Chapter 263: Forming the Pill! (Fifth Update)

“It is natural that you have such intentions, and it is good. It won't be too late to go and express your thanks once your health has improved a bit.”

The Empress suddenly interrupted Rong Jin's words.

Although she was smiling, the look she directed at Rong Jin was full of warning.

Rong Jin's lips moved, but in the end, he swallowed the rest of his words.

Now that Imperial Father had already changed his perception of him, it might be more appropriate to speak up once the situation improved.

Emperor Jiawen gave Rong Jin a meaningful look.

Based on his understanding of this son, even after being saved by Chu Liuyue once, he didn't seem like the type to publicly admit he had been wrong before.

This change in attitude was somewhat strange.

He wondered what he was plotting.

“Mhm, I heard that Chu Xianmin has been personally looking after you these past few days?”

Rong Jin nodded with indifference.

Emperor Jiawen, however, smiled.

“That child is not bad; she seems to be truly sincere toward you. After a while, perhaps her status could be prom—”

“Your Majesty, the relationship between the Gu family and the Chu family is still strained.”

The Empress reminded him in a low voice.

Emperor Jiawen paused, only then remembering that Chu Xianmin's mother, Lu Yao, had done quite a few "good deeds" previously. Not only had she stolen money from the Chu family, but she had also secretly incited the matriarch of the Gu family to cause a scene at Tianlu Academy.

Had it not been for considerations regarding the Lu family and the Crown Prince's manor, Lu Yao might not have been able to leave the Gu family alive.

But even so, she had been severely disciplined.

With such a natal family and parents, Chu Xianmin's reputation could not be much better.

It was truly unsuitable to mention a change in rank.

Emperor Jiawen swallowed the rest of his words.

“...Just treat her well.”

“Your son obeys.”

Rong Jin responded perfunctorily, but in his heart, he was dismissive.

It was only because Imperial Father had not seen Chu Xianmin's face that he could speak such words so easily.

He would also like to treat Chu Xianmin better, but every time he saw her, he would unconsciously recall that terrifying and ugly countenance he had seen that night.

No matter what, he could not muster even a shred of affection for her.

Moreover, the Chu family was now in decline, and the situations of Lu Yao and Chu Yan were not optimistic either.

He was being merciful enough not to despise Chu Xianmin's family for bringing him so much trouble; how else could he treat them well?

*Ding!*

On the competition field, a crisp sound suddenly rang out!

That was the sound that occurred only when someone had successfully finished refining medicine!

Everyone hurriedly looked over, only to find that the person was He Yang, who had been the first to select a prescription.

His forehead was covered in sweat, and his face was flushed from nervousness and excitement.

At this moment, he was carefully placing the medicinal soup he had refined within his cauldron into a prepared jade box beside him.

A rich medicinal fragrance drifted through the air.

“It seems his refinement was quite successful! The medicinal efficacy of this soup is likely not low!”

“I heard he already broke through to a Level 3 Physician last year. With just one more step, he will be a true Heavenly Physician!”

“Heh, as long as one cannot form a Pill, one ultimately cannot be considered a Heavenly Physician! Knowing this threshold, can he cross it? You must know, some people remain at Level 3 Physicians their entire lives!”

“Easy for you to say! The number of Heavenly Physicians in the Kingdom of Yaochen is fewer than five in total! Reaching Level 3 is already quite good; how can one demand everyone be a Heavenly Physician? In my view, among those on this field with the strength to form a Pill, there are probably not even three! As for who can succeed in the end, it's even harder to say!”

The youth carefully presented the jade box to the three Heavenly Physicians sitting nearby.

These three came from the three major academies respectively, judging together to ensure fairness.

The one in the middle was precisely Elder Feng Yi of Tianlu Academy.

To the left and right sat Elder Cheng Lixue of Nanfeng Academy and Elder Mo Cang of Taiyan Academy.

Elder Feng Yi opened the jade box, took a look, and said

“Level 3, Mid-grade.”

The smile on He Yang's face froze for a moment.

He was himself a Level 3 Physician, so the medicinal soup he refined was naturally Level 3.

However, even among physicians of the same level, there were differences in proficiency.

He had originally thought he could be considered Level 3 High-grade.

Therefore, the judgment given by Elder Feng Yi left him somewhat disappointed.

He took a deep breath and looked toward the other two elders.

But after the remaining two had looked individually, they both gave the same evaluation.

Seeing the presiding elder about to record the result in the register, he hurriedly said

“Three Elders, please look again! Can my medicine truly only be considered Mid-grade?”

Elder Feng Yi smiled and shook his head.

“Are you questioning the three of us?”

He Yang immediately lowered his head

“This student wouldn't dare! It's just—”

It was just that if it were truly judged as Mid-grade, he certainly wouldn't get a good ranking!

“Actually, you know very well in your own heart what grade your medicine is. Although you successfully refined it according to the prescription, the medicinal ingredients were not processed cleanly enough, leaving some impurities behind, which will affect the medicinal efficacy. You can't fail to see these mottled discolorations, can you?”

He Yang's face turned red. He dared not argue further and could only mutter hurriedly

“Thank you, Three Elders, for your guidance.”

After speaking, he quickly retreated.

The three elders, Feng Yi and the others, exchanged glances and all smiled.

They were all battle-hardened Heavenly Physicians; once that thing was brought over, they could accurately guess the quality of the medicine just by looking at it and smelling it. How could they judge incorrectly?

“To reach Level 3 High-grade, I'm afraid one must wait a while longer,” Elder Cheng Lixue said, stroking his beard.

Elder Mo Cang gave a cold chuckle.

“Haha, if someone here can form a Pill, even if I had to wait forever, I would be more than happy!”

Elder Feng Yi and Elder Cheng Lixue exchanged a look.

Who couldn't tell he was secretly praising Situ Xingchen?

From his tone, it was as if he were already certain that Situ Xingchen could form a Pill!

*Buzz!*

At that moment, a sudden fluctuation erupted on the competition field!

Everyone hurriedly looked over, only to see that the commotion was coming from the cauldron in front of a youth on the field!

“Is this—is he about to form a Pill!?”

Elder Cheng Lixue said with a hint of pleasant surprise.

That youth was from Nanfeng Academy just like him, so he was naturally happy to see him succeed in forming a Pill.

Elder Feng Yi stared for a while without speaking.

However, Elder Mo Cang threw a bucket of cold water on the excitement.

“Forming a Pill so quickly? Isn't he being too impatient? If something goes wrong...”

Cheng Lixue frowned irritably.

“Mo Cang, I have never said a single bad word about your Taiyan Academy students.”

Mo Cang shrugged.

“Can't you see? The flame in his cauldron won't be able to last much longer.”

Cheng Lixue was startled. He focused his gaze and found it was indeed so!

The youth's face rapidly turned pale, and his body trembled slightly, appearing to have reached his limit.

The smile on his face gradually faded.

Sure enough, not long after, the flame within the cauldron was completely extinguished! Along with the medicinal ingredients that were in the process of merging into a Pill, everything turned into flying ash!