Witnessing Wen Mochen's and Guo Mingxian's intense reactions, Lin Feng's eyebrow arched subtly. Instead of feeling elated, a knot of apprehension tightened in his chest.
Celestial Grade?! What did that mean? Had he gone too far with his results?
While Lin Feng's mind raced, formulating excuses, Wen Mochen abruptly looked up, his gaze sharp as lightning, piercing and intense. A mix of excitement and disbelief colored his question: "You... refined these pills?!"
Lin Feng's heart clenched, but he masked any unease, answering with respectful apprehension: "Replying to Elder Wen, yes. These pills were indeed refined by this disciple just now."
Wen Mochen's question had been instinctive, not born of genuine suspicion. His keen eyes instantly recognized the freshly forged nature of the pills; attempting deception with pre-made pills was impossible before him. Yet, the undeniable authenticity only deepened his shock. He struggled to accept that a Foundation Building stage disciple could produce Celestial Grade pills.
Celestial Grade was a tier beyond the reach or even the knowledge of most low-level cultivators. It stood supreme above Top-Grade, representing the pinnacle of pill quality – pills where the efficacy of the spirit herbs was flawlessly maximized, utterly devoid of impurities, as if crafted by nature itself. Hence, 'Celestial Grade' – what Lin Feng internally termed 'Perfect Quality,' pills with zero flaws.
Achieving a Celestial Grade pill demanded absolute, profound understanding of the pill formula, perfect mastery over every ingredient's properties, and flawless execution of every single step in the refinement process. Generally, alchemists below Tier 4 were considered incapable of producing Celestial Grade pills. While not entirely impossible – a Tier 3 alchemist achieving a miraculous, peak performance might succeed by sheer luck – such occurrences were exceedingly rare, akin to winning a celestial lottery.
If a Tier 3 alchemist producing a Celestial Grade pill could be grudgingly accepted as a one-in-ten-thousand fluke, the notion of a Tier 2 alchemist accomplishing the same feat was something Wen Mochen would have dismissed outright before today. It was an event utterly absent from Lingyue Sect's thousand-year history, unheard of across the entire Xiaguo cultivation world. Yet now, the impossible lay undeniable before his eyes.
Emerging from his stupor, Wen Mochen's face blossomed into an expression of utter delight and satisfaction. He looked at Lin Feng as if beholding a rare treasure and laughed heartily: "Good! Good! Very good!! Your name is Lin Feng? Excellent! Hand me the other bottle you refined."
Accepting the second vial from Lin Feng, he uncorked it and inspected the contents. "Hmm. Seven pills here too, approaching Top-Grade. Also very good. So, you succeeded with two batches? Fourteen pills in total?"
Lin Feng nodded: "Yes, Elder Wen. This disciple is slow-witted. I ruined one batch. These two batches... I exceeded my usual capabilities through sheer luck. Especially that first batch, the one of highest quality... it was the best I've ever produced. At the time... I seemed to enter an indescribable state, and the refinement flowed perfectly. But..." He paused, feigning regret. "...when I tried to recapture that state for the second batch, it was gone..."
Lin Feng had no choice but to desperately concoct an excuse for producing Celestial Grade pills. He inwardly regretted it; knowing how much attention 'Perfect Quality' would draw from the Elders, he should have capped the repairs at standard Top-Grade. While attracting the notice of sect elders wasn't inherently negative, it brought complications he hadn't planned for.
"Do not belittle yourself," Guo Mingxian interjected calmly, his gaze also fixed intently on Lin Feng. "Producing a Celestial Grade pill demonstrates undeniable talent in the Dao of Alchemy. You are far from 'slow-witted'." A wry smile touched his lips. "When we met previously, I perceived nothing. To think our sect harbored such a heaven-sent prodigy, nearly overlooked... Excellent... Truly excellent!"
Both Elders now regarded Lin Feng with the covetous gaze reserved for invaluable treasures – a look surpassing even that directed at Di Xuan or the sect's most outstanding disciples.
Wen Mochen suddenly declared: "You currently serve as the Spirit Beast Garden caretaker? Only an outer disciple?" His tone sharpened. "Tell me, would you be willing to become my personal disciple?"
"Huummm…"
Before Lin Feng could react, the surrounding disciples erupted. Initially stunned by the Elders' fervor, they had been murmuring quietly. But Wen Mochen's pronouncement detonated like thunder. As the Grand Elder, Wen Mochen held an exceptionally high seniority within the sect – one of the few surviving elders from the generation before the current one. Even the Sect Leader addressed him as 'Martial Uncle'. He hadn't taken a personal disciple for decades! If Lin Feng accepted, his status would instantly skyrocket to become the Sect Leader's martial brother, placing him on par with the previous generation of elders. He would be 'Martial Uncle' to every current disciple!
"No... Impossible!!" Di Xuan stared, jaw slack, his mind a whirlwind of denial. "He can't have refined Celestial Grade pills! Absolutely impossible!!"
As the Chief Disciple of the South Courtyard and Zhou Xiantai's personal disciple, Di Xuan knew of the existence of Celestial Grade above Top-Grade. But it was mere legend; even his own master had never achieved it. Now, to be told that Lin Feng, whom he utterly despised, had accomplished this feat? It was unthinkable!
Worse still, the crushing blow: Wen Mochen offering to take Lin Feng as a personal disciple! The implications were horrifying! He, Di Xuan, would have to bow and call Lin Feng 'Martial Uncle'?! Preposterous!! Only a shred of remaining sanity prevented him from lunging forward and screaming 'Absolutely not!'
"..." Lin Feng himself was momentarily stunned, followed by an inward frown. For any other Lingyue disciple, this offer would be a dream beyond imagining. But Lin Feng was different. Frankly, he felt no deep allegiance to Lingyue Sect. He saw himself as a transient, never intending to spend his life here. He was even contemplating leaving soon. How could he possibly become Wen Mochen's personal disciple?
Fortunately, Guo Mingxian stepped in smoothly, rescuing Lin Feng from an immediate response. "Martial Uncle," he addressed Wen Mochen respectfully, "perhaps we should conclude the matter of the trial qualifications first? Lin Feng's situation is... momentous. It warrants discussion with the Sect Leader and the other Elders..."
Wen Mochen recollected himself, realizing his impulsiveness. His expression smoothed into calmness. "Mn. Indeed. Attend to the immediate task first."
After a brief moment of consideration, he lifted his gaze to the assembled disciples. A single glance silenced the buzzing hall instantly. His voice resonated clearly:
"Now, I announce those qualified for the trial: Di Xuan, Feng Chen, Dian Zi, Qin Qi..." He listed seven names briskly, then turned to Lin Feng with a faint smile. "...and naturally, you, Lin Feng. You eight will represent Lingyue Sect at the Blackmist Herb Valley Trial."
The decision was evident; both Elders had already assessed the pills earlier, and Guo Mingxian offered no dissent to the list.
Clearly eager to conclude proceedings, Wen Mochen waved his hand dismissively after the announcement. "That is all. You are dismissed. Those who qualified, return and prepare thoroughly. You depart for Blackmist Herb Valley in ten days!"