Three-Grade... Initial Three-Grade Pill!

Xiao Clan Medicine Hall.

Today was the Drug Hall's annual internal pill-refining trial.

The alchemists took turns stepping up, each displaying their own skills.

Some refined mid-grade first-grade Healing Pills, drawing bursts of praise; others produced high-grade first-grade Warm Nourishing Pills, earning even louder applause.

The hall buzzed with voices and excitement.

"This year's batch of alchemists is truly full of hidden talent!"

"Isn't that so? Alchemist Liu's fire-control skills will probably win him first place again!"

"I think Alchemist Li's batch of pills is even better in quality!"

"The real pity is Elder Xiao Chen. I heard he usually keeps to himself and never participates in ordinary trials!"

As everyone discussed animatedly, no one noticed Xiao Chen in the corner.

On the stage, Alchemist Liu finished refining a furnace of high-grade first-grade Warm Nourishing Pills. He proudly held up the pills, accepting the hall's applause.

His gaze swept across the audience before suddenly settling on Xiao Chen, carrying a trace of provocation.

"Elder Xiao Chen, I heard your pill-refining skills are unmatched in our Drug Hall. What, at such a grand event today, won't you show us something and broaden everyone's horizons?"

"I needn't make a fool of myself."

Xiao Chen smiled and waved a hand. "All the alchemists here possess exquisite techniques. Merely observing and learning at the side has already benefited me greatly."

"You are too modest, Elder."

But the Drug Hall elder was unwilling to let him off, saying with a smile.

"I have personally seen your unique skill of refining pills with ordinary flame. If you do not show your hand on an occasion like this, it would truly be a waste!"

Unable to refuse, Xiao Chen could only rise with a smile.

"Very well. Then this old man shall make a fool of himself."

He slowly walked to the pill furnace and swept his sleeve. A cluster of pale green ordinary flame rose from his palm.

Low murmurs immediately spread through the hall.

"Ordinary flame? Elder Xiao Chen is using ordinary flame to refine pills again?"

"I heard he publicly refined a high-grade second-grade pill last time and left the entire hall stunned!"

"This time... is he going to do something even more astonishing?"

"Hmph, what could ordinary flame possibly refine?"

Alchemist Liu folded his arms and spoke sarcastically. "I would like to see what kind of miracle Elder can produce today."

Xiao Chen turned a deaf ear, his expression focused.

His hands moved in a blur as medicinal ingredients flowed into the furnace. Controlling the flame, purifying, condensing the pill... every step flowed as naturally as drifting clouds and running water, without the slightest pause.

Yet this time, he did not hurriedly collect the pills.

One furnace...

Two furnaces...

Three furnaces...

Batch after batch of medicinal ingredients was changed, yet Xiao Chen showed no sign of stopping.

The crowd's discussions gradually quieted, replaced by growing solemnity. To their horror, they discovered that Elder Xiao Chen was repeatedly purifying and repeatedly condensing within a single furnace!

"He... what pill is he refining?!"

"Such technique, such patience... unheard of!"

Alchemist Liu's expression slowly changed as well.

He stared fixedly at Xiao Chen's fluid movements, becoming more alarmed the longer he watched.

As one of the Drug Hall's finest alchemists, he naturally understood just how terrifying Xiao Chen's method of repeated purification was!

He was clearly using ordinary flame to forcibly raise the pill to a higher grade!

"How... how is that possible?! Refining a third-grade pill with ordinary flame is something even the pill-refining classics would not dare record!"

"Forget third-grade—even high-grade second-grade pills can hardly be sustained with ordinary flame... he is courting death!"

About an hour later, Xiao Chen suddenly shouted in a low voice.

"Pill complete!"

As his words fell, he swept his sleeve, and the furnace lid flew open!

A dazzling treasure light shot into the sky from the furnace, illuminating the entire hall!

Then, a pill suffused with a gentle sheen slowly rose from the furnace.

Clear pill patterns actually appeared across its surface!

"P-pill patterns?!"

"Third-grade... an initial third-grade pill!"

"Gasp—!"

Everyone in the hall drew a sharp breath.

The Drug Hall elder shot to his feet, his face filled with shock and his voice trembling.

"You refined a third-grade pill with ordinary flame—and even produced pill patterns?! Elder Xiao Chen, you have hidden your abilities well indeed!"

The hall fell utterly silent.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the pill hanging in midair, as though they were looking at a peerless treasure.

Alchemist Liu's face was even paler. His lips trembled for a long while before he finally forced out a sentence.

"I concede... I am completely convinced!"

"With Elder Xiao Chen's skill, even the Pill King Valley of our Jia Ma Empire may have to admit inferiority!"

Xiao Chen merely smiled faintly and gently placed the pill on the table, calm and composed.

"A minor trick. Please forgive the amusement."

"Elder Xiao Chen!"

At that moment, a deep voice sounded from outside the hall. Everyone turned toward it and saw Xiao Zhan striding in, his face full of excitement.

"Your skill is truly a blessing for my Xiao Clan!"

His gaze swept over everyone in the hall as he solemnly announced.

"From this day forth, Elder Xiao Chen shall serve as my Xiao Clan's Consecrated Elder, enjoying priority access to clan resources and receiving treatment equal to the clan head!"

The entire hall erupted in uproar!

"Consecrated Elder? That is a position equal to the clan head!"

"Elder Xiao Chen's pill-refining skill is worthy of it!"

"With Elder Xiao Chen overseeing the Drug Hall from now on, our Xiao Clan's pills may well become famous throughout the Jia Ma Empire!"

At the edge of the crowd, Xiao Yan watched the figure standing on the stage with his hands behind his back, light surging in his eyes.

He clenched his fists and silently swore an oath.

Uncle Xiao had already paved a path for him. He, Xiao Yan, absolutely could not hold him back!

"Three-Year Agreement... Uncle Xiao, Yan'er will not disappoint you!"

Xiao Chen looked at Xiao Zhan and smiled as he cupped his hands. "Thank you for your favor, Clan Head."

The next morning.

As Consecrated Elder, Xiao Chen gathered everyone from the merchant caravan and publicly announced.

"From this day onward, all accounts of the Xiao Clan merchant caravan will undergo a thorough investigation!"

The moment those words came out, the entire place fell silent.

The caravan managers exchanged looks, their expressions varied.

"Elder, why investigate the accounts for no reason?"

One manager stepped forward with a forced smile and probed cautiously, "The caravan has always served the Xiao Clan faithfully over the years..."

"For no reason?"

Xiao Chen glanced at him blandly.

"The merchant caravan is the blood vessel of the Xiao Clan's trade. If there are parasites in those vessels, even the finest medicine shop will be hollowed out."

He swept his sleeve and said sternly, "Bring all the account books to me!"

"Manager Zhang, has business been good lately?"

"Thanks to Elder's blessings, all is well, all is well!"

Manager Zhang wore a broad smile, but Xiao Chen clearly sensed his heartbeat suddenly quicken by half a beat.

"Manager Zhao, did this batch of medicinal ingredients arrive safely?"

"Smoothly, smoothly!"

Manager Zhao nodded and bowed, yet his heartbeat likewise skipped a beat.

Xiao Chen's expression remained unchanged, but he sneered inwardly.

After making the rounds, he already knew exactly who had something to hide and who was open and honest.

Back in the small courtyard.

"Let the bullets fly for a while. Once they expose themselves, we will deal with them all at once."

A purge quietly began.

Everyone felt threatened, and no one knew whose head this newly appointed Consecrated Elder's blade would fall upon next.

News traveled quickly.

The next day, Xiao Zhan came to see him.

"Elder Xiao Chen, regarding the merchant caravan... have you found anything?"

"It is still under investigation."

Xiao Chen smiled as he poured him a cup of tea.

"Clan Head, please rest easy. The more thoroughly we investigate, the more intimidating it will be when the truth comes to light."

"To kill a chicken to warn the monkeys, one must kill it so convincingly that everyone accepts it. Only then is it satisfying."