"It’s time to form the pill!"

Yuan Rongzhang observed the changes in Chu Ning’s spell, and inferred the progress of his alchemy.

His gaze and mood became increasingly complex.

Based on Chu Ning’s previous series of techniques, he knew that Chu Ning would definitely succeed in refining the Jiuhua Essence Condensing Pill today.

The question was only how high the pill formation success rate would be.

"Condense!"

At that moment on the high platform, Chu Ning uttered a low shout.

His eyes focused as he swiftly cast several spells with both hands.

Instantly, the nine orbs of pill liquid inside the furnace solidified rapidly, transforming into nine round pills.

The speed was far beyond the usual pill formation rate.

In just a few breaths, Chu Ning casually waved his hand, causing the lid of the Alchemy Furnace to fly open.

He began retrieving the pills.

This time, the pills shot out one by one.

However, at this moment, Chu Ning realized something.

After six pills flew out, a slight fluctuation in the magical power from his palm, which was hovering over the furnace, caused the remaining three pills to fall back inside.

Nevertheless, this was enough to astonish the onlookers below, making their eyes almost pop out.

Even Ling Cang stood up directly, his gaze intensely fixed on Chu Ning, who was slowly collecting the pills.

"Six pills! Nine pills formed, and six were successful — over sixty percent success rate!"

His voice held undisguised amazement.

All those present could tell that the Golden Core Elder fully acknowledged Chu Ning’s alchemy technique.

However, no one seemed too surprised anymore.

After all, when Chu Ning began refining the Jiuhua Essence Condensing Pill, Ling Cang had already mentioned its difficulty.

And now, Chu Ning not only succeeded but also exceeded a sixty percent success rate. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Even those who know little about alchemy understood that Chu Ning’s alchemy technique and talent were extraordinary.

The atmosphere was abuzz with discussion.

"This Steward Chu from the Alchemy Pavilion is truly remarkable.

He actually completed the refining of four kinds of elixirs, and each exceeded expectations in success rate!"

"It’s been a long time since our Jiuhua Sect has seen an alchemist with such outstanding talent!"

Amids the discussions, many young alchemists from the Alchemy Pavilion couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.

Since Chu Ning became a steward of the Alchemy Pavilion, receiving praise from disciples of other pavilions and peaks brought them a sense of prestige.

As for Yuan Rongzhang and others, they were rendered completely silent.

Yuan Rongzhang’s expression was impassive, his gaze devoid of any fluctuation.

But anyone could see that this talented alchemist of the Alchemy Pavilion was significantly affected.

Yuan Rongzhang was indeed affected; he spent nearly a decade researching how to refine the Jiuhua Essence Condensing Pill, only managing a fifty percent success rate.

Yet now, after only half a year, Chu Ning achieved a sixty percent success rate.

In terms of time and rate, Chu Ning surpassed him greatly.

Before this, he considered himself the foremost young alchemist in Jiuhua Sect.

His ambition to become the first steward of the Alchemy Pavilion stemmed from his belief that none of the other alchemists could match his talent.

Although He Yanmao’s alchemy technique was slightly superior, the margin was small, and he was nearly a hundred years older.

But now, Chu Ning was not only younger but demonstrably more talented; how could this not greatly impact the proud Yuan Rongzhang?

At this moment though, not many paid attention to Yuan Rongzhang’s expression.

Everyone’s eyes were on Chu Ning, who stepped down from the high platform with four bottles of elixirs, walking towards Ling Cang and the Golden Core Elders with a calm expression.

"These are the four kinds of elixirs I just refined. Please take a look, Elders."

Gong Yuyuan cheerfully remarked,

"We’re not experts on elixirs; Junior Brother Ling, please have a look.

See if I’ve truly brought a genius alchemist into the sect this time."

Ling Cang nodded slightly, taking the four bottles from Chu Ning’s hands.

He opened them one by one according to Chu Ning’s refining order, displaying a pill from each bottle for everyone to see.

Naturally, there were no issues with these elixirs; on the contrary, Ling Cang praised each for its high quality.

However, when he picked up the last Jiuhua Essence Condensing Pill refined by Chu Ning, his gaze suddenly froze, and he exclaimed,

"Intermediate Upper Grade Elixir!"

"What?"

This exclamation left everyone in the arena astonished.

Even Yuan Rongzhang, who had remained silent, now looked at Ling Cang with puzzlement.

"Uncle Master, how can the Jiuhua Essence Condensing Pill be an Intermediate Upper Grade Elixir?"

Saying this, Yuan Rongzhang moved to Ling Cang’s side, peering at the elixir in his hand.

The next moment, he cried out in shock!

"Intermediate Upper Grade Elixir, how is that possible?"

Being an Intermediate Middle Grade Alchemist, Yuan Rongzhang was very familiar with the grades of elixirs.

Though he hadn’t held it directly, he could clearly sense that the aura of Ling Cang’s elixir far exceeded that of the Jiuhua Essence Condensing Pills he typically refined.

It indeed matched the aura of an Intermediate Upper Grade Elixir.

Even Chu Ning was briefly taken aback.