One month later.
In the highest-ranked alchemy room within the Pill Hall of Lingchang Island.
"Open!"
With a shout, the three-legged, double-eared alchemy furnace in the center of the room erupted with spiritual light.
As the light flowed, the furnace opened, and a ball of mist flew out.
Wei Chengzong beckoned with one hand, and the ball of mist flew into his palm.
Within the mist were three pale blue pills. Two were perfectly round and full, brimming with spiritual energy.
Each of these two pills had three faint, misty rings rotating around them, appearing quite mystical.
The third pill was oval-shaped with cracks on its surface.
It lacked the magical rings, clearly a failed pill.
Wei Chengzong stroked his beard and chuckled, "Not bad, not bad. This is the third time in seven days, Ruiming, that you've refined two Three Yuan Pills. Your progress is significant. Your success rate has stabilized at thirty percent these past few days."
Beside him, Ning Ruiming's face was pale, and the corners of his eyes were slightly darkened, looking utterly exhausted.
However, upon seeing the two successful pills he had refined, a look of joy appeared on his face, and he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
Ning Fa's challenge had put immense pressure on him. For the past month, he had approached alchemy with a seriousness he'd never shown before.
Under Wei Chengzong's detailed guidance, his proficiency in refining the Three Yuan Pill had finally improved.
Wei Chengzong shook his head and laughed, "In my opinion, Ruiming, you don't need to push yourself so hard. The Three Yuan Pill is one of the most difficult low-grade pills. Ning Fa has only just entered the Qi Condensation Mid-stage. If he can achieve a ten percent success rate with this pill within three months, I'd consider it incredible. There's no way he can defeat you."
"I suspect he's merely using this challenge to regain the family's attention. He wouldn't genuinely expect to win against you."
Hearing this, Ning Ruiming's eyes flickered.
In reality, he harbored the same thoughts.
However, this challenge was too important to him. The severe consequences of losing the match sent shivers down his spine, and under this pressure, he had to give his all.
Wei Chengzong chuckled again, "You've depleted quite a bit of your spiritual power and divine sense. Don't refine any more pills today. Rest well, and I'll come by again tomorrow."
Ning Ruiming nodded, "Thank you, Master Wei."
After Wei Chengzong left, Ning Ruiming, utterly exhausted, had no desire to meditate and recover.
He sat on a chair and let out a sigh of relief, his previously solemn expression easing considerably.
The recent improvement in his Three Yuan Pill success rate had brought him much peace of mind.
Just then, a soft sound of footsteps approached. Ning Ruiming turned to see Liu Qinghui slowly walking in.
She was dressed in a water-green palace dress, exuding a pure yet charming aura. Her figure was like a willow, graceful and elegant, possessing exceptional poise.
"Qinghui, why have you come?"
Ning Ruiming asked with great surprise.
"What's your success rate with the Three Yuan Pill now?"
Liu Qinghui asked gently, her expression calm.
Ning Ruiming said proudly, "Recently, my success rate in refining the Three Yuan Pill has stabilized around thirty percent."
After speaking, Ning Ruiming looked at Liu Qinghui affectionately, "Qinghui, are you worried about me? I'm truly touched, but you don't need to worry. I will definitely win the match in two months, and it will be a decisive victory."
Liu Qinghui's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she asked indifferently, "Do you think you can definitely defeat Ning Fa?"
Ning Ruiming blinked in confusion, "Isn't a thirty percent success rate enough? It would be a miracle if Ning Fa could even refine a successful pill of the Three Yuan Pill within three months."
Liu Qinghui, however, shook her head, "Do you think Ning Fa would openly challenge you if he didn't have confidence in winning?"
At these words, the smile on Ning Ruiming's face slowly faded.
He exclaimed in disbelief, "Can he really refine the Three Yuan Pill to a thirty percent success rate within three months? How is that possible!?"
Liu Qinghui looked out the window, her expression serene, "The family originally believed Ning Fa would never be able to advance. But now he has advanced, so what's impossible for him to achieve this?"
"Furthermore, Ning Fa has now regained the family's attention and is on a roll. If he challenged you without confidence, it would only dampen his morale and boost your reputation. I don't think he's that foolish."
Ning Ruiming's brows were now tightly furrowed.
Liu Qinghui's words completely shattered his previously relaxed mood.
Liu Qinghui looked at him and said calmly, "So, your thirty percent success rate isn't guaranteed. In my opinion, you need at least close to fifty percent."
"Fifty percent?"
Ning Ruiming exclaimed.
This success rate was something he dared not even imagine, especially with only two months remaining.
Liu Qinghui, however, gave a soft smile and said gently, "Coincidentally, I've also gained considerable insight into refining the Three Yuan Pill recently and can now achieve at least a fifty percent success rate. I will personally guide you for the next two months. You should still have a chance to achieve it. At the very least, increasing your success rate to forty percent should be quite achievable."
Ning Ruiming was stunned at first, then his face lit up with joy, "Really? Qinghui, you're too good to me!"
Ning Ruiming was overwhelmed with gratitude.
He thought about how he had even suspected Liu Qinghui of being involved with Ning Fa before, and he felt an urge to slap himself for it.
In his excitement, he took a step forward, intending to take Liu Qinghui's hand.
However, Liu Qinghui subtly stepped back.
She lowered her gaze, a flicker of disgust flashing in the depths of her eyes.
Then, she softly said, "Get ready. I'll come back tomorrow."
With that, she gracefully turned and left.
Ning Ruiming was left standing there, filled with excitement and anticipation.
Two months passed in the blink of an eye.
This morning, Ning Xiuying stood in the courtyard, repeatedly glancing towards the alchemy room, a hint of nervousness in her expression.
Today was the day of the alchemy competition between Ning Fa and Ning Ruiming, but Ning Fa still hadn't emerged.
This made her a little worried, and the sound transmission talismans she had sent received no response.
Just as Ning Xiuying was debating whether to forcibly break the restriction and enter the room, the door to the alchemy room rippled with a cyan and white light, and Ning Fa's figure walked out.
He was wearing a blue robe, his hair slightly disheveled, and he looked groggy, clearly having just woken up.
However, this did not diminish his handsome, jade-like, and refined appearance and aura.
Looking at him, Ning Xiuying, who was usually bold and outgoing, felt a blush creep onto her face for some reason.
Ning Fa first looked Ning Xiuying up and down, then couldn't help but laugh, "Sister Xiuying, are you perhaps worried about me?"
Ning Xiuying regained her composure and said nervously, "Stop joking. Today is the day of the competition. How are you prepared?"
Ning Fa shrugged and deliberately said, "I'm very nervous right now, but if Sister Xiuying were to encourage me, perhaps I wouldn't be so nervous and might even perform exceptionally."
Ning Xiuying let out a delicate laugh and shot him a glance, "Still so glib. It seems I worried about you for nothing."
The next moment, her bright eyes shifted, and she actually stepped forward and gently hugged Ning Fa.