Seeing that the disciples present had placed this heavy responsibility on their shoulders, the three elders could only sigh. One of them, a rather robust elder in white robes, with graying temples but a vigorous spirit and a long beard, got up and walked onto the stage.
He is the Grand Elder of the Pill Sect and the person in charge of this trial.
When the Grand Elder stepped onto the stage, everyone immediately fell silent, leaving the decision to him.
The Grand Elder did not immediately offer his opinion. Instead, he first walked to Ouyang Yan and carefully examined the four-colored marrow-cleansing pill. Then he went to Sun Rong and looked at her Purple Qi Pill. After that, he went to each person and carefully examined every single pill before returning to the center of the battlefield and saying:
"In terms of the pills refined, Ouyang Yan's Four-Colored Marrow Cleansing Pill is undoubtedly the best in quality, followed by Sun Rong's Three-Colored Purple Qi Pill, which is also of superior quality. However, what everyone is more concerned about is whether Ouyang Yan actually took any pills just now. On this point, I can clearly say—no."
These words immediately caused a huge uproar.
If she didn't take any pills, it proves that Ouyang Yan's actions just now were entirely accomplished by her own abilities.
In other words, the four-colored marrow cleansing pill was refined by her own skill!
Sun Rong, standing nearby, became anxious. "But if she didn't take any pills, how did she manage to suddenly recover her full mental energy at the last moment? I believe everyone knows that the mental energy consumed in alchemy cannot be recovered easily, let alone instantly. If there really is such a method, if Junior Sister can share it, allowing all of our alchemy skills to reach a new level, this would undoubtedly be a major event for our Pill Sect. I would accept defeat wholeheartedly."
She didn't believe that Ouyang Yan could achieve this without using any methods.
"If there really were a way to instantly recover one's mental energy when it is depleted during alchemy, it would be a huge boost to the art of alchemy!"
"If such a method really existed, all of our alchemy skills could be elevated to a higher level."
People outside the arena began to whisper among themselves, and even the First Elder asked Ouyang Yan:
“Ouyang Yan, if there really is a way, tell us and explain it clearly to clear up our doubts.”
Faced with everyone's intense gazes and questions, Ouyang Yan found it difficult to speak.
It's not that she's unwilling to talk about it, but rather that she herself doesn't know what's going on, so how can she explain it?
Finally, she could only say, "Elder, actually I don't have any solutions either. I don't know what happened just now. Suddenly I felt a surge of power within me, which not only replenished the true energy I had consumed, but also restored my mental strength."
She knows what to say and what not to say.
This situation should be brought up.
Although she knew that revealing the truth might cost her the victory in this trial, she couldn't just use such methods to win without knowing the truth; she would feel guilty about it.
“I don’t know what happened either. If the Grand Elder feels this is unfair, I can concede.”
"Who knows if you colluded with someone beforehand to help, and now that you've been exposed, you're claiming you know nothing?" Sun Rong scoffed, her tone quite unfriendly.
The people around them also began to whisper among themselves.
"Although I believe that Senior Sister Ouyang is not that kind of person, what Senior Sister Sun Rong said seems to make sense..."
"What do you mean 'seems'? Senior Sister Sun Rong's words make perfect sense! How could an extra force suddenly appear out of nowhere? Ouyang Yan must have secretly tampered with things, or conspired with someone else!"
"You're talking nonsense! Senior Sister Ouyang would never do such a thing! Don't make false accusations!"
Several viewpoints emerged in the discussion: some sided with Sun Rong, some sided with Ouyang Yan, and some held a neutral stance. However, the third viewpoint was clearly less intense than the first two.
For a moment, the crowd was in an uproar.
The atmosphere outside the venue was lively, while the atmosphere inside was quite subtle.
Sun Rong was certainly happy to see this happen. This wasn't an attempt to slander Ouyang Yan, but rather a problem with Ouyang Yan herself; she couldn't explain why, and it could easily be described as an excuse for being caught cheating and not knowing how to explain it.
She wanted to see how Ouyang Yan could explain it clearly, but no matter what, as long as she admitted that this was not her own ability, then the four-colored marrow cleansing pill she refined would not count.
In this way, the final victory will belong to her!
...
“Ouyang Yan, since you admit that this pill was not refined by your own ability, I have no choice but to declare your results invalid, and you may also be found guilty of cheating,” the Grand Elder said sternly.
Their elders knew more; they knew that someone had indeed transferred a power into Ouyang Yan's body, colluding with others, which perfectly met the conditions for cheating.
The consequences of cheating are very serious.
Ouyang Yan immediately looked up and said, "Elder, I can accept having my grades invalidated, but I did not cheat, nor did I collude with anyone else!"
She cannot accept things she did not do, and she even has to defend herself and demand to clear her name!
"Whether you cheated or not, our elders will make a judgment later. If you didn't cheat, then there's nothing to worry about, and we won't wrong you," the First Elder said.
"What I fear most is that some people can't accept defeat; they get caught cheating but dare not admit it," Sun Rong said sarcastically.
The situation is now almost completely clear.
Since Ouyang Yan's results were clearly invalidated, the fruits of victory in this trial would undoubtedly fall on her shoulders. And she was quite happy to mock Ouyang Yan.
With the Grand Elder having spoken, those outside who were defending Ouyang Yan lost their momentum.
If Ouyang Yan is indeed proven to have cheated, then the consequences...
They couldn't imagine it.
"Alright, I announce the results of today's competition..." Just as the Grand Elder was about to announce the results of the competition, a loud voice rang out.
"Wait!"
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Bai Hao!
"Elder, please wait. This junior can explain this matter."
Bai Hao leaped into the air and landed directly in front of Ouyang Yan on the field.
Upon seeing Bai Hao, Ouyang Yan was immediately shocked.
"Bai Hao...?"
How did Bai Hao end up here?
Shouldn't he be at the Falling Sea Sect?
Ouyang Yan's mind was in complete chaos at this moment.
After Bai Hao smiled slightly at her, he said to the elder, "Elder, this matter has nothing to do with Ouyang Yan. Just now, I took it upon myself to transfer a power to her, which helped her recover."
Bai Hao said earnestly.
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