I am the titular elder of Nima

The Five Elements Alchemy Method, in the world of Alchemists, is practically a legendary existence.

Legend has it that it had long since vanished into the river of history.

Even the Five Great Hall Masters only learned a little of its divine mystery from ancient texts.

Now, they actually saw the complete Five Elements Alchemy Method from the two of them.

"The Spirit Essence, it's been completely refined!"

At this moment, a Hall Master pointed at the Pill Furnace, full of disbelief.

Normally, a low-level Alchemist extracting 20% of a Spirit Medicine's Spirit Essence is already very good.

Even for top Alchemists like them, extracting 60% is enough to stand out from the crowd.

However, under the refinement of the Five Elements Alchemy Method, the extracted Spirit Essence reached 100%.

It could be said that, just based on this, Wu Yue and Shi Xiaotian's Alchemy level had already surpassed theirs.

Next, everyone enjoyed a seamless visual feast.

Wu Yue and Shi Xiaotian formed hand seals so quickly that their hands became blurs.

Above the Pill Furnace, morning glow surged, and purple light emanated.

It was clearly Alchemy, yet Wu Yue and Shi Xiaotian had turned it into a display of skill.

Their unique method of extracting Spirit Essence and the Dao of forming Pills left the five people utterly astonished.

Time, unknowingly, passed for two days.

As a burst of Pill fragrance diffused.

Wu Yue and Shi Xiaotian's refining was also nearing its end.

The moment the finished products came out of the furnace!

All Five Great Hall Masters were shaken!

The two Medicinal Pills emitted an ethereal glow, smooth and round, with impeccable quality.

These were definitely Five-Rank Medicinal Pills.

Not only Five-Rank, but also top-grade among Five-Rank Medicinal Pills.

And seeing the two of them looking calm and at ease, it was clear that refining Five-Rank Medicinal Pills was not difficult for them.

In fact, they even wondered if the true level of the two had reached above Five-Rank?

After all, even for them, who had already advanced to Five-Rank Alchemy King thousands of years ago, refining that Medicinal Pill just now would certainly not be this easy.

Jun Xiaoyao suppressed the shock in his heart.

He said, "Congratulations to the two of you for successfully refining Five-Rank Medicinal Pills. From now on, you two are newly promoted Alchemy Kings."

"I wonder if the two of you would be willing to register with my Pill Cauldron Pavilion!"

"After becoming a registered Elder, my Pill Cauldron Pavilion will not restrict your freedom, and will provide a large amount of spirit materials annually. Not only that, but you two will be protected by my Pill Cauldron Pavilion and will have partial rights to mobilize the manpower and resources of the Pill Cauldron Pavilion."

"And the only thing you two need to do is, at critical moments, if new Pill Formulas appear in my Pill Cauldron Pavilion, we hope you can help research and refine them together."

Jun Xiaoyao immediately offered recruitment conditions.

These conditions were indeed generous, showing great sincerity.

Leaving aside other things, just the ability to mobilize some of the Pill Cauldron Pavilion's manpower and resources was a temptation that ordinary people could not refuse.

Wu Yue and Shi Xiaotian exchanged glances, feeling somewhat tempted.

However, they did not agree immediately.

After all, they were currently Disciples of Mufu Peak.

Taking up a position in another Sect would definitely require informing their Peak Master and obtaining his consent.

Wu Yue immediately said, "Please allow us to consider this matter."

"There's no rush for this," Jun Xiaoyao said with a smile, handing them a sound-transmitting Jade Slip.

"This Jade Slip can be used to contact me."

"If the two of you have thought it over, you can give me a reply."

"The doors of my Pill Cauldron Pavilion will always be open for you two."

Wu Yue accepted it.

This made the Five Great Hall Masters rejoice.

Generally speaking, not refusing on the spot and accepting the sound-transmitting Jade Slip usually meant they agreed.

If two Alchemy Kings were to register with the Pill Cauldron Pavilion, the Pill Cauldron Pavilion's prestige would undoubtedly rise further.

For a time, the attitude of the five towards Wu Yue and Shi Xiaotian became extremely enthusiastic.

Two Alchemy Kings, that's how influential they were.

It was worth the five highest-ranking leaders of the Pill Cauldron Pavilion putting aside their status to befriend them.

After some polite exchanges, Wu Yue and Shi Xiaotian walked out of the Danwang Pavilion happily, with the five seeing them off.

However.

At the same time that Wu Yue and Shi Xiaotian walked out of the Danwang Pavilion in high spirits.

On the other side.

Zhong Qing and Zhou Shen were squatting on the steps, sighing deeply.

A gentle breeze blew, making them feel chilly and desolate.

Not far from them, a notice was posted.

The notice displayed the promotion list for this batch of First-Rank Alchemists.

And besides the promotion list, there was another notice, extremely conspicuous.

The notice read—

Examiners Zhou Shen and Zhong Qing, in order to obtain Alchemist qualifications, openly engaged in bribery. Our Pavilion will never tolerate such behavior, and thus has decided to disqualify both of them from the examination, and has posted this notice to warn others.

Zhong Qing sighed deeply.

What was he considered?

Was it like dying before even starting the campaign?

He hadn't even started the examination when this happened.

Was his path as an Alchemist really so difficult?

He couldn't help but look at Zhou Shen gloomily.

"Didn't you say that Third Grade Alchemist was your relative?"

The latter hung his head, not daring to meet Zhong Qing's eyes, and whispered, "Relative is relative, it's just a bit distant. His second aunt's third maternal uncle's fourth cousin's wife's eldest grandson's daughter is married to my cousin."

Zhong Qing's mouth twitched, his composure slightly breaking.

This kinship argument truly opened his eyes.

It was no longer a question of how distant it was.

It was as distant as across the Pacific Ocean.

"Brother, I'm really sorry."

"I also don't know why this happened."

"Originally, I was going to send this gift alone. Under normal circumstances, even if discovered and punished, only I would be punished."

"I didn't expect it to be so strict this year, dragging you into it as well."

"I really didn't want this to happen."

Zhou Shen explained to Zhong Qing with a look of guilt.

It was clear that the deep apology and guilt in his eyes were not fake.

Towards the end, still feeling sorry for Zhong Qing, he gritted his teeth and added, "How about this! I have an old flame, and she has a younger sister who is incredibly beautiful, a true national beauty. I originally had some thoughts about her."

"But given the current situation, I'll introduce her to you!"

"Perhaps this can make it up to you, brother."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Qing's face darkened.

However, after thinking carefully, although this guy was a bit reckless, he was also genuinely kind-hearted.

He shook his head, then waved his hand.

"Forget it!"

"Let's just let this matter go. At worst, we'll try again next time. You don't need to blame yourself."

"Sigh!"

Seeing that Zhong Qing didn't blame him, Zhou Shen looked grateful and tightly gripped Zhong Qing's hand.

"Good brother, you don't blame me even after I've messed things up for you like this. Brother, I really..."

"Brother Zhong Qing, don't worry, I've remembered this kindness. I swear to heaven, in the future, whenever you need me, Zhou Shen, just say the word. I'll go through hell and high water without hesitation!"

Saying that, Zhou Shen raised his hand to swear.

"Alright, don't do that," Zhong Qing rolled his eyes at him and said leisurely, "I don't need anything else. I often smell the aroma of wine in Dan City, so I guess the wine here is pretty good. Treat me to a drink in a couple of days when you're free."

"Brother, it's just drinking, leave it to me. Whatever wine you want to drink, brother will get it for you."

Zhou Shen patted his shoulder and said solemnly.

"Alright, alright, you go take care of your business first, I still have things to do next," Zhong Qing waved his hand and said.

Right now, he just wanted to be alone.

"Okay, then Brother Zhong, you go take care of your matters first. After you're done, I'll treat you to a good drink."

After a long while, under Zhou Shen's grateful gaze, the two finally parted ways.

After seeing Zhou Shen off, Zhong Qing still sat on the steps.

In front of the pavilion, there were many people coming and going.

Many were excitedly overjoyed because they had made it onto the list and were promoted to First-Rank Alchemists.

But people's joys and sorrows are not the same.

Zhong Qing only found them noisy.

Just then, two figures swept across the distant sky and landed in front of Zhong Qing; it was Wu Yue and Shi Xiaotian who had found him.

"Greetings, Peak Master."

Upon seeing Zhong Qing, the two bowed respectfully.

However, as soon as they finished bowing, they were surprised.

Because they felt that their Peak Master's mood was a bit off.

Could it be that their Peak Master had failed the selection?

The two's expressions changed slightly, and they quickly walked up to Zhong Qing.

"Peak Master, what's wrong?" Wu Yue asked cautiously.

Zhong Qing looked up at the two of them, and with a blank expression, pointed at the notice board not far away.

Upon hearing this, the two quickly walked over to look at the bulletin board.

They hadn't looked before.

But once they did, they instantly exploded.

They had originally thought that their Peak Master was disappointed because he had failed the Alchemist examination.

They never expected that his examination qualification had been directly revoked?

What the hell was this!

Although they knew that their Peak Master's Alchemy skills were a bit hard to describe.

But who was their Peak Master?

He was an existence whose cultivation was many times higher than the Eastern Domain's ceiling, someone who could easily handle the Sanyin Realm.

It could be said that whether he could perform Alchemy or not had no effect on an existence like Zhong Qing.

With his cultivation, if he wanted to refine any Medicinal Pill, he could casually grab a Alchemy King from the Pill Cauldron Pavilion to be a laborer, and no one would dare to utter a single word of complaint.

Not to mention, Zhong Qing also held countless Heaven-Defying ancient Pill Formulas in his hands.

It could be said that their Peak Master's desire to perform Alchemy was purely out of interest.

And coming to the Pill Cauldron Pavilion to be assessed for Alchemist status, in their opinion, was an honor for the Eastern Domain's Pill Cauldron Pavilion.

It was one thing that you didn't have everyone in the Pill Cauldron Pavilion line up to welcome him, but you actually revoked their Peak Master's examination qualification?

What was wrong with sending a gift?

Wasn't it a sign of respect for your Dan Zun Pavilion that their Peak Master sent a gift?

"Bah, registering as an Elder, I'll register your mother!"

Wu Yue directly pulled out the sound-transmitting Jade Slip that Jun Xiaoyao had given him earlier from his embrace.