Chapter 151: The Highest Honor
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
At first, when Wang Qian used his specialized pill-forging technique, everyone was certain he would be the ultimate victor. However, as Mu Ye began her unusual maneuvers, doubt crept into their minds. Could Mu Ye really pull off a miracle?
If Yu Zhao could hear their thoughts, she would have confidently assured them: Mu Ye can do it.
Several hours passed, and finally, the alchemy furnace in front of Mu Ye stopped spinning. A thin layer of sweat covered her face, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes shone with a brilliance that was hard to miss. Her appearance alone told everyone watching that she had accomplished her goal.
The elders of the Green Wood Sect were as anxious as cats on a hot tin roof, eager to reveal the results of the assessment.
Bang!
Suddenly, the furnace of a disciple from the Pill Hall exploded without warning. The crowd glanced at the scene before quickly looking away. As the assessment neared its end, furnace explosions had become almost commonplace. Of the more than four hundred disciples who started, fewer than two hundred remained.
In this atmosphere of high anticipation, Elder Luo stepped onto the sect’s central square once more.
“The assessment time is up. All disciples, cease your pill forging.”
As soon as he spoke, Elder Luo waved his sleeve, and an invisible force swept across the square. For those disciples who had made mistakes and hadn’t finished their pill forging, the spiritual flames in their hands were forcibly extinguished. Some sighed in frustration, while others appeared triumphant.
Throughout the entire process, Wang Qian had been focused on his pill forging and was unaware that Mu Ye had also employed a special method. Glancing at Mu Ye from head to toe, he mocked her with an air of superiority.
“Mu Ye, from now on, when you see me, remember to bow deeply and respectfully address me as the Young Sect Master.”
Mu Ye rolled her eyes. She had been forging pills nonstop for an entire month without rest, and she had no desire to speak, especially not with an idiot.
Wang Qian ground his teeth in frustration. “Mu Ye, I’ll let you enjoy your moment of glory for a little longer. Soon enough, you won’t be laughing.”
“If you’re sick, go see a doctor. Don’t come here and act crazy.”
“You—” Wang Qian started, but was immediately cut off by Elder Luo’s sharp gaze.
“Silence,” Elder Luo commanded.
Wang Qian immediately shut his mouth, silently cursing Elder Luo for his favoritism. He vowed that once he became Sect Master, he would make that old man guard the gates every day.
“Sect Master, elders, the Pill Hall disciple assessment is now complete. We will proceed with the second part: the pill evaluation.”
Just because a pill has been forged doesn’t mean it’s successful. The quality of a pill is judged by its color, fragrance, and potency, among other factors. Pills are then categorized as superior, medium, or inferior. A skilled alchemist can even determine the pill’s quality just by its appearance.
Thus, the evaluation phase was a critical part of the assessment.
“Number Three, Chengdao, step forward and present your pill.”
Numbers One and Two had failed due to various issues, so the first to present their pill was the disciple at station number Three.
Chengdao placed his freshly forged pill on a white jade tray, walking forward with careful, measured steps, holding the tray up with a slight tremor.
“Sect Master, elders, please observe. This is the Blood Replenishment Pill, a third-grade pill that I have forged.”
His hands shook slightly, causing the smooth pill to roll gently around the tray, producing a faint clinking sound. The elders on the high stage nodded silently. Although Chengdao was clearly nervous, it hadn’t affected his performance too much. The pill’s smooth rolling on the tray indirectly proved that it was of decent quality; at least, it hadn’t turned out misshapen or rough.
“Chengdao, your assessment grade is: Upper-Middle.”
After a brief exchange through voice transmission, the Pill Hall elders delivered their judgment.
“Thank you, elders,” Chengdao exhaled in relief.
He knew he couldn’t compete with the prodigious talents of Junior Sister Mu Ye or Senior Brother Wang, so receiving an Upper-Middle grade left him satisfied.
“Senior Brother Cheng actually got an Upper-Middle grade this time! His herb allowance for the next year is secured!”
“Senior Brother Cheng’s abilities have always been strong. He only performed poorly in the past because of nerves.”
“Senior Brother Cheng is amazing!”
The disciples who had failed the assessment looked at Chengdao with envy. The assessment results directly impacted the benefits they received within the sect. Those who failed the assessment would see a reduction in their herb allowance and time to rent the alchemy rooms for the next year.
“Qi Miaomiao, Lower-Middle.”
“Bai Zhou, Lower.”
“Lin Lang, Lowest.”
One by one, the disciples from the Pill Hall presented their pills. As more and more disciples finished, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
Elder Wang wanted to smile and act relaxed, but as long as Mu Ye stood on the same level as Wang Qian, he couldn’t find any joy in the situation. What on earth was Mu Ye up to? Could her little tricks pose a threat to Qian’er?
“Number 438, Wang Qian, step forward and present your pill.”
Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived. All eyes were on Wang Qian as he stepped forward.
With a smirk, Wang Qian tapped his furnace with his right hand. A single, perfectly round, gleaming pill flew out and landed steadily on the tray in his left hand.
Everyone’s eyes widened in shock.
The other disciples had each forged between seven and twenty pills per furnace, but they had never seen a situation where only a single pill emerged from an entire batch of ingredients.
The elders on the high stage, however, reacted much more enthusiastically. Though rare, it wasn’t unheard of to produce only one pill from a batch. In such cases, all the essence of the herbs would be concentrated into that one pill, dramatically increasing its potency and value.
And Wang Qian’s pill had undergone a secondary refinement process, making it even more potent.
Before Wang Qian could introduce his pill, one of the more impatient elders used his spiritual power to lift the pill, bringing it closer for a detailed examination. The other elders quickly gathered around, expressions of amazement on their faces.
The pill emitted a rich fragrance, was smooth and round, and even had a unique glow to it—there was no doubt it was a superior-grade Blazing Fire Pill.
For these elders, forging a pill of similar quality wasn’t difficult. But for Wang Qian, who was only in the late Foundation Establishment stage and had previously shown weaker results, this achievement was extraordinary.
“I believe Wang Qian’s grade this time should be classified as Highest.”
“Agreed.”
“Agreed.”
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
Elder Wang wanted to grin, but he didn’t want to appear too smug, so he settled for a twitching smile. The last time anyone received the grade of Highest was over 120 years ago. Now that Qian’er had been awarded this grade, who in the sect could dare say he was inferior to Mu Ye?
“Elder Lotus, what is your opinion?”
“I have no objections.” Elder Lotus sighed inwardly. Wang Qian’s performance was undeniable; even if Mu Ye lost, it would be a fair defeat.
“Sect Master, what do you think?”
Since the position of Young Sect Master was at stake, the elders didn’t dare make the final decision without the Sect Master’s approval.
Sect Master Wu Sang smiled serenely and nodded in agreement, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Wang Qian, your assessment grade is: Highest.”
Whoosh—
The entire square erupted in noise. Tian Han and Guo Ming En, Wang Qian’s closest followers, hugged each other in excitement. By some stroke of luck, they had managed to latch onto the future Sect Master’s coattails. Their days of prosperity were just around the corner!