Many people's eyes nearly popped out at this sight: another unprecedented miracle, a perfect quality score on the Furnace Fire Ranking! A completion rate of ninety percent was considered superior quality, and ninety-nine percent was top-tier superior quality. Let alone perfect quality, even top-tier superior quality had never appeared in the nearly thousand-year history of the Nine Gods Cultivation Realm.
What was most disheartening was that this miracle was still achieved by me, "Playing Around to Create."
These two talents combined meant that from now on, whatever pills he refined would be of top-tier superior quality!
Whether from excitement or some other reason, Wu Fan suddenly leaned forward, swaying precariously as if about to fall.
Fortunately, Geng Xu, standing beside him, was quick-witted and immediately supported him, allowing him to regain his balance.
Wu Fan quickly waved his hand, "Quick, go inside and search."
He didn't specify what to search for, but everyone knew what he was looking for.
Geng Xu immediately released Wu Fan and headed into the grand hall.
A moment later, Geng Xu emerged with his head hung low, his face etched with immense disappointment, shaking his head at Wu Fan. Wu Fan's heart sank to the bottom, and his body tilted precariously again. Geng Xu lunged forward and narrowly managed to support him.
Concurrently, in the Trial Medicine Halls of the Four Great Sects of the Nine Gods Cultivation Realm, melodious bell chimes rang out simultaneously. The Four Great Sect Leaders, in their respective locations, were simultaneously awakened. A hint of gloom appeared on everyone's faces.
Grandmaster Zhang summoned the peak masters of each peak and discussed the matter further.
Grandmaster Zhang first inquired about the progress of the reconnaissance missions. Bu Qingqing, the peak master of Orchid Peak, reported, "According to the messages sent back by our disciples who went to gather information, the previous bell chime was because an outer disciple of the Lingxiao Sect completed the test of drawing a thousand threads. However, strangely, that disciple disappeared after completing the test. They are also looking for this person, but they haven't found them yet."
"Why did that disciple disappear?" Grandmaster Zhang asked, a question that the other peak masters also wanted answered.
"It is said that it might be because their drug test yielded zero points, hence they dared not show their face."
"Pfft!" The others couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"What's so funny?" Grandmaster Zhang shot a stern look around, silencing everyone. He then turned his back and convulsed for a long time before turning back to Bu Qingqing, "Is there any possibility that we can find that person before that traitor?"
Bu Qingqing naturally knew who he referred to as the "traitor" and immediately replied, "There is absolutely a possibility that we can find him before Senior Uncle..." She suddenly realized Grandmaster Zhang was glaring at her and quickly corrected herself, "Before that traitor. Because I have already arranged for our hidden operatives to be testing inside day and night. Once that person re-enters the hall for testing, we will definitely discover it, and before their Lingxiao Sect does."
Grandmaster Zhang nodded with satisfaction, "You have worked hard."
Just as Bu Qingqing was about to offer a modest reply, the other peak masters interjected with evident sourness, "Peak Master Bu is truly far-sighted, arranging a hidden operative within the Lingxiao Sect, causing all our disciples sent out to gather information to return empty-handed."
Bu Qingqing clearly sensed the acidity and ignored them, merely letting out a cold snort.
"Then, is there any possibility that we can poach him?" Grandmaster Zhang asked with some urgency.
"That will depend on Ling'er's charm," Bu Qingqing replied ambiguously, but her eyes clearly conveyed absolute confidence.
It seemed they would have to resort to any means necessary! Grandmaster Zhang coughed dryly and immediately changed the subject, "It's like this, the bell chime rang again just now. It's likely that a certain sect has experienced a similar event, and it's uncertain if it's still the Lingxiao Sect. Therefore, I've summoned everyone here to hope that you will continue to have your outer disciples gather information, to see which sect has once again achieved the miracle of drawing a thousand threads or refined a perfect quality Furnace Fire Insect Pupa, and relay the news back immediately."
Everyone sighed, "It's probably another fruitless effort, and the credit will still go to Peak Master Bu."
Mo Qi left the grand hall after completing his test. He naturally understood the unusual significance of the bell chime, but he felt that if he couldn't pass the test and obtain the alchemist qualification, what was the point of the bell chiming again?
He walked towards the cave, kicking the stones on the ground with a dejected mood.
Suddenly, he felt a presence behind him and immediately turned around, but there was no one there.
Mo Qi looked around again; there was indeed no one. He thought it was his imagination and continued walking back.
A moment later, at the edge of the forest, he heard a soft groan. He followed the sound and saw a graceful figure before him. She was leaning against a tree, with one leg extended outwards. A streak of crimson marred her calf, as if injured.
The girl appeared to be around sixteen. Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, her skin was as smooth as congealed fat, her brows were delicate, her eyes were like crescent moons, her face was a hundred shades of red, appearing as if it could burst with a touch, and her cherry lips were small. Though petite in stature, she was curvaceous. Mo Qi felt his breath quicken after just one glance. He couldn't help but look again. She was wearing a skirt that revealed her fair calves, and as she moved, her legs appeared and disappeared, always stirring a sense of longing.
She seemed injured, as if waiting for him to play the hero and save the damsel.
This was a scene from a play, how could he have encountered it?
But it shouldn't be like this; she should be a cultivator, and such a minor injury shouldn't prevent her from walking.
This injury was only visible; what if she had other injuries?
But what if she didn't need help?
Even if she didn't need help, he could offer it proactively. If he didn't help her proactively, how would he have a chance to get close to her?
But wouldn't that be too abrupt?
If it wasn't abrupt, he might lose the only chance to approach her, wouldn't that be a pity?
The closer he walked, the more rapid his breathing became, and the higher his heart pounded.
The closer he walked, the more chaotic his thoughts became, his mind a jumbled mess.
Finally... he just walked over. He wanted to slap himself twice; such a good opportunity, and he lacked the courage!
Alas, the opportunity was missed, he might as well continue walking.
"Fellow disciple, could you lend me a hand?" The girl's voice suddenly rang out from behind him, clear and melodious, each word making his heart soften. This voice was like a spell that froze Mo Qi in place.
He was sure she was calling him, but he still looked around to confirm that no one else was nearby. Then, he swallowed and said, "What is it?"
"Heh heh," the girl chuckled, her laughter bringing a touch of spring to the entire forest and making the sunlight feel much warmer. "My leg is injured. You saw it from over there. Are you playing a guessing game with me?"
Who could resist such a charm?
Mo Qi's face immediately flushed red. This was probably the first time in his life he had blushed while talking to a girl.
Perhaps it was due to his guilty conscience.
"Then how do you want me to help you?" Mo Qi slowly walked back, forcing himself to remain calm.
"Help me up," the girl extended a hand.
As if by reflex, Mo Qi couldn't help but grasp her hand.
Her hand felt soft as if boneless, and a jolt like electricity coursed through him, making his heart flutter.
The girl slowly stood up, a look of slight pain on her face. "My name is Xiao Cong'er. I am a disciple of Maiden Peak."
"You are an inner disciple, my apologies," Mo Qi said, with a hint of envy. All outer disciples were concentrated below the halfway point of Shaoxia Peak, so disciples from all other peaks were inner disciples.
"What's there to be apologetic about?" Xiao Cong'er smiled indifferently. "You will undoubtedly become an inner disciple yourself soon." As she spoke, she began walking towards the edge of the forest, and Mo Qi unconsciously followed her. From a distance, it clearly looked as if Xiao Cong'er was pulling Mo Qi along, not Mo Qi supporting Xiao Cong'er.
"What is your name, junior disciple?" Xiao Cong'er chuckled again, her laughter like pearls scattering on a jade plate. "I must have entered the sect a few years before you. You won't mind if I call you junior disciple, will you?"
Mo Qi repeatedly shook his head, "I don't mind, not at all. My name is Mo Qi. I am a newly admitted outer disciple, so it's perfectly reasonable for you to call me junior disciple."
"I can tell that junior disciple seems to have great talent in cultivation," Xiao Cong'er said conversationally, her smile ever-present and radiant.
"Not at all, not at all, senior sister flatters me," Mo Qi was overjoyed inwardly but remained humble outwardly.
"I have always been a good judge of character," Xiao Cong'er glanced meaningfully at Mo Qi, a blush appearing on her face. "When it comes to marriage, one should marry someone like junior disciple, who is both talented and handsome."
Mo Qi felt as if he had drunk several jars of wine, his mind swimming. Was this... was this his peach blossom luck arriving? Was this the fabled love at first sight?
Unknowingly, the two walked past the plaza and onto a bridge. This bridge was the passage connecting Maiden Peak and Shaoxia Peak, like a ribbon tied around the waist of the two mountain peaks. Below the bridge, white clouds drifted, as light as veils.
A faint fragrance occasionally wafted to his nose, a gentle breeze brushed his temples, and the surrounding scenery was like an immortal realm, accompanied by a beauty as picturesque as a painting. Mo Qi remained in a state of intoxicated fascination.
Xiao Cong'er spoke actively throughout their walk, sometimes giggling charmingly, sometimes gracefully moving her body, as if she were not injured at all.
They talked a great deal, about cultivation, divine abilities, their hometowns, and alchemy. Mo Qi, finding an opening, spoke of his desire to refine pills but his inability to even enter the alchemy room now. Xiao Cong'er asked him why, and after a moment of hesitation, she pouted adorably, "Good junior disciple, tell me!"
Mo Qi immediately poured out everything, like beans from a bamboo tube, leaving nothing out. He detailed when he participated in the first test, what results he achieved, when he participated in the second test, discovering he couldn't re-test, and then having to complete the unfinished test from the first attempt. He revealed every detail, fearing he might miss something, fearing she wouldn't believe him, and even offered to re-test for her.
Xiao Cong'er smiled indifferently, "Didn't you just say you couldn't re-test? That's indeed the case. You can only re-test after three years."
As they spoke, Xiao Cong'er suddenly said, "I've arrived."
Only then did Mo Qi realize they were in a courtyard filled with rockeries. Besides the rockeries, there was also a pond with crystal-clear water, where goldfish swam and played. Various flowers and plants were planted by the pond.