At this moment, Lu Fan suddenly withdrew his palm. Simultaneously, a pill slowly materialized within the alchemic furnace, its top emitting thick, billowing smoke.
In that instant, dark clouds gathered overhead, accompanied by the rumble of thunder, seemingly drawing closer. Lu Fan, witnessing this spectacle, was filled with excitement. He knew he had succeeded; he had refined a genuine Grade Three pill.
"Grade Three Spirit Gathering Pill!"
President Lei exclaimed in surprise. Even he lacked such skill. To think Lu Fan could accomplish this! Refining a Grade Three Spirit Gathering Pill required extremely demanding conditions, and more importantly, this Grade Three Spirit Gathering Pill was more than a hundred times better than a Grade Two Spirit Gathering Pill.
"It's really refined successfully!"
The thin old man stood there, stunned and filled with disbelief. He could never have imagined the level Lu Fan could reach through his own efforts.
Rumble...
At that very moment, a booming sound echoed, piercing straight into the heavens, appearing quite terrifying. In that instant, the pill was as if struck by lightning. In the blink of an eye, it condensed numerous spiritual energies, becoming a true Grade Three pill.
Seeing this, everyone was filled with incredulity. They could not fathom that Lu Fan could refine a Grade Three pill, even drawing upon the heavens and earth.
"Impossible, this is absolutely impossible!"
Lin Qingya's expression shifted. She was unwilling to believe it. As a peerless prodigy of Pill City, even she had not successfully refined a Grade Three pill. How could Lu Fan have succeeded?
"How is this possible!"
Xia Donghai stood there, his expression dazed. He never imagined Lu Fan possessed such skill, to refine a Grade Two Spirit Gathering Pill into a Grade Three. It was simply miraculous, something he had never heard of before.
"President, among the many alchemists present, only I refined a Grade Three pill. Does this mean I am number 1 in this alchemy competition?"
Lu Fan's expression was solemn as he looked towards President Lei.
"You are correct. You are indeed number 1 in the alchemy competition!"
President Lei nodded slightly, a smile appearing on his face. "Congratulations, you have become the representative of the Dan Tower and will receive the Dan Tower's medal!"
Lu Fan smiled, his expression becoming calm. With the Grade Three pill refined, he was undoubtedly second to none, standing out among the numerous alchemists.
"I do not agree!"
Lin Qingya suddenly interjected, "My Profound Spirit Pill is also about to reach Grade Three, and it is inherently a Grade Three pill. His Spirit Gathering Pill is merely a Grade Two pill. Even if it possesses Grade Three aura, it is fundamentally a Grade Two Spirit Gathering Pill!"
"Qingya, stop fooling around!"
President Lei furrowed his brow and spoke, "This young brother's victory is well-deserved, and there will be no issues."
"I am simply not convinced!" Lin Qingya spoke again. "I have already made it clear. This is not a Grade Three pill at all, even with the aura of a Grade Three pill."
"You are an alchemist, surely you understand this point?" President Lei said coldly. "As long as it can cause a celestial phenomenon and successfully resonate with lightning, a Grade Three pill is formed. This is also the mark of a Grade Three pill."
"The President is correct. The mark of a Grade Three pill is indeed like this, but the Spirit Gathering Pill is inherently a Grade Two pill!" Xia Donghai chimed in repeatedly. "I feel for Junior Sister Qingya."
"You, a disciple of the Alchemist Guild, do not even know this? How were you taught?" President Lei said angrily. "Who stipulated that the Spirit Gathering Pill must be a Grade Two pill? In ancient times, some alchemic magnates could refine the Spirit Gathering Pill into a Grade Nine pill. True pills are not determined by grade, but by the refining technique."
The alchemists present also agreed upon hearing this, especially after witnessing the celestial phenomenon. It was enough to conclude that the Spirit Gathering Pill Lu Fan had refined was far superior to Lin Qingya's.
Lin Qingya was greatly angered but could not refute. As her father had said, only that which could invoke the power of heaven and earth could be considered a true pill.
"There is no room for dispute in this matter. Since the President has made his judgment, it cannot be wrong," the thin old man stated. "The President, as a Grade Four alchemist, would surely not err!"
Facing these words, everyone nodded in agreement.
President Lei approached Lu Fan, holding a badge in his hand. "This is the Dan Tower's badge, a Grade Three Alchemist badge, recognized by the Dan Tower!"
Holding the badge, Lu Fan’s expression was solemn. He had paid a considerable price to obtain this badge, and now he was somewhat touched.
Lin Qingya stood by, stunned. In her eyes, this badge should have been hers. But now, it seemed she lacked the strength. Obtaining this badge was ultimately beyond her control.
"Thank you, President. I will continue to work hard in the future!" Lu Fan smiled.
"Do you have any interest in joining my Alchemist Guild?" President Lei asked. "You have received the Dan Tower's badge. After I retire, you can become the Guild Master. At that time, you can even wield immense power in Pill City, and indeed, across the entire Cloud Province!"
"Perhaps not! My ambition lies elsewhere!"
Lu Fan shook his head. "Besides, I am a student of Beihai Academy. After the alchemy competition concludes, I must return to Beihai Academy."
"So you are a student of Beihai Academy!" President Lei nodded slightly. "I am acquainted with your Dean. If you are willing, you can come to the Alchemist Guild anytime."
"Certainly, certainly!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly, and after receiving the alchemist badge, he prepared to leave.
President Lei, however, spoke again. "A banquet has been prepared for this evening to honor the number 1 person in the alchemy competition. Little brother, you have become first, you wouldn't mind, would you?"
"You are inviting me?"
Lu Fan gave an awkward smile. "Of course, I don't mind."
"That's good. The Alchemist Guild awaits your presence this evening!" President Lei said quickly.
Following these words, Lu Fan nodded slightly, heading towards the Alchemist Guild. He didn't mind; it was just a meal.
As soon as he left the alchemy grounds, many people swarmed him. "Our Liuyun Sect is in need of an alchemist. Would you be interested in joining us? The treatment is generous, and you would absolutely be an elder!"
"Our Tianxuan Sect is looking for a Vice Sect Master. If you are willing to join us, our Tianxuan Sect will treat you with the utmost respect!"
Everyone spoke with earnest expressions.
Unfortunately, Lu Fan had no such intentions. He had no desire to join any sect. The generous conditions offered by these sects were likely from mere minor factions.
After squeezing through the crowd, Lu Fan and the others finally returned to the inn. Bi Yao looked at him with delight, "I knew you wouldn't disappoint me!"