Among the Southern Domain faction, the fourth elder narrowed their eyes, scrutinizing Wu Qingfeng several times.
Before departure, the sect master had specifically instructed her to keep an eye on the people from Medicine King Sect, and roughly explained the grudges between Song Wanníng and the Medicine King Sect.
So she was very wary of Wu Qingfeng, fearing he might secretly target Song Wanníng. She had to constantly watch his movements and never give him any opportunity.
…
"Young master Huo, have you spotted any promising cultivators?"
The city lord asked Huo Jinchuan casually.
She was somewhat surprised by the Central Domain's involvement this time. After all, the Central Domain would not open its spatial barriers for outsiders unless the person was exceptionally talented.
"That demon clan young lord looks quite impressive."
Though Huo Jinchuan smiled, there was a trace of aloofness in his eyes.
"And that one too."
He looked at Song Wanníng, a flicker of something unusual in his gaze, then turned to Xiao Heyun. "This one should be quite good as well."
"Oh?"
The city lord raised her brow, surprised.
"Young master Huo says he doesn't know how to refine pills, yet his judgement is so sharp. Doesn't look like someone who can't refine pills…"
As a Alchemy Dao grandmaster herself, she could naturally see the strengths of these three, but Huo Jin Chuan was different…
"I'm just guessing casually, can't be certain."
Huo Jinchuan's expression remained unchanged, so natural it was hard to read.
But since he was likely the future head of the Huo family, he certainly would not be simple.
…
Half an hour passed. The demon clan young master was the first to finish refining his pill, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
He had just finished when Song Wanníng also put out her pill flame, sending a scent of medicine spreading far and wide.
"She didn't cause a furnace explosion?"
One elder joked. At this moment, no one held malice, just surprise.
Xiao Heyun also finished refining and glanced at Song Wanníng, feeling a touch of dissatisfaction. He had only mastered pill refining quickly thanks to the system's rewards, but this woman was truly impressive…
After another incense stick's time, everyone finished refining.
No one had an explosion or failure. All had successfully refined the grade-seven Soul Nourishing Pills.
"The first round of the competition ends here. Next is pill inspection. Please recover and wait for the final results!"
At the steward's order, servants gradually walked onto the stone platforms, placing everyone's pills onto plates and delivering them to the city lord's high seat.
At the same time, these images were clearly displayed in midair, visible to the cultivators watching below.
"Wow, so strong! Five people refined top-grade pills!"
"That demon clan mster lord is amazing. His cultivation is strong enough, but his pill refining is also incredible…"
"Song Wanníng from Guhan Sect surprised everyone. Who said she causes furnace explosions every day? All four of her pills are top-grade!"
"…"
The crowd instantly erupted. Many people had refined top-grade pills this round.
Besides the demon clan young master, Song Wanníng, and Xiao Heyun, the other two were disciples of Medicine King Sect.
Lu Yi and Wu Feng did not refine top-grade pills, but their quantity was sufficient to secure their place in the next round.
Below the stage, Wu Qingfeng and an elder from Canglan Sect looked extremely displeased.
Song Wanníng and Xiao Heyun were so powerful. It was infuriating!
"The results of this round are out. Only fifty cultivators proceed to the second round. Those who failed, please leave the stage!"
With the announcement of the list, many cultivators lowered their heads, dejected, and stepped down. But participating was an honor in itself. Thinking this way, most snapped out of their disappointment and stayed to watch the competition.
The remaining cultivators took their pills and continued recovering their spiritual energy. After an incense stick's time, the second round began.
"The second round requires all participants to refine an eight-grade breakthrough pill using the materials on the stage!"
At the steward's announcement, the crowd immediately stirred, even the cultivators on stage were startled.
Breakthrough pills were highly difficult to refine and could help cultivators break through to the next stage. One necessary herb was Xuanji Grass, which grew only in the harsh conditions of Cangshan Pass and was extremely rare.
Considering all factors, breakthrough pills were very precious and never sold externally. Materials were provided, but refining required many spirit stones and master pill refiners. This clearly reflected the intentions of the Central Domain representatives. They seemed unwilling to waste time.
Among the fifty cultivators on the platforms, the majority were humans. Only one half-beast remained from the beast clan, and seven from the demon clan. Many looked solemn, clearly inexperienced with breakthrough pill refining.
"Song Wanníng, don't think you can snatch the legacy that belongs to Medicine King Sect and become champion. As long as we are here, you won't!"
The platforms shrank closer, and two Medicine King Sect disciples moved nearer to Song Wanníng. They had expected to eliminate her in the first round, but she had refined top-grade pills too. They were very dissatisfied, convinced that Song Wanníng had stolen the Alchemy Dao legacy. If the legacy were theirs, they would be invincible with no rivals.
Their words were meant to shake Song Wanníng's mindset and cause her to make mistakes…
But Song Wanníng glanced at them as if they were clowns and returned to her pill refining. Her calm, indifferent demeanor made the two suddenly feel a chill in their hearts.
They exchanged a look and silently focused on refining. "Those two Medicine King Sect disciples aren't bad either. This Alchemy Dao competition really produced some talents."
The city lord rested her chin on her hand, her gaze sweeping over the five who refined top-grade pills.
The top three were probably among these five.
Then she looked at the half-beast with a faint smile.
Beasts were just here to fill quotas. They never made it to the finals. This time, one half-beast making it to the second round was already rare.
After all, most beasts just ate herbs directly and few understood pill refining.
"They won't make it."
Huo Jinchuan suddenly spoke, his tone decisive.
"Oh?"
The city lord looked up at him in surprise, amazed at his certainty.
"To you, their levels seem close, just a matter of who performs better."
"Why are you so sure, young master Huo?"
Her eyes flickered with interest.
Huo Jinchuan remained expressionless and said lightly, "Just a feeling."
"…"
The city lord lost interest immediately. If she believed that, she would be a fool. It seemed he had some special method…
She stopped speaking and focused all her attention on Song Wanníng and the other two. She was curious to see if Huo Jinchuan's "feeling" was correct.
Meanwhile, Song Wanníng carefully combined the herbs in order. She controlled the pill flame and meticulously separated the ingredients, not daring to make the slightest mistake.