As the competition time passed, one participant after another began to form their pills.
Instantly, the competition grounds were filled with the aroma of medicine, though the quality of the scents varied.
Half an hour later, time was up, and an elder delivered the successfully refined pills to the judging panel.
Out of ninety-five participants, only twenty-eight managed to form pills within the allotted time, with most producing only one or two.
The three judges evaluated the pills while someone nearby recorded their assessments.
First, the Third Elder offered his evaluation, followed by Chairman Lin, and then Ling Luoyi.
"Although they are all Grade 1 pills, the quality is truly poor. They contain too much medicinal poison, making them essentially waste pills," Ling Luoyi commented, picking up another medicine bottle and examining it.
Hearing Ling Luoyi's words, Chairman Lin couldn't help but explain, "Young Miss Ling, the current general quality of pills is medium grade, and this is already quite good."
"It's precisely because the requirements are constantly lowered that the quality of pills deteriorates. The more medicinal poison a pill contains, the less effective it is, which is why alchemists' status has been declining," Ling Luoyi stated incisively.
Chairman Lin frowned. He understood the earlier part of her statement, but what did the last sentence mean?
"Young Miss Ling, alchemists have always been highly respected. How can their status be low?"
Ling Luoyi looked at Chairman Lin, pursed her lips, and said, "If Chairman Lin intends to remain in the Tianwu Kingdom, you don't need to know these things. However, if you plan to travel to the central or inner regions of the Ancient Spirit Continent, or even the Tianxuan Domain, you must understand that what you know now is far from enough."
Chairman Lin still didn't understand and said, "Young Miss Ling, please be more direct."
"These matters are not mine to disclose, but since Chairman Lin has asked, I will offer a word of caution. Chairman Lin, is the president of your Alchemist Guild headquarters still a Grade 9 alchemist? How long has it been since he advanced?"
Chairman Lin was astonished. "There are levels above Grade 9 alchemist?!"
Ling Luoyi was not surprised. If she hadn't traveled to the Ancient Xuan Continent, she too would not have known that there were higher realms above the Upper Realm.
"Of course. The Grade 1 to Grade 9 pills we currently refer to are merely mortal-grade pills. Above them are the Illusion Grade and Grand Illusion Grade."
"Young Miss Ling, you are indeed not simple."
"Chairman Lin, let's just leave it at that."
Although they were speaking, their hands did not stop their work.
The Third Elder also overheard their conversation. He understood the earlier part but found the latter part rather confusing.
The Third Elder opened another medicine bottle and, upon seeing its contents, exclaimed joyfully, "Young Miss Ling, Chairman, this participant has refined three pills, all of medium grade quality."
"Three pills?!" Chairman Lin was also surprised. Generally, it was considered genius if one batch of ingredients could yield two pills.
"Chairman, please look."
Chairman Lin took the bottle and indeed, it was true.
"Elder Xie, who is this participant?"
The participants' medicine bottles were presented on trays, with their names on them, so Elder Xie knew who it belonged to after a glance.
"Chairman Lin, this is Ling Li's."
"Ling Li?!" Chairman Lin and the Third Elder looked at Ling Luoyi in unison.
Ling Luoyi spread her hands and said, "I haven't touched this medicine bottle yet, so don't accuse me of favoritism."
"Young Miss Ling thinks too much," Chairman Lin said with a smile, but he did not hand the bottle to Ling Luoyi.
The twenty-odd medicine bottles were processed in no time, and the subsequent rankings were no longer their concern.
A moment later, Elder Xie took the stage to announce, "This alchemist selection process has now concluded. The first place goes to Ling Li, with three Grade 1 Body Tempering Pills of medium grade quality..."
Elder Xie announced ten names in succession, stated the assembly time and location, and then stepped down.
Ling Luoyi had already left after Elder Xie took the stage and was waiting by the entrance.
A short while later, Ling Li emerged and, upon seeing Ling Luoyi, rushed over.
"Luo'er, did you hear? I'm first place!" Ling Li was extremely excited and gripped Ling Luoyi's hand with considerable force.
"Aunt, I heard," Ling Luoyi replied, not pulling away and allowing her to hold on.
"Luo'er, if my master knew, would he also be very happy?" Ling Li couldn't help but cry when she mentioned her master.
"Aunt, let's go back first. Grandfather said he'd visit the clansmen in a couple of days. You can visit your master then too."
"Alright." Ling Li wiped her tears and got into the carriage.
Watching the Ling family's carriage depart, those emerging from behind knew that the Ling family had returned to its peak.
*
Within the small world, at the Shende Hall.
Ling Huayu did not watch his daughter's competition today; he had been busy arranging the Ling Mansion's affairs.
It was estimated that starting tomorrow, the Ling family would not have much leisure time.
"Father."
"Grandfather."
When Ling Luoyi and Ling Li arrived, Ling Huayu finally had a moment to rest.
"Why are you two here?" Recalling Ling Li's competition, he quickly asked, "Oh right, Li'er, how was your competition? The Ling family has been too busy lately, and Father hasn't had time to watch you compete."
Although Ling Huayu hadn't watched her compete, Ling Li felt a little sad but understood the bigger picture and wasn't angry. Instead, she happily said, "Father, I came in first."
"First?" Ling Huayu was stunned for a moment, then laughed heartily, "Good, good, worthy of being my daughter. Hahaha!"
"Father, what's going on? We heard your laughter from outside," Ling Xuan and Ling Yan walked over together.
"Father, little sister, Luo'er."
"Third Brother, Fourth Brother."
"Third Uncle, Fourth Uncle."
After paying their respects, Ling Li repeated the news.
"Really?!" Both of them were very surprised.
Ling Li, hearing their surprised voices, expressed a hint of displeasure, "Third Brother, Fourth Brother, what do you mean? Can't I come in first?"
"No, no, it's just that since little sister came in first, shouldn't we celebrate?"
"Yes, little sister and Luo'er are both first, Chen'er is second, and the other disciples of the Ling family... shouldn't we have a grand celebration?"
Seeing his two sons looking at him with stars in their eyes made Ling Huayu feel a little uneasy, but their suggestion was not bad.
Ling Huayu waved his hand grandly and said, "Then go and prepare. Today, I'll let you go wild!"
"Alright!"
Ling Xuan and Ling Yan were overjoyed and had the servants start preparations.
Ling Huayu looked at the happy faces of the three children and felt happy himself. It was just the eldest couple...
Thinking of this, Ling Huayu looked at Ling Luoyi. Seeing her distracted, he assumed she was missing her parents.
Ling Huayu walked over, affectionately stroking Ling Luoyi's head, and said, "Luo'er, are you unhappy? Are you missing your parents?"
"Grandfather." Seeing that he had misunderstood, Ling Luoyi didn't bother to explain and let him continue.
"Luo'er, Grandfather knows that no matter how well we treat you, it cannot compensate for your parents..."
"Grandfather, I don't feel that because I don't have parents, I should live my life in sorrow. My parents wouldn't want me to be like this either."
"Luo'er..."
"Grandfather, the departed have departed. Those who are alive must live better. This is what I advised my uncle, and should I now use it to advise you?"
Looking at Ling Luoyi's smiling face, Ling Huayu suddenly felt that he had been living in the past, unable to move forward.
"Luo'er, you will be going to the Dragon Qing Kingdom in three days. Let's visit your father the day after tomorrow and tell him about the Ling family's affairs over the years."
"Alright. By the way, Grandfather, how are your preparations for the Family Head competition tomorrow?"
"Don't worry, Luo'er. Grandfather has made all the preparations. If I can't win, I'll use the talismans you gave me to strike them dead."
Ling Huayu had been very interested in the talismans Ling Luoyi had in her hand when they first met.
Ling Luoyi couldn't help but laugh, and Ling Huayu also laughed. The courtyard was suddenly filled with the laughter of the grandfather and granddaughter.