The atmosphere in the great hall was oppressive.
Several dozen people sat around an enormous round table, each with a personal attendant standing quietly behind them.
Every one of these dozens was a master of the Dao of alchemy. Pick any one of them and send them outside, and they would be an alchemy master of considerable influence—some were even grandmasters.
Among them, two figures were especially eye-catching.
They were far too young. Compared to the elderly and middle-aged men around them, they possessed an extra measure of youthful vitality and drive.
Many of the personal attendants dispatched by the Yun Family could not help but turn their eyes toward these two young men.
They were geniuses among geniuses. From time to time, their eyes gleamed with a light of wisdom unseen in others their age. Their futures were dazzling, and everyone recognized and favored their talent. One day, they would surely attain even greater achievements.
Without a doubt, these two were Chu Yun and Yun Baisan.
They knew each other well and were close. Whenever they attended discussion meetings, they sat together to make exchanging ideas easier.
But this time, both sat ramrod straight. Unlike usual, they did not whisper to each other or lean close in conversation.
"Three weeks. More than half a month has passed, everyone." The Hundred-Million-Pill Marquis's heavy voice echoed through the hall. Anyone could hear the fury buried in his tone.
"Yet we have made no progress. The final problem remains entirely unresolved. This is a disgrace—a profound disgrace! Every one of us here is at least an alchemy master, and several of us are grandmasters. Yet we are stuck at the final checkpoint, unable to move an inch?" The Hundred-Million-Pill Marquis's graying beard trembled as he grew more agitated with every word.
He