The sound of applause was still echoing through the stands when Grand Master Sun Wei raised his right hand once more. Silence then fell like a heavy curtain, instant and absolute.
He remained at the center of the arena, his silver-gray robe rippling slightly in the wind. His voice, amplified by Qi, resounded clear and authoritative.
"First phase concluded. Now begins the second phase."
He paused briefly, allowing anticipation to build.
"In this phase, the focus is not only on individual quality. It is efficiency, speed, and complete mastery of the refinement process."
"You will have total freedom to choose what to produce. Any pill, of any rank, as long as you use exclusively the ingredients that the Circle of Clouds will provide."
A murmur of surprise and excitement spread through the stands. Total freedom was something rare in competitions of this level.
Sun Wei continued, raising his voice just enough to reinforce the gravity.
"The rules are simple."
