Immortal Path Space

Chapter 168: Pill Hall Assessment

Upon reaching the Foundation Building stage in the Qingxu Sect, disciples gained the privilege to participate in various sect affairs. They could sign up for different departments and, upon passing the assessments, become members, actively engaging in specific tasks.

Joining these departments also came with additional rewards.

For instance, Wang Hong often visited the Scripture Tower, where the two disciples in purple robes at the entrance, responsible for copying Jade Scrolls, belonged to the Scripture Tower. However, tasks like theirs were time-consuming, and the compensation was relatively low.

There were various other options, such as managing business affairs, overseeing the sect's industries, infiltrating different areas to gather intelligence for the sect, and the four halls Blue Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise. These four halls, being in charge of external combat, had the highest number of members and the best treatment.

There was also the Punishment Hall, responsible for internal matters and handling any violations of sect rules.

Qingxu Sect, known for its proficiency in Alchemy, had a formidable department called Pill Hall. With over a hundred second-tier alchemists, Pill Hall even boasted five third-tier alchemists, surpassing other sects.

Pill Hall not only refined pills for the sect but also provided refinement services for other sects, generating significant income for Qingxu Sect.

From the beginning, Wang Hong had planned to join Pill Hall. Compared to other cultivators, he was relatively wealthy. Moreover, he owned a pill shop in Azure Void City, making his identity as an alchemist reasonable.

Being an alchemist also presented numerous opportunities to access rare Spiritual Herbs, precisely what he needed.

As an outstanding alchemist of Pill Hall, he would be a protected asset. The sect wouldn't assign him to risky tasks, considering there were plenty of cannon fodder available.

Every year on the first day of May, Pill Hall conducted a centralized assessment.

Even first-tier alchemists could apply to join Pill Hall, but the requirements were stringent, making it challenging for disciples to qualify. Therefore, most participants in the assessment were first-tier alchemists, with second-tier alchemists being a rare sight throughout the year.

On this day, Wang Hong stood in the crowd, awaiting the commencement of the assessment.

"Ah, I heard they raised the assessment standards again. It's even harder to get into Pill Hall this time," complained a disciple in the crowd.

"That's right. For any first-tier pill in Refinement, the Pill Success Rate must reach eighty percent. If I had known, I would have applied last year. I thought practicing for another year would be more secure, but who knew they would raise the standards this year. Now, I'm even less confident," regretted a tall, thin disciple beside him.

"Sigh! Only by entering Pill Hall do you have a chance to be selected by the sect and cultivated into a second-tier alchemist. If you rely on yourself, you can forget about becoming a second-tier alchemist in your lifetime," said the worried cultivator.

"There are still some who become second-tier alchemists on their own, but they're few and far between," added the thin disciple.

"Most of them have family support. I heard Tang Wan'er from Tianshu Peak can refine second-tier pills with the backing of her family. The Pill Success Rate is reportedly quite good."

"I've heard about that too. She should be participating in the Pill Hall assessment this year, but I haven't seen her yet."

Wang Hong, standing in the crowd, overheard the discussions and gained valuable information. It turned out that many Foundation Building disciples were willing to join Pill Hall as first-tier alchemists because Pill Hall selected outstanding individuals to be cultivated into second-tier alchemists.

Therefore, joining Pill Hall was the best path to becoming a second-tier alchemist.

"Hey, junior, you look unfamiliar. Is this your first time participating in the assessment?" A cultivator with protruding teeth next to Wang Hong struck up a conversation.

"It is indeed my first time. Do we have to take the assessment multiple times?" Wang Hong asked with some confusion.

"No need for that. Just pass it once," the cultivator replied.

The cultivator with protruding teeth had initially wanted to boast about his experiences with multiple assessments. However, upon hearing Wang Hong's question, he felt awkward and refrained from doing so. Going through the assessment multiple times wasn't exactly an honorable achievement.

"Sigh! With such stringent conditions, not many can pass on their first attempt. Most people here have tried several times," he continued.

At that moment, the doors of Pill Hall opened, and a middle-aged scholar-looking Foundation Building cultivator stepped out.

"Dear disciples, this year's Pill Hall assessment is now beginning. Please line up and enter the hall in order."

Wang Hong followed the crowd into the hall, where everyone stood still.

"The assessment follows the usual rules. You will draw lots to determine which pill you need to refine. The Pill Success Rate for first-tier alchemists is slightly increased from last year, requiring it to reach eighty percent."

At this moment, a girl in Qingxu Sect purple robes entered from the hall's entrance. Her purple robe, unlike the standard sect robes others wore, seemed more tailored to her body.

"Uncle Yuan! I'm sorry for being late!"

Before the girl arrived, she apologized to the middle-aged scholar standing at the front.

"Wan'er, my niece, you're not late! I thought you might not come this year."

The middle-aged scholar waited for the girl to join the crowd before speaking again, "The assessment standards for second-tier alchemists remain unchanged from last year. Choose any second-tier pill and achieve a Pill Success Rate of twenty percent to pass."

Then, he took out a wooden box wrapped in cloth to block Divine Sense.

"Everyone, come forward one by one to draw lots. Choose the Pill Recipe for the pill you want to refine, then go to the left to collect the Spiritual Herb."

As people drew lots, the cultivator with protruding teeth had invited Wang Hong to join him, but Wang Hong politely declined.

After a quarter of an incense stick's time, only Wang Hong and a female cultivator named Tang Wan remained in the hall. Everyone else had drawn lots and gone to the other side to collect Spiritual Herbs.

"Are both of you here for the second-tier alchemist assessment?" the middle-aged scholar asked, mainly addressing Wang Hong.

"Exactly!" Wang Hong answered straightforwardly.

"For the second-tier alchemist advancement assessment, you need to prepare the formula and bring your own Spiritual Herb materials. Have you brought them?" The middle-aged scholar inquired of Wang Hong.

Second-tier Spiritual Herbs were not cheap. If provided for free by the sect, there would undoubtedly be a surge in disciples participating in the assessment each year, hoping to try their luck without any personal cost.

"Indeed, I've brought them. I plan to refine the Nourishing Essence Pill," Wang Hong said, handing over a Storage Bag for inspection. This was to prevent any cheating.

"Hehehe! Coincidentally, I'm also planning to refine the Nourishing Essence Pill. Let's compare and see whose Pill Success Rate is higher!" Tang Wan'er chimed in, handing over her Storage Bag at the same time.

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