The Contest Concludes
After handing the items to Xiao Ming, Great Elder Qiu Ling said a few words and then announced the end of the competition.
The Alchemist began to leave one after another, but some stayed behind, hoping to cultivate a relationship with Xiao Ming.
Even disregarding Xiao Ming's potential, just looking at his current strength, Xiao Ming, who has refined Grade 8 Pill, is qualified to be courted by various major forces.
Xiao Ming understood what these people were thinking, but since they treated him with a smile, he couldn't very well refuse them.
Fortunately, this wasn't the first time he'd encountered such a situation, so he handled it with ease, making those people feel like they were basking in a gentle breeze.
After a short while, those people realized that delaying Xiao Ming for too long would be counterproductive, so they said goodbye and left one after another.
Only then was Xiao Ming able to relax.
"Haha, congratulations to Master Xiao Ming for overpowering everyone and winning first place. I'm afraid next time we meet, I 'Xiao Ming have to call him Master Xiao Ming. I think the title of the number one genius in Central Plains is well-deserved!" At this moment, Ye Zhong walked to Xiao Ming's side with a smile, with Cao Ying following behind him.
"Elder Ye Zhong, you flatter me. It was just a fluke. What's the story behind this so-called number one genius of Central Plains?" Xiao Ming could only smile upon hearing this, and then asked in return.
"Master Xiao Ming, don't you know? Actually, there have been rumors that your talent is unmatched in Central Plains, praising you as the number one genius in Central Plains. I think that's true, and only Master Xiao Ming deserves that title."
"This... I really didn't know. However, let's not mention the matter of the number one genius in Central Plains anymore." Xiao Ming shook his head upon hearing this. The title of number one genius in Central Plains sounds impressive, but it may also attract a lot of trouble.
"Hehehe, Mr. Xiao Ming, do you perhaps find this title beneath you? You should know that the title of 'Number One' is the dream of countless young people."
Cao Ying covered her mouth and laughed, her soft, sweet laughter making one's bones soften.
"The Central Plains are full of hidden talents; being number one is no easy feat. Who knows, one day a genius like Miss Cao Ying might come knocking on our door."
Xiao Ming wasn't surprised by Cao Ying's sudden interruption, but he simply smiled faintly.
"I wouldn't dare compare myself to Mr. Xiao Ming," Cao Ying said with a smile, thus changing the subject. The three of them then left the hall together.
Xiao Ming and Cao Ying traveled down the road. The latter kept whispering questions to him about trivial matters, and her occasional coquettish giggles would cause some of the young Alchemist around them to stop in their tracks and look at Xiao Ming with a hint of envy.
As for these envious glances, Xiao Ming didn't feel anything special; he was simply used to it.
Xiao Ming was a little puzzled as to why Cao Ying was standing next to him. She shouldn't be so enthusiastic about making friends, and it didn't seem like she liked him. Besides, geniuses are always arrogant, and he hadn't done anything special. It was impossible for Cao Ying to like him.
Therefore, Xiao Ming, who was not quite clear about Cao Ying's purpose, only treated her with simple, polite questions and answers.
Fortunately, their routes weren't very long, and with Ye Zhong beside them, it wasn't too awkward.
Soon Cao Ying parted ways with Xiao Ming and Ye Zhong.
Watching Cao Ying leave in a good mood, Ye Zhong smiled and said, "That little girl from the Cao Family seems to care a lot about you, Master!"
"Perhaps..." Xiao Ming glanced at Ye Zhong, then said, "I owe my first-place finish to Elder Ye's guarantee. I will do my best in the Five Great Clans Examination. May I ask when exactly it will be held?"
Ye Zhong was pleased that Xiao Ming had taken the initiative to ask about this matter, feeling that he hadn't helped the wrong person.
He stroked his beard and said, "There's no need to rush this. The next assessment is in two years. As long as Master Xiao Ming is at the Pill Tower by then, it will be fine."
Having obtained the specific time from Ye Zhong, Xiao Ming parted ways with Ye Zhong and returned to the Inn alone.
Upon returning to the Inn, Xiao Ming Xiao Ming did not immediately attempt to refine the Earth Core Soul Marrow. Like many other participants, he went straight to bed and fell into a deep sleep...
Grade 8 Pill are not as easy to refine as one might imagine. Moreover, including other things, he has been refining pills at a high intensity for almost three months. Even with some adjustments in between, he now needs to rest again.
In spiritual practice, a balance of intensity and relaxation is best.
Although Xiao Ming and the others left, the details of the competition were, unsurprisingly, leaked out.
Night fell, quietly enveloping the bustling, sprawling city amidst the hustle and bustle. The brightly lit streets were still teeming with people, all discussing the competition, and more so, the champion, the young man named Xiao Ming.
The name that was once somewhat unfamiliar is now completely imprinted in everyone's minds, and they know that it may not be long before this name will resound throughout the entire Central Plains.
At that time, he will be the most dazzling young star in the Central Plains.
The next day, Xiao Ming woke up, washed up, had breakfast, and then quickly returned to his room. He sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes slightly, and tried to calm his emotions and adjust his state of mind.
Whether or not the Earth Core Soul Marrow is successfully prepared will determine whether he can fully advance to the so-called Grade 8 Rank! Therefore, he cannot afford to be distracted in the slightest.
After a moment, Xiao Ming finally opened his eyes slowly. His dark eyes were calm and still, like a deep pool, unfathomable.
With a slow Aura, Xiao Ming waved his hand in front of him, and three jade containers floated in front of him. With a flick of his finger, the jade lids were lifted, and a unique fragrance immediately filled the air, invigorating Xiao Ming.
Upon closer inspection, the three items were indeed the Earth Core Soul Marrow, the Pill Spirit Paste obtained from the Simulator, and the Gastrodia Elata Jade Stone Essence that Xiao Ming obtained from the Snake People Race.
Of these three ingredients, Earth Core Soul Marrow and Pill Spirit Paste can be directly prepared, as long as the proportions are well controlled. As for Gastrodia Elata Jade Stone Essence, the Stone Essence within it needs to be extracted before it can be added to the preparation.
Refining was not a difficult task, especially for Xiao Ming in his current state. With a wave of his hand, the Gastrodia Elata Jade Stone Essence floated out and hovered in front of Xiao Ming.
Xiao Ming glanced at the piece of Gastrodia Elata Jade Stone Essence in front of him, then waved his hand, and a burst of pale white flames erupted, enveloping the stone.
As soon as the flames appeared, under Xiao Ming's control, the temperature suddenly rose to an extremely high level. As a result, in less than half a minute, cracks appeared on the surface of the Gastrodia Elata Jade Stone Essence, and a very faint scent wafted out from it.