Song Wanníng's expression turned solemn, not because the pill was unworthy, but because she had never refined a Soul Capturing Pill before.
Pills were ranked according to difficulty. Ordinary pills had nine grades, with the ninth being the highest. Above those were Spirit Pills, and beyond them Immortal Pills, Divine Pills, and so on.
The Soul Capturing Pill was a third-grade Spirit Pill.
Back in the lower realm, limited by medicinal ingredients, the highest she had ever refined was a first-grade Spirit Pill. Now she was expected not only to make a Soul Capturing Pill, but ten of the highest quality…
It sounded impossible.
But Song Wanníng had a stubborn streak and loved a challenge.
Since she had the opportunity to learn, she would try. Even if she failed, she lost nothing. She steadied her mind, took out the pill recipe for the Soul Capturing Pill, studied it carefully, and then began to refine.
Meanwhile, Xiao Heyun had just cleared the second trial. Seeing the requirements for the third, his face darkened.
The second trial had already been exhausting. Now they wanted him to refine pills as well…
But with the inheritance so close, he could not walk away. No matter how reluctant, he had to hide it and even put on a look of enthusiasm. In truth, he secretly borrowed more points from his system to exchange for Super Nutrient Solution.
Adding that into the pill furnace would guarantee top-grade results.
It was this very trick that had built his reputation.
A determined glint flashed in Xiao Heyun's eyes, and he strode briskly into the pill refining ranks.
While everyone inside the palace racked their brains to pass the trials, those from Wuji Sect stood watching the show.
Still, all eyes inevitably fell on Song Wanníng and Xiao Heyun, the two fastest challengers, who seemed to have the most talent.
Situ Yue's gaze lingered especially on Xiao Heyun. Cold and aloof men like him were rare. If such a man became her junior, she was certain the glacial exterior would one day melt… but only for her.
She had already made plans. All these men could become part of her future harem.
"Master, I think this Daoyou is quite good," Situ Yue said, her eyes glimmering as she praised Xiao Heyun in front of Dao Qing.
Dao Qing's gaze followed hers.
Although Xiao Heyun relied on an unseen advantage, no one else could tell. What they saw was a calm, mature man refining pills with complete focus.
His talent appeared exceptional.
A faint light of appreciation flickered in Dao Qing's eyes.
Yes, this one was indeed good.
But that girl was also quite outstanding.
Dao Qing said nothing, setting his teacup gently onto the stone table.
Situ Yue then turned to Lan Yue. "Senior Sister, who do you think is better?"
Her sudden question made Lan Yue's eyes narrow slightly.
Crossing her arms, Lan Yue replied coolly, "I think that girl is better."
Anyone Situ Yue liked, she instinctively disliked.
"Oh? Then why don't we make a bet? Let's see who finishes the trial first!"
Situ Yue smiled sweetly. "Otherwise, it's boring to just sit and watch."
"What do you want to bet?"
Lan Yue's gaze sharpened with a hint of mockery, already guessing this woman was scheming something.
"If I win, Senior Sister, will you give me your crescent pendant? If I lose, I'll give you the top-grade Immortal Spring Water I got a few days ago. How about it?"
At last, Situ Yue's fox tail was showing. Lan Yue sneered coldly.
"Very well."
Ever since her junior sister had fixated on her crescent pendant, Lan Yue had suspected something. Upon closer inspection, she discovered the pendant was actually a mustard seed space, capable of drawing in immortal energy, with a different flow of time inside.
One day of cultivation within equaled ten days outside.
Somehow, Situ Yue had noticed something unusual about the pendant and still refused to give up on it.
"Fine!" Lan Yue agreed without hesitation.
She had more than one such pendant. If Situ Yue ended up disliking it, all the better.
The two women then sat on opposite sides, each keeping a close watch on their chosen contender.
Dao Qing, seeing the apparent harmony between them, said nothing.
…
Neither Song Wanníng nor Xiao Heyun knew they had become the subject of a wager.
Both were completely focused on pill refinement.
Thanks to the Super Nutrient Solution, Xiao Heyun's pills all turned out top-grade. Unfortunately, their grade level was too low, so his first attempt still failed.
He did not even know what kind of pill he had made…
With a speechless sigh, he stored the pills away, studied the process again, and threw himself back into the work.
Song Wanníng's process went smoothly, and she succeeded in making a Soul Capturing Pill on her first attempt—but it was only low-grade.
She did not let it dampen her spirits. Placing the pill aside, she began reviewing her steps.
Was her fire control off?
After summarizing the problem, she tried again.
…
After who knew how many rounds of refinement, the two finally stopped. Looking at the gleaming, perfectly rounded top-grade pills in their hands, they knew they had passed this trial.
Song Wanníng swept all her pills into her storage ring without hesitation.
Xiao Heyun, on the other hand, left his on a nearby rack to maintain a good impression. Inside, his heart bled—every pill had cost him Super Nutrient Solution.
Soon, the next trial appeared.
The two dove into it again, neither willing to lose nor to watch the opportunity slip away.
At this stage, there was no choice but to give it their all.
"Tsk, that girl took all her pills. How stingy can she be, grabbing such a petty advantage?"
Situ Yue never missed a chance to poison Dao Qing's impression of Song Wanníng.
"Master, look. The one I favor didn't take his."
Dao Qing's expression remained calm, but Lan Yue snorted. "If there's no rule against it, why shouldn't she take them? They're the fruits of her hard work! Leaving them there is the real waste."
Their master couldn't care less about a few pills.
"…"
The two women started bickering again. A few senior brothers wanted to join in, but Dao Qing's cold glare froze them in place, cold sweat running down their backs.
They could only stand aside, silently pitying their junior sister.
Dao Qing was long used to the pair's arguments. He simply tuned them out and kept his eyes on the water mirror.
When his youngest disciple brought up the matter of taking in a new one, he finally spoke.
"I will not take another disciple."
Truth be told, he already regretted taking in his current youngest.
The once-peaceful mountain peak had been turned into a place of constant quarrels.
Adding another? That would only bring more trouble.
He had no intention of choosing an inheritor from either of them.