C10 Passed

Yuu Lezhan perused the scroll on the stone table, and after putting everything in order, he stood up, stretched, and approached the gathered crowd. He began to speak slowly, "Your assessment scores have been documented. I will now read the results of the first round. Those who are eliminated may leave the Pill Refining Building, while those who pass should remain in place for the next phase of the assessment."

With a smile gracing his face, Yuu Lezhan's eyes moved over the diverse group of young men and women before him. He then read from the scroll in his hand, "Duan Ganshi, identified 26 types of medicinal herbs with a 90% accuracy rate. Eliminated!"

A sleazy-looking man among the candidates slapped himself harshly, clearly vexed by the outcome. Dejected, he slowly withdrew from the group and departed.

"Jiang Wanfei, identified 89 types of medicinal herbs with a 100% accuracy rate. Though eliminated, that's quite impressive. You're welcome to try again at the next assessment held by the Pill Refining Building," Yuu Lezhan said, offering an encouraging smile to a frail-looking young man.

The young man's eyes betrayed a flicker of disappointment upon hearing his result. He shook his head, said nothing, and followed the others out.

"Jiang Ya Rou, identified 56 types of medicinal herbs with an 80% accuracy rate. Eliminated..."

A crestfallen girl, upon hearing her name, descended the stairs with all the enthusiasm of a deflated tire.

Yuu Lezhan didn't dwell on those who were eliminated, continuing to read the first round results at a measured pace.

"Luo Yingrui, identified 10 types of medicinal herbs with a 30% accuracy rate. Eliminated."

"Xue Xinrui, identified 101 types of medicinal herbs with a 90% accuracy rate. Passed."

As each score was announced, the young men and women reacted with either jubilation or dejection.

"Wang Zeyu, identified 112 types of medicinal herbs with an 80% accuracy rate. Passed."

Wang Zeyu, standing at the forefront, beamed at the news. He held his head high, surveying the hall with the air of a victor.

"Ye Kaifeng, you've identified 100 types of medicinal herbs with a 70% accuracy rate. You've passed."

"Zhao Lin, you've identified 103 types of medicinal herbs with a 90% accuracy rate. You've passed."

As Yuu Lezhan read out the last few names, it became clear that most of the candidates in the hall had been eliminated. Wang Zeyu and his two companions had all passed the assessment. With the backing of their families, access to ample resources, and the opportunity to learn from experienced elders, they had a significant advantage on the path of alchemy compared to ordinary people.

"The final candidate, and the one with the most outstanding results among the examinees, is Yang Xiao. He has identified 204 types of medicinal herbs, and his accuracy rate is..." Yuu Lezhan couldn't help but smile at Yang Xiao, almost as if he were savoring the moment.

"My goodness!"

"Wow, he's in first place!"

The sheer number of medicinal herbs Yang Xiao had identified was enough to overshadow everyone else in the room. As his score was announced, all eyes turned to him in awe and admiration.

In stark contrast, Wang Zeyu and his companions wore expressions of cold disdain, glaring at Yang Xiao with eyes that seemed to wish him dead. To them, Yang Xiao was now a hundred times more detestable than ever before.

Yuu Lezhan, unable to contain his excitement, beamed at Yang Xiao and declared, "A correct rate of 100%... That's quite an impressive achievement, young man."

The crowd gasped in amazement.

Even the seasoned Pill Boy, who had witnessed many alchemy prodigies, looked on with a face full of astonishment.

"It's incredible! Yang Xiao managed to identify 204 types of medicinal herbs in just one hour!"

"But that's not even the most impressive part! His accuracy rate is a staggering 100%! What kind of extraordinary talent does he possess?"

"His mastery of soul power and Vital Spirit far exceeds ours, which is why he's achieved such a remarkable score!"

The examinees couldn't help but look at the stoic young man with envy.

"This nobody! He actually..." Wang Zeyu and his companions' faces darkened, looking as if they had suffered a great loss, their stares at Yang Xiao growing increasingly malevolent.

"This Yang Xiao must not live!"

This dreadful thought surfaced in the minds of Wang Zeyu and his companions. The Yang family simply could not afford to have someone like him emerge; it would complicate matters significantly.

If Yang Xiao were still the same underachiever with low cultivation as before, Wang Zeyu and his two companions would merely have used him for their amusement. However, Yang Xiao has now demonstrated an exceptional talent for pill refining within the Pill Refining Building. Beyond jealousy, a high-ranking Pill Refining Master is incredibly valuable. Should the Yang family succeed in nurturing such a master, it would spell trouble for the other families.

"Those who have been eliminated, please step forward. It's unfortunate, but don't lose heart. There will be more opportunities in the future. As long as you believe you've improved in pill refining, you are always welcome back at the Pill Refining Building!" Yuu Lezhan addressed the crowd.

Dozens of young people, clearly disappointed, heard these courteous words and felt even worse, but they had no choice but to leave the Pill Refining Building.

"Also, congratulations to those who have passed the first round of assessments. But don't celebrate just yet; the second round will commence shortly," Yuu Lezhan continued.

After a brief pause, once the eliminated participants had departed, Yuu Lezhan turned back to address those who remained. "Now, those of you who have passed, please follow me to the inner chamber on the second floor of the Pill Refining Building for the next phase of the assessment."

Guided by the Pill Boy and Yuu Lezhan, the group quickly made their way to the spacious second floor of the Pill Refining Building. The area, easily 180 square meters, accommodated the bustling crowd without feeling crowded.

Inside the hall, dozens of medicinal cauldrons awaited them. Each bronze, three-legged cauldron was essential for pill refining. Next to every cauldron were two identical sets of herbs and a scale.

For beginners in the art of pill refining, who lack sufficient knowledge, the precise preparation of herb quantities is crucial. The scale becomes an invaluable tool for novices, allowing them to accurately measure and combine herbs, thereby reducing the likelihood of failure.

The two sets of herbs provided were nearly identical in weight, clearly accounting for the likelihood of failure that novices face when refining pills. Thus, each candidate was given two sets of herbs, affording them two attempts at pill refinement.

Should a candidate fail to produce a pill after two attempts, having exhausted all the medicinal ingredients, they would not pass the examination.

Yang Xiao surveyed the equipment and felt as though he was looking at children's toys. In his past life, he had used a Profound Grade Cauldron and exotic herbs to craft Top Grade Pills. The simplicity of the current setup made him somewhat nostalgic.

"This is our venue for the second round of the examination," Yuu Lezhan announced to the group. "Please quiet down, and I will go over the rules for this test."

The murmuring in the hall subsided as Yuu Lezhan continued, "Please follow the Pill Boy and select a medicinal cauldron. If you can produce a qualified pill within half an hour without exceeding the time limit, you will have passed this examination."

"However, if anyone uses up both sets of herbs within half an hour without successfully refining a pill, they should gracefully exit with the Pill Boy and return for the Pill Refining Building's examination once they have improved."

Yuu Lezhan's briefing cast a solemn mood over the candidates. It was clear that the task of refining a pill within half an hour, with only two opportunities available, posed a significant challenge.

Nevertheless, the majority were well-prepared and confident in their abilities.

Take Wang Zeyu and his companions, for instance; they appeared assured of their success. The examination didn't seem overly difficult to them. After listening to Yuu Lezhan, Ye Kaifeng stepped forward respectfully and inquired, "Elder Yuu, I have a question."

Yuu Lezhan gave him a nod. "Go ahead."

"Elder Yuu, as you know, we are all novices, some of us having never attempted pill refining. Could you clarify what constitutes a 'qualified' pill for the Pill Refining Building's examination?"

"Hehe, no need to rush. I'm about to explain that to you," Yuu Lezhan replied with a smile.

Indeed, Elder Yuu's initial explanation of the rules had been rather ambiguous, leaving many beginners wondering how to recognize a qualified pill on their first attempt at refining.

Everyone here should be aware that pills are categorized into ten grades. Grades One through Three consist of common pills that are effective for treating ordinary injuries and ailments. Pills from Grades Four to Six not only heal injuries and illnesses but also aid in personal cultivation. Pills from Grades Seven to Nine are considered Top Grade Pills, known for their life-extending and cultivation-enhancing effects. As for Grade Ten, it is the stuff of legends...

Each Grade One pill is further classified into Low, Middle, and High grades. The distinction between these subgrades is determined by the patterns on the pill. A pill with patterns is High Grade, without patterns is Low Grade, and with some patterns is Middle Grade.

Yuu Lezhan shared his extensive knowledge with confidence.

What I've described are general guidelines. Naturally, finding an alchemist capable of crafting pills from Grade Seven to Nine is no small feat. Such pills are, after all, priceless Divine Medicines, and not even in Azure Connection City can you find a Pill Refining Master who can produce them.

However, rest assured, the standards for today's assessment are not nearly as demanding. The opportunity to craft such Divine Medicines will come only after you've achieved significant milestones in the future. For this assessment, you are simply required to refine an ordinary Grade One pill to pass.

Yuu Lezhan explained with patience.

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in understanding. Yang Xiao was already well aware and was now focused on recuperating from his recent exertions. He began to channel the Four-dragon Ring to absorb the Vital Spirit Qi within the Pill Refining Building.

"Now that everyone is clear on the process, let us officially begin the assessment," Yuu Lezhan announced. With a grand gesture, he signaled the Pill Boy to guide the participants to the medicinal cauldrons.

Yang Xiao chose a quiet corner for himself, but Wang Zeyu and his two companions seemed to intentionally follow and station themselves near him.