Exiting the room, Lin Feng noticed the main hall was already filled with people waiting, and he seemed to be the last one out.
Most in the hall stood in small groups, whispering among themselves. Some wore expressions of excitement, others disappointment—much like students emerging from an exam hall. When Lin Feng appeared, several heads turned his way, some eyes flashing with mockery or disdain.
"Junior Brother Lin! You're finally out!" Only Fei Biao moved towards him with genuine warmth, concern in his voice. "Why did it take so long? Did things not go smoothly? How many pills did you manage to refine?"
Lin Feng smiled. "It went alright. I ruined one batch, and the other two weren't full yields. In total, I refined fourteen viable pills. Senior Brother Fei, how about you?"
"Fourteen is respectable..." Fei Biao patted Lin Feng's shoulder consolingly before sighing. "I did a bit better. I ruined one batch too, but I got nineteen viable pills. Sadly, most were only mid-grade, some even low-grade... just three were high-grade... Sigh! Looks like I've got no chance..."
"Hmph! Failing one batch out of three when refining mere Grade 2 Spirit Nurturing Pellets? With such pathetic skill, you still dare dream of competing for a trial spot? Aren't you ashamed? Scram back to tending those spirit beasts! Maybe if you grovel hard enough, your elders will pity you with another Snow Seed Pellet!"
This cutting remark came from Di Xuan, who had been watching Lin Feng since he emerged. His voice was deliberately loud, drawing everyone's attention. His disdainful gaze was fixed on Lin Feng—clearly harboring deep animosity and determined to humiliate him publicly.
Fei Biao had long sensed Di Xuan's hostility towards Lin Feng. While he felt it unjust, he dared not openly side with Lin Feng against the influential Chief Disciple of the South Courtyard. Instead, he shot Lin Feng a subtle warning glance, urging him to endure the provocation and not retaliate.
Lin Feng merely offered a faint smile, utterly unfazed by Di Xuan's barb. He found it almost amusing. Di Xuan had initially seemed composed, yet beneath the surface lay such pettiness and childish reliance on taunts for satisfaction.
Abruptly, all murmuring ceased as heads swiveled towards a side entrance. Wen Mochen emerged from the passage leading to the main hall. Beside him walked a white-robed elder with greying hair—Guo Mingxian, the East Courtyard Elder Lin Feng 'knew'. They had met during the Shadowfang Direwolf's advancement, where Elder Guo had gifted him two Snow Seed Pellets.
It seemed Wen Mochen hadn't stayed throughout the competition. After overseeing the initial phase, he had left Xu Huaishan and others in charge, returning only now that time was up. Elder Guo, it appeared, had simply chosen to observe this year's results out of casual interest.
"Elder Wen, Elder Guo." Xu Huaishan stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Elder Wen, all participants have completed their refinement and exited on time."
"Mn." Wen Mochen gave a slight nod. "Have them present their refined pills in order. Elder Guo and I will review them to decide who qualifies for the Blackmist Herb Valley Trial."
"Yes." Xu Huaishan acknowledged, then moved to organize Di Xuan and the others. Meanwhile, Wen Mochen and Guo Mingxian seated themselves on chairs provided by nearby disciples.
...
The thirty-nine competing disciples began queuing up to present their freshly refined pills for the two Elders' inspection. Though no formal order was dictated, deference naturally placed Di Xuan and the other strongest contenders at the front. Fei Biao and Lin Feng found themselves at the very end once more.
Watching the leading senior brothers present high-quality pills one after another, Fei Biao sighed, his face etched with frustration. "Sigh! I was too naive. How could I hope to snag a trial spot by luck? Look at them—most refined high-grade pills, even top-grade! And they succeeded with all three batches! Someone like me will probably be dead last..."
Lin Feng also observed the proceedings ahead. Smiling, he offered comfort: "Don't lose heart, Senior Brother Fei. Participating itself is valuable experience. And if either Elder offers even a single piece of advice, wouldn't that be a tremendous gain?"
He noticed the Elders weren't merely checking pill quality. Occasionally, they offered brief pointers. Their expertise in alchemy was astounding; just by examining the pills, they could pinpoint exactly where a disciple had faltered during refinement. For inner disciples who often received guidance, these pointers might be routine. But for the few outer disciples present, including Lin Feng and Fei Biao, such advice was an invaluable rarity.
"Ah, you're right, Junior Brother," Fei Biao said, his naturally cheerful disposition reasserting itself. "I was being narrow-minded. Hah... you certainly have a clearer perspective!" He looked back towards the front, musing aloud, "I wonder which eight will get the trial spots..."
"Eight?" Lin Feng blinked, confused. "I thought it was ten spots? Why eight?"
"What? You didn't know?" Fei Biao glanced at him in surprise, then explained: "There are ten trial slots. But two are already pre-assigned—to Zhou Mingluo, Chief Disciple of the North Courtyard, and Zhu Jie, the Sect Leader's second disciple. Both are at the first layer of Golden Core! Naturally, they don't need to compete in our contest. So, the spots decided here are only eight."
"I see..." Comprehension dawned on Lin Feng. Though he'd been at Lingyue Sect for half a year, he'd spent most of that time secluded in his 'territory' in the back mountains cultivating. He knew little of internal sect affairs. He barely knew half the South Courtyard disciples, let alone those from the other three courtyards. Names like Zhou Mingluo and Zhu Jie were completely new to him. But it confirmed his impression: Lingyue Sect boasted at least four disciples among the current generation at the Golden Core realm. Truly befitting a Tier 4 Alchemy Sect. For its disciples, cultivation was undoubtedly smoother, largely free from the scarcity of essential pills that plagued others.
...
During Lin Feng and Fei Biao's quiet exchange, the line ahead had dwindled significantly. The first to present were Di Xuan and three other Great Perfection of Foundation Building disciples. Their pills visibly pleased the two Elders. Afterward, however, the Elders' expressions largely resumed their placid detachment as subsequent batches failed to evoke much reaction.
Soon, only Fei Biao and Lin Feng remained. Fei Biao stepped forward nervously, presenting his pills. The Elders barely glanced at them, neither showing a flicker of interest. Only Elder Guo spoke briefly as he handed the pills back: "When refining Frostvein Grass, don't over-purify it. The Moonshine Blossom requires finer purification."
"Thank you for your guidance, Elder Guo!!" Fei Biao's eyes lit up with excitement. He bowed deeply, clutching his pills thoughtfully as he moved aside. Participants were allowed to keep the Spirit Nurturing Pellets they refined—for personal use or to exchange for sect contribution points—a small perk of competing.
With Fei Biao gone, Lin Feng stood alone before the Elders. He bowed respectfully: "Disciple Lin Feng greets the two Elders."
Seeing Lin Feng, Guo Mingxian's eyebrows rose slightly. "Oh? It's you?"
Wen Mochen looked at him questioningly. "What is it?"
"Haha, nothing." Guo Mingxian smiled. "He's the current Spirit Beast Garden caretaker. I met him during the Shadowfang Direwolf's advancement not long ago. Hence my slight surprise." He studied Lin Feng with renewed interest. "Hmm, not bad. You've already reached the eighth level of Foundation Building... Did you consume all the Snow Seed Pellets I gave you?"
Lin Feng replied respectfully, "Yes, Elder Guo. This disciple's aptitude is mediocre. Reaching the eighth level was only possible thanks to the Snow Seed Pellets gifted by yourself and the Vice-Sect Leader."
"Mn. While Snow Seed Pellets are potent, it's best to use them sparingly." Guo Mingxian's initial surprise faded. He nodded, returning to the matter at hand. "Present the pills you refined."
"Yes." Lin Feng complied, producing two pill bottles. He offered them with both hands. "These are the Spirit Nurturing Pellets this disciple refined. Please examine them, Elders."
"Mn... Hmm?!"
Wen Mochen and Guo Mingxian hadn't paid much attention initially. However, as the bottles came into clearer view, their eyebrows simultaneously shot upwards. Their eyes widened almost imperceptibly, flickering with disbelief. Then, as if choreographed, both hands darted out—reaching for the same bottle held in Lin Feng's right hand.
Wen Mochen was fractionally faster. He 'snatched' the bottle, uncorked it instantly, and poured the contents into his palm.
Seven pills tumbled out. Three of them were crystal-clear, faintly glowing, emanating an immediate, intoxicatingly pure fragrance that seemed to fill the entire hall. Almost everyone present caught its scent.
The sight of these three pills caused Wen Mochen and Guo Mingxian's eyes to bulge. They stared, momentarily stunned, as if struck by profound shock.
After several heartbeats of silence, both Elders exclaimed simultaneously, their voices resonating with awe:
"CELESTIAL GRADE!!"