182: There is never a shortage of geniuses

Jiang Donghua stood on the high platform, his gaze sweeping across the entire Alchemy Hall, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Hundreds of Alchemist apprentices were currently undergoing one of the most important assessments of their lives.

“Tsk, at least half of this batch can step into the threshold of a First-Grade Alchemist.”

He thought to himself.

After all, those who could stand here were all seeds that had gone through layers of screening, so they naturally possessed talent, but some lacked a bit of luck or their on-the-spot performance wasn't stable enough.

In the hall, people had successively succeeded in refining the windwalk pill. The moment the pill took shape, expressions of ecstasy appeared on their faces, and some were even so excited that their hands trembled, almost dropping the pill on the ground.

“Heh, their mentality is still a bit lacking.”

Jiang Donghua shook his head.

But soon, his gaze was attracted by another group of people, the failures.

“Bang!”

With another muffled sound, a Medicine Cauldron in a certain corner exploded, black smoke billowing out. An apprentice, his face charred, stared blankly at the third batch of medicinal ingredients he had ruined.

“It's over, it's all over!”

He muttered to himself, his face pale, his legs weakening, almost collapsing to the ground.

Jiang Donghua frowned slightly.

“All three batches of medicinal ingredients failed, so he can only wait until next year.”

He wasn't surprised. After all, the difficulty of the windwalk pill was evident: an unfamiliar Pill Formula, strict control over the heat, plus the sensitive properties of wind-attributed medicinal ingredients. It was indeed not something everyone could succeed at on their first try.

“Talent, sometimes, really isn't something that can be compensated for by effort.”

His gaze shifted, looking at the apprentices who were still struggling to persevere.

Some were drenched in sweat, their fingers trembling slightly, yet they gritted their teeth and controlled the flames. Some had focused eyes, repeatedly adjusting the rhythm of the liquid medicine's fusion, afraid of failing at the last moment.

“There are a few good prospects, though they are a bit slow, their steadiness is a strength.”

Just then, a figure caught his attention.

It was a slender young man, standing in the corner, his movements unhurried. The flames in his Medicine Cauldron were terrifyingly stable, as if everything was under his control.

“Hmm?”

Jiang Donghua narrowed his eyes.

This young man was even calmer than Lin Chen!

“Interesting.”

Just as he was about to take a few more glances, a clear, cold voice suddenly sounded beside him.

“Jiang Donghua, what are you looking at?”

Ice Red, the Elder, had appeared beside him at some point, her gaze following his.

Jiang Donghua smiled slightly.

“Elder, I found a little guy even more interesting than Lin Chen.”

Ice Red, the Elder, raised an eyebrow, her gaze falling on the young man. After a moment, she said faintly.

“His name is Ye Han, recommended by the Law Enforcement Department. It's said that his Soul Power is naturally different from ordinary people.”

A hint of surprise flashed in Jiang Donghua's eyes.

“Another genius?”

Ice Red, the Elder, subtly curved her lips into a faint smile.

“It seems this assessment is much more interesting than I imagined.”

Jiang Donghua looked at the gradually quieting Alchemy Hall, a slight smile playing on his lips.

“Time's up!”

Ice Red, the Elder's, clear, cold voice echoed through the hall, carrying an undeniable authority.

However, no one in the hall was still refining; they had either succeeded long ago or had exhausted all three batches of medicinal ingredients and left dejectedly.

The remaining apprentices stopped their actions, carefully placing their refined pills on the table, awaiting the final inspection.

“Let's go, let's see the results of these little guys.”

Mo Xuan, the Elder, stroked his beard, saying with a smile.

Jiang Donghua nodded, following the three Elders as they slowly descended the high platform, his gaze sweeping over the nervous faces.

“Heh, that saves trouble.”

He chuckled inwardly.

With their eyesight, they didn't need to inspect carefully; a quick glance was enough to determine if the pill's quality was up to par.

After all, the three Elders were all Fifth-Grade Alchemists, and although Jiang Donghua was young, he was a genuine Fourth-Grade Alchemist!

“windwalk pill, average quality, barely Passed.”

Ice Red, the Elder, spoke faintly, her fingertip lightly tapping. A surge of Soul Power swept over the pill. After confirming it, she moved on to the next person.

“Hmm? This one is quite good, the pill's aroma is restrained, and the heat control is excellent.”

Mo Xuan, the Elder, picked up a pill, nodding with satisfaction.

Jiang Donghua also followed, his gaze quickly scanning the pills.

“This one won't do. The medicinal power is scattered, and the heat was too strong. Failed.”

He shook his head, directly announcing the result.

The apprentice's face turned pale, his fists clenched, but he could only lower his head and accept it.

Soon, they arrived at Lin Chen's table.

Ice Red, the Elder, stopped, her gaze falling on the cyan pill, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.

“windwalk pill, with nascent pill patterns, top quality.”

She spoke faintly, her tone cold, yet unable to conceal her appreciation.

Jiang Donghua also leaned closer to look, unable to help but raise an eyebrow.

“Tsk tsk, to produce pill patterns on the first refinement, that's truly impressive.”

Lin Chen's expression was calm; he merely bowed slightly.

“Thank you, Elder.”

Ice Red, the Elder, nodded gently and continued to move forward.

However, when they arrived at Ye Han's table, Jiang Donghua's gaze suddenly sharpened.

On the table, a windwalk pill lay quietly.

“Two pill patterns?!”

Mo Xuan, the Elder, exclaimed in surprise.

Ice Red, the Elder, also showed a rare hint of astonishment. She reached out, picked up the pill, examined it carefully for a moment, and then slowly said.

“windwalk pill, two pill patterns, supreme quality.”

The entire hall instantly erupted in an uproar!

Two pill patterns!

This meant that Ye Han's Alchemist talent was even more terrifying than Lin Chen's!

Jiang Donghua stared at Ye Han, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

“Jia Nan Academy truly doesn't lack geniuses!”

The assessment concluded quickly in a few minutes. As Ice Red, the Elder, announced its end, the atmosphere in the entire Alchemy Hall suddenly became tense.

All the apprentices' gazes were fixed on the three Elders, awaiting the final results.

Those who had successfully refined pills had expressions of anticipation and apprehension on their faces.

Those who failed could only leave dejectedly, silently remembering their lessons, waiting to try again next year.

Ice Red, the Elder, slowly walked to the center of the high platform, her gaze like frost, sweeping across the entire hall.

“In this assessment, a total of 887 people participated, with 496 qualifiers.”

Her voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

“From today onwards, you are First-Grade Alchemists.”

As her words fell, a cheer erupted in the hall.

The apprentices who had successfully advanced were ecstatic, some even with reddened eyes.

After all, the identity of a First-Grade Alchemist, in Jia Nan Academy and even across the entire continent, signified an elevation in status and resources.

However, Ice Red, the Elder's, next words made everyone's emotions tense up again.

She paused slightly, her gaze sweeping through the crowd, finally landing on Lin Chen and Ye Han.

“True geniuses are never satisfied with merely qualifying.”

The entire hall instantly fell silent.

Jiang Donghua stood to the side, a slight smile on his lips, observing everyone's reactions with interest. The upcoming announcement was the real highlight.

“The first place in this assessment goes to Ye Han.”

Ice Red, the Elder's, gaze fell on Ye Han.

The entire hall erupted in an uproar!

Although many had already guessed, when Ice Red, the Elder, actually announced it, it still caused a commotion.

After all, a windwalk pill with two pill patterns was something even many Second-Grade Alchemists might not be able to refine!

Ye Han's expression was calm; he merely nodded slightly, seemingly unsurprised by this result.

“Second place, Lin Chen.”

Ice Red, the Elder's, gaze turned to Lin Chen.

Lin Chen's expression remained indifferent, but Jiang Donghua keenly noticed that his fingertips tightened for an instant.

Clearly, this former genius was not accustomed to being surpassed.

“The top ten can enter the Scripture Pavilion to choose one low-tier Xuan-rank cultivation method or one low-tier Xuan-rank Combat Skill.”

At these words, the entire hall boiled over again!

Scripture Pavilion!

That was the foundation of Jia Nan Academy!

Even the lowest-tier Xuan-rank cultivation methods, if placed outside, would be enough to cause small families to fight over them.

And Xuan-rank Combat Skills were even more coveted by countless cultivators!

Jiang Donghua looked at the excited apprentices, chuckling inwardly.

“Indeed, resources are the best motivation.”

His gaze swept over the faces of the top ten. Besides Ye Han and Lin Chen, there were a few other promising prospects. Although they couldn't compare to these two monstrous talents, they were still trainable individuals.

“Tomorrow at Chen Shi (7-9 AM), gather in front of the Scripture Pavilion. No waiting for latecomers.”

After Ice Red, the Elder, finished speaking, she turned and left, with Mo Xuan, the Elder, following with a chuckle.

Jiang Donghua, however, took one last look at Ye Han and Lin Chen, a playful glint in his eyes.

“Interesting. It seems the days ahead won't be boring.”