“What?”
“Is this matter true?”
Sure enough, as soon as these words were spoken, the eyes of several Foundation Establishnt Elders lit up.
Elder Han stroked his beard and laughed.
“No wonder Qingwu, you wanted to fight for another Foundation Establishnt opportunity for your disciple… I observed the entire process last ti. Your disciple was only one step away from success—condensing divine sense… With this attempt, his chances are not small.”
Floating Cloud Daoist, however, shook his head.
“We are discussing the True Disciple of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation. May I ask Fellow Daoist Qingwu—since Five Dragons Child has already cultivated divine sense, why is he still only a Quasi–Second Tier Pill-Refining Grandmaster?”
Qingwu’s expression imdiately turned sowhat unsightly.
“My disciple failed in Foundation Establishnt, and recuperating from his injuries consud quite a bit of effort and spirit stones. Fortunately, by a stroke of fortune, he comprehended the subtleties of divine sense… Even so, he has had less than a year to improve his pill-refining skills. Thus far, he has only successfully refined one furnace of ‘Bone Spirit Blood-Exchange Pill.’ But recently, he has been studying the ‘Flesh-Regrowing Bone-Renewing Pill.’ With one or two more furnaces, he will surely succeed!”
Although divine sense greatly reduced the difficulty of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation, it was not omnipotent.
For example, ever since Fang Qing cultivated divine sense, refining First-Tier pills had been nearly a guaranteed success.
Even with a brand-new pill formula, after studying it briefly, he still had several chances of grasping it.
But the difficulty of Second-Tier pills far exceeded that of the First Tier.
Even with the assistance of divine sense, one had to fail multiple tis before possibly succeeding in a single batch and grasping the underlying patterns.
Five Dragons Child had originally invested his entire fortune into the Foundation Establishnt Pill.
After his failure, he had to recuperate, consuming a large amount of spirit stones.
He simply could not gather enough materials for repeated practice, causing his pill-refining progress to remain slow.
To this day, he was still only Quasi–Second Tier.
In fact, even the materials for this Quasi–Second Tier advancent only ca after he cultivated divine sense.
Qingwu, who had originally planned to withdraw his investnt, was overjoyed and continued funding him.
But no matter how one put it, Five Dragons Child was only Qingwu’s disciple, not his biological son.
Qingwu would never invest his entire fortune.
Or rather, in Qingwu’s view, Five Dragons Child’s only opponent was Gong Susu.
Since both were Quasi–Second Tier, with divine sense as his advantage, he would surely prevail.
There was no need to invest further.
Floating Cloud Daoist sighed, knowing Gong Susu’s hopes were slim.
If Zha Zhu were still here—with her talent…
His heart darkened, yet he still had to fight for Gong Susu once more.
After all, Gong Susu had not cultivated divine sense.
For her to successfully refine a furnace of Second-Tier pills, the resources required would be several tis—even ten tis—that of Five Dragons Child!
Such resource expenditure was certainly beyond the ans of a re Qi Refining disciple.
It would inevitably require assistance from her Foundation Establishnt master, Floating Cloud Daoist.
The sunk cost was too high.
Even he felt the strain.
“In that case…”
Elder Heavenly Cauldron swept his gaze across the group, preparing to make a decision.
He did not particularly care whether it was Floating Cloud Daoist or Qingwu.
Whoever succeeded among Pill Island’s disciples would still fall under his wing.
It was just that this generation of disciples truly lacked excellence.
This was not a difficult Dao like the Formation Path.
If a Quasi–Second Tier pill master beca True Disciple, others would have nothing to say.
But if Pill Island’s disciple passed the assessnt and beca True Disciple with rely Quasi–Second Tier pill-refining skills, Wanbao and Tianxing would surely mock Pill Island for having degenerated into a haven for Loose Cultivators.
At that mont, a spirit talisman flew in and landed before Elder Heavenly Cauldron.
He glanced at it and suddenly smiled.
“Everyone, a disciple of Pill Island has applied for the Second-Tier Pill Master assessnt… This matter must be postponed for now.”
“What?”
Elder Han, Floating Cloud Daoist, and Pill Master Qingwu were all shocked.
“Which disciple? Applying for assessnt only now?”
Floating Cloud Daoist exchanged a glance with Elder Han.
Both thought: ‘This montum is fierce—it is clearly aid at the True Disciple position…’
“A re Qi Refining disciple dares to take the Second-Tier Pill Master assessnt.
Is he qualified?” Floating Cloud Daoist said displeased.
“Island Lord, we should first settle this quota.”
“Since the spirit talisman has arrived, he is clearly qualified.”
Elder Heavenly Cauldron smiled faintly.
“Pill Island’s First-Tier Top-Grade Pill Master Fang Qing has already paid sufficient spirit stones and contribution points. Since we are all gathered, we may as well observe and judge.”
For a Second-Tier Pill Master, it could no longer be evaluated by just one examiner.
According to Pill Island’s rules, at least three Second-Tier Pill Masters must observe the refinent.
Of course, if Elder Heavenly Cauldron personally presided, he alone would suffice.
It could only be said that Fang Qing had chosen an excellent mont.
Otherwise, who knew how long he would have to wait for an assessnt?
“Fang Qing?”
Floating Cloud Daoist’s expression shifted slightly.
The na felt strangely familiar.
He glanced around and found Qingwu and Elder Han similarly affected.
Especially the latter—he even tugged off a strand of beard, looking full of regret.
…
Monts later.
Pill Hall.
Streams of Escape Light descended, focusing on the blue-robed youth.
“You are Fang Qing? Only at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining?”
Floating Cloud Daoist frowned, exuding invisible pressure.
“That is correct.”
Fang Qing cupped his hands in salute.
“I did not expect that my Second-Tier assessnt would draw so many martial uncles and seniors.”
“Haha, you are fortunate. I had just summoned the various parties to discuss important matters.”
Elder Heavenly Cauldron laughed.
“Since I am present, the spirit herbs in Pill Island’s treasury may be supplied to you for the assessnt… You must refine three types of Second-Tier pills. Each type grants only three attempts. Do you understand?”
“Yes. I intend to refine the ‘Flesh-Regrowing Bone-Renewing Pill,’ the ‘Qi-Replenishing and Blood-Generating Pill,’ and the ‘Spirit-Feeding Pill’!”
The first two were used by Foundation Establishnt cultivators to heal injuries.
As for the ‘Spirit-Feeding Pill,’ it was suitable for Second-Tier Demonic Beasts.
If a First-Tier Demonic Beast with exceptional talent consud it regularly, it could increase its chances of breaking through to the Second Tier.
By his estimation, it was most likely ant for those Horned Serpents.
“Very well!”
With a wave of Elder Heavenly Cauldron’s sleeve, a massive green cauldron spirit artifact appeared, carrying Fang Qing to a mountain peak.
After the restrictions were opened, two spring eyes appeared within, arranged in the form of Taiji—one scorching hot, the other bitterly cold.
“This is the ‘Cold–Hot Twin Springs,’ ranked Second-Tier Mid-Grade…”
Another Foundation Establishnt Elder personally delivered the raw materials.
“Fang Qing… you may begin.”
“Yes.”
Fang Qing cupped his hands once more.
Then, as though ignoring all the Foundation Establishnt Elders, he took up the jade box containing the ‘Flesh-Regrowing Flower’ and tossed it into the cold spring.
Over these past years, relying on the vast resources he had previously amassed, he had rented the sect’s Second-Tier spirit pool and completed nurous Second-Tier refinents.
Of course, publicly he had declared them failures or claid to have only refined First-Tier pills.
But now, he no longer concealed his abilities.
With his other hand, he grabbed the Bone-Renewing Grass and imrsed it into the hot spring.
“Dual refinent of cold and heat?”
Elder Han’s eyes remained fixed on Fang Qing’s technique.
“I did not expect that in just a few short years, this boy’s pill-refining skills would improve to such a degree… His Water-Control Technique already faintly carries the charm of Nine Dragons United.”
“No… Dual refinent of cold and heat requires not only Water-Control Technique, but also extre precision. It is exceedingly difficult… unless…”
Floating Cloud Daoist’s divine sense stirred.
Under his perception, the blue-robed youth likewise released divine sense, assisting in water-controlled refinent.
“As expected, to dare take the Second-Tier assessnt, he has cultivated divine sense.”
Elder Heavenly Cauldron nodded in satisfaction.
With him present, the other Foundation Establishnt Elders would only observe with divine sense and would not dare interfere secretly to cause failure.
‘As I divined before, today is greatly auspicious—suitable for assessnt and pill refinent. Indeed, it was not false.’
Since Fang Qing had chosen to display his talent, he had naturally made preparations in advance.
Several days later, a ‘Flesh-Regrowing Bone-Renewing Pill’ successfully ford.
The Foundation Establishnt Pill Masters sitting cross-legged around the spirit springs nodded slightly.
Seeing this, Qingwu’s heart imdiately sank to the bottom of the sea…
…
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
At the foot of the mountain.
Two graceful won stood side by side, gazing toward the summit.
“Fang Qing… I truly did not expect that a Mid-Grade Water Spiritual Root could attempt the Second-Tier Pill Master assessnt.”
Gong Susu sighed deeply.
As a Quasi–Second Tier Pill Master who had successfully refined one type of Second-Tier pill, she knew best the difficulty of the assessnt—it was a chasm she did not even dare to hope to cross.
It had been she who suggested Fang Qing co to Pill Island.
Who would have thought that the forr fisher youth would achieve such heights?
And the Zha Zhu she had favored had perished early.
It could only be said that fate toyed with people to such an extent.
“Senior Sister, do not be too sad. The one most upset is over there!”
Hua Lingsu, with a red silk ribbon at her waist, pointed not far away.
There stood a cultivator with five dragon patterns embroidered on his sleeve—Five Dragons Child!
Compared to before, however, his features appeared far more weathered, as though he had stepped into middle age.
“Yes. There is news that previously, when many Second-Tier Pill Masters gathered, he was nearly decided upon already.”
Thinking of this, Gong Susu realized she never truly had a chance.
Strangely, she felt less sorrowful.
“Haha… It is quite amusing. Five Dragons Child has already cultivated divine sense. But with insufficient spiritual resources—and believing he would easily defeat Senior Sister—he did not push his pill-refining skills to the limit. Otherwise, if he too were a Second-Tier Pill Master, who would beco True Disciple would truly be uncertain.”
Hua Lingsu chuckled softly, lowering her voice.
“Whether Fang Qing can truly pass certification remains to be seen.” Gong Susu shook her head.
The Second-Tier assessnt was extraordinarily difficult.
Even their master, Floating Cloud Daoist, occasionally ruined several batches of spirit pills in succession.
Not far away.
Five Dragons Child slowly clenched his fists within his sleeves.
“Fang Qing… it is you who blocks my Dao path?”
“You possessed such pill path potential and such wealth… yet during the ti of the Five Dragons Society, you did not empty your coffers to aid . Simply… simply… your heart deserves death!”
Yet no matter how he hated, he could only swallow it and secretly pray for Fang Qing’s failure.
He knew well how difficult refining Second-Tier pills was.
Even a Second-Tier Pill Master could stumble.
As long as Fang Qing failed, he would remain the favored candidate for True Disciple!
But unfortunately, Fang Qing knew that his standards were perhaps still lacking a sliver of luck to be a true Second-Tier Pill Master.
Thus, he had specially divined before choosing this day to act.
After an unknown span of ti, Sound-Transmitting Talismans suddenly flew down from the peak.
Five Dragons Child quickly reached out to grab one, only to hear:
“Pill Island disciple Fang Qing has passed the Second-Tier Pill Master assessnt and will be recomnded by Pill Island to participate in the sect’s True Disciple assessnt…”
“No!”
Five Dragons Child’s face alternated red and pale.
Suddenly, he threw back his head and spat out a mouthful of blood essence like mist…
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