Everyone in the room smelled the pill fragrance and felt their minds clear.
Shao Ningzhi's reaction was especially exaggerated. He even looked openly intoxicated. After taking a deep breath, he remarked, "Junior Sister Jin's pill-refining skills have improved yet another level! Just smelling this fragrance saves me a whole day of work."
"Senior Brother Shao, you flatter me." Jin Sumian's expression remained calm, showing no surprise. She simply asked the white-robed, white-bearded elder, "How did it go?"
The elder smiled. "Fellow Daoist Jin sent over a total of 347 pills this time. Among them, 164 are Bone Quenching Pills, and 39 are Foundation Establishment Pills..."
First, he listed all the pills Jin Sumian had brought for appraisal, as if counting treasures. Then his smile deepened. "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Jin. Of them, 289 are mid-grade pills, and 57 are low-grade pills."
He paused deliberately, drew a breath, and only then announced solemnly, "There's also one... high-grade pill! A Foundation Establishment Pill!"
"What?!" Jin Sumian's lips curved into a faint smile, and she raised her chin slightly. Her previously unruffled expression now showed a hint of pride. Shao Ningzhi and the other two, however, cried out in unison and turned toward her in astonishment. "A high-grade pill?"
The white-robed elder smiled. "That's right. It's a high-grade pill."
He looked at Jin Sumian with admiration. "Fellow Daoist Jin has devoted herself to the Dao of alchemy for less than ten years, yet she can already refine high-grade pills. Such talent is truly extraordinary! Given time, you'll surely earn a place on the Pill Ranking."
"You're too kind, senior." Jin Sumian suppressed her delight and replied modestly, "The Pill Ranking is full of geniuses in the Dao of alchemy. I still have a long way to go and must continue studying diligently."
After exchanging