In the last two weeks, people have gradually succeeded in refining the Grain Avoidance Pill.
After eleven people successfully refined it, Zhou Xun also announced his success in refining.
Being the twelfth puts him in a moderate position, neither attracting attention nor preventing him from smoothly passing the subsequent examination.
As of today, seventeen people have successfully refined the Grain Avoidance Pill.
Ranked seventeenth, this person is none other than Wei Shangyi.
Given his current performance, it's doubtful he'll be able to stay after the examination.
"If Wei Shangyi doesn't pass, it's good, saves trouble from opposing me later!"
Zhou Xun is someone who dislikes trouble.
If Wei Shangyi backs down, Zhou Xun will also feel relieved.
However, this doesn't mean he will let the Wei Brothers go.
When he becomes powerful in the future, it will be time to deal with the Wei Brothers.
Another round of refining ended, and Lin Xueying instructed everyone on the issues in their refining.
"Today is the last time I'll be guiding you. In seven days, your alchemy skills will be tested. Those who haven't succeeded need to work diligently!"
After saying this, she floated away.
Wei Shangyi ranked seventeenth, and he wasn't confident about passing the examination.
Although he has a Middle-Grade Spiritual Root, in the examination, spirit root talent is just an auxiliary factor.
After returning, he immediately found his elder brother Wei Shangli to discuss countermeasures.
...
In Celestial Fragrance Tower, Room A10.
Wei Shangyi and Wei Shangli were toasting an elder with graying hair and a brocade robe.
If Zhou Xun were here, he would recognize him.
This elder is the steward in charge of logistics at the Pill Treasure Pavilion.
He is also from the Lin Family and of a very high generation, the same as the current Supreme Elder of the Lin Family.
Even the Patriarch of the Lin Family has to call him uncle of the clan.
Regrettably, his talent was terrible, only reaching the Third-Layer Qi Refining, hence he was positioned at the Pill Treasure Pavilion to handle logistics.
It's said that in the entire Pill Treasure Pavilion, no one has deeper qualifications than him.
Not even Master Yun Ku has been at the Pill Treasure Pavilion longer than Old Steward Lin.
"Shangyi, I didn't even know you and Shangli were brothers until you said so!" The elder was somewhat tipsy.
"It's my fault, Steward Lin, I'll punish myself with three drinks!" Wei Shangyi lifted the wine jug and poured himself three cups of Spirit Wine, drinking them in one go.
"No more Steward Lin, call me Third Grandpa!"
"Your sister-in-law calls me Third Grandpa when she sees me!"
Wei Shangyi's face twitched slightly hearing this, and he reluctantly called, "Third Grandpa!"
The elder was delighted to hear this.
"Not to brag, but even Yun Ku, that kid, doesn't dare to show off in front of me here in the Pill Treasure Pavilion!"
"Of course, who doesn't know that you are the true Sea-Stabilizing Needle here!" Wei Shangyi praised the elder.
"So, if you have anything, just say it!" The elder's eyes gleamed as he said this.
"Indeed, it's hard to hide from you!" Wei Shangli praised.
"My third brother knows his alchemy talent is ordinary, and he has no confidence in this examination, so we ask Third Grandpa to help!"
"Help?"
"If it were something else, maybe this old man could say a word, but the apprentice examination is beyond my capability!" The elder, although boasting, understood his limitations well.
The affairs of the Pill Treasure Pavilion are all decided by Master Yun Ku; even the current Supreme Elder of the Lin Family wouldn't interfere in the matters of the Pill Treasure Pavilion.
How could it be his place to comment as an old fart?
Wei Shangli wasn't surprised at the elder's reaction; he had another purpose.
"I've heard that the logistics affairs managed by Third Grandpa include the inspection of the entire Earth Fire Array?"
"Why are you asking about this!" The elder instantly became alert.
"I have no other intention, but I hope Third Grandpa can, on the day of the examination, manipulate the Earth Fire to stumble those ranked ahead of my younger brother!"
"With Third Grandpa's years of experience managing the Earth Fire Array, just control the brief eruption of Earth Fire while others are refining, and they will fail!"
"Besides, the Earth Fire naturally has the property of erupting occasionally; even if they fail in refining, they'll just consider themselves unlucky, not suspect Third Grandpa!"
"If Third Grandpa helps my brother fulfill this wish, I'm willing to offer ten Spirit Stones as a reward!"
The elder was furious at these words. He decisively refused, speaking firmly.
"Although my cultivation is low, I will not allow such things to happen in the Pill Treasure Pavilion. Today's matter is forgiven because of my grandniece; let it be as if it didn't happen, and don't bring it up again in the future!"
"Twenty Spirit Stones!" Wei Shangli had already understood the elder's nature and gestured with a single hand.
"Well, I've been at the Pill Treasure Pavilion for years; I wouldn't break principles for a mere twenty Spirit Stones," the elder's eyes lifted.
"Add more money!"
"Thirty Spirit Stones, how about that?" Wei Shangli felt extreme heartache.
He didn't have much Spirit Stones left when he fled, using one lessens another.
He didn't expect this old man to be so greedy.
But for his third brother, and to prevent Zhou Xun from succeeding, it was worthwhile.
"They say alchemists are wealthy, but Talisman Masters aren't far behind. Thirty is enough, thirty is enough; don't worry, both of you! I, Lin Hongjiu, will make sure the matter is beautifully handled!" The elder chuckled, losing the upright demeanor he had before.
"I naturally trust in Third Grandpa's reputation; when the time comes, you just need to..."
He quickly listed three Alchemy Room numbers, including Zhou Xun's Room B17.
...
Due to just breaking through to Foundation Establishment, Master Yun Ku went into seclusion to consolidate his cultivation after the recruitment event.
All the affairs of the Pill Treasure Pavilion were entrusted to Lin Zhishan.
After Lin Xueying returned, Lin Zhishan sought her to understand the current status of these quasi-apprentices and to hear the opinions of his family junior and junior sister.
"Erniu not only has a high cultivation aptitude but also possesses the best alchemy talent among everyone,"
...
"Xun Houqing is honest in character, with ordinary cultivation talent, but he has unique skills in alchemy,"
...
"Zhou Xun has average cultivation talent. His alchemy is also just passable. During the examination, he ranked at the back; but he is quite good-looking. Why does the master value him?"
She also knew about Master Yun Ku's regard for Zhou Xun.
"When I see him, it reminds me of my younger self,"
Just as Lin Zhishan was about to respond, a powerful voice echoed like an ancient bell; it was Master Yun Ku emerging from seclusion.
"Back then, my cultivation aptitude was ordinary, my alchemy talent wasn't outstanding either, but my heart didn't waver; thankfully, my mentor didn't abandon me and taught me alchemy, step by step, leading to who I am today!" The elder sighed, revealing a reminiscence.
"It's also because of my mentor that I am here today!" Lin Zhishan was deeply moved.
Lin Xueying seemed to understand yet not; she nodded in agreement.
In her view, since the mentor values him, even if his alchemy talent is somewhat lacking during the examination, letting him pass isn't impossible; after all, it's just an alchemy apprentice.
She then chatted with Master Yun Ku about Zhou Xun.