520: Chapter 520 Spirit Ascension Secret Technique

"This Medicinal Pill was originally of the fourth-grade middle-tier..."

Hearing the Yun Family Elder's words, the entire venue fell silent.

Admittedly, every Elder present could refine a fourth-grade high-tier Medicinal Pill. However, elevating a fourth-grade middle-tier pill to high-tier was no ordinary feat.

To put it bluntly, some of the Elders present had not even mastered such a technique.

After the silence, the Gongsun Family Elder stood up in shock. "You've come into contact with the Spirit Elevation Method?!"

Light also burst forth from the eyes of the other Elders.

This was the core of the Spirit Pill Hall, one of the primary reasons it could stand tall within Great Qian without being replaced.

The Ascension Spirit Secret Method was an Alchemy secret method that made all Alchemists green with envy. However, it was too difficult and required so much Comprehension Ability that even those who knew of it could not learn it.

With such high barriers to entry, learning the Ascension Spirit Secret Method granted one the qualification to compete for the position of the next Hall Master in the Spirit Pill Hall.

The Mu Family Elder believed that he could not elevate the grade of a Medicinal Pill himself.

He never expected that a junior would actually learn the Ascension Spirit Secret Method, which even he had failed to master.

The Mu Family Elder indignantly questioned Pill Minister, "Hall Master, you must give everyone an explanation. To learn the Ascension Spirit Secret Method, one must surely make a certain level of contribution to the Spirit Pill Hall, right?

Not only that, to learn it, one even needs to leave their Family and become a direct descendant of the Spirit Pill Hall.

Yet Jiang Ning satisfies neither of these, let alone both simultaneously."

"Exactly!" The Xu Family Elder also had a gloomy expression. He had coveted this secret method for a long time, but unfortunately, he simply could not leave his Family. "Hall Master, this is an abuse of power for personal gain."

The Elders of the other families also looked toward Pill Minister.

The Ascension Spirit Secret Method involved too much and was far too enviable. If Jiang Ning could learn it, did that mean they could as well?

Pill Minister smiled and said, "What young friend Jiang learned is not the Ascension Spirit Secret Method. Do you all remember back during Pill Minister's year of the Newcomer Examination, when we made an exception and used a simplified version of the Ascension Spirit Secret Method to test comprehension?"

With Pill Minister's reminder...

Everyone suddenly realized.

The Yun Family Elder nodded. "That year indeed. I didn't serve as a judge, but my Qingqing participated in that session. I originally thought Pill Minister would dazzle the whole place, but who knew a Jiang Ning from the outer regions would suddenly emerge..."

Yun Qingqing also said, "Gongsun Wangyue and Xu Sheng also participated in that session. If you don't believe me, you can ask them."

Xu Sheng opened his eyes, looked around, and seeing that no one was asking him to speak, closed them again.

Gongsun Wangyue let out a sigh.

It was only when this was mentioned later that he realized that was the Ascension Spirit Secret Method. His Family Head had asked him to write down the simplified version, but because his direction of comprehension was wrong, what he wrote down was also incorrect.

In the end, he could only sigh inwardly at having missed out on a great Opportunity.

Now, no one in the room spoke.

Using the simplified Ascension Spirit Secret Method for the examination was something they had all collectively approved. At the time, they felt that using it for testing was too difficult and that none of those youngsters would be able to comprehend it. They also thought that if someone did manage to comprehend it, they might be able to benefit from it too, right?

As it turned out... it was instead obtained by a kid from the outer regions.

Seeing this, Pill Minister continued, "Once the academy is established, the Ascension Spirit Secret Method will be placed in the Library Pavilion. Students or teachers who meet the criteria will be able to learn this technique.

Furthermore, there will be no requirement to leave one's Family and join the Spirit Pill Hall's direct lineage."

At this moment, the meeting hall became terrifyingly quiet once again.

What did this mean?

It meant that as long as one joined the academy, anyone would have the chance to learn that supreme Alchemy secret method!

This time, the two Elders from the Xu and Mu families, who had always been opposed to establishing the academy, fell into deep thought.

The Gongsun Family Elder gritted his teeth.

This Pill Minister was using such a good thing to entice people. And those two old dogs from the Xu and Mu families—has a Ascension Spirit Secret Method you haven't even obtained yet already made you lose your resolve?

Pill Minister continued at this time, "The establishment of the academy is a matter of great urgency. Before this afternoon's meeting began, I had already decided that no matter how many people disagree, even if only the Spirit Pill Hall is willing to do it, I will do it.

The Spirit Pill Hall still holds some prestige in Great Qian. Although I am old, I still have the energy to serve as a teaching instructor and mentor a group of students...

I cannot watch as the Third Prince divides the Alchemists and ultimately threatens the development of the Alchemy world."

Listening to Pill Minister's tone, everyone knew he had made up his mind.

The Gongsun Family Elder still wanted to try one last time, so he gritted his teeth and said, "Establishing an academy requires a lot from every Family, especially the Noble Families behind the Elders present.

In my opinion, why not bring out the Ascension Spirit Secret Method first to help everyone recover some Origin Qi? That way, everyone can put more heart and soul into setting up the academy, right?"

Elder Gongsun had tied all the Elders together in his argument.

Hearing his words, none of the Elders present spoke up, waiting instead for Pill Minister's response. If possible, wouldn't it be a huge gain to get the Ascension Spirit Secret Method right now?

Pill Minister said very firmly, "Elder Gongsun, do not say such things again. Placing the Ascension Spirit Secret Method in the academy as a reward is already a radical move on my part.

If you do not agree, then suit yourself. You will remain an Elder of the Spirit Pill Hall in the future, but you are not to involve yourself in the academy's affairs."

Elder Gongsun gave a forced smile. "It was merely a suggestion. If the Hall Master feels it is inappropriate, then we won't do it."

Was he joking? The Ascension Spirit Secret Method was being placed in the academy; this might be their only chance to ever touch it. If they didn't join the academy and others learned it while only the Gongsun Family didn't, could the Gongsun Family maintain its current status?

Besides, if everyone else joined the academy and only the Gongsun Family didn't, even though he'd still be an Elder, wouldn't he be isolated from everything involving the academy?

Elder Gongsun shot a look at the Mu Family Elder.

Elder Mu stood up, cupped his fists, and said, "Hall Master, I will report the matters of this afternoon truthfully to the Family Head. As for the specifics, the Family Head will have to make the decision."

The Xu Family Elder also nodded.

Pill Minister said with a smile, "It's fine as long as there's an answer tomorrow. The academy's business cannot be delayed. Being one step slow might mean being slow in everything."

Jiang Ning hadn't expected that a single Ascension Spirit Secret Method could change the minds of Elders from such great Noble Families as the Gongsun Family.

The preciousness of this secret method needed to be reconsidered.

At the same time, Jiang Ning felt even more respect for Pill Minister.

He had given such a secret method to him just like that, even if it was only the simplified version.

Next...

The meeting touched upon some of the academy's rules.

This was why Pill Minister had called Jiang Ning here.

Jiang Ning spoke to everyone according to what he had planned.

At first, the Elders didn't pay much attention to Jiang Ning's words, but the more they listened, the more interesting they found it.

Especially the measure within the academy to discard Spirit Stone currency in favor of 'Academy Credits'; it not only increased the academy's cohesion but also made the academy's resources more valuable.