You could hear a pin drop.

Inside the hall, everyone's gaze was fixed on the nine patterns emitting a black light on either side of the cyan stone platform.

The Grand Elder of the Pill Tower, Shi Rang, was unable to remain calm. If it was said that purifying the Black Iron Spirit Leaf Grass eight times required a fifth-grade alchemist to be confident of completing, then purifying it nine times would probably require a sixth-grade alchemist. However, Qin Xin, who was a third-grade alchemist, was able to complete nine purifications, which was truly astonishing.

"To be able to purify this Black Iron Spirit Leaf Grass nine times at such a young age, this boy must have an exceptional talent for alchemy."

"It's probably not just a matter of talent in alchemy. The difficulty of each purification increases several times over. Without a solid foundation in alchemy and a strong sense of perception, it would be impossible to purify it nine times."

Those who had been mocking Qin Xin all changed their tune now, astonished by the talent he had displayed.

Originally extremely nervous, Zhan Qingqi looked at Qin Xin standing beside the bluestone platform amidst the murmurs of the crowd. Her eyes lit up, and a rare expression of joy appeared on her face. If Jiang Xinghai were to see his goddess like this, he would probably be willing to give up his life for her.

"Nine times purification? With your skills as a third-rate, second-rate alchemist?"

It was one thing for the once arrogant Dingsheng to be surpassed by Yan Lan, but now Qin Xin has purified it nine times, which made him restless and prompt him to step forward.

Seeing Ding Sheng's actions, Yan Lan also stepped forward. After all, she had a good relationship with the Zhan Qingqi and Zhan Qingyue sisters, having grown up together since childhood. And Qin Xin was now the son-in-law of the Zhan clan, so she would naturally lend a helping hand. However, she had some doubts about Qin Xin's ability to purify nine times.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly shifted from surprise to tension.

The doubts raised by the eldest prince Ding Sheng also led some people to start whispering among themselves.

Of course, many people believed that Qin Xin had cheated, and some even shouted that the Zhan clan should be disqualified from participating in the alchemy conference.

"Oh? If the eldest prince has any doubts, he can check it himself."

Upon seeing Ding Sheng and the others approaching, Qin Xin smiled and said...

Of course, Qin Xin was confident in saying this. Although he was only a third-grade alchemist at the moment, with the mysterious alchemy master Dan Qing by his side, Qin Xin's alchemy skills and abilities had long been honed to perfection. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to refine that third-grade explosive qi pill so easily. In addition, the trace of fire essence he obtained in the spiritual realm of the inner courtyard of the Eastern Wilderness Academy made the true fire he condensed much stronger, and the consumption of true qi in his body was also much less during the alchemy process.

"It does smell like Black Iron Spirit Leaf Grass, but why is your powder black!"

Ignoring everyone's gaze, the eldest prince Ding Sheng took the jade bottle off the blue stone platform, sniffed the purified black iron spirit leaf powder inside, and then stared intently at Qin Xin.

“Your Highness, the powder after the purification of Black Iron Spirit Leaf Grass is all white. This stuff looks wrong. It seems that this guy used some kind of cheating method to deceive this blue stone platform.”

If the Zhan clan could be disqualified from participating in the Alchemy Conference, then the Ding clan, to which Ding Shen belonged, could firmly take its place and become one of the four great families of the Ding Dynasty. Therefore, Ding Shen, who had always followed Ding Sheng, directly challenged, saying, "Elder, I hope you will handle this matter fairly and disqualify this boy from participating in the Alchemy Conference!"

Ding Shen hit the nail on the head, and the alchemists who didn't understand all nodded slightly.

"Hmph! Ridiculous!"

Looking at Ding Shen's pointed, monkey-like face, Qin Xin's face showed disgust, and he snorted softly.

"What, did I hit the nail on the head? Feeling guilty now? Tell me the truth, what methods did you use!"

With the support of some alchemists, Ding Shen, after receiving a signal from Ding Sheng, jumped out and loudly accused Qin Xin.

Seeing this, everyone else remained silent. Even Yan Lan, who had originally wanted to help, dared not say anything more. If Qin Xin had indeed cheated, her intervention might implicate the Yan clan.

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, all waiting for Qin Xin to provide an explanation.

"Elder, do you think there's anything wrong with the Black Iron Spirit Leaf Grass I refined?"

Qin Xin ignored the group of clueless people and instead asked the Dan Tower Elder Shi Rang, whose somewhat aged face was filled with doubt.

"Judging from the spiritual energy aura, I naturally believe that this is the purified Black Iron Spirit Leaf Grass, but the color..."

The somewhat aged voice of Elder Shi Rang of Danta echoed in the hall. He then looked at Qin Xin and said, "Forgive my bluntness, but there is indeed something wrong with the powder. I hope you can provide a reasonable explanation."

"An explanation? Heh."

Qin Xin chuckled softly.

After the eighth purification, the powder of the Black Iron Spirit Leaf Grass was indeed white. However, after the ninth purification, the color suddenly turned black. Although the color changed, Qin Xin could feel that the powder of the Black Iron Spirit Leaf Grass was even purer. After the Grand Elder Shi Rang and others examined it, they naturally knew this as well.

"Since we can't explain it, then let's proceed as follows..."

Seeing that Qin Xin could not explain the reason, Shi Rang directly announced it.

"This student has passed!"

Just as Shi Rang was halfway through his sentence, an old man's voice suddenly rang out from the Pill Tower, directly allowing Qin Xin to pass the test.

As the old man strode towards them, no one in the hall dared to utter a word. Even the servant bowed slightly to the old man to show his respect.

Looking at the person in front of him, dressed in alchemist's robes, with white hair but no wrinkles on his face, giving him a youthful appearance despite his advanced age, and with six shimmering silver ripples flashing above a pattern of a pill furnace on his chest, Qin Xin immediately recognized the person's identity.

According to the previous introductions of the powerful figures in Dading City by the sisters Zhan Qingqi and Zhan Qingyue, the person in front of them is Liu Jue, the tower master of the Pill Tower. He is nearly a hundred years old and is a sixth-grade high-level alchemist. He is now the top alchemist in the entire Ding Dynasty, and even the king of the Ding Dynasty regards him as an honored guest.

It's important to understand the influence of a sixth-grade high-level alchemist. With a mere call, countless martial artists seeking elixirs can willingly join their ranks. (cascoo.net)

"What does Master Liu mean by this? Could it be that he wants to give the Zhan clan special treatment?"

Ding Sheng faced Liu Jue, his previous arrogance gone, but he revealed some dissatisfaction with Liu Jue for letting Qin Xin pass directly.

Some of the alchemists who had failed in their previous attempts started to stir up a commotion after hearing about the back door being opened. After all, those who could become alchemists were used to being the center of attention, which made them somewhat arrogant. Naturally, they wanted to demand an explanation for any injustice they faced.

"Hmph! Who said that the purified Black Iron Spirit Leaf Grass is white? It seems that you didn't learn any skills from that old monster Ding Jiong."

Liu Jue glanced at Ding Sheng and a mocking smile appeared on his face.

Upon hearing Liu Jue directly mock their royal ancestor, Ding Sheng's face instantly darkened.

"Since that old monster won't teach you, then this tower master will let you see the world."

After Liu Jue finished speaking, he casually waved his hand, and a black iron spirit leaf grass flew out of the alchemy room and hovered in mid-air.