Meanwhile, the Fourth Elder kept praising Lu Yi and Wu Feng, not blaming their mistakes at all. Instead, she acknowledged their progress.
The two blushed, standing obediently behind, waiting to see Song Wanníng claim first place. The Fourth Elder glanced at Lu Yi. This kid had changed a lot recently. Because of his decent talent, he had always been quite arrogant, often looking down on others. Now he seemed much more honest, the stubbornness in his eyes almost gone, replaced by steadiness.
She smiled and looked back up at the stage.
At this moment, the three contestants were sitting cross-legged in meditation, but her eyes focused solely on Song Wanníng.
Whether or not Song Wanníng won first place, she was a rare talent for the Guhan Sect. If she didn't already have a master, no doubt the Grand elders would have fought to recruit her.
...
The final round began swiftly.
"To decide the champion, the last round requires refining a Tenth Grade Spirit-Refining Pill."
The official arranged the medicinal materials again. His words made the audience gasp.
Tenth Grade Spirit-Refining Pill?!!!
They were raising the stakes big time.
Everyone knew a Tenth Grade Spirit-Refining Pill was worth a fortune and extremely rare on the market. Even Alchemy grandmasters could not guarantee success every time.
Above the Tenth Grade pills were only the Super-grade pills.
Was this request too harsh?
As the official's words ended, Song Wanníng and the demon clan young master exchanged surprised looks.
None of the three had ever refined a Tenth Grade pill before.
"Damn it, system, does this city lord have a screw loose? Asking for a Tenth Grade Spirit-Refining Pill, why doesn't she just steal one?!
I almost couldn't refine a Ninth Grade pill, and my Junior Sister's favorability is on the brink. Now I'm supposed to refine a Tenth Grade? Are you trying to speed up the drop in favorability?!"
Xiao Heyun's face darkened as he vented his frustration at the system.
Even making the top three was useless. Xie Qinglan's favorability had not increased at all and was even starting to drop.
He felt dizzy with anger.
Favorability was too important; he desperately needed to raise it!
"Host, favorability is not the most urgent matter. The priority now is to find a chance to kill Song Wanníng! As long as she exists, you will be suppressed. She is your arch-enemy!"
At first, the system only sensed something was off. Now it fully realized Song Wanníng was different.
Whenever faced with her, the system's aura was ineffective. The usually smooth-running host was now experiencing setbacks and bad luck. The system was certain it all revolved around Song Wanníng. She had to be eliminated!
"Hmph, I would kill her even if you didn't tell me!"
Xiao Heyun snorted coldly, a flash of deadly light in his eyes, but he forced himself to suppress the murderous intent.
Meanwhile, Song Wanníng and the demon clan young master's expressions shifted slightly. They could only do their best now...
Soon, the three began refining their pills.
Song Wanníng first studied the Tenth Grade Spirit-Refining Pill formula repeatedly, but did not rush to refine. Instead, she ran simulations in her mind.
Only after every step was etched into her Primordial Soul did she begin.
Countless eyes watched them, many placing bets on who would become the champion.
Most bet on Song Wanníng since her early performance was undeniable. Unless something went wrong, she should at least reach the threshold of a Tenth Grade Spirit-Refining Pill.
The demon clan young master maintained his usual calm and effortless demeanor, as if nothing was difficult and everything could be solved with a flick of the wrist.
Just watching him made people feel confident in his success. His movements flowed like running water, and his handsome appearance combined with strong cultivation attracted many women. Unfortunately, he was from the demon clan, so people only dared to glance secretly.
Minutes ticked by, then suddenly there was a loud explosion on the stage. Someone's furnace blew up. Watching the flying lid, Xiao Heyun froze for a moment, then flushed with embarrassment.
The acrid smell poured out with a black smoke that engulfed him, making him look even more miserable.
As expected, the system immediately reported: "Current target Xie Qinglan's favorability decreased by 5. Current favorability is seventy-six. Host, keep going."
Xie Qinglan's glowing image of a strong figure shattered again and again, now nearly dropping below passing level.
Xiao Heyun began to break down. No matter how hard he tried, why did he feel like a joke?
Xie Qinglan's favorability should have been maxed out. He was supposed to "eat and grab everything," destined for the top...
Why?
Xiao Heyun's face twisted. At that moment, his state of mind faltered.
The crowd below noticed this. Gu Yan, who had been quite pleased before, suddenly looked grim. Xiao Heyun making the top three had already saved some face for Qingyun Sect, and Gu Yan was satisfied.
Especially since the Canglan Sect disciples were already eliminated. He had been furious when Xiao Heyun advanced. But now, with Xiao Heyun failing and losing his composure, it was not a good sign.
Gu Yan immediately sent a cold voice to Xiao Heyun's ear, snapping him out of confusion. Xiao Heyun suddenly came to his senses, realizing he was sweating profusely and his spiritual power was wildly surging. He immediately calmed down and suppressed his spiritual power.
"Tsk tsk, failing pill refining and nearly going insane. I don't think he's anything special!"
A Canglan Sect elder smirked with schadenfreude.
"I thought he was ruthless, but he's no better than the rest. Our Canglan Sect disciples dying by his hand was just a misunderstanding!"
His eyes flashed sharply. If Xiao Heyun hadn't disguised himself to deceive them, those disciples wouldn't have died.
Gu Yan's cold gaze cut like a blade. The two exchanged harsh words, only increasing Xie Qinglan's disappointment.
Especially when comparing to Song Wanníng and the demon clan young master's calm and effortless appearance, Xie Qinglan's lofty image crumbled bit by bit.
She had always thought her senior brother was amazing, able to solve any problem and turn danger into safety. It seemed like anything in his hands became easy...
But now, when did her senior brother become like this?
He kept making mistakes, sneaked into secret realms in the Southern Domain, and was hunted everywhere. Now he failed pill refining and nearly went insane...
Is this really her senior brother?
Xie Qinglan felt confused.
She kept feeling her senior brother was someone else.
While favorability kept dropping, Xiao Heyun had no time to care.
He still trembled with lingering fear. If he had truly gone insane earlier, it would have been over. Looking at the failed pill, he no longer struggled and simply admitted defeat. No one was surprised by this result. Few even paid attention to him anymore.
Xiao Heyun was nearly furious.
He had planned to make a splash at the Alchemy Contest, to become famous throughout the cultivation world.
Now it was all ruined!