its own right, leaving him no time to ponder subsequent issues. Hearing Anthony say this now, he realized this was indeed a formidable problem. Although he possessed the potion formula left behind by Micius and knew the method of refinement, the Tri-Color Poison-Resolving Potion was a high sixth-star potion after all, and no matter what, his current alchemy skills were nowhere near sufficient to refine it.

What was even more grave was that Bill could not hold on much longer; the potion had to be refined quickly to save him. Moreover, there was only a single portion of the materials required to refine this type of potion. Without absolute certainty, if the refinement failed, there truly would be no hope left for his third brother. And the experienced Thomas was the absolute ideal candidate to refine such a potion!

Time was of the essence now! Because Bill could not wait. He could not afford to wait until Rowling grew into a high sixth-star alchemist, nor could he afford the time required to gather another set of alchemy materials for the Tri-Color Poison-Resolving Potion. Tomorrow's final evaluation was the only chance; he had to win the alchemy materials, immediately refine the Tri-Color Poison-Resolving Potion, and purge the toxins from Bill's body!

Seeing Rowling standing there in a daze, Anthony let out a cold laugh. Ignoring him further, he turned his gaze toward the woman of his heart, Victoria. But when he saw her standing shoulder to shoulder with Rowling, a wave of intense jealousy welled up from deep within him. Hardening his heart, he blurted out, "Victoria, you heard everything just now, didn't you? Rowling—he can't do it! Whether it's tomorrow's final evaluation or the refinement of the Tri-Color Poison-Resolving Potion, he has not the slightest way to surpass me!"

"The most crucial point is your younger brother. He simply cannot hold on much longer. If he doesn't receive treatment by tomorrow, he will be in grave danger. Surely you won't just stand by and watch your brother leave you forever!" Anger burned within Anthony, making his tone toward Victoria lose its previous gentleness.

Victoria's beautiful eyes brimmed with mist. Ever since childhood, she had cherished her younger brother deeply. To spare him from bearing too much of the family's heavy burdens, she had resolutely placed the entire weight upon her own shoulders. If she were forced to watch her brother leave her with her own eyes, it would be far more agonizing than her own death. "Anthony, what on earth do you want?"

"Hehe, Victoria, I already said it just now. As long as you leave Rowling and agree to be with me, I guarantee Bill will be safe and sound!" Seeing his beloved on the verge of tears, Anthony felt a pang of sympathy in his heart, but if he did not seize this opportunity to make her agree to his demand, he suspected he would never have another chance.

Victoria's figure trembled. She glanced at Rowling standing beside her, and layer upon layer of ripples stirred endlessly within her heart.