The tri-monthly Pill Master certification assessment began, right at the headquarters of the Medicine Hall.

Those who passed the assessment could become Pill Masters from Tier One to Tier Five. They could then accept Alchemy tasks from the Medicine Hall and earn merit points of varying amounts.

The weather was bright and sunny, not a cloud in the sky.

Larks soared freely through the vault of heaven, their forms graceful and their movements leisurely.

"Lie Shaolong is here! Make way!"

"Even though Lie Shaolong is only from the Silver Tribe, his potential is outstanding. I heard one of the Medicine Hall’s elders even took him on as a disciple!"

"He’s truly incredible. Just two years after his Enlightenment, he’s already touching the barrier of a Tier One Pill Master. Even the prodigies of the Changkong clan probably couldn’t claim to have definitively surpassed him at the same age."

The crowd buzzed with discussion.

Meanwhile, Lie Shaolong cut through the crowd, walking slowly toward the Medicine Hall.

He wore a red robe, his black hair unbound, exuding a wild, lion-like aura that was intimidating.

With such a presence, it was no wonder people compared him to the prodigies of the Changkong clan.

’I heard Lingfang of the Ten Thousand Birds Tribe has already become a Tier One Alchemy Master. I must surpass her—and even surpass Chen Ying of the Changkong clan!’ Lie Shaolong decided, his gaze fixed on the ancient, grand hall.

As the prodigy of the Ferocious Lion Silver Tribe, especially one so talented that the clan elders admitted their own inferiority, Lie Shaolong had every right to be this confident.

Before long, another stir went through the crowd.

It turned out that the prodigy of the Changkong clan, Chen Ying, had arrived.

"I hear Chen Ying and the currently sensational Fang Yang started their cultivation at the same time after their Enlightenment. I wonder which of them is more impressive?"

"Are you blind?! Don’t let her beauty fool you, of course Fang Yang is stronger. But when it comes to the art of a Pill Master, Fang Yang is nowhere near Chen Ying’s level."

"For this Tier One Alchemy Master assessment, I bet Chen Ying will pass with flying colors, take first place, outshine everyone, and make a name for herself..."

Amidst the crowd’s chatter, a beautiful woman in a purple palace-style gown—a dress that failed to conceal her exquisite figure—stepped down from her carriage and made her entrance.

The moment she appeared, she drew a chorus of gasps and sharp intakes of breath.

She was so elegant and otherworldly, less like a mortal and more like a celestial fairy gracing the mortal realm.

And when people recalled her ’Dao Seed’ sister, her own radiance seemed to shine even brighter.

The only ones who could likely outshine her in every respect were Sen Hui and Sen Wei.

’I heard Fang Yang is also participating in this Tier One Alchemy Master assessment. I wonder if that’s true?’ At that moment, a thoughtful light flickered in Chen Ying’s beautiful eyes.

Under the watchful gaze of Lie Shaolong and the others, Chen Ying walked straight into the inner rooms of the Medicine Hall as if it were her right.

Unlike the others, she didn’t have to wait for the assessment to officially begin before being allowed inside.

CLANK, CLANK—

Before long, a carriage flying the grand banner of Taiyin slowly approached from the distance, its destination clearly the Medicine Hall.

Today was the assessment day, and the main road was packed. But the moment this carriage appeared, a path was cleared in an instant, allowing it to proceed directly to the Medicine Hall.

As everyone watched, a figure in a black robe stepped out of the carriage and also headed for the inner rooms of the Medicine Hall.

Fang Yang!

Fang Yang, dressed in a black robe, was handsome, with a straight and tall posture, sharp as a spear and imposing as a sword.

Though his face was expressionless, he still radiated a powerful, oppressive aura.

The air of authority and dignity he carried—that of someone who had once governed a region—made him stand out among the youths like a crane among chickens, causing many of the young women’s eyes to ripple with interest.

In an instant, his arrival was like a giant boulder thrown into a small lake, sending ripples of excitement through the massive crowd.

"Champion of the First Realm..."

"Top four hundred on the merit rankings..."

"Third-rank official, [Order Enforcer]..."

Someone began listing Fang Yang’s accomplishments, setting off waves of astonished cries.

Even the members of the Changkong clan inside the Medicine Hall cast surprised glances his way.

It was just a mere Tier One Alchemy Master assessment, yet it was causing such a commotion. This was a rare sight.

Fang Yang was truly worthy of the title of young prodigy!

’Fang Yang... he’s changed so much.’ Chen Ying stared at his figure, her gaze lingering.

In truth, she and Fang Yang had known each other since their academy days.

Because they were both exceptionally good-looking and talented, they were often compared to one another, and people even tried to pair them up. In fact, more than a year ago, after Fang Yang had deliberately gotten closer to her, their relationship had become quite intimate.

And if Fang Yang hadn’t gone to serve under Sen Yue while Chen Ying went to serve under her sister, Chen Ruxin, it might very well have been her, Chen Ying, who developed a remarkable relationship with him—not Sen Hui!

’I can’t believe I ran into Chen Ying here. Sigh...’

’...Wait, was my previous growth strategy kind of similar to that scoundrel Fang Nian’s?’

’Hiss... No wonder the De Clan elders and the others see me as the second coming of the Carp Eagle. If the Xuan-Yu War hadn’t suddenly broken out, I feel like I would have walked the same path as Fang Nian.’

Fang Yang thought to himself.

After glancing around the inner chamber, he gave Chen Ying a slight nod.

Afterward, they each found a spot on opposite sides of the room to wait for the assessment to begin.

Fang Yang’s arrival completely captured everyone’s attention, much to the indignation of the other young men present.

They admitted it: when it came to magical combat and life-or-death battles, Fang Yang was a champion with few rivals.

But combat was combat, and the art of Alchemy was the art of Alchemy!

If Fang Yang wanted to show off here, he’d have to prove himself with real skill!

’Fang Yang, the most famous young prodigy of our time. He really is something else.’ A competitive fire ignited in Lie Shaolong’s eyes.

Fang Yang sensed the atmosphere of subtle ostracism from the group, but he just smiled, paying it no mind.

After all, being too outstanding naturally meant you wouldn’t fit in.

Besides, at this point, he could truly be called a prodigy.

The treatment he was receiving now was exactly what a prodigy should expect.

At this moment, Fang Yang looked up at the plaque of the Medicine Hall, recalling a passage from Sen Hui’s notes:

’The assessment for a Tier One Alchemy Master is divided into a written exam, herb identification, and Alchemy, with each stage connected to the last.

You can only proceed to the next stage after completing the previous one. If you fail any stage, you fail the entire assessment...’

As Fang Yang was lost in thought, Chen Ying, who was standing to his left, suddenly moved.

Her skirt swaying, a fragrant scent wafting from her, Chen Ying gracefully approached Fang Yang.

"Fang Yang, long time no see..." Chen Ying’s breath was as fragrant as an orchid, her eyes holding a hint of reproach.

Fang Yang snapped out of his thoughts and replied, "Long time no see."

Seeing this, Chen Ying’s red lips parted slightly. The words she wanted to say were on the tip of her tongue, but she didn’t know what to say.

In truth, Chen Ying desperately wanted to tell Fang Yang that she had obtained the [Fire Eagle Essence] back then and was about to give it to him; she hadn’t broken her promise to him.

Unfortunately, at that time, she had just stepped out the back door of her home when she was intercepted by her ’Dao Seed’ sister.

Now, looking at Fang Yang’s calm demeanor, Chen Ying sighed inwardly, for she understood everything.

Fang Yang didn’t need her anymore!

Immediately, a long silence fell between them.

The feelings of youth come quickly and go just as fast.

They had both undergone their Enlightenment and embarked on their own separate journeys, with different lives and ambitions.

A year of separation was enough to change many things.

They were a far cry from their carefree days at the academy, when their only focus was their studies.

Fortunately, before long, the assessment was about to begin.

The somewhat awkward silence was instantly broken.

"I heard Sen Hui has already become a Tier Three Alchemy Master. She’s amazing. I hope you can pass the assessment this time, Fang Yang, and become a Tier One Alchemy Master."

"Thank you. I hope you can also pass the assessment and become a Tier One Alchemy Master, Chen Ying."

About to go their separate ways, they exchanged blessings, as if they had returned to the eve of their Enlightenment ceremony.

But in the next moment, they parted ways.

One sat at the far left of the front row, the other at the far right, a great distance between them.