108: Eighth-Rank Alchemist Medal!

Ye Xinlan clenched her fists, about to retort, but Jiang Luo gently pressed her shoulder.

He stepped forward, his gaze calmly fixed on the Gray-robed Old Woman: "The Bai Family? I heard that last year, in order to compete for a 'Thousand-Year Snow Lotus', the Bai Family secretly poisoned Alchemists from other forces, and were ultimately penalized by the Pill Tower with a six-month ban from participating in medicinal material transactions. Is that true?"

These words were like a basin of cold water, instantly dousing the Gray-robed Old Woman's arrogant demeanor.

Her expression subtly changed, then she feigned composure: "Youngster, do not speak nonsense! That is mere rumor. My Bai Family conducts itself with integrity; how could we do such a despicable thing?"

"Whether it's a rumor or not, the Pill Tower's archives will have records," Jiang Luo said in a calm tone, yet with an unquestionable deterrent force. "Today, we are here to obtain Alchemist badges; we don't have time to get entangled with you. If you want to cause trouble, why not wait until the Pill Gathering assessment? We can meet on the Alchemy Platform—the loser withdraws from the Pill Gathering. How about that?"

The Gray-robed Old Woman was choked into silence.

She knew that although the Bai Family's Alchemy skills had improved, they weren't confident they could defeat the Ye Family.

Especially this unfamiliar man before her; his aura was steady, clearly not someone to be trifled with. She snorted coldly and left unhappily with three young men in white robes, not forgetting to leave a harsh remark before departing.

"Good! We'll meet on the Alchemy Platform! At that time, I'll see how much more capability your Ye Family possesses!"

Watching the Bai Family members leave, Ye Zhong breathed a sigh of relief and gratefully said to Jiang Luo.

"Many thanks, Lord Jiang Luo, for resolving the situation. This Bai Family Old Woman is a Guest Elder of the Bai Family, and her Alchemy skill has reached the Peak of Seventh-Rank Alchemist. If we were truly to get entangled, it would indeed be troublesome."

"It's nothing," Jiang Luo waved his hand. "If they truly dare to play tricks on the Alchemy Platform, I have my ways of dealing with it. Let's go for the assessment first, don't waste time."

Ye Zhong nodded, then turned to find the manager of the sub-tower. Leveraging his past connections with the Pill Tower, the manager quickly arranged an exclusive assessment room for them, saving them the trouble of waiting in line.

The assessment was divided into two parts: first, a Soul Power test, and second, practical Alchemy.

First up was the Soul Power test.

In the center of the assessment room stood a half-human-height crystal pillar, its surface intricately carved with complex patterns.

"Lord Jiang Luo, you only need to place your palm on the crystal pillar and inject your Soul Power. The crystal pillar will light up with corresponding brilliance based on the intensity of your Soul Power—a Seventh-Rank Alchemist needs to light up seven patterns, while an Eighth-Rank needs eight," Ye Zhong explained from the side.

Jiang Luo placed his palm on the crystal pillar as instructed, slowly injecting his Soul Power.

As the Soul Power surged in, the patterns on the crystal pillar lit up one after another, from the first to the seventh, almost without pause. Immediately after, the eighth pattern also suddenly lit up, emitting a dazzling white light, and even the ninth pattern faintly showed a glimmer.

Seeing this, the examiner's eyes were filled with shock, and he quickly stepped forward to inspect: "This... this is the Soul Power of a Grade 8 Alchemist! And only one step away from Grade 9! I never expected Elder Ye to have such a young Grade 8 Alchemist by his side!"

Ye Zhong's face was full of pride as he smiled and said, "This is Lord Jiang Luo, a Guest Elder of my Ye Family; his strength far surpasses ordinary people."

Next was the practical Alchemy.

The examiner prepared the medicinal materials for refining the seventh-grade pill, the "soul gathering pill," for Jiang Luo, requiring completion within one hour.

Jiang Luo took the medicinal materials, walked to the Pill Furnace, first carefully inspected the age and properties of the materials, then lit the Pill Fire and placed the materials into the Pill Furnace in order.

His movements were fluid and natural, his Soul Power precisely controlling the temperature of the Pill Fire; sometimes a gentle simmer, sometimes a fierce blaze for purification. The medicinal materials gradually underwent Fusion in the Pill Furnace, emitting a rich medicinal fragrance.

Half an hour later, the lid of the Pill Furnace was gently lifted, and three round, plump "soul gathering pills" with a glistening white luster slowly rose, their medicinal fragrance permeating the entire assessment room.

The examiner picked up the Medicinal Pills for a careful inspection and excitedly exclaimed: "Perfect! These are perfect quality soul gathering pills! Lord Jiang Luo's Alchemy skill can probably be compared to that of the Pill Tower's Elders!"

Soon, the examiner presented Jiang Luo with a Grade 8 Alchemist badge.

A badge crafted from obsidian, engraved with golden pill patterns, with a circle of tiny gemstones inlaid along its edge, exuding nobility.

Ye Xinlan also successfully passed the Seventh-Rank Alchemist assessment and received her own badge.

As they left the assessment room, they happened to encounter the Bai Family members from earlier. Seeing the Grade 8 Alchemist badge in Jiang Luo's hand, the Gray-robed Old Woman's face instantly turned pale, losing all her previous arrogance, and she hastily led her people away.

Ye Zhong watched this scene, smiling: "Lord Jiang Luo, with this Grade 8 Alchemist badge, we will have even more confidence at the Pill Gathering! Tomorrow's Alchemist trade fair, we can also visit the higher-end exhibition areas."

Jiang Luo nodded, his gaze sweeping towards Holy Pill City outside the window, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes: "Cao Family, Bai Family... the Pill Gathering assessment is getting more and more interesting."