Ning Fa chuckled inwardly.
Ning Ruiming was right; with the help of the Mysterious Scroll, he was indeed cheating.
In the past three months, he had refined at least five to six hundred Three Yuan Pills.
If converted to Spirit Stones, the cost of Spiritual Materials alone would have been tens of thousands of Spirit Stones.
That was enough to buy a Foundation Establishment Pill.
Moreover, the Spiritual Materials for the Three Yuan Pill were precious, and often, even with Spirit Stones, the main ingredients couldn't be bought.
It could be said that Ning Ruiming hadn't refined as many Three Yuan Pills in the past three months as Ning Fa had since he joined the Pill Hall.
Due to the alchemy competition, Ning Ruiming, with the support of the Third Elder and the branch families, had only managed to get over seventy sets of Spiritual Materials for the Three Yuan Pill to practice with.
So, his loss to Ning Fa was both unfair and entirely fair.
Ning Fa, with a smile, twisted the knife further:
"If Brother Ruiming is not satisfied, you can choose any other First-grade Mid-rank Pill for another competition. I'm amenable to any."
Wei Chengzong, who was stroking his beard, widened his eyes and almost pulled out his own whiskers.
He instantly made up his mind to make a significant sacrifice to compensate for his previous oversight.
Seeing Ning Fa's vindictive nature truly chilled him.
"This kid is too wicked."
Ning Shaohong cursed inwardly with a laugh, then heard a crisp cracking sound beside her.
She looked towards Ning Jiannan.
Ning Jiannan's face was ashen, and he had unconsciously crushed the armrest of his chair.
At this moment, Ning Weize looked at the Second Elder and Third Elder on his left and chuckled, "Second Brother, Third Brother, I believe with Xiao Fa's alchemy talent, there's no need to wait for him to master the other two First-grade Mid-rank Pills. How about we directly recognize him as a First-grade Mid-rank Pill Master of the family?"
Although the Foundation Establishment Elders had different seniority levels, once they advanced to Foundation Establishment, they were addressed by their family rank.
The Second Elder, Ning Weidong, nodded and said with a faint smile, "I second that. With the alchemy talent Xiao Fa displayed today, he is already catching up to the First Cloud Ancestor. I think we can make a special exception. What do you think, Third Brother? After all, the Pill Hall is under your jurisdiction."
Ning Zhongjiu's expression revealed neither joy nor anger. He nodded gently and said calmly, "What Fourth Brother and Second Brother said makes sense. I will now announce that Ning Fa is officially promoted to a First-grade Mid-rank Pill Master of the family, effective immediately."
Ning Zhongjiu's voice wasn't loud, but it carried throughout the hall, clearly heard by everyone.
Ning Fa was taken aback at first.
While becoming a First-grade Mid-rank Pill Master was only a matter of time for him, being promoted directly today was an unexpected bonus.
He bowed to the Foundation Establishment Elders and said loudly, "Thank you, Elders."
At this, Ning Zhongjiu smiled faintly and said, "The Pill Hall has gained such a talented individual. As the Hall Master of the Pill Hall, I must show my appreciation. I bestow this Magic Tool upon you."
With that, Ning Zhongjiu flicked his finger.
A ray of green light flew to Ning Fa's front and transformed into a small green mirror.
The mirror was palm-sized, with an ancient design and intricate spiritual patterns.
A faint green vortex could be seen on the mirror's surface, slowly rotating.
At a glance, it seemed capable of drawing one's mind into it.
On the back of the small mirror were engraved two ancient characters: "Qing Ning."
A powerful spiritual pressure emanated from the small green mirror, startling Ning Fa.
This Magic Tool was definitely of High-grade Magic Artifact level, and not just any ordinary High-grade Magic Artifact.
The elders on the high platform looked at Ning Zhongjiu with some surprise.
A look of astonishment flashed in Ning Shaohong's eyes, and she then chuckled, "Xiao Fa, this is the Third Elder's Azure Condensation Treasure Mirror. It was the Third Elder's renowned treasure from before. It's formidable in both offense and defense, and it's a fine example of a High-grade Magic Artifact. Thank the Third Elder quickly."
Ning Fa quickly said, "Thank you, Third Elder."
He then put the small bronze mirror into his storage bag.
He mused inwardly, guessing some of the reasons behind Ning Zhongjiu's bestowal of the treasure.
Rewarding him for his performance today was likely the superficial reason; it was probably more about extending goodwill to Ning Fa.
After all, Ning Fa's father, Ning Zhiyuan, had lost to Ning Jiannan in the succession competition, and Ning Jiannan had received several powerful treasures from Ning Zhongjiu.
Now, Ning Zhongjiu bestowing his renowned treasure upon Ning Fa was likely an attempt to make amends.
However, Ning Fa wasn't easily swayed, but he wasn't foolish enough to refuse it now.
Seeing this, Ning Jiannan, whose expression was already grim, became even more somber.
Ning Zhongjiu glanced at Ning Fa again, gave a faint smile, and then turned to leave.
He didn't look at Ning Ruiming again from beginning to end.
Ning Weidong also stood up. He glanced at Ning Shaohong, who wore a smile, a hint of strangeness flashing in his eyes, then he too got up and left.
Ning Weize looked at Ning Fa and said with a gentle smile, "Xiao Fa, I look forward to you advancing to the late stage of Qi Condensation soon and becoming a First-grade High-rank Pill Master of the family."
Ning Fa respectfully replied, "This junior will certainly strive to do so."
He saw Ning Shaohong smiling at him and couldn't help but cast a grateful glance her way.
He owed the huge support from Ning Shaohong for his smooth victory in the competition this time.
Ning Shaohong nodded, then gracefully moved her lotus steps, leaving with Ning Weize.
Ning Fa looked at Ning Jiannan with a smile.
Ning Jiannan snorted coldly, stopped looking at him, and then dragged the crestfallen Ning Ruiming away dejectedly.
Ning Fa's eyes darted around, and he chuckled, "Brother Ruiming, don't forget our bet. Although I'm not in a hurry to move to the Pill Hall, I don't want to wait too long either."
Ning Ruiming's body stiffened, and he visibly trembled, but he was still forcibly dragged away by his father.
The competition finally concluded, ending with Ning Fa's resounding victory.
"Brother Fa, congratulations on being promoted to a First-grade Mid-rank Pill Master of the family!"
Ning Jideng jogged over, his face full of smiles as he congratulated him.
His address to Ning Fa had also naturally changed.
At this moment, he no longer harbored any thoughts of competing with Ning Fa; all he wanted now was to build a good relationship with him.
Ning Fa responded with a smile, not holding the man's previous cold attitude against him.
"Little Fa, you did wonderfully! I have a premonition that you might achieve what the First Cloud Ancestor did."
At this moment, Ning Shumou, with his youthful demeanor despite his aged appearance, also walked over, patted Ning Fa's shoulder, and said with emotion.
Facing the elder, Ning Fa dared not be negligent and humbly replied, "Uncle Mou flatters me. I am still far from it. How could I dare to be compared with the First Cloud Ancestor?"
Ning Shumou smiled without speaking, patted Ning Fa's shoulder, and said, "Now that you are at the same level as me, feel free to find me if you have any questions about alchemy in the future. Although my alchemy talent is far inferior to yours, my alchemy experience should still be able to help you."
"Thank you, Uncle Mou."
Ning Fa thanked him sincerely.
He felt Ning Shumou's genuine goodwill.
He was truly happy that the Ning Family had produced a talent like Ning Fa, which made him, who had seen enough of deceit and trickery, involuntarily feel a sense of solemn respect.
At this moment, other alchemy apprentices also eagerly crowded around, wanting to congratulate Ning Fa while also making themselves known.
Ning Fa responded to each of them, not neglecting anyone because of their attention, making these alchemy apprentices even feel flattered.