C134 Continue the Test

"Senior Sun, how did my Qi Returning Pill turn out this time?"

Lin Xuan's calm voice carried through the air.

"Excellent!"

"It's flawless!"

Sun Jingyun and Zhang Qun responded, their faces beaming with smiles.

Their gaze upon Lin Xuan had shifted from one of seniority to one of equal respect and awe. Despite Lin Xuan's youth, his mastery in the Pill Dao was on par with theirs, perhaps even surpassing them.

They realized they could no longer view Lin Xuan through the same old lens.

"With a single set of ingredients, you've produced three sets of pills, each with the Third Pattern. Your achievement is truly exceptional!"

Sun Jingyun then declared in a resonant voice.

"Lin Xuan, congratulations on passing the assessment. From this moment forward, you are a Mortal Rank Advanced Pill Refiner."

The others, still engrossed in their pill refining, looked on at Lin Xuan, exhaling sighs of envy.

But envy was all they could offer.

Lin Xuan had demonstrated his genuine skill in pill refining for all to see.

Lacking his abilities, they knew they had to practice even harder.

"Thank you, Senior Sun," Lin Xuan responded.

After a brief pause, he continued,

"Senior Sun, I'd like to proceed with the assessment for the Spiritual Rank First Class alchemist badge. I hope I can count on your assistance once more."

His words set off a buzz among the crowd.

"He's just completed the Mortal Rank Advanced Pill Refiner assessment, and now he's aiming for the Spiritual Rank First Class alchemist assessment. Isn't that quite a leap?"

"Indeed. The Spiritual Rank alchemist exam is significantly more challenging than the Mortal Rank. And we're talking about the highest tier, the First Class!"

"Still, for a top-tier alchemy prodigy like Lin Xuan, it might not be out of reach."

"You have a point there."

The crowd murmured among themselves, their eyes wide with astonishment as they watched Lin Xuan.

But after witnessing Lin Xuan's prowess, skepticism gave way to silence; no one dared to scoff any longer.

Sun Jingyun, momentarily taken aback by Lin Xuan's request, managed a wry smile and nodded.

"With your exceptional alchemy talent, you are certainly qualified to challenge the Spiritual Rank First Class Pill Refiner exam."

"The assessments in the Spiritual Rank examination area haven't concluded for the day. You've still got time."

Judging by Lin Xuan's adept performance in concocting the Qi Returning Pill, it was clear that his Pill Dao expertise was on par with theirs, if not superior. He undoubtedly possessed the skill level of at least a first-class Spiritual Rank alchemist.

Yet, upon learning that Lin Xuan was set to take the exam, it dawned on them that he might soon join their ranks as a peer in the upper echelons of Spiritual Rank alchemists.

Sun Jingyun and Zhang Qun experienced a mix of emotions at this prospect.

Nevertheless, Lin Xuan's alchemy talent was exceptional, far outstripping their own. They wouldn't dare cross him; instead, they were intent on fostering a strong rapport.

They wouldn't dream of causing any delay.

Without hesitation, Sun Jingyun spoke up.

"Zhang Qun, keep an eye on the assessments here. I'll escort Fellow Lin to the Spiritual Rank Assessment Area and fill him in on the details."

"I'll return shortly."

"Go ahead."

Zhang Qun gave a nod of approval.

"Let's be on our way."

With that, Sun Jingyun placed the three Qi Returning Pills into a jade vial before addressing Lin Xuan.

The Alchemists' Guild supplied the materials, yet the finished products were the property of the Guild.

Lin Xuan observed in silence, offering no comment.

He then followed Sun Jingyun out through a large door at the rear of the space.

The crowd gradually regained their composure and resumed their pill refining.

The inner sanctum of the Alchemists' Guild was a maze of complexity, its size dwarfing that of the external world by more than tenfold.

As Lin Xuan accompanied Sun Jingyun, he was struck by the sheer expanse of the place, reflecting on it inwardly.

Passing through various chambers, they occasionally encountered other alchemists.

Lin Xuan wasted no opportunity, discreetly assimilating their techniques.

Before long, Sun Jingyun led him into an even more expansive space, dwarfing the previous one.

At the far end stood ten pill furnaces, overseen by two venerable elders and a number of Guild deacons.

"We've arrived at the Spiritual Rank Assessment Area," Sun Jingyun murmured to Lin Xuan before approaching the elders.

Lin Xuan followed quietly, nodding subtly in acknowledgment.

Lin Xuan didn't need Sun Jingyun to introduce him; he had already figured it out.

Behind them, there were only two individuals engaged in pill refining.

One was Mo Ruyan, the Middle Class Spiritual Rank Pill Refiner he had encountered outside the Alchemists' Guild. A Pill Dao Genius, she was undoubtedly undergoing the assessment for Spiritual Rank First Class Pill Refiner.

The other was a middle-aged man with a hint of age in his appearance.

Lin Xuan realized this was the site of the assessment.

The two elders overseeing the examination each bore a silver Pill Tripod and a five-pointed star on their chests, clearly marking them as Earth Rank low grade alchemists.

Lin Xuan felt a sense of familiarity with these two elders.

One was Master Ren Yuan, who had previously stepped forward to resolve an issue outside the Guild.

The other bore a resemblance to Mo Ruyan, likely her grandfather, Master Mo.

His attribute panel appeared before Lin Xuan's eyes in an instant.

Upon inspecting the panel, Lin Xuan's expression shifted subtly. Master Mo's abilities were on par with Master Ren Yuan's.

He certainly wasn't going to overlook Master Mo.

Approaching within ten meters of them, he made his move.

"100,000 energy points expended, duplication successful, [Spirit Grade alchemy talent] acquired."

"100,000 energy points expended, duplication successful, [Spirit Grade Cultivation talent] acquired."

In a mere moment, he had copied the two coveted treasures.

Considering the ongoing pill refining assessment, the crowd was large and the mix of auras complex.

Plus, with his talents already ranking high, his actions went undetected.

Without hesitation, he utilized his new gains.

"Congratulations, Host, your alchemy talent has been enhanced!"

"Congratulations, Host, your cultivation talent has been elevated!"

A warm surge coursed through his body.

Lin Xuan felt his physique and mental clarity improve significantly.

"Is it still not enough for a level-up?" he mused to himself.

Dismissing the thought, he turned his attention to Mo Ruyan, who was focused on her pill refining nearby.

He observed her process intently.

Instantly memorizing and understanding the technique, he found it remarkably straightforward.

"In both Pill Dao and Martial Tao, the greater the talent, the better."

Lin Xuan sighed inwardly, yet his eyes sparkled with delight. His Pill Dao talent, now enhanced by the fusion of three Spirit Grade essences, along with numerous Superior and Top Grade elements, made him exceptionally formidable. While he hadn't ascended to the even higher Level 1 Profound Grade, he was already among the elite within the Spirit Grade. At a minimum, he could effortlessly qualify as a Spiritual Rank First Class alchemist, securing ample resources for his cultivation.

Meanwhile, Sun Jingyun had briefed Masters Ren Yuan and Mo on the developments.

"Is what you're telling us the truth?" Master Mo's voice quivered with the question, betraying his profound astonishment. "Every word I've spoken is the absolute truth, not a shred of falsehood," Sun Jingyun asserted. "I've brought the evidence with me." With that, he presented a jade bottle.

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