Fang Chen was contemplating whether it was necessary to get involved in this when a familiar voice echoed in his ear. "

Go to the Desolate Academy and help me investigate someone; I suspect he is the Spirit Blood Sect's Radiant Sun Spirit Lord.

"

Fang Chen immediately recognized the owner of the voice.

Shen Ji?

He had originally believed that Shen Ji wasn't here, but it turned out that he simply hadn't been able to find her earlier.

Fang Chen subtly nodded in response before walking toward the high platform.

The message Goddess Shen Ji had conveyed was crucial.

Radiant Sun Spirit Lord… Wasn't he the one backing Qin Nie?

Fang Chen realized he had to reassess the Spirit Blood Sect's threat level.

So the Spirit Blood Sect could infiltrate even the Desolate Academy….

Seeing Fang Chen walk up, Ning Tieniu hurried to catch up, chattering away, "Brother Fang, I heard you went to the Ancient Immortal Road before. What happened later? They say you hid for several years; is that true? Or did you have some fortuitous encounter on the Ancient Immortal Road? You could share it with me…"

No matter how much Ning Tieniu rambled, Fang Chen simply smiled in response.

The eyes of the crowd followed Fang Chen, not noticing a figure stepping into the arena and immediately turning to look at Fang Chen.

Xu Qingsong stared at Fang Chen for a while before walking toward a few familiar cultivators.

On the high platform, Ji Liang looked at Fang Chen with a smile that seemed to hide something. "Daoist Fang, it's been a few years since we last met."

Fang Chen nodded with a smile. "Indeed, it has been."

Dozens of figures stood on the high platform, their cultivation levels varying greatly.

Feng Ya had a look of astonishment on his face when he looked at Fang Chen. "You are Fang Chen, the Void Immortal Sword Sect's sword leader…?"

Quickly, Feng Ya's eyes drifted from Fang Chen to Xia Ji, a flicker of surprise passing through his eyes.

He couldn't understand how someone like Xia Ji could be acquainted with such a prominent figure.

"Brother Feng, is it so surprising that he's the Void Immortal Sword Sect's sword leader?" Xia Ji patted Feng Ya on the shoulder. "Can't I, your brother, be acquainted with such a big figure?"

Feng Ya forced a strained smile. "No… it's not surprising at all."

Era Immortal King's gaze swept across everyone on the platform, then he briefly exchanged a look with someone up in the sky before speaking softly. "This old man is acting on a whim today, mainly because fewer and fewer young people are studying Alchemy in the Desolate Academy.

"Since someone has picked holes in the fairness of my disciple selection method, I'll now offer the most impartial method of assessment to give you juniors a fair test.

"Any four of you who can pass the test can follow me to the Desolate Academy. If you fail… don't bother having your family plead for you."

Era Immortal King's words made Fang Chen, as well as many others, realize something.

So when Senior Brother Bai said that the disciples selected were predetermined, that wasn't a baseless accusation….

Fang Chen thought to himself.

From the looks of things, the Era Immortal King found it difficult to ignore the claims when it was Bai Qingming who had pointed them out. He had no other choice but to come up with an excuse and roll with it.

"Please proceed with the assessment, Era Immortal King!" Ji Liang said, cupping his fist.

The Era Immortal King smiled. "Let me first ask you. How many among you have already tried your hand at alchemy?"

Hearing that, the people exchanged looks. In the end, more than 80% raised their hands.

The threshold for breaking into alchemy wasn't particularly high; many pill recipes were circulating outside. As long as a cultivator had a decent background, they could easily obtain them. 𝙧𝙖ꞐƟʙЕṣ

However, dabbling wasn't enough to make it on the path of alchemy. An enormous amount of time needed to be invested to achieve success. Furthermore, without the guidance of a skilled master, any time put in was essentially wasted.

Therefore, many cultivators found it better to invest time in their cultivation instead. That was also why many people had a bit of knowledge regarding alchemy but very few who truly grasped its essence.

"You all use fire-elemental energy when refining pills, correct?" the Era Immortal King asked with a faint smile.

The listeners exchanged confused looks.

What else would they use if not fire-elemental energy?

Era Immortal King explained, "Using fire-elemental energy isn't wrong; it's the foundation and the cornerstone of alchemy. However, fire-elemental energy comes in many forms, and the energy and intensity of different methods vary. For example, many powerful fire-elemental techniques are used by cultivators in battle.

"But when it comes to refining pills, there are specific methods of controlling fire-elemental energy, known as pill fire. What I explained earlier was one such method.

"A pill fire has miraculous effects in the process of refining pills. Those who master the pill fire could produce more and better pills using the same recipe and ingredients as others who rely on other, more ordinary methods.

"Now, think about it… If it takes you ten years to refine a pill you can't ensure its quality, and it takes someone else only three years to refine it using the pill fire, all while guaranteeing quality, then…."

The Era Immortal King smiled. "Which of these two is truly the pill master?"

"The latter, of course," Ji Liang answered thoughtfully.

The Era Immortal King explained, "Correct. Merely knowing the basics does not make one a pill master. Only those who understand the essence and can skillfully wield the pill fire are taking the first step toward becoming a true pill master.

"Earlier, I had you attempt the method of condensing pill fire, but you were not yet asked to actually use it. Now, I will test your ability to wield pill fire. Those who succeed and catch my attention can enter the Desolate Academy."

The Era Immortal King waved his sleeve, and a withered branch appeared before each participant.

At first glance, the branches seemed ordinary. However, when closely inspected, they appeared to be etched with intricate and mysterious patterns.

"Condense pill fire and refine this into a Wood Spirit Pill. That will count as passing," the Era Immortal King said with a smile.

Ning Tieniu, looking as innocent as always, asked, "Immortal King, what happens if we fail?"

"Then you'll simply return from where you came," the Era Immortal King responded.

Several powerful figures in the crowd frowned slightly. Some already began casting irritated glances at Bai Qingming. If not for him stirring things up, the candidates for entry into the Desolate Academy would have been decided long ago.

Fang Chen carefully examined the withered branch in front of him but did not rush to take action.

Others may not recognize its origin, but his mind held detailed knowledge of countless materials. This branch came from a deceased spirit tree, which, during its life, absorbed the essence of heaven and earth. Though most of the tree's essence had already returned to the earth after death, these branches still held the last traces of that essence.

However, the moment these branches touch any form of fire, they instantly disintegrate into pure spiritual energy, dissipating into the air. Only by using pill fire with skillful control could their essence be preserved. This required a certain foundational understanding of alchemy.

Some had already begun their attempts. Despite all the effort they put into condensing their pill fires, the moment the fire touched the branches, they exploded into bursts of spiritual energy and vanished into the air.

"What the…."

Everyone looked at each other in confusion.

One of the people whose branches were reduced to nothing turned pale. Soon, they sighed and stepped down from the platform.

This time, the weird phenomenon where people forgot the method for condensing the pill fire after hearing it didn't occur.

With previous failures as a warning, they were more cautious. However, no matter how careful they were, they couldn't control the fire properly and ended up with the same result as the first person.

Only Ji Liang, the Fifth Princess, and Ning Tieniu seemed well-prepared and succeeded one after the other.

Wiping his sweat, Ning Tieniu instinctively glanced at the elderly figure in the crowd. "Phew, that was close! I almost got myself a spanking back at home. Luckily, my grandpa somehow knew that the Era Immortal King would hold this test today, and he made me practice countless times beforehand."

In the end, some couldn't condense the fire, and others failed to control the heat, resulting in their elimination. Only six people remained on the platform: Ji Liang, the Fifth Princess, Ning Tieniu, Feng Ya, and the yet-to-act Fang Chen and Xia Ji.

Feng Ya's eyes gleamed with excitement as he held the Wood Spirit Pill, feeling a sense of pride.

He had proved that he was more suitable than Xia Ji to enter the Desolate Academy and study alchemy!

Feng Ya looked at Xia Ji, grinning. "Xia Ji, why haven't you started refining yet?"

Xia Ji only glanced at him. He waved his sleeve, conjured the pill fire, and refined the withered branch into a Wood Spirit Pill almost instantly.

Feng Ya was stunned.

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

At the same time, the withered branch in Fang Chen's hand also turned into a Wood Spirit Pill, as the crowd watched in disbelief.

Compared to Ji Liang and the others, Fang Chen and Xia ji had refined their branches almost effortlessly.

"You six all have a talent for alchemy, but as I said, only four will be chosen," King Ji said with a smile, looking at Fang Chen and Xia Ji. "You two were the last to pass the test, so you get to choose someone for the next round of competition."

Xia Ji immediately pointed at Feng Ya. "Brother Feng Ya, let's have a little contest."

Fang Chen smiled at Ji Liang. "Fellow Daoist Ji, how about we have a spar?"

Ji Liang and Feng Ya's expressions instantly darkened.