The room fell so silent that a pin could have dropped. Everyone turned to look, their eyes fixed on Xiao Ze as if he were a fool. The faint smiles on their lips turned to open mockery.
"Boy, don't tell me you've never even refined a pill. And you, Ye Zhong—you couldn't bring along a more reliable youngster? Do you think your Ye Family hasn't embarrassed itself enough already?"
The Grey-Clad Old Hag looked at Xiao Ze, the disdain in her eyes plain for all to see.
If he could refine a Mid-Grade Seventh-Rank Pill, then my Bai Family could refine a Ninth-Grade Pill. Anyone can brag, but showing off just to draw attention only earns people's scorn.
At this, the Qiu Family's younger generation turned their mocking gazes on Xiao Ze, their eyes full of amusement. They didn't believe that a boy who had never taken the Pill Tower's assessment could refine a Mid-Grade Seventh-Rank Pill right off the bat.
If he really had that kind of ability, the Ye Family wouldn't have been suppressed for so many years and driven steadily into decline, to the point where it was about to lose even its seat among the Five Great Elders.
"Seventh-grade Intermediate? You'd better think this through. This is the Pill Tower, not a place for jokes. Otherwise, the Pill Tower will put you on its blacklist and never hire you."
Elder Han looked at Xiao Ze in surprise and suspicion. Even across the vast Pill Region, alchemists this young who could refine seventh-rank pills were a rare sight.
Normally, someone like that would have attracted attention from childhood. It was hard to believe he had no record of ever taking an assessment.
Xiao Ze's expression didn't change. "That's right, Elder Han. I'm prepared to take full responsibility