Unstoppable Martial Arts: Starting from Fist Technique Deduction
Chapter 130 - 117 Mid-grade Elixir

Chapter 130: Chapter 117 Mid-grade Elixir

The Zhu Family Boxing School, deep within the inner courtyard.

"Master." Zhu Lingshan’s face showed a flash of anxiety: "The deadline for the response is getting closer, how should we choose?"

Zhu Jiyi frowned deeply, pacing back and forth in the room two or three times before speaking: "Disciple, I have already written to your senior brother. Let’s wait a few more days and see what his response is."

During this time, the wrinkles on Zhu Jiyi’s face had deepened considerably.

"The other two families have chosen to follow the Hong Family." Zhu Lingshan frowned, speaking coldly: "But Hong Huaiyun from the Hong Family is a domineering person. Following him, when it comes time to resist the bandits, they will use our school’s disciples as cannon fodder, which would be unwise."

"The information you obtained, I understand as well. But Pei Yuangu only cares about a few pharmacies and granaries; he doesn’t care about our martial school. If we follow the Pei Family, and the Hong Family comes for us, we will be hard-pressed to respond."

"Your second master also leans towards the Hong Family; after all, at this stage, not opposing the Hong Family has some rationale." Zhu Jiyi’s face darkened as he continued: "For this reason, I have discussed it with him several times but have not reached an agreement."

"During this period, the other two families have increased their tuition fees significantly, and basically don’t accept commoners, which is against our founding principles. Since the establishment of the Zhu Family Boxing School, we’ve always been a school for commoners, and this bloodline legacy cannot change its flag."

"So I am waiting for news from your senior brother. With his support, we will be more confident." Zhu Jiyi patted Zhu Lingshan on the shoulder and smiled: "Don’t worry too much, just do what you should do now and quietly wait for your senior brother’s reply."

"I will take your second brother to inspect the secret medicine production site in a few days. I’m just afraid that something might go wrong there."

Hearing these words, Zhu Lingshan could only nod silently and turn to teach several junior brothers.

"I have excellent pills to assist and guidance from my senior brother. My martial arts cultivation is progressing rapidly. If I have another half a year, and both my senior brother Lin and I step into the realm of Convergence, we won’t be bullied by the Hong Family like this."

The cold outside air assaulted Zhu Lingshan’s heart, casting a shadow: "But what we’re short of now is time."

***********

The Alchemy Hall, examination hall.

The examiners gathered in a circle, sitting around a three-foot round table in the middle.

All eyes followed the attendant as he placed the tray on the small table in the center of the hall.

"Tray number six." Announced the attendant.

The assessment started with the four inferior Pill Masters.

The promotion of the middle-grade Pill Master was of utmost importance, so it was naturally left for the last.

Lin Yuan was not only a middle-grade Pill Master in the examination but also the first to complete his alchemy, and according to the tray sequence, he was the last to be critiqued.

"Master Liu, Master Meng, you first, please." Several Pill Masters stood up and invited.

Liu Ju nodded with a smile in unison.

Meng Jian, upon seeing Liu Ju step forward, sat back down again.

"With him reviewing, there’s no need for me to check again." Meng Jian said with a wave of his sleeve.

The Pill Masters who invited him were helpless and went to the table to look one by one.

"Hmm, eighteen pills formed, all inferior quality."

Liu Ju took a porcelain bottle, poured it into a porcelain dish, seeing the pills were not quite smooth or full, but barely considered inferior; he sniffed it, and the fragrance was adequate.

"Indeed, twenty pills, with two being failed pills, and the rest inferior." All the Pill Masters nodded in agreement.

"He can become an inferior Pill Master." Liu Ju said lightly.

"Thank you, Master Liu, thank you, seniors." The sixth Pill Master could not suppress his excitement and stepped forward to bow, his heart leaping with joy, having finally become a Pill Master after years of alchemy.

The other Pill Masters participating in the examination looked at the sixth Pill Master with envy, their hearts filled with anxiety.

"Number five." The attendant placed the fifth tray on the table.

"Master Liu, Master Meng, please give your assessment." The Pill Masters once again invited Meng Jian.

Meng Jian nodded, rose to his feet, and walked forward.

Liu Ju remained seated, immovable in his chair, watching with a smile as Meng Jian assessed.

Before long, another person was successfully evaluated.

When the third tray was brought forth, they formed only nine pills due to insufficient quantity.

The fourth Pill Master showed despair in his eyes and hit himself twice in frustration, his face ashen.

"Pharmacist Hu, no need for this; once your skills are honed, becoming a Pill Master will be natural." The Elder in the center saw Pharmacist Hu’s actions and spoke.

After all, these Pill Masters were trained by their families over many years, and though they may not become Pill Masters quickly, with some practice, they can reliably produce pills and contribute to their families.

"Thank you, Elder, just regrettably, I didn’t perform steadily." Hu responded with a bitter smile.

Finally, the third tray was brought forward, and Liu Ju stepped up again.

After examining them, Liu Ju couldn’t help but take a few more looks at the person.

"Not bad, twenty-one pills formed, potent efficacy, excellent among inferior quality pills." Liu Ju nodded: "A good talent."

"Thank you, Master Liu, seniors, I will strive to improve." The last one smiled broadly in gratitude.

Once the tray was removed, everyone held their breath, awaiting the second tray.

Everyone knew this was Pan Ren’s work, stationed at nearly the same level as them.

Everyone was eager to see the pill result.

Only Meng Jian, with a sour expression, glanced at the cheerful Liu Ju, feeling uneasy in his seat.

Meng Jian kept sipping his tea, drinking more, and more.

The attendant brought forward the fifth tray, creating great anticipation.

Once it was set, Liu Ju voluntarily stood up, smiling: "My clumsy disciple’s workmanship needs precise critique from you, esteemed Pill Masters, please do not hold back because of old me."

The Pill Masters nodded in unanimity: "Master Liu is too modest, Pan’s skill isn’t much lesser than ours; we’re here for mutual learning and exchange."

"Hehe." Liu Ju chuckled, walking to the round table: "Fellow Pill Master Meng, esteemed Pill Masters, please!"

"Hmm! I’ll have to see what level his disciple has reached." Meng Jian scoffed, moving to the table and picking up the first porcelain bottle.

He poured the pills into the milky white dish.

Five perfectly round, lustrous Five Qi Pills continuously rolled and collided in the center of the dish.

"Middle-grade, middle-grade pills, these are definitely middle-grade pills!" the surrounding Pill Masters were moved and exclaimed in unison.

Though they knew Pan Ren was exceptionally talented, they didn’t expect him to truly be another Liu Ju, with such alchemy skill not much different from theirs.

The observing disciples overheard the Pill Masters and couldn’t stay seated, moving forward to see.

But Lin Yuan showed little interest in these middle-grade pills; he sat on a wooden chair, drinking his tea, wishing for the session to end soon to return to martial training.

"How can this guy remain so calm, arrogant?" Pan Ren’s gaze fell on Lin Yuan.

He had heard along the way that Lin Yuan’s alchemy skills were clumsy, pondering to himself: "Even hearing about middle-grade pills doesn’t make him curious; quite the act he’s putting on."

"The pills are pale yellow, slightly rough on the surface, but overall intact, exuding a faint fragrance, with a trace of pill glow; it’s top quality among middle-grade pills." Meng Jian sniffed one and examined it in his palm, sighing inwardly.

Casually placing the pill back on the tray, Meng Jian couldn’t help but feel dispirited: "Why don’t I have such talented disciples?"

"Heh heh, Old Man Meng must envy my disciple’s talent; this opportunity shouldn’t be missed, let me tease him a bit." Liu Ju had been observing Meng Jian’s expression closely, now laughing heartily within.

"Fellow Pill Master Meng." Liu Ju combed his beard and said casually: "My disciple’s technique is clumsy, but now he can barely produce middle-grade pills, does this quality meet your standards?"

"That old fart, enrages me so." Meng Jian’s face turned darker at his words.

Without intention to stay longer, he put his hands behind his back and returned to his seat, gulping down tea.

After everyone examined the rest of the middle-grade pills, the other two porcelain bottles were brought out.

"The other two bottles, though inferior quality, have sixteen pills each, full and excellent among inferior-grade pills."

The Pill Masters sighed, acknowledging that Pan Ren’s alchemy skill was nearly on par with theirs.

With such talent, he could surpass them after a few more years.

The Elder in the center was pleased, his gaze towards Pan Ren softened.

Having a middle-grade Pill Master was significant for the family.

"Congratulations, Master Liu, on acquiring a talented disciple." A Pill Master quickly congratulated Liu Ju.

"Friend, Pan’s skills surpass his predecessors, his technique is superb! If possible, do guide us a bit." Another Pill Master spoke with a smile to Pan Ren.

"Hehe, seniors, you are too humble; it overwhelms me." Pan Ren stood up quickly, stepping forward to respond.

Clap! Clap!

Meng Jian’s table made a loud noise as he banged on it, his mouth grumbling: "Tea! More tea!"

"Hahaha." Liu Ju couldn’t help but laugh at the sight.

Finally, after the mutual compliments, they returned to their seats, removing the fifth tray.

"Tray number six, alchemized by Pill Master Lin Yuan, please evaluate." The attendant carried two porcelain bottles, placing them on the round table and announcing.

"Here it comes!"

Lin Yuan’s eyes gleamed, finally, his turn had arrived.