This round tested alchemical fundamentals.
Each participant was provided with three batches of spiritual herbs for refining the True Spirit Pill.
Success required refining one True Spirit Pill within half an incense stick's time using these three batches of herbs.
The True Spirit Pill was a relatively common second-grade spiritual pill.
In other words, Tongsheng Gate's minimum requirement for recruiting disciples was reaching the level of a second-grade alchemist!
"Alright, the competition begins!"
The middle-aged man overseeing the assessment gave a light shout.
Immediately, all fifteen young people on the platform began taking out their Pill Cauldrons and commencing the pill refinement.
Refining a second-grade True Spirit Pill was far too simple for Ye Yunfei.
However, Ye Yunfei did not wish to perform too outstandingly.
Because Ye Yunfei's goal was to enter the Small Alchemy Tower and retrieve the Three Crow Dark Fire.
If he stood out too much and attracted the attention of Tongsheng Gate's three Yuan Foundation Realm experts, it would instead be problematic.
Thus, Ye Yunfei took out an ordinary Pill Cauldron, condensed a pill flame with spiritual power, and refined the pill as slowly as possible.
The most eye-catching person on the entire platform was Sima Xuan.
The gazes of nearly every onlooker were fixed on Sima Xuan.
Sima Xuan did not disappoint the crowd. His pill refinement technique was adept, his speed rapid, and the entire process was as smooth and fluid as moving clouds and flowing water, filled with a kind of elegance that drew constant exclamations of admiration.
Adding herbs, burning, extracting medicinal liquids, condensing the pill…
Within mere moments, Sima Xuan had reached the stage of condensing the pill.
"Hehe…"
Long Hai watched with great satisfaction.
The other high-level members of Tongsheng Gate also nodded repeatedly.
The other young participants were no match for Sima Xuan. More or less, they all appeared a little flustered.
Ye Yunfei did his best to slow his pace, proceeding leisurely.
Refining a second-grade spiritual pill was even easier for Ye Yunfei than eating or drinking.
Therefore, throughout the entire process, Ye Yunfei paid no attention to the Pill Cauldron before him. Instead, he leisurely looked around from time to time.
Near Ye Yunfei was a delicate, cute young girl, about eleven or twelve years old. At the moment, she was so anxious that sweat beaded on her forehead, and she was all in a fluster.
Her pill refinement had reached the burning stage.
However, due to her nervousness, she failed to control the heat properly. Soon after adding the first batch of spiritual herbs, they burned directly, emitting a strong smell of scorching.
"Hahaha… Look at that girl, she just burned the spiritual herbs."
"Judging by her performance, she definitely cannot pass."
"What a pity. The girl is quite pretty, but her pill refinement skill is too poor!"
…
Sporadic sounds of mockery rose from around the platform.
Hearing the mocking laughter, the young girl grew even more nervous and self-conscious. Her delicate, lovely face looked on the verge of tears.
Next, she began refining the second batch of spiritual herbs.
However, her performance with the second batch was even worse. Just after adding the herbs, the smell of scorching wafted out again.
"Hahaha…"
"It seems this girl doesn't know how to refine pills at all, yet she dared to come participate in the test!"
The onlookers around the platform laughed even more heartily.
The young girl's eyes were already shimmering with unshed tears.
Flustered, she cleaned out the scorched herbs from her Pill Cauldron.
In her agitation, sparks flew in all directions.
It so happened that the person next to her was Sima Xuan.
A dozen or so sparks shot rapidly towards him. Sima Xuan dodged abruptly in haste, but a few sparks still landed on his robes, burning several holes.
Immediately, Sima Xuan's face darkened dramatically.
"Get out!"
Sima Xuan's sharp gaze swept towards the young girl as he spoke coldly.
"Young Master Sima, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. Please forgive me." Facing Sima Xuan's condescending gaze, the young girl turned pale with fright and bowed repeatedly in apology.
"I will say it again.
Get out!"
Sima Xuan's tone was extremely icy, his presence overwhelming.
"Young Master Sima, I…"
The young girl's face flushed bright red. The tears in her eyes finally overflowed, streaming down.
She came from a relatively weak clan and had shown alchemical talent since childhood. Her participation in Tongsheng Gate's disciple recruitment test carried the hopes of her entire clan.
If she withdrew from the test, she would betray all the hopes her clan had placed in her.
So how could she be willing to withdraw?
"Hmph!
Even if you could pass the test, I would have my master refuse your entry into Tongsheng Gate.
You will never have a chance to enter Tongsheng Gate in this lifetime."
Sima Xuan swept a disgusted glance at the young girl and spoke coldly.
Then, he continued refining his pill without looking at her again.
"Young Master Sima…"
Hearing Sima Xuan's words, the young girl involuntarily retreated several steps, her face immediately turning deathly pale.
It was well known that Sima Xuan's master was Tongsheng Gate's reclusive elder, Long Hai.
If Long Hai spoke and refused this young girl's entry into Tongsheng Gate, then she truly would have no chance of ever entering.
Many watching this scene from around the platform felt that Sima Xuan was a bit narrow-minded and intolerant.
However, no one dared to speak up.
Because Sima Xuan's status and position were laid bare there for all to see. No one dared to offend him.
Moreover, given Sima Xuan's alchemical talent, he was destined to become a master alchemist in the future. No one wanted to offend him; currying favor was more appropriate.
"Keep refining. I believe you can succeed in refining the True Spirit Pill."
At that moment, Ye Yunfei suddenly spoke up.
"Huh?"
The young girl, who was in despair, sharply raised her head upon hearing this and looked at Ye Yunfei.
"Believe me, you can do it.
Actually, your alchemical talent is quite good.
You're just a little too nervous.
Try one more time. You will succeed."
Ye Yunfei showed the young girl a smile.
With Ye Yunfei's discerning eye, he could tell this young girl's alchemical talent was indeed quite good.
She was simply too nervous, not accustomed to refining pills under the watchful eyes of so many.
Ye Yunfei's words now caught everyone's attention.
Astonished gazes turned towards Ye Yunfei.
"Does this kid not want to get by anymore?
Young Master Sima Xuan has already spoken, telling that girl to withdraw from the test.
And this kid actually dares to speak up for her!
Isn't this blatantly refusing to give Young Master Sima Xuan face?"
Many wore expressions of amusement.
Sima Xuan's sharp gaze immediately locked onto Ye Yunfei, carrying a warning.
He was the young master of the Sima Family, and with his extraordinary alchemical talent, he had long grown accustomed to the feeling of being the center of attention, filled with arrogance.
Now, someone actually dared to openly deny him face in public. This was simply a severe provocation!
"But, Young Master Sima, he…"
After hearing Ye Yunfei's words, the young girl regained a bit of confidence, but stealing a glance at Sima Xuan, she still hesitated.
"He's just another participant. He has no right to order you to withdraw from the test.
Moreover, your alchemical talent is no lower than his.
He simply followed many alchemists from a young age, studied alchemy, and received specialized training, so he appears more confident.
If you had his same conditions, you might even perform better than him."
Ye Yunfei said.
"What?
Is this kid crazy?
He actually said that girl's alchemical talent is higher than Young Master Sima Xuan?!"
Ye Yunfei's words caused an uproar.
"Kid, what nonsense are you spouting!
What right do you have to comment on my alchemical talent!
This wretch can't even burn herbs properly. How could her alchemical talent be better than mine?!"
Sima Xuan exploded in rage on the spot, pointing at Ye Yunfei and shouting.