C14 Grade One Rank Seven

As the crowd marveled, Yang Xiao alone, upon hearing Yuu Lezhan's words, couldn't help but furrow his brow. His gaze remained as serene as still water, and he felt little joy. His thoughts were consumed with finding a cure for his sister's illness, even if it was just to provide some relief.

"Humph! This young man seems indifferent to the reward from our Pill Refining Building. Do geniuses always march to the beat of their own drum?" Yuu Lezhan felt a flicker of annoyance at Yang Xiao's reaction.

Yet, considering Yang Xiao's prodigious talent for pill making and his importance to the Pill Refining Building—especially when it was in dire need of such talent—Yuu Lezhan kept his displeasure hidden, maintaining a warm smile as he asked, "Yang Xiao, what do you think? Do you not wish to accept the reward from my Pill Refining Building?"

"No, no, it's just that I'm particularly curious about the Spirit Fire Golden Cauldron; I was momentarily lost in thought," Yang Xiao, adept at reading people, quickly explained, sensing Yuu Lezhan's thoughts.

"Haha, Yang Xiao, there's no need to worry. Just wait a moment, and you'll have the chance to see the Spirit Fire Golden Cauldron of our Pill Refining Building," Yuu Lezhan said with a hearty laugh, clapping Yang Xiao on the shoulder. He then gestured for a Pill Boy to come over and escort Yang Xiao to the third floor, smoothly passing the assessment.

Throughout this time, Yang Xiao's brow remained knitted, his eyes flickering uncertainly.

"Spirit Fire Divine Cauldron... Nine-spirit Fire God Cauldron? I remember my friend's pill furnace from my past life was called the Nine-spirit Fire God Cauldron!" Yang Xiao shook his head as the memory surfaced.

"It's just a similar name; it can't be that much of a coincidence. That guy's Nine-spirit Fire God Cauldron was crafted from the inner pill of an Earth Grade Fire Qilin that we captured together."

His friend cherished that cauldron deeply, never parting with it. How could such a divine artifact end up in the modest Azure Connection City?

With his mind awash with thoughts, Yang Xiao found himself at a loss and decided to put the matter aside for now.

"Young Master Yang, we've arrived at the third floor of the Pill Refining Building," the Pill Boy, who had been leading the way, turned and spoke to Yang Xiao with great respect.

Elder Sheh Cheng'an from our Pill Refining Building is currently on the third floor, awaiting the Pill Refining Masters who have passed their assessments. Young Master Yang, you may find a spot on the third floor to rest for a moment. A brief wait should suffice." The Pill Boy spoke with unwavering respect, his gaze towards Yang Xiao filled with admiration and envy.

"Thank you," Yang Xiao replied, nodding to the Pill Boy. He opened the door and stepped onto the third floor. Upon entering, he immediately noticed the other successful candidates, including Wang Zeyu, who bore him ill will.

Yang Xiao strode past Wang Zeyu, disregarding the hostile glare directed at him, and took in the third floor's surroundings. The third floor was more majestic than the second, with tables and chairs neatly arranged and the decor kept to a simple elegance. Beyond the essentials, there was little else.

Looking up, he saw an elderly man with white hair sitting at the center of the hall, atop a flight of steps. The elder's complexion was healthy, and he appeared to be in his fifties or sixties. His robe was embroidered with a golden medicinal cauldron, surrounded by four intricate patterns.

"A Grade Four Pill Refining Master!"

Yang Xiao withdrew his gaze and settled into a corner seat. His attention was inadvertently drawn to a mural behind the elder, and he began to examine it more closely. The wall displayed an ancient painting depicting a golden-red medicinal cauldron guarded by a qilin, emitting blue flames. Around the cauldron were inscribed various dense and cryptic characters, resembling some sort of arcane incantation.

"Nine-spirit Fire God Cauldron!" Yang Xiao's expression shifted dramatically. He froze, his face a mix of astonishment and uncertainty, his eyes flashing with dark fury.

He hadn't expected his fleeting thought to be accurate. What on earth was that person up to?

Yang Xiao's exaggerated reaction caught the attention of the other candidates who had been conversing nearby.

"How embarrassing! To be so startled in a setting like this."

Wang Zeyu scoffed with a look of contempt on his face. He had been somewhat taken aback that Yang Xiao had managed to pass the second round of the exams, but now he felt that even if Yang Xiao had passed, it was no big deal.

Wang Zeyu believed Yang Xiao's reaction was due to seeing the mural of the Spirit Fire Golden Cauldron in the Pill Refining Building, overwhelmed by its enigmatic presence.

Such a commanding artifact would astonish anyone, even a prince of the Wang family like himself at the sight of this profoundly mysterious mural.

Yet, Wang Zeyu would never let his own astonishment show.

Seeing Yang Xiao, who appeared inexperienced and naive, Wang Zeyu felt a surge of satisfaction. He had reached the third floor of the Pill Refining Building first, and he was certain to outshine Yang Xiao.

The other examinees, while somewhat surprised by Yang Xiao's reaction, didn't dwell on it or offer any commentary.

After all, reaching the third floor of the Pill Refining Building signified that one had passed all its challenges and had become a Pill Refining Master.

Aside from the major families of Azure Connection City, the scions of smaller clans would think twice before offending a Pill Refining Master.

Even though this Pill Refining Master was only at Grade One, who could say what heights he might reach in the future?

"The newcomers need not be astonished! Once all the candidates have gathered, you will have the chance to closely inspect the treasures of our Pill Refining Building," said the elder at the front of the hall, Sheh Cheng'an, addressing Yang Xiao with a smile after his earlier lapse in composure.

"You are correct. My apologies for the outburst," Yang Xiao responded, bowing respectfully. He then took a seat, pushing aside the whirlwind of thoughts in his head.

The sandalwood incense on the second floor had burned down, and the candidates who had passed the second round were now on the third floor, led by the Pill Boy.

As Ye Kaifeng and Zhao Lin walked past Yang Xiao, they slowed their pace, scrutinizing him with a chilling intensity that sent a shiver down one's spine.

True to form, Yang Xiao paid them no heed, as if they were invisible.

Gradually, all the individuals who had passed the examination made their way to the venue. Yuu Lezhan walked in, leading the last successful candidate to the center of the hall.

"Elder Sheh, these are the talented individuals who have passed the Pill Refining Building's examination this time," Yuu Lezhan announced as he approached the middle of the hall and bowed to Sheh Cheng'an, who was seated on the steps.

"We have a total of seven candidates who have passed. They represent the cream of the crop among Azure Connection City's youth, each with exceptional talent, particularly this young man." Yuu Lezhan turned and smiled at Yang Xiao, who was seated in a corner.

"Yang Xiao! This young friend, though just an ordinary member of the Yang family, has achieved remarkable results in the Pill Refining Building's examination. In the first round, he accurately identified two hundred and four types of medicinal herbs in a short time without a single error. Moreover, in the second round, he successfully condensed the pill on his first attempt, and the quality of the pill..."

Yuu Lezhan paused, holding the attention of everyone in the hall, before continuing, "Yang Xiao has crafted a Powerful Strength Pill of Grade One Rank Seven!"

There was a collective gasp in the hall. The examinees and the Pill Boy, who had previously ascended to the third floor, had not witnessed Yang Xiao's pill creation firsthand. Now, they were visibly astonished just hearing Yuu Lezhan's account.

All eyes turned to Yang Xiao, examining him with a mix of surprise and skepticism, as if struggling to accept the incredible news.

Yet, how could the words spoken by Yuu Lezhan himself be anything but true?

"It appears that this batch of examinees is exceptionally talented. Elder Yuu, you've done well. Please, take a moment to rest," Sheh Cheng'an said, nodding at Yuu Lezhan, then shifted his gaze to Yang Xiao, his face creasing into a smile.

"This examination has brought seven new Pill Refining Masters into the fold of the Pill Refining Building. Though the number is smaller than in the past, it is still a fortunate event for us," Sheh Cheng'an remarked, surveying the examinees before adding, "Now, I ask that all the new Pill Refining Masters present the pills they crafted during the examination to me."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the seven adept Pill Boys had prepared their trays and approached the group.

The seven examiners, understanding the protocol, each placed the pills they had refined during the assessment onto the Pill Boys' trays.

Sheh Cheng'an also received the pills from the Pill Boys and scrutinized each one carefully, a flicker of surprise occasionally crossing his eyes.

After some time, Sheh Cheng'an completed his inspection of the pills and rose to his feet. Descending the steps, he smiled and announced, "Now that all of you have passed the Pill Refining Building's assessment, you are officially Pill Refining Masters of our establishment. There are a few matters I need to discuss with you."

Clearing his throat, Sheh Cheng'an paused before adding, "Each new Pill Refining Master at our Pill Refining Building will receive a monthly supply of medicinal ingredients for cultivation, a fact you're all aware of from the time of your examination. The art of pill refining is intrinsically linked to our cultivation level; without an adequate supply of ingredients, how can one hope to advance their pill refining techniques?"

"However, without a certain level of martial arts cultivation, no matter how gifted you may be in pill refining, it will be exceedingly difficult to make significant strides in the art. After all, the process of pill refining also depletes one's Vital Spirit and the power of the soul."

Upon hearing Sheh Cheng'an's words, Wang Zeyu, Ye Kaifeng, and the others exchanged glances, their expressions fluctuating.

They had come to realize that Yang Xiao was no longer the same person they once dismissed as worthless. His transformation was almost too peculiar to believe.

Sheh Cheng'an, the great elder of the Pill Refining Building and a Grade Four Pill Refining Master, had stated that to craft an extraordinary pill, one must possess a certain level of martial arts cultivation.

Yang Xiao had managed to refine a Grade One Rank Seven pill. This surely indicated that Yang Xiao's martial arts cultivation was no longer at the Essence Condensation Stage he had been known for; he must have far exceeded that level. Otherwise, a Grade One Rank Seven pill would be beyond the capabilities of someone at the Essence Condensation Stage.