Refining the Mountains and Rivers Chapter 245

Within the great hall, the rulers of the Gold Noble Family all had ugly complexions. With the honored status of their Ning Clan, they were actually forced back by influences in such a wilderness; this was a tremendous loss of face. But beneath another person’s house, one could only lower their head. With all three factions joining together, even if they were angry they could only try to peacefully resolve the situation.

“I have looked through the letters. It’s clear that the three factions have found a form of real evidence through some channel. It won’t be easy to satisfy them.”

“Since they already know, they should also know that we failed our attempt. Why do they keep trying to make things difficult for us?”

“It’s simple. The three factions don’t wish for us to continue holding onto the method and keep trying. Even if we failed this time, that doesn’t mean we will fail in the future.”

“That wicked girl’s strength wasn’t enough. We’ve already tried our best, how could we try again?”

“The key point is that while we know this, they don’t.”

Everyone had a dignified appearance, their auras dreadful. They argued back and forth, trying to push the matter towards a result they wanted to say.

The key to resolving the accountability request from the three factions rested on the wicked girl.

With things having come this far, the truth was obvious. Everyone here was intelligent, otherwise it would have been impossible for them to coordinate and come to a tacit understanding.

But no one wanted to be the first to speak.

The old man in the central seat cursed inwardly. He frowned and said, “You’re all saying you wish to hand over that wicked girl?”

Only he had the status and station to say such words. It was equal to bringing up everyone’s respective opinions.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly relaxed.

“It wouldn’t be good to hand over that wicked girl. In the end she is someone from the upper family. If someone investigates this in the future, we will be in trouble.”

“The upper family once said that we can use our own discretion to make arrangements for that wicked girl. Although we cannot hand her over, we can marry her away.”

“Men marry in and women marry out; these are the relationships of the human world. Even if they notice this later, they cannot censure any of us.”

“I ask the Patriarch to make a decision.”

The old man contemplated for a moment. “Very well, we shall do as you say. Send out a message to the three factions saying that my Ning Family is willing to marry off a daughter. Have them bring forth their most outstanding and virtuous juniors to come and propose.”

The meeting came to an end.

…

A great deal of the tense atmosphere within the Gold Noble Family vanished, replaced by an excited bustling, as if they were going to receive important visitors soon.

This was confirmed from Ning Yuan’s mouth. It seemed that the clan had found some way to solve their problem.

That was marrying off a daughter.

Upon mentioning this girl that would soon be married off to a family below her station, Ning Yuan’s complexion became rather sad. She sighed, “Little Seven has such a bitter life!”

Qin Yu didn’t care about this part. He was thinking that if people were gathering from all over because the Gold Noble Family was marrying off a daughter, then perhaps this was the best chance to find a way to reach Nascent Soul.

If so, then he needed to participate. This was so he could promptly respond when the chance revealed itself.

Qin Yu asked, “Since the clan is marrying off a daughter, there will surely be many matters to handle. Is there any way I can help?”

Ning Yuan was surprised, but immediately felt gratified. If Qin Ning said this, he clearly wanted to climb upwards. But it wasn’t easy to do so.

Although she didn’t know which visitors would be arriving in the coming days, looking at how the clan was responding, it was clear they would not be ordinary people. They would most likely be the most splendid and outstanding individuals amongst all the juniors. The clan would not allow themselves to lose face in front of outsiders. Although Qin Ning was skilled, he likely didn’t have the qualifications to participate.

However, since it was rare to hear such words coming from him, Ning Yuan didn’t want to ruin his enthusiasm. She hesitated, “I could try…”

Qin Yu could clearly feel the awkwardness in her words. He hesitated and said, “I was being too rash. Senior-apprentice sister Ning Yuan, if I became a third-grade alchemist, would I have the qualifications to help?”

Ning Yuan’s eyes brightened. “Of course. A third-grade alchemist’s status is even a bit higher than that of a Golden Core. With your age, that would be enough for anyone to highly regard you. Junior-apprentice brother Qin Ning, could it be that you…”

Qin Yu smiled. “Then I’ll have to ask senior-apprentice sister to speak up for me in several more days.” He cupped his hands and bid farewell.

Looking at his back, Ning Yuan’s eyes shined.

Five days later, this month’s promotion test began. Qin Yu used his status token to register to participate in the third-grade alchemy inspection. After being approved, he dialed the 10086 customer service interface and found the inspection time and location, punishment for cheating, and various other test details.

After confirming his selection, the majority of the registration was finished. Of course, before the inspection began, he needed to pay a test fee as well as three sets of materials for a third-grade pill.

The pill inspection naturally couldn’t be separated from the Alchemy Chamber. Qin Yu simply needed to go to the Alchemy Chamber, pay his fee and register, and then he was allowed to go. There were many alchemists in the fee payment office. Many of them knew Qin Yu and were surprised to see him there.

Although they didn’t say anything, the meaning was clear: why are you here?

It had to be known that the basic inspection didn’t require additional fees.

Qin Yu had a calm look. He waited in line to pay.

“Cough cough. Fellow daoist Qin Ning, how are you today?” Finally, several alchemists couldn’t help but speak up.

The others all raised their ears.

Qin Yu responded, “I’ve applied for this month’s third-grade alchemy inspection.”

“Oh…” The alchemist froze in place. The others beside him also had incomparably strange gazes. They couldn’t even bother to pretend they weren’t listening and directly turned their heads towards him.

They hadn’t heard wrong. This brat actually wanted to apply for the third-grade alchemy inspection!

To be a third-grade alchemist, one had to be able to refine Golden Core realm pills. And, the basic standard was that their pill refining success rate was higher than 30%.

Many alchemists struggled for numerous years. They were stuck at a bottleneck, unable to advance.

Among that group were many people here.

Because between a second-grade alchemist and third-grade alchemist, although there was only a difference of a single grade, it was as vast as the heavens and earth.

Like the difference between Foundation Establishment and Golden Core.

Within the Gold Noble Family, alchemists were valued even higher. A third-grade alchemist had the chance of receiving a certain level of attention from the clan.

Moreover, Qin Yu was so young that it made one’s blood boil. If he could pass the inspection and become a third-grade alchemist, then his comprehensive assessment value would be far higher.

Such a young third-grade alchemist would surely be raised by the clan, and there would even be a chance of them becoming a fourth-grade alchemist in the future. A fourth-grade alchemist was among the higher echelons of alchemists, and in terms of status within the clan, they were somewhat higher than Nascent Souls.

After paying his fee and receiving a receipt, his registration was now properly completed. All he needed to do now was wait for the inspection to begin. Qin Yu nodded at all the open-mouth alchemists staring at him and turned to leave.

The room was silent. Everyone slowly regained their composure, a complex look on their faces. Then, someone said, “Perhaps he just wants to experience how difficult a third-grade alchemy inspection is. You and I both tried this in the past.”

“Mm, that’s right, I also think that.”

“With Qin Ning’s age, having a stable second-grade alchemy boundary is already commendable. Moreover, he was punished and sent to the Waste Pill Disposal Department three months ago; how could he have improved?”

“Perhaps he wants to use this to show his age and potential so that the manager of the Alchemy Chamber notices him. He wants to try his best to erase the previous events and the fallout from that.”

“What wise words!”

The next day, the inspection officially began.

A total of 49 people from the alchemy department had applied for this inspection.

“Within your status tokens, you will all receive randomly assigned information. In it you can find your own respective rooms. Every person has three sets of materials – three chances. You only need to succeed once to pass.” The alchemy inspection manager had a serious look as he said, “I’m sure you’re all aware of this, but I will remind you once more. The chances of you passing through cheating are zero. Once it has been confirmed, you will be forbidden from testing for three years and you will also need to pay a high fine. I hope that you all think this through clearly. Now, begin!”

Qin Yu walked down the corridor. He looked over the information he received and glanced over the numbers over the rooms. After determining that he hadn’t entered the wrong one, he closed the door behind himself.

But, there was see-through glass at the top of the door. One could look at the situation within from the outside, and there were constant patrols moving around.

The room was crude and simple. There was a pill furnace and a long and narrow table.

On the table, there were three sets of materials. Qin Yu glanced over them to make sure there weren’t any problems, and then checked the pill furnace to make sure it was fine too.

He flicked his fingers and a flame appeared. He used the fire igniting art to light the pill furnace. Then, with a flick of his sleeves, the materials were swept inside. After a moment there was a hollow bang, and black smoke immediately flowed out from the pill furnace.

It was obvious the refinement had failed.

Qin Yu had a calm expression. He waved his hand, extinguishing the furnace fire and pushing the waste pill materials to the side. When the pill furnace cooled down a little, he ignited it once more and attempted his second refinement.

Bang –

Defeat.

Walking through the corridor, the alchemist patrolling looked away. A bit of derision crossed his lips. Indeed, this young man was trying to boost his own reputation.

With that level of strength, he wanted to pass the third-grade alchemy inspection? What a joke.

He shook his head and walked away.

From the moment that Qin Yu had paid the fee, news of him participating in the alchemy test inspection had spread out far and wide, attracting numerous gazes.

The patroller just now was one of those curious people. As a third-grade alchemist, he was well aware of how difficult this step was.

With Qin Yu’s young age, if he could achieve this all in a single step, would that mean all the years he struggled for were a waste?

Luckily, there was no hope for him at all.

It was just that this patroller didn’t know that as soon as he left, Qin Yu started the third refinement.

He ignited the pill furnace, swept in the materials, formed the law formulas, and then took out the pill.

The entire process wasn’t dazzling or astonishing. It was stable and plain, as if it all happened naturally.

He placed the three Purple Dawn Pills into a jade bottle. Then, he opened the door.

The patroller stopped. Although his expression was calm, there was a hidden smile. “You’ve already failed all attempts, so you can leave now…”

Qin Yu lightly said. “I have refined the pills. I wish to deliver them for confirmation.”

The patroller’s voice caught in his throat. His eyes widened and shock filled his face.

He looked down. Qin Yu was indeed carrying a jade bottle, and in it were three light purple pills.

The patroller took a deep breath and then said with a dry mouth. “Let me see.”

After receiving the jade bottle, he uncapped it and looked at it. It was still wreathed in heat; the pills should have been recently refined. Smelling it, there was no problem with the medicinal fragrance either. The patroller sighed.

Third-grade Purple Dawn Pills.

He looked up towards the young man in front of him, and the patroller’s fell into a brief daze. Did he really pass? As he thought about how he acted just now, his face flushed red.

“I will pass these pills to the examination manager for reconfirmation. If there is no problem with them, then you will have truly passed the inspection.” The patroller held the pills and brought Qin Yu to the place where everyone had gathered initially.

The alchemy inspection manager had a stern expression. After some questions, he took the jade bottle. Then, after a brief silence, he slowly said, “Qin Ning, congratulations. You have passed the inspection.”

Soon after, this news spread out at the highest speed possible.