Just then, Lu Fan abruptly withdrew his palm. Simultaneously, the pill slowly materialized within the alchemy furnace, with thick smoke billowing from its top.
At that very moment, dark clouds gathered overhead, accompanied by the sound of rumbling thunder, seemingly drawing closer to everyone. Lu Fan, witnessing this scene, was filled with excitement. He knew he had succeeded in refining a genuine Grade Three pill.
"Grade Three Spirit Gathering Pill!"
President Lei exclaimed in surprise. Even he lacked such skill. He hadn't expected Lu Fan to achieve this. Refining a Grade Three Spirit Gathering Pill required extremely stringent conditions, and more importantly, this Grade Three pill was more than a hundred times superior to a Grade Two Spirit Gathering Pill.
"It's really refined successfully!"
The thin old man stood by, his face filled with disbelief. He could never have imagined the level Lu Fan could reach on his own.
Boom...
At that instant, a thunderous roar echoed, piercing the sky and appearing quite terrifying. In that very moment, the pill seemed to be struck by lightning, instantly condensing abundant spiritual energy and becoming a true Grade Three pill.
Witnessing this, everyone was filled with incredulity. They could never have imagined that Lu Fan could refine a Grade Three pill, even drawing upon the heavens and earth.
"Impossible, this is absolutely impossible!"
Lin Qingya's expression shifted, unwilling to believe. As a peerless prodigy of Pill City, even she hadn't successfully refined a Grade Three pill. How could Lu Fan have succeeded?
"How is this possible!"
Xia Donghai stood stunned, his expression dazed. He could never have imagined Lu Fan possessed such skill, transforming a Grade Two Spirit Gathering Pill into a Grade Three. It was simply miraculous, something he had never heard of before.
"President, among the many alchemists present, I am the only one who refined a Grade Three pill. Does this mean I am number one in this Alchemy Competition?"
Lu Fan's expression was solemn as he looked towards President Lei.
"You are correct, you are indeed number one in the Alchemy Competition!"
President Lei nodded slightly, a smile appearing on his face. "Congratulations, you have become the representative of the Pill Tower and will receive the Pill Tower's medal!"
Lu Fan smiled, his expression becoming indifferent. With the Grade Three pill refined, he was now second to none, standing out among the many alchemists.
"I disagree!"
Lin Qingya suddenly spoke up. "My Profound Spirit Pill is also about to reach Grade Three, and it was originally a Grade Three pill. His Spirit Gathering Pill is merely a Grade Two pill. Even with a Grade Three aura, it is fundamentally a Grade Two Spirit Gathering Pill!"
"Qingya, don't be foolish!"
Frowning slightly, President Lei spoke, "This young brother deserves first place, there is absolutely no question about it."
"I just don't accept it!" Lin Qingya spoke again. "I've already made myself clear. This is not a Grade Three pill at all, even if it possesses the aura of a Grade Three pill."
"You are an alchemist, surely you understand this point?" President Lei said coldly. "As long as it can cause a change in the heavens and earth and successfully resonate with thunder, it is considered a Grade Three pill. This is also the mark of a Grade Three pill."
"President is correct, the mark of a Grade Three pill is indeed like this, but the Spirit Gathering Pill is inherently a Grade Two pill!" Xia Donghai chimed in. "I feel for Junior Sister Qingya."
"You are a disciple of the Alchemist Guild, how could you not know this? What kind of teaching is this?" President Lei was furious. "Who stipulated that the Spirit Gathering Pill must be a Grade Two pill? In ancient times, some great alchemists could refine the Spirit Gathering Pill into a Grade Nine pill. True pills are not defined by their grade, but by their refining technique."
The alchemists present also agreed upon hearing this, especially after witnessing the celestial phenomenon earlier, which was enough to conclude that the Spirit Gathering Pill Lu Fan had refined was superior to Lin Qingya's.
Lin Qingya was greatly angered but had no rebuttal. As her father had said, only that which could draw upon the power of heaven and earth could be considered a true pill.
"There is no room for dispute in this matter. Since the President has decreed it, there can be no mistake," the thin old man stated. "The President is a Grade Four alchemist and would never err!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd nodded in agreement.
President Lei walked to Lu Fan's side, holding a badge in his hand. "This is the Pill Tower's badge, a Grade Three Alchemist badge, recognized by the Pill Tower!"
Holding the badge, Lu Fan's expression was solemn. He had paid a great deal to obtain this badge, and he was somewhat moved.
Lin Qingya stood aside, stunned. In her eyes, this badge should have been hers, but now it seemed she lacked the strength. Obtaining this badge was ultimately beyond her control.
"Thank you, President. I will continue to work hard in the future!" Lu Fan smiled.
"Are you perhaps interested in joining my Alchemist Guild?" President Lei asked. "You have received the Pill Tower's badge. After I retire, you can become the Guild Master. At that time, you could even wield immense power in Pill City, and even the entire Yun Province!"
"I'll pass. My aspirations lie elsewhere!"
Lu Fan shook his head. "Moreover, I am a student of Beihai Academy. After the Alchemy Competition concludes, I must head to Beihai Academy."
"So you are a student of Beihai Academy!" President Lei nodded slightly. "I am acquainted with your dean. If you are willing, you are welcome to visit the Alchemist Guild anytime."
"Certainly, certainly!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly and prepared to leave after receiving the alchemist badge.
President Lei, however, spoke again. "We have prepared a banquet for this evening to honor the first place winner of the Alchemy Competition. Young brother, since you are the winner, you wouldn't mind, would you?"
"You want to host me?"
Lu Fan chuckled awkwardly. "Of course, I don't mind."
"That's good. The Alchemist Guild awaits your presence this evening!" President Lei said promptly.
With those words, Lu Fan nodded slightly and headed to the Alchemist Guild. He didn't mind it at all; it was just a meal.
As soon as he left the alchemy grounds, many people swarmed him. "Our Liuyun Sect is in need of an alchemist. Would you be interested in joining us? The benefits are generous, and you would definitely be an elder!"
"Our Tianxuan Sect is in need of a Vice Sect Master. If you are willing to join us, our Tianxuan Sect will treat you with the utmost respect!"
Everyone spoke, their eyes filled with sincerity.
Unfortunately, Lu Fan had no such intention. He didn't want to join any sect. The generous conditions offered by these sects were likely from minor ones.
After pushing through the crowd, Lu Fan and the others finally returned to the inn. Bi Yao was beaming with joy. "I knew you wouldn't disappoint me!"