Three days later, Song Wen emerged from the alchemy chamber to find Shu Niang waiting outside.
Shu Niang respectfully bowed. "Greetings, Deputy Hall Master. Forty-three alchemists are already waiting in the main hall: thirty-seven first-order alchemists and six second-order alchemists."
Song Wen nodded in satisfaction. "Well done."
"You flatter me, Deputy Hall Master. This way, please." Shu Niang was slightly delighted as she raised a hand to guide him outward.
Song Wen strode ahead and soon arrived at the main hall.
A group of cultivators was already waiting inside. When they saw Song Wen and Shu Niang emerge from the corridor, they immediately came forward.
"Greetings, Deputy Hall Master."
Song Wen swept his gaze over the crowd. Their number matched what Shu Niang had said.
"Presumably, you all already know why you were summoned here, so I will not waste words. Those among you who cannot refine Ghost Shadow Pills and Soul-Returning Pills, leave on your own. In addition, those whose success rate for Ghost Shadow Pills is below sixty percent, or whose success rate for Soul-Returning Pills is below fifty percent, should also leave. If anyone's alchemy skills are lacking yet insists on staying to participate, wasting the sect's spiritual herbs for nothing, do not blame me for being ruthless."
Once Song Wen finished speaking, no one left. Instead, a male cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage stepped forward.
He was dressed like a refined young gentleman, though there was a trace of frivolity between his brows. His face was exceedingly pale, carrying an unhealthy, sickly pallor.
"This junior is Meng Cao. Greetings, Deputy Hall Master Gou Jun. Reporting to Deputy Hall Master, this junior has never refined Ghost Shadow Pills or Soul-Returning Pills, but I am quite interested in both. I ask Deputy Hall Master to grant