Xuanxue Palace
Xiaoyaozi strode over to Ouyang Ming and took out a green jade box. When he opened it, a burst of green light spilled out, catching everyone's eye.
A moment later, the green light faded, revealing a crystal-clear green ginseng fruit that gave off a rich, exotic fragrance.
"Qingyue Ginseng Fruit! This Spirit Herb has mild medicinal properties and is said to be nearly extinct. It can be used to refine several kinds of Fifth-Grade Pills for healing, and it's also used as an auxiliary ingredient in some Sixth-Grade Pills," said a Green-robed Old Man with a grizzled beard, his voice tinged with excitement.
To a Fifth-Grade Alchemist, a rare Fifth-Grade Spirit Herb was worth far more than a Sixth-Grade Magic Treasure.
The other alchemists' eyes grew feverish. Even the Void Refining Cultivators present couldn't help showing their envy.
Ouyang Ming was taken aback at first, then his smile deepened. With Shi Yue offering up this Qingyue Ginseng Fruit, this year's Pill Assembly hosted by the Nine Flames Sect would surely become a favorite topic of conversation among cultivators.
"Little Friend Shi, you're too kind. The alchemy competition officially begins now. In addition to a bottle of Heavenly Heart Pills and a Fifth-Grade Magic Treasure, the top contender will also receive this Qingyue Ginseng Fruit."
At Ouyang Ming's command, the Fifth-Grade Alchemists present began refining pills. Before long, an unusual medicinal fragrance filled the air, strong enough to be smelled from far away.
Shi Yue watched the alchemists' techniques closely. Their methods were largely similar. He paid particular attention and noticed that several possessed Spirit Flames, though most were of low rank. The weakest was Third-Rank and the strongest Fifth-Rank—nowhere near the Sixth-Rank Spirit Flame Shi Yue had.
Using a Spirit Flame to refine pills was nothing unusual. One