Elder Takes Bribes! Upheaval in the Assessment!

Li Bufan found a corner, sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and regulated his breathing.

Time passed bit by bit. Disciples occasionally walked through the plaza, their footsteps a chaotic jumble.

Some looked relieved after submitting their pills, while others hung their heads in dejection. Li Bufan turned a deaf ear and waited quietly.

About half an hour later, the registration disciple's voice rang out. "Everyone, the evaluation results are ready. You may go to the Alchemy Hall to check them."

Li Bufan opened his eyes, rose to his feet, and activated his token to return to the Alchemy Hall.

The Alchemy Hall was already crowded with disciples taking the assessment, bustling with several hundred people.

Elder Zhou stood before the pill furnace, with Jade Boxes covering the table in front of him. He casually opened one, poured out a pill, glanced at it, and announced a score. A disciple beside him swiftly recorded it in a register.

His movements were extremely quick, as though a single glance determined life or death. Among the disciples whose names were called, some beamed with joy, while others went pale as ash.

Li Bufan stood amid the crowd and watched in silence. Most of the pills in Elder Zhou's hands were ordinary First-Rank Pills. Whenever he encountered one of decent quality, he would look at it twice and nod slightly.

Li Bufan secretly felt fortunate that he had not submitted the Cloud Pattern Pill. Given its quality, it would certainly have drawn attention.

"Number thirty-seven, Li Bufan."

Elder Zhou opened the Jade Box and poured out the Great Qi and Blood Pill. He placed it on the table but did not immediately announce a score. Instead, he looked up at the crowd. "Li Bufan? Which one is Li Bufan?"

A slight stir ran