The eldest sister just wanted to give up, while the spirit swords vied to recognize her as their mas

There are no more restrictions on alchemy in the final round, which means that all alchemists can freely choose the pills they want to refine.

At such a crucial moment, every alchemist will do their utmost to refine high-grade pills, hoping to secure a better ranking for the sect.

Many others are still trying to break through. In the previous sect competitions, a pill cultivator from Medicine King Valley attempted to break through his own limits and successfully refined a seventh-grade yellow-rank pill, which helped Medicine King Valley rise one place in the rankings and surpass the Free and Unfettered Sect.

The higher your ranking, the harder it is to climb the ranks.

The Boundless Sword Sect achieved the top results in the previous two competitions, and they are currently ranked first in the alchemy competition.

The final rounds are full of top players, so it will be difficult for Wuya Sword Sect to maintain its ranking.

Yun Fuzhao hadn't originally planned to take first place in one go. She would have been content with fifth place.

Qi Huai: "You should practice the one I told you about before."

Yuan Youxi nodded, "I will do my best, teacher."

Yun Fuzhao was still a little curious, "What level do you want her to practice?"

"Seventh rank."

This rank is indeed acceptable; Yuan Youxi would have difficulty controlling someone of a higher rank.

All the alchemists stepped onto the stage, and as expected, the Xuantian Sect sent Yu Nian'er to compete.

Yun Fuzhao heard that she was a key figure being groomed by the senior alchemists at the Xuantian Sect. The spiritual materials she used for alchemy were all top-notch.

She didn't know Yu Nian'er's current level, but the fact that Xuan Tian Sect sent her to such a crucial final round meant that her strength was probably not to be underestimated.

Only a dozen or so people made it to the finals, and Yu Nian'er was right next to Yuan Youxi.

She had obviously heard about this prodigy's deeds, and considering the discord between him and her sect leader, Yuan Youxi gave him a cold shoulder.

What's more, she's now her competitor.

Gong Jiang: "Please begin refining pills, all alchemists. There are no restrictions on the types of pills you use; please feel free to experiment. The time limit is one incense stick's time."

As soon as he finished speaking, the disciples on the stage visibly began to get busy.

"Judging from the spiritual materials Yu Nian'er is using, is she planning to refine a Nine-Turn Golden Elixir?"

"The Nine-Turn Golden Elixir requires at least a sixth-grade pill. The difficulty level is extremely high, and it's very easy to fail. I'm really worried for her."

"If someone dares to practice it, it means they are 90% confident."

"Is she the cultivator who contracted a Xuan-rank divine beast? No wonder the Xuan Tian Sect was willing to make an exception and accept her. With such talent, she would be sought after in any sect."

"The current ranking of the Boundless Alchemy Sword Sect is mostly due to luck. With Yu Nian'er around, they probably won't be able to keep their number one position."

One of the disciples, who had been keeping a close eye on Yuan Youxi, asked, "Does anyone know what kind of pill that disciple from the Boundless Sword Sect is refining?"

"Hiss, I've never seen this before. Aren't Crimson Flame Grass and Frost Fruit incompatible? Why did she refine them together?"

Bu Ma noticed it too, "What is she refining?"

Shi Weige: "The teacher of the Boundless Sword Sect is from the Fox Clan. Is this a unique pill of the Fox Clan?"

“The fox clan has produced many alchemy masters,” Gong Jiang pondered. “We have never seen their alchemy methods.”

"No matter what kind of pill it is, its grade cannot be hidden. Let's wait and see."

Once Yuan Youzhi begins refining pills, she enters a state of complete absorption, her eyes fixed solely on her alchemy furnace, unable to see anything else.

Under her control, the medicinal herbs were submerged in the alchemy furnace, and after a while, a peculiar fragrance wafted out.

Qi Huai: "She's mastered it."

Yun Fuzhao was somewhat proud. As expected of the disciple she had chosen, he was indeed capable.

Yuan Youxi was very fast, and it seemed she was about to be the first disciple to successfully refine it.

Among pills of the same grade and color, the disciple who takes longer to complete the process ranks higher.

During the re-examination, Rong Yao and Geng Xiu finished refining at almost the same time, so they were ranked the same and tied for first place.

Yuan Youxi breathed a sigh of relief and immediately began the finishing touches.

Qi Huai, sitting below the stage, tensed up. His hearing was more acute than that of the cultivators present. Just now, he had clearly heard a faint "click" sound coming from Yuan Youxi's alchemy furnace.

"not good."

He flew onto the platform ahead of everyone else, set up a barrier on the alchemy furnace before anyone could react, and ripped her away.

"Oh!"

A loud bang echoed throughout the entire outdoor area.

Everyone was stunned by this sudden turn of events.

"What happened?"

"I saw it! Yuan Youxi's alchemy furnace exploded!"

"Even in the finals, there are still disciples whose alchemy skills are not up to par and their furnaces explode?"

"No, no, no, Yuan Youxi's technique is fine; her pills are almost ready. The problem lies with the alchemy furnace."

"Damn it, I knew it! The Rong family's alchemy furnace is completely unusable!"

Yuan Youxi was pale and had not yet recovered from the shock.

Yun Fuzhao's heart raced. There couldn't be anything wrong with the Rong family's alchemy furnace; she and Qi Huai had checked it yesterday.

Bu Ma calmly said, "All alchemists, continue refining pills. Don't let this affect you."

Qi Huai led Yuan Youxi off the stage.

In alchemy competitions, if an alchemy furnace explodes for any reason, the participant will be eliminated.

Rong Yao grabbed Yun Fuzhao's sleeve. She was clearly frightened as well, her eyes red-rimmed. "Sect Master, there can't be anything wrong with my father's alchemy furnace. You have to believe him..."

Ge Qianran sneered, "I told you long ago not to use the Rong family's alchemy furnace, but you wouldn't listen. Now you're reaping what you sowed."

"Damn it, I still ordered an alchemy furnace there. I'm going to cancel it right now."

"Can the Rong family just get out of the cultivation world? Haven't they caused us alchemists enough trouble already?"

The accusations and insults surged like a raging river, instantly engulfing Rong Yao. Helplessly, she clutched the hem of her clothes, barely managing to hold back her tears.

A hand landed on her shoulder. Rong Yao looked up and saw Yun Fuzhao giving her a reassuring look.

"Youxi, did anyone come looking for you yesterday?"

Yuan Youxi only came to her senses after hearing this. "No... no, my cousin came to see me."

Xie Wan on the other end was taken aback, somewhat puzzled, "When did I come looking for you?"

“You did,” Yuan Youxi said, equally bewildered. “You even checked my alchemy furnace.”

Xie Wan then realized something was wrong. She looked at Yun Fuzhao and said, "I stayed with the disciples of Lingyue Sect all day yesterday and never went to see her."

Yun Fuzhao and Qi Huai exchanged a glance and understood that someone had impersonated Xie Wan and switched the alchemy furnace.

They even chose to do it after their inspection; they were very meticulous.

“Impossible, it’s definitely you.” Yuan Youxi was certain. “I saw the Xie family’s ancestral jade pendant hanging around your neck.”

Upon hearing this, Yun Fuzhao suddenly remembered what Yu Ze had said: the Ghost Clan's simulation technique was so realistic that even parents couldn't tell the difference.

Having experienced that incident in the Demon Realm, and now this one, Yun Fuzhao knew very well that she was being targeted by the Ghost Clan.

The group of alchemists on the stage had finished refining their pills. Yu Nian'er had refined a Grade 7 White-rank Nine-Turn Golden Pill, which shocked everyone.

Xuantian Sect also won first place without exception.